Surviving NJ

I have two weaknesses when it comes to shopping; purses and sunglasses. I own way too many (if there's such a thing), and am always happy to buy more. Recently, I was on vacation in South Carolina and I broke a pair of sunglasses. I don't know what that means to other people, but in my mind, one broken pair equals two new pair of sunglasses!

Much to my son's disdain, I had to try on so many different styles to find just what I wanted. I'm partial to polarized glasses, so I was specifically looking for sunglasses that were not only stylish, but were polarized.

I have no less than 8 pairs of sunglasses. I have about three pair in my car, a couple on the kitchen counter, and another pair in my purse, while a last pair sit on my desk, just in case! I just never know what pair I'll feel like wearing.

I just learned that SuglassWarehouse has over 1,000 different styles and colors of sunglasses for under $20. I was really pleased to see they're part of the Better Business Bureau's Online Reliability Program. That means I can shop with confidence.

I was flipping through their accessories, and found a glass case that would match my laptop bag great! I can actually toss my reading glasses in the case, or sunglasses. 

It's actually easy to look at different styles easily, because the navigation makes it simple. I was able to sort and find different styles, men's, women's and children's glasses easily. 

Shipping is free on orders over $25, and just under $2.00 if you choose USPS First Class mail. They do offer other options for shipping if you prefer an express delivery.

I also like how they tell you if your item is in stock. Ordering is simple with an easy press the button to add something to your cart.

Another note I found interesting on their site says that they aren't selling copies of designer brands. They aren't trying to fool you. They make sunglasses that capture a similar style, while offering high quality products at a great price. 

You can click on a link on the side bar to compare pricing and style with some popular brands. If you're a Coach fan, you'll find similar styles and affordable pricing. Now you can have a great look, at a fraction of the price!  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 02:00 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I have Diabetes, so buying strips for my meter and lancets can be a hassle. It's not so bad, since it's a simple find at most drugstores, but imagine having to buy other products.

What if you had to keep a wound clean, or have a regular supply of pads, and other essentials, like saline and other products. Sometimes you don't want the world seeing everything you buy, so shopping online offers you a discreet way to pick up the things you need, without everyone checking it out, when you're standing in line to pay.

My one friend's grandfather was home bound, and was in a hospital bed in his own home. Her grandmother wanted to take care of him as long as she was able to. She cleaned him, helped him eat, and helped him move. Unfortunately, bed sores can become a problem when you can barely move.

I wish back when she was doing that, computers, and services like DHPHomeDelivery.com were available to her. It would have been such a relief to have those products she needed shipped right to her. When you look back at how things have changed, and how we can discreetly buy medical equipment, Wound Care,  and other home care products online, it really is amazing.

Whether you're looking for diabetic care products, wound care, or other things like maternity or incontinence products, keep DHPHomeDelivery.com in mind.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 05:10 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I love chocolate. Who doesn't?

I'll always choose chocolate ice cream, and I'll always choose chocolate covered pretzels, and I'll always choose good quality Chocolate if I'm going to eat them! That's where Gertrude Hawk comes in.  They offer delicious quality chocolates, and great gift wrapped packages.

If you haven't gotten a Mother's Day gift yet, think chocolate! I don't know any moms who don't like chocolate! Father's Day is coming up, graduation, and the list goes on.

If you're a company, they make a great gift for things like Secretary's Day, or for a nice perk to brighten your employees' days! 

Fresh ingredients make them tasty, and the special recipes that Gertrude Hawk made herself, make for excellent chocolates everyone loves.

Don't forget my birthday is in June! I love chocolate! 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 04:47 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

Which do you think would get a better reaction; dinner and a movie or Hot Air Balloon Rides? Picture drifting through the sky, while enjoying gorgeous views! If you love photography, imagine the pictures you could capture.

If you're looking for a fun, filled adventure for your guy for Father's Day, why not schedule him an Air Combat Dogfight experience! He'll be talking about it for weeks on end, and all his buddies will be jealous, because they got a new tie or wallet. Do you have new graduates? How about a Zero Gravity experience.

You can find all of these awesome adventures and more at XperienceDays.com.

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 04:08 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I've never hid the fact that I'm a plus size woman. There are many people online who want to show you a great picture of themselves, but it doesn't truly represent their "truth". As for me, I'm struggling to lose 100 pounds. It's not pretty, but I'm working out, eating right, and hoping for the best.

While I'm in plus size mode, one of the things that really is hard to deal with is the clothing options that are out there. In the last few years, we're finally starting to see changes, and more options. Finding good lingerie, bras and things that are made for us, fit for us, and work for us can sometimes be a challenge. Now, on top of these issues, imagine the joy of shopping for swim wear.

Seriously, it can be downright depressing. Often times, you need different sizes for your top and bottom. I have a large chest, so what fits in the top, might not fit in the bottom. I've recently learned about a company called BiggerBras.com that sells swimwear too. They let you purchase separates, which means you'll get the right fit on the top and bottom of your suit. That's awesome, because so many people are hard to fit.

That means whether you need full busted lingerie or swimsuits, you can shop all in one place. Let's say you were a 20D, you can pop that size in the search engine on their site, and see all the styles taht fit your needs. Maybe you need a 2X or a 3XL, just choose your size, and you'll see your options. I love companies that cater to my size. So many stores forget about women like me. Kudos to BiggerBras.com. 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 03:44 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I went to the doctor's office today, and I'll be starting a new medication this week. I'll need to return in a month for more bloodwork to see how this is working, along with possibly increasing my thyroid meds as well. One of the things I may look into is an online pharmacy. My mom used to do mailorder for her meds, and ended up saving money. I happen to be on a couple of medications, and it can be costly keeping up with maintenance meds.

I've been reading about the side effects of the new medication I'll be taking, and it looks like I should expect a little GI discomfort for a few days, but then it tends to subside. It's good to know these things before starting something, so that you don't think something is wrong.

If you're looking to order online prescriptions, you may want to consider  eDrugstore.md, which I'll be doing, so I can do some comparisons in cost. I'm all about saving money and finding convenience. I do so much other shopping online, maybe it's time for me to consider this option as well.

I need to tell my mom about this site, so she can see how much it would save her on her medications too.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 03:23 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I'm hoping wtih my husband having some extra time off this summer, we'll finally get around to replacing our bathroom vanities. It's been on our list for awhile, but always seems to slide down it, when we've got a bit of time or money. We've picked out the vanities we'd like, and right now, I still have a green sink. Yes, it's from the 70's, and while we've painted the dark wood of the vanity to an off white, it still screams dated. I love the one piece tops, and am looking to replace with one of those. He needs a narrow one, since his bathroom has a smaller size than mine.

Here's hoping the summer holds bathroom upgrades in our future!  When it comes to resale value, kitchens and bathrooms are where you should put the money, and we've got two bathrooms to tackle still! Our kitchen looks great since we updated.

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 10:13 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 08:00 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I finally figured out what was going up across from Target in Phillipsburg. It's a Raymore and Flannigan. They finally put a sign up on the side part of the fence. We went to the movies yesterday, and I saw it. My husband and I were guessing on what it was going to be. I had guessed either a WaWa gas station and store, or a large drugstore like CVS or RiteAid.

Now that I know about directbuy, I won't be doing any regular furniture shopping. You can buy furniture, appliances, carpet and other things for remodeling or redecorating at cost!  You can become a member, and have access to their showrooms. There's one in Newtown, which is near my family, so I'd go there. Why would I pay full price, when I can get it up to 40% off, meaning the retailer's price, without the markup! If you haven't heard of them, you should check them out. They have over 130 locations. It's not an online store, it's actual showrooms, so you can go and try stuff out.

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 08:22 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I hate the pressure that Valentine's Day puts on people. I hate that there's supposed to be one day of the year that's more special than others for love. I love my husband 365 days of the year, and I want him to feel that every day. I don't need a stinkin' day in February to state my case.

I hate how people get their expectations up, and if their partner doesn't get them what they hoped for, it makes people frustrated. She wants a ring, he gets her flowers. He wants some wicked lingerie and fun, she makes a romantic dinner. Seriously, why do we need one day in February for this.

I know, I know, I'm a girl, and I'll still gush when I'm remembered. Heck, we just love to tell our friends how great our guy is. Guess what he did!??? Ya know?

Man, one year I was working in an office, and my husband, then boyfriend sent me this freaking huge bouquet of 2 dozen long stem roses. It looked like a damn bush that took up half of my desk. I loved it. Who wouldn't want to get the biggest, best, and coolest flowers sent to the office ? Yeah, well after the thrill wore off, I had this bush I was pruning just so I could claim my desk back! It was awesome though, because I felt acknowledged. I guess that's the thing, I want to be acknowledged, but I want to be acknowledged in January and May, and April and October just as much as February.

We usually just agree that we'll go out to dinner one night that week...which we do every week! We're secure enough in our relationship to know that one day doesn't make a marriage.

....but on that note, honey, there's this gorgeous diamond eternity ring I like. No wait for me, because I want to pick it out. Oh yeah, and our anniversary is i the spring, then there's my birthday in the summer.....ha, kidding. 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 12:09 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 10:19 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I'm starting a 12 week body challenge. What's cool is that tomorrow I'm going on a grocery store tour with my trainer Danielle, which will literally go aisle by aisle and point out clean and healthy choices. It's the choice  factor which is important. You can pick this product up, it's a choice that works. I'll always have to turn packages over and read the ingredients, but now I'll know what products to hone in on.

Most people think they have an idea of  what they can and can't eat. I'm going to learn what I can eat, that I didn't realize! I know I can have fruit and vegetables, but I'm planning on getting new ideas of things I hadn't thought of before.

It's a new process to me still, so I'm still learning. I went to Whole Foods twice now, even though it's an hour away, and one day I was there for a long time, because I personally flipped over tons of packages, boxes and more to read and learn what I could eat. I'm excited to see what I may have overlooked.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 10:13 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I work at home, and I'm at my desk a lot. I decided to splurge on a new toy, and just had this delivered. I'm sitting on it as I write this, and all I can say is it's pure love. The strength is strong enough for me, which was my only concern. It has nice pressure, not a too light one.

Oh my goodness, life is good. I wanted to try one of these before I ended up buying a much more expensive variety, and it was a very good purchase! I'm absolutely loving it, loving it, loving it.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 04:03 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

With the Major League Baseball delve into steroids and looking at players who may have used steroids, it got everybody talking about this topic. There was also some news reports of some Hollywood types who also dabbled in steroids. I really don't know much about the topic, but understood what it meant to Clemens if the claims were true.

One of the things I learned was that there were different forms of steroids. Not only were there human growth steroids that ballplayers were being accused of using, there were also legal steroids for bodybuilders and others. Honestly, I wouldn't have known the difference.

It's eye opening learning about all of this stuff. I don't compete, and if I did, it would never be on a level like the MLB, so I can imagine the pressure that's involved. I do wonder why if there are legal choices, why would people choose the illegal ones? 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 03:38 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

If you're looking for a great little cafe in Central Jersey, I have a jewel to share with you. There's a little cafe at the top of the hill near the High Bridge train station called Cafe Hola! It has great baked goods, smoothies, milkshakes, along with sandwiches, fruit cups, soups and more.

It's adorable inside, and offers fresh food. You'll always find fresh baked goods like muffins, turnovers and cookies on the counter. In the fridge case you'll find pies, cakes and other goodies to choose from.

My son is sold on the banana shake, and I'm fond of one of their smoothies. If you choose one of the fruit smoothies, you can even get home made yogurt added in.

Check out Cafe Hola! next time you're in Hgh Bridge. 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 09:51 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

This book should be required reading for every teenage girl, woman in her 20s, 30's and so on. I love this book. I first saw it mentioned in a magazine, so I hopped over to Amazon and pre-ordered it. It was due out the following day, and it got here quickly!

Body Drama is full of pictures, writing, questions and more. Is that normal? That's one of the first things a woman will ask herself if something new is going on with her body. I love how this book takes on simple topics, down to complex and even hush-hush topics like "down there". Let's face it, we all are curious to know what's "normal".

I love how they take pictures of several different shapes and sizes of women, and show us the variety that is out there. Seriously, there's a 2 rows of vaginas. Nope, you don't see the woman attached to it, you just see a bunch of vaginas. They all look so differently. See, nobody is exactly the same, but you may find similarities to a few.

There is a section where it is just different bodies, and it's ispiring to see so many different shapes of people baring it all, so that you can understand, we're all unique. It's not just about pictures though, even though they are images of healthy women that are exposing themselves so you can see that "normal" does not mean one thing.

The strength in this book is not just in pictures. It takes a look at things like our period, piercings, our boobs, as well as hygiene. Ummm, I noticed something, is this normal? That's the beauty of this book, it lets you know what is and what isn't normal. It's like that conversation you wish you could have with your mom when you're a teenager, but are too embarrassed. It's that ending the curiosity to see if yours look like theirs. It's that knowledge that helps women understand, you don't have to be embarrassed of your body. Understanding your body empowers you.

Take the time to pick this book up for every woman you know. If you have a teenager daughter, this would make an excellent gift, but you may want to grab a copy for yourself as well.

I give this book an excellent rating, not only for what's included in it, but for what it can do to women's self-esteem everywhere.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 12:25 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

Did I ever mention here that I gave up butter? No really, I don't use butter anymore. I don't use it in my cooking, I don't add it to my vegetables, and I don't add it to my toast. It was a deal I made with my trainer. It was actually easier than I thought. I was concerned I wouldn't be able to do it, but once I stopped using it, I didn't feel the need or desire to start again. I do have to say, down the shore, while having steamers(steamed clams) or lobster, all bets are off. That is when I'll have butter. That's it.

Popcorn is another story. I love butter and salt on my popcorn, along with corn on the cob. It goes together like soup and crackers, ya know? Anyway, I struck a deal that I could have popcorn still, but in return I get four sprays of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter". That's it, no more, and not real butter, but it's a bargain I was willing to make on my quest to a better body. 

Popcorn is actually a safe treat I can eat. It's safe when it's not loaded up with butter, and eaten naturally. I'm grateful it's on my list of foods to eat, because it's filling and is great fun to eat while watching movies!

I've always loved those home theater popcorn machines, but I don't eat it often enough to justify it. I think they're cool though, and would a great additon to an entertainment room! If you've thought about getting one, check out StargateCinema.com for their huge selection of home theater seating, decor, and more. I love that they have the ability to search items by price. It makes gift selection a breeze!

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 02:46 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

Check out the video phone! Isn't that cool? I actually saw this over at a company called Neobits.com. They are a company that offers telephony products for businesses. It doesn't matter if you have a large business or a small business, they have a product that suits your needs. Just imagine, I could put one of these in my husband's office, and one in my office. I would have a blast with it!

Okay, seriously folks, we're talking business here. My husband works at the office most days, but there are days he works at home, doing the virtual office routine. As for me, I do all of my work at home. We haven't gotten to the point of needing a business phone system yet, but I did register a phone number other than my home number for needs, when they arise. I like the idea of expanding in other areas.

With Neobits.com, they have things like a PBX system for small offices. Whether you need something like a Talkswitch, a Panasonic or NEC, they have a large choice of brands and styles to suit your needs.

One of the features I liked on their website, is that you can easily navigate and find what you need. The one that caught my attention was that you can find phone systems based on your business size. That helps you narrow down what would work best for you. Many of you know I also have a business blog over at BizMarkTech.com so I like to stay current on business applications, as well as systems to improve communications. I worked in the telecommunications field for quite awhile, so this kind of stuff always interests me.

I liked that I could see the phone systems that worked best for me, which would have 1-4 people. They also sort items by price, so I can work within a budget and see what options are best for me. Have you checked out Neobits.com yet?  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 10:06 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

Twin Cities Digital is a company that offers used servers, IT equipment and more for companies. If you are looking for hardware, servers or more, they offer products worldwide.

What's interesting is they'll purchase your extra equipment, so if you're not using it, make some money. You can even use the equipment towards the cost of trading up. This is a great opportunity for small businesses who have to save money, or for large businesses who are looking to save in creative ways. They'll even purchase your used phone systems!

Whether you're looking for used cisco, a new phone system, or any other IT equipment, check out TCDigital.com first.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 08:44 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I went out today. I know, call me crazy. I actually had a nice lunch with my mom, sister, aunt and cousin. We were at "Charlie Browns" down in Langhorne. Lunch was delicious, and then we headed out to Target. Of course we had to park about a mile away, but we managed.

The other place I went to was Ulta! The line was about 12 to 15 deep! Oh my gosh, that was nuts.

They say tomorrow is the busiet shopping day of the year, and based on what I saw tonight, with people doing last minute shopping, tomorrow will be more of the same.

We're going to avoid regular shopping malls and centers. We're avoiding Target, Walmart and the like. No thank you..I'm not interested in being in a store with wall-to-wall shoppers! 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 09:22 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I've got some shopping to get done today. I'm having problems getting myself moving! I need to be out of here by 12, since I didn't get out of here by 10 like I'd planned!

I have some last minute details to take care of. I'm picking up my husband's gift today (shhh), and a few odds and ends.

I woke up today, and of all days, my legs are screaming sore behind my thighs! No! I hope walking around a lot helps them loosen up. I tried stretching, and it's not helping. Oy.

Are you finished your shopping? My husband and I have a small thing to take care of this week, then we're finally finished! We decided to this one part together, so I can't do that today. 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 11:10 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 10:59 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

 We went out to dinner last night, and after we went to the grocery store. We're wandering up and down the aisles, picking up the staples that we need. My poor tummy starts grumbling, and I'm like, "Please God, not here!"

Like a good wife, I move ahead, or try to stay back and look at something, "No, go ahead, I'll catch up." Yeah, say those words and you're like a magnet to people.

I'm trying to hold it, ya know, I'm not in the habit of letting it go in public places, but I wasn't going to have an option shortly.

Finally, I'm able to find my own little section for a moment, and decided it was safe to pass some gas. Wouldn't you know it...around the corner comes some guy with his cart. I was mortified!

Not like I could blame someone else at that point. I should have beelined to the bathroom for privacy, but I thought I could get away with it....guess not!

PS- sorry buddy 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 11:07 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

 What are your Christmas favorites? Growing up, you had one shot to see the Christmas specials. We didn't use VCR's yet, and they were always on the main channel at 8pm. The entire family would sit down and watch the specials together, and you waited all year to see them.

When it came to Christmas music, it was Johnny Mathis, John Denver, Barbara Streisand and Alvin and the Chipmunks at my house. I remember how worn out Alvin and the Chipmunks got! The album (it's okay youngsters, some others know what they are), had a deep gorge on one track, and I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but one song, we'd have to skip! Now Alvin and the Chipmunks is about to be released as a movie. I hope they don't forever ruin the chipmunks for me. Jason Lee of "My Name is Earl" is playing David, the guy. Computer animation obviously does the rest. 

Don't forget to be a kid again this Chrismtmas, and enjoy all those classics you grew up with! 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 08:34 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (2)

Look what I brought with me on vacation! It's Febreeze To Go! I love that it's travel sized, because I'm a huge Febreeze fan. I used it in the train on the seats to freshen up the room, and on the bedspreads at the hotel we stayed at!

Yeah for travel sized products! I've been traveling quite a bit, and this was a great take-along this time. You know how hotel rooms are just, well, hotel rooms. With a spritz or two of Febreeze, it was fresher!

What's cool is now that I have it, I can just refill it as needed with my large refill bottle. We have Febreeze all over this house! With two dogs and a cat, it's a must.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 10:02 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I'm looking for great sales this holiday season. What about you? I love that with the internet, you can compare prices at different stores before you even leave your house. That way I know that if I go to store A, instead of store B, I've just save myself time and money. The trick is finding the right site to do your comparison shopping.

If you're looking for appliances, the you should go to Krillion, because whether you're looking for a sharp HDTV or a microwave oven, you'll be able to add in your zip code and find who has the best deal, if it's in stock and how far it is from you! They make it so easy, and it only takes a few seconds to find what you're looking for. They've taken the work out of searching for the best deal near you.

I did a search for my area, and one of the stores I thought would have an item didn't have it! It saved me a trip, and I found a good deal elsewhere using Krillions search. Many sites that do comparisons leave out the local factor. Not Krillion, by adding in my zip code, I see what will work for me, not for someone living a few states away! If you haven't tried them yet, take a few moments to check out their site. Once you see how fast and easy it is, you'll be amazed you didn't shop like this sooner. Don't forget to bookmark Krillion too!  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 09:55 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

We went back to Tiff's for dinner last night. Tiff's is up on Rt 31 in Clinton Township. It's become a regular place we visit. I've got to say, the food we've had there is excellent. It's enough that it's been pulling us a bit from one of our other regular restaurants we visit. If you haven't tried Tiff's yet, I'd give it a go.

We have a handful of regular restaurants we visit, and we eat out pretty regularly. We aren't really choosey, but we'd like a comfortable seat, good food and nice service. One place we used to visit frequently, we've skipped the last few months. It seemed their service really started to nosedive, and you could be sitting there for ages waiting for your food. If you were lucky, they'd come back to check on you. We'll head back at some point and see if things changed, but each and every time a customer is there, they are forming opinions.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New Jersey? Where is it located, and what is it called?  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 09:05 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

Ok, this frustrates me. How can two places charge such different prices on items? There are two consistent things I eat and drink. Every morning (90% of the time) I eat a South Beach Diet high-protein bar. My grocery store $3.99, Target $2.54-$2.99. That's a dollar difference per box. The two stores are not that far apart.

I also drink a lot of Cran-Grape Light these days. At my grocery store, it costs $3.49, where at Target, we got it on sale for $1.74. Hello, we bought 8 bottles of it! Seriously, when it goes on sale at the grocery store, we may see it for $2.99. Hmmm, something sucks. 

Luckily, I'm a woman who knows prices and pays attention to them. As soon as I saw the bargain prices on these favored products, we stocked up on the lower price. It frustrates me that things can be as much as a dollar off, for the same exact product. Just goes to show you, pay attention to those prices, because, you may find better deals elsewhere.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 08:09 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

When I was a kid, one of the things I collected was stamps. It was incredible how many different types of stamps there were. Even things like perforation on each side inside of perforation on only one side could make the difference in the value of a stamp. I was given a kit when I was a child, and through the years, I had amassed quite a few stamps.

My son on the other hand collects coins. His father loves to do things like go metal detecting, and when they find a rare coin or treasure, it's exciting for them. I was able to share some old coins my father had collected when he was younger. Coin collecting is a great hobby to take up with your child. It's something you can discover together, and you're building a collection that's a wise investment as well. One type of coin to add to their collection is us gold coins. You can explain the value of gold and other precious metals, and work it around their collection as well.

We learn valuable lessons from time with our parents. When you teach your child, in a fun environment, they are going to absorb that information. Take my husband, his father taught him about investing in his teens. It's a valuable thing that's served him well. Most children have heard the expression, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket", and you can use this to help them understand that value comes from many places, and investing in different things like stocks and bonds, and precious metals, you'll diversify your portfolio. Make coin collecting a great quality time activity, and teach them about investing right along with it! Looking up the value of the coins you get is as much fun as picking them out.

Over at Monex.com it's easy to find the value of precious metals like platinum, silver and gold. At the top of their website, they have a scrolling bar that shows you not only the current price, but if it's currently up or down. It's a first great step in investing with your children. 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 08:02 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

We've been trying to come up with a good gift for my sister and brother-in-law, and I'm stuck. I'm just not sure what to get them this year. I was looking for something different, and most of the things I'm coming up with have been done.

They just redid their kitchen and it looks incredible. I'm poking around a site right now that offers jura capresso, coffee makers and expresso makers. An expresso maker might be a nice addition to their kitchen. I don't drink coffee at all, so I'm not sure exactly what I should be looking at. I'll have to email my husband the link and let him see what he thinks. He drinks coffee and expresso, so he'll know what to look for better than I will.

What do you think, would you be happy with an expresso maker for a holiday gift? I'm open to ideas, so feel free to comment.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 09:54 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

We ended up going out for dinner last night. After that we headed to Walmart, and I got the best deal on the juice I drink! Usually we pay $3.50 for a bottle of the Cran-Grape light I drink at the grocery store, and at Walmart, it was on sale for $1.99! That's a savings of $1.50 a bottle! We bought 4, and I'm half tempted to go back and buy 4 more today. If I had time, I might, but I have a full day. It's the little things that excite me, eh?

I have to get packing today, and I also have to go to work out. I'm getting in a work-out today and tomorrow, and then while I'm away, I'll be walking "more than usual", cough, since I'll be in Disney!

I also picked up the new Garth Brooks CD. I was thrilled at the reasonable price, so I grabbed it. Okay, well, to be honest, I picked it up, saw how awesome it was, and went....I have all those songs except for 3 anyway, and I all ready have a DVD of his live concert, I guess I don't need it. I think made a circle around electronics, went back to the CD and went, who am I kidding, I want it! LOL

Circled the diamond rings too, but hubby said don't even bother going back to that counter! It's okay, I'm not shopping for diamonds at Walmart.  

So I'll be listening to some Garth on my drive tomorrow. Love me some Garth...

(Four favorites: Elton John, Garth Brooks, Wynonna, Billy Joel)

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 08:56 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

I've been playing with a new lotion called Skin MD. It's considered a shielding lotion on the bottle. The top ingredients include water, aloe and a silicone based product. I love that the aloe is in it, and a lot of skin care products will actually use aloe in place of water, which I like. My skin loves aloe, so I like to see it high on the list.

Here's my scoop, I have malabsorption issues, and one of the vitamins my body has trouble holding onto is vitamin A. I actually take a supplement of it because of that. When my GI Doc told me to start taking A regularly, I was happy to see it was helping my skin some. In the last two years, my skin has become much more dry than I'm used to! In the winter, I used to watch my friends and family load on the lotion, and I just never seemed to need it. Then like a switch was flipped on, suddenly I was dry as a bone. The vitamin A is helping some, when I remember to take it, but they only learned that about me this year. In the meantime, I've been playing with all sorts of lotions.

Hey, I'm a skin care chick. I don't work in a spa anymore, but it's in my blood now. I love skin care products, and love to compare them. I've used so many different types, and one thing I hate is a lotion or cream that is slow to absorb. That's not the case with Skin MD. It absorbed really quickly and had a really nice consistency. I've been using it for about 2 weeks now, and I'm really happy with this one. It will be added to my list of lotions to keep in the house. My arms are especially loving it! 

I give it a thumbs up- nice lotion!  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 08:43 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 11:11 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 06:35 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

We were unloading the car tonight, and had to grab the dogfood, the dog biscuits, the dog flea medication....well, you get the idea! Yikes, it was all about shopping to restock the dog's stuff! That stuff adds up. The big bag of dog food we buy costs $40 alone. It lasts about 3-4 weeks, so at least that's not a weekly expense. We buy a massive size bag, so it will last a little longer.

We also caught a movie today. We saw "The Bee Movie", which we though was a nice family movie. We gave it a B+. I liked it MUCH more than the one I saw last week, "Across the Universe" which was well....different.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 06:26 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

Speaking of shirts, I just helped my trainer with her online store. I ordered two of the products when I was done, so we'll see how it all turns out. I'm hoping that the resolution looks good. I did their recommendation, but it could have gone a little higher. It's just that the image got too large. I hope it comes out clear and sharp when they get here.

What was cool for me, is I traded a free training session for help. She offered me the opportunity and I jumped at it. She's a great trainer, and I've loved working with her. I'm signed up for 8 more weeks, so a freebie tossed in there works for me.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 10:44 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (2)

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 10:12 AM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I keep thinking of upgrading our television for Christmas. My husband isn't big on the idea yet, but we'll see. I could run over to PC Richard or another place, and see what they have to offer. In their catalog, they have projection televisions and more. I'm loving my sister's big screen high-def television, and while our Sony is working fine, I'm itching to upgrade. Honestly, I don't watch as much television as he does, and I think he'd love it. He just has to get over the spending money part of the deal. He's of the philosphy, if it's not broke, don't fix it. I love new technology, so I'm more on the try something new and upgraded mind set.

No decisions yet, but it's on my mind.  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 01:09 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

I love getting my nails done, and it's a simple pleasure really. I ended up having to cancel my appointment this week since I wasn't feeling well. The problem is, once I break the habit of having an appointment, I start to question if it's really necessary. Gee, if I go, it will cost XXX amount of dollars, and is it really necessary?

If I had kept the appointment, I wouldn't question it at all. I would just keep going, knowing that I had an appointment, and it was done. I guess now that summer is done, I could cut out the pedicures, but they are my favorite! I don't care about my fingernails as much as my toes, but while I'm there, it's just a few more dollars.

If I go back to booking regular appointments, I feel tied in and know I need the money. I don't think my husband's brain would do all this ping-pong action...he wouldn't drive himself crazy trying to decide what to do next. What would hubby do? hmmmmm..... 

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 12:43 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy | Comments (1)

Hubby went out to the home store today, and he said it was super crowded. It must be this incredible 70+ degree weather that has everyone out and about. He went to check out snowblowers and home lighting. We saw some solar lighting that would work well outback, and work well for the dogs when they go out. It's low light, but enough to brighten certain areas of the yard. On the snowblower front, it looks like he finally found what he's been looking for. He's been telling me about the different between different cycle engines, but I told him most of that is lost on me. You can explain it to me, and I'll understand it at that moment, but ask me 10 minutes later the differnce, and I'll have no idea!

We (my son and I) headed over to  GameStop today, and we noticed it was more crowded than usual today. I guess everyone has spring fever in October!  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 05:33 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I tried the Curves cereal this morning, and I have to say it was pretty good! It's a Honey Crunch variety that I had, and I'm a picky cereal eater. I'm generally the Capn Crunch and Trix kind of girl. I know, some grown up, huh? Anyway, I liked it dry, which I always try my cereal first, and secondly, I liked it with milk.

For me, that it held up and stayed crunchy in my milk was a bonus. I hate cereal that goes soggy on me.  I made my husband try it too, and he liked it as well. Here's the cool part about this cereal, it has 5grams of fiber per bowl, and a bunch of good stuff in it.

I'm working my way to more grown-up cereal, and I may have found one I like. It only took me 40 years to go out on the limb and try something new!

If you didn't read my previous review of the breakfast bars, they're having a contest where you can get your picture on the box. They have all the details over at CurvesFoods.com so if you are interested in entering a contest, I'd check it out for all the details and rules. Maybe I'll see your face on my cereal box next year, or maybe you'll see mine!  

Posted by Deb of Surviving NJ blog at 02:46 PM | Permalink| Disclosure Policy

I decided to try the Curves granola bars for breakfast this morning. I've been eating another brand of breakfast bars regularly and have been happy with them. Curiosity always has me willing to try something new though. Before eating the Chocolate Peanut Curves bar, I compared the labels side by side. In every place except protein, the Curves bar has the better label. It has less calories, fat, sodium, and even has more fiber. The only place it was different was in protein. These bars have 2g, while my others have 10g. I'm wondering if the others will leave me feeling fuller longer, or will that just be a myth, since they are about the same size. (I've heard fiber/protein leaves you feeling fuller)

The flavor was mild, not strong, and it was satisfying. These are chewy granola bars, and I'm glad that the flavor isn't too strong. I'd say that if you wanted to try these, you'd be pleased with the experience. They also have 100 calories, so it makes it easy to toss in your bag for a good snack later in the day. I also have the cereal, so I'm going to give that a try either for lunch today, or for breakfast tomorrow. We'll see what kind of mood I'm in later. These do say naturally and artificially flavored on the label, so I appreciate knowing that straight out. I a