23/06/2026
Over a week ago I said I'd speak a little into my recent vacation, which began as the incentive trip and moved into an extension of just Michael and I.
I want to share because behind some of the glowing pictures were some disappointments, but I've learned these moments don't get to take up time and space in my heart except for the initial "moment"
There's some important lessons I learned from our time away, and maybe what I'm about to share will resonate with you or help you on your next adventure.
We left our home in Perth on a very stormy night, winds blustery and lots of rain. So much so that I received a message mid flight (yes thank you air WiFi 🤦♀️) from my Son with a picture of our entire rear fence having been blown down and into our pool!!!! But, we chose to direct him how to make it safe and that we'd attend to it when we return. Everyone was safe, it was just a fence - this was nothing to get upset about.
And then into Seattle, wow what a place and somewhere we'd never been before. It was stunning and a beautiful start to our vacation. We ended up bumping into other demonstrators that we know and conversations, hugs and introductions were under way for the coming week.
We were so excited to be doing a 7 night cruise through Alaska, especially as Michael and I had chosen to invest a rather large sum of money for one very special excursion. We were to fly on to a glacier and do dog sledding with huskies. Honestly, a once in a lifetime experience. Well, as we got off the ship into the Port our phone buzzed, the excursion was cancelled due to weather conditions. We even found out that it only ever eventuates 25% of the time - so one in four. The disappointment was so real, and evident for probably a good hour. All our other decisions and plans around this vacation were based on the lack of funds we had after investing in that one excursion which was cancelled last minute. However, safety comes first and even though we were missing out I'm positively aware that others would simply love to be experiencing this cruise, even without excursions. I had to let my disappointment go. The cruise, the people and the memories were incredible and they are ultimately what matter most, plus my health and my safety are so much more valuable than one excursion.
We left the cruise, hired the car and you know what came next. The tyre blew, only 160 miles from the pick-up office. And even to this day Budget Car Rental will not reimburse us the $480 for the tyre as it blew out on our time, even though it's their car. I'm angry, but also so thankful we were able to get back on the road. We could continue our trip and no-one was injured. Plus, lesson learned - never use Budget Cars ever again. It's situations like this that educate us right? What we paid is just money, not a life and I will endeavour to earn money again. It sux, but again others would wish to be in my place to experience my vacation.
And then, we went on a horse riding tour - the worst morning ever. It was 3hrs in length and was through the most beautiful scenery you could wish for. But, it rained consistently for over 2hrs of the ride. We were soaked right through to our underwear, with the temperature around 3° Celsius. At the 2hr mark I wanted it to be over, I was miserable, at the back of the pack and couldn't hear a word that our guide was speaking as she shared so many facts. Afterwards I stripped in the car, put on new clothes and braced myself for our second excursion. We took the Gondola to the top of Suplhur Mountain where something extraordinary happened. Because the day was so cold we got snow. This was my very first experience of snow, so from a terrible morning I got an extraordinary afternoon. I also became so empathetic to those that live rough and get cold with no place to warm up. I want to do better in supporting those who don't have solid walls to keep them safe.
The very next day was picture perfect, this was the day we took the most incredible photos of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. It shows how quickly a storm can pass and the sun can shine. Even the darkest of days pass and we can be renewed.
So, all in all our vacation was spectacular but with real problems - it happens. But this year I managed to acknowledge the difficult and then move on over it. We are blessed even more than we know and enjoyed many experiences beyond our imagination. I am thankful for Stampin' Up! and the opportunity to travel. I'm so thankful for every one of you who entrust me with you hard earned money and for you ongoing encouragement.
Plus, if you got to the end - wow your a rockstar!!
* Disclaimer that less than 1% of active Stampin' Up! demonstrators earn incentive trips.
