There is Such a Thing as Too Clean

Both of my parents are very festidious.  Anything they possess whether it be a piece of clothing, a kitchen tool, or even a car is treated with the utmost care.  In fact, everything they own is in mint condition, again, including their cars.  We never had a problem selling any of our cars.  Anyone who knew my family and knew my Dad, also knew that they would never find a used car that was taken care of as carefully, or as meticulously.  My brother and I were both given regular chores.  Mine was always the cars.
Every weekend I was to clean each of our cars.  Now when I'm talking clean, I mean wash every single inch, both inside and out.  The whitewalls of the tires were to be scrubbed with an SOS Pad.  And every car was to be waxed.  The inside doors rubbed down with Armour All.  The car floor mats were scrubbed clean and dried.  Windows were washed, streak free, on both inside and out.  It seems a bit overdone, to do this weekly, but again, our cars were emaculate.

I can't say that now as an adult I complete this routine weekly, but I have learned the proper way to clean my car... from years of experience.  I do enjoy having a clean car and work very hard to keep it this way.  Just recently, I was working magic with the Armour All and went a little too far.  I decided it would be nice to have my car floor mats shine.  I took the Armour All and went to town polishing and cleaning them.  They turned out beautiful!  I couldn't figure out why my Dad had never instructed me on this incredible way to clean the mats!  I put them in my car and they were maginificent!  And then... I tried to get in the car.  I nearly slipped straight out onto the garage floor!  My kids have slipped getting into the car!  I have tried to pick up friends, only to have them slip there way into the car.  Yes... you can take clean a little too far.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated.  However, the views and opinions are my own.

Unbelievable! The Internet Knows Me?

Every year when I receive my Christmas bonus I am very responsible with 90% of it.  The other 10% I use to buy something perfectly frivolous.  I figure I have worked very hard for the entire year, and it is time to reward myself with something that I just want.  You'll notice I said "want", not "need".

This year I gave myself an e reader.  To be specific, I purchased a Kindle.  I absolutely love it and it has been a fun prize that I am using all the time.  Now here's the weird part:  Ever since I purchased the Kindle... every time I am on the internet... I am bombarded with items that go with a Kindle.

I did buy it online.  And I did shop around via the internet to figure out what type of e reader I would prefer.  I didn't even notice it at first, as I busied myself with other things on the internet..... answering my email, checking bank accounts and now there is no mistaking that the internet is keeping track of me!

Every advertisement.  Every little side bar.  They are all Kindle covers.  Kindle lights.  Kindle protective shields.  I must admit it has been rather helpful.  And the ploy to tempt me to purchase further items has no doubt worked on me.  I now have a protective shield over my touch screen.  I have a fun and decorative skin over my Kindle.  And I have a dependable cover to protect it.  All ideas given to me by the internet.

It's a shame, I can't see food dishes that I would like and could purchase them to be delivered to my door.  But then again, maybe the internet would know what foods I enjoy if I first started making a few purchases.  This could get awfully expensive though.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for an seo company
and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Oh... The Beauty of A Smile

I have been very blessed.  My family has always been complimented on our beautiful smiles.  Yes, we are all very "toothy" with big, wide, happy smiles.  I was blessed with parents who both have beautiful smiles.  And our greatest blessing has always been that we have always had a reason to smile.

As I grow older, teeth have moved, enamel has yellowed and some have even begun to appear longer than they once were.  I now understand the expression of being "long in the tooth".  Apparently, as you grow older, your gums recede, making your teeth appear longer.  Thank goodness for the advancements of cosmetic dentistry.

There are clear trays that are virtually invisible that will straighten your teeth.  They truly do work wonders particularly if you are just trying to make slight adjustments to where they once were before you quit wearing your retainer.  An added bonus is that with these type of braces, you can not eat with them in, and if you do eat, you need to clean your teeth thoroughly before putting the tray back on.  Losing weight is very common.

There is also countless ways to whiten your teeth.  There are again, trays for this procedure.  There are whitening strips.  And there is the in office whitening that your dentist can perform in a single visit.  The options are many and this single cosmetic advancement works miracles.  I was so happy with the whitening, that I didn't even feel the need to do anything further.

For those who are "long in the tooth" it is a little more difficult.  I was told by my dentist that he could file the ends of my teeth slightly in order to make them appear.  This is a painless procedure but I didn't like the risk of messing with my older enamel.

All in all, there are so many cosmetic procedures to keep you smiling and believe it or not, my Mom and Dad still have two of the best smiles I've ever seen.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for cosmetic dentist NYC and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

How Fun is The Shaving Brush?

So I went to my daughter's play which was set back in the time when men still used shaving brushes.  I have always been fascinated at how much fun it looks when the brush is foaming up the soap in the mug and then slopped onto the face.  So much fun, that I wanted to look into it.

Everybody who knows me, knows I hate to shave my legs.  In fact, I do not shave in the winter, ever.  I see no point in the ritual seeing how my legs are covered with long thick socks, pants, and/or tights.  But now that there is the fun of using shaving brushes, I must admit I have been tempted to shave this winter.

In exploring the advantages of the shaving brush, it seems that it not only softens the hair, but actually lifts the hair in preparation to shave it.  When you apply shaving cream or soap by hand you end up matting the hair down and therefore do not get as close of a shave.  The use of a shaving brush eliminates the need to press the razor to your leg in order to get a close shave.  Besides these advantages, it is most importantly, super fun to apply this way.

When I was a small child, I had so much fun with an empty razor and pretending to shave my legs just like Mom.  Here I am, over 50 years old, and I fill like a little kid with my big bushy brush and painting the foaming lather all over my legs.  It's winter so I don't do it often, but this summer, I'm going to have a blast!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Frozen Pipes? We're Wasting Water!

It’s that time of year again.  I grew up in San Diego, where we conserve water.  Always have for as long as I can remember. I also know that when it comes to things of Utah winters, I am always caught a little of guard.

In San Diego, I spent Christmas wearing a T-shirt and maybe riding a new bike or skateboard.  Not so, in Utah.  Riding your new bike is not something you see often on Christmas morning.  But the one thing that really threw me off guard was one winter night when it was supposed to get extremely cold.

It was actually on the news.  It was going to be so cold that everyone should be sure to leave their water running, so the pipes wouldn’t freeze.  Leave the water running?  All night long?  Frozen pipes?  What are we talking about?  After further explanation from a neighbor who has lived their entire life in Utah, I was even more confused.  Just live the faucet dripping.  Dripping?  All night long? And if you don’t leave it dripping the pipes will freeze and burst.  Burst? This is the strangest thing I’ve ever heard!  So you’re telling me if I turn my faucet on so the water will drip, just drip this will be enough to keep the water from freezing?  And don’t understand, but I certainly do not want frozen pipes… so I do it blindly.

During the night, all I could think about was that I need to get up and turn off the faucet.  I’m wasting water.

I am participating in a blogger campaign for Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Her First Resume

My teenager needs a job.  She’s done odd jobs here and there, in fact, she has had plenty of jobs in the past, but this is the first time she is looking for a “real” job.  And so she needs a resume.  When you’re an adult this seems relatively simple, but for a teenager, it can be a little tricky.

We all get creative when it comes to our job descriptions and preparing a teenager’s resume is no different.  It’s just a little more creative.  Babysitting becomes “Child Care”.  Tending while the parents go to the movies, becomes “providing for children’s needs for varying lengths of time”.  Her “Sales Experience” and “Customer Service” were when she went through the neighborhood painting house numbers on curbs for $5.  When her older brothers played soccer, she was taken to tournament after tournament where she sold suckers… “Sales Rep” for a fundraising company.  When she came into my work and helped fill fruit baskets, this became “Production Line” work.

She pretty much did whatever odd job she could get her hands on and so for the reason why she quit working a particular jobs was always that it was “seasonal work”.  And actual by the time we were done, she had a fairly decent resume for a girl who was just turning 16 and looking for that first “real job”.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for a resume builder company and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Meat, Candy, Even Ice Cream Online!

One of my favorite lines from The Grinch is when he says “ packages, boxes, and bags!”  There are so many wonderful things I love about the holiday season, and truly I do not focus on the presents except that the food is so much fun!

Some of the most wonderful packages contain food items and it always astounds me at the things you can get online and have them delivered right to your door.  A Christmas ham is always a favorite!  And chocolates never disappoint!  And once we got a “Tower of Treats” which was absolutely incredible!  It had popcorn with chocolate and caramel drizzled all over, and cookies, and chocolate dipped pretzels.  Every package in the tower was a wonderful treat that we thoroughly enjoyed!  And fruit!  The most delicious pears I have ever had did not come from the farmer’s market.  They were delivered to my doorstep in the dead of winter.  Juicy and sweet perfection!  And the number one most amazing thing ever delivered was ice cream!  Yes, you can order incredibly unique and delicious ice cream online and have it come right to your door!  And as amazing at it may be, you can order your entire holiday dinner online.  You wouldn’t have the delicious smells of it baking in your own home, but then again, they have everything on the internet… they just might have a candle?

Yes… I could be a shut in and still enjoy all the “packages, boxes, and bags” of Christmas!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for online steak and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Hiring a Bankruptcy Attorney is Money Well Spent

It’s never a feel good moment when you have to file for bankruptcy.  There is the obvious stress that comes with owing money such as letters, telephone calls, and even garnishment of wages.  And although filing for bankruptcy can help you make a new start, the thought of it is just plain discouraging.  And then comes the added blow that despite the fact that you are filing bankruptcy because you do not have the money to pay your debts, it costs money to actual complete the process.  Yes… it is costly to file for bankruptcy.  What happens is that many people in this situation decide to do it themselves, and let me tell you, this is one instant where I would not suggest saving money.  I am beyond what most would call cheap, and still I would not recommend filing for bankruptcy without an attorney.

A friend of mine decided to do it on his own.  He spoke of all the money he would save.  He spoke of how easy it was to gain instructions from the internet.  He dreamed of his new start.  And despite continued warnings such as:  Bankruptcy has long-term financial and legal consequences so hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended, however, he continued to do it on his own.  He was sure he had done everything correctly and then he started getting those annoying collection phone calls.  He had not included all of his debts.  And he was not allowed to include them in the bankruptcy and therefore had to file... again.

It's true the old adage of "you get what you pay for" and in my opinion, paying for an attorney to make sure this rather large decision in your life is taken care of... completely.    

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for a Las Vegas Bankruptcy Lawyer and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Don't Push On It

People always want to know the best way to get out of debt.  This reminds me of when the doctor asks me if my stomach hurts and I reply “only when I push on it”.  Well then “don’t push on it!”

Now I realize this seems a little too cut and dry, but honestly the best way to get out of debt is to not go into debt in the first place.  I understand that things happen.  And things will come up where you simply have to go into debt.   Most of us are in debt to purchase a home or a car, both necessities, and both items where the general population can not pay cash for the total amount.  But I’m talking about debt for those frivolous items we think we need.

I’ve seen people purchase homes way beyond necessity.  Or there are the purchases of the latest technology in computer or television.  The latest technology is great but is it really necessary if your current TV works just fine.

I’m the first to think of going out of my budget, but thankfully, I remind myself of the daily burden of paying off debt… and then I “don’t push on it.”

This post was sponsored by a company that can help you find an attorney in Louisiana. However,the views and opinions are my own.

To Join or Not To Join?

Country clubs tend to get a bad wrap on TV and in the movies.  It always seems to be that they are portrayed as snobbish and uppity places that exclude people by race or income or standing in society.  To be honest, that has always been my take, but then again, I have never been a member of a country club.  Who am I to judge?

After some research there are some very nice benefits.  If you have a passion for golf or tennis, you certainly would benefit from a country club.  You would always have availability to play and would not have to bother to pay on a per use basis.  Your fees would be included in your membership. 

Another benefit is that some country clubs have various locations throughout the state, country, or even the world.  With your membership you are welcomed at any club.  So, while you travel you have the ability to use any of their facilities.

A country club membership does provide a certain status, and therefore can be very beneficial in both socially and in business.

I will never be a country club kind of girl, but I have gained a somewhat better understanding as to why some might like to join.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for Florida Country Clubs and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

The Debt of Christmas Past

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year!  I absolutely love getting caught up in the holiday spirit!   There can be a price when I lose all my inhibitions, and become completely absorbed by Christmas.  I can get lost in the smells of Christmas in the time it takes one batch of cookies to bake.  And I never grow tired of cookies and milk, caramel, or fudge.  Sure, I will over indulge and maybe gain a few pounds, but it is so entirely worth it.  I don’t feel guilty or stressed in the least.  But lose my inhibitions in the mall, and then I have a problem.

Retailers are no dummies.  With all the decorations, the Christmas music, Santa, the smells of roasted nuts, the candies, the busy shoppers haven’t a chance.  Luckily, our family is not too engrossed in gifts, but I absolutely love finding the perfect gift for each of my children.  It does my heart good when on Christmas morning, they open a gift that makes them smile.  It is easy to go over budget when I look around and enjoy the atmosphere of the mall.  Then the holiday spirit takes me away to the land of credit card debt, which is wonderful until after Christmas.

After Christmas is when the true Scrooge should appear, pinching every penny to pay off the debt of Christmas past.  For me, the best way to handle this is by setting a budget where I set up a recurring payment from my bank account to my credit card.  This way I have no choice and I won’t be late or short on a payment.  I continue to do this until I get my tax return.  Usually, my tax return will cover the balance.

So enjoy those cookies, because dropping a few pounds is so much easier than paying off a huge amount of holiday debt.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Black Friday... Online!

Black Friday is serious business for our family.  Serious fun.  I have always scoped the ads and figured the game plan.  Early Black Friday morning, usually 3AM, I announce the teams, and give them their envelope with their assignment.

In making the teams, you have to pair the weak with the strong.  The announcing of teams is exciting, but nothing compared to the drama of knowing what item you are assigned.  To see if you were entrusted with a most important purchase.  A gift that was the only gift one of the younger kids had asked Santa for was always a high priority assignment.  Or a hot item for the year like Game Boy, $5 Art Kit, or a Pokemon back pack.  You knew it was do or die.  You had to return with your item.  Your envelope contained a visual (picture from the ad), a map of the store to show where your item would most likely be located, and the cash to purchase it with.  If there was more than one item at your store, you would have multiple visuals which you would split up among the team.

As years have past we have had to make adjustments to the changes in shopping.  Stores keep opening up earlier and earlier, until this year they opened on Thanksgiving at midnight!  And as the kids have gotten older, the objects of their desires has obviously changed.  This year the hot item was a Singer sewing machine for only $60 and three of the girls wanted one!  This was going to require some maneuvering.  I mean how can you dart in and out of the crowd, grabbing other items needed while carrying a sewing machine!  And how would we get one of them to NYC?  And then the latest in the shopping craze hit us!  What if they sell online?

We took a look for the sewing machine while the turkey was cooking and much to our surprise it was online, $60, free shipping, and had a promo code for $5 off!  We snatched up three before the mini marshmallows were melting on the yams!  Oh don't get me wrong... we still went out among the craze of Black Friday but even after going to one store where the line to purchase was a two hour wait, we looked at each other and all thought the same thing... online shopping!  We went home, purchased everything we wanted from that particular store, free shipping, and got our $10 for every $50 spent.  And we were fast asleep by 5AM that morning!

I am participating in a blog campaign for Bucks2Blog for an ecommerce
solution company and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are
my own.

My Obsession with Shoes

I have a problem.  Shoes.  It doesn’t matter how many pairs of shoes I own, there is still a pair that I need.  OK… maybe not need.  There is always a pair that I want.  If I based my purchases of shoes on need then I wouldn’t have a problem now would I?

I truly did need a pair of black flats.  Every woman knows that this is a basic in every girl’s arsenal of shoes and my previous pair was acquired by a daughter.  No matter, because I really wasn’t crazy about the old ones and they hurt my feet.  The black flats I found are perfect.  Super cute.  Comfortable.  And fit like a glove.  On first glance you would think this was no problem.  I performed shopping like a man.   Know what I need.  Look for it.  Purchase it.  Done.  Not so.

In my efforts to explore the shoe world of black flats, I came across my problem.  More shoes!  It stands to reason that I would come across other shoes in my search for black flats.  I think the shoe stores set up like a grocery store.  You know how they put the milk in the far back of the store so you have to walk past everything else?  Well, black flats are in the back so you have to walk by all the boots, the pumps and the sneakers.  It’s a mine field for a shoe junkie.  Now I feel the need for a beautiful pair of gray boots, a pair of barefoot like sneakers, and some killer red pumps! 

You can clearly see that I do, in fact, have a problem… but it’s nothing my Christmas bonus won’t fix!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for handmade shoes and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

The Gift of Cosmetic Dentistry

I was at a craft store the other day and a sweet looking young girl, probably in her 20's, was checking me out. She was very courteous and kind and was efficient at her job. She was not what most would call gorgeous, but a nice looking girl. I couldn't help bu wonder that despite all the pleasantries we were showing one another, she didn't really smile, She kind of did a half smile with her lips covering her teeth. It reminded my of the first smiles a teen does after getting braces. Our transaction continued and I said something that brought out a full smile which revealed her reluctance to smile. Her teeth were worn and rotted. I don't think there was single exposed tooth that did not have some kind of mark or decay. It broke my heart. We all know how incredibly expensive dental care is regardless if you have insurance or not. I've always wondered what I would do if I ever was rich. Would I be philanthropic and give to countless worthy charities? Would I buy homes for the homeless? Would I get caught up in buying hundreds of pairs of shoes? It's possible. But after seeing this sweet girl, I had a greater thought. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a moment like this where you could help a person right on the spot. Of course you would not want to offend, but in someway I would have loved to offer to take her to my dentist and get all the necessary work done first to make her comfortable, and then secondly, do any cosmetic dental work that would make her a million dollar smile.

The value of a smile is priceless. The confidence it brings is immeasurable. I don't have fantastically shaped teeth or all of the professionally whitening, but I have a decent smile and I love to smile! I can't imagine what it could do for a persons life to feel free to smile. Sure, there are other greater needs obviously like food and shelter, but to have the extra money to do a deed such as giving someone their smile sure seems pretty great.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for a franklindentist and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

A Flood of Online Marketing

I am grateful to work for such a kind and generous employer. He truly is one of the most giving and thoughtful men I know. Working for him and his company has and will always be one of the greatest blessings in my life. Despite the fact that he maintains all of these wonderful qualities throughout the year, every year, he still gives a Christmas bonus. I can honestly say that it is not necessary. Again, I am blessed beyond reason, but I will admit it is wonderfully fun.

I am very responsible with the vast majority of my bonus, but this time each year I will indulge and buy myself something I absolutely don't need. I buy the item I want, no matter how frivolous. It doesn't matter if I already have a pair of tennis shoes. If there is a really great pair that I just love, I get them. One year, I spent it on filet mignon and See's Chocolates... and it was fabulous! No guilt about spending the money when I could have easily gotten hamburger and a Kit Kat bar. This year I have had my eye on an e reader.

I have been searching the internet far and wide to compare and review The Nook, The Kindle, Kobo, and Sony readers. I start to waiver sometimes and think well... maybe another pair of shoes but everytime I am on the internet whether I am checking my email, doing my work, looking up an address in MapQuest... there is The Kindle.  I am not kidding! My MSN homepage has The Kindle. My email sidebar has The Kindle. I am not a push over with advertising. Beer commercials are stupid and do not make me think beer will add to my happiness. A diet Coke commercial doesn't convince me that I am a stick of a model. And Cover Girl commercials do not blind me into thinking that I will be as flawless as Queen Latifah if I use their foundation. And television commercials are in my head for but a moment. But The Kindle is always there... always prompting... always reminding... and seriously making me want to just click on it and buy it! The Kindle has open the flood gates on online marketing!

I haven't caved yet, but I predict when I get my bonus and I turn on my computer to look at what I might want to spend my frivolous portion of it on... The Kindle will be all smiles and jumping up and down for me to buy it!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for an internet
marketing company and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are
my own.