Author: Ally

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What’s your favorite chip?

My favorite is Munchos potato chips. I am completely and totally addicted to them. Which is probably why I have such a hard time losing weight. My kids have their own particular favorites and I usually buy a bag per person. One son loves Dill Pickle Chips, the other likes Salt and Vinegar or Funions. The others in the house will eat just about anything, but if I don’t buy them each their own bag, they will get into mine and “nope” that is not happening. lol

I know, this is a stupid conversation, but I am bored. =)

yummy
Munchos FTW !
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Motorcycle run for a good cause

Motorcycle run for an elementary school is such a great cause. People used to look down on bikers for so long, but the one thing that they could never say, is that bikers don’t care about their community. Every year all over the country, these wonderful people have motorcycle runs that benefit children in many different areas. Most times it is a toy run for Christmas toys for underprivileged children, but sometimes they do them for other things like raising funds for schools. I think it is awesome that they put forth not only their time organizing such events, but their money as well.

Of course they get to do the one thing they love the most and that is ride their motorcycles on a nice long drive. Usually there is a concert of local talent at the park or area where the ride ends. You can usually buy various items fro local vendors as well. The vendors even donate a large portion of their sales to the charity to help raise as much as possible. I have been to a few of these.

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Maintain your septic system to avoid problems

In the small town of Seaford Delaware, there is a lot of rural areas. Many people have septic systems rather than city sewage. For those who do, it is important to know how to keep your septic system up and know the signs of trouble you may encounter. There are four ” Red Flags” that you should be aware of that could spell trouble for your system.

  • If you haven’t had your septic tank cleaned or inspected in two to three years, you could have a problem and be unaware of it.
  • If you have standing water or mushy areas in your yard, then your drain field is not draining properly
  • Backed up or slow toilets are a clear sign that you probably need to have the tank drained
  • That “nasty” smell you cannot identify is probably your septic overflowing or backing up.

If you haven’t had your septic inspected, or have noticed any of these problem areas, then you need to look up seaford septic tank cleaning and take care of this right away. There are many companies to choose from, and you can get estimates over the phone most of the time. Occasionally, they will want to look and then let you know what you are dealing with.

There are ways to keep your tank in good “health” with a few simple products that will keep it from clogging or backing up. You can start with the simplest product available. A product with bacteria or yeast is safe for your system and will help keep if clear longer. Do NOT use chemical additives as they can damage your tank and/or your lines, this goes as well for chemical clog removers. Hot water or a drain snake are the best things to use to clear a clog from your pipes.

There are two different kinds of filters that can help keep your tank in good health. One is a filter that attaches to the drain line of your washing machine. This will help keep lint from getting into the septic tank and clogging it up. The filter should be cleaned at regular intervals. You can also put a filter on the exit side of the tank. This will keep solid material from getting into your drain field. You can also use a different kind of bleach, called oxygen bleach to help keep food and dirt from getting into your tank. All of these products are available at your local Seaford stores.

There are certain jobs that you should not attempt to tackle on your own as you well know. You don’t attempt to fix electrical problems, especially those anywhere near the main breaker box. You don’t take on major plumbing problems and you should NEVER try to repair or clean your septic tank yourself. The gases inside a septic tank are highly toxic and can kill you very quickly. A professional should always be consulted for any septic system work that needs to be done. Regular maintenance and inspections will keep your system healthy so you won’t have any problems arise.

 

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Landscaping is the final touch

You have decorated or remodeled the interior of your house, spruced up the exterior of it, but still have one thing left to do to be truly satisfied. Landscaping your yard to make it a showplace of it’s own and compliment the house as well. It takes a lot of research to figure out just exactly will look good in your yard with the given space you have to work with. Some people know exactly what they want, while others haven’t a clue. Make sure to clean up your yard of all the stuff that needs storage first. You might want to invest in a garden shed for this if you don’t already have one. You yard will look much better without all that clutter and leave you with the space to do your landscaping.

Choices

Figure out where you want your paths and the general layout. Keep in mind that this may change slightly as you do the landscaping as well. Choose your plants and flowers with an eye towards color all year long, not just for the spring time. Many plants and trees bloom a various times of the year and if you choose the right ones, you will have lots of color in your yard year round. If you plant in groups so that it looks more natural, you will have a much better looking yard. Nature is the best blueprint you can use.

Flowers

Buy flowers that will bloom each year and not have to be replaced like perennials, certain shrubs and vines. There are also bulbs that you can plant in the fall, that will come up at spring time and you will have a sudden burst of color. Iris, tulip and daffodil bulbs can be planted in the fall and have this effect. You may want to choose flowers that will attract hummingbirds or butterfly’s. Morning glory’s, Bee balm, and verbena will attract both hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard and garden.

Trees

Trees can be a great addition to your yard and also double to shade the house during those summer months. Fruit producing trees, such as Apple Trees, Cherry Trees and such are always a plus. They look great and give you fruit as well. Flowering trees like the Magnolia and Dogwood trees are undeniably beautiful, your spring and summer yard will have blooming trees that seem to last and last. Evergreen trees that never lose their color are great for winter color.

Rocks and Pots

You can add to your landscaping, with large pots and rocks or boulders. Large pots (not small ones) are as important as what goes in them. They can be pricey but are a good investment and will look amazing. Rocks are best found in your area. Most times you won’t even have to pay for them if you ask around to see where you might locate construction sites. You can also go to a quarry and buy them cheaper then you can from your local hardware store.

 

 

 

 

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Movie night tonight

Movie night is definitely tonight, but we are watching old movies that we haven’t seen in a very long time. The Matrix entire series is on OnDemand, so we decided to watch them all. I doubt we get through all of them tonight, but we are going to try. I forgot just how good these movies are. They have apocalyptic scenario, coupled with high tech and lots of shooting and action. They are almost perfect. The only thing missing is outer space. Obviously, you can tell that we like action and scifi type movies.

I am already thinking about the next series of movies I want to watch on our next movie night. Series movies are the best. I don’t care if it is The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or the Pirates of the Caribbean. They are all amazing partly because they don’t just end. Not for a long while in any case. Waiting for the next one to come out was a little annoying, but totally worth it in the end. The Avenger, Thor and Iron Man series are definitely awesome as well and I am glad that they are continuing, the next one of those I have to see is the new Thor. It looks like it will be even better than the first one.

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Real Estate is more than selling houses.

Real estate is about more than just selling houses. It is about community and a better life for everyone who lives within it. Being a real estate agent takes dedication to that community, not just making money. As agents, we live within the communities where we work and building it up is as important for our own families as it is for those who have less than we do. It is an investment in our town, our neighbors and our families.

New agents must make a name for themselves and there are ways to do that and help people at the same time. Joining clubs and organizations can not only help build your business, but will also help build your reputation as a community leader. If you only join to help you make money though, people will be able to tell, so you have to mean it. Join something that actually means something to you.

Here is a list of organizations for those agents who wish to help out.

  • Boys and Girls club
  • Boy Scouts or Girl scouts
  • Coaching team sports
  • Historical society
  • Board of Realtors
  • Local politics
  • American Legion
  • American Veterans
  • Red Cross
  • Crisis centers
  • Knights of Columbus
  • Volunteer for hospitals, fire stations, food banks, Food kitchens or even toy and food drives

All of these and many more are great ways to give back to your community and make connections at the same time.  ZMG Construction is a perfect example of giving back to the community. They are involved in several organizations, like AMI Kids, which helps troubled youths, as well as the Boy Scouts of America. From Crime Stoppers to CECO, an education center for disabled children, ZMG leads by example. It is precisely this kind of giving back that makes for a really good company. Some of these organizations can be a lot of fun and everyone needs a little bit of fun in their lives. Enjoy the experience and make new friends.

Helping your community to be more sustainable is also a great way to give back. After all, you live there too and want to make sure that it is preserved for future generations. You can suggest ways for your clients to “green their home” and make it more attractive to buyers. Upgrading outdated appliances is a great way to start, as well as “heat as you go” water heating system. If they are going to replace a floor before selling, suggest that they use bamboo for a wood floor. Bamboo is much more sustainable than regular wood as it grows much faster than trees.

No matter what way you decide to join in, make a difference. People will notice that and your business will see the difference as well with more referrals. You will feel good about what you are doing and be successful at the same time. Your reputation will grow and people will know that you have roots in your community as well as a deep feeling of responsibility for it.

 

 

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Healthcare is an important part of our economy

Healthcare is one of the most important parts of our economy. No matter where you live, the healthcare industry employs more people than any other industry. Likewise, when it comes to technology, the healthcare industry is at the head of the class. Medical technology helps in many different ways, from CAT scans, ultrasounds and MRI’s that diagnose problems inside the body or monitor a child before it is born, to the computers that keep our information and data organized. This technology allows us easier access in almost every possible way. Improving healthcare around the world has become a global focus. Information technology is on the forefront of that care. Sharing data from country to country and city to city to keep our citizens safe from disease and epidemics as well as normal healthcare.

The electronic medical records software is imperative for doctors and nurses to keep our records and monitor our progress. Without this software, we would still have to deal with lost or misplaced files that could mean a serious loss of time and test results. Today when you go to the doctor, you rarely ever see a paper file. There are laptops in every room, or the nurses carry I Pads to keep track of all your records and results. The new software and technology helps to cut down their time spent inputting data. This allows them to complete their jobs quicker and allow for the doctors to see more patients. Considering the rapidly growing population, it is imperative that time saving technologies be learned and used to the best advantage. Believe it or not, it also saves the environment as well, since they only print out what is absolutely necessary to give to you, thereby saving trees from being cut down unnecessarily.

As new technology is invented and implemented, sometimes we get to try new things. The new Google Glass is one such technology that looks to be very promising. This technology could help nurses and doctors to get information the very second it is uploaded and available. For instance; If a doctor in a emergency room or operation room is in need of certain test results and has the Google Glass, he/she can immediately access the results the minute the they are available. This could help to save a persons life, especially in an ER where finding out a persons blood type before giving them blood could mean life or death for that patient.

Not all areas of the medical fields are thrilled with the new gadgets that come out. They can be very resistant to “change”, especially in the older generations, but time has already proven that the more we go forward, the better off mankind is as a whole. The old adage that it is hard to teach on old dog new tricks simply doesn’t apply any longer. In a world of new and rapidly growing technology, it is a keep up mentality. While this may make it necessary for continuing education, the advantages are clear.

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Black Friday Deals

You can wait for the best Black Friday deals, or you can go to Pottery Barn Kids to get what you need to decorate your children’s bedrooms. As Mom’s, we know that finding the best deal helps us stay within our budget’s and save money for the things that matter the most to our families. We also have that latent talent for DIY when it comes to home decor that is trendy and functional. DIY home decor is accomplished in many different ways.  We can build our own wall organizer’s or create cute little nick knacks with our kids to grace the shelves.

When decorating your child’s bedroom, you should really take into account not only what you like, but their own personality as well. Let them help pick out the colors. They all have a favorite color and you can make it work for both of you. Even at four years old, children have an opinion about what they like. Allowing them to pick out stuff when you shop is lots of fun for them and you might be surprised to learn something about your child’s likes and dislikes that you didn’t know. Boy’s may love that super hero, but would rather have a truck theme to his room. Likewise, girls all love the princesses, but really want puppies and kittens on their walls.

Let them help with the painting. That is what drop clothes and tape are for. If you allow them to help, they are less likely to get in the way and make a mess. It will also give them a great big feeling of accomplishment as well as pride in the finished room. You don’t have to be elaborate, just be creative. Paint those kittens yourself. They don’t have to be perfect and if you draw them on the wall first, your child can help with those as well. You can even find DIY wall murals that come with a Paint-by-number easy to do for both you and your child.

No matter your budget, try not to go overboard. Pirate ships and castles are great, but not very practical. You want your child to use their imagination as much as possible, give them a room that will help them create their own world. A large area of the wall for dry erase or chalk board is a great idea to help preserve your walls and still allow them to be creative as well. Perhaps another spot for all of those stickers them bring home from school. Then they have a place to collect them and see them daily.

Whatever you do, don’t forget the storage space for all of those little bits and pieces. Shelves with colored containers that can keep everything organized, is an amazing asset to any children’s room. They don’t have to be large and can be put just about anywhere along the walls or even in the closet. This helps them to be able to put things away much easier later one as you are teaching them to pick up after playtime is over.

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Breakfast meeting

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not a morning person. I do not wake up perky and ready to run. It takes me a while to shuffle around, make a pot of coffee, dress, walk the dogs and after all that I slowly become human.

So when Linda Bradshaw told me the only time she had available to see me while she was in town this week for her convention would be a breakfast meeting, I almost said, “No.” But, she is a friend from back in the day who I have kept in touch with by email and occasional phone call. I really want to see her while she is here, even if only for an hour at breakfast. So tomorrow, I will be a forced -into-early-pleasantness person and choke down some hotel hotel eggs and bacon so I can have an hour of quality time with my girlfriend.

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Everyone loves music

Everyone loves music, but children are especially drawn to it. They love to dance and sing and do it often and loudly. If you have children, you already know this. They start with the lullabyes we sing them and move on to the preschool songs we play them and that they hear on preschool TV shows like Jacks Big Music show and the Wiggles are excellent examples.

Encouraging music in your children will help them developmentally. Children who play and sing regularly are more inclined to do better in school. They read better, are better at math and science and generally get along better with other children. They are much more likely to go to college as well.

As a parent we begin teaching our children long before they ever reach a classroom. We teach them their first language and many times their second one as well in multilingual households.  Giving them a wide variety of musical genres is great for them. Whether you are playing music in the car or as you clean your house, they watch, listen and learn from everything you do. Having them take music classes at some point in their childhood is a phenomenal way to assure that they will be successful in life as musically oriented children tend to make better life choices later on.

When you choose and instrument for your child, take them to a music store with instructors and let the kids play with a few instruments to see what they like the most. This will let you know exactly where their interests lie and just what they can actually handle at their given age. There are certain instruments that will be too heavy for them, or for their small hands to handle. Also, there are a lot of instruments that have “child size” for those little guys to actually be able to learn on and play with proficiency. Violins are a perfect example of that. They come in really small sizes that are perfect for little fingers to play.

The violin is not easy to learn though. At least not as easy as learning the guitar, because drawing the bow across the strings is more difficult than plucking or strumming the strings is. Piano is a common instrument for children to begin learning to play, however if you don’t have one at home and can’t afford to buy one for them to practice on, you probably should choose something else. Learning to play an instrument requires lots and LOTS of practice.

Most schools have music class and usually the children learn how to play the recorder at some point, but it is not the same as private lessons. They do not get the one on one attention in a school classroom as they do from a private instructor. Add to that the music teachers in the school do not teach a variety of instruments either. It is very basic and only teaches them about music in general. Bear this in mind when you make your decision on whether or not to have them take lessons.