Surviving NJ

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Today I'm a SupahStar on the web. Over at Geeky Speaky, I got this week's honor.

At home, I'm not such a super star. We just went miniature golfing and out for a treat, but we didn't go to the third place on my son's list of wants. Now I'm just a mom who has annoyed a child who is inching so close to teenagehood it's just scary! He'll hit 13 in May.

At least my dogs still love me! 

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I had a full day, leaving at 11am. I finally made it back tonight around 9pm. I put about 130 miles on the car today! With gas at $2.50, it get's a little costly. It took me $34.00 to fill my tank, and by the end of the weekend, I'll have to fill up again. Probably Sunday night or Monday morning. Sunday I have another long drive.

Otherwise, I had an enjoyable day out, and loved the sunshine! Hope you had a great Friday as well. 

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I was out today shopping, and with the weather great, I was feeling in a spring mood. I got a nice necklace to add to my spring wardrobe. I also picked out a new purse for spring! While I was at the store, I was looking at the luggage, but I remembered that I could shop with  codes at eBags.com and save money by using coupons from online.

CouponChief.com is a site that hooks you up with discount coupons to lots of different places like Zappos, Target with coupons, Sears, Overstock and more. Over on the coupons section of eBags.com, right now they have a large selection of coupons, so you can pick the one out that works best for you. I love that place. If you shop online, don't do it without online coupons and codes! Save yourself money for spring.

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This great clipart piece is from DisneyClips 

Even a Princess needs sleep from time to time.

This girl is heading to bed. Goodnight! 

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I should tell you my "other" Arizona story. Remember how I was just mentioning those casitas? OH man, we went out to eat one night and I had this amazing steak, but something happened. I got really sick. I got so sick, I couldn't move! Maybe it was because I loved Arizona so much, I wasn't ready to leave! Anyway, my husband, back then boyfriend, called the airline and had to push back our flight an extra day, because I was too ill to fly!

If you've hung in this long, here's my favorite part. When he called the airline to rebook and move the tickets around, he referred to me as his fiance. Even in that dog sick condition, I found a smile go across my lips. He hadn't asked me yet to be his wife, but overhearing that conversation, I knew he was planning on sticking around for the long haul, as I had hoped for as well.

We've been happily together for 7 years, married for 4, and I've gotten sick on plenty of other trips too! It's a wonder he takes me anywhere! LOL  

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Steve Irwin, Bindi Irwin's father, who met a tragic fate, will be shown on Bindi's new television show. Discovery Kids Channel is the channel, that will be airing "Bindi: The Jungle Girl". After his death in September, they weren't sure if they would keep filming, but decided to move forward.

The night before the series premiere, sister channel Animal Planet is presenting "My Daddy The Croc Hunter,in which Bindi, with her mother's help, hosts her first special and shares her personal look at growing up with her famous father.

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I got an email from the New Jersey Devils, and they said that tickets go on sale tomorrow morning at 11am for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. So if that's your thing, then you'll want to make sure you log on or grab a phone and get tickets quickly! Ticket strips are only available through the NJ Devils. You can check out their site at NewJerseyDevils.com or call 1-800-NJ-DEVIL for ticket strips. Single game tickets can be found at their site also, or through Ticketmaster or the Continental Arena.

 Good luck getting tickets!

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Are you looking for backup options? I recently came across IDrive.com which offers both a free version of their backup services, as well as a pro version. The free version has no catch! Here's the deal, you get 2GB of storage space, absolutely free, while always having the option to upgrade to the pro version! Go back and read that, I said free! If you want the unlimited version, it costs less than $50 a month, and you can back up everything you've got! They even have a special where if you pay for a year, you'll get 2 months free.

I love finding new great deals, and IDrive's free backup service is certainly a great one. They have remote backup, easy drag and drop features, they compress data which saves space, and even enhanced security! If you have any questions, check out their FAQ and it will walk you through and find you answers regarding the differeing IDrive-E Online Backup services and firewall circumstances.

Here's the best part- when I say free and easy sign up, that means you don't even need a credit card. Check them out today! This post was brought to you by IDrive.com

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Wynonna Judd, who I saw perform in Atlantic City last, had sad news to report on her site. She's getting a divorce. Her husband has been arrested on charges of sexual misconduct with a minor. I don't care to go into the details, you can read about it here.

I've seen Wynonna Judd perform on 4 separate occassions. First on the Judd's farewell tour, and then three times in New Jersey. We saw her at the Tropicana Casino, The New Jersey State Theater, and lastly at Harrah's. She puts on an incredible show, and is a very spiritual woman. I wish the best for her and her family as they go through this embarrassing and painful ordeal.  

If you're a Wynonna Judd fan, she also has a book that I listened to, and tells of her internal and external struggles. It's an excellent book.  

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A member of the zoning board, who is also a computer teacher at a city elementary school, is among the nine Hudson County residents arrested yesterday in connection with an Internet sports betting ring. James Monaco, Jr., 30, who teaches at the Calabro Primary School on Jefferson Street Monaco was charged with racketeering, promoting gambling, conspiracy to commit financial facilitation of criminal activity and conspiracy. He could face a prison term of up to 10 years.

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I hate teasers on magazines and news casts. Were you ever watching a show, and you hear something like, "Tune in to the news at 11pm to find out why bananas are bad for you." Suddenly, you're thinking, oh geez, I had a banana for lunch, I hope everythings okay. I better watch to make sure there wasn't a recall. Of course the news comes on and 25 minutes into the 30 minute program they say something dopey like..."Bananas are bad for your dog, and that could be bad for you." pfffftttt...and you sat through that news cast waiting and that's what you get.

I had a magazine I was reading last night that had one too....Somebody is coming back! Wow, I have to read this- buy the magazine, and it turns out they're coming back to television, on another program, and it has nothing to do with what you thought it was. You'd think by now I'd learn!  

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I was listening to Dennis and Judy on 101.5 driving home this past hour, and the topic they were discussing combined a bunch of topics but was stemmed from seeing a newscast this morning about a new way kids are using to get high. Maybe it's not new, and it had another name, as one caller said, but kids were choking themselves to get a high. That's scary stuff, to believe that your child could risk brain damage for that short high. The problem is if it's not one thing, it's another and people find ways to get high. The bigger problem comes in when one way isn't cutting it anymore, and they start seeking out new ways to get that high, and sometimes end up looking to alcohol and drugs. What was especially disturbing about this news story is that people were broadcasting it on YouTube, and nobody flagged and had it pulled off. You want to believe that your kids are smart enough not to use alcohol or drugs, but they don't always volunteer what's going on. Before you know it, there's a problem.

Maybe it's an adult who's going through a rough spell, depressed or is using because their friends are using alcohol or drugs. Most adults drink, and can drink responsibly, but what happens when you find yourself drinking alone, drinking too many nights of the week, or you find you need more and more to get that same sensation. It's trouble waiting to happen.

Maybe somebody was on pain medication, and even though they don't really feel that pain anymore, they cotinued taking the medication to continue getting that feeling that the pills gave them. It's scary how it can creep up on people, and before they know it, they're caught in an addiction. Drug treatment can get you your life back.

If you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol or drugs, The Watershed Addiction Treatement Program can help. Make the change and get help. Not sure if you have a problem? There's an assessment quiz that may help you out on their site.

This post was brought to you by The Watershed 

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We were watching the show "Modern Marvels'" on the History channel last night, and watching the portion about the water show at the Bellagio got us talking. We decided Vegas will be our big trip next year. Since we did a big trip in February, and I'll be doing other things through the summer with my son, this one will have to wait until 2008. (Hey, I made a rhyme! Wait/2008!)

Regardless, because we have Atlantic City here, it's not about going to Vegas to gamble for us. We're all ready married, so no quick little white chapel marriages for us. We'd just like to take in the shows and sites. We'll probably take in some other areas as well, knowing us! Either way, looks like we decided to finally do Vegas next year. Woohoo- Okay, so maybe I'll hit a few slots while I'm there. ;)

My friend Julie lives out in Vegas, and in fact writes a Vegas blog called Las Vegas is Home! I'll be sure to stop by and give her a hug and share a few laughs.

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I was reading the lastest issue of Disney Insider; that gets mailed to me, and read this...

attraction at the Parks is eagerly watched by Disney fans, and we've gotten the Imagineers to give us a preview of what you'll see later this spring when the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor opens its doors.

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It almost felt like I was back in Florida today with the incredible weather in New Jersey. Shame we don't have palm trees around here!  We have maples, oaks, pine trees and others, but no palm trees. New Jersey or Florida, I was loving the sunshine!

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Can you believe I still haven't played with my camcorder enough to figure out how to put it on the computer. I can get still images to save on my memory card, and I can get it to record, but I can't seem to find the stuff I taped to move it. When I try to save to the memory card, I only see the stills I took. :\

I guess that's something I have to stop putting off, and do FINALLY! 

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I have to decide what I want for dinner. Nutrisystem food isn't bad, but when you're in the mood for a big, juicy steak, that's the part I have trouble with. Of course, I'll have the dinner, my vegetables and stuff, and it will satisfy me. I guess I have to out maneuver my brain mostly!

What are you having for dinner tonight? I'm thinking I'll go with either Chicken Pasta Parmesian or Pepper Steak.  I have my little NutriChocolates for when Idol is on, and they help chocolate kinds of cravings at least!

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So I'm doing the math, and it looks like I'm going to have to wait to find a good deal for Disney in the fall. What I did decide to do in the meantime is to book a midweek trip to the shore in July, and one in August. Maybe 2 nighters or 3 to break up each month. I'll deal with Disney later! It's still on my mind, so I know I'll be searching for a great deal, but sometimes waiting until it's closer, you can snag a great deal.  

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It's easier Surviving NJ is this great weather! I know...you want one! You can get a Surviving NJ shirt too, just head on over to the Surviving NJ shop! *subliminal message starts here- gee, if I wear one, I'll be cool like Deb! :P

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I was out today and was thrilled not to have to wear a jacket. Of course, I made the mistake of wearing a sweatshirt! It was warming than I thought it would be, and I ended up hot! I do love that the sunroom can be opened up and I've got the windows open so it can air out a little bit for spring!

I stopped in over at the spa for a little bit and hopped into the massage chair! I love that thing, and I used the "stiff shoulders" program! Ooh, I feel relaxes! I'm actually booked for a massage and pedicure later this week now, but I had reason to be at the spa, so why not enjoy the chair while I'm there! I want one of those in my home! That thing rocks! 

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I remember when I went through my divorce close to 9 years ago, and the financial struggle to regain my footing after it was a long one. One of my first big struggles was trying to get Car Loans. I had a Dodge Dakota Sport pick-up truck that had over 100,000 miles on it and I knew it was going to get expensive to keep up, so I ended up finally being able to trade it in for a little Neon. I loved my Neon, and I felt proud that I finally was accepted for the loan. I knew if the car loan didn't go through, I could try for Personal Loans, but luckily, I squeeked by!

The next part of my journey after getting my car in order, was finding a way to build credit again, and I wanted to unbury any debt I may have incurred along the way. When I stayed home raising the kids, we just had enough money to keep his credit in good standing, and I thought it would be enough, since we were married. I know better now, obviously, and am proud to say, I've come a long way! Now I can apply for Loans and know that I'll be accepted without a problem because I've rebuilt my credit.

If you're looking for Secured Loans, then you'll want to check out MoneyWize.co.uk. They've been good enough to bring you this post, and let me share my story with you.

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Here's a couple of my business cards, since I was just talking about them. I had my nail license first, so that was my first card. The skin care one was next, and that's just for skin care in the back...and the one on the right, I include them both!  Two of them were custom, one was a stock image card.

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...need to replace 11,000 street signs because time and the weather have made them unreadable.The work will cost about $6 million..

Quoted from PhillyBurbs

Wow, $6 million dollars for street signs. I'm guessing they didn't do comparison shopping! That's a little over $90 per sign. They last approximately 7 years.

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I was over on Simple Kind of Life awhile back reading about the Great American Book Giveaway, and decided to start entering weekly. All it costs is 2 seconds of time and your email address. This week, I was surprised to see I won!

The scenario is this, you go and select one of a few books listed, pop your email address in and well, that's it! They email you weekly to tell you if you've won or not, and to remind you to enter again.

This week I won (free and clear) "How Do You Work This Life Thing" by Lizzie Post!

Join in the fun today, and you just may win!  

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I was checking out hotels down at Ocean City, and saw one on the boardwalk that might be nice for a midweek short trip during the summer. I don't usually go there, so it might be something a little different.

I generally choose Long Beach Island as my first choice for a Jersey beach, and when I'm thinking boardwalk fun, we do Wildwood for a short trip during the summer. Seaside is a day trip to us. Ocean City isn't one I genreally think of, so I thought we could head there for soemthing different.

If we decide to go, I'll let you know where we're staying and a review when we get back. Do you have a favorite place down Ocean City?  

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I started hand coding HTML pages close to 10 years ago. I loved that I could throw a page together and understand the language of the land. Next came "WYSIWYG" (what you see is what you get) programs that let you add your elements in, set it up easily, and before you know it, many were happily creating web pages without knowing code. As time moves on, changes have come along, such as PHP, ASP, AJAX and Ruby. I'm still struggling to learn PHP and am a die hard lover of HTML.

The problem comes along that people and businesses want more interactive pages, so that users are drawn in and spend more time on their pages. With AJAX there's the offer of a more interactive experience, where only certain elements change when things are done behind the scenes, rather than reloading an entire page, which means for a quicker experience. Only having to change minor elements means faster changes, and then there's better usability.

What does the future hold in web development? Do you think that there's a place for old timers who are still comfortable with HTML? I personally do, because not every mom and pop business is going to want a high-end, or interactive website, though the bigger companies will. When it comes to web development, I think there will be different levels, based on who you are serving. Times change quickly, so if you want to be at the top level of your game you'll need to keep up. For me, web development isn't my main job, so it will take me a little longer to catch up, but like anything, once you learn it, you'll be just fine, and then someone will come along and make your job just a little easier.  If you want to talk programming and web development, check out Dream.In.Code at DreamInCode.net. This message has been brought to you by DreamInCode.net.

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This is for my friend Sindy...as I shrunk this, it got a little blurry! She got a new truck, and I was telling her I've been wanting a Yukon (yeah, I know/gas prices!) for a long time. I'll be waiting awhile, because my truck (Aztec) whch I adore is only 18 months old! I'm happy with this, and it's roomy inside, but I still go "ooh" when I see my charcoal grey Yukon that should be mine! LOL

The funny thing about Aztecs is I don't like them! LOL I think they have a weird shape, but I adore it in black with dark windows. Nobody was more surprised than me that I got an Aztec! I thought, "No way, no how!" when we went to look, so my husband was floored when I was like..."Honey...I think I like this one." I love driving it, it's very comfortable.

I don't like other Aztecs, but I love mine!

That's an Olds behind it, and we have a Jeep (the dog and weekend errands car). 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 07:56 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (0)

(Image from DisneyClips.com) 

I"ll be playing with the calculator and a few sites to see about going to Disney in the fall. I'm not sure if I can swing it, but if I stick to the plan of paying my credit cards down, I might be able to. I love to do the comparison game, so checking out places like hotels, condos, on-site hotels and such...that's part of the fun! Each time I punched some figures in on Disney's main site, it loaded as being done, but didn't show me he figures- maybe it's a sign...don't go! LOL

I really loved Caribbean beach last time we went, and loved the feel of the resort. We enjoyed it so much. My aunt just stayed at Coronada Springs, which is where I think I'd book if it was with my husband, but this would be with my son, and he loved Caribbean beach a lot too. I do like the extra space a condo offers you, but sometimes you're rarely in the room anyway. I guess it depends if it will be a shorter or longer trip.

We were discussing flying this time, but I'm still not a big fan of flying, but it would save so much versus the Auto Train again. He loved the little rooms on the train though, and enjoyed that part of the experience...just don't think that's in the works this time. I may have to deal with my not so fondness of getting on a plane.

I'm not sure I'm going yet, but I keep thinking along those lines, so I may end up booking something. My goal is to continue to pay down my credit cards, and if I get far enough along by June- I'll book. I just have to stop looking, or I'll book too soon! I love being outside, walking around, enjoying the sites, and because I've done it enough times, I don't feel rushed to "see it all" which I think a lot of people do. I know on my first trip, we pushed to do so much more, and ended up worn out..the following trips, we went more low key and enjoyed it a lot more.

Anyway, don't mean to ramble, just thinking of Florida about now. I'm thinking maybe around Thanksgiving like we did last year. We were actually on the train on Thanksgiving day coming home, right when the crowds were getting bigger at the parks! That's the other thought...flying around the Thanksgiving holiday could be crazy busy. Decisions, decisions! I just don't want too much school missed, and a few days off is better than a full week. I think this past November, he missed 2 days only.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 07:42 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

...chopped portion sizes at T.G.I. Friday's...Friday's is bucking a decades-long trend of ever-larger portions in packaged goods and at restaurants

Aiming to offer smaller portions, reducing the cost a little bit, they are gambling on reducing portion sizes. Many customers have been requesting smaller sized portions, and they feel it's healthier, the problem comes in that people have come to expect huge portions as value at restaurants. How will they react? Time will tell, and I'm sure the entire industry will be watching.

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Today was a day of police cars and ambulances running hot in Hunterdon County! Each time we went out today, we saw multiple units with lights flashing enroute to problems. :\ Hope everyone is okay!

We headed over to an arcade today that I'd passed before and we thought we'd give it a go. Turns out they only sell arcade games to homes...that was funny! Oh well, we'll try something else tomorrow.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 04:19 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

You won't believe it, but I'm considering more Orlando vacations. We had so much the last three times we went down, I can't stop thinking about it. I'm not sure if I'm going to stay in a hotel, in vacation homes, or a condo this time. I think each has something unique to offer. I'm looking at maybe doing November again, since it worked out so well last time. I just went in February, and with a beach vacation planned for June, I don't think I can do it before fall. I've got Orlando on the brain! I want to go back to Sea World and Disney again!

I'll let you know if I decide to book something again. My son enjoyed taking the train down last time, but it costs a lot more than flying. I'm just not a fan of flying these days! We'll see what we end up doing.  

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I forgot to mention this...my family lives over in the Levittown/Langhore area of Bucks County, and my mom was telling me that "Exteme Makeover" the home edition one is working on a house in their area in Cobalt Ridge. (photos available at the link)

The police were directing traffic because of the overflow of people who wanted to see. A single mom and her four children were set to move into their new home, and with a few weeks later, the home was condemned due to termites! Somebody stepped in and the rest is history in the making. It's supposed to air early in May.  (May 6th/8pm)

If you live near Bucks County, Cobalt Ridge is about 5-10 minutes from the Oxford Valley Mall area. I grew up about 5 minutes from Cobalt Ridge, so I'm very familiar with the area. In fact, when visiting my mom a few weeks ago, at the local WaWa market, there was a collection and information set up as well to help the family out.  Usually shows like that seem to be filmed anywhere else but where you live, so that was kind of neat for them.

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 10:17 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

There's another attempt to curb motorists from multitasking on New Jersey highways...sponsoring legislation that would fine those who drive while texting $250...it's dangerous to take your eyes off the road...Arizona, Connecticut and Washington also are considering ways to block the latest electronic distraction.

Quoted from PhillyBurbs 

That cracks me up! Texting is so much more dangerous than talking while driving! In NJ you have to be hand's free, or you may be fined. Of course, I see tons of drivers still talking, while holding their handset. It's annoying and dangerous! Texting of all things isn't an issue yet? That's crazy, because if you're texting, you have to not only look at the screen, but have hands off the wheel while texting! I'm surprised this didn't fall under the same law that made holding your phone and talking, while driving in NJ an offense. Go figure...

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Sprint has been having trouble capitalizing on their merger with Nextel. They are continuing to lose market share to Verizon and AT&T. The next year or so should be a good indication whether they will be able to be a viable player in the wireless industry. I think they'll probably rally and find a way to appeal to a wider audience, and they should be able to compete successfully.

Sprint offers some cool phones like the RAZR and the Motorola Q with the full Qwerty keyboard that make it's offerings similar to those around it. They even have some great plans going on, like a free Motorola V3m with a plan on Wirefly. With Blackberry's being as popular as they are, Sprint has offerings on them as well. I love the Blackberry 7250, and right now it comes with the bluetooth headset as well. In fact Sprint offers just about any phone you can think of. They have Audiovox, Blackberry, LG's, Motorola, Nokia, Palm Cell phones, Samsung, Sanyo and more. You can't go wrong, and I think once they retarget their aim, they'll find themselves on equal footing once again.

If you're looking for Sprint cell phones, you'll want to check out Wirefly. Hands down, they have the best deals, the best bargains, the best prices, and the best selection of cell phones and carriers going. If you haven't checked them out, head on over there. You won't find a better selection anywhere. Wirefly lets you shop by phone type, service plan or by carrier. You decide what you want, and Wirefly offers you the best price on your selection. You can even go check out the new popular Sanyo Katana phone. It's stylish, sleek and sexy! Compare it to the Motorola RAZR V3m and see which one suits you better. It's easy to compare phones and get the one you want! This message was brought to you by Wirefly.

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The Star Ledger is warning Hunterdon County residents to be careful about rabies. There are more reported cases coming out. It's expected to be a year with a lot of cases, so make sure you seek out treatment if you're exposed, get your pets vaccinated and be prepared just in case. They mention Hunterdon County's mix of rural and suburban environments make for a good breeding ground.

If your pet or you get bitten, contact Animal Control right away. 

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;A Camden police officer and his wife were indicted Thursday on charges that they had roles in the robbery of a drug dealer...Michael Anthony Hearne gave a loaded handgun to another man to use in a robbery of the dealer back on Nov. 7...After that, Paw said, Hearne, 42, and his wife, Annie Hearne, 36, agreed to launder $75,000 in proceeds from the robbery through their bank accounts. Additionally, Paw said, the Woodbury couple laundered some $7,600 from a previous robbery through their accounts.

Quoted from NJ.com

Nice...another person in NJ goes dirty. It's such a corrupt state it's scary. My first thought though, was at least it was a drug dealer and not someone innocent, but regardless of who it was, it shows the colors of this cop, and it's not looking pretty. What an embarrassment, yet another official gets busted.

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I just got an offer in the mail for the 25th anniversary games with the NJ Devils. If you're interested, the tickets are available online only for this deal, and the code to use is "NJ DEVS".

Here's the scoop:

You can get $90 tickets for $72 bucks, $70 tickets for $58 bucks,  and  $52 tickets for $42 dollars.

Tickets are available for April 1st, 3rd and 8th

The April 8th game against the NY Islanders is fan appreciation day

It states there are no refunds or exchanges.

If you want in on this deal which will save you some dollars, remember the code is "NJ DEVS". 

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addition to listing factors such as driving history, age, mileage and vehicle type, includes a section dividing drivers into eight groups based on their education and occupation. Considered "more favorable" are professionals with college degrees and graduate students. "Least favorable" are "minimally skilled clerks, assistants, stock clerks and postal clerks," as well as long-haul drivers and "unskilled and semiskilled blue and gray collar worker

Quoted from Washington Post

I had heard a commercial about Geico charging people without a 4 year college degree more money than those who had a degree. Those who were merely high school graduates, or those who were a credit risk, read NOT DRIVING RISK, may have been charged more as well. Geico has been called out based on an inner office memo that made it's way out. Geico says it's false, but when the Consumer Federation of America got quotes from all 50 states, including DC with only the education level being different, once again, it showed the sour note Geico hit by charging higher rates for the blue collar workers. Only 6 of the states didn't have that outcome.

How much are you paying?

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In New Jersey, there's a sanctuary that has won the New Jersey environmental tourism award from the Govenor. In Warren County, New Jersey- the Lakota Wolf Preserve is an experience that allows you to observe and watch these beautiful creatures. They have Tundra wolves, Artic wolves and Timber wolves you can watch. At the preserve, you'll learn about their habits, watch them in natural surroundings and be exposed to their ways such as eating, and natural interaction.  You can view the wolves twice a day, and should check the schedule before heading out to the Lakota Wolf Preserve, as their schedule changes through out the seasons. If you'd be interested in a photography session where you will be as close as 3-4 feet away with unobstructed views, this may be the ideal place for you.

 The Wild Candid Survival and Research Center is a sanctuary for wolves. They are dedicated to preserving the wolf through active capture, breeding, education and research. This is a nonprofit that has been working since 1971. If you'd like to volunteer time or learn more about this wolf sanctuary, head to WolfSanctuary.org.

I am in no way connected to these groups and am highlighting them merely for a series on wild animals called "Untamed Tuesday" which is a way to share my love and passion for animals, and hopefully bring light to groups you weren't aware of.

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I spent a little time in Texas a few years ago, and when I first went down, one of the things that I really felt was how much open space there was. I had always lived in the Northeast, so going west, I was expecting it to look mostly the same, but I was surprised just how open it was! It made me think of the song "Wide Open Spaces" by the Dixie Chicks as I explored. When I first got there, I had an apartment, because I had set up some stuff before I arrived. I was amazed at the difference in prices between Amarillo and my home town in Pennsylvania. The prices in Texas were half what they were in Pennsylvania! I didn't need movers, because it was just me and what was in my pick-up truck. I was just going through a divorce, and needed to clear my head. I didn't make all of my best choices at that time, but it was a shift that really showed me another side of the country.

In Amarillo, one of the things that I got a kick out of was all the horses, donkeys and long horns I saw. I stayed at a little place right off of Claude Highway, which was a half paved, half dirt road along the way. I had a friend Scott in the fire department and sheriff's department that lived down the road, and he helped me get adjusted to the local areas I needed to know about. One of the neat things Scott did was fly airplanes in shows as well! He was an all around neat guy. His dad was involved in cattle feed, something totally different from the Pennsylvania world I knew about. He wasn't actually the reason I was in Texas, but we became better friends when I lived down the road. Good guy, I hope he's doing well.

My favorite place in Amarillo was the Lonestar. It was this little hole in the wall tavern, where the long necks were kept in a bathtub full of ice, and a roll of papertowels was thrown on your table for napkins. They had the biggest, freshest steaks that left me missing them when I found myself back in Pennsylvania a few months later.

While I was down there, I was looking at Used Motorcycles, and when I came back home to Pennsylvania, I ended up getting my motorcycle license, which I still have today! It was a time of growth for me, and that's how I'll always remember Amarillo. Don't get me started on my first Tornado warning, that was a culture shock in itself!

This post was brought to you by UTexas.edu

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I came across an organization that does horse rescue in New Jersey. If you're into horses, want to help, donate or otherwise, contact Mylestone Equine Rescue. Their website is at www.mylestone.org, their number is 908-995-9300. It's a private, nonprofit NJ organization. They provide a sanctuary for horses who have been subjected to neglect or cruelty. They also offer a sanctuary for horses who are disabled. If you're a horse lover, check them out and see how you can help.

They are at www.mylestone.org

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I stopped to pick up my buddy's medicine today. He's got to take antibiotics for a week for Lyme Disease. He's been having on and off issues with his legs, so hopefully this will help him out.  Isn't he adorable? He's my buddy. Gracie and Buster keep my company through the day, and sit and watch me blog!  

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Grace looked so comfortable, and actually was rolled up on her back more, but when she heard the camera turn on, she gave a good stretch and ended up in this position! I got such a kick ot of it. My 120 pound moose took shotgun on the couch nearest me. This is a very large blue leather sectional, and both dogs seem to think it's their personal sleeping quarters! It's their favorite spot to crash when I'm working at my desk. They take turns with this one particular spot, because right behind it is a big bay window they can look out. There's my girl, three times a lady!

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John Chow has seen tremendous growth and he's making money while he's at it. In fact, John Chow dot Com is a blog that helps you make money online. He is offering to link to your blog if you review his blog.

One of the things I like about John Chow's blog is that he not only figures out how to make his blog a mover and shaker, but he also tells you how you can get ahead as well. One of his recent articles talks about how to target google ads by using a quick snippet of code.

An article last week showed you how you can take advantage of advertier's dollars to boost your own site with advertising. Of course it was rated on an "evil" scale of just how right or wrong it may have been to do each one. It's written with knowledge, and a twist of fun to keep you reading.

In an article dated today, he speaks about how you can make a better impression with your blog. One of the tips is having a detailed about page. I actually just added an about page this weekend, so I was glad to see that listed.

If you'd love to improve your blog, as well as make money online, then you'll want to add John Chow to your reader and follow along! He may be willing to take you for a ride in the process! Bookmark JohnChow.com today. 

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We were driving down the Garden State Parkway today, and I noticed they were taking down half of the Barnegat toll booth area. They're now updated it like others, where they charge double going one way, and nothing going the other.

As as EZ-Pass user, the other update I've been noticing this past year is that they are opening up lanes with cameras so EZ-Pass drivers can keep going, rather than stopping at a toll, slowing down, waiting for a gated arm to lift and continuing on. By having a straight drive through area, with a speed limit of 45-55, it's a huge change when you have a lot of tolls to go through...which we know in New Jersey there are a lot!

It keeps the traffic moving with a better flow, and the double toll in one direction is definitely an improvement on the ride. We headed from the section up off of 287 down to Long Beach Island today, so we took in a large section of it, and we noticed a nice flow of traffic, rather than backups like you used to see. Kudos for the big steps they're taking to improve the ride...now if we could cut back on the number of tolls!  

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I'm sure if you're a coin dealer, you're on the lookout for the dollar coins with the glitch of missing "In God We Trust" on it! Imagine realizing you have one, and the value of it. You have a one dollar coin that is now selling for 200 plus dollars on Ebay, 400 dollars on QVC and sky rocketing in other places. My son has started collecting coins, and has one of the new dollar coins, but not one with a a glitch. He checked it as soon as he heard! He actually started collecting coins just a bit ago, when he came across a penny from over 100 years ago while metal detecting with his father.

Speaking of coins, did you know that by buying gold and silver you can have the comfort of knowing the value of your precious metals will continue to thrive. The value of gold continues to climb and hold it's own, when compared to paper money. If you're interested in getting involved with silver or gold, you'll want to contact Monex, who can help you with all your investment needs. They have been in business for many years, and understand the value of diversifying your portfolio. They offer both personal delivery and storage for your precious metals.

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On Monday, I'm scheduled to get a mammogram. If you're coming up on 40 you should be getting one soon too. Because I have family history, I started getting mammograms at age 34 for a baseline. I've had call backs and they can be scary, but everything has worked out fine for me at this point. This is an issue I take very seriously, as my grandmother had breast cancer in both of her breasts at two different times. 

For more information about breast cancer, visit Cancer.org. 

For questions and answers on mammograms, go here. 

To see what a mammogram shows, visit BreastCancer.org 

To help uninsured women get mammograms, go to TheBreastCancerSite.com 

To help my friend Colleen raise money for her 3 day walk for Breast Cancer, go to 3DayMom

Colleen's team is committed to raising $13,200 dollars for Breast Cancer Research, and her part is $2,200...help her reach her goal, but making a donation today! 

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I wanted to briefly discuss a topic that is on my mind. Have you ever been in a store or restaurant and you hear kids screaming at the top of their lungs, or crying and throwing a temper tantrum? Sure, it happens, but when it can't be contained in a quick matter of time, it's common courtesy to remove the child from the situation. I've been in restaurants enjoying a meal where kids are screaming or carrying on, maybe standing on a booth, hanging over the booth on your side, and the parents totally ignore it. I understand a parent trying to correct  a situation, but lately, I'm seeing more and more parents who seem oblivious to actual manners when it comes to how their children behave in social situations.

Control your children people! Yes, you have a right to be in that restaurant, but other people are paying to enjoy their experience as well. If you have a child that acts up in public, try going off hours, or choose a more young child and family friendly restaurant.

Nothing I hate more than watching parents ingore their children's atrocious behavior. I have kids, believe me, I understand them acting up, but if a situation like this occurs, I removed my kids from the situation. I'll get food wrapped to go, I'll take them outside until they are settled, but ignoring them and letting them carry on, unrespectful of the other people around me? No way, no how.  

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Three New Jersey divers, two from Westfield and one from Chatham, died yesterday while exploring a sunken ship off the Key Largo shore.

Quoted from NJ.com 

Three men were exploring a Naval ship that sunk six years ago. The experienced divers ran out of air, while lost in the ship they were exploring. Sad news...I wanted to send thoughts and prayers to their families.

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We went out for BBQ for dinner. We've been working NutriSystem, but once a week, we allow ourselves one regular meal. We chose BBQ tonight, and boy howdy was it worth it! I got baby back ribs, hubby got the pulled pork. Delicious!

On the program he is down 17 pounds, I'm down 10 pounds. Not too shabby for under a month's time.  

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I saw this guy on Oprah, and was happy to see this video clip made. This was so cool and inspiring! Go give someone a hug!

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Totally digging this! Ooh, did I just show my age with that comment? 

The Sony Mylo is a quick communication tool that's pocket sized, but offers a lot of cool features. It offers instant messaging, email, internet voice calls, music and video as well as pictures AND a WiFi hotspot locator! This is something I need to add to my list of wants! My birthday is coming up and it's price tag of $350 isn't that astronomical!  Get this, if you buy it by the end of 2007, you get a year of complimetary service! Loving this...it's going on my list! You know you do too!!!

More information on the Sony Mylo 

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I have Disney on the brain. I just found myself checking out the prices over at Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs in Walt Disney World! I'm not supposed to be going again this year, but I don't know if I can promise I won't! Maybe just one more time...

Off season, the moderate resorts are starting at $145 a night...I might be able to swing that. Maybe it's all the snow I'm seeing out my window that has me daydreaming of traveling to warmer places.  

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What is malabsorption? - Malabsorption is the inability to absorb nutrients through the gut lining into the bloodstream. Malabsorption is the failure of the GI tract to absorb one or more substances from the diet.
What causes malabsorption? - The causes of malabsorption include cystic fibrosis, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, Whipple disease, acrodermatitis enteropathica, biliary atresia, pernicious anemia.

Quoted from http://digestive-disorders.health-cares.net/

I was told last night, I may have malabsorption issues. I'm waiting on more results, and go back to the GI doctor on Monday. I'm hoping that we can pinpoint this a little more. It's interesting to read about this, because when I think of malabsorption, I think of malnutrition, like in starving countries. This is different, where your body doesn't absorb things properly. As I learn more, I'll spread the word on this topic. I found a great page that offered the information above, along with a lot of other good information, so if you're interested in reading more, definitely follow the link, as they have a lot of good info.

I laughed about the people lose weight with this...as I've been struggling to lose weight for years, but the protein deficiency can cause swelling and more. I always do better when I up my protein intake. This should be an interesting journey. I'll know more after my next visit with the gastroenterologist on Monday.

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I got an email this morning from a friend who is heading into New York to celebrate her anniversary. As a wedding gift, a few friends and I got them a gift certificate to choose a broadway play to see. They've chosen an epic love story to celebrate their first year married. Living in central New Jersey, it takes us just about an hour to get into New York City.

Last time we went into New York we saw 3 shows over the weekend, and went to a spa. We saw Mama Mia! which was a lot of fun, and has the music of ABBA. The performance was fabulous! The other play we saw that weekend was Avenue Q. If you've never seen that show, it is a riot! We laughed so much, our sides were aching. You can check out the top 10 attractions of NYC if you've never been there.

The last show we saw was Elton John at Madison Square Garden. If you've never seen him in concert, he's my favorite! He puts on such a great show, and never ceases to blow us away. It was such a fun experience. We shared the experience with my mom and my aunt. My husband surprised me by getting tickets for 4 to each of the events. We had such an incredible weekend. As a thank you to him, I called ahead and arranged for the hotel restaurant to bring out a dessert with the words thank you written across the plate!

Driving in NYC is an experience in itself! We prefer to have a car bring us into the city, or park over in Hoboken and take the path train over. Driving in New York City is unlike anything you've ever experienced! I've done it once, and it was the one and only time I'll ever do that- from now on, I'll hire a driver!

If you're looking for hotels in NYC, look around and compare. Prices are steep, but if you look around, you can usually find something that will work for you. I'm not sure what the hotel we stayed at is called now, as I think it just switched hands after we went. We were really close to Madison Square Garden, so we could just about walk across the street after the concert! It worked out really well for us. If you're willing to drive in New York, you may want to look into Car Loans to get a car that will work for you. Remember parking is at a bare minimum, so you may want a smaller car! No matter how you get there, or what you do when you arrive, New York is a lively place! There is so much to see and do there, you should have a blast! This post was brought to you by NYU.edu

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Glucosamine is on my dog's menu now. In fact he gets it 2x a day for a week, then cuts back to once daily. The stuff comes in a powder form, so here I am in the kitchen, trying to figure out how to give him his new powder.

I put the first bit on cheese and rolled it up...no good, he drops the cheese on the ground and works around it! I'm going to make some peanut butter balls I think and try to put it inside! Sure, just sprinkle it on his food, he'll eat it...yeah, that's not going to be happening!  

Why don't they make these things taste better? Put it in the form of a chewy treat, maybe beef flavored gravy...that would be too easy. How about a pill, just pop it in and we'll be fine. Nope, it's powder...and it doesn't even smell good...not even to a dog!  

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Under the plan, released sex offenders caught using the Internet would face up to 18 months in jail and fines of up to $10,000. Sex offenders caught using the Internet to solicit a child would face a mandatory five years in jail, rather than the three years they face under current law.

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Believing he was doing God's will, a Texas man early yesterday picked up a rock and fatally beat a 75-year-old former Soviet dissident and prison camp survivor who had stopped by a New Jersey Turnpike service area for refreshments, State Police said.

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Looks like Boo is showing up positive for Lyme Disease. We have to start him on antibiotics. Hopefully this is the answer as to why his legs have been bothering him. I have to say, I'm surprised how fast we got the results back. We were just at the vet at 2pm, and at 6pm I got a phone call! That's fast!!!

He'll also be starting on Glucosamine to help his joints. Just wanted to add an update in here.

Buster-Boo will be on the mend soon enough. Good news...he's my buddy.

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Don't mind me...I'm just dreaming of Florida knowing we have a bunch of snow coming. Ahhh, t-shirt weather in February! This was taken at Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World. These are the days, I start looking for good travel deals!

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I'm hoping I can fall asleep at a somewhat normal time tonight, since I'm off schedule. I was told that I have to get up and be ready to go by 8am tomorrow. We have to go pick up one of our cars over at the garage where it was getting worked on! I'm not even tired and it's almost midnight. Wish me luck getting some decent sleep!

I just drove 3 hours so I'm feeling kind of wired! It's two hours to my mom's house, I dropped her off, and then it's another hour home from there.  

I think tomorrow should be a pretty quiet day for me, and then Thursday, I have to take one of our dogs to the vet. Friday's going to be a full day as well, so hopefully tomorrow I'll get things done around the house!  

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There was a lady playing the penny slots, and she wasn't putting in the max amount. She hit the top prize and won $400. If she had been playing the max amount, she would have won $4,000! I'm sure she was happy with the $400 as well, but boy that's a moment when you want to kick yourself and go, I should have!

I love slot machines...I love to get lost in the noise and fun of them. I played video poker, regular slots, and now so many of them are computerized with pictures. I played penny slots, nickel slots, dime slots, quarter slots, fifty cent slots and dollar slots! I like a variety and move around a lot!  If I sit in one place too long, I get itchy to do something else. Must be that same thing that has me sitting here with 8+ tabs open on Firefox!

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This alone can show you why I love Long Beach Island in New Jersey. Sandy white beaches, and an endless horizon of ocean. This is all time favorite place to visit. It's a second home to me, and has coddled me since I was an infant. This will be my 40th year enjoying this beach, and I wanted to share a little piece of it with you today.  

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Don't forget that we moved ahead an hour, and just because Congress says so, doesn't mean it's built into your Windows earlier! Did you remember to turn all your clocks ahead? Did you get the microwave, the oven, adjust your alarm clocks? :)

Just a friendly reminder to get them all. Don't forget your watch too! 

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Sharing a little more from our trip. This is the "Tree of Life" behind us. It's carved with 300 animals and is beautiful to see. This is the center of Animal Kingdom, and the rest of the park is a circle around it, mostly. One of the things about this park, Animal Kingdom is the lushness of it. You'll immediately notice the greens everywhere. This park tends to feel warmer than the other parks. It's lush here, and you'll both see and feel the difference.

We love the sounds here. Walking through the Africa section, you'll hear drums and beats going, and maybe you'll see some great dancing as well. Walking from Africa to Asia is a plant like tree, which is actually a woman on stilks and wrapped in vines. She moves slowly and methodically, and until you see her face, you're wondering exactly what's going on. She's a lot of fun, and attracts a lot of attention.

Of course in the Asia section of the park, you'll want to jump on Everest. I didn't go on this past trip, but in November, my son and I did it 3 times in a row. I'm a roller coaster fan, and love the adrenaline rush, but I don't like scary things and didn't want to see what the Yetti looked like! He wanted me to keep my eyes open the second and third times, because he saw me close my eyes when we got close to the Yetti the first time! LOL Drop me down a huge hill, just don't show me a scary guy! After I saw him, he wasn't so bad after all.  

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I have a friend who is doing a survey for Turkish learners. I first met Osman on a community we both go to that relates to blogging. He has impressed me with his passion for linguistics and his blogs. If you have a language related blog, or are learning Turkish, he would love your help with a survey.

He is currently doing research about computer-assisted Turkish learning.

If you can help out, please go take the Survey for Turkish learners.  

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I had a full day out today. I drove down to see my mom and sister and we went out to lunch then hit a few stores. After that I went to my mom's house to help her with something on her computer. From there, I drove to pick up my son and headed back home. Everybody lives an hour from me, so it's always a big round trip!

I was pleased the weather's been warming up, and am hoping it stays that way. They're talking about it being in the mid-fifties this wekend! I'll take that!!!!

I picked up a few small craft things to help fill the weekend. We'll also probably hit the movies, since we didn't go last week. What are you doing this weekend?  

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We saw a video about pouring Coke on pork and claiming worms were coming out of it in 2 minutes. The problem is, there was a cutaway. This intrigued me, so I tested it out at home, and guess what, no worms! My son was convinced it was a hoax immediately, but since I'm the one feeding the family, I wanted to be certain. I know that meat has to be FDA approved, and cooking meat kills bacteria, but I still wanted to know for myself. I also want to note, I don't know if the same standards are worldwide for meat testing as the United States...Of course, non-tech person that I am, I forgot to put my memory card in my camera! LOL My results: nada, nothing, zero worms.;

Here's the original video of them pouring Coke on Pork...;

What Happens When You Pour Coke On Raw Pork? - The best home videos are here

....Some other people tested pouring Coke on pork as well...this is my favorite test result! This is a MUST SEE!

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What happened to the Hawk? I turned on 97.5 the other day and it was smooth jazz. I remember PST and the HAWK did that big switch awhile back, which was weird to me, but then I tried to put it on the other day and it was gone! I hate when radio stations switch without telling you! Maybe they did and I missed it.

Another station I used to listen to Sunny 104.5 turned into spanish music! I'm trying to figure out all the shifts. Time to reset my radio buttons!

I'm a a point in NJ where when I go 15 minutes to the west, I get different stations, except for 101.5. I get that all the way over into PA...but a lot of my other stations, once I hit Flemington, I have to switch it up. It's weird, I must be right on a line... 

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There's a skin care product website that you should check out at SkinCare-MD.com. They offer great products like Jane Iredale mineral make-up, as well as products from professional companies. They have products from Obagi as well as others like Kinerase. These are professional Skin Care lines, and ones that are highly recommended. Having recieved my Skin Care Specialist license in the state of New Jersey, I spent a lot of time learing about skin care. These are companies that are highly respected. In fact, at the spa I fill-in at, we carry Jane Iredale products because we so firmly believe in this product. These are well known lines in the skin care industry and SkinCare-MD.com offers a large selection. Their site also offers articles on skin care ranging from Vitamin C to Acne to Rosacea. Take a few minutes and check out SkinCare-MD.com.
This post was brought to you by SkinCare-MD.com

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I'm on an all liquid diet for the next 24 hours or so. This should be fun, NOT! I'm geting a test done tomorrow, so today I have to follow some rules that seem "somewhat simple", just not enjoyable! Wish me luck staying on track. I'm stocked up on jello and ice-pops, crystal light and the yucky stuff I have to drink. I'm doing a countdown!

The good part is my husband has off tomorrow, because he has to drive me there. When the test is done, we get the rest of the day to hang out together, so that's cool!  

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I was over at RusticGirls.com reading a couple of articles. It's a simply designed site with a list of informative articles. Take for example an article on bonding with your child as a single parent. They have a large area of coverage when it comes to articles, but they try to keep it based around home and family life.

There is focus to the page, though I think it could be better organized. Having topics with articles listed under them may make navigation a bit simpler. Otherwise, there are a good assortment of topics ranging from faulty fuses to deciding on the right fence for your home. Some of their newer additions include pruning a citris tree to fun article on never fighting a goat over a patch of grass.

I think that Rustic Girls has room to grow and with a simple redesign can have a crisp look that will make finding articles easier. The articles are well selected and offer a range. The picture at the bottom shows their sense of humor.  

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unexploded ammunition from long-ago wars recently surfaced in Ocean County. Old ammunition from World War II shut down a section of beach replenishment work on Long Beach Island Monday , the same day that an unexploded cannonball a man found elsewhere in the county, and took home, caused an evacuation requiring a bomb squad.

Quoted from PhillyBurbs

An interesting find closed down a section of the beach in Long Beach Island. Bomb fuses were found, while a man was metal detecting, and then more were found. The section of Long Beach Island was in Surf City. The fuses would only activate if struck. They will be scouring the beaches and expect things to be safe by the summertime. Let's hope so, I'll be there in LBI this June!

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he has demanded the financial records of 20 volunteer fire departments to determine how their money is raised and spent. The subpoenas, delivered Monday, were motivated by allegations that seven members of the Grandview Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 in Fairview used contributions to fund a four-day trip to Cancun, Mexico, in January.

Quoted from PhillyBurbs.com Reading something like this makes my stomach churn. I hope the records come back to show that they are mistaken and the funds weren't used incorrectly. This will be an interesting story to follow. They are doing a cross section of departments in this New Jersey area to see how funds are being used. Let's hope the books add up. We have enough corruption in New Jersey all ready, I'd hate to see volunteer departments taking advantage of a situation like this.

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Morning Sunshine...

There's not much magic going on outside today with the wind gusting like crazy and people's trash cans rolling by. Tomorrow we'll be seeing some snow. I thought thinking back to vacation might be a nice thing to do about now!

This picture was actually taken from the train station in Disney near the maingate entrance. We were about to head on over to Splash Mountain, so we thought the train would be a quicker trip then walking. We were right, there was no wait, and by the time we got off people were pouring into the waiting area of the ride. Our timing was perfect, as once again there was next to no wait at Pirates of the Caribbean. Ahhh, memories...

There goes the neighbor's trashcan again...I guess I'm still in New Jersey.  

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Do you blog? If you do, there's a large bloggers conference that's coming soon, and you'll want to be a part of it. It will be held down in sunny Orlando, Florida. PostieCon is going to be a blow out event, with speakers like Robert Scoble. This will be a full weekend event, so pack your bags and plan on sticking around.

PostieCon is the conference that was created for the blogger. It's about learning how to improve your voice in the world of the net. Find out how to monetize your blog, as well as how to become a better blogger. David Ponce, the managing editor of OhGizmo.com will also be speaking at the conference. It doesn't end there, there will be fun, more speakers, and awards.

PostieCon is going to be a happening event that everyone's going to be talking about, and you're going to wish you went. Hurry up and register, because there's limited space.

Are you ready to take your blog to the next level? PostieCon can help get you there, with informative speeches, and people with experience in growing traffic as well as helping you become a more defined voice. Join everyone as they meet May 31 through June 2nd in Orlando.

Sign up information can be found at PostieCon.com. This post was brought to you by PayPerPost and PostieCon.

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If you’re trying to install the latest income tax preparation software on a Windows 98 computer, you’re going to have a problem.  Most of the popular packages no longer work with 98 since Microsoft has stopped support of that operating system.  But don’t assume that you have to upgrade to XP, which would be a challenge for an older pc.  Most of the software is still compatible with Windows 2000, so you may want to simply upgrade to Windows 2000.  It’ll be a lot cheaper, too.

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Along with the introduction of Vista, Microsoft is also launching Microsoft Office 2007.  From what I’ve seen and read, it will be a comprehensive package, including new programs in addition to the standard Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.  As usual, there will probably be some changes to get used to, but it looks like an impressive package.  One tidbit…now Excel can support one million rows of data.

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Speaking of turning your clocks ahead...remember that some computer programs will not automatically update for the time change since it is occurring earlier than in the past.  For example, if you use Outlook to schedule meetings, you may have to manually update some meeting start times. 

I for one wish it would be like this year round! I love the extra time with light! I'm one of those people who gets bummed out when it gets dark by 5pm. Blech!  

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Don't forget that  Daylight Savings Time starts earlier than usual this year – the second Sunday in March instead of the first Sunday in April. I'm telling you, but I hope I remember!

Congress decided to change the date in an effort to conserve electricity resources.

Turn your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday, March 11^th. 

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Spiderman 3 open on May 4th.  I hope it’s a good one.  Spiderman 2 was terrific.  I’ve seen the previews several times, and in the new movie it looks like Spiderman is going to wrestle with the demons in his head, as well as his arch-enemies.  Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst return in the starring roles. It should be a good one. I loved that it was a good movie for the entire family. I could sit comfortably through it with my kids and my husband. There the best movies in my eyes!

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I just got word that the Rockford Files Season 3 is now available on DVD.  I own the first two seasons already.  This is one of my husband’s favorite shows of the 1970’s.  James Garner is terrific as private investigator Jim Rockford.  I like James Garner is a lot of other work he’s done as well. He just reminds me of an average guy with great personality.

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We saw a fun show about the wonders of garlic on the Food Network this weekend.  We love garlic, but some folks are just fanatical.  They even make garlic ice cream.  I don’t think I could handle that, but you never know it might be good. There was a roasted and poached garlic that looked heavenly. They took the garlic and spread it on bread. That looked delightful!

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Still thinking about the water in the basement thought here…Some companies offer a different technique, where “weep holes” are drilled where your basement walls meet the floor.  A plastic baseboard is then installed around the perimeter to catch any water that flows through the holes and directs it to a sump pump.  This is certainly less messy and time consuming solution, but I don’t know how well it will actually work.

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Still getting water in the basement after a heavy rain.  The downspout extensions on the gutters have helped, but we still get a fair amount of water around the basement perimeter.  We thought about looking into a waterproofing company, but it’s going to be expensive.  Most offer the French drain solution, which involves digging a trench along the basement foundation, installing perforated pipe that drains to a sump, and back-filling with stone and concrete.  Not a simple solution, but it’s almost guaranteed to stop water infiltration.

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Thinking about a trip to Las Vegas in the next year.  We’ve been talking about it for years, but we’ve never done it.  I like to play the slots, but I’d really like to go for the spectacle.  I see it on TV all the time, and it just seems like such a neat place to visit.  They also have some spectacular shows—Celine Dion, Elton John, Cirque de Soleil.  I think next January might be a good time.  It’ll be cold here in the northeast, but toasty warm out there. 

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I’m waiting for our cable provider to start offering voice service.  From what I understand, we’ll be able to pay a flat monthly fee for unlimited calling.  Based on their advertised rates, our phone bill would be cut in half.  It will use the emerging voice-over-IP technology, which probably won’t  be as good as a conventional phone line, but at half the price I’m willing to try it. 

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Had to take the car into the shop today.  We've been having some intermittent problems with the transmission.  Fortunately, they were able to pull a trouble code, so hopefully they’ll be able to figure out the problem.  I’m hoping it’s not an internal transmission issue.  These modern transmissions are heavily electronic, so I suspect it’s a faulty solenoid.  We’ll see what they tell me tomorrow.

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The new Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger look great.  We saw them last weekend at the local dealership.  The base model has a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder rated at 173 hp.  I think I’d prefer one of their upscale models with a V-6, but they get pricey. I think they’ll be popular, and think they did a great redesign on the Sebring. Hot looking car!

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We have hard water, so I picked up some vinegar today. I was thinking, some people with hard water may not know this trick. A little vinegar can break up those hard water stains and sediment build up.

If you're shower head gets clogged, take a baggie, put a little vinegar on it and rubber band it around the shower head. Let it sit for an hour or so, and the brush it off. The hard water deposits will come right off.

You can also use it to clean out the basin of a water cooler. If the inside of the water cooler basin has some deposits on it, soak it in vinegar and it will come clean in no time!  

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I have low to normal blood pressure, but for some reasons, when nurses see I'm overweight they feel the need to pump that blood pressure cuff way up! I've actually gotten in the habit of telling the nurse my blood pressure runs on the lower side so it's not pumped up so high the band wants to pop off! A lot of them still see fit to pump that thing well up over 200 just in case!

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I came across this website while reading "Car and Driver" this month and thought it was something more people would want to know about. DirtyCarArt.com  has a gallery of art created on the windows of cars, and the artwork is amazing. You can even see pictures of one in progress. With artwork like the Mona Lisa or Dogs Playing Poker, Scott Wade shows his unique talent.

Check out the cool video

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Some friends were having a conversation last night, and it made me realize my lack of interest in politics. It's not a proud moment to realize I have no spark or zip when it comes to politics. Basically , I know what I think is right and wrong, but I can't get geared up to really speak out about those things. It's always interesting to me when I see people talking so passionately about politics.

It reminds me when I was in History class, looking out the window, and no matter how much I tried to be interested, I couldn't make myself go there.

I could talk passionately about many topics, but politics just isn't one of them. I have zero, zip, nada, no spark at all in that arena. I may highlight an article I read and make a comment or two on it, but that's about all you'll get out of me. Getting me to talk politics is like pulling teeth!

What was refreshing was this group of friends could speak like adults, speak their thoughts and opinions, and it stayed a friendly adult conversation. It didn't get ugly, there wasn't name calling, it was smart, intelligent people sharing opinions. Now that's refreshing! Of course, we're talking about some great people, so it doesn't surprise me!  

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My sister and I have never taken a trip, just the two of us. We decided it would be fun for us to take a sister-bonding getaway. We arent' sure where we want to go yet, but I've been looking at a few places to gather some ideas. I was over at Oceano-Rentals.com and saw some beach front properties at Rocky Point house rentals. In Las Conchas there were townhomes, condos and single homes that ar beachfront that are gorgeous and affordable. I love how easy it is to compare properties on the Oceano-Rentals.com site. When I decide where we're going, I'll let you know. As for the Rocky Point area, it's on the list. I saw the most adorable Casita!

I love the video tour so you can just push play and see the home. IThe casita I was looking at is ocean front and it even shows you the steps onto the beach. It has a gorgeous patio area that gets a lot of sun, and would make a great place to eat lunch during the day! This one is certainly on my list! I love that the virtual tour shows you both the inside and the outside, so you can make an informed decision. A lot of sites just show you a picture of a house, and then you have to guess if it's been well kept up and is as nice inside. With the video tour, there's no question about it!

The other thing I like about this site is that the show you the weather of the area. If it's not an area you're familiar with, it saves you the trouble of having to go search that for yourself. It's a really well done site, and one I'll go back to again. Check out Oceano-Rentals.com for your next vacation. This post was brought to you by Oceano-Rentals.com 

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What kind of relationship do you see yourself in the next five years? Do you see it staying the same, and is that a good thing, or do you see it changing? When I look at my relationship with my husband, I see it as an ideal and happy relationship. We grow together, we play together and we laugh together. There isn't yelling or fighting, and if we have a disagreement, we talk through it at that time. It's healthy and happy, which is what I've always wanted in a relationship. Imagine my surprise when I realized we've been together for 7 years, and it's as blissful as when we first met.

Friends and family members notice what a great relationship we have, and I say my thanks daily. I truly am blessed with a wonderful man who is supportive and loving on a regular and daily basis. I'm grateful to be in a normal and healthy place...it's taken me years to find a relationship like this, and let me tell you, it's all it's cracked up to be. I hope you have health and happiness as well. 

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I've been working to pay off my credit card debt in 2007. That's my big goal this year, to clear all of their balances. Credit cards are too easy to use sometimes, and though I've gotten better than I used to be, there are still times I'll pull out a credit card, when I really should have paid cash. Interest adds up and before you know it, you have a pile of debt waiting to be paid off.

The best credit cards are ones that offer 0% balance transfer[s], balance transfer credit cards are a great way to save you money. Moving your balance off a high interest card and onto a 0% or lower interest card will save you money. One of the things I like to do is compare credit cards, credit card comparison shows me who offers me better rewards, or who offers the best interest rates, and it's highly competitive.

Lately I've beens sifting through all the different offers out there such as cash back credit cards, reward credit cards  and low interest cards to see which cards make the most sense to switch to.

If you've switched cards lately, what got you to switch. The 0% interest is great, but I want a low interest rate to stick around as well. This post was brougth to you by CreditCardStore.co.uk 

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It's warming up here a little bit in New Jersey. It's still cold, but the edge is out of the air. Yesterday I could go out with just a sweatshirt. That was a great treat. Going to Florida in February spoiled me and made me ache for the spring weather.

I want to walk in the park, around downtown, the beach and other places. I love being outside feeling the fresh air, especially after being cooped up inside most of the winter. Do you have a favorite place to walk. My beach (Long Beach Island) is my favorite, but I do love this trail near us. It's just for bikes and walkers.

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I love business cards. I've got cards from when I first got my manicurist license, and also from when I got my esthetic's license. I love the creativity to express myself on my business cards. I made one exclusively for each, and then one with the two licenses combined. I've also created business cards for my skin care book, and I include them in letters that I write to schools to introduce them to my book. When I get a new batch of business cards, I love getting the first look of them in my hands.

Another use for business cards is when you're moving to a new residence, rather than writing your new address over and over, you can create business cards with your new information on them including your address and phone number and give them to friends and family! It's a quick and easy way for people to have your information at hand!

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Truth or Dare?

Were you a dare taker, or were you a truth person? Did you feel inclined to tell your inner most feelings or details when asked a question, or did you skirt around it? Did you do the dare, or scramble for a truth, after being told what it was? When was the last time you played truth or dare? Were you a child, or did you do it again with your adult friends? What other childhood games did you take with you to adulthood or leave behind, and why?

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Prom season is going to be upon us soon. My niece went to hers last year and she looked so elegant. I'm not sure about in the rest of the country, but in New Jersey and New York, students dress to the nines. It's all about having great style, the perfect dress, the accessories to match and well-applied make-up. At the spa I help out at, they do a prom special during the season, so girls can get their make-up professionally applied. I'm sure New York and NYC is the same way. You need to book your appointment for an updo early! With the great retail in NYC you can bet style plays a huge role in prom wear. You need a new york prom limousine or flowers ordered early as well. Kids today want to do it up with style and fashion, as well as showing up in style as well!

Do you remember your prom? What did you wear? I wore a satin ball length gown in black and silver, with one strap tied in a bow over my shoulder. I knew the dress was the one I wanted the moment I saw it! This message was brought to you by astretchout.com

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