Friday, April 26, 2019

A Perfect Day For A Perfect Wedding

One of the most exciting aspects of parenthood is witnessing your adult children move onto the next important chapter in their lives when they exchange wedding vows with their significant other.

Last weekend my husband and I had the pleasure of seeing our son marry the love of his life in a romantic ceremony on the beach. The reception was held at one of their favorite venues and we danced late into the night until some of us old folks had blisters on our feet. The bride's family went above and beyond in planning one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen! They worked tirelessly to make sure everything was perfect, and it was. The celebration was spread out over the entire weekend, and I have to admit, those days were some of the happiest times of my life.

Below are a few photos out of the thousands that were taken. I'm sharing just a handful of my favorite moments from that enchanting day:

First, we jammed up the elevator which took forever to reach the ground floor of the hotel

Gorgeous beach day = a wedding in paradise

They shared their own, beautiful vows. Not a dry eye on the beach!

The Newlyweds (photo courtesy of Brandi Toole Photography)

The beautiful bridesmaids (photo courtesy of Brandi Toole Photography)

The dashing groomsmen (photo courtesy of Brandi Toole Photography)

The proud parents of the groom

The newlyweds were very kind to one another---no cake in the face!

What would a wedding reception be without a photo booth??

More shenanigans

Proud Mama dancing with the groom

A perfect day for a perfect wedding (photo courtesy of Brandi Toole Photography)

Now I just have to marry off my other three children.....

***For all photography inquiries, please visit http://www.branditoolephoto.com

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Should I Buy A Refurbished Laptop Or Computer?

Today on the blog I have Wilbert Bail, a link-builder and web developer who has been a frequent guest on my blog. Will is always happy to share his insights, and today's topic deals with refurbished laptops and computers. I bought a refurbished laptop for my son last year, and it turned out to be a perfect (and inexpensive) gift for him!

Should I Buy a Refurbished Laptop or Computer?

You might have doubts about buying a refurbished computer. There’s nothing wrong with a dose of healthy skepticism. After all, the last thing you want is to pay good money for a busted computer. But if you’re on a tight budget, then a refurbished computer is worth considering. A refurbished PC can cost up to 50 percent less than a new one. As long as you find a reliable dealer, you can get a great deal on a refurbished computer.

What Exactly is the Meaning of Refurbished?

When it comes to computers, refurbished can have several meanings. You might imagine a refurbished computer is one that someone tossed because it wasn’t any good. But that’s a completely false image. The truth is some refurbished units are barely even used, if at all.

Refurbished could mean the computer is a customer return. Once a computer is shipped it’s no longer a new unit. That means even if the customer never used it, the dealer can no longer say it's new. The same can also apply to an order that was canceled. All the dealer can do is make sure the unit works as advertised, and sell it as a refurbished unit.

Some refurbished computers get that label because of failing the manufacturer’s quality test. When that happens, the computer is rebuilt but not sold as new. It may say something like certified refurbished or refurbished by the manufacturer. This means the computer has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired so it works as good as new.

It’s worth noting that a third-party can also refurbish a computer. A third-party might refurbish a computer with whatever parts they have available. In this case, the unit might not match its original specifications. To know exactly what you’re getting, compare the specifications of the new computer to the refurbished model.

Unless you’re a computer guru, it’s best to purchase a refurbished unit from a reliable manufacturer or retailer. For instance, Recompute specializes in refurbished computers. All of their units are packaged as new and include a 1-year warranty. A warrant is usually a good sign because it means the seller stands behind the product. Buying from an online auction or from classified websites is more of a gamble. You may or may not get a good unit, and probably won’t get a warranty. But you can consider that option if you’re comfortable.

Bottom Line – Do Your Research

Buying a refurbished laptop or computer is worth considering. Whether or not you do depends on what you want. It also depends on your comfort level with buying a refurbished unit. If you choose a reliable seller, then you’re likely to get a good deal. You can also search for the model number to learn more about the refurbished unit you’re considering. If you think it’s a good deal, and the seller is reputable, then you’ve probably found a good refurbished item.

BIO:

Wilbert Bail is a link-builder and web developer at LD SEO Sydney. He has an adventurous mind but seldom travels as he would rather stay home and make a client's business website more visible on the internet. He likes techie stuff but won't buy any gadgets that are above $1000, hence no iPhone.

Friday, April 12, 2019

35 Years Of Magic

When I talk about 35 years of magic, I'm not talking about Disney World's Magic Kingdom; I'm talking about 35 years of marriage. And a wonderful marriage it has been! Sure, we've had our rollercoaster moments---some pretty frightening ones, if I am to be honest. But we have come through them all unscathed.

Last weekend we celebrated our anniversary in style with a visit to the Downton Abbey exhibit (our favorite show) and a nice dinner out on the town. We reminisced over old wedding photos and agreed that we are among the lucky few who have stayed together this long, for better or worse.

Below is a little sampling of photos from that incredible day, April 7, 1984:

The Wedding party

Don't we just looky spiffy?

Cutting the cake (no, we did NOT shove it into each other's face!

Removing the garter...ooh la-la!

That was THEN.....

This is NOW. 35 years together!

Even more exciting is that next weekend I will be standing by the ocean and watching my oldest son exchange vows with the love of his life. Have I mentioned how much I love the month of April??

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Distinctive Baby Shower Gift Ideas

I hosted a baby shower for my daughter last year and enjoyed the planning stage of the party along with selecting gifts for the newborn. Today on the blog, my guest Gurbaj Singh is here to share ideas on the best gifts for a baby shower.

Ideas for Baby Shower to Buy a Distinctive and Most Beautiful Gift

Are you going to attend a baby shower of your friends or relatives? Always remember that such kinds of programs are different from weddings and anniversaries. A baby shower is celebrated in almost every culture in different ways. Some communities celebrate before the birth of the child and some after the delivery. However, one thing is common in all of them & that is gifting culture. People bring presents to the mother as well as a newborn baby with their best wishes. If you are also invited to this event, try to find a distinctive and beautiful gift for the kid. This article is full of some unique ideas for baby gifts that you can opt out.

Distinctive baby shower gift ideas

Newborn baby clothing kit

Clothes for a newborn baby are among the first preferences of every person who is invited for a baby shower event. Nevertheless, keep one thing in mind that you must be highly cautious about the quality of fabric because almost every cloth is mixed with a composition of cotton along with synthetic polymers. Find a seller that is specialized in kids attires only. Everything that you are going to buy must be made up of 100 organic kinds of cotton. It would be better if the cotton belongs to Egypt because Egyptian cotton has no match all over the world when it comes to the formation of the finest quality fabric. Buy gift box that comprises all essential for a kid including swaddle scarf, bandana bibs, skull hat, kimono bodysuit & baby bootie.

Baby toys & accessories kit

The toys for newborn babies must be made with hygienic and natural material. Never choose toys for kids that are made up of plastic. Find kids accessories where soft wooden toys like pacifier clips are available. Along with this, you can assert the box bit soft fabric toys like knit bears, stroller toys, bunny rattle, bunny pacifier and grasping toys. Assert all of the available options in a beautiful box to present at a baby shower or as a baby Christmas gifts. Make sure that all the gifts you are buying are made up of 100% organic material.

Baby grooming kit

Grooming is not just meant for adults and teenagers, kids also have grooming kits. A good online portal for kids accessories can provide you all organic options whether it is a bathrobe, body wash, night bath essence, hooded towel, bamboo brush, comb & nail clipper. This is an amazing idea for baby shower gifts made with organic fabrics and natural oils.

While buying a gift for the newborn baby, also consider something special for the mother too. There are some nice options of printed coffee mugs, fragrance candles, photo frames & kimonos are available to choose. Never compromise with the quality of kids clothes and accessories because synthetic stuff cannot suit to the sensitive skin of a newborn.

BIO:

Gurbaj Singh is the Incharge of Marketing for soojin.com as well as a writer focusing on the daily lives of common people. He is also a tech industry influencer and freelance journalist covering high-growth industries and technologies.

Friday, March 22, 2019

Fly On The Wall With A Ferret

Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, seven bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you'd see if you were a fly on the wall in their homes.

It has been a fun (but hot) month for us here in Florida. We hosted a bridal shower for my son's fiancée (plenty of shenanigans going on there!) and then spent the other weekends at the local Renaissance Festival where we donned costumes and ate giant turkey legs while watching a few comedy shows. I had a wonderful surprise when one of my blogger pals came into town and spent an evening with me in the tiki hut. Parri is a hilarious comedian and we laughed well into the night.

I am fortunate enough to be married to a man who has made it his life's goal to make me laugh every single day, and so far, he has. Our conversations are never dull, and that pesky fly buzzing around my house can verify it by what he overheard this month:

"This candle is supposed to smell really good. The scent is called, 'Best Friends'."
"I don't know who you're hanging around with, but your best friends smell like lavender and kitty litter."

"I can't wait until the new season of Game Of Thrones begins!"
"Yeah, I'm getting a little tired of watching those tear-jerking episodes of This Is us. I'd much rather move onto decapitations, fire-breathing dragons, and sword fighting with White Walkers."

"How's the memoir writing coming along?"
"Not good---I have writer's block. The creative flow is not something I can control."
"Neither are my bowels after eating too much of your cabbage soup."

"I've been having weird dreams lately about alligators and cockroaches giving birth to millions of little babies. But I think I've dreamt this stuff before."
"Yeah, when you were pregnant."
"I'm way too old to get pregnant, but I'm not too old to carry a food baby."
"I'd have nightmares too if I ate a diet of chocolate raisins and avocado toast every day."

"We need to do the stool sample kits for our doctor so he can check us for cancer."
"Cancer doesn't run in my family."
"How do you know? You're adopted."
"I have my DNA results from Ancestory.com"
"We all know that your DNA test confirmed that you're related to a ferret, and ferrets can get cancer."
"They also smell bad. At least I didn't inherit that problem."
"Well, that's certainly debatable...."

Buzz around some of these blogs for a peek into some other homes:

Baking In A Tornado https://www.BakingInATornado.com

Never Ever Give Up Hope https://batteredhope.blogspot.com

Menopausal Mother https://www.menopausalmom.com/

Spatulas on Parade https://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

The Crazy Mama Llama https://www.thecrazymamallama.com/

Go Mama O. https://www.gomamao.com

Follow Me Home https://followmehome.shellybean.com

Friday, March 8, 2019

The Pug Hoarder

I've reached that empty nest stage in life where I should be collecting cats so that everyone can accuse me of being a cat lady....but instead, I hoard pugs. Right now I have three, and I'd have a lot more if my husband didn't keep deleting my emails from the pug rescue website. Those smooshie noses and big ol' bug eyes get me every time. The pug head tilt is my undoing!

The three dogs I have are all quite distinctive, and I spoil them rotten because they're my fur babies and they deserve the best! My oldest (and first) pug was found in the streets of Miami, orphaned by his family. It didn't take me long to figure out why---Brewski has a bladder valve that I swear is constantly open. Doesn't matter if he's outside or inside; every tree and every sofa leg is fair game to him. He wears doggy diapers, but sometimes they spring a leak. Needless to say, I spend a lot on carpet cleaners. But he has a gentle soul and loves nothing more than to have his lower back scratched while we're on the couch together, binge watching Netflix. Yes, Brewski loves watching The Crown.

My second pug was also found wandering the city streets alone when a dog rescue group saved her from the pug-thug life. Savi is my diva princess; the Kardashian of pugs. Doggy tiaras were invented for girls like her. If it's raining outside, she refuses to get her delicate paws wet and would much rather take a dump on my expensive carpet. She also hoards 2/3rds of the bed at night and snores like a freight train. Did I mention that she prefers satin sheets? Savi is my spirit animal; a spoiled girl who values her naps and expects to be hand-fed filet mignon. But she is also an affectionate girl who sits on my lap and stares at me with adoration in her eyes as if I am a human pork chop.

My youngest pug is the first dog I ever bought as a puppy from a breeder. If the Energizer Bunny and the Tasmanian Devil ever mated, Yoda would be the result. He just turned two, but he's a "late maturing puppy." There is no such thing as boundaries for this pug; he has no problem sitting on your face, biting your ears or licking your nostrils until you pay attention to him. If you don't like getting a doggy facial, I advise you to pick up the nasty wet sock he drops in your lap and play a rousing game of tug-of-war. Sometimes I wonder if the organic dog food I give him is laced with caffeine. He runs around the room, scaling the couches and coffee table at speeds that even Mario Andretti would envy.

The thing about Yoda is that he likes to CHEW.....like, EVERYTHING. He whittled my wooden barstool legs down to toothpicks and turned his doggy bed into a loose pile of fluffy cotton. But I found a way to beat him at his own game by purchasing a special dog bed that is chew-proof. Same goes for his toys. He needed something that would last, and I'm relieved that I found indestructible dog toys to keep him busy so that I don't have to come home to a sofa that looks like it has been put through a Chipper Shredder. I could never get angry at him, though. All he has to do is flash those big brown eyes at me and I melt.

This is my life with pugs, and I wouldn't have it any other way. There's always room for more....just don't tell my husband....

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Lockbox: Why Do Seniors Need One?

I once worried about losing precious heirlooms and important documents until I heard about lockboxes. I've taken extra security measures since then to ensure that the items I hold dear will remain safe. What about you? Have you taken these steps to protect your own belongings?

Today on the blog I have Will Bail, a freelance link-builder and web designer who is here to share the importance of owning a lockbox, which is especially advantageous for seniors who often forget where they've stored important items.
Lockbox: Why Do Seniors Need One?

Increasing Security In Your Home

Just because you've retired or reached the next phase of your life doesn't mean you're safe from criminals. If anything, you may become a key target. However, if the standard security measures aren't something you want around the home, there is a method that you can easily utilize in your home. Lockboxes remain one of the best methods for keeping your items safe. By having an experienced and expert locksmith like those at South Perth Locksmiths craft the perfect lockbox for your needs, you can benefit in the following ways.

1. Keep Medications Safe

One inevitable aspect of senior life is medications. Prescription medications can be quite expensive, and there are always criminals looking to steal them. You can keep those medications in a safe storage place whenever you don't need them with a lockbox. It's also a great way to make sure that the grandchildren don't get into the medication. Despite all of your best intentions, all it takes is just a few minutes of looking elsewhere for children to get into things that might harm them. You can ensure their safety by storing those medications into a lockbox.

2. Documents

In the senior phase of life, you're going to need to keep a lot of documents on hand. That information on the document is extremely important to keep private. If you have caretakers in the home or even guests, you don't need to take any chances of them taking the information for identity theft purposes. With a lockbox, you can safely store those important documents within it. Not only does it keep them safe, but it also keeps them organized. So, if you need to access that information, you and those you trust can easily grab the desired document from within the lockbox.

3. Heirlooms

Over the course of your life, you've likely found precious objects that have a monetary or sentimental value. These objects may be something that you one day wish to pass down to your children or grandchildren. One excellent way to keep those heirlooms safe is to store them in a lockbox. Not only does this help prevent theft, but it can also keep them protected from potential damage.

4. Jewelry

To keep the precious jewelry that you've collected over the years safe, you should store it in a lockbox. It's easy to lose jewelry if it's kept in drawers or in smaller boxes. For your own personal peace of mind, you can store all of the small and big pieces of jewelry in one place. A lockbox keeps it safe, protected from damage, and it offers the chance to organize them.

For added security in your home, you can use a lockbox to store your medication, important documents, heirlooms, your jewelry, and other precious items. Not only will those items be safe from criminals, but they're also kept in one place for easy access when you need them.

BIO:

Will Bail is a freelance link-builder and web developer. He has an adventurous mind but seldom travels as he would rather stay home and make client's business website more visible on internet. When not working you can find him playing nintendo games or hanging out at the church.

Menopausal Mother

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