In the Spirit of the Holidays

Gift giving can be stressful if you have hard to buy for people on your list. First you have to come up with something, then buy then package then ship it to them. This year I am headed via my couch of course to the GiftCardMall.com. I found great cards tehre including some for those of my friends that love the outdoors. The Bass Pro Gift Card is not just for those who love fishing, it is for anyone who likes doing outdoor activities. The gift cards are easy to buy and easier to package and ship! That takes all the stress out of shopping! Bass Pro Gift cards can also be personalized at GiftCardMall.com. You can find the best picture of your mate climbing to the summit and put that right on the card to make the gift that much more special! There are many reasons to get gift cards this year, and for me it is so that I can get more sleep!

Airport Express

Last night we picked up some Bose Companion 2 speakers to hook up to our airport express. It is a great way to get some house sound. It is getting high tech around here. Now that the speakers are hooked up I can use my iphone as a remote control (via the remote app) to skip the songs in my itunes library that I don't want to hear today. The volume can also be controlled by my iphone. It is amazing what these little devices can do. With the airport express I can also take advantage of itunes radio, which has been playing all day today. It is amazing that a little music can get you motivated to do the laundry.

Never Too Safe

I remember years ago when we hardly even locked the doors to our houses and cars. Now though it is a habit to lock the door behind you whether you are coming or going. If a locked door is not enough for you to feel safe perhaps an ADT security system is something that might make you feel better. Of course there is a monthly fee for this service, but the peace of mind that it provides is well worth the dollars a day that it would cost to have one installed.
There are so many Home Security Systems to choose from that the task of finding one that fits your lifestyle can feel challenging. I was recently shopping around on the Internet and found that ADT provides services in many states, if you are interested in them you can click to see if your state is listed.
I like the idea of installing home security, it is just one less thing to have to think about when you come home at night. I know that if the alarm has not been set off there is no body inside. Peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks a month, you can never be too safe!

Skip the crowds!

We skipped the crowds this year, and the shopping altoughter. We opted for a hike around a small lake. It was nice quiet and not another person insight! What could be better? I shot a few pictures with my new lens, and Nilla got to run around.

If you are going to skip the shopping at retail locations but still need that perfect gift. Some great places to start looking is on etsy. On Etsy you are bound to find something for everyone on your list. They even have great gift buying guides to help you find something even for the hardest to buy for! Check out Etsy.com for the unique handmade items that you would not find in retail stores.

Or even try your luck on Ebay. I have some Wii Video games listed on ebay. I hope that more people will look there for discounts on must have games of the season. Ebay auctions are fun, and fast. The best part is you get to skip the crowds, and your package is delivered right to your door! So if you see something you like bid on it before the end date so you are sure to have all your holiday shopping lists covered.

What is your take?

This holiday season is now in full swing. I want to know how you will be shopping this year. Are you going all out and going to the BLACK FRIDAY SALES? Or will you take it easy and spend your shopping hours browsing the internet.

I think this year will be the year of the internet. I have found that it is easier to find coupons, and deals via the web than to drive all about town comparing and hoping that the item I MUST HAVE is still in stock. Having friends and family out of town is another big factor for us. With online shopping you can just have your packages directly sent to them, sometimes you can even find free shipping.

So what are your plans, pajama shopping at home, or fight the crowds on Friday?

Dancing the Night Away

My dad loves to dance. He teaches lessons to a group of faithful followers once a week. They get the basics down, but practice is where the real perfection is found. Dancing can be a fun aerobic activity if you are looking for a new way to shed some pounds in the new year. Maybe ballroom dancing could be a new hobby for your new years resolution. There are not many things you need to get started. Just a class or two and of course who could forget the fashionable dance shoes you are sure to find. While many start out dancing in any old shoes, many including my parents have invested in some great dance shoes that really make floating across the dance floor much smoother. The dance shoes give you a little more flex with your newly learned steps. My parents have gotten really good at dancing, but then again they practice all the time. You might see them out and about dancing across the floor. Anytime is a good time to put on your dancing shoes, whether you are going out for dinner where there is a band playing or on Friday night at the Lake Side Inn for drinks, you can dance the night away.

Bargain Shopping

Now that the shopping season is in full swing everyone is looking for a deal. At least I know I am. I do most of my shopping online from the comfort of my home. The computer is also an easy way to find discounts. You can search for coupon codes for any store on the web. From my point of view it is best to never buy at full price. There is always a discount to be had and online coupons are abundant. The coupons you can find are usually codes that you have to type in during the checkout process, but with the simple cut and paste shortcuts on your keyboard it can be very easy.
Coupons are not just reserved for material purchases such as clothing, toys, and computers. You can also search for great deals on travel or accommodation coupons. If you are traveling this holiday season you should give it a try. It can't hurt right? With in a few minutes you will know if you are going to find a deal for your travel or hotel. I will say be careful, coupon hunting online can be addictive, and you will find that every time you reach for your wallet, you will be searching for online coupons too!

Dream Job

After waking up late on Saturday, we decided to get up early on Sunday and grab a donut at the little donut shop by Turkey Creek. The donuts alone were fantastic, but since the rain had let up we decided to take the Turkey Creek 1.5 mile walk in the light drizzle. The Florida fall color was nice to see. Not much of it, but the trees that were changing were spectacular shades of red, and yellow. On our way back to the parking lot, we heard a leaf blower. Someone has to clean up the boardwalk when the leaves start to fall. This is the way to work. It seems as if this leaf ranger knew what he was doing. Traveling down the boardwalk on his segway blowing the leaves down to the ground. Thank you to all the people that keep our parks nice for us all to enjoy!

Puppy Love

When it comes to keeping up your health don't forget your loyal pup. While it is hard figure out what is ailing your precious pooch, there are answers around the web that can be very helpful. Your canine health is important for your pup if you want her to be a happy dog for years to come. Whether you just need some advice on puppy care or need information on symptoms that your dog is showing you can find the answers you need on the web. If your dog is sick you should consult your local vet, but for everyday needs of you dog you can turn to the web. Just the other day after a long fun day jumping in and out of the water our dog was tired and her legs hurt. Over activity for her, and we looked up a few symptoms and we were able to help her. For us the senior care for dogs is very helpful.
If you are thinking of getting a new dog you can also get advice on selecting the right breed for your family. After all it is important that you will both be happy with the new living arrangements. The more information you can find the better, and will help you be prepared for your new dog.

Shop like the Stars

With all the online shopping possiblities you can really find some great bargins. Do you keep up with the fashion of the movie stars, do you want to have clothes like them? Well, you can shop here and get a great deal, and even better... free shipping when you buy $100. I found some fantastic Gypsy 05 clothes with a reduced price tag. They are not cheap, but they are not full price either. So if you are searching for your own star style you can get a great deal with the Gypsy 05 clothes.
If you are looking for more of a discount check out the ON SALE tab and you are sure to find something for your style from the Maxi dress to the cute tanks. There is something for everyone. Bring out the star in you with some new duds!