Mommy Recommendations

Destination Weddings per Steve G. Stevanovich

2010-02-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

My husband and I got married when we were very young so we had a local wedding that our friends and family could attend at minimal cost to us. I always had in mind though some beautiful destination wedding. According to Steve G. Stevanovich destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular as couples exchange the traditional flowery decorations with scenes of natural beauty.

From the natural wildlife parks in North America (think everything from Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon), to the islands of Aruba and Fiji, Steve G. Stevanovich says that these natural wonders are allowing couples to start off their married lives among some of the most incredible natural vistas in the world.

The memories of these locations and weddings are priceless. The peace of mind that also comes with celebrating on of the biggest life events exactly where you want to do it is without comparison. Although I'm already married, I wonder what Steve G. Stevanovich would say about destination vow renewal? ;-)

1800flowers for Everything

2010-02-02T08:03:00.000-08:00

The big Valentine's day holiday is approaching and that means that 1800flowers is going to be busy processing roses and other goods for all those looking to express their love and appreciation for that special lady in their lives. This is common on Valentine's day but there are plenty of other reasons all year around that call for flowers.

My boss recently suffered the death of his mother. Within a day beautiful flowers and plants began to arrive at the office. Friends and family used 1800flowers to express their sympathy and the variety of live gifts we saw was incredible. Most of the plants are still in our office and remind us each day of how much everyone cared. I work for a family business so we are all quite close and those expressions of sympathy show us everyday how much support we really have.

I personally also used 1800flowers recently to express thanks to a friend who went out of her way to do something nice for me. There are so many people who deserve our recognition, our sympathy and our appreciation that a gift of flowers or plants seems like a simple and thoughtful way to show how much we care.

American Career Group for Job Searches

2010-02-02T07:44:00.000-08:00

I personally know several people who are currently looking for work. Even though Americans keep getting told that the economy is improving because the stock market is recovering it seems that a huge number of us are still without jobs. The job search can be tough so my friends have been looking into job placement agencies such as the American Career Group for help.

The American Career Group is a full service company that helps match jobs with potential employees. These types of agencies work with job recruiters, employers, and agencies to locate the best available matches for people and employers with slots to fill.

Searching classified ads and online job databases is a good start but the problem with that sort of job search is that you are one in a sea of millions of candidates. Finding the right job takes determination, patience, and dedication. It also doesn't hurt to call on the experts to help make connections. Searching the American Career Group can give you an idea of whether or not they might be right for you. When it comes to the job hunt these days we need to take all the advantages we can get.

Chicagoland - Happiness is Pets

2010-01-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

We are pet lovers by nature. We have four large breed dogs and they are a integral part of our family. We have bred Labradors and so I know what it takes to ensure happy and healthy pups from just one litter at a time. That is why I am always on the look out for businesses such as Happiness is Pets in the Chicagoland area.

Happiness is Pets is a place that ensures the health of each puppy they find a home for. Prospective parents are able to visit the pets on site and can even bring current dogs to visit to be sure that new additions will get along well with the rest of the family. As a breeder this is an invaluable service for placing pups in good homes where we wouldn't have to worry about their well being.

They have six total locations and Happiness is Pets has well trained staff to help you choose a pet that will fit your lifestyle. This is an essential service and can save you countless hours of research on your own part. While some dog breeds make adorable pups it is important to know what that pup will grow into before you take it home. The best pet owners are well informed pet owners and that makes for happy parents and happy pups!

Frank J. Hanna, III - Commitment to Education

2010-01-02T08:33:00.000-08:00

With the increasing budget woes in states like California, I worry about the commitments to our public schools and education. I remain inspired by personal stories about people who are active in their support of education. One such story I recently read was of Frank J. Hanna, III whose commitment to educational opportunities has remained strong in recent years.

Frank J. Hanna III has been involved in education for the last twenty-five years. He is especially involved with Catholic schools and helped to form three new Catholic schools in the Atlanta area. He has also served on the board of one of the top fifty Catholic high schools in America.

The message of education is more important now than ever. As we work to ensure the stability of our public education systems amidst the economic downturn we could use more individuals as involved and concerned as Frank J. Hanna III.

January Birthdays

2010-01-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

In my family we have several early January birthdays that I always struggle to get acknowledged on time. With the rush of the holidays behind me I tend to want to take a month off and spend my time hibernating. I am always appreciative of 1-800flowers during this time of year.

As New Years wraps up I am definitely not one of those shoppers who heads right out to search for bargains at 5 AM. Nope, sit me at home where it is warm and give me a place to easily place thoughtful birthday orders and I'll be as happy as a clam. I can log on to my account at 1-800flowers and order up personalized gifts for my January born family from the comfort of my own living room.

Since the age ranges are from teenage to middle age I need the flexibility that 1-800flowers offers. I can send arrangements or gifts with tasty treats or even small toys. Most important is that I am able to get great gifts out on time to my family and I don't need to worry about the post office or the post-holiday retail rush.

Fisherman Sak Narwal

2010-01-01T15:49:00.000-08:00

Fishing takes more patience and persistence than most people realize. Sak Narwal is a successful businessman who knows that to fish well requires many of the same traits that it takes to do well in the business world.

Like many sport fisherman, Sak Narwal practices only catch-and-release fishing. This means that it is with great care and respect that he must reel in each fish in order to preserve its life so that it may be photographed and then reintroduced into the river or ocean the fish calls home. This type of fishing requires much concentration so that the catch and release are both successful points of the operation.

With the enjoyment and relaxation that fishing can offer also comes the challenge of a new body of knowledge. There is much to be known about the fish, habitats, and technology of the sport of fishing itself. Sak Narwal is up for the challenge, noting that he enjoys both the connection with nature that the sport provides as well as the technical aspects of rods and reels.

Convenience for Eyeglasses

2010-01-01T15:41:00.001-08:00

Just before the Christmas holiday I found myself without glasses. My baby was crawling along and happened to pull himself up to the coffee table where he spied my specs. He pulled the magazine over that they were sitting on and in no time had them in his hands and promptly broke off one side of the frames.

I'm used to getting glasses in town but after having previous luck online I decided to log on to eyeglasses.com to see what was available. I was able to choose a great new pair of eyeglasses and the best part was that I didn't have to leave my house. I finished my holiday shopping early and the thought of having to negotiate the local store - in a mall, of course - was not at all appealing.

With my brain away on holiday I decided to take the quick route and pick the same set of frames to get them on the way in a hurry. They were delivered quickly and were as expected upon arrival. I was thrilled to have one less holiday worry this season!

Jeff Barcy - From Degree to Practicality

2009-09-09T13:40:00.000-07:00

Jeff Barcy has a proven track record in real estate and in finance. He has a degree from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. If those aren't great industry entry credentials I don't know what are!

Once he graduated from school, Jeff Barcy began a career in banking and finance that would have him overseeing billions of dollars in financing as well as mergers for large business clients. He is currently working for the financing company he founded that focusing on working with depressed areas of real estate in the united states.

Jeff Barcy's company Hearthstone is now the largest institutional investor in for-sale residential development. Here is a man who worked his way through college (he started a painting business to pay for his education) and has made practical use of his degrees in the best way possible. That is how you translate education to successful employment!

Boca Raton, FL

2009-09-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

I have never had the pleasure to visit Boca Raton, Florida but last year my in-laws made a trip there and came back with wonderful stories. My mother-in-law told tales of incredible shopping and beautiful nights as well as seeing the location of so many businesses such as Epsilon Investment Management.

The reason I mentioned Epsilon Investment Management is to illustrate the friendly nature of Boca Raton, Florida when it comes to inviting and supporting business. Many people think that the local business caters primarily to tourists but that is clearly not the case. Those who live in Boca make great use of the local businesses and are known to be well supportive.

In many cases businesses such as Epsilon Investment Management not only get supported by the locals but also by the tourists coming through. My in-laws told me that the businesses that are in Boca Raton boast local, tourist, and seasonal living customers. Apparently there are large populations in Boca that live there part of the year while residing elsewhere during the rest of the year.

So there you have it. Boca Raton isn't just for vacations. Think Boca for business as well!

Got Glasses?

2009-09-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

I have been wearing eyeglasses all my life. Recently I decided to buy a pair online. I was a little nervous about making such an important purchase online but driving to the store is so difficult (and expensive, given the price of gas) and the local store I usually frequent seems to have less and less variety.

I happened upon eyeglasses.com and I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of both eyeglasses and sunglasses that they had available for sale. Everything I needed was right at my fingertips and I was in love with how many choices I had and that the prices were lower than my local store.

I ended up buying two pairs. The shipping was great and I have only good things to say about their customer service team. What started out as an apprehensive undertaking turned into a great shopping trip. The best part was that I didn't have to leave my home and the designer eyeglasses I ended up with look like they came from a specialty shop in Beverly Hills!

Fishing Fun with Sak Narwal

2009-09-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

I was recently reading a piece about fishing that mentioned a serious hobby-fisherman named Sak Narwal. This is a man who is an entrepreneur and someone who knows about the true benefits that can be offered by a day spent fishing.

My husband is an avid fisherman and he also likes to take our friends and their kids fishing. A good fisherman is one who loves the sport and also appreciates the values of nature and family that fishing offers. Fisherman Sak Narwal not only loves to fish but he also loves to learn about the fish themselves. He spends time in nature learning the habitat of fresh and salt water fish and uses this knowledge to expand his own fishing techniques.

Like most serious hobby fisherman, Sak Narwal practices catch-and-release fishing. The true fun of the sport is in the fight and the job well done. Once the tough part is over and the pictures are taken the fish can be returned to the water to finish their lives. As any fisherman will tell you it is truly a wonderful experience.

RENEW International - Fostering Faith

2009-09-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

I come from a religious background and I find it sad that it today's world there seems to be less and less focus on spiritual and religious matters. RENEW International is a Catholic based organization that seeks to bring religion back into the everyday lives of people.

RENEW International wants to help Catholic parishes to live out their spiritual beliefs in everyday life. This includes helping communities and working within the Catholic faith to encourage parishioners to become involved if they haven't in the past.

The group began as a brainstorming session in Newark and has expanded to serve over 25-million Americans and 130 dioceses in 22 other countries. RENEW International works to show parishioners how to work in concrete ways to improve their own neighborhoods. The focus is on small Christian communities where the members can support themselves not only economically but spiritually as well.

YMT Vacations - Your Time to Relax

2009-09-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

I don't know anyone who doesn't love to take vacation. Planning the vacation though - well, that's a more stressful proposition. Having a travel agent can make things easier if you get the right agent. YMT Vacations seeks to alleviate those concerns by offering helpful, low-stress travel planning.

By concentrating on specific locations, YMT Vacations can plan your trip of a lifetime down to every detail. They focus on making all the specifics of the trip work for you with you. They have been in business since 1967 so you know they must be good at what they do.

YMT Vacations books both tour and cruises so they can tailor your experience to your own interests. Next time you are thinking of traveling, check out their website and see if you have ever dreamed of visiting one of their destinations. Make the planning as fun as the trip itself!

K-Designers - Home Remodeling

2009-09-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

The real estate market is just starting to level off so investors are now taking advantage of low prices to pick up and remodel homes to put back onto the market. The trouble is that remodeling without the right help can be tough. Here is a brief history of K-Designers so you can decide if they are right to help with your project.

K-Designers was started in 1978 in Casper, Wyoming. By 1980 they had expanded to two additional locations in Montana and Colorado. By 1990 their sales were more than $18 million and they had over 200 total employees. In 2000 sales exceeded $40 million, employees were over 600, and they were the largest home improvement company in the west.

Today K-Designers still offers quality home remodeling help for consumers. Their sales have continued to increase and they are as dedicated today to providing quality customer service as they were during that first year in 1978.

Harley Swiftdeer Reagan-Dojo Leader

2009-09-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

As an amateur martial artist I am always intrigued by news I hear of others who follow spiritual paths that intersect with their own martial arts training. That is why I was inclined to read more when I came across the name Harley Swiftdeer Reagan. Here is a martial artist who is also the founder of the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society.

Harley Swiftdeer Reagan also leads the Ten-No-Kishi dojo in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has studied with various medicine men throughout his lifetime and has devoted himself to passing on his knowledge of martial arts, philosophy, religion, and spirituality to his students.

Besides encouraging his own students, Harley Swiftdeer Reagan also devotes his life to helping others attain spiritual growth in an effort to live more productive, sober, and satisfying lives. He is a teacher worth knowing more about as well as an interesting person (my favorite kind!) who has developed a strong and noteworthy path to follow.

Flower Gifts

2009-08-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

I read recently that in the 1500s people rarely bathed (stick with me, I'm going someplace important with this). When they did it was usually once a month and everyone used the same tub and water. The men went first, then women, and the children went last. Weddings were usually held at the beginning of the month just after everyone had a bath. The bridal bouquet of flowers emerged as a way for women to hide potential body odor by carrying the fragrant flowers.

I don't know if this is true or not but it is an interesting thought. These days flowers can be sent for a variety of reasons. I bet the last time you sent flowers you didn't even consider the body odor of the person you were sending them to (LOL)!

In any case, I still send tons of flowers as gifts. They're beautiful, fragrant, decorative, and if you use a service like 1800flowers then they are about the easiest gift you can give. Keep this in mind the next time you want to impress someone deeply - but don't mention the body odor story - your recipient might get the wrong idea!

Everyone Needs A Vacation - YMT Vacations

2009-05-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs and deserves a vacation. Who can argue with that? Before you dismiss the thought due to tough economic times consider giving a shot to a company that promises to deliver you a vacation at a lower cost than the rest and make sure all those pesky organizational details are taken care of for you. YMT Vacations offers just that.

YMT Vacations offers tours everywhere you can think of. By land or sea you can make vacations memories just when you need them the most. From the plane tickets to the bus tour it is taken care of for you before you leave so that you don't have to seek out activities when you get to your destination.

I've used some of the travel sites that offer great prices on hotels and even offer to bundle airfare and hotel costs. The problem with those is that there is still a strong degree of uncertainty about where you are staying and what you will do when you get there. My personal experience has been that it is much more relaxing and enjoyable to have a full service agency such as YMT Vacations take the uncertainty out of the process for you and save you the extra time and money.

Remodeling? Try K-Designers

2009-05-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has remodeled a home in any capacity knows that it is a difficult and complicated process. Larger projects require scheduling and coordination of several subcontractors as well as dealing with the paperwork and trying to decide on a theme for the new look. If this sounds like a daunting task you may consider K-Designers for your next remodeling project.

K-Designers is one of the largest remodeling contractors in the United States. They are fully licensed and insured so you don't have to be concerned about working with an inconsistent contractor.

The best part about working with a remodeling contractor is the attention to detail. You simply pick out what you like and they can do the hard part for you. If you've ever seen a remodel job that has gone bad you know how important it is to have someone looking out for you. You don't want to end up with something you don't like or worse, something you can't get finished. Do yourself and your home a favor and check out K-Designers before your next project.

Frank J. Hanna III - Manging Money

2009-05-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

A look around at nearly any segment of our economy indicates that this is a financially stressful time for everyone. Finding new ways to manage the money we have and to maintain happiness is imperative in tough economic times. Frank J. Hanna, III offers tips on his blog to learn to live within our means and to be happy doing so.

Frank J. Hanna, III is a banker who has been involved in several successful businesses. He is active in his community in charity and educational projects. He believes strongly is sharing the fruits of our labor with others in an effort to make what we have work for everyone.

Besides suggesting that we let go of what we don't need, Frank J. Hanna, III also imparts the value of tithing to either religious or secular charity. By learning to be grateful for what we have we can be happy without forever seeking to attain more than we really need. He tells us that ultimately no matter what we have, negativity will generate unhappiness in even the richest among us.

Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society - Holistic Healing

2009-05-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

As the daughter of an old hippie and the mother of two I'm always trying to find ways to operate my life based on holistic approaches to solving common problems. I was interested to recently come across the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society and their healing team.

What makes this different from traditional approaches is that the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society seeks to teach people to have the power to heal themselves. In this sense I mean healing in terms of both spiritual and physical problems. I am a firm believer that spiritual "injuries" can manifest themselves in physical problems if not properly treated.

The history and focus of the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society is to rich and complex to be covered briefly here. Their practices have evolved over thousands of years but are still relevant to living life in contemporary society. Besides healing they have several rites and ceremonies that can all be learned and applied to leading a healthier and happier life.

Jazz and Mohammed Babangida

2009-05-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

If you like Jazz (and who doesn't?), consider taking a look at the blog authored by Mohammed Babangida about various styles of jazz music. The blog includes posts that track the evolution of jazz as well as some more contemporary movements and styles.

Mohammed Babangida writes about styles ranging from Behop to neo-classical in an easily accessible and readable format. He especially focuses on the African influence on music from jazz to blues to satchmo. "Who is satcmo?" you might ask. Best to let Mohammed Babangida describe him to you. If you already know then you will definitely have an interest in this blog. If not then you have got a lot of catching up to do so you might want to check it out.

Last Minute Mothers Day - Order Those Flowers

2009-05-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

Every year I try to plan ahead and ask my mom what she wants for Mothers day. Every year she says the same thing, "Oh, don't worry about me." One year I took her up on that and gave her a call to let her know she was appreciated but didn't actually buy her anything. Big mistake. This year, I'm going with flowers.

After hearing about it for a very long time I determined that what my mom said was much different than what she meant. What she said was "don't worry about me." What she meant was "Go ahead and order me some flowers but don't worry about making a big production of it. But do order the flowers."

This year I placed my order for Mothers day flowers early. For those of you who haven't been berated enough by guilt to order early you can still place mothers day orders with 1800flowers for delivery. So get to it! Even if your mom says she "doesn't need anything" don't translate that as "doesn't want anything." Order those flowers!

Internet Marketing by Carl Sgro

2009-04-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a professional to help you optimize your online marketing potential? Carl Sgro is a professional in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and he can help you unlock this most important area to generate business and traffic for your site.

Carl Sgro not only works to help your business succeed on the Internet, he also spends time giving back to his community. As a bass fisherman, Carl Sgro is the founder of the "Take a Kid Fishing" drive to organize children and adults to become more active in the sport.

If you are looking for someone to help you with Internet marketing give Carl Sgro a call. You will get someone who can not only solve your SEO and SEM solutions but can afterward join you on that well earn fishing trip.

1800flowers for Mother's Day

2009-04-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

My mom is hard to shop for. Every year at Christmas, her birthday, and especially mother's day I wonder what to get her. I resisted giving her flowers for a while because I thought it was too generic. Last year, however, I visited 1800flowers and wound up getting her the most beautiful flowers for mothers day.

She loved them. The selection of flowers and gifts was so big that I was able to pick out something that was special for my mom. I didn't want to get her roses or an ordinary arrangement and I was able to choose a beautiful selection of flowers that I knew would be stunning. I also sent with it a small gift of fruits that she thoroughly enjoyed (she doesn't care much for chocolate). This year I will also be purchasing flowers for mothers day since I know there is enough variety to get her another very special selection. I can only hope that when my kids get old enough to shop for me they do the same. I think I'm more partial to the wine and cheese (also available from 1800flowers - yeah!) than the fruit gift basket though!

Owe Uncle Sam? Try American Tax Relief

2009-02-23T14:51:00.000-08:00

April 15th is right around the corner. You can bet that given the current economic situation that the IRS is going to be doing its best to collect from everyone. If you already owe back taxes now is the time to try to settle those bills. It is possible to settle for less than you owe by using a company such as American Tax Relief to negotiate a settlement based on your own personal history and circumstances.

It is possible to negotiate these types of settlements yourself but given the scrutiny that the IRS applies to each case you may be better off using a company that has a history of working out these kinds cases. American Tax Relief will take a look at your particular case and let you know before they begin if you will likely qualify for a settlement.

I worked doing payroll for a construction company for a number of years and there was nothing more frustrating for our employees than seeing a wage garnishment from the IRS. If you find yourself in this situation (or, better yet, if it hasn't gotten this far yet) then you might want to put in a call to American Tax Relief sooner rather than later.

Hot Topic: Insurance - United American Insurance Company

2009-02-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

Health care and insurance has become a topic of contention lately. We all need it - as evidenced by the outrageous cost of even minor procedures and doctor visits. United American Insurance Company is working to provide health insurance and life insurance as well as products designed to supplement and explain complicated Medicare benefits.

Working through various insurance options can be complicated so it is best to work with an agency dedicated to helping you negotiate the process. United American Insurance Company has a large web based information center where you can access your policies and contact agents whenever you have a question or concern.

The United American Insurance Company works with a focus on seniors and Medicare and is currently operating in forty-nine states. They have the reputation and resources to answer your questions and provide you with the benefits you seek.

American Story - Amos Tamam

2009-02-20T09:42:00.000-08:00

I recently came across a great personal story that illustrates what a wonderful country of opportunity the United States is. Amos Tamam came to the United States from Israel in the early 1980s and began a job servicing a fleet of taxi cabs.

He had previous training as an electrical engineer in Israel and quickly put his skills to work developing new ideas and products for the taxi industry in the U.S. Amos Tamam developed a system that allowed taxi cabs to accept credit cards as a method of payment. The additional payment option has been great for consumers and expanded the business of countless cab companies.

Amos Tamam himself is now the CEO of Verifone Transportation Systems, Inc. and is working to expand the company across the country. His is a story of hard work and innovation that illustrates the potential for great success that is offered by the opportunity available in the U.S.

Buy, Rent or Lease - Power Properties

2009-02-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

If only I had such a service when my husband and I purchased our first home. We knew we would not be living there long and renting or leasing would have been a good option for us (and is a good option now for many who don't want to commit to a long term purchase in the current real estate climate). Power Properties offers a solution and some amazing properties to choose from.

Covering properties in Texas (Lakewood and Old East Dallas areas) Power Properties has properties for sale, lease and rental that are quite beautiful. The major benefit to these properties is that they have all been managed, maintained, or renovated to meet the high standards of the company.

By working through Power Properties you can be assured of high quality aesthetics in all the homes and condos. Take a look at their website and you can see the large number of available properties. The renovations are dramatic and appealing to those looking for a stately property with continued management.

Books on Disease - Dr. Paul Offit

2009-02-20T08:44:00.000-08:00

As a mom and an avid reader I am always looking for new information on ways to keep my kids healthy. Part of this project is to stay informed about current medical news, which can be quite a project on its own. Dr. Paul Offit is the author of a number of books that specifically address current medical research and how it relates to our general social health.

Paul Offit is the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. His books are all relatively recent (one is in its third edition as of 2003) reviews of the roles of antibiotics and vaccines in contemporary health care.

Most interesting to me is Paul Offit's most current text addresses the current controversy surrounding the possibility of a link between vaccines and the development of childhood autism. I have been following the news closely and this is the most current medical text available on the subject (from Columbia Press, 2008). Although there is a lot of information available on the subject, the availability of a published and informative medical text to the general public is a great resource for anyone who has kids.

Happiness is Pets - Got Dogs?

2009-02-19T16:18:00.001-08:00

We have four dogs. Yes, four large dogs. Each time we get a new dog there is some degree of worry about the dog's background and health. That's why I was interested to come across Happiness is Pets during a web search.

If you are in the market for a puppy, Happiness is Pets presents a new way to search for pets outside the local classified ads. They have tons of adorable puppy pictures on their site and offer a number of breeds to choose from.

The major benefit to this method of choosing a dog is that there is a guarantee of freedom from major health defects for a year after purchase. Minor health issues are covered for seven days which gives you plenty of time to have the puppy checked by a vet. The other plus is that you can be assured that Happiness is Pets has given the pup all required vaccines and shots. If you need a pet (or four) this is a stress free way to look for a healthy new member for your family.

International Media and Linus Gitahi's National Media Group

2009-02-19T16:03:00.000-08:00

With the presidential elections behind us here in the U.S. many of us have a new take on media coverage as it is implemented in this country. With so many international news outlets such as National Media Group, run by Linus Gitahi, we often wonder about the role of our national media perspective in covering important events.

Do our media outlets differ from those that cover other areas or peoples? Perhaps. One can only tell by a quick review of the ways in which events are covered. In East and Central Africa, Linus Gitahi runs the largest media outlet that serves both print and Internet reporting for the area. Their stated purpose is to report without the influence of economic or political entities in the area.

Besides running the National Media Group, Linus Gitahi works as director of a bank as well as with the Federation of Kenya Employers. It is this type of social involvement that is helpful to us as we seek to evaluate those that run the powerful press organizations in our country and abroad. For those active in community affairs it is a positive reflection on the ways in which media can contribute to the positive development of a country.

Hoping to Retire? Ask Andy Barkate

2009-02-19T15:37:00.000-08:00

Right now can be a scary time to think about retirement. It can also be the most important time to contact a retirement professional like Andy Barkate to ensure that you are doing everything you can to plan for your financial future.

Working for a family business I know how stressful it can be to consider what will happen the day you are ready to retire. Andy Barkate specializes in small business and individual retirement plans so he can help with both your personal and business planning.

Whether or not you are concerned about retirement in the near future it can't hurt to have a plan. It is important to not only implement an initial process of saving and investing but also to manage that plan if you want to continue toward long term success. Consider not only savings plans but tax deferrals and benefits that arise from long range planning. Andy Barkate has several offices in California that will discuss your current objectives and review the plans you have now to ensure that you are prepared for your future.

Property Manger Tim Arel

2009-02-19T14:14:00.000-08:00

Now more than ever it is important to keep a close eye on real estate property ventures. Although the market is now down it can be a great time to invest, if you have the means, and properly managing your investments is essential. Tim Arel is a property manager currently working for North Point Property Management who can help answer questions and manage your property investment.

Tim Arel specializes in property management that works with a wide range of social and economical concerns. He strives to maintain involvement in a number of community groups and local boards and committees.

Consider contacting Tim Arel if you have questions about how to make the most out of your property. With the current real estate market it is essential that you do everything possible to maximize your investments.

Awsome Announcements

2009-02-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

I spent the last week or so searching for a place to order some birth announcements for our new baby. I wanted to use photos to customize the announcements but the going rate for many of the printing sites that do this seems to be around $2.00 per card (more than I could budget to spend on the project).

The cheaper sites that allow you to customize your own cards didn't have the style of cards I was looking for - they were cartoony and cute when I wanted a more elegant feel. Finally today I did a search for "affordable photo cards" and came up with exactly what I was looking for.

www.simplytoimpress.com has announcements cards that were perfect. They offer both templates to create your own card or custom editing services for a slightly higher fee. I used one of their templates and easily uploaded my pictures and customized the wording for a quick order.

I would recommend this site to anyone looking for announcements or invitations online.

Fashion Glasses Online!

2009-02-03T13:19:00.000-08:00

My local resource for my glasses closed recently so I decided to go online to look for a new place with a large variety to choose from. I wound up at eyeglasses.com where I had a tough time picking out some fashion friendly frames from among all their options.

My first attraction was to the Kate Spade glasses where there were a lot of trendy frames that appealed to me. I almost picked out a pair but decided to keep looking to see if there were any additional designers that I found appealing.

I also took a look at the Dolce and Gabbana glasses because that designer was not available at the previous local store where I shopped. There was a very large selection and luckily the site loaded quickly so that I didn't have to sit and wait for the pictures of each pair. I also perused the Gucci glasses just for fun before settling on a pair of the original Kate Spades.

The website was easy to use and also sells sunglasses so as the weather starts to warm up again I'll be making another visit to eyeglasses.com to pick myself up something for the summer months.

Valentines Roses

2009-01-23T07:47:00.001-08:00

I have a part time job working in a construction office so this time of year I get asked quite often if roses are "too generic" a gift for Valentines Day. The answer is always - No Way! While flowers for Valentines are good, the tradition of roses is even better.

For me it doesn't get any better than the beautiful dark red roses for valentines that are the epitome of the romantic day. I even had the same roses at my wedding and I never get tired of them.

If you are looking for some very nice valentines day roses and a convenient order try 1800flowers.com where you can do a quick search for whatever you need and set up a delivery. It doesn't have to be a gigantic bouquet - something small and elegant will do just as well. Think about getting it set up now and you can save a few bucks and still show that you can plan ahead for the romantic day.

Valentines Gifts

2009-01-23T07:36:00.001-08:00

With the big romance holiday coming up quickly I have to say that although valentines flowers and goodies are the traditional fare they have yet to disappoint!

The best bet for me is to wrap them all together in an adorable package that is made for the special day. This year I am ordering my valentines gifts in advance for delivery because I am scheduled to have a baby just a few days before V-Day.

In my search this year I found that 1800flowers.com has flowers as well as yummy cake and candy treats so it has been helpful for me to make the order for all the valentine's gifts from one source. With my order done early this year I'm looking forward a stress free day (except for that newborn baby I'll be handling who will be just a few days old at that point)!

Photo Books

2009-01-19T07:21:00.000-08:00

It is pretty common these days to use online photo sharing sites. In fact, most of my family no longer prints photos on a regular basis. The disadvantage to this is that you don't have a book sitting around that others (or you - if you're the nostalgic type) can flip through on a whim. The upshot is that you don't have photos falling out all over the place and no longer have to deal with those annoying "sticky pages" that used to be all the rage in photo albums.

The best of both worlds for our house has become printed photo books. It is very easy to upload your digital photos and to order a print copy. Sure, you can buy some blanks and print them yourself if you have a photo printer but the options available for ordering one are amazing. I get one once a year with our family photos and have it bound in leather so it's nice to have sitting around.

The kids love it and I don't have to worry about the photos falling out or getting lost. So far I've had great results with My Publisher so I'd recommend them in a second. Whoever you try out the software should be easy to use and it's actually a fun project. Let me know how it goes!

On Sale - Baby and Maternity

2008-12-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

The Babycenter.com store looks like it is closing down in the new year. It is a disappointment to me because I loved shopping there for maternity clothes and baby gear. One of the best things about it was that a majority of the products carried customer reviews that gave ratings and great descriptions of the items.

The upshot to this is that they are having a great end of the year sale on tons of merchandise. It includes maternity clothes, baby clothes, gear, toys, books, and just about anything else you can think of.

It is certainly worth checking out if you are in need of anything. You can get to the store by visiting babycenter.com and clicking on the store link or by going directly to the store here.
Happy Shopping!

Decorating for Christmas

2008-12-11T07:57:00.001-08:00

My son turned two this year and for the first time my husband and I find ourselves very excited about shopping and decorating for Christmas. When the drug store by our house started adding Christmas Decorations to their aisles, my son went crazy every time we walked into the store.

We decided that this year we would really go all out with the decorating and so far we have had a blast. I bought a few things to decorate but I found it more cost effective to go online and get decorating ideas of themes I could put together myself. I went to Celebrations.com and was able to find some simple and adorable ideas for our Christmas decorations this year.

Christmas Party Games were also available on the site which will be a huge help this year in planning our party. Our gatherings include friends and family so we have all age ranges from groups of toddlers to parents and grandparents.

If you have kids this is a great time of year to get together to decorate and play as a family. Enjoy your holidays!

Diapers Online

2008-12-05T08:55:00.001-08:00

When my son was born I was lucky to have a family member with a baby just four months older. As a result of this fortune tons of newborn and size one diapers were bestowed upon us before the big arrival day. Still, I was astounded at how many diapers we went through.

Remembering a note that was left in the notebook from my baby shower I frantically searched through the pages searching for the diaper website that came with high recommendations from a fellow Mom.

It has been two years, I'm expecting baby #2 and I am still in love with diapers.com. In my defense, when I started using them the site name was slightly different so it's not like I couldn't remember diapers.com. They've made some changes since the early days but they are still great.

The prices are great and even better the shipping is immediate and free (if you spend a minimum amount - not a difficult task considering how many diapers we go through). They have all sorts of additional items for diapering, bathing, nursing, and general baby care. It is definately worth a look at the site!

Who Doesn't Love Popcorn?

2008-12-01T15:07:00.000-08:00

My husband came home the other day with one of those weird bricks of pink popcorn from a convenience store. I watched him eat it and thought of how long it had been since I had some really good flavored popcorn.

A quick web search and I was exactly where a 7-month pregnant woman needs to be - an incredible selection of gourmet popcorn that reminded me of the holidays when I was a kid.

Caramel was always my favorite but the Popcorn Factory has more flavors now than I remember from when I was young. I had almost forgotten but my dad used to have friends who bought us those huge tins of variety popcorn every Christmas. It's probably been 15 years since I indulged so I couldn't help but purchase a few new flavors for myself. I also ordered a few popcorn gifts to give out this holiday in the hopes I could create a little nostalgia for some folks on my gift list.

Chocolate - Not Just for Valentine's Anymore

2008-12-01T14:46:00.000-08:00

Are you hard pressed for a holiday gift this season? With the economic times hitting individuals and businesses and the warnings against the purchase of gift cards this year our old friend chocolate candy is stepping up to the available gift plate.

I don't know anyone who balks at a beautiful assortment of candies and with the right variety and presentation you don't need to worry about quantity as long as the quality is high.

Tons of assortments are available and can be tailored to your recipient. Fruity, nutty, even dark chocolate for the health conscious makes this a gift that is simple but individual for everyone on your list. I'm a huge fan of the dark chocolates myself but I never turn my back on a yummy confection.

For some great gift ideas or to treat yourself this holiday season take a look at Fannie May Candies and tell the chocolate cheesecake I said "hello, I'll be seeing you soon."

Incredible Maternity Clothes

2008-12-01T12:45:00.001-08:00

I have happened upon a wonderful company that makes maternity clothes that are comfortable and stylish. They are also made in the USA, which is a huge bonus.

For those looking for maternity clothes take a look at Japanese Weekend. They make really incredible clothes that feel great for pregnancy and nursing.

They are a bit pricey but the website has an awesome clearance page and ebay or a quick Google can lead you to clearance prices for almost all their clothes online.

Happy shopping and enjoy a comfy pregnancy through the holidays!