Tea for Two

I'm taking NJ Transit heading into New York City; it's early on a Sunday morning and the train is packed; from a good glance the passengers are about 75 percent female. I'm sitting next to a woman (Miss Lisa) who has tackled the challenge of taking her girlfriends 4 year old into the big city for a tea party. On paper or in a email this looks great, but things are not off to a good start. This little girl (Amanda) really wants to be home watching "The Wonder Pets", as she keeps talking about them. Lisa keeps trying to excite this girl " don't you love the train? Isn't this fun", or, "want a yummy snack" are a few of her attempts to engage this tike who looks adorable, dressed in an enormous pink dress and polka dot boots, but really doesn't want to sit still.

Who is this experience for, Lisa or Amanda?

Lisa continues to try and explain everything to this girl " see I told you the train would get crowded" and tells anyone in her vicinity that she is taking a princess to a tea party. I'm not sure how great this party is going to be because she's received two phone calls from friends saying they were not going to be able to make it to the tea. Each call has Lisa making a excuse to Amanda saying she's sorry, so-and-so won't be there. Amanda keeps saying she doesn't know these people and is much more looking forward to the tunnel this train will soon go through. Lisa's attempts to take pictures on the train are met with a frown and grumpiness. "I don't want to smile" says this girl who really doesn't care that poor Lisa paid for the tea tickets or what she's trying to post on her Facebook page. Id be chuckling inside except I'm sitting in the window seat and this little Lisa keeps telling her charge to look out the window which is literally over me. The sight of the snow covered parks make this girl say "wow". Maybe next time something simple like hot chocolate and sledding would work better.

She's saving...

• Her AAA card gets her 10- percent off at Target.com.

She vocabulary...

• Nintendonitis: injuries caused by repeatedly playing video games.

She's sitting up straight...

• Studies show that people who practice good posture have better confidence than those who slouch.

She green...

• There are approximately 4,000 tree-recycling centers nationwide. Log onto the website www.earth911.com to find a location near you.

She read...

• How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew by Erin Bried

She scent...

• A perfume, GPS, is waiting at Sephora stores. The Scentsa, a touch-activated screen, will help find her signature scent and has access to more than 7,000 scents. www.sephora.com

January is...

• Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
• Glaucoma Awareness Month www.eyecareamerica.org
• National Hot Tea Month
• National Get Organized Month
• National Volunteer Blood Donor Month www.aabb.org

She Travel

Winter could challenge her travel on any given day, her air travel plans could be severely changed due to a blizzard. Here are some tips for when air travel gets snowy:

• If a flight is canceled, you can usually get a full refund.
• Ticket agents and gate agents have a lot of flexibility when it comes to re-scheduling flights and upgrades, hotel comps, and more. Treat them kindly.
• Airports are on the honor system when it comes to giving reasons for delays. Sometimes the weather gets blamed when it's a mechanical issue, which offers a larger compensation for travelers.
• When stuck at an airport, it could be easier to call your carrier to re-schedule instead of standing in a long line of frustrated travelers.

Five more tips:

• Don't overpack your carryon. You could be forced to check it for a fee.
• About 80 percent of air travel deals start on Tuesdays. By 4 PM, most carriers will add updates with their competing price.
• Check flights for all airports within driving distance.
• Bundle trips (purchasing airfare and hotel together) are most economical.
• Check flights for all airports within driving distance.
• Bundle trips (purchasing airfare and hotel together) are most economical.
• Older cruise ships are more reasonably priced than the newer vessels.

Travel predictions for 2011 expect families to still take the budget-friendly route. Airlines will continue to add more fees, resorts will follow suit, security will be stricter than ever, and more companies will use video-conferencing to cut travel budgets.

She's thoughtful...

• She can send some homemade chicken soup easily at this site www.spoonfullofcomfort.com.

She cook...

• An adjustable rolling pin is just what the kitchen ordered and will help her roll her crusts and dough to the perfect thickness- no more guessing. Info at the site www.momastore.com

• Get more She Prep at www.ShePrep.com