With soaring gas and food prices, many of us will be experiencing a “staycation” during the summer of 2008.  A “staycation” is a vacation spent at or near home.  If you’re home is currently for sale, it’s a good idea to create a staycation atmosphere throughout your home and especially in the backyard.  Stage your home so that when buyers walk through that they can picture themselves hanging out and relaxing in their new paradise.

Several of the major retailers are jumping on the band wagon by running major ad campaigns surrounding this concept.  The whole idea is that you don’t have to leave your home to have an enjoyable and relaxing vacation.  What do you need to have the perfect staycation?  Think of a resort and some of the amenities they offer to their guests - comfortable outdoor furniture that is perfect for an afternoon siesta, backyard toys (anything that makes a backyard more fun), a lush flower garden, perhaps a fire pit to take the edge off of a chilly evening and definately some great food! 

Here are some suggestions as to how to plan your staycation to make it a success:

- Schedule start and end dates.  Make your vacation official by scheduling time off.  

- Plan daily activities.  Don’t let yourself and your family sit in front of the television all week.  Schedule activities (at home and within your community) so you get out and have fun.

- Forget the chores!  For your time off, forget making the bed and doing laundry.  After all, you are on vacation!

- Ignore email and voice mail.  It’s hard but try to forget about work demands.  You’ve worked hard all year and deserve the time off so take it.  If you must check in with the office, limit it to an hour a day and when the hour is over then go back on vacation. 

An added benefit of a staycation is that after it’s over you will feel more refreshed and rejuvenated than if you traveled to a destination.  Face it, the logistics of travel are not fun and often very draining on the family.  If I don’t have to wait in line, strip down in front of strangers and take off my shoes to go through airport security, I’m all for it!

MSN recently published an article that lists the nine best, livable cities.  The criteria used to determine the “top nine” include:  affordable and appreciating housing, low unemployment, short commute times and availability of entertainment. 

In the final report, the Harrisburg-Carlisle area ranked #3 out of 9.  We know that Central PA is a great place to live and work and now the rest of the world will know as well.

To read the article in its entirety, please visit http://realestate.msn.com/Buying/Article2.aspx?cp-documentid=3863709>1=9226

Rock on Harrisburg! 

The rain has finally stopped and we’re gearing up for a beautiful and sunny Memorial Day weekend in Central PA. The temperature will climb every day reaching a high of 85 degrees Fahrenheit on Memorial Day. Looking for something to do? Maybe I can help.

1. Artsfest at Riverfront Park (May 24-26)

This 3-day celebration offers food, film and fun! Artists come from across the country to display and sell their handcrafted goods. This is entertainment for the entire family. For more information, visit www.harrisburgarts.org.

2. Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest (May 24-25)

The Mount Hope Estate and Winery invites you to taste various wine and beer offerings from 16 wineries and 5 breweries as well as expand your pallette by trying regional favorites. For more information, visit www.greatpaflavorfest.com.

3. Fahrenheit/New Rollercoaster (May 24)

With much anticipation, Hersheypark is opening their new rollercoaster on May 24. This is the park’s 11th rollercoaster ride and boasts to be the nation’s steepest coaster ride! For more information, visit www.hersheypark.com.

4. “Over the Top” Circus (May 21 - 26)

If you haven’t taken the family to the circus lately, take them to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus at the Giant Center in Hershey. For more information, call the Giant Center Box Office at 717-534-3911.

5. Relax and Enjoy the Holiday

No matter where you decide to spend the holiday, spend with friends and family and enjoy! Remember to buckle up and be safe.