Flowers for that Special Occasion

Flowers and special occasions just seem to go together.  Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations - somebody is bound to send flowers.  I'm probably one of the few people that doesn't really appreciate flowers. I'm not saying I haven't gotten and appreciated flowers once or twice in my life and probably even sent some.  I mean, I like them, it just seems like they cost so much and you only get to enjoy them for such a short time.  Maybe that's what makes them so special?

I think it's really important to get your flowers from a local florist, in order to get the freshest flowers that will last as long as possible - as well as supporting local business.  You'll also save the extra delivery/processing fee your florist will charge for delivery outside the local area - which is probably just them contacting the florist in the delivery area and arranging delivery through them.  We've got a local florist here in town we've used a few times, for things like prom flowers.  If we wanted to send flowers to someone here locally, we'd go through the local florist.

Of course, for sending flowers to someone who lives in another town, the Internet makes it easy to find a local florist in their area.  For instance, if you want to send birthday flowers to someone in the Roanoke, Salem or Vinton, VA area, you'd visit the website for George's Flowers and either order online, use their smart phone app, or call to get the perfect gift delivered.  They really do have some gorgeous flower arrangements, and they use the latest methods for long-lasting freshness. George's Flowers has been the Roanoke Valley's premier florist since 1981, and they pride themselves on excellent floral design and outstanding customer service.  Besides flowers, they also have balloons, candy, and special banners. 

I did send balloons and candy once - for Jeffrey's 30th birthday!  Oh wow, that was a day or two ago... back when 30 seemed old, or at least when I could give him a hard time about turning 30. 

It's a Parade!

Every year our community hosts its annual Kettle Moraine Days.  They've been doing it for a while - this was the 50th year.  It's a small-town festival with food to buy and eat, carnival rides & games, beer & bands, fireworks, and a parade.  The parade is always pretty good, and we go every year - well, at least every year since we've lived here, except the first summer when we didn't know anything about it, and we wondered why it was practically impossible to get out of town.  Main Street is completely shut down until the parade is over. 

There were several years one or more members of our family walked in the parade - first with Cub Scouts, then marching band, and the library.  I think this is the first year I've been able to sit and watch the parade in 3 or 4 years.  Somebody's gotta watch, right?  And Main Street is always lined with people.  The kids are especially excited, because everyone hands out candy, and they get to see fire trucks, clowns, and bands.  Now that our kids are all grown up, we have to enjoy watching other people's kids.  Jason isn't quite old enough.  Yet.  I took this video today of the UW-Madison summer marching band.  They are always so much fun to watch and a big hit.





I love the little guy dancing at the end!

Once the parade's over, we head to the park to see what we can see and get something to eat.  It's also a big fund-raising opportunity for local organizations like the PTO, Cub Scouts, and Methodist Church, among others, so we figure eating there is a good way to support our local community.  Everything actually kicks off Friday evening and runs through the weekend to Sunday at about 6pm, but we didn't get to the park this year until today.  We heard the music, though - since the park is only a couple blocks away.  And we could've watched the fireworks from our driveway if we'd been home last night.  But we weren't.

The entire event is sponsored, not by the US Money Reserve, but by the Fire Department, American Legion Post, and the Lions Club.  We always have fun.  We see and talk to our neighbors and other community members, and we always seem to run into people we don't see so often anymore - now that our kids aren't in Cub Scouts or Marching Band together.  It's nice to catch up.   And then we're ready to head home.  You can only walk around the park so many times....

Preserve Your Memories

If you're like me, you've got lots of pictures you've taken over the years.  Precious pictures of your kids when they were babies, vacation pictures, wedding pictures - your entire life in pictures.  The entire bottom shelf of one of my bookshelves is photo albums.  And then I started using digital cameras.

Those digital images are fairly easy to back up, either by burning them to CD or DVD and/or uploading them and storing them online.  The hardest part about it is making sure I actually do it.  Those old photos, and the few videos we have, are a bit harder to preserve.  Counting on being able to grab an entire shelf of photo albums should we ever have a house fire or some other disaster - like the tornado that went through our neighborhood 2 years ago - is really not a good plan for preserving those memories.  I do have all the negatives in two shoe boxes, which might be easier to grab in case of emergency, but still not the best plan.

The best plan for preserving those irreplaceable baby pictures would be to convert them (or have them converted) to digital.  For the best quality, I'd say using a service like ScanDigital.com would be the best - and the easiest.  All you have to do is place your order online, ship it to them, and they'll do all the rest.  They individually inspect and clean each picture and then scan them with the highest quality equipment.  Once scanned they'll even edit each image, including cropping, rotation, color correction and red-eye removal.  Then they'll burn them to CD or DVD and send them to you, along with all your originals.  They'll also archive them online where they'll be stored and protected forever.  They'll also be a whole lot easier to enjoy and share.

Besides photo conversion, they also offer negative and slide conversion as well as video and 8mm film conversion and many other services.  Your photos and videos are full of precious, irreplaceable memories.  Check out what ScanDigital.com can do to help you preserve those memories.

Send a Greeting and a Gift with Western Union

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

This post is being paid for by my sponsor Western Union.
 
Western Union has made it really easy for anyone to send greeting cards and monetary gifts.  Simply visit WUGift.com and choose greeting cards suitable for a variety of occasions including anniversaries, birthdays, congratulations, holidays, thank-you’s and more.  Add a personal greeting to be printed inside the card and load any amount from $5 to $100 onto a Mastercard debit card.  Western Union will even mail it First Class for free.  If you need to get it there faster, you can choose Fed Ex shipping, though that is not free.   After you've completed your purchase you'll also have the option to call 1-866-953-6490 and record a FREE personal voice message which your recipient will hear when they activate their MasterCard.
 
For your recipient, the gift card is really easy to activate - either by visiting WUGift.com or by calling the toll-free number 1-866-953-6489.  I am not sure if they will hear your recorded greeting when activating through the web page, but hopefully Western Union has thought of that, too.  I think the personal recorded greeting is a really nice extra touch.  Your recipient will be able to use the card anywhere debit Mastercard is accepted - in stores and online - and it's really easy to track the balance by going online to WUGift.com or by calling the toll-free number.  The card is fee-friendly - absolutely NO fees unless the card is not used for 12 consecutive months, and that's probably not going to happen.  After all, money is one gift that everyone appreciates!

If you're looking for an easy way to let someone know you're thinking of them or just don't know what to buy for that special occasion, a Western Union gift card may be just the thing.
There's usually a $5 fee for sending a  Western Union gift card, but through 9/1/12 you'll save 25% by entering promo code WUGIFTPROMO8 when you check out:

Receive 25% off the $5 gift card fee when purchasing a gift card at wugift.com. Limit one (1) coupon per transaction. No cash redemption value. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Void where prohibited. Offer expires 9/1/2012.

gift card disclaimer:

• The Western Union® gift card is issued by MetaBank™ pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. MetaBank; Member FDIC. A $2.50 per month servicing fee applies after 12 consecutive months of non-use
• Gift Card only for sale and shipment to the 48 contiguous states excluding AZ, PO Boxes, U.S. military bases and correctional facilities

Wave Home Solutions for a Healthy Home

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

We never had a basement until we moved into this house, so we had no idea about moisture issues - until things down there started smelling like mold and mildew.  We didn't think our basement was damp, but I guess that's just the nature of basements - and crawl spaces, though I never ventured into the crawl space at our previous house.

We went out and bought a dehumidifier as soon as we realized that something needed to be done about the moisture in the basement, and we've been using one ever since.  I thought that was good enough until I started reading about what Wave Home Solutions does.  Apparently dehumidifiers dry out the air but they do not ventilate so you still have trapped toxins, pollutants and stale air, and those pollutants can flow upward into the main part of the house.  These things can lead to something called Sick Home Syndrome which is characterized by respiratory ailments, asthma, headaches and other symptoms.

A system from Wave Home Solutions not only dries the air, but also provides the ventilation needed to get all the bad stuff out of your  house.  The system draws the damp, polluted air from the lower level of the basement or crawl space and expels it outside.  This creates the necessary air exchanges needed for a healthy home. The Wave Home Solutions system constantly and automatically monitors relative humidity and adjusts for maximum results. Optimum conditions are maintained year round and the system costs pennies a day to run, is maintenance free, and satisfaction is guaranteed.  They say that dehumidifiers can cost up to $50/month in electricity and, of course, there are all those buckets of water to empty.  No more of that with one of these home systems.

This is not something that I've heard before, but it does make sense.  If it would help me avoid some headaches...  And Beth is doing better since she moved back home, so I think their old apartment definitely had worse air quality than we have here, but she still has some respiratory problems that I'd love to see go away.  It would definitely be something worth checking out.

WAVE Home Solutions is dedicated to keeping families healthy and comfortable with a variety of cutting-edge, cost-efficient, eco-friendly solutions.  It's a family-owned and operated business that was founded in 2001, so they've been doing this for a while. Be sure to check them out to see what kind of solutions they can offer for your home and family.

Enter the Flood® Take it Easy Sweepstakes

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

Now that summer is practically here, we'll be spending more time enjoying the deck.  We had dinner out there last night!  It's such a pleasant place in the evenings.  And in the mornings, it's a great place to enjoy my coffee.

While I was appreciating how nice the deck is and what a pleasant place it is to spend time, Jeffrey was noticing some things that need taken care of.  He's noticing screws that need tightened and things like that.  Then he and Tim started talking about different deck materials and how long the deck will last, and I stopped paying a whole lot of attention.  I just want a nice deck to spend time on!  I trust Jeffrey to know what needs done and when.

Seriously, I do know that it's important to take care of the wood so that it will last a long time.  You can't just build a deck and then ignore it.  That's why the guys used some kind of cleaner on all the surfaces and then stained the whole thing.  We stuck with a transparent finish with just a hint of color, though there are lots of colors to choose from too.  We have neighbors that chose brown and red for their decks.  The important part is that these wood finishes protect your wood from the elements, allowing you to enjoy your decks and wood fences for many years to come.

I honestly do not know if Flood® Wood Care is the brand Jeffrey used for our deck, but knowing that brand has earned the reputation as “The Wood Care Specialist” and knowing he'd want to take extra special care of the deck and pergola after working so hard to build it, I wouldn't be surprised.  I think that Flood® is the best solution for any wood care projects you may be taking on this summer - because you definitely have to take care of your wood, and while you're doing it, you might as well do it right.  Right?

Or even better would be to have somebody else do all the work!  How, you ask?  Enter the  Take it Easy Sweepstakes.  If you win, Flood® Wood Care will provide all the supplies AND labor to prep and stain your deck PLUS $2,000 for the deck party of your dreams.  So be sure to enter.  All you have to do is click the link and  fill in all the required information.  Please note that to be eligible to win, you must be a resident of the United States, and you must be the owner of a house with a wooden deck.  They will not be building you a deck.  They will be using Flood® Wood Care products to make sure you get to enjoy the deck you have for a long time!  Limit one entry per person/email address.

You'll invite me to your party, won't you?

Plan Your Pennsylvania RoadTrip with Roadtrip-a-Matic

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

You know how much work is involved when you're planning a trip - visiting the tourism websites, requesting travel guides, trying to digest all the information so that you can make the most of your trip.  Where to go, what to do, where to stay, what to see - sometimes it can be overwhelming.  Or my personal regret - grabbing the brochures or the travel guides and then finally sitting down to read them after the trip - at which time I find all kinds of fun things I would have loved to do and see.

VisitPA.com, the official tourism website of Pennsylvania has come up with an awesome idea - pre-planned roadtrips.  They call it Roadtrip-a-Matic, and it's like they've got all these pre-packaged trips all boxed up and waiting for you.  Not that you're limited to just what they've planned for you, but it's certainly a great place to start.  It's like asking the locals what they'd recommend you see and do.  Simply browse the website and look through the dozens of ready-to-ride roadtrips available.  They've got trips for visitors looking for outdoor experiences, small town charm, historic landmarks, shopping, the best in PA beer, wine, and food,  and so much more.

When you find a roadtrip you like, you can download and print the pdf.  It tells you where to go, what to do, where to eat and where to sleep - all the planning!  How easy is that?  Of course, just because you printed the trip out, you're not commited to do everything on the list - and you can spend more or less time.  It's really up to you. There is also a whole list of worthy detours you can make along the way and additional resources for more information.  The only thing I don't see is a map or directions, or at least an address for each destination so visitors can plug that into their GPS or Google Maps on their cell phones, which would be really helpful.

Browsing through the pa-roadtrips available, I'm having a hard time choosing just one.  They all look great - except maybe the golfing trips, which I'm sure Jeffrey would like.  I'm thinking, since I've never been to Pennsylvania that this one called PA 101 - Western Pennysylvania's Greatest Hits would be a good one.  I think it would be nice to see a nice sampling of what PA has to offer and learn a bit about the state while we're there.  Here's a description of this roadtrip:

Duration: Two days and two nights
There aren’t many places where you can get a complete education that covers art, natural science and history like you can in the Pittsburgh area. This road trip will give you a lesson on two of the most renowned artists of our time in Andy Warhol and Frank Lloyd Wright. You will also learn the importance of economics during our shopping excursions. Nature will be front and center as you scale Mount Washington and visit one of Western Pennsylvania’s beautiful state parks. And, through it all, you will come face-to-face with history at every turn. Buckle up and hit the road with us as we explore all that greater Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania has to offer.

It would be a fun getaway for Jeffrey and me.  Maybe we could even find a golf course along the way - as long as he's scaling that mountain with me!

Be sure to check out Roadtrip-a-Matic on visitPA.com and pick out your own roadtrips.  Which one most appeals to you?

Soft Baked Bars from @Quaker

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

I've always been a fan of Quaker oatmeal and Quaker granola bars, and now I'm really looking forward to trying the new  Quaker Soft Baked Bar.  They come in two flavors, Banana Nut Bread and Cinnamon Pecan Bread.  Both sound really good, but I'm leaning toward the Cinnamon Pecan Bread.  It just plain sounds good!  I really love cinnamon in about anything - always put it in my oatmeal - and it's also really good for you.  These bars contain real fruit and nuts and are easy to grab when you're on the go.  Or, for a special treat, heat them in the microwave for a fresh-baked taste.
 
Because I'm home in the mornings, I have a lot of different things for breakfast.  I have time to cook some oatmeal or make an omelet if I want.  I can even enjoy my own fresh-baked muffins or breads if I want to take the time to make them.  However, the rest of my family is often running out of here in the mornings, oftentimes without eating anything for breakfast.  (Jeffrey does usually have something he eats at work) Having some of these Quaker Soft Baked Bars on hand for them to grab and take with them would be so handy and a great way to make sure they start their day with some wholesome food.  They'd be more likely to eat something if it's handy, easy to take with them, and tastes good.  Quaker says, "With flavors you'll love and nutrients to help fuel you, you'll be a morning person in one delicious bite."  I don't think even these will turn Beth into a morning person, but I would like to see her eat something in the mornings - something that's not junk.

These treats aren't just tasty, but are packed with:
• 140 calories
• 5g of Fiber
• 6g of Protein
• Excellent source of 5 B-Vitamins
so definitely not junk!
 
While I think these bars will make a great  breakfast snack, I think they'd also be handy and nutritious for any time of day.  I especially like having a granola bar or something like this that I can grab and take along when I go grocery shopping.  That way I have something to eat if/when I get hungry, something to give me the energy to finish my shopping - and you know what they say about shopping on an empty stomach!
 

It Pays to Vacation at Home

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

With the cost of gas, many people are saving money by vacationing at home - Staycationing instead of vacationing.  It's a really good idea, because if you're like us, there are tons of things to do in your local area that you never do - because you just don't have the time or because you feel you can always go there.  At least that's my excuse...
 
This summer, not only can you save money on gas and hotel rooms and see some of your local sites - or just hang out in the backyard with the kids - you could even get paid to do it.  How, you ask?  By entering the It Pays to Vacation at Home sweepstakes from Dollar General and Clorox®.  20 lucky grand prize winners will be selected to receive a $500 "paycheck" and 100 lucky winners will win a $25 Dollar General gift card.
 
Simply visit dollargeneral.com to register.  Then, once you register, you can also play the “Wipe To Win”  game for the chance to win a $10 Dollar General gift card.  You take a virtual Clorox® Disinfecting Wipe and wipe the virtual fridge to find out if you won or not.  I played.  I didn't win - but I can try again tomorrow.  There will be 100 instant win prizes given away.

Be sure to enter the It Pays to Vacation at Home sweepstakes for your own chance at some of the prizes, and remember you can pick up all your favorite Clorox® cleaning products at Dollar General - Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface cleaners, Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, and Clorox® Liquid-Bleach, to name a few.  (Interesting - as I'm typing this, there's a commercial for Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes on tv.)  Just rember that, even if you are staying home,  you are not allowed to spend your entire vacation cleaning!!   That wouldn't be a vacation, would it?

This contest runs now through June 24, 2012.  Good luck!