Those Eyes

Five year ago... those eyes laid a loving look at me. Today... those eyes are the first light I see when I wake up in the morning.

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Spring Inspiration

Contribution by Stevie Kirby

I just love when inspiration sneaks up on me from out of nowhere. Now that spring is in the air I was ready to clean out the closets in our home and purge all the items we simply did not use anymore. My beautiful collection of great clothes and accessories inspired me to find a local consignment to give them new life for someone else. After my fifth bin of items I realized I was certainly on a roll and I had the thought: How else could I make a positive change in our home? I moved from the children’s closets to every closet in the house. It felt so wonderful having all those unnecessary items out of the home. I knew I was certainly on a roll when inspiration struck again as I was opening the mail. I came to the electric bill and wondered if my company was the most competitive out there. I took the time to contact New York Energy Rates and got loads of information on providers in my area of New York. I was so surprised by all that I learned and to think, it all started with cleaning out the closet.

Think Smart

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Lenovo for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As a teacher, visual aids are a must to keep students motivated and lessons understood. It’s no rocket science that students’ attention span is as short as the girls’ skirt on hot summer days. Haha. And in this modern age of technology, if you teach your students the “old school” way, you will be branded as “uncool”. Well, I had to admit, I love innovation. Who doesn’t? That is the reason why there is an apps for everything. Wink* And if we are talking about teaching and learning process there is no better way to accomplish one’s teaching objective that to use innovation. And for this modern technology is one of the best teaching tools that a teacher can utilize to teach more effectively and efficiently.

And as a modern and innovative teacher, I am always in the lookout for new tools to use to benefit my students. And one of the new innovations we have around is the Lenovo ThinkVision. Yes, this baby is a state-of-the-art thingy that will make any student motivated and focused on any lesson I present. And with the convenience of a laptop, my lessons will be presented in high quality production that I bet will help my students pass the subject [wishful-thinkingly].

What I like about this mobile monitor that is only under two pounds and less than an inch thick. It is easy to set up and I can carry it anywhere where I need it. And then, I don’t have to drag my bag-on-the-wheel where I used to put my rolls-upon-rolls of tattered manila paper visual aids that I handmade years ago. Hayyy.

Well, this ThinkVision is not only good for teaching. It is an innovation that will benefit any field of expertise from business to education. And right now you can avail a 10% off the ThinkVision LCD monitor if you purchase it online. Just refer to the following information:

Code: LENOVOMONITOR10
Dates: 3/1/12 - 3/31/12
Discount: 10% off
Part number: 1452DS6

So what are you waiting for? Get yourself this ThinkVision and get that innovation in your hand.

My Lover Boy

I rarely discuss anything about my Sweetest here except when I write him a letter [which he never reads, anyway]. Why, because he doesn't know I have a blog. Well, he kinda know I am writing on blogs but he doesn't know what they really are about. But don't get me wrong. He is no computer-fool. He knows how to use the computer. We met online, remember! Wink*He shops online. He does his banking online. He googles. And yes, he facebooks too [just recently].

My Sweetest is a big guy. He is 6 feet tall and has the body of a football player because he has a build-in shoulder pads. Just kidding. What I meant was, he has broad shoulders that makes me feel so safe and protected. I feel that he can beat anybody in a heartbeat when he feels that I am in my damsel-in-distress mode. LOL.

Though big and strong, my Sweetest is the meekest of them all. Soft-spoken, gentle and loving. But what I love most about him is that... he makes me breakfast in bed... on Saturday mornings. He washes the dishes and folds my laundry. And most importantly, he knows Jared. wink*

Renting a Vacation Home

Spring is coming and in no time summer will be at our doorstep. This is the best time to plan for our next summer getaway. With the economy still at its toughest we need to plan ahead and plan wise. Well, not because the economy is tight it doesn’t necessarily mean we need to just stay home and work, work, work. We need to have some fun too to recharge our tired body. As the saying goes – all work and no play makes Ruthi crazy. Yeah, there is no saying like that. I am just being silly and maybe trying to justify that I do need a vacation. So around this time of the year I am getting my fingers busy browsing at www.rentedmonton.com because this year, we will just be vacationing somewhere close to home.

Why not? Home is where your heart is. And I can’t go too far this year because of economic reason. But I don’t really need to justify anything, do I? I do need a vacation because I deserve it. And this year, I will just go somewhere really close to home and not too close to feel that I am home. I am thinking of Canada. I am thinking of Alberta. And I am thinking of Edmonton. Why not, it’s one of the best places to explore in our backyard. Yes, Canada is just in our backyard and that makes it easier to go to. And it will surely save us a lot of money if we will just rent a vacation house instead of staying in the hotel.

But for those of you who are thinking of moving to Canada… check out Rent Edmonton and you will surely find the best place to live in.

Moving Here

Thanks for the article from Rubin Osborne

Moving here was really tough on the whole family but we have instituted a couple of things that have made it easier. We can't have to hang out with someone new at least once a week and that has really helped them reach out and make friends. We also got http://www.cabletvadvisor.com/ for the house and we have started doing a weekly family movie nights that makes sure we spend a lot of time together so we can talk about how we are changing since the move. I know my husband and I really like it here but it was much harder on the kids because they have such established groups of friends at their old school and I know they really missed them. I think overall everyone is going to be just fine here, though, and this was a good decision to make for the whole family. It's just going to take some time for everyone to get used to her new life but it will happen!

Whatever makes you happy

The internet is no longer new. This is the way of life now… from learning to doing business to teaching new things, from searching to researching to relearning old things and yes, from reaching out to family to friends to customers and business partners. Everything is done through internet. And yes, I found the love of my life through the internet. [shhhhh] But that is only one of the amazing benefits of the internet. If you are a business man, it helps a lot if you know how to take advantage of the internet to get your business move fast and move up. And with that, you need to keep in mind that there is no other way to achieve your goal but getting the right Advertising Agency.

Advertising is still the right way to do business especially in this time of modern technology. And to get best result for your business, using the right tools and the right advertising agency makes the difference. So if you are a serious businessman who is seriously thinking of doing serious business the serious way then take that simple step – go to That Advertising Company!

You see, there are different advertising companies and not every one of them “makes you happy”. Not every one of them is born digital and not every single one of them is – That Advertising Company. Because with them, the only thing that matters is to make clients happy and I believe that a happy client means a successful businessman doing business with a happy client. Then, everybody is happy. What do you think? Wink*

EAT not?

These may look so yummy but dare not to eat. They are only food for the eye.

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Chocolate-frosted or Chocolate-coated Valentine's Day

WARNING: To all wives out there... Never underestimate what your husbands are capable of doing.

Two weeks ago, my Sweetest and I were watching TV when the new Valentine's Day Dunkin Donut commercial came on. Right before our eyes a chocolate frosted heart-shaped donut with nut sprinkles flashed like a teasing goddess. And right that instance, my Sweetest told me... "that's what you are getting this Valentine's Day!" And I was like - "Ah Ok."

Well, it was better than last year. Because last year. he didn't get me anything because he forgot it was Valentine's day. LOL.

FAST FORWARD to Valentine's Day 2012, Lunch Time, PTC Room, Waterboro Elementary School: I was having lunch with my colleagues when the Secretary came into the room with a box of flower. It was for the 3rd Grader Teacher whose birthday is today. The rest of us were so jealous. I could tell. Or maybe it was just me.

After a minute the Secretary came back in with another box and announced... "Well, someone didn't want to get outdone here," and she put the box down in front of me. I was like... "Is this for me?" And she said..."Well, I think you are the only person who got that name." So I put my glasses on and read. It was indeed for me.

The "return address" read San Diego, Ca so I was wondering who could it be. I have friends in SD but I had no clue why any of them will send me this box. So I scrutinized then box and it said there - Perishable. Once opened content disappear immediately.

It was from a box of chocolate-coated strawberries from Sheri's Berries... and the card inside read - Love you always Sweetie, Love Mike.

And I can't believe I was expecting chocolate-frosted donuts!

Planning a wedding

Thanks for the post, Kathy Shelton

My boyfriend of four years finally popped the question, and we are getting married next fall. I am so excited about every part of planning our wedding. It is like a stranger has possessed my brain, and all I can think about is picking out everything for the registry, planning the ceremony, looking at invitations, and designing programs. This has got to be one of the most fun times of my life. I mean seriously, how often do you get to plan a gigantic party for all of your closest friends, with the best food and drink ever, and they all show up and bring you a present? It is way better than a birthday party. Since we got our cable television through http://www.cabletvadvisor.com/, I have become obsessed with watching the program “Say Yes to the Dress”. I haven’t picked out my own dress yet, but I am getting close. I hope that there is not so much drama when I actually do go to pick out the final one. I don’t think that I am going to take a huge group of people like those brides on the show. There are too many opinions from friends and family there. I am just going to take my mom and my sister. They know better than to tell me something looks terrible if it is something that I really want.

A pain-in-you-know-what

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It’s the time of the year when my allergy is in full blast. And with all the outdoor running that I do on weekends not much I can do but to do it with my running buddies [saline and non-drowsy allergy pills]. And when I run out of these running buddies, I don’t worry because I can get them even in the middle of the night at my neighborhood pharmacy... Walgreens, that is.

Too bad my neighborhood pharmacy Walgreens and Express Script contract already ended last December 31 of last year due to unsuccessful negotiation for Walgreen to renew its contract with them and to continue as its pharmacy provider network. This really had a huge impact on us because Hubby’s prescription insurance plan is managed by Express Scripts. As well as his Veteran friend whose under Tricare health and prescription drug program. The termination of the contract poses a great impact not only to us but to most people in our neighborhood because it can also affect the longtime relationship we have with our pharmacist who we already considered as friends. We now have to travel in town to get our prescription medicines since Walgreens is no longer part of the network. This indeed a pain in the bu**, literally and figuratively.

But then, despite of what happened, Walgreens like any good neighbor is willing to help their loyal customers to ease their burden. They are now offering special discount on annual membership for its prescription savings club. This is a huge thing because individuals may join for only $5 and they can receive discount prices on prescription medicines. Other benefits that they can get includes:

Savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications
Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies
Bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services

So we took advantage of that program. Hubby and I are now members of Walgreens Prescription Savings Club because for only $10 a year, our family membership covers even Brandon and his new cat – Claire, which his Nana and Grandpa gave him last Christmas.

Oh well, life is tough indeed, but then Walgreen is doing its best to help people like us. That is why I showed my support by liking Walgreens on Facebook and following Walgreens on Twitter. So if you want to help those people who are affected by the discontinued contract between Walgreens and Express Script, come do your share.