Southwest Airlines is finally on bargain travel platforms like expedia and hotwire for the first time ever.  Previously you could only book Southwest flights on the Southwest direct link platforms.  This new deal will allow Southwest airlines to be more competitive with other airlines and let you and me finally get deals on Southwest trips.  It's just one of new changes bringing Southwest in line with its competitors. SW also plans to roll out assigned seating with extra legroom seats, in the coming months. Southwest recently began its first-ever red eye flights.  I have only flown red eye one time, and it was from FW to Chi to St Louis and it was so quiet and peaceful, almost eerie but I would definitely do it again.  I did not dig the layover, I never like doing that.  The longest ever time was like an 8 hour layover in Atlanta and it was before iphones.  It was just me and my blackberry for 8 long hours.  I like that Fort Wayne has more direct flights than ever and soon FWA will be flying direct to Myrtle Beach!  Use those vacation days.  Bon Voyage!

There is an all girl space trip taking place this spring and all the cool girlies are on the flight; Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Gayle King, Katy Perry, Kerianne Flynn and Lauren Sánchez.  So who is going to pilot this thing?  There is no pilot and everyone on board is a crew member.  The ladys won't be doing any space walking and it will be the same travel time as the past the flights on Blue Origin.  Elon Musk started the celebrities in space trend and Blue Origin is Jeff Besos version and tbh I'm obsessed with the idea. There have been 52 trips.  I talked to William Shatner right when he got back from his flight and he said it was one of the coolest things he's ever done and I can't help but think the most coolest thing he's ever done is this jam  (Mr Tambourine Man) This latest all girl flight is leaving from Texas and will be the first female only flight since the Russians did it in 1963.  This is also the first time out for New Shepard, which is a fully autonomous vehicle, with no specialized roles for the crew, hence, no pilot either. During the 11 minute flight they will touch the "Kármán line," the boundary of space, this is also when they'll be weightless and be able to see Earth too.  Civilian space travel seems awesome and definitely something I would love to!  I'll keep you in the loop about Katy and the girls.

I fully and honestly believe if you have easy taxes, you can do it yourself online.  But if you have any sort of claims or deductions or anything out of the ordinary with money, I would encourage you to definitely get yourself an accountant.  Their whole and actual job is to account for money that's yours and money that belongs to Samuel Jackson. JK They want Uncle Sam to get his fair part too. There are so many things to know about donations and work expenses etc and one of the big ones is 'how do I deduct mileage on my taxes?' The standard deduction is about .$67/ mile but obviously every workplace is different.  Here are some basic facts before you begin::  https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/taxes/2025/02/15/irs-mileage-rates-2024-reimbursement/78628678007/ 

I am married to a musician so that means that most celebrations he is working.  Valentines Day is no different.  He'll be playing a gig at a super club in town.  Am I sad that my husband has to work on valentines day?  Hell no my friend.  My man working on holidays means that I have a man that has a job.  I go to everything with him, so yes, we are still spending time together.  My father in law is in the same band so my mother in law will be my valentines date and I just absolutely love her, so I do not mind this at all.  I'll get fancy and have a girls nite out with delicious food and my husband is getting paid for it?  Done deal. We'll be at The Club Room at the Clyde for New Millenium Jazz Orchestra and a special vday dinner menu. No matter how you're celebrating or with who, my friends at Visit Fort Wayne have knocked it out of the park for a really great Valentines Day round up with all the best things to do for Valentines Day.  https://www.visitfortwayne.com/blog/stories/post/6-steps-to-a-romantic-valentines-day-weekend-in-fort-wayne-18018/ 

Someone along the way subscribed me to Travel + Leisure magazine a few years ago.  I have no idea who did, but I'm not mad at it.  I love to flip through an actual magazine and I think it looks good on the coffee table tbh.  Travel + Leisure says that the safest place to visit this year is Iceland.  And its for a ton of reasons too including very few car accidents due to the fact that they have very little traffic at all.  That makes total sense, but also a whole study going back all the way to 2016 has a bunch of real data and the whole list of all the other safeish places to visit.  https://www.travelandleisure.com/iceland-named-safest-country-for-2025-travel-berkshire-hathaway-travel-protection-8771792 

It's no secret that my entire social life revolves around Bravo shows and Below Deck is one of my favorites of the franchises.  If you're not familiar, its a show about the staff of charter boats.  Massive and beautiful yachts and sailboats. There is non stop chaos not only with the staff but also with the guests that charter the boats. And I gotta tell you, after watching every episode ever of every Below Deck I really do believe there is something to be said for cabin fever.  Not only did we see that in The Shining at The Stanley Motel, but watching these people break down by the end of the season, I have to believe it has something to do with being at sea for so long.  I stumbled across this show one day and ever since I was hooked.  I had no idea the 'yachty life' even existed.  Hospitality all over the world on a boat?  That sounds amazing!  Why didn't school teach me about that job? Some of the best episodes have been with other Bravolebrity's, including someone whos spray tan ruined the couch on the charter boat.  There have been below deck babies born and according to the mama on the reunion show, we all saw it happen on camera! There is a new season and this one is with Captain Jason and they're in the Seychelles.  The first episode is out now, check it out if only to see the sunshine and the beautiful water perfect.  https://www.bravotv.com/below-deck-down-under

I had no idea that this amazing invention even existed, but now that I know, I can't imagine sleeping in a hotel bed without it now.  They're not disposable like the paper at the dr office exam table.  These are actually woven fabric and although I don't imagine the thread count is very high, at least you'll feel more protected while sleeping in a strangers bed that also hundreds and hundreds of other strangers slept in.  You can get them from Amazon here https://amzn.to/3CrgYUb It's a whole set too sheets, pillowcase etc and comes in multiple sizes and since it's Amazon if you're traveling and forget them, you have them delivered to your door.

The way you mark wealth changes as you change, but for me when I was younger the first gauge of wealth was a swingset in the backyard, and then as I aged, the swingset changed and a wooden swingset in the backyard became the goal. Now for me, its a garage refrigerator.  If you have a fridge in your garage I automatically think you're doing very well.  The kind of 'very well' that you can just pump gas and stare off in the distance until the pump stops. I used to believe anytime you had a salaried position that was a sign of wealth.  But what is really considered rich these days? Most people said that $2.5 million would mean rich, but turns out, there is no set amount.  It's all relative to where you live and how wealthy the people around you are.  $100,000 is a great salary for a small town in the midwest, but for someone living in NYC that is healthy salary, but definitely not a rich girls salary.  Some indicators if people around you have money is if they own their home, if their children are in sports and if they travel.  When you have money you have better access to mental health care and you know how important vacations are and they're just part of your families lifestyle budget.  Bon Voyage baby!

My youngest son and some of my best friends live in Charlotte, NC and are seeing snow right now.  They're not used to it, so its fun and exciting and it'll all be over soon enough for them.  But here in Indiana its going to be winter for at least fiftyleven more months so lets make the most of it. Pokagon State Park has an absolute fantastic toboggon and the cutest cabins if you're up for a small drive.  I like to stay at the Potawatomi Inn when I go.  There's a hot tub, a pool, cute rooms and a super delicious restaurant.  The Indiana Dunes State park has a big sledding hill called Devils Slide thats also so much fun!  In South Bend there is a 16, 000 foot pond that they use for ice skating.  My friends at Visit Indiana put together this cute travel guide, check it out for your next getaway. https://www.visitindiana.com/winter/cozy/ 

Let me start with Gate Lice and how that is probably not what you think it is either.  "Gate lice" is a not so nice term for passengers who try to board a flight before their group is called. It's considered impolite because it makes it difficult for others to board the plane.  American Airlines announced new technology that is aimed at stopping this.  With the new technology, if you're not in the correct boarding group there will be a beep and every single person in the terminal will know that you are a line jumper.  And also, you will not get to board the plane early.  So that brings us to Aisle Lice.  “Aisle lice,” on the other hand, points to passengers who push through others in an attempt to deplane before anyone else.  I can admit to being an Aisle Louse but never pushy or rude, but I do like to deplane right away.  Because yes, I am in a hurry...to get to the rental car.  The rental car line at the airport after you've already been flying is just the absolute worst.  Not by any fault of their own.  It is what it is, but if I can avoid it, I like to do that.  When the plane lands I pop up like a ground hog!  I am in that car rental line before most passengers are off the plane.  I'm not pushing anyone, I'm not rushing anyone, but also I am  not letting anyone out into the aisle in front of me either.  So who's worse?  The Gate Lice or the Aisle Lice?  I'll let you decide. https://www.foxnews.com/travel/aisle-lice-latest-air-travel-annoyance-spark-social-media-debate 

I was aware of the *REAL ID law going into effect this year but I wasn't aware of these other 5 sneaky new travel rules.  I do not have an international travel planned which is good news because I haven't changed over my passport to my married last name yet. 

Whether you only know Pablo Escobar because you got sucked into 'Narcos' on Netflix or you are just a general fan of ex drug king pins, this is the AirBnb for you!  I have never actually stayed in an airbnb or vrbo or anything of the sort.  I like hotels.  I do not want to clean up after myself on vacation and I feel like there is a lot of that involved with staying in someone elses house and no thank you.  I do love to look at them though.  I like to go to the sites and search for exotic stays and just look at the pictures of how insanely creative people can get with their homes to rent them to other people.  When I came across this listing for Pablo Escobars private jet, I obviously had to check it out.  The converted 727-100 business jet is permanently grounded as an Airbnb in Bristol, England.  What can you expect?  The king pin quarters includes two double bedrooms, as well as working airstairs, lighting, shower, kitchen, fridge and of course a golden toilet. And yes, its Miami Vice themed too!  If you're interested in playing gangster on a budget you can stay in Pablo Escobars jet airbnb for just about $300/ night.  Take the kids on a family vacation they'll never forget and bonus points for calling it an educational historical trip. https://www.vice.com/en/article/pablo-escobars-private-jet-is-now-an-airbnb/ 

I didn't grow up as a traveler.  Cedar Point was pretty consistent in my life.  Sometimes we would go Kings Island but that is about as far as I had traveled until I went to Mexico my junior year of high school and I knew then that it was too good for your soul not to do forever. Little did I know as a junior in high school how expensive travel is.  My best friends parents had a condo in Mexico so by the time I had graduated I had traveled more than most adults I knew and definitely more than anyone in my family.  I was a world traveler now baby.  Then it all ended. It was over. I was a broke ass adult and out of school and only hit Cedar Point maybe every other year or so.  When I first started dating my husband he took a week long trip to Florida, it was around his birthday and he took his young son but secretly I still thought that seemed a bit indulgent. Then he started talking about a 'Spring Break' trip.  And then I knew that this wasn't something he just did ocassionally, he took 2 vacations a year. Every year. I was like yaaaaaaassssssssss this is what I'm talking about!  Now I get it and I love it and we go 2-3 times a year.  We always reconnect during vacation.  With each other and with ourselves too.  Work work work is the culture but travel is really where the balance should be.  Get out of your element and see other things, pretend you're other people, get your passport stamped. Put it in your budget and believe me when I tell you it really does so much for your soul and it can be as affordable as you need it to be.  With a little work you can find great flight deals and hotels and when you see them, jump on them.  Bien!

I love to travel. My favorite sound in the world is the sound of my luggage rolling through the airport.  I am just a regular suitcase traveler but I see all these travel accessories and gadgets for travel like cups holders that clip on your suitcase so you're not trying to handle a cup while you're searching for your boarding pass. But not for me because my husband has my boarding pass on his phone as I am the Passenger Princess,  I am however interested in a travel neck pillow.  I have never used them before because honestly for whatever reason, I always thought they were kind of dorky.  I don't even know why I think that, but when I think of travel pillows, it is never someone attractive carrying one.  Which is obviously nuts because they're not just for ugly dorks.  In fact, we should all be using a travel pillow. Except for those ostrich pillow things.  I am not doing that.  I lived in a time when dancing involved a lot of neck. This neck has been through some rough dance moves.  Multiple car wrecks, rollercoasters, turbulence, all of it has lead to an achy neck.  Yet, even so, I get on that plane multiple times a year without a travel pillow.  I see everyone around me snoozing comfy and not worrying if they packed the aspirin or not because definitely there will be some neck pain in the rental to the hotel.  But yet, I still get on that plane without a travel pillow.  One time we were at the airport and here comes my husband walking from the airport store, with a travel pillow.  One travel pillow.  Just the one.  For him.  I knew it was for him because it was blue.  If it were for me it would've been pink.  He's super observant and thoughtful like that.  But still, JUST THE ONE comfy travel neck pillow.  But I am ready and the time is right.  I am not getting on a plane again without a travel neck pillow.  But not a jenky one.  I feel like they're a status symbol at the airport lounge.  If I am doing it, it has got to be a nice one.  Maybe a lavender scented one. Firm but soft too.  I guess it would be nice if maybe was bluetooth also so that I could pack my earbuds instead of leaving them loose.  (*sidenote:: last time I flew I dropped my earbud holder with earbuds inside because of course! I was so mad because I was sure they were going to slide to the back of the plane and I would never see them again.  They slid around a bit and I stepped on them and held them under my shoe for the entire plane ride.  All the way from PIE to FWA I had that little earbud holder trapped under my sneaker) My next trip is probably Florida spring break so this is the time to be scouting around for my new and not dorky travel neck pillow.  I traveled all around the internet to find you this list of all the best neck pillows out there. https://www.cntraveler.com/story/travel-pillows

Christmas Vacation is essentially over and you and your kids are probably headed back to work and to school in a few days.  If you're traveling today you already know that Saturday travel is typically cheaper than a Friday or Sunday flight.  I personally love a Saturday return home because then I feel better about going back on Monday.  I like to have that Sunday rest day in there.  I am always looking for easy cheap travel hacks to make the adventure even easier.  Here are some of my favorite tips and I'm always open to new ones, so tell me your favorites too.  https://www.buzzfeed.com/anamariaglavan/things-dont-believe-in-checking-a-bag

Visit Fort Wayne is such a little hidden gem downtown.  If you've never been, you'll find incredible artwork, really cute hoodies and apparel, Christmas ornaments, greeting cards............. just like so much.  It's perfect for your out of town friends and family when you're looking for a unique gift to remind them of home.  But they're also a really great resource for what's poppin' in your area.  They house information like the where the best hotels are, and what restaurants are the best.  They also sometimes have tickets to events happening in the area and all you have to do is ask.  All that being said, it all goes for Visitors centers in other cities.  Most cities have their own visitors center with info, coupons, merch exclusive to them.  Once a few years ago the visitors center here in town invited me to be a 'celebrity phone bank worker' at the visitors center one afternoon.  It was a whole day of rotating people, maybe it was 'visitors center day' I honestly don't remember but it was very fun and we stuffed envelopes full FW info, so that is where I got that little hack.  I always request info from visitors centers when we're traveling.  I get it a few weeks in advance just in case something cool is happening in the city while we're there.  Give our visitors center a try the next time you're looking for great local art or the perfect present.  Find them here and tell them I sent you!! https://www.visitfortwayne.com/