BasenjiMom

Mom's Help

2012-01-24T21:06:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Derick Burks

My mom told me about HughesNet Somerset and it's been really nice having Internet at home so I can Facebook with my friends and trade recipes with my family online. It's been sort of isolating since I quit my job and now stay at home with the kids but it's more rewarding than it is challenging. I feel really good about having a clean home and healthy meal on the table each night and I can't thank my husband enough for giving me this opportunity to bond with my children in a new way. I'm really relishing all the time I get to spend with them while they're gone and being a stay-at-home mom just made the most sense for us after our move. There are definitely days when I get bored though, so I appreciate mom's willingness to help me find something to occupy my extra time. I think she was just tired of me calling her four times a day to chat so she finally broke down and gave me a suggestion!

Furnished

2012-01-21T09:54:00.001-05:00

I see ads in magazines all the time for amish furniture..is this a new trend? Or are we going back to our roots? Or, could it be that with the strain on the economy, are we striving to buy local and american? Either way, you cannot go wrong with handmade, solid wood furniture!

In the Red

2012-01-21T09:52:00.003-05:00

Christmas shopping is easy with the internet! You can just search, click and order all from the comfort of your home! And, with RedEnvelope coupon codes, I saved quite a few bucks this holiday season on my list! Savings off the list means more money in my pocket! Win win!!

Cool Pool

2011-12-21T19:47:00.002-05:00

It's no surprise every other house in my state has a pool. And, if you have a pool, you need to call pool fence miami or someone to get a bird cage or fence put up. You always read in the news about a child wandering out the door and into the pool.

High Finance

2011-12-21T19:44:00.002-05:00

We had a conference call with human resorces about out 401k and such, all that talk about working capital financing, and where to invest and percewntages can be overwhelming for some people. I make it easy on my self by taking the paperwork to my financial advisor and asking him about it.

Shirtless

2011-12-21T19:42:00.001-05:00

I was looking at a website for funny t-shirts to find a gift for a secret santa party. In the end, I went with the gift that keeps on giving, booze...and skipped the t shirt option.

Games

2011-12-21T19:34:00.001-05:00

And, while we're on the subject, don't forget the psp batteries either! If you are going to buy the unit, the chargers and extra bells and whistles, and games.....you have to get the batteries!

Reminder

2011-12-21T19:31:00.002-05:00

The presents are wrapped, the stockings are stuffed, the turkey is prepped, and the cookies are decorated....but, did you forget the batteries? A lot of people buy gifts that require batteries and then end up at the all night drug store because they forgot to include them and little Johnny os not happy he can't play with his new toy!

Sleep

2011-12-21T19:29:00.003-05:00

I have been looking for a new mattress. Of course, the one I love is about a thousand bucks, you would think I was shopping at furniture stores in los angeles with the pricinng around here! I guess when you do the math, and realize that a mattress lasts about ten years, it's worth the price you pay for a good nights sleep!

Back to Basics

2011-12-21T19:26:00.003-05:00

When I was a teenager, my father had major back issues and was laid up for weeks not able to move. They reccomended herniated disc surgery to ease his pain for good. He was on major pain pills and it hurt him to move in any way. He was quite happy when it was all over and he could go back to work!

Jobbers

2011-12-21T19:24:00.002-05:00

A report was recently published that unemployment has dropped in our state. This is good news, nice to know that people can find Orderly Jobs, and other positions before the new year and start off on the right foot, Lets hope it stays that way or even gets lower.

Shop til u Drop

2011-12-21T19:22:00.003-05:00

Shoppers have flooded the malls in a holioday frenzy for some time now. Credit cards are being swiped, receipt printers are running out of paper, and bags of goodies are being stashed all over the house in anticipation of the big day. Five more days!

Camping

2011-11-16T17:43:00.002-05:00

We had an RV when I was a kid, we would go on weekend camping trips. Mostly to boat races, not to anyplace really fun. But, we were still getting away for a while. Luckily, we never really had any kind of rv travel emergency to deal with. Unless you count the kids fighting in the back while parents were trying to drive!

Shopping

2011-11-16T17:40:00.002-05:00

Black Friday is upon us. It seems they might even be bumping it up a little, to say...MIDNIGHT on Thanksgiving!! Poor Thanksgiving gets a bad rap, rushed through after Halloween, while Christmas takes a little more of it each year! This year, get out your wallets and armani exchange coupons as soon as you finish your pie, some stores are talking about opening before the turkey carcass is in the soup pot!

Memory

2011-10-18T08:53:00.002-04:00

When we buried my Mom, we did not choose any of the memorial ornaments for her plaque. I understand why some people would want to do that, but to me, she is not even at that site - she is in our hearts. I'm glad we all agreed on what she would have wanted when the time came.

Musical

2011-10-18T08:50:00.002-04:00

My friend started up with the guitar last year, and after the investment for instrument, guitar tuner, lessons, I hope she sticks with it. I know so many people who have started up and then just stopped for no reason, why invest the money if you are not going to fully commit?

Surgery Inspiration

2011-09-29T18:50:00.001-04:00

Written by Fermin Washington

It has been fifteen years since the last time I had surgery. Getting my appendix removed over a decade ago was not glamorous. I was in a lot of pain. I remember waking up in a cold, barren hospital room with my mother standing over me. I had complications and had to stay an extra night. I remember the food being awful and the television only getting eight basic channels. I was certainly ready to leave! Recently, I went in for a small elective surgery at a private surgery center where I had to stay overnight. The stay was not what I expected. It was more like a vacation! The food was great, the bed had fine linens, and the room was bright and cheery. I enjoyed lying in bed, watching great shows, and relaxing. The center inspired me to make my home more relaxing and comfortable. When I got home I bought new bed linens, went to tvbydirect.com and got good programming, and filled my room with fresh flowers. I still can’t believe surgery inspired me to make my bedroom more relaxing!

Speak

2011-09-28T17:39:00.001-04:00

I need to go shopping for some laptop speakers! In order to watch movies on this bad boy, I need some better sound quality - I've been searching the ads for the best deals on a good quality set so that I can enjoy a good flick while I travel!

Eat Right

2011-09-03T09:32:00.003-04:00

After a full year of eating right and working out with a trainer, i honestly believe that there is not a best appetite suppressant" on the market. Hard work and watching your food intake are the only ways to stay healthy and maintain your weight. And, cut our the processed food garbage! Eat fresh veggies & fruits, lean cuts of meat, whole grains. Easy peasy.

Speak

2011-09-03T09:29:00.002-04:00

When we were redoing the living room and surround sound, we found some of those speakers for bookshelf. I8 thought they made a cleaner look than just having the speakers sitting on the tv stand, or mounted on the walls.

Pre Show

2011-09-03T09:27:00.002-04:00

Going to a concert tonight with friends - should be an awesome show as we relive our high school years! Only this time, we're legal drinking age! We planning on hitting one of those cigar bars, which is right across the street from the venue, to have a few pre show drinkies! Should be a fantastic time with all of my old friends!

Gimme a Beat

2011-08-20T09:00:00.003-04:00

I cannot run without my iPod. I need to music to keep me moving, and drown out the sound of my heavy breathing! I had been thinking about getting a newer model, maybe a ipod shuffle 2gb, because it is so small and compact - would be perfect for a good run!

Cooler days

2011-08-20T08:57:00.001-04:00

I am anxious for the weather to cool off a bit, and not just because it is so difficult to run and workout in this humidity! I love the fall season, cooler temps, opening the windows and getting some fresh air...or closing them when it's cool and turning on the infrared heater.

Land

2011-08-20T08:56:00.003-04:00

hey've been saying it for about 3 years now, recession is a great time to buy! You can search through Table Rock real estate to find a great deal on some properties, of course, it being a recession and all....there's not really th emoney to buy while everything is so cheap!

Gifted

2011-08-20T08:53:00.002-04:00

Once again, I need to go shopping for christening gifts for boys, I thought this sort of gift was unisex. The standard seems to be a religous necklace of some sort, or a bible or plaque...or cash, of course, the universal gift!

Assistant

2011-08-20T08:51:00.002-04:00

There must be a lot of people going through medical assistant school, because I've seen an overrun of them at the doctor office. You can be part of the medical field, make a decent wage, without the hassle and student loans involved in medical school!

iRan

2011-08-07T10:10:00.004-04:00

I have another race on the horizonm this time a 10k...so there better be some first aiders on standby with the medical equipment in case I pass out! The heat and humidity are high, making it tough to train for the races on my full schedule. But, as a runner you suck it up and just DO.

School Rules

2011-08-07T10:07:00.002-04:00

It's back to school time kids. The dog days of summer are almost over, the sales in the paper all tout paper, pencils, lunchboxes, and urban clothing at low, low prices! Soon, the daily commute will be longer, and the sounds of fall will be here. Sounds good to me, football is in my sights, and I can't wait!

Christmas in July

2011-07-30T09:00:00.002-04:00

Yes, its that time again. Time to start looking for sales, stashing away gifts, thinking about Christmas invitations! Less than 6 months until Christmas, and if you plan properly you will not be out spending money you do not have at the last minute for gifts! Nor will you be stressing over last minute details of your menu, baking, and stocking stuffers. If you plan properly and pick things up year round, the holidays can be a relaxed non stressful time with your family and friends.

Treated

2011-07-23T11:45:00.001-04:00

All I see in the paper and on the news anymore are stories about prescription drug abuse. People getting bogus prescriptions, or buying and selling pills on the street...it's sad. Something needs to be done to stop this problem, some inpatient substance abuse treatment is on order. There are people who have legitimate pain and needs these pills, but the bad seeds are going to ruin it for everyone.

Back to school

2011-07-23T11:41:00.002-04:00

It's only July, but already all of the back to school aisles are filled, and the ads are all touting sales on pencils, paper and notebooks! One big ticket item to buy right now is a laptop, the best prices on them are this time of year, you can get Laptops for students at the source, or at any of your big box electronic stores.

MATters

2011-07-23T11:39:00.001-04:00

Going to need to invest in a new one of those yoga mats for my boot camp class. And, a thicker one, not one of those thin ones. We work outside on the pavement, and I do not like feeling rocks under my may when I am doing planks and pushups!

Cut it

2011-07-23T11:37:00.002-04:00

In my line of work, we go through a lot of utility knives. They are used in the warehouse for opening pallets and boxes. We buy them by the case...but for some reason, whenever I need one, there are none to be found? I think everyone walks away with them in their pocket and leaves them on their desk and not out in the warehouse where they belong.

Run

2011-07-23T11:34:00.002-04:00

Got up really early this morning to go for my Saturday morning run. I ran along the bay in Safety Harbor, such a beautiful run..the park is all shaded, and there is a nice breeze coming off the bay, early enough that its not ungodly hot! Who needs weightloss pills when I have this?
Feels good knowing my workout is done and the rest of the day is MINE!

HOT Summer

2011-07-18T16:46:00.002-04:00

Guest post written by Derick Burks

It has been so hot outside here in Columbia, SC that I haven’t wanted to go outside if it was the last thing to do in the entire world. I swear to you it gets hotter every single summer. When I was a kid, I would just go to the pool and stay there all day. However, now that I’m older, I don’t really like to go to the pool as much anymore. I made myself go last week with a group of friends, but the water wasn’t nearly as refreshing as I wanted it to be. It kind of felt like a hot tub! Plus, I got burned because I didn’t wait long enough in between when I put my sunscreen on and when I went in the hot tub aka the pool. I ended up ordering Satellite at directSTARTV , which has made the summer a little more bearable. I set up my treadmill in front of the TV, and watch shows that I’ve recorded- which at least keeps me moving! Hopefully the weather will cool down soon so I can go back outside! For now, I’m staying put with the air conditioning!

Saving

2011-07-09T09:14:00.002-04:00

I have been with the same "big name" insurance carrier for many years, I'm loyal like that. I thought I was getting the best deal possible on my car insurance. Boy was I wrong. I was seeing al these commercials about lower cost carriers, so I started comparing insurance quotes and saved a ton of money, and got better coverage, by switching! You never know, so make the call and ask.

Surrounded

2011-07-02T10:18:00.003-04:00

When I installed my surround sound system, I had to get some sort of wall and floor cord covers to hide the wiring. We searched many stores before finding what we needed at the local home improvement warehouse....I was not about to have wires hanging all over my walls like spider webs! Of course, now that everyone is wall mounting their TV's, these things are much easier to find, and a lot cheaper!

Laptop

2011-06-18T10:38:00.001-04:00

A few years back when I bought my laptop, I did a lot of research on the best laptop computers ad prices so I could get the most for my money. Now, with all of the tablets on the market, it seems the laptop may be going to the wayside.....what's next?

RIP Kinecki

2011-06-18T10:23:00.001-04:00

Jeff Conaway recently passed from an illness, which may or may not be related to his years of drug addiction, depending on whom you talk to. He will be remembered for his stint on Taxi, and of course, his portrayal of Kinecki in Grease. It's sad that all of the drug rehab programs he went through could not help him off his addictions.

Star

2011-05-28T09:01:00.002-04:00

My Grandmother was a longtime member of the Eastern Star organization, she had a lot of masonic jewelry with their logo on it. Not sure what happened to all of that after she passed away. A lot of things were tossed to the wayside that should have been passed on to future generations.

Smart Tag

2011-05-28T08:59:00.002-04:00

I saw an article where they are coming out with "electronic" reward cards for stores. You know, all of those little keytags you have from the grocery, electronics, and drugstores? There is a new app where you can have it on your smartphone and just scan from there and not have to deal with all those little keytags. You knew it was coming. Soon you won't have to carry a wallet, everything will be in your smartphone!

The baby's site

2011-05-18T22:06:00.002-04:00

This guest post from Doris Dillon

My mom kept begging me to put up blog since she had no interest in getting on Facebook or MySpace to look at pictures of our new baby. I kind of felt like it was a waste of time going to all the trouble to put up our own website, but now that I'm a few months in, it really seems worth it. Turns out, my mom's not the only one in the family that gets online to look at pictures of Jeremy as he grows up! First, my husband and I needed to buy a domain name suitable for all the children we had or were planning to have and once that was completed, a local designer worked with us for ! no charge to pick the best WordPress theme four our blog. Now that the whole thing’s up and running, I really like having a place to store all the pictures of Jeremy I take almost daily, and it's nice keeping up with family all over the country… Especially my sister in Japan!

Perfect Shirt

2011-04-28T22:08:00.002-04:00

Completed another month of bootcamp, with perfect attendance. Every time you complete a camp with perfect attendance you get a personalized happy camper t shirt! Well, personalized with their logo...but still, it's a status thing at camp! We love our perfect attendance tee's, and we work very hard for them!!

Re-Tired

2011-04-19T07:31:00.002-04:00

They were saying on the news this morning, again, that social security benefits are going to run out at some point. Too many people dipping into the system, and not enough putting back. Kind of scary for a lot of people who are counting only that when they retire. Hope you have a 401k plan.

Not Again

2011-04-19T07:29:00.003-04:00

It will be a cold, cold day before I am caught in another one of those bridesmaid dresses! I have done my stint and am over it. Too much money, too much stress, for something you wear once.

Report Card

2011-04-19T07:26:00.002-04:00

Had to create a report for a presentation at work, we don't have a lot of the tools in office to do what I needed to do, so I had to take it over to one of those document imaging places to get it all seamed up and ready to hand out. It actually came out very nice, so I would recommend those places rather than doing all the work yourself.

Stork

2011-04-19T07:24:00.002-04:00

I know a lot of people who had trouble getting pregnant...not sure if it was because they waited to get married and were a little older, had low testosterone symptoms, or what...but they had to either do in vitro or other things because it just wouldn't work the old fashioned way. Either way, they have kids now.

A Tisket

2011-04-02T16:51:00.002-04:00

Went to an awesome party a few weeks back for a friend, we all had a fantastic time eating, drinking, and mingling. There were a lot of gifts, a few brought some hand picked Gift Baskets for Women, which looked like a great idea. Get a basket or other type of contianer to hold things...add some soaps, candles, lotions - or other things, depending on your "theme"..and WALA! Instant gift!

Really

2011-03-27T17:14:00.002-04:00

I was in the running store the other day checking out some gear, and someone came in and was at the aisle with the energy/protein bars looking for diet pills that work! You are not going to find that in this store, only the gear you need to get out and move that body which will naturally cause you to lose weight!

Slim Shady

2011-03-27T17:09:00.002-04:00

I see more and more new diet products on the market..some kind of magic HCG juice, anothe shot of something that looks like a coffee creamer from a diner, some slimvox....when are people going to get it? There is no magic pill/juice/drink that will make you lose weight......exercise and eating right will do it every time!

On The Wall

2011-03-27T17:06:00.002-04:00

Thinking about a flat screen in the bedroom, problem with that is, need to find some space to mount it on the wall..which can cause some furniture moving and lcd tv mounts, to ensure it is in the proper place for viewing. When did buying a TV become so much work? used to be you bought one and stuck it on a table and you were good....no more.

Old News

2011-03-27T17:01:00.002-04:00

Every day when I open the paper I am bombarded with "sell your gold" ads. Is this a sign of the times? I see people on the side of the road in front of pawn shops holding signs that say "buy gold coins", or TV ads stating "sell Grandma's gold and antique jewelry"....everyone is trying to make a quick buck by selling what they used to think was valuable.

Pup

2011-02-27T15:04:00.003-05:00

Can someone explain to me why there would be a need for dog dna testing? Do we need to chase down the litter's daddy to pay for puppy chow and first shots? Or is this a new way to find out if your canine companion is from a superior bloodline?

Vitamins

2011-02-27T15:01:00.002-05:00

Seems there is something in the water around here...and i don't want to drink it! A lot of people I know are taking prenatal vitamins, ie; they are preggers. Maybe it just seems like a lot of people, as when you hear about one, you seem to hear about a lot of them. Either way, I wish them all well..as long as its not me!

Wrinkle in Time

2011-02-27T14:58:00.001-05:00

I see these ads on tv for cellulite treatment all the time....and have to wonder is that worth the money? There is no magic pill that is going to rid you of fat and wrinkles....eating right and exercise will take care of it.

Act your Age

2011-02-27T14:55:00.002-05:00

There are times when grownups act more like children. Especially at work, with the backbiting, snippity behaviour. Really? When you are at work it is a professional environment, no matter if it is fast food, coffee shop, or corporate environment....it's time to get rid of pimples and childish behaviour and act like grownups.

NFL on HD

2011-02-23T03:22:00.001-05:00

This post by guest blogger, Al Mills.

You want to be able to watch some great NFL playoff action in HD if possible. I love to watch the Baltimore Ravens on HD television. You cab see the high amount of intensity in the face of Ray Lewis and other guys like Terrell Suggs. Suggs can bring the heat and barrel down on the quarterback about as successfully as Ray Lewis happens to do so as well. Suggs is a younger player and we will be watching him in high definition Directtv for years. A defensive coordinator would also feel great to coach a guy like Ed Reed. Ed Reed is a player that some analysts consider to be one of the best safeties of all time.

The Kansas City Chiefs played the Baltimore Ravens last week and you got the sense that young players like Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe still have some room to grow, but the Kansas City Chiefs are headed in the right direction. It can be fun to watch a capable and motivated coach like Todd Haley be able to coach young players. Haley does have some expertise on the offensive side of the ball, but as you watch the game in high definition for example you can tell he has interest in what is going on defensively as well. You can see on high definition that Matt Cassel was struggling with Baltimore defense.

Vacay

2011-02-13T18:40:00.003-05:00

I've been talking to my girls about where our trip is going to be this year. Back to the island? Caribbean cruise? Backpacking? Building houses in another country? Perhaps azamara cruises? We have not made a decision yet, but wherever it is, I can guarantee a fantastic time will be had by all!

Green Cards

2011-02-13T18:30:00.002-05:00

I used to do those Photo Christmas Cards every year, but int he past few years have gotten away from it. Actually, in my green efforts, I have pretty much gotten away from sending cards altogether at Christmas. I noticed this past year I got fewer cards than previous years - wonder if others are leaning in the same direction as me?

Promote it

2011-02-13T18:27:00.002-05:00

I am constantly getting Swag from vendors in my business...everything from notepads to pens, calendars, Some of it is useful, like promotional usb drives, other things like stressballs are a waste of money, even for a promo item. Nobody keeps them, they get thrown around the office and into the garbage!

Critters

2011-02-13T18:25:00.002-05:00

With all of the talk in the news recently about bedbugs......I cannot help when I flip the mattresses in my house, but check around the edges...just in case! Doen't matter how clean you are, those sneaky litt;e critters can still get in there. Scary, but true. I'm a little paranoid when I go to a hotel as well!

Ponies

2011-02-13T18:22:00.002-05:00

I am going to the equestrian track next weekend for an outing with friends. We love to watch the horses race, drink, eat...and maybe win some money betting on winners!It's a fun day, not too expensive, except for the betting cash...but it's all in good fun.

Improvement

2011-02-13T18:19:00.003-05:00

I've been at the home improvement stores looking at pretty new things, bathroom vanities, new mirrors, kitchen sinks...things I want to get as I continue to redo various rooms in my house and make improvements. I think the bathroom is going to win out, starting with mine.

Why didn't I think of that

2011-02-13T18:16:00.002-05:00

Working for a global company means a lot of telemeetings and webinars. It's just too expensive to get everyone in the same room physically. So, Conference call services were invented - you can have employees from offices all over the worls in the same meeting for pennies.

Healthcare

2011-02-13T18:13:00.003-05:00

I have a lot of family and friends in the healthcare industry, and a few have been out of work for quite some time. Seems like even that industry got hit by the economy....people still get sick, it's not like you can avoid going to the doc or hospital. They have health care job sites specifically set up for these types of professionals, to help them get back into the workforce.

Technology Advances

2011-02-13T18:11:00.001-05:00

With all of the new "tablet" computers coming into the market, I wonder if the laptop is going the way of the desktop? Are we going to see our best netbooks sitting on the shelves at out local thrift store?

Sell it

2011-02-13T18:08:00.001-05:00

I've been seeing a lot of commercials and ads in the paper for sales jobs lately, seems like the economy is picking up...hopefully that means the job market is going to get a much needed lift. Sales is good for the right person, I would not take it unless it was salary plus commission...not sure how commision only sales make any money.

Rock of Ages

2011-01-23T10:18:00.002-05:00

I am headed to the theatre to see Rock of Ages this afternoon. I have heard good things about this show and am looking forward to spending time with friends and seeing the show. I got a few texts last night from another friend who was at the show and said it was awesome, the cast, the songs, the lighting...everything was perfect! Should be a great way to spend my Sunday afternoon!

Build

2011-01-23T10:15:00.002-05:00

We just did a build out at the office, busted through the wall and expanded into the suite next to us. Added a few offices and a conference room, expanded the break room as well and added cabinets to the kitchen. It's all complete and looks great, it's nice to work for a company that is expanding in these difficult times. Along with the construction came new phone lines, 1U server lines, and all the electrical doo dads needed to get us live in the new space.

Fit

2011-01-09T10:05:00.002-05:00

In additon to gift cards for gear, I also got some very nice fitness equipment for Christmas! New resistance band kit, weighted jumprope, and a few other things that I can use at home and when working out with my friends during out "off" weeks from camp. They got a lot of use during our Christmas break from camp - and I am very pleased with these thoughtful gifts.

Refund

2011-01-09T10:02:00.002-05:00

I heard this year that Tax service companies are not allowed to offer those "refund aniticpation" loans.....I am glad. They are like a payday advance loan, target a specific clientele and charge you MUCHO interest for money ou know you have coming. If you can't wait a few weeks for a tax refund, and are willing to give up about 25% of your money, I guess this is the thing for you....myself, I would NEVER.

Geared Up

2011-01-09T09:52:00.002-05:00

I got a few giftcards for Christmas to get myself some workout gear. Since I dedicated myself to this bootcamp experience, I am in sad need of enough workout clothes to get me through 5 nights of training. I had enough warm weather stuff, but needed some cold weather gear. Has to be dri-fit, lightweight kind of stuff that I can layer on and take back off as I start to get heated....since I was so specific, givers decided that gift cards were better and I could pick my own things out. I'm glad they did as workout gear is personal preference, can't just go into a sporting goods store and pick up any thing off the men's clothing or women's clothing racks - have to have the right gear for the right type of exercise. Luckily, with January being the typical month all of these things go on sale, I was able to get more for my gift card dollar by waiting for sale / clearance prices!

Saver

2011-01-08T14:04:00.003-05:00

Happy that the holiday season is over, always encourages everyone to spend spend spend. I have a few months reprieve from gifts, birthdays, showers and wedding invitations...so I am in full saving mode first quarter! I have set goals, and am reaching towards them each day. Its a good feeling.

Holiday Gifts

2011-01-08T14:01:00.001-05:00

Christmas was good, not a lot of flashy gifts - no psp, or big screen. But, I got to spend time with good friends, there was no family drama, and purchased myself something that I have needed, and another something that I have wanted...so all in all, a good holiday.

G Town

2010-12-24T09:58:00.003-05:00

Anyone who knows me, knows what a HUGE Gator fan I am. It started many years ago, when my Grandfather bought me a Gator shirt....I had no idea who the Gators were when I was 12, but I learned fast. My Gator love continued when my closest high school friends went to school there and I started visiting them on weekends, and we would travel up for games after they graduated. I refer to Gainesville as God's Country...because of my love for the team, and I think it is a beautiful city as well. Everytime I go back, I find a new Gator themed item to purcahse! You can even get orange and blue arrangements via cheap flower delivery in Gainesville FL!

Gifts

2010-12-24T09:54:00.002-05:00

The last minute hustle and bustle is upon us! After a run on the beach yesterday, I had to run into a Hallmark store to get a card....WOW....that store was packed! Shoppers looking for last minute gifts for her this Christmas, and him too! The holiday card section was sparse, the ornament display as well. I did wait until the last minute to get a card, but these people were filling their baskets with gifts! I think people spend more money in the last few days leading up to Christmas...just because there is something in the air and they decide to buy for everyone! I'm okay with others stimulating the economy so that I don't have to!

Black Friday

2010-12-11T10:10:00.002-05:00

I did not go Black Friday shopping this year, I was out of town visiting family. I do no think I would have went even if I had stayed home, as I was not in need of anything this year. Last year, I did go out at the crack of dawn to get a laptop computer....I had narrowed my search down to a few brands and checked all prices. I did not end up with the Asus, as I found a better deal on a different model. I went to one store, bought what I went in for, and went home. Is that still considered Black Friday shopping?

Glitters

2010-12-04T10:39:00.001-05:00

I saw an srticle in a magazine the other day that said more people are buying cubic zirconia rings rather than real stones due to the economy. Really, if you get a good one, you can hardly tell the difference..and the untrained eye probably can't tell the difference. I would not recommend doing this without telling the recipient thought.....you don't want anyone thinking you are a cheapskate! LOL!

Hot off the press

2010-12-04T10:36:00.002-05:00

After re-decorating my spare room, and setting up my desk/work space...I STILL have not set up my printer! You can see how much I have a need to print at home. Other than coupons, not too much. I tend to do my printing at work. I am going to have to set that as one of my chores this month though...get that bad boy set up and get some brother tn350 black toner cartridge so I can start printing when the need arises.

Thankful

2010-12-02T17:57:00.002-05:00

Just returned from a trip to the chilly northeast to vist family for the holiday, it was nice to get away for a while. Packed up my long pants, and closed toe shoes for this one! Normally, I am a flip flop girl..but, when the weather turns chilly, I have to put real shoes on.
It snowed Thanksgiving day, which was a nice surprise. Nothing major, just enough fat flakes to make this Florida girl happy - didn't need to break out the snowshoes or anything! Weather stayed pretty chilly the entire trip, mid 40's during the day. Everything is drab up there in winter, gets dark at 4:30...I don't think I could take much of that! I like to see the sun, and some greenery...and when it gets dark at a normal hour, like 6pm. Nice to put slippers on and sit by the fire with cocoa when it's cold though.
But, this Florida girl is happy to be home!

Clean Skin

2010-11-14T09:24:00.002-05:00

There was an article in the paper this morning about the new Harry Potter movie, and how much the actors have grown. The article asked the actors if they used any acne products to keep thier skin clear, as they have gone through their teen years in the movies seemingly with no skin issues. It seems they did not use anything, just were lucky enough to not have problems of that kind.

Loser

2010-11-14T09:22:00.003-05:00

I am going to have to harp on this again, there are no easy fixes when It comes to weight loss - when I saw the list of most effective diet pills 10K, I was disgusted that people still feel there is. Watch the Big Loser, Exercise and eating right are the only answers to losing the added weight on your body!

Smoke Free

2010-11-14T09:17:00.002-05:00

I was at an outdoor even a few weeks ago, enjoying the fallish weather and nice music....of course, the fresh air didn't last long when someone parked next to me and lit up a cigar! I had to move my spot, as I find that scent very intrusive and nasty, a Pipe I can stand, but never a cigar!

Hardwarre

2010-11-14T09:14:00.002-05:00

Finished redoing my spare room, just need a picture for the wall maybe. I was looking for some kind of tiebacks for the drapes...wanted something nice, but not too expensive. Saw some really nice ones at that hardware restoration store at that mall...but too expensive! So, took that idea to my local target and found exactly what I was looking for, at more than half the price!

Road Trip

2010-11-14T09:10:00.003-05:00

Went to visit Niece yesterday at UCF, she's fully embracing the college experience, messy dorm, ramen noodles -she's got it all! We took her to eat, have to feed the starving student, watched the football game for a while. We wanted to get some gear while we were there, but the University bookstore is SO expensive.....she said the local secret is getting it at Target or WalMart! Great tip, when my items went across the barcode scanner, I got 3 things for what it would have cost me for ONE item at the campus store!

Big Loser

2010-11-06T16:31:00.002-04:00

I'm in my 10th week of boot camp.
FITNESS boot camp, not military. With a personal trainer. It's been the hardest physical thing I've ever done, but so worth it. I did not do it to lose weight, I initially signed up to see if I could do it, and get in better shape. Boy, did that ever happen. I discovered that I LOVE working out, and challenging myself - and the benefit of that is dropping 2 pants sizes, and gaining muscle tone.
There is no magic Lipofuze
pill for losing weight - proper nutrition and exercise are the key. And, when you are working out hard you make better food choices because you know how much you have to do to work that cupcake or ice cream back off!

The Season

2010-10-31T14:03:00.002-04:00

Now that Halloween is upon us, they are already pushing the Christmas gifts and decorations in our faces at all the stores. I noticed it creeping in even before Halloween at Target and WalMart...they sneak in a few shelves of Christmas lights, then you see a tree or 2 going up..and the cashmere sweaters display is out...before you know it, they skip right from Halloween to Christmas - forgetting all about Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T14:02:00.003-04:00

Halloween is my favorite holiday. Not sure if it is all of the delicious candy, the memories from my childhood of trick or treating with my cousins, or the Reese's cups from Grandma with quarters taped to them - but it always makes me smile.

Really?

2010-10-23T13:24:00.001-04:00

Seems like there are a lot of latge night commercials out there for male enhancement products. Maybe it's the channels I watch? LOL! I think not, I just think those advertisers gear towards a certain audience, and for obvious reasons cannot run their ads during certain times of the day...so when I am watching late night TV I am getting them. Maybe I'm just noticing them more lately, who knows.

Eyes

2010-10-23T13:22:00.002-04:00

I would love to participate in one of those eye wrinkle cream reviews. I have experimented with diffent creams and serums to find what works best for me, I think they are all pretty much the same, and I use Ola products for my facial moisturizing needs...but when I am offered a sample of another brand, I try something new just to see if I am missing out on anything.

Sleepy

2010-10-23T13:18:00.003-04:00

In the past few months, I had been battling a touch of insomnia..not being able to fall asleep, or waking in the middle of the night. Not something I have ever had issue with before, so it baffled me. I kept trying to figure out what I was doing to cause this, because I was against taking any kind of sleep aids. I fetl like if I did, I would become reliant on them. Well, ever since I started boot camp, I have not had these issues. While I do not get to bed before 10:30 anymore, I am no longer having sleep issues! I am so tired from the workout, I fall right asleep and do not wake up except to relieve myself from all the water I've been drinking!

Veeta - Vita - Vegimin

2010-10-09T10:45:00.004-04:00

over the past few yearsm my Doctor has put me on a lot of supplements. I like that she prefers to fight off things with supplements & diet rather than prescriptions. I am currently on daily womens vitamins. Vitamin D, Calcium, and B-12. Seems to be working for me, along with eating whole foods and a LOT of exercise.

Apprentice

2010-09-18T22:10:00.002-04:00

Started watching the new season of Apprentice, Trump put a twist on this one by only including contestants who were out of work due to the recession. I like that idea, it gives people a better chance. It also creates a nice mix of contestants with baried backgrounds - we have everything from Lawyers, college grads, financial advisors, a beauty contestant, and a few froom technology jobs.

Will never understand

2010-09-18T22:05:00.003-04:00

A friend of mine lost his Mom to lung cancer, not sure if her's was Mesothelioma or not. She never smoked a day in her life, nor did anyone in her house. I am always urging my smoking friends to stop, as you can get cancer from it, besides it's just a nasty habit. I guess cancer can touch anyone at anytime, no matter how careful you are.

O Town

2010-09-18T22:02:00.002-04:00

Been a long time since i headed east on I4 for an Orlando vacation. Lately, I'm feeling I've had my fill of theme parks and all that goes with them, so I've been taking my tourism dollars out of state. Sorry Florida, but that's the way it is.

Boot Them

2010-09-18T21:59:00.003-04:00

I live in Florida, where you don't get much use out of a boot...it's just too hot for that kind of footwear around here, no matter what time of year it is. And those ugg boots? Well, I think they are called that because they are UGGly......but it is NEVER cold enough around here to be wearing those furry things.

Lanai

2010-09-18T21:56:00.002-04:00

I got some new furniture for my lanai, a nice new design and redecorated out there. I do not have room for outdoor chaise lounges out there, but I settled on a nice loveseat / chair set, with tropical motif cushions. It has everything i need out there, comfort and style.

Techie

2010-09-18T21:54:00.001-04:00

I do not have one of those wholesale computers - I think thats an area you should not skimp on, even if you are opening a business type situation. You need good technology to get the job done, and with wholesale lots you never know what you are going to get.

Tailgator

2010-09-18T21:51:00.002-04:00

One of the things I love about the gameday experience is the tailgating. You see vehicles and setups of all kinds. You have your tents, your grillers, your picnickers, your wanderers. I've always wanted to get one of those rv loans and tailgate in the pure style of that hookup! Of course, I do not have an rv, so I tailgate out of my trunk!

Hot Game

2010-09-18T21:47:00.002-04:00

Went to The Swamp for opening weekend, GAMEDAY. had a great time soaking up the college gameday atmoshpere, having some drinks and good food...wandering around campus and my old stomping grounds. And then, we went to our seats, and it was about 115 degrees in that stadium....I thought we were going to need emergency medical assistance for heat exposure. There was not enough water in Gainesville to keep me hydrated. Brutal.