Disney obsessed

Thanks to Olga Quinn

I have always been a huge fan of anything and everything Disney. When an opportunity came up to move to Florida, I was more than excited. I would be so close to Disney World and kept thinking about being a Florida resident and getting all the Disney discounts. Of course, I had to first find a house. To be honest it was not that hard to find a great one. I didn’t want to be too far away from Disney. I am sure I sound obsessed, but it is a key selling point for me. The one I found is perfect. It is only a twenty-five minute drive to the front gate of the parks. It has a pool, which will be great in the hot summer months. I bought it as quickly as I could and have already moved in. I love it! I researched good Florida security systems to have installed. I am also a safety girl and want to feel protected, especially since I will be home alone a lot. This move is like a dream come true. My park season pass will get its first use tomorrow and I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.

I have been paid for this "guest" post.

Calgary Apartments

Hunting for an apartment can be a very stressful experience if you don't have the right people to guide you, especially if you are moving to an area that is unfamiliar to you. You might not know which neighborhoods are desirable or which have the best school systems.

If you are looking for apartments for rent in Calgary, Alberta, help for you is just a click away. RentCalgary.com is a website that offers homes and apartments for rent online. They make it so easy for you to find what you are looking for. You can view pictures, descriptions, and prices in any area that you desire just by clicking on the map on their site. If you are an owner wishing to sell they will also list your property for you.

I have been paid for this post. The opinions are my own and have not been swayed in any way.

Waiting For Christmas

Credit: Free images from acobox.com

I would venture to guess that most of you have had your Christmas get-togethers and are putting away those stockings and presents and are ready to return to your everyday lives. I'm still anticipating..... My families Christmas has been delayed to New Year's weekend this year. My daughter is a nurse and had to work this Christmas so the stockings are still hung with care hoping that Santa hasn't forgotten us. We will be gathering at my small house and it will be bursting to the seams. I have three grandchildren that are 5 and under so it should be merry!!

Smoking Alternative

I quit smoking several years ago and it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I had smoked for many years. Ironically, I started smoking when I became a nurse in the late 1960's. I worked in a hospital setting and when I would go on break most of the doctors and nurses in the break room would be smoking. Back then I knew more people who smoked than didn't.

I tried several "stop smoking aids" while trying to quit. The gum did not work for me. I didn't like how it tasted and it did not take away the urge to smoke. The nicotine patch worked for awhile but then I developed an allergy to the adhesive and had to stop using them. I, also, think the patch put more nicotine into my system than the amount of cigarettes I smoked. I had frequent dizziness when using the patch. What finally worked for me was a medication called Chantix. It has been a few years since I stopped smoking and I still crave a cigarette at times. Sometimes I give in and have one and then I feel very guilty.

I have recently learned of electronic cigarettes as an alternative to smoking. With these battery operated cigarettes there is no ash, no odor, and no tobacco and they even come in flavors!

I have been paid for this post. The opinions are my own and have not been swayed in any way.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Your smile might just be your most important feature. It is what most people will notice about you at a first meeting. If you want to make a good impression you will want to keep your smile looking it's very best. Visiting your dentist regularly and practicing good oral hygiene at home are excellent ways to do this.

Still not quite satisfied with your smile, even though you are brushing and flossing and getting regular checkups? Are you looking for whiter teeth or perhaps straighter teeth? Dentistry has come a long way in the last 30 years. Today it is possible to have a complete smile makeover and achieve the smile of your dreams. Cosmetic dentistry offers many procedures as simple as teeth whitening to veneers to full orthodontia. If you are looking for a San Antonio Cosmetic Dentist you will want to check out Cosmetic Dental Associates. They have a qualified team of professionals with 25 years of experience in providing exceptional dental care to their patients. Their on sight lab makes it possible to give you spectacular results in a shorter time frame. Check out their website and then give them a call. Your smile will be your reward!

I have been paid for this post. The opinions are my own and have not been swayed in any way.

Tacky Tourist Party

One of the gals I work with turns 50 this month and we are having a party for her this week. We decided our theme would be "tacky tourist" or to be more specific "The Tacky Tourist Tiny Town Tavern Tour". Everyone is to dress up as (you guessed it!) a tacky tourist. This would be a little easier if it were summer and warmer but we will make do. I found a sombrero at a 2nd hand clothing store and I will be wearing a fanny pack along with a very flashy sequined vest. It should be a fun time.

Christmas Shopping

I have started my Christmas shopping. I have only bought a few things, so far, but it is still early for me. I find it difficult to get those I buy for to give me ideas, and without any ideas I am at a total loss. I am still buying for all immediate family members and so there is a variety of ages to shop for. I have my daughter and her family and my son and his family with ages ranging from 2 to 42 years. You would think that the younger kids would be the easiest but I don't always know what they already have so I have to talk back and forth with parents so that I don't buy something that they already own! That makes for sad faces on Christmas Eve!! The older girls, who are 12 and 15, are pretty good to give me ideas and they also like gift certificates to their favorite stores so if I get in a bind I can always go that route. I find my son-in-law and my son to be the most difficult to buy for. It is not that they are very picky but they hardly ever give me any ideas. They are both over 6 feet tall and to find mens big and tall sizes in my area is not so easy. This year I may try to find their big and tall sizes online.

I have been paid for this post. The opinions expressed are my own and have not been swayed in any way.

Still Lovin' My Car

I've had my Mercury Montego a little less than a month and I am liking it even more than when I bought it! This car has more "bells and whistles" than any car I've ever owned. I have found that you really don't know what you have been missing until you have it. I could easily go back to not having things like keyless entry and heated leather seats but I will enjoy them for now. I have taken one 200 mile road trip to visit my daughter and her family and the car rides very smoothly. It has an excellent sound system so I could enjoy my music during the ride. My daughter confirmed my feeling that it looks like a "grandma car" but I love being a grandma who is riding in style!!

A Career in Nursing

When I was in high school I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life as far as a career was concerned. My Mom insisted that I go to college even though I had no idea what I wanted to study. I attended a college about 75 miles away from my home and the first year there I became interested in nursing, even though the school I was attending had no nursing program. I talked to an uncle, who was a doctor, and he encouraged me to be a licensed practical nurse or LPN. There was an LPN school only 30 miles away so I enrolled after I finished my year at college. This was a 12 month program and it was a tough one. We had many clinical hours at a local hospital and also class time hours. I spent my evening hours with the books open and my mind absorbing anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing procedures. There were times when I wanted to throw in the towel and find something else to do with my life. But, at last, it was time for graduation. We had a ceremony where we received our coveted caps and nursing pins. It was a long, hard year but I have never regretted it. Even though I no longer work in the nursing profession, I still have that nursing pin and am very proud of it.


I have been paid for this post. The opinions are my own and have not been swayed in any way.

Daylight Savings Time

Credit: Free images from acobox.com
This is the weekend that we set our clocks back one hour for Daylight Savings Time. Last weekend I had to call my son to find out if that was the weekend that we were suppose to set them back because I could not remember. It seems that every year we do it a little later than the year before. I don't really like this ritual, but I hate getting up in the morning when it is dark, and setting the clocks back will cause it to be a little lighter at 6:30AM. Of course, that means that it will be darker at 5:00PM when I get off work, and I don't like that either. The days are definitely getting shorter and that means winter and my desire to hibernate like the bears. I guess it won't be too long and the days will start to lengthen again. I would not be very happy living in Alaska or other northern areas where they have darkness around the clock for days on end.

Vegging out

Written by my friend Constance Hayden

The weather has been terrible the last two days. I have been off of work, and of course the two days that I am off, mother nature decides that she wants it to start snowing. It has been a storm/snow mix and it is only October. Thank goodness that we got direct tv deals because I have at least have had something to do in the house. I haven’t been able to go outside because it is just too cold. I have been snuggled up on the couch with my beagle and watching television during the day. Usually, I use my vacation days I try to get all of my errands done. This vacation, the only errands that I had to run were to mail something at the post office. Because the weather was so nasty, I just didn’t feel like getting out in the rain and snow. I must say that I have successfully vegged out for the last couple of days and gotten a lot of rest. As much as I hate to go back to work, I feel like I am well rested. Rest is exactly what a vacation is all about.


I have been paid for this "Guest Post".

Trick or Treat

We had Halloween a day early in my community. All trick or treating was done this evening from 4:00 to 7:00PM due to our high school football team being in the state playoffs. They have a game tomorrow night which would leave many houses with no one home for the trick or treaters. Despite the early hours and fairly decent weather, I did not have as many kids at my door this year. There was one group of about six or seven that were dressed like the Smurfs. Very cute.

Edmonton Apartments

Hunting for an apartment or rental home can be a very stressful experience, especially if you are moving to an area that is unfamiliar to you. In today's world of technology the internet can relieve some of that stress. For instance, if you are moving to Canada and want to check out Edmonton apartments for rent, there is a website that offers detailed descriptions and pictures of their listings. It is as easy as clicking on an area that you would like to live. From there you can search by price, how many bedrooms, and property type. Happy hunting!


I have been paid for this post. The opinions are my own and have not been swayed in any way.

A Car Is Found

My car shopping experience was unexpectedly short-lived. I started looking last Friday and tomorrow I will be the owner of a new car! (That is, new to me.) Ironically, I only drove 2 cars and I am buying the first one that I drove. I like to spend my money in my small community, if possible, and that is just what I am doing. I found a 2006 Mercury Montego with only 42,000 miles on it and in beautiful condition. It will be my new ride! I must say that I really stressed over this decision. Buying a car is way outside my comfort zone and I am so afraid of making the wrong choice but I guess only time will bring the answer to that.

Shopping Online

I have a friend that does almost all of her shopping online. She tells me that she especially likes to do her Christmas shopping from the comfort of her home and it saves her time from going from store to store looking for a specific item. She has encouraged me to spread my wings and do some online shopping myself. So far, I have had very good experiences.

I have purchased several things on E-Bay and have been very happy with the process. Last winter I found a pair of Ugg boots that I loved and had to bid on them. That was rather exciting and my final bid ended up winning the boots and I was wearing them six days later! I also like E-Bay because if you don't know the exact brand of something that you are looking for you can just enter the item and undoubtedly the brand you are wanting will be included.

There are many websites that sell clothing. You can find everything from the tiniest baby clothes, to women's plus size dresses, and big and tall men's clothing. I am always happy when a website will accept PayPal as a payment option. That way I don't have to use my credit card.


I have been paid for this post. The opinions are my own and have not been swayed in any way.

Fall Clean-up

I spent a good part of the weekend getting my yard ready for the upcoming winter. On Saturday I took four bags of cuttings to the compost sight south of town and after work today I took another three. I have found it always works better if I cut the perennials back in the fall rather than trying to do it in the spring. This is only the beginning...raking will no doubt follow. I try to wait until the maple trees across the street have lost their leaves because they always seem to end up in my front yard!

Granddaughter's Fashion Differences

I have been fortunate enough to have my two oldest granddaughters live close by. Therefore, they have been a big part of my life and I have been able to watch them grow and change over the years. The oldest is 15 and her sister is 12. They can be as different as night and day, and yet, they have some similarities. Both of them love volleyball, horses, and playing board games, but when it comes to fashion they tend to travel in opposite directions.

Madysen is 15 now, but at the age of 3 she refused to wear anything that wasn't a dress. She loved all the fairy tales and princess stories. Yes, she is a "girlie-girl" from top to bottom. She likes getting all dressed up for school dances and having her hair in an up-do. She wears skinny jeans and likes the latest fashions.

McKenna is the 12 year old. When she was 3 she loved "Bob The Builder" and wanted to be him. She has never been afraid to walk to the beat of her own drum and admittedly is a "Tom-Boy". She loves T-shirts, sweatshirts, and anything comfortable. We are excited when we can get her into girls cargo pants rather than a pair of sweatpants.

I love both of these girls more than life itself and I love that they are different.
I can see a little of me in both of them and it is comforting, somehow, to see a reflection of myself in those I love.


I have been paid for this post. The opinions are my own and have not been swayed in any way.

Car Shopping

I have decided that it is time to start car shopping. My car is 10 years old now and it has started to "nickel and dime me to death", or so the saying goes. It has been totally paid for for the last 2 years but in that time every few months I have had to repair something at the cost of $300 here and $600 there. It would probably have cost less just to have my car payment. My problem is I don't really get all that car shopping lingo and the wheeling and dealing. I would like it to be like shopping for shoes. You find a really cute pair that you like, they fit, you check the price tag, yea! you can afford them, and you pay the clerk. Done deal! Easy as pie! Not with car shopping....I feel like there is some code that you're suppose to know but someone forgot to tell me. I just want a good dependable car that I can afford. No games and no sales pitch needed.

Is This Really My Body?

I started to notice subtle little changes in my body at the age of 34. I seemed to jiggle a bit in the derriere when I would jog to my car after work. At 38, I was downright alarmed when, upon waking one morning, I thought that my skin felt kind of loose on my arms. What was happening to my youthful body? Those were small potatoes compared to life at 63! Flabby is a word that I hate to use to describe myself but unfortunately it is an accurate description. Oh, I know that I am entirely to blame.
I see other ladies my age that still seem rather firm and much thinner than I am. I suppose some of it can be chalked up to genes, but certainly not all.

So, what can be done about this sad, but true, problem? Dieting certainly couldn't hurt. I spent my youth eating whatever I wanted and never gained an ounce but that is not the case today. Exercise would also be a great idea. I just feel too tired after work to do more than what is absolutely necessary. I need an attitude adjustment! What if I give dieting and exercise a really good try and still don't get the results that I am hoping for? I read a magazine article about Skin Tightening. That might be something I should look into. It sounds like a very non-invasive procedure and gives a more youthful appearance. Youthful is GOOD!

I have been paid for this post. The opinions are my own and have not been swayed in any way.

Shopping

I did a little shopping yesterday and I was very surprised at all the people at the mall. It was Saturday, but the weather was so nice that I expected people to be doing other things outdoors, I guess. Maybe many of them have started to do their Christmas shopping. It's a little early for me to be Christmas shopping, but I do wish I was one of those people who are starting now and not rushing around at the last minute. Every year I say I will be done before that last week, but it has yet to happen. I can't get my family to give me any ideas, therefore, no shopping. Get the hint, family???