Sticker Shock

Guest post by Jewel Cole

When I finally fulfilled my lifetime dream of quitting my corporate job and opening up a high-end gastropub, I was the happiest guy in the world. I had brilliant marketing, I had a very talented chef, and I had an ideal location. When we opened, things were going really well for a little bit, but slowly I started to notice a pretty marked decline in my sales anytime there was a sporting event going on. Being a fairly logical guy, I immediately made the connection that I was losing a huge percentage of my customer base that wanted to go to a sports bar around the corner to watch their games. I tried to fight it, but there was no way around the fact that I’d need to install some televisions if I wanted to keep my doors open. I wasn’t excited about the prospect for two reasons—first, I knew that televisions would make my place slightly less high-end, and secondly I was afraid of the sticker shock. There was nothing I could do about my first complaint, because it was a necessary reality. I did, however, snag a pretty sweet deal on my television service at www.cannonsatellite.com. I ended up not suffering from sticker shock after all. My sales are up, and the place is still pretty high-end even with the televisions. It’s a win/win.

I have been paid for this "Guest Post".

Sweet Sixteen

My oldest granddaughter will turn 16 this month. Seems like only yesterday she was three years old and running to greet me, dressed in the "Snow White" dress that I found at a garage sale. She loved that dress! We both share a love of fairy tales and most of the Disney movies. When she was very young she only liked movies with real people in them and I found a copy of "Peter Pan" with Cathy Rigby in the lead. She was in heaven! Now she has grown into a beautiful, thoughtful girl and I am so proud to call her my granddaughter. This is a very busy time in her life with school, dances, and all the extracurricular things that a teenager enjoys, but she always has time for her grandma. Happy Birthday, Madysen!

Feeling secure in your home

The Author of this post is Cheryl Martinez

There are many things in life that I personally take for granted. The sun shining on my face on a spring day, my children playing peacefully in the backyard, my husband’s job that supports us every day and my part time job that gives me great joy and fulfillment are all things that I think I take for granted because they seem like they will always be that way and can never just disappear in an instant. This isn’t the case though. At any time in life everything can be taken away in a moment. This is a harsh realization but I think it is an important one. We can’t just float through life thinking that everything is rosy and not take a minute to stop and think about what we are so blessed to have. One thing that I have recently felt especially thankful for is feeling safe in my own home thanks to ADT North Carolina. There are so many places around the world where people are afraid even inside their own homes but we don’t have to feel that way.

I have been paid for this "Guest Post".

New Glasses

I had been searching for new glasses for quite awhile and about 2 months ago I finally found a pair that I liked. I have gone to the same optician for many years and he always seems to steer me in the right direction. After 3 hours of wearing them I got quite a headache and I chalked it up to a new prescription that I would have to get used to. After several weeks of this I decided it was not the prescription but the glasses themselves. I went back to the optician and he said that these frames had quite a bit of structure to them, whereas my old glasses were rimless. He thought my headaches were due to the fact that these frames were much heavier than my old ones. He said I could keep trying to get used to them or opt for a different pair altogether. I chose the latter and today I got my second new pair. Thank goodness for the warranty! I could not afford another $550.00. I like my new glasses but I went back to rimless because of the weight problem and I don't think they look very different than my old ones. These are also narrower and my window of correction seems to be a lot less. Such are the problems in life!

Having a baby show

The Author of this post is Herman Barry

When my husband and I were trying to decide what service to get for our television, we decided to get a deal we found on direct tv deals. Now I am able to watch all my favorite shows. He always makes fun of the programs that I like to watch. One of my very favorites is A Conception Story on TLC. This show is all about couples who get pregnant and have a baby by the end of the show. Of course, I imagine that it takes months to film each episode, because it shows the women at the beginning, middle, and end of their pregnancies. I guess I am just a modest person, but sometimes I don’t understand how someone can get on television and describe the most intimate details of their pregnancies. I think that amazement I have with these people is what most attracts me to the show. And, these couples have many different types of issues. Some may have had to go to great lengths and expense to get pregnant. Other couples may be dealing with all the regular things that go along with being pregnant, but they may not be able to handle it all yet. They just act surprised that all these normal things are happening to them. I guess if I thought about it hard enough, I would see that my husband may be right in thinking that it is a dumb show.

I have been paid for this "Guest Post".

2012 Brings Change

January 2012 has brought change to my work life. My office purchased a new dental software program and we have been going through the conversion. Change is never easy but I was rather looking forward to the challenge of something "new". The last time we had to learn a new program was in 2001 and I had less computer knowledge at that time so I found it very difficult. Because I have been around awhile, my experience has made me aware that new is not always better. That seems to be the case with this new program. The more I become acquainted with this system the more disappointed I am becoming. We looked at three different programs before purchasing and my co-workers and I did not choose this program but we did not have the final say in the matter. Our old software seemed more advanced to me, but I guess I will have to accept the new one no matter what. It seems to me, if you are spending a lot of money on a software program, you would want it to be an improvement over your old one. I guess you don't know how good you have it until it is too late.

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.