We all have people in our lives that go the “extra mile,” and those that need to learn how to just “go” serve. Anyways I try to always keep my promises and leave people better off by knowing me, spreading their business accomplishments and serving to make them look as good as they are.

This person I’d like to acknowledge here has been a Friend and Business Acquaintance since 1991 and she works for My Airline … OK my #1 choice is Airlines to fly on.

Alison with Southwest has been a friend to me and my son since 1991 ensuring he was cared for above and beyond when he flew alone. I have been a Loyal flyer since then and proudly state I have converted both the Hubbs and All Pro Dad Team to use My Airline, Southwest Airline for All Your Traveling Needs … just say’en! Besides what other airline than Southwest has Singing Stewardess, Fun Stewardess, Great Rates, On Time Schedules and Informative Pilots!

Southwest Headquarters needs to know what Alison did recently for my Husband’s best friend. While Terry was traveling in Ecuador he received a call from his home State of Oklahoma Police Department that his home had been broken into. Terry is in the Gold & Silver with Pawn so its potential crime business. Terry immediately choose to end his vacation and fly back to Miami, where he rented a car and drove to Tampa.

Alison was not working however she answered my texts then called to state she was headed to TIA to see what she could do. On Terry’s drive from Miami/Ft. Lauderdale to Tampa was when I telephoned Alison to ask for any help she could provide and she went beyond the extra mile service which is so typical of Alison and every one I have encountered that works with Southwest!

Alison pulled many strings, gave extra service to already confirmed passenger to ensure Terry would get on the next plane to Oklahoma. Thank you to the “unknown passenger” and Thank You to my Business Friend Alison for providing “EXTRA MILE SERVICE,” to a very dear friend of ours but most of all Thank You SOUTHWEST Airline for employing Great People from Top to Bottom of your Company. I LUV MY SOUTHWEST!

Oh yes, to end the story when Terry arrived in Oklahoma the house was secured and police already at work. For the record, Terry flew from Oklahoma to Tampa on Southwest then all three (3) of us flew Southwest to Ft. Lauderdale as we were going to Chile.

Southwest you ARE #1 in my book … until next time, keep it REAL, Real FUN and Real by flying Southwest! Brenda

So my friend Pamela is headed to Kenya with Beckah Shea Ministries leaving August 1st and it’s her first “out of the Country” trip. I am excited for her as well waiting with anticipation to see how this trip not only changes her but reaches so many Young Lives.

Pamela’s trips is for the kids of Kenya and she had three (3) weeks to “get it all together.” See Pamela was a last minute add so she had to acquire all her shots, get coverage for her employment while gone for ten (10) days and raise $3800 for this trip. Pamela came to me for planning a spaghetti dinner, auction and raffle … it was a success raising over half of her funds needed!

Anytime I have planned or worked events in my entire Event/Festival/Wedding career there are always those last minute things that pop up and this was no exception. MAJOR KUDO’S go out to Mac & Marc of Winn-Dixie Dunedin as “my local Publix,” day before the event backed out of the Manager’s commitment (it’s all good as biz is biz and friendships are friendships) but this allowed me the opportunity to find a new contact. THANK YOU WINN-DIXIE DUNEDIN!

Thus the reason for this quick “blog” as we wanted to publically thank the following Donors, Sponsors and Contributors to this last minute event. Please be sure to frequent these wonderful Companies/Businesses in your area as they really are “For the Public” and help simple people like me and Pamela with Only Two Weeks Notice!

KUDO’S TO:
SOUTHWEST Airline
Chick-Fil-A Tampa Bay (Heck All Chick-Fil-A’s ROCK!)
The Palm Tampa
GrillSmith Countryside Mall/Jamie
Winn-Dixie Supermarket
Sweetbay Supermarket
Countryside Christian Center
The Nielsen Company
Village Inn Pies Clearwater
Lowry Park Zoo
Bath and Body Works
Bed, Bath an Beyond
Lia Sophia Jewelry
Target Clearwater Mall
Ross Stores Palm Harbor
Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach
Thirty-One (Nanette Pluhar)
Tampa Bay Buccaneeers
All Pro Dad/Tony Dungy
o2b Fun Events
Safety Harbor Rigsby Recreational Center

VOLUNTEERS:
Pamela Burget
Ron Burget
John Geanakos
Babe an Marilyn Anciti
Frona Elkes
Nielsen Girls: Belinda Nichol; Paula and Nancy Coiro

We will update you on the Kenya trip upon Pamela’s return, until then keep it REAL … Real FUN that is! 🙂 Brenda

I thought this might help some of you who are like me and really speak No Spanish. Thanks to Audrey M from Countryside Christian Center a very dear friend and Columbia native for all her help along with giving up her Sunday Evenings!

Few Basic Rules
No “H” sound in Spanish, Just skip over that letter when sounding out words
“J” is sounded out like American H
“LL” is sounded out like American “W”
“Que” is sounded out like American “K”

Buenos Dias = Good Morning
Buenas Tardes = Good Afternoon
Buenas Noches = Good Night/Evening
Hola = acceptable greeting of “HI”
Chao = acceptable greeting for “Goodbye”
No = No (as in No Spanish/etc.)
Caliente = Hot but for Weather, temperature, etc
Picante = Spicy food (my major mistake)
Frio = Cold for Weather, temperature, etc
Como Te Llamas = What is your name
Me llamo = My name is
De Dondes Eres = Where are you from
Norte America = this is very acceptable for “USA”
De Que Parte = Which part (they will ask you this!)
Florida = My home State which they totally understand
Estoy Visitando = We are visiting (we used this alot)
Como Esta = How are you
Bien = Good
Mal = Not Good
Mas o Menos = So So (if you say this they will ask questions so I’d suggest not using)
Mucho Gusto = Nice to meet you
Lo Mismo = Nice to meet you also
Tengo Sed = I am thirsty
Tengo Hambre = I am hungry
Cafe = Coffee
Aqua = Water
Cereal = Cereal
Avena = Oatmeal
Pancakos = Pancakes
Huevos = Eggs
Pan = Bread
Durazno = Peach
Mellon = Cantaloupe
El Mango = Mango
Pitalla = Watermellon
Manzanas = Apple
Miel = Honey
Jugo = Juice
Leche = Milk
Hongos = Mushrooms
Frijoies = Beans
Sopa = Soup
Carne = Meat (they will ask what type)
Pollo = Chicken
Cerdo = Pork
Pezcado = Fish
Salmon Pron = Salmon
Ensalada = Salad
Arroz = rice
Mantequilla = Butter
Mantequilla De Mani = Peanutbutter
Sal = Salt
Pimienta = Pepper
Aceite = Oil
Aguacate = Avacoda
Nogal = Walnuts
Almendras = Almonds
Vaso de vino = Glass of wine
La Cuenta = The Bill (for food or products purchased)
Billetes/Dinero = Bills or Money
Monedas = Coins
Vuelto = Change (back from your monies paid)
Vamos = Let’s go
Le Gusta = Do you like it (food/etc)
Me Gusta = I like it
Llame Al Doctor = Call a Doctor
Ojo = Beware
Maletas = Luggage
Papeles = Papers/Passport/Airplane Ticket
En Mi Billetera = In my Wallet (used to tell them where your papers are)
En Mi Bolsa = In my Purse
Boleto = Ticket
Cuanto Cuesta Eso = How much is this
Cuanto Te Debo = How much do I owe you
Ponle Precio = Put a price on this (they LOVE to bater so have fun and do it!)
Secador De Pelo = Hair Dryer (VERY Important as they are hard to find!)
Jabon = Soap
Tollas = Towel
Papel De Bano = Toilet Paper
Se Dano = It broke (use for anything broken)
Lava Manos = Wash hands
Luz = Light (to see with)
MY ALL TIME MOST USED = “Ha Bleme Despacio” means Speak slowly please

Hope this gets you started as it’s alot more than we had for our First trip to South America.

Until next time remember, keep it REAL … REAL FUN 🙂 Brenda

Our Honeymoon, back October 2012 took us to Belize and to quote the Natives, “we had an unBelizeable Time!”  I got to Zip line through the Rain Forest, Cave Tubing and missed the Rock Repelling but here’s what I learned about BELIZE.

You can open a bank account in Belize from home online and their banking system is based on British System.  All Banking staff speak perfect English with of course an accent.  Belize banking accounts are Not subject to OECD and you can handle all paperwork for proof of whom you are by FedEx only.  Belize will Not Tax your account nor will they let the USA tax you for monies in their country!  The negative is there is no deposit insurance on any Belize account so don’t put any in there that should something unforeseen happen you lose it, keep the account real and within your own personal means.  Belize banks have less than One Billion dollars in assets, just say’en.  Wiring money to Belize will typically go through three other banks before getting to Belize so prepare for extra fees here.  Financial Investigative Unit (FIU) is the watch dog of Belize which monitors their banks and will investigate any claims you might have or make known!

Caye Bank is the best I’d suggest BUT Not to be Held Liable for Your Decisions.  Referenced as the best bank, most stable and it’s licensed with All Foreign Non-Residence also works with Swiss Banks.  Just say’en the Caye Bank can loan 50% of a property value with 11% interest to Any Property in the World, impressive!  Caye Bank will provide upon request to their clients a full financial statement.  SUGGESTION ONLY – don’t move large amounts of money to Belize and I would not move there but great place to “spread your assets for protection.” 

Just for the record our cruise went to more than Belize we went to Cosumel; Belize; Hondorus and Grand Caymon. ALL were simply beautiful and so much FUN as this was my First Ever Cruise! If you ever cruise be sure to get out at Every Port and try to do excursions if you can. Enjoy Every Show, Every Comic and of course the 24 hour Ice Cream Bar … John’s fav place to hang out.

Last but never least go Zip lining in Belize, it will be UN-Belizeable!  Later and keep it Real FUN 🙂 Brenda