Tybee Vacation Rentals Concierge and Tybee Information Site

I go shopping at a grocery store every week as many of us do, and it never fails to amaze me. They are wondrous things. Think of all of the choices we have, all of the food items and other things.

For instance, I found 5 different kinds of potatoes; 10 different kinds of rice; 55 different kinds of deli meats and cheeses; fat-free, low-fat, vanilla flavored, hazelnut, creme brulee Coffee Mate; hundreds of wines; 40 different coffees; and cat food out the wazoo. We are blessed to have so many choices.

Once I visited Ireland and went to a small village grocery store. Wow! They had very little in the way of choices. You had to buy the local bread whether you wanted it or not, and if you had a gluten allergy, tough–you couldn’t get gluten free bread. Everything came in cans or tins and orders were few and far between. I remember that there were only two choices for washing powder, two for face soap, and two for shampoo. Think of all of the choices we have for just these three categories.

My Irish friend comes to America quite often. His favorite thing to do? Go to Wal Mart. He is blown away by the miles and miles of choices, of products, of stuff. “Ye don’t know how lucky ye are,” he says in his Irish brogh. I think of that statement often when I’m in the grocery store.

I took Psychology in college and remember the Professor talking about how important grocery shopping is, especially to those grieving. It seems that doing something as mundane as grocery shopping helps us know that life will go on. It brings some comfort doing something one does so often, brings us back to routine and brings a sense of “it will be OK.”

Next time you are in the grocery store just stop and marvel at all of the choices. Just think of how blessed we are; think of a woman shopping in an African village. What choices will she have? Think of a village in Ireland or Germany. Those are considered modern countries, but most of their stores don’t have even half of the choices we have. You need pickled alligator tongue for a special recipe? Chances are they’ll have it, and isn’t that just a miracle!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it’s time for some reflection on how lucky we are to be living here. I have friends who would kill to be this close to an ocean, to have these temperatures, and this lifestyle. I have a wonderful home on the marsh with a deck and lots of windows. I don’t have any curtains except for some sheers at my bedroom windows–I’m old enough to be able to do this. With age comes a certain right to do whatever the heck you like with your house.

I have great friends from all walks of life. I’m in a wine club, a book club and I personally know the Mayor. I can walk to the grocery store, to the pharmacy, to a shop for a quick birthday card or gift, to the post office, and to a myriad of great restaurants. Walk out my door in any direction, and I can be at the ocean in 4 minutes.

I have a great part-time job as a Concierge forTybee Vacation Rentals, the best rental company on the island. I also am a tour guide for Linda Odom’s Tales of the South, a first-class destination management company, and I do the music for Ms. Margery who owns the pre-school Discovery. 

My Mother needs 24-hour care and she is in Oceanside Nursing home, 5 min. from my house. It’s old and has some creaks here and there, but the care is great and my Mom is safe and secure with someone there all the time. I know them all by their first names and they know me. A local preacher, Mr. Laughner, whom I didn’t know well, was glad to come to the home to give my Mother and her roommate communion–something that comforted my Mother greatly. 

When I drive the Tybee Road I see all kinds of beautiful sea birds, my favorite being the Egrets. These white beauties dot the marsh grass like ornaments and they never fail to make me smile. The marsh itself is an oasis of peace and tranquillity, pulling me in to enjoy its beauty.

I take a painting class. I NEVER did well in art–C’s were my grades for that subject. But on a whim I joined the Arts Association and attended the first class taught by Denise Vernon. She had me hooked from “pick up your brush, dab it in some paint and go.” I have progressively gotten better and now paint my own Christmas cards and those for my husband’s business. (He’s the Tybee Handyman, Stephen Street.) I have sold several original paintings and I cannot believe it.

My husband’s business is full and productive. He’s respected, shows up on time, does the job and does it well, and doesn’t charge an arm and a leg. He’ll spend an hour on-line finding a part for a broken item rather than throwing that item away and buying a new one. This has saved his clients hundreds of dollars. A $3.00 part plus shipping takes the place of a $300 chair. His clients love him and he has found something useful to do as well as a niche here on Tybee.

This is our life and we are so blessed. Reflect, my friends, on what you have. Look around you and be thankful.

All the locals on Tybee Island, GA know that the best time to be on the Island is October, November and even December. The weather is terrific–in the mid-70’s with lots of sun (those months are the driest), there are balmy breezes, and while we love our summer guests, the island calms down a bit and you can enjoy it without long lines and crowded beaches.

We leave our windows open day and night and what a treat it is; we can hear the ocean, feel the night breeze, and enjoy low heating/cooling bills.

January and February are wonderful as well in a whole other way. While the temperatures are a bit cooler (in the 40s and 50s) they certainly aren’t in the teens or below! And if you are one of those people who like cooler temps, well, you will be in heaven. Put on a warm, fleece sweatshirt and some sweat pants and walk in the refreshing air along the beach. My ideal temperature is around 65 degrees–often we have those temps during these months. What a treat! And there’s no snow or ice to shovel and deal with.

Tybee Vacation Rentals is offering a special from now until February – rent 3 nights and get a 4th free. This is a great deal, and why not consider spending time here when it’s best! Call us at 912.786.5853 or visit our website at www.tybeevacationrentals.com.

Ms. Carrie Efird and Ms. Amy Gaster, co-owners of Tybee Vacation Rentals presented at this year’s Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA) meeting held in Austin, Texas Oct. 31st – Nov. 3rd. The Conference’s title was: Innovate. Navigate. Collaborate. Continue Reading »

The Vacation Rentals Managers Association (VRMA) will meet October 31st through November 3rd and Tybee Vacation Rentals staff will attend.  The annual meeting, titled Innovate. Navigate. Collaborate introduces innovations to revolutionize the vacation rental business, and  navigates the current economy to present ideas to collaborate and strengthen the industry. The conference also provides concrete solutions and tips for increasing revenue and improving the bottom line.

In their efforts to provide the best service and quality management, Tybee Vacation Rentals sends many of their employees to this conference. Staff learns marketing strategies, the newest ideas in technology applications, new technology itself, housekeeping/maintenance and concierge service ideas and products, the latest in rental property laws and rules, and ideas concerning management issues–in other words, fresh perspectives and current trends on vacation rental management. 

Tybee Vacation Rentals is a leader in the vacation management business on Tybee Island, Georgia, and does everything it can to make owners and guests as satisfied as possible.  They make it their business to be on top of what is happening in the industry, providing the best for owners and guests.