A long trip to say goodbye

When a high school friend died last month, I didn’t hesitate. I knew I needed to say goodbye at his funeral. The problem was I live in Minnesota and everything was happening 900 miles away in Colorado. And because of the tragic nature of the auto crash that took his life, his funeral was the last thing on his parent’s minds; they were focusing on their granddaughter and daughter who were in the hospital, victims of the same drunk driver. Thus, we heard about the memorial service on Thursday.

It was happening on Saturday.

We left Friday morning and returned on Sunday.

Gabe asleep on the bus that took us to Mexico and back in 10th grade.

It was a short trip that we pulled together fast, but the three of us who traveled together agreed that it was meaningful and we’re glad we did it, despite it being pretty tough. Here’s what we learned:

• Don’t expect too much of yourself.

I haven’t traveled anywhere in the last decade without visiting at least one winery in the area. It’s kinda my thing. But when I flipped through the thick booklet on wineries in the Denver area, I couldn’t summon up any excitement. I just didn’t want to visit one. Relaxing and laughing over a bottle of wine wasn’t likely to happen, and I was pretty sure I’d avoid that wine for the rest of my life anyway as it would bring back sad memories of when my friend died. So, although my husband had encouraged me to “have some fun” on my trip, I skipped the winery this time around.

• Travel with others who are grieving, too.

The best part about the 4-day trip was traveling with two other women who had known Gabe too. We shared memories throughout the trip, cried together and laughed together. Those hours in the car could have been exhausting, but instead they provided us with a postive way to grieve. It was nice to be around other people who were going through what I was. Ah, the stories we told...

• Keep the stress down by keeping expenses down

A last-minute trip and the accompanying stress was kept down a little because I didn’t also have to worry that I was breaking the bank to go. I rack up hotel points every time I use my credit card. This was the perfect time to take advantage of my free nights. It also made the trip planning a little easier. Instead of wondering where we would stop at night, I knew that our choices were limited to the places along the way that had Best Westerns.

• Don’t count on your phone and its apps for everything.

I was really glad that I’d printed out maps before I left home of the places that were important for us to get to, and the addresses of the Best Westerns along the way. I couldn’t believe how often my phone didn’t have service — or if it did, how slow it was. It wasn’t just in the mountains that the connection was spotty, but also in the prairie of Nebraska and farm fields of Iowa. That said, my navigation was invaluable (as long as we had a map for back-up).

• Leave the kids at home.

I really struggled over whether to bring my two and a half year old daughter with or not. I had never been away from her for that long. My worry scale was on high alert given the fact that someone I knew had just died suddenly and tragically. My husband and I both agreed that taking her on the long drive wasn’t smart. My friends and I were sure to be extra careful, but we were worried enough about ourselves driving that far. I also decided that it would be a bit insensitive to bring around my healthy two-year-old when the folks I would be visiting were worried about their two-year-old granddaughter who had been hospitalized since the accident. So, she stayed home. It was tough to be away from her that long, but it would have been a lot different trip with her there. I would have spent more time “mommying” than grieving.

• Establish a tradition.

For us, it was finding a Caribou so Cass could get her hot cocoa and Amy and I could have our coffee. It was our feel-good place. We discovered there isn’t a Caribou at every exit outside of Minnesota, so we relied on Google to get us there (here is where my Samsung Epic came in handy!). There are just two Caribous in Des Moines and three in the Denver area. There are some things worth driving around for.

• Make it a pilgrimage.

This trip was our chance to say goodbye to someone who was dear to us. We set out to do some specific things: Attend his visitation and memorial service. Visit his sister and daughter in their respective hospitals. Help out his parents if we could. Because we didn’t overschedule ourselves, we also had time to visit the site of the automobile crash, the place where he died. It was a peaceful place. The only sign of what had occurred there a week earlier was paint on the pavement, a few broken pieces of a headlight, and trampled down grass. We wished for what could have happened there, how her car could have gone off the road on the other side instead of striking his. We left comforted because he didn’t see what was coming and hopefully had no time to fear it. It seemed like his spirit was there with us, in the few raindrops that fell out of the sunny sky. From that place, we headed out to meet his daughter, his living legacy. Despite her injuries, we could see her daddy in her and we knew that his gentle spirit would be represented in her.

Then we headed out of town, feeling like we’d done what we came for.

Gabe and his daughter, his living legacy. She was an important little person for us to meet.

Barefoot on the Beach Part 4: Use a wedding web site

Use a wedding web site to stay organized, let every one know what’s going on and share what’s happening with folks who can’t make it to your wedding.

This is a web site design specifically for destination weddings courtesy of TheKnot.com.

Make the site your own by adding personal details about how the two of you met, as well as basics on the wedding and at-home reception, if you're holding one.

There are so many templates to chose from. Pick one that matches your location and/or theme.

Here's an example of a wedding site done well as as blog.

The types of services offered at Wedding Window are pretty common.

Wedding web sites are especially great for destination weddings. You can use them to psych folks up about the trip. Let your guests know what to expect. Share travel tips. And give them ideas of fun things to do once you’re there.

There are lots of wedding web sites out there with some great templates to get you started. Some are free (such as through TheKnot.com) and some have a fee attached. Click here to read a comparison of 10 sites http://wedding-websites.no1reviews.com/

We had a range of folks travel with us from veteran world travelers to folks who were nervous about the tropical bugs and had never been out of the country. My husband had never been out of the country either. I gave family members copies of the Insight Belize Travel Guide for Christmas, but I figured not everyone would read it. So, I shared travel tips on our wedding web site. Stuff like:

BE SAFE IN BELIZE

Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page: Make two photocopies of the passport identification page, airline tickets, driver’s license and the credit cards you plan to take. Leave one copy of each with family or friends at home, and pack the other copies separately from the originals. Leave a copy of the serial numbers of your travelers’ checks with a friend or relative at home. Carry your copy with you in a separate place and, as you cash the checks, cross them off the list.

Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.

Plan for the Unexpected: Take with you items that you will need if your trip is unexpectedly extended. These items may include extra money or medications. See the section on “Additional Fees,” above.

Valuables: Don't bring anything you would hate to lose. Leave at home:

* Valuable or expensive-looking jewelry

* Irreplaceable family objects

* All unnecessary credit cards

* Social Security card, library card, and similar items that may be in your wallet.

FROM MY EXPERIENCE

Pack money in several places

Never put all your money in one place. Pack some in your carry on and some in your check-in bag. You don't want to lose one bag and lose all your money.

Purses are easy targets.

Shoplifters know purses are easy target. Avoid taking one on a trip. Consider buying one of those special money/passport holders that go under your clothes, either by hanging from your neck or around your waist.

Pack swimsuit, change of clothes in carry on.

Just in case your luggage never arrives or is late, pack what you absolutely need in your carry-on, such as medication, swim suit, change of clothes and brush.

Never leave valuables out in your hotel room.

Don’t be stupid and leave stuff out that could tempt the house cleaner. Put it away and avoid running the risk of it disappearing.

I also thought people needed to know the basics of the country, such as the type of currency to use, what the weather was like, what languages were spoken and what entry requirements were. So I created a page for that information. Break the information up into easy-to-read sections and use lots of subheads within it.

HOW DO WE GET THERE?

It’s not a long trip. We’ll take a flight from Minneapolis to either Miami or Houston, and from there fly two hours to Belize City. Then we’ll either hop aboard a 15-minute flight to Ambergris Cay, or take a one-hour water taxi to the island. Once there, we’ll be staying in a hotel along the beach, within 10 minutes of the only town on the island, San Pedro. You’ll be able to either walk or rent a golf cart to get into town to shop, eat or just look around. The major airlines servicing Belize include Continental, American, US Airways and TACA.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Belize is English and is spoken widely in the city of San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Cay. Most locals also speak Spanish.

WEATHER

November through January are the coolest months, with highs around 75º. May through September are the hottest months at 81º. The water temperature averages 82º year-round.

POPULATION

The population of Belize is approximately 280,000 comprising Creoles (African-European), Garinagus (Black Caribs), Mestizos (Spanish-Indian), Maya and Europeans.

TOPOGRAPHY

Belize is an area of only 8,867 square miles. It is situated on the East Coast of Central America on the Caribbean Sea. Mexico borders Belize to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. It possesses the second-largest barrier reef in the world (185 miles long).

GOVERNMENT

Belize is an independent country with a democratically elected parliamentary government and is a British Commonwealth member.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

911 will connect you to the local police station wherever you are in the country of Belize including on Ambergris Caye. The police will be able to render assistance in almost any circumstance. They will also alert the Fire Department and summon an ambulance if needed.

TIME

Belize operates on Central Standard Time all year. No Daylight Savings Time is observed.

BANKING HOURS

Banks are open for business transactions from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. On Friday banks close at 4:30 p.m. Some banks are opened on Saturday morning. Check with your hotel for more information.

BUSINESS HOURS

Most businesses open at 8:00 a.m. close for lunch at 12:00 noon, reopen at 1:00 p.m. and close at 5:00 p.m.

FEES AND TAXES

* Hotel Tax: 9% room tax is added to your hotel bill

* Sales Tax: 9% is added to most goods and services

* Departure Tax:

-US $35.00 when departing the International Airport (US cash only)

-US $18.75 or BZ $37.50 when departing by land (to Mexico or Guatemala)

-US $3.75 or BZ $7.50 when departing by Sea to an International destination

DRIVING

A valid drivers license is required to rent a vehicle (golf carts are considered vehicles). Traffic laws are similar to those in other countries around the world. Driving is done on the right hand side of the road.

WATER SAFETY

Potable water is available in most areas of Belize, but it is advisable to ask, and if in doubt, drink boiled or bottled water.

CELL PHONES

In order to have mobile cellular service in Belize, an unlocked GSM (Global System Mobile Communication) 1900 MHz cellular phone is required. Phones may be activated at any BTL office or Digicell distributor in the country. Prepaid service works using phone cards that can be bought at various stores around the country.

Cellular phones can also be rented for US $5 a day from the Belize Telecommunications (BTL) office at the Phillip Goldson International Airport (PGIA). A deposit of US $150 is required.

ELECTRICITY

Although most of the electricity is provided by Diesel/Generator Sets, the power is stable at 110 Volts A.C., which is the same voltage as in the United States.

TIME ZONE

Time observed year round is GMT-6, which is the same as United States Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is not observed in Belize.

TIPPING

Tip is not expected an rarely added to the bill. However, it is recommended to tip 10-15% at restaurants. There is generally no need to tip hotels, as they tend to add a service charge to the bill. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Ambergris Caye is a part of Belize, therefore you will need to comply with the requirements needed to enter Belize. If you are a U.S. citizen a visa is not required, but all visitors must have a valid passport. Visitors from countries other than the U.S. should check with the Belize Embassy nearest to you for current regulations pertaining to them. You may also want to contact the Belize Tourism Board at 1-800-624-0686. Anyone traveling with an infant must provide proper documentation for the child including a valid passport. In the event a passport is not available, an exception may be made with an original copy of the child's birth certificate, and a visitor's permit may be issued for a fee of $25 USD.

CUSTOMS

Duty free importation is allowed for baggage accompanying passenger, wearing apparel, jewelry, binoculars and cameras. Each person is allowed to import one carton (200 only) of cigarettes and one bottle of alcoholic beverage, duty free.

CURRENCY

The currency exchange in Belize is $2.00 Belize to $1.00 U.S. dollar. All businesses accept U.S. currency. Some smaller places don’t accept credit cards so bring travelers checks or cash.

WHAT TO WEAR

You are in the tropics so bring cool comfortable clothes - preferably cotton. Essentials include bathing suits, sandals and sturdy shoes for walking or hiking. After a day in the sun, the cool Caribbean evening breezes can feel quite chilly so bring a light long-sleeved shirt or jacket just in case. Sunglasses, a hat and tanning lotion are advisable as the sun reflecting off the white sand and clear water can be quite strong. Insect repellant is also recommended as you may get a nibble or two.

PACKING LIST

Belize is a very casual place - often astonishingly so – and travelers should pack accordingly. The heat and year-round humidity dictact lightweight clothing of natural fibers; clothes become camp and crumpled very quickly, so bring plenty of changes.

At the cayes, you can get by in shorts, a t-shirt and sandals most of the time, or just bare feet and a swimsuit, even in restaurants.

However, most of the larger restaurants maintain a trendy profile after dark, so pack a more formal tropical outfit to wear under the thatched roof at dinner. Do not wear bathing suits or skimpy clothing on the streets of Belize City or other towns; it is considered offensive, as are bare feet.

Most of the time, you’ll need to dress for the weather rather than style. Don’t underestimate the power of the tropical sun; it can burn in half an hour or less. If you’re spending the day in the sun or a fishing charter, wear a hat and even long sleeves. Bring twice as much sunscreen as you think you’ll need.

(From Insight Guides: Belize)

Visitors are advised to pack casual clothing in addition to their more relaxed beach and outdoor wear. Below is a sample packing list for a 7-10 day visit which you can adjust accordingly.

Pack according to:

* Mobile or stationary--traveling a lot or staying in one place

* Mode of transportation--bus, flights, biking, etc.

* Activities while in country--camping, diving, fishing, etc.

Keep in mind… rolling suitcases and large bags are difficult to maneuver in sand, in and out of buses, up and down steps and when there is adverse weather (rain, heat).

Clothing:

* 5 to 7 shirts (short sleeve, sleeveless, cool & easy to dry)

* 1 thin long-sleeve shirt (protection from sun & insects)

* 2 pairs shorts

* 2 pairs long pants (jeans or khakis, nylon)

* 2 skirts or dress (not too dressy but cool)

* 1-2 bathing suits

* 5 to 7 underwear

* 1 pair sandals (waterproof is good, but not necessary)

* 1 pair of closed toed shoes (tennis or hiking)

* 2 pairs of thin socks (if hiking, bring more) sleepwear

* nylon windbreaker or long sleeve heavier shirt hat

* **remember, laundry can easily be done here

Toiletries:

* personal toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shaving stuff, toothpaste, brush, etc.)

* personal medicines (advil, motion sickness, all prescribed medications)

* hand sanitizer or wet wipes (when soap & water is not available to wash hands)

* sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)

* insect repellant

* after bite lotion

* contact solution (if you wear contacts)

* small first aid kit

Equipment List:

* daypack (small backpack/carry-on)

* multi-purpose tool (leatherman/swiss army knife) watch

* water bottle

* small sewing kit

* polarized sunglasses & eyeglasses (plus a spare pair)

* your favorite snacks (i.e. granola bars, dried fruits)

* a few ziplock bags (large & small)

* camera

* small flashlight or headlamp (with extra bulb and batteries)

* binoculars

* small packable towel

* handkerchiefs or bandanas

* folding umbrella or raincoat

* address list for a few postcards

* activity equipment (depends on your interests-diving, snorkeling, fishing, birding, hiking, caving, camping, biking, photography, etc.)

Documents:

* airline tickets & itinerary

* passport and 1 photocopy of your passport (keep photocopy separate from original)

* insurance information (both travel insurance & home country medical info.)

* money and associated records

* credit card information (keep a separate list of number & phone number if lost or stolen)

* medical letter from your doctor (if you have a specific condition)

* emergency contact information (keep 2 names & numbers with your passport)

* SCUBA certification card and dive log

I wanted to give people an idea of what Belize was all about on our wedding web site, too. So I shared information like this:

PACK YOUR BAGS BUT KEEP IT LIGHT

While Belize offers more than enough to keep you on the move (even if it to just roll over on the beach) you will never have to move far thanks to its diverse and convenient geography. The following is just a small sample of what awaits you in your travels of Belize.

Sun, sea, and sand—need we say more?

* Hike or canoe under the shade of the rainforest canopy in the company of over 500 species of birds.

* Observe stalactites and stalagmites in caves that contain pottery and ceremonial remnants of the ancient Maya.

* Island hop by kayak between the cayes or around one of Belize’s three atolls,

* Witness a sunset from atop a Mayan temple

* Snorkel with the kids and learn about the biology of the barrier reef.

* Take a refreshing dip beneath one of the many waterfalls.

* Exchange vows with the Caribbean Sea lapping at your feet,

* Swap stories back at the resort after a day of wrestling with permit, tarpon and bonefish.

In Belize, opportunities for adventure abound.

See more at www.travelbelize.org

GREAT WEBSITES

www.belizeanjourneys.com/multimedia.html (Pictures, video, etc.)

http://www.goambergriscaye.com/

www.travelbelize.org (not specific)

www.mybelizeadventure.com

www.northernbelize.com

http://sanpedrosun.net/index.html - San Pedro newspaper

WHEN VISITING MAYAN RUINS

• Bring plenty of water

• Wear long sleeves and pants

• Wear sun screen and bug repellant

Some things I lifted from web sites that talked about where we were going, such as our hotel. Don't retype stuff. Pull it from other web sites to save yourself tons of time!

ABOUT THE HOTEL

We're going to Ramon's, a fabulous resort within walking distance of San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye!

Lose yourself in the island accommodations at Ramon's Village Resort! An exotic beachside island paradise awaits you! Marvel at our stunning, authentic thatched roof cabanas, tropical lagoon-style pool, fabulous restaurant and the world-famous Purple Parrot all the while being pampered by our renowned staff..

Our accommodations include sixty-one thatched roof cabanas hidden beneath coconut palms and lush tropical foliage. Seaside and Gardenview rooms.... air conditioned and fan-cooled for idyllic comfort.

Located on the picturesque island of Ambergris Caye, you'll step back in time to the Caribbean of yesteryear.

You will be greeted by your legendary host, Mr. Ramon Nunez. Ramon was born in San Pedro and is one of the neatest guys you'll ever want to meet. If you really get to know him during your stay, there'll be tears shed when you have to leave.

Splash in the cerulean waters of the Western Caribbean from our sparkling white sand beach and view the second largest barrier reef on earth just 400 yards from our resort. Experience the bountiful hospitality of the people of Belize and see why so many guests return year after year to stay at Ramon's Village Resort. You'll be ready to come back too!

Dive two rare and breathtaking atolls, plus Jacques Cousteau's famous Blue Hole, aboard our Pro 42 dive boat The Miss Gina. Enjoy snorkeling with nurse sharks and stingrays at Shark Ray Alley, explore the ancient Mayan ruins, discover the amazing beauty of the jungle while navigating a stunning river or choose an afternoon of fly fishing for tarpon or deep sea fishing for marlin or sailfish.

Refresh yourself in our eighty foot lagoon-style pool surrounded by the gorgeous flora and fauna native to Belize.

Savor a delicious beach barbeque or join in the entertainment at the world famous Purple Parrot. Enjoy a romantic dinner at the Restaurant at Ramon's as the gentle breezes mingled with the perfume of tropical flowers whirl you into savoring calm.

Tranquil waters, calm breezes, gently rolling surf whirl you into savoring calm, eliminating the complexities of daily life. Intoxicated with the perfume of tropical flowers mingled with refreshing sea air, your senses will be rejuvenated like never before. Come to appreciate perfection. Discover paradise... Discover relaxation...

We also had a Q&A section talking about why we made the choice we did to get married in Belize.

WHY BELIZE?

Jesse: “Because that’s where Tesha wants to go.”

Tesha: “Because I’m obsessed with Belize. It’s the perfect country: Mayan ruins (think Tomb Raider), rainforests (think Jaguars) and Carribean beaches. Really, could you ask for more in a place? I can’t think of anywhere better.”

WHY NOT JUST GET MARRIED AT HOME, LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE?

Jesse: “I didn’t want to have the traditional $10-$15,000 wedding plus honeymoon costs.

Tesha: “And I’ll take any excuse to travel.”

Jesse: “A destination wedding will be less BS overall.”

Tesha: “What he means to say is that it will be an adventure. Plus, we’ll be able to spend more time with our guests, making memories over a week, instead of just one day. We’ll be able to go deep sea fishing together, maybe cavetubing, maybe exploring Mayan ruins, or just lazing around on the beach drinking pina coladas. It won’t just be a wedding - It’ll be a vacation for everyone. Hopefully it’ll be one they’ll never forget.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT BELIZE?

Jesse: “Not working. And being with my sweetheart, family and friends.

Tesha: “Being in paradise. And, of course, being with my Jesse.”

WHO SHOULD I TALK TO ABOUT THIS VACATION?

Tesha: “Not Jesse.”

Jesse: “Tesha.”

Tesha: “651-248-8972 or islandinthemist@yahoo.com. Or, click on the “leave a comment” page.

WHAT FUN STUFF CAN WE DO IN BELIZE?

Jesse: “Drink. Sleep in.”

Tesha: “Snorkle. Kayak. Cave tube (yeah, like in huge caves!). See waterfalls. Drink island-made rum. Visit a winery. See jaguars and other native animals in their native habitat at one of the coolest zoos in the world. Go on a zip-line in the jungle. Have a romantic dinner. Dangle your legs off the dock.

Jesse: “There’s fishing, too.”

Tesha: “Yeah, and if you scuba dive, the country is known for its dive sites. Oh, I forgot the coolest part - WE CAN GO SEE MAYAN RUINS! There’s tons of stuff to do in Belize, if you’re interested in that stuff. If you’re not, feel free to just lay on the beach. After all, it’s your vacation.”

Consider doing something fun with your Save The Date notices, an essential with destination weddings. Guests need time to save up money, take off work and prepare for the vacation.

Barefoot on the beach Part 3: Guests on a honeymoon?

GUESTS ON A HONEYMOON?

The whole idea of bringing my nearest and dearest to an exotic place and spending a week together leading up to the wedding making memories sounded wonderful to me. One day always seemed too short. But if you could stretch that out and have fun with each other before and after, well that would be something to remember.

But in some ways, it felt to my husband like we were bringing everyone along on our honeymoon. To alleviate that feeling, we let our guests know there were days and meals when we would do our own thing, knowing they would understand why.

Fifteen wonderful people came down to celebrate with us in Belize. Each come for as long as they could make it. My matron of honor was there for a crazy 48 hours while my aunt stuck it out through the tropical storm that came after the wedding.

I also set up the itinerary so that we left Ramon's on Ambergris Caye in Belize two days after the wedding and journeyed to a different resort on the mainland, Jaguar Paw, for the last five days of our stay. With the physical break, our guests knew they were welcome to stay longer and enjoy their own company, or head home.

Of course, once we got down to San Pedro, it wasn't an issue. We enjoyed dining every evening with all of our guests. We ranged from a small group of six to a large group of 15 the last few days. Each night we set off for a different restaurant, enjoying the wide culinary range the island offered.

We typically met each morning for breakfast, as well, although we didn't plan a time to meet.

Dining together in San Pedro ended up being the highlight of the trip for most of our guests. We enjoyed such a range of delicious food in Belize. Yum! And the company was great.

Jesse and I loved Estel's restaurant best, and so we decided to get married there. They prepared fish the guys caught that morning, and mixed up a whole 5-gallon bucket of sangria.

With most of the guests staying on the same cozy resort it was easy to connect.

On the days we had big excursions planned (a trip to the Mayan ruin Lamanai or cave tubing), we set up a time to meet the evening before with those who wanted to go. All the excursions were optional events that we set up while we were down there. Other days, each person was free to shop, lay on the beach, or explore the island via golf cart. We tried to strike a balance between planned excursions and just plain relaxation. We were at the beach, after all! For us that meant two all-day trips inland and two half-day fishing excursions during our 11-day stay on Ambergris Caye.

The constant coming and going of guests made planning our excursions a little more challenging, but it also made each day before the wedding a little more exciting. Each new guest brought fresh energy. When folks began leaving, we relaxed a little more and more, retreating into our private quarters.

Sangria brought to me on the beach -- what could be better?

Frosting anyone?

Go ahead; take the plunge and have a destination wedding.

DID YOU KNOW?

1) Destination weddings usually cost less than traditional weddings.

2) The experience can be a fun and relaxing one for you and your guests – if you plan together.

3) A wedding web site can put all the information your guests need in one spot. It also helps keep the friends and family who can't go with in the loop. (More on this in a later post.)

OTHERS IN THIS SERIES

Barefoot on the beach Part 1

Barefoot on the beach Part 2: Finding vendors

The perfect skirt

The perfect skirt is one that will fit me no matter how my weight fluctuates. After having a baby I am so frustrated with clothes. I want a stretch waistband — and I don’t want to be stuck in sweats. As my weight goes down (or up) I don’t want to have to keep buying clothes. Who has the money for that?!

And I don’t know why the high-waist thing came back. Sure some women look great that way, but who wants to be that uncomfortable? I’ve never liked having pressure on my belly, and since having a baby I REALLY can’t stand it. There’s no way I’m ever going back. Low-waist for me.

I know I’m not the only one with this problem. Why haven’t clothes designers caught up?

Turns out, the perfect skirt is out there.

It’s at Lands End.

THE PERFECT SKIRT

Truly, this skirt is perfect. It’s a mix of cotton and rayon-modal. This means it doesn’t wrinkle — and it has just the right amount of stretch to help the skirt keep its shape. It drapes gently, and the flared silhouette flatters every figure. It doesn’t require special laundering.

But the best part? The wide, foldover waist. It is truly amazing. You can decide where the skirt sits — high or low. And because it is stretchy, you can gain or lose a few pounds and it still fits.

Everyone needs like 10 of these skirts. Now if only they made shorts and pants like it... A girl can dream.

IT’S ON SALE NOW!
Women's Regular Cotton Modal Foldover Knee-length Flare Skirt
Item # 34802-0AK3
$ 34.50 NOW $ 24.99

Use the code CLASSROOM with pin 8416 to get free shipping and $10 off an order over $50.

Barefoot on the beach Part 2: Finding vendors

Planning a wedding thousands of miles away in Belize proved challenging, to say the least.

While I could have opted to hire a wedding coordinator, I chose to save money and do the work myself, knowing there wasn't much I required.

What we needed was a location, a minister, a license and a photographer. That was it.

Finding a photographer was simple. There were three listed on the island's web site, and I was immediately stuck by the talent evidenced by one. And she was available. I sent Kay Scott the deposit via PayPal, and a sample of pictures I liked via email. Then I marked photographer off my To Do list. (www.kayscott.com)

This photo by Kay Scott turned out beautifully -- even though we thought we were going to sink in this little boat!

Photo by Kay Scott

For more fun "Trash the Dress" ideas, go to http://trashthedress.wordpress.com/. Photo by Kay Scott.

Photo by Kay Scott

Photo by Kay Scott

Photo by Kay Scott

Photo by Kay Scott. www.kayscott.com

We soon discovered our resort (Ramon’s) wasn't easy to work with, and had learned it could make a lot of money off weddings. Thus, we struck them off our list, and instead focused on finding our own officiant. It took awhile to find contact information, but we were finally linked up to Reverand David Simpson via another couple who used the online message board I was frequenting for tips. (ambergriscaye.com/forum/)

He was difficult to reach via phone, and checked his email even less, so we left for Belize on May 24 knowing we (likely) had an officiant set up and that was it. We'd never gotten around to getting a copy of the paperwork or the ceremony he used, and had not sent a deposit.

I have to admit, even I was a bit nervous.

I didn't want to have invited guests and then discover we couldn't get the paperwork in time to get married legally. But I had a back-up plan. There was always the Isanti County Courthouse and a justice of the peace for a quick, easy solution back home, if necessary.

It turns out, I didn't need to worry at all. We met with Rev. Simpson our first night in Belize, and met him again two nights later to fill out the paperwork. He suggested a few different locations, but we stumbled upon the perfect spot ourselves.

Since getting married at Estel's, I have fallen in love with this bright turquoise color. It reminds me of the ocean.

Following the recommendation of a travel book, we ate breakfast our first morning at Estel's on the beach. I fell in love with their mango-filled fryjacks and their view. Jesse loved their laid-back atmosphere. When we dropped by again a few days before the wedding, our waiter nonchalantly noted we could have our wedding on their beach if we wanted. Plus, they'd be more than happy to fry up the fish the guys planned to catch the morning of the ceremony. And, they'd make up a pitcher of sangria and a five-gallon bucket of rum punch. All for $8 a plate. (http://ambergriscaye.com/estels/)

We'd found the spot.

Charlie, owner of Estel's, brought me a Rum Punch mid photo shoot. Wasn't that sweet? It came decorated with "Bride".

My sister-in-law spent several hours in the rain picking the perfect flowers for my bouquet.

If you go to Estel's, be sure to try the mango fryjacks. Delish.

That's one big knife. It belonged to Estel's, and we sure had fun using it to cut the cake!

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Click here to read Part 1 of Barefoot on the Beach