Quite possibly the best voice you will hear all day, that’s because when you hear Chris Malone weekdays from 3pm to 7pm, your workday should be about done. Chris keeps your favorite music going strong as you head down the home stretch. Keep 98.5 KTK with you in the car, as hitting the rush hour adds stress; Chris keeps it away with the Stress-Free Drive Home, starting weekday afternoons just before 5.
As strange as this sounds but you could cut down the cost of washing clothes by 100% by simply not using any laundry detergent! Yeah, go ahead and laugh hysterically at that statement. Now that we had a giggle, truth be known (according to many bloggers) that laundry detergent isn't needed to get clothes clean and that laundry detergent make clothes dingy and cause problems for the machines. At the center of this statement is a guy you may not know, but you know of his work. Jeffrey Hollender, the co-founder of Seventh Generation cleaning products, a brand that started from a small green cleaning products company into a mainstream cleaning player with $150 million in annual revenue stated in an article that "You don't even need soap to wash most loads." The agitation of washing machines often does the job on its own.
OK, so you're not quite ready to go cold turkey off laundry detergent but still want to save money? Make your own! Yep, can save 90% of your detergent bill by making your own
Here is the recipe
•1 bar of soap
•3 gallons plus 4 cups of water
•1 cup borax
•½ cup washing soda
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Grate the bar of soap with a cheese grater. Drop the pieces into the boiling water and cook until the soap dissolves. Pour 3 gallons of water into a large bucket. Add in the soap and water mixture. Add in one cup of borax and half a cup of washing soda. Stir until the ingredients thicken. Use about ¼ cup (the size of a normal laundry detergent cap) per wash cycle.
Cost: 2 cents per load – a savings of 18 cents compared to traditional laundry detergent.
I guess you've noticed a theme of vacation in my blogs lately and you'd be correct in assuming I will be on vacation soon. Actually I begin my vacation Thursday and mentally I'm already gone! One cumbersome task is the packing, especially if you're going for a week or more. Packing all your stuff can be a heavy hindrance. So take a look at these tips on how to cut down on your bag's weight.
Go wrinkle-free
Cotton/synthetic-blend fabrics are easy to wash and dry on the road. If you can do laundry, pack three wrinkle-free shirts, and you'll have enough for one week with no ironing needed. Also, plan to buy a shirt or two at your destination. It's one way to take home a practical souvenir.
Go ballistic
Choose a bag made of ballistic nylon cloth, a fabric that is strong, yet light in weight. If you start with a heavy bag, it's all downhill from there.
Choose a color
Think about color schemes when you pack. Make sure everything you bring is in the same palette so it all matches, including the shoes.
Ship ahead
It sounds extravagant, but if you're going to a single place where you need a lot of gear, such as waders, fly rods or skis, it's wise to ship it. The parcel services all have good tracking systems, and you'll know where your bag is ahead of time.
Think ounces
Take the smallest container/amount of toiletries possible, especially if you can replenish at your destination. There's no need to take 16 ounces of shampoo for a one-week trip. Get a couple of small, refillable plastic bottles, and fill them at home before you go.
Stay organized
use nylon bags or large, plastic freezer bags to compartmentalize. Put all the socks in one bag and your underwear in another. Knowing what you have helps you avoid over-packing.
Go high-tech
Instead of carrying a heavy book, download one to your MP3 player.
Think small
Unless you're a professional photographer, take the smallest digital camera you can. The picture quality will still be excellent.
Be practical
Wear your biggest/heaviest shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones.
Tropical Storm Beryl could be a player in our weather over this Memorial Day weekend one week before Hurricane season begins. Although I think we'll only get some breezy winds and much needed rain from Beryl it is a great time to get together your hurricane supply kit. Here is a list from The National Hurricane Center.
At least a 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person,per day)
At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food
At least, one change of clothing and shoes per person
One blanket or sleeping bag per person
First-aid kit
Battery-powered NWR and a portable radio
Emergency tools
Flashlight, extra batteries
An Emergency Supplies Kit Should Include:
Extra set of car keys
Credit card and cash
Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members
Prescription and non-prescription
You can signup for Hurricane season updates by texting HURRICANE to 72881. The service is free but texting fees may apply from your carrier.
Ahh Friday, how I've miss Thee :) Tomorrow is the day I've been preparing for with the first ever Gator Gauntlet 5K Adventure Mud Run. Team KTK is set with myself, JC Kirwan, Jessica Kirwan, Joe Herchel, Lauren Herchel and Ryan Butler. We will post a before and after picture on the 98.5 KTK Facebook page as we begin our run at 12 noon. Yes, you can still register for the run and even come out to watch. The event is on Hawthorne Road and the first wave starts at 9am with waves every 30 minutes until the last one beginning at 2:30. The event organizers promises this will be a muddy event!
I figured it would be just a matter of time before someone would try this but the state fair that brought us deep fried Twinkies, Oreos and Snickers candy bars, now it's Deep Fried Girl Scout Cookies! Christi Erpillo's family has served deep-fried items at the State Fair of Texas for 40 years and has found a unique way to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Girl Scouts. The cookie that is to be deep fried? The Samoa. Yes the coconut, caramel and chocolate-glazed cookie that is synonymous with the Girl Scouts themselves will be introduced in deep fried glory at the fair that begins September 28th.
Talk about a feel good story! 4 year old Anthony Smith of New Hampshire cannot hear out of his right ear and suffers from hearing loss in his other ear. He wears a hearing aid...or did wear one. Anthony decided to stop wearing his hearing aid because as he told his mom, superheroes don't wear them. So Anthony's mom, Christina D'Allesandro, contacted Marvel Comics to find out if there are any hearing impaired superheroes. Come to find out there is one, Hawkeye, who was played by Jeremy Renner in The Avengers movie. Comics book fans know that Hawkeye has been hearing-impaired since a battle with Crossfire in the 1980s and Marvel replied to Christina's question. But why stop there? Marvel had a moment of inspiration and again contacted Anthony's mother to announce a new superhero, "Blue Ear." The character is named after Anthony's hearing aid, which he and his mother have always called blue ear. The company sent a drawing of the superhero so that Anthony could see for himself that a superhero indeed wear a hearing aid. Christina D'Allesandro is happy to report to Marvel and the world that Anthony shares his new hero Blue Ear with all his friends and wears his hearing aid no matter what. Even when he complains about the discomfort, she says, "I tell him he has to hear people calling for help. He gets the whole connection. He's loving it." Kudos to Marvel Comics! You can read the news story here and take a look at the artwork by clicking here.
And with that, I end the week! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. See you Saturday at the Gator Gauntlet or I'll talk with you Tuesday!
We like to think of Memorial Day as a 3-day weekend that hints at the upcoming summer and all it's fun. But it has meaning that pre-dates us and we sometimes forget. Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was originally known, commemorates U.S. men and women who died in military service for their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars declared a national holiday in 1971 as the last Monday in May. It's time to honor and remember the heroes who fought for freedom and laid down their lives.
You can't blame them for trying, but new and improved doesn't necessarily mean we will embrace it. So let's take a stroll down memory lane and remember these products that were so promising at the beginning but faded in epic failure.
Arch Deluxe -- McDonald's
In 1996 McDonald's decided to design a new menu item that would appeal to a more sophisticated, adult demographic -- the result was the Arch Deluxe burger. The advertising campaign declared that the burger had a bun fresh from the bakery, 100 percent pure domestic beef, extra-fancy ketchup, and a new "secret sauce" made with mayonnaise and mustards. It's not surprising that the general public couldn't distinguish the new sandwich enough from the classic Big Mac to make it a hit.
Kellogg's Breakfast Mates -- Kellogg's
What's more appealing than adding warm, pre-packed milk to your breakfast cereal? Apparently everything. In 1998, Kellogg's launched a new product that they believed would revolutionize the breakfast on-the-go market: Breakfast Mates. Packaged right alongside the cereal, in a convenient single-serve box, was a container of shelf-stable milk and a plastic spoon. When the company realized that pouring a bowl of cereal with fresh milk was quick enough for most consumers, they discontinued the product one year after its launch.
McDLT -- McDonald's
Also known as the McDonald's Lettuce and Tomato, this product was great in theory but flopped in practice. Instead of serving the sandwich fully assembled, McDonald's served the McDLT in a two-sided container -- the first side held the "hot" patty and bottom bun, and the second half held the "cold" lettuce, tomato, American cheese, pickles, and special sauce; the diner was expected to put the two halves together before digging in. Perhaps the only positive thing to come out of the McDLT creation is that the company employed a pre-Seinfeld Jason Alexander to star in the marketing campaign.
Heinz EZ Squirt -- Heinz
Considering the love affair most children have with ketchup, this product seemed like a slam dunk. However, as most parents are the ones doing the buying at the grocery store, the idea of serving neon green, purple, blue, or "mystery" colored ketchup to their kids seemed more bizarre than genius. The product launched in 2000 and was discontinued in 2006 despite numerous attempts at marketing strategies.
Wow! Chips -- Frito-Lay
In 1998 Frito-Lay unveiled their innovative line of fat-free chips with great fanfare and anticipation from diet-conscious Americans. In order to create the chips the company replaced the fat with Olestra, which subsequently caused major cramping and other digestive complications for many, many people. Needless to say, the product was discontinued a few years later.
New Coke -- Coca-Cola
Perhaps the most infamous flop in Coca-Cola's history was when the company announced on April 23, 1985, that they were changing the formula for their wildly popular soda. Although they had intended to revitalize interest in the brand with this new recipe, the public backlash was so strong that they returned to the original formula just a few months later.
BK Baguette Sandwiches -- Burger King
In 2003, Burger King introduced a new line of chicken sandwiches aimed at appealing to a more health-conscious demographic -- the BK Baguette Sandwiches. But the product never caught on in the U.S. and was quickly replaced with the TenderGrill Sandwich.
Jell-O For Salads -- Jell-O
In the 1960s, Jell-O was not only popular as a sweet dessert, but many home cooks were using it in savory salads and molds as well. In response to the growing trend, Jell-O introduced a savory line of gelatin -- available in celery, Italian seasoning, tomato, and mixed vegetable flavors. Unfortunately, the novel product line was just a bit too out-there for the general public's palate and Jell-O quickly discontinued it.
Doritos 3D -- Frito-Lay
In the mid-2000s, Doritos took a break from manufacturing new flavors of their classic chips and instead introduced a product that took the chips themselves in a new direction -- 3D Doritos. The air-filled Doritos came in several flavors and was marketed using a sexy advertising campaign, but ultimately, the brand pulled the chips off the shelves just a few years after their launch.
Hershey's Swoops -- Hershey's
When Hershey's began marketing Swoops in 2003 the product seemed like a sure hit -- the slices of milk chocolate were shaped like Pringles and melted in your mouth, and they even came in a variety of flavors from Almond Joy to Peppermint Pattie -- but for whatever reason the product never caught on. Some have suggested that consumers thought they were chocolate-dipped chips and were turned off by that. Swoops became history in 2006.
Crystal Pepsi -- PepsiCo
The story goes that in the early '90s, when Ivory rebranded their classic white bar soap and introduced the clear bottled version, PepsiCo was so inspired that they decided to manufacture a clear, caffeine-free version of their iconic soft-drink. The company released the product in select test markets in 1992 and received an overwhelmingly positive response. However, when they released Crystal Pepsi nationwide, the response was surprisingly dismal. They discontinued the product one year later.
Colgate -- Colgate Kitchen Entrees
For reasons that have never been fully explained, Colgate, the brand most famously known for its toothpaste, briefly launched a line of frozen dinners called Colgate Kitchen Entrees. However, the general public could not get past the association of the brand with Colgate toothpaste and the products were quickly pulled from production.
McDonald's -- The Hula Burger
In 1962, McDonald's founder Ray Kroc debuted a new meatless sandwich that he hoped would appeal to the chain's Lent-observing patrons. The resulting Hula Burger replaced the classic McDonald's patty with a slice of grilled pineapple topped with melted cheese -- not surprisingly, the general public did not approve of the fruity, cheesy combination and McDonald's quickly discontinued the product.
Life Saver's -- Life Saver's Soda
The popular hard candy company decided to create sodas based on the five flavors of the candy. The response from the public was that the carbonated beverage tasted like liquid candy, which was less than pleasant for most people.
Pizza Hut -- The Priazzo
In 1985, Pizza Hut introduced the Priazzo, their attempt at recreating the Chicago deep-dish pizza. The pie included two crusts, stuffed with fillings and topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese. The Priazzo was available in three varieties: Milano, Florentine, and Roma. Despite an elaborate marketing campaign, the pizza lacked popularity, and the time that it took to prepare each pie caused Pizza Hut to discontinue the Priazzo after just a few years.
Sad news from the Food and Drug Administration. The new law to overhaul those confusing and mis-leading labels on sunscreen has been delayed for 6 months. The reforms are aimed to standardize SPF claims, clear up which brands protected against both sunburn-causing ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and the deeper-penetrating ultraviolet A (UVA) rays linked to skin cancer and premature aging. Sunscreens also can no longer claim to be waterproof or sweatproof, only water- or sweat-resistant and carry a time limit of how long a user can expect protection while swimming or sweating, so consumers know how often they need to reapply. The law should have been effective on June 1st but now will take place on December 1.
So what do you need to know about sunblock this summer? Here are some myths debunked about the sun, sunblock and tanning.
Myth: A base tan protects against sunburn.
The SPF numbers on bottles of sunscreen seem to climb higher every summer. When you pick up a bottle of SPF 50 or 70, you feel pretty confident that you're walking out of the drugstore with the most powerful sun-protection product on the market. The Truth: The bump in protection offered by higher SPFs is minimal. For example, SPF 15 sunblock screens 93 percent of the sun's UVB rays, while SPF 30 protects against 97 percent and SPF 50 against 98 percent, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Seeing "broad spectrum" or "multi-spectrum" on a bottle of sunscreen is more important than a high SPF number, says Cokkinides. These words indicate that the product provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays, which damage the skin in different ways. UVB rays are mostly responsible for sunburn, and SPF generally refers to the amount of protection that a product offers against this type of radiation. UVA rays, which have longer wavelengths, penetrate the skin more deeply and contribute to wrinkles and skin cancers. For light outdoor exercise, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. For longer duration outdoor workouts (including those where you'll be sweating heavily or hitting the pool), opt for a broad-spectrum, water-resistant product with an SPF of at least 30. Apply 1 ounce -- enough to fill a shot glass -- of sunscreen to your entire body (don't forget spots like your ears, lips, hands, and exposed parts of your scalp) 30 minutes prior to stepping outside and reapply at least every two hours.
Myth: Water-resistant means waterproof.
You slathered on water-resistant sunscreen before hitting the pool, but after a day of dipping in and out of the water, your back's as red as the lifeguard's swim trunks -- and you're ready to drown that useless bottle of lotion. The Truth: Sunscreen isn't waterproof. "Water-resistant means a dip in the water won't wash it off right away," says Cokkinides. "It'll stay on your skin longer than regular sunscreen, but that doesn't necessarily mean the whole day." Each time you take a plunge in the water -- and towel off after -- water-resistant sunscreen loses its effect. Reapply after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying.
Myth: A hat protects my head and face.
You hate that sunscreen makes your face feel greasy, so you slap on a baseball cap before a long run. The Truth: A hat is good for blocking the rays that come from directly overhead, but it doesn't protect your face from the rays that bounce up from the ground. "Many people don't recognize that they are at risk for greater levels of damage when near the water, sand, and snow because of increased reflection," notes Skelsey. In addition to applying sunscreen to your face, don't forget a pair of shades. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends UV-blocking large-framed sunglasses to protect your eyelids and the delicate skin around your eyes, which are common sites for wrinkles and skin cancers. Shielding your peepers from the sun can also fend off cataracts later in life.
Myth: Light-colored clothing blocks sun best.
You know better than to wear a black long-sleeved T-shirt on a run in the middle of summer -- you'd be dripping in sweat by mile two. You opt for a lightweight white tee or tank instead. The Truth: Dark colors absorb heat and make you feel hotter, but they offer more protection from damaging rays than light colors do. Loose-fitting clothing in shades like deep blue and black, and bright colors, like orange and red, offer more protection than white or pastel clothing, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Fabric matters, too. "Light can't penetrate tightly woven clothes, so they protect against the sun," says Skelsey. "A thin white T-shirt -- especially when wet -- is not." In short, if you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through it. When buying summer workout clothes, look for items with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 50 of higher, advises Skelsey. A shirt labeled UPF 50, for example, means that only 1/50th of the sun's UV light can reach the skin. "You can wash protection into your regular clothes using a product like SunGuard," says Skelsey. It may be painful to buy long-sleeved shirts and pants after Memorial Day, but they do offer better protection than pairing skimpier workout duds with sun block. "Sunscreen is not fully protective. It does not block out all of the rays the way protective clothing does," says Skelsey. "Its effects diminish after application, and many people simply don't apply enough."
Myth: My race shields me from skin cancer.
Dark skin may make you less susceptible to sunburn. It's science, after all. The darker your skin, the higher its concentration of melanin, a skin pigment that acts a bit like sunscreen. The Truth: Nobody's immune to sun damage. "Even if you don't burn easily, you're still receiving radiation," says Cokkinides. "Know and understand your skin type and choose the appropriate protection for it." If you're confused, ask your doctor.
Myth: I need direct sunlight for vitamin D.
In recent years, you've been bombarded with information about the health-boosting benefits of vitamin D, from its ability to help you burn fat to its role in keeping bones strong. So, you've set your sights on soaking up as much of the sunshine vitamin as possible. The Truth: "Sun is neither a safe nor an efficient way to boost vitamin D," says Skelsey. "Most people who live in North America cannot get enough vitamin D with sun exposure alone. It's much safer, efficient, and predictable to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D through diet and vitamin supplements."
So stay safe by the pool, on the beach or in the yard this summer and protect yourself from the sun.
Couples fight. We all know this. Even the most functional couples have spats now and again. Relationship fights, they happen. However, there are many relationship fights that happen that can be avoided. Because let's face it -- the more stress and fighting a relationship has, the less enjoyable it is. Here are some common relationship fights and how to (hopefully) avoid them.
1. Money
The most common relationship fights are about money. How it's spent. How much you have. How "responsible" you are with it. Finances put a major strain on most relationships. You can prevent (some) of these spats by being upfront about money and making sure you're both working toward the same goals.
2. The past
It's really tempting to pick a fight over the past. Maybe you had unresolved fights. Maybe one (or both) of you cheated. Maybe there are issues with an ex. To avoid this ugly fight, remember the past is unchangeable. In order to move toward the future, you have to let the past go. I mean, really let it go.
3. Jealousy
The green-eyed monster is one of the more common relationship pitfalls. Maybe you're jealous that your spouse was flirting with a coworker. Or that cute waitress. Or the bartender. Jealousy is normal, but also easily avoidable. Remind yourself that your partner is with you because he or she wants to be -- not because he or she has to be.
4. Sex
Often in a relationship, one partner wants to have sex more often than the other. This can lead to all kinds of relationship fights if you're not careful. If sex is a common relationship fight for you, you may want to sit down and examine the underlying issues.
5. Communication
Most fights (relationship or otherwise) are caused by a breakdown in communication. Effective relationships involve effective communication -- which can be hard. So sit back and listen -- really LISTEN -- to what your partner is saying, acknowledge his or her feelings, and work together to be more effective communicators.
First, I want to congratulate and recognize 15 year old Jack Andraka of Crownsville, Maryland. Jack was awarded first place in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), a program of Society for Science & the Public.He came up with a new method to detect pancreatic cancer based on diabetic test paper. He created a simple dip-stick sensor to test blood or urine to determine whether or not a patient has early-stage pancreatic cancer. His study resulted in over 90 percent accuracy, 28 times faster, 28 times less expensive and over 100 times more sensitive than current tests. Jack received the Gordon E. Moore Award, of $75,000, named in honor of Intel co-founder and retired chairman and CEO. Way to go!
Now on to today's headline. My career has taken me across the country and I've worked with some great people but no matter what office I can home, there are these people. You will instantly be able to finger out those in your work circle based on these annoying habits.
The Hygiene Champion
It sounds great, right? Not if the guilty person is practicing good hygiene at their desk. You know the one. Cutting fingernails, flossing teeth, spraying pungent perfume, cleaning ears… Gross. No one wants to see that.
The Chatty Cathy
On their cell phone all day. Or even worse, on the office line, speaking, dials long-distance relatives, catches up with old friends — on work time. Look, we don't all love to hear about your life (sarcastically) but we have work to do!
The Close Talker
This is the person who seriously invades your personal space. They try to hug you hello each morning, high-five at every opportunity, hover over your shoulders while you work and get within inches of your face when talking to you. Step back!
The Sicko
The Sicko is always coughing and sneezing all over the place without covering their mouth. And they never wash or sanitize their hands. We don't want to catch that disease! And please, if you are sick, STAY HOME!
The Food Thief
Plain and simple, they eat everyone's food. Then, they try to hide the evidence and, if they get caught, they pretend they thought it was their own. Notes don't help and shame doesn't affect them at all.
The Post-it
Instead of actually fixing any office issue, they just stick notes everywhere. "The printer is out of ink," "Wash your dirty dishes," "Out of order." Thanks Tom Brokaw for the memo.
The Stinker
When it's lunchtime, it's time to open the windows. They cook the smelliest food possible in the microwave, from tuna to eggs and asparagus, without apology.
The Do-Gooder
They're always asking for money. Sorry, but it gets annoying. From Girl Scout cookies to magazine subscriptions and funding a charity-sponsored marathon, enough is enough.
The Boozer
They show up late because they're hung over and leave early all the time to catch happy hour. You even catch them mixing a drink with the ill-hidden bottles of booze in the desk drawer. Unless you work at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, it's totally inappropriate.
The Child
Hoarding office supplies, making kitchen messes, pouting and never replacing the toilet paper roll is their protocol. You've even witnessed them throwing a fit when they didn't get the desk they wanted.
The Brownnoser
Obviously this entails sucking up to the boss, working late hours when it's not remotely necessary and making sure to always mention when credit is due — to themselves.
The Creeper
Cracking inappropriate jokes, commenting on your wardrobe, hitting on co-workers and unabashedly giving everyone the once-over seems to be a pastime for this creep. Eww!
The Noise Maker
Whether they snort, chew with an open mouth, constantly blow their nose or crack their knuckles incessantly, it's time to put on your headphones.
One trait that was left off this list is the one person on a conference call that never mutes their line. Not only do you hear their office ambience but eventually you will hear their sneeze, cough and annoying breathing! C'mon, unless you are speaking at the time, mute your line!
C'mon 3 day weekend! The long haul of 5 day work weeks are coming to an end with the Memorial Day weekend just a mere 5 days away! Although I'm wondering how to work out the 4th of July which is on a Wednesday this year.
Everyone loves a favor...or do they? There are gestures that appear to be appreciated but when you really think about them it is annoying. Thanks to the folks at Cracked.com and blogger Gladstone for these amusing situations that really make you think.
Holding Doors Open from 30 Feet Away
It's typically a lovely gesture when someone holds a door open for you. But timing is everything. No one likes it when you hold a door open for someone who's like 30 feet away. All it does is create 15 seconds of awkward. A door comes into view somewhere on the horizon, you make out the faint outline of a traveler far ahead of you and then light emerges from the next room as he opens the door to enter. Surely the door will close behind him, but wait, what's this? The door -- it's staying open and he's not entering. He couldn't be waiting for you -- you're like still 20 strides away. Good Lord, he is. Wait. Do you know this guy? Is it your dad? No, it's just a complete stranger staring at you. And waiting. Don't rush, he says. Take your time. But you quicken your pace. How can you not? Don't rush, he says again, and you do an awkward half-waddle with an arm outstretched in the final three steps to signal the impending hand-off, shaving a microsecond of discomfort off this inexplicably awkward and needless exchange.
Offering to Go With You, if You Can Just Wait for Like Five Minutes
It's typically a lovely gesture to offer companionship to someone riding solo. "Hey there, tiger," you say (because apparently you call everyone tiger), "I can come with you!" What better present than giving the gift of you! No need to travel alone, good friend. We shall walk side by side along this road of life! But no one likes it when your offer of companionship comes with a delay. "Oh, you're going to Starbucks for a cup of coffee? I'll go with you ... just give me like five minutes." No. No, I will not give you five minutes. Why? Because despite carrying giant buckets of self-loathing, most of us can stand to be alone with ourselves for the 3.8 minutes it takes to go to the lobby and order a venti latte. And we want our venti latte now, dammit. Not in five minutes. Also, it's never five minutes. Not ever. You say five minutes, but it's a filthy lie, and as awesome as you are, and as horrific as the thought of a lonely elevator ride is, waiting 10 minutes for a coffee-run companion just isn't worth it.
Lending You Books, Music or Movies You Don't Want
It's typically a lovely gesture to share things with friends like favorite books (when books existed) and CDs (when CDs existed) and movies (when movies existed). But no one likes it when you force your crap on them. And don't give me that "Oh, but you asked!" garbage. If you're hanging out in your cubicle jamming out to tunes and someone asks, "Whatcha listening to?" that is not free rein to insist they take home your collection of Lithuanian prayer hymns. We're just being polite.
And what's even worse is that once you force us to borrow it, you follow it up with "Didja listen yet? Didja? Didja?" No. No, we didn't. We're going to stare at it for many weeks until it finally makes us so sick that we skim it for 30 seconds, pick the song we claim to like, say the rest is OK and leave it on your chair when you go on vacation.
Giving You a Shortcut When Your Normal Route Is Totally Fine
It's typically a lovely gesture to share your knowledge with another. We all like behind-the-scenes advice and shortcuts on the road of life. No one in their right mind would complain about such things. But no one likes it when you insist upon shortcuts for journeys that are not particularly problematic. "You took Old Spring Road to the Dairy Barn? Oh man, what are you thinking? You gotta take Old Mill, then get off at Parker Drive and cut through the neighborhood. That way you miss the stop sign by the Taco Bell and the stop light by the public library!"
"But I got here in like 10 minutes," you say. "What's the big deal?"
"The big deal?! You could have gotten here in half the time. I'm telling you. Old Mill Road. It's all about Old Mill Road. Listen to me. I know what I'm talking about."
OK! I GOT IT!
Offering to Teach You Something You Don't Want to Know
It's typically a lovely gesture to teach someone something. After all, that famous proverb goes "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he can feed himself for life." But no one likes it when you offer and then insist on teaching them something they never wanted to know. "Nice knitted stapler koozie," you say, noticing your boss's knitted stapler koozie prominently displayed on his desk. I mean, what else could you say? It's on his desk. He wants you to see it. But then suddenly it's all, "Yeah, knitting's really relaxing" and "You should try it" and "Here, let me show you how." Next thing you know, you're knee-deep in yarn and needles and your boss is spending lunch with you every day.
Tomorrow (5/22/12) is the final day of registration for the Gator Gauntlet 5K Adventure Mud Run. So if meandering through 20 medieval obstacles while playing in the mud sounds fun this Saturday (5/26/12) make sure to visit gatorgauntlet.com and register. Save $10 by using promo code 985KTK at checkout.
It's getting closer and closer! Of course I'm talking about summer and the unofficial start of it is next weekend with the Memorial Day weekend. I'll be starting summer getting muddy in the Gator Gauntlet 5k Adventure Mud Run. 20 Medieval themed obstacles and lots of mud. The heats are filling up and registration ends Tuesday (5/22). So here is your motivation, visit gatorgauntlet.com, register for the fun run and get $10 off registration by using promo code 985KTK at checkout.
With the Memorial Day weekend approaching and gas prices coming down...slightly... it is time to pile the family in the family truckster and hit the road. Easier said than done you say? Well then I'm glad to share some tops mistakes and their solutions from experts on making a road trip tops!
Mistake #1 You're leaving later than you planned.
When you travel by airplane, you're on someone else's schedule. You have to be on time or they'll leave without you. Taking a road trip gives you lots of flexibility, which is great. However, it can create a lack of urgency to get out the door.
Solution
Save your yelling voice for breaking up your kid's car-ride disputes and pad your departure time by 30 minutes -- even an hour if you have really slow movers or toddlers. And be sure to fill the gas tank the night before!
Mistake #2 Packing poorly
You realize something you really need is stuck in the back of the van or trunk of the car and you can't get to it. Making the situation worse is the trash strewn about and the impending carsickness!
Solution
Give each child three bags that remain close to them. One should include all their toys, books, snacks, etc. (including an extra outfit, so you won't have to unpack the whole car to change them). One is for trash. The last is for queasiness. Explain how to use the last one. Accidents usually happen because you can't get to your little one in time and they don't know where to point their mouth. With their own bags and instructions, these situations can be avoided.
Mistake #3 Expecting kids to be on their best behavior
Everyone is a mess, uncomfortable (and complaining). Someone's nose is running, another just spilled some juice and a third has cookie-crumb hands. Things are getting gross, legs are getting cramped and tempers are getting short.
Solution
Be sure to pack -- in easy reach -- tissues, paper towels, and wipes. You may want to consider toilet tissue and hand sanitizer for those emergency pit stops. Also bring blankets, pillows, and other favorite comfy things from home. It's cool for kids to have that stuff in the car because it's unexpected. It's also helpful when one person is hot and another is cold. And if they are comfy, clean and relaxed … maybe they'll sleep (fingers crossed).
Mistake #4 Not planning your route properly
Traffic is bad but the GPS alternate route is worse. There are times when you'll want to go off the GPS' main route and unfortunately the alternate routes offered can be confusing and frustrating.
Solution
Have a road atlas or at least a printed map of the area. You can then get a big picture of where you are, where you want to go and possible alternate routes.
Mistake #5 Not planning for the unexpected.
Everyone wants to stop but you're completely off schedule.
Solution
You are going to have to stop. You are going to want to stop. You need to let those little beasties out to run around! Map out playgrounds or even fast-food places with playlands ahead of time. Check your GPS -- most can locate parks and rest stops closest to the route you are driving. More important, face this fact: You can't control everything, so don't try. Plan for as much as you can and enjoy whatever happens. You might arrive later than you wanted, you may have gotten lost, you may have gotten sick – who knows – but whatever it was, it will probably wind up being the best story of the trip. Try to enjoy it all – while it's happening and forever after.
It's also a great idea to have your vehicle checked out before hitting the road.
Only one more week to go! Hang in there :)
-Chris Malone
Disco queen Donna Summer has died, a family spokesperson told the Associated Press. She was 63.
Her family released a statement Thursday saying Summer had died and that they "are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy."'
TMZ first reported the news, noting Summer had died in Florida on Thursday after a long battle with [lung] cancer. Insiders told TMZ she was recently working on music for a new album.
Known as the "Queen of Disco," Summer was born in Boston, Mass. in 1948, as one of seven children.
The five-time Grammy winner rose to fame in the 1970s, scoring hits with "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls." She co-wrote the single "Love to Love You Baby" in 1975, and went on to co-write several other hits, including "She Works Hard For Her Money."
Summer appeared in the 1978 film, "Thank God It's Friday," which took home the best original song Oscar for "Last Dance."
Just in time for Father's Day (June 17), Yankee Candle Company introduces the first-ever Man Candles Collection in such he-man scents as Riding Mower and 2x4! A quartet of new "down-to-earth fragrances" are meant to suit basement, garage, car or truck, man cave, or an entire bachelor pad, the Massachusetts-based company says. Now on sale at retail shops and online: Man Town (the scent of spices, woods and musk) First Down (orange, patchouli, vetiver and leather) Riding Mower (freshly cut grass) 2x4 (freshly planed wood and sawdust)
In addition to these manly candles you can get these scents in hanging air fresher for your car too!
Finally today, you know what a photobomb is right? If not, a photobomb is someone or something that sneaks its way into a photo. Well this photo phenomenon was taken to the next level by the Fiat Company and quite possibly starting a prank war with it's rival Volkswagen.
It began with Google and their fleet of camera-topped cars and their Google Maps street view updates. Fiat was tipped that the Google cars were updating the town of Södertälje, Sweden, where Volkswagen's Swedish operations are headquartered. So Fiat took advantage of the opportunity and parked a Fiat 500 right in front of the HQ building just as Google snapped it's photo!SURPRISE! No comment from either company and no word if Google will photoshop this photobomb.
Yep, that red car is a Fiat 500, well played!
-Chris Malone
You see it in the news nearly everyday, someone apologizing for their actions. But is it really an apology? One of the great things about our language is that you can use words to say something without really meaning anything, just read the text of a political speech! While pondering this headline I read an article posted on Cracked.com that fully explains the types of apologies that really don't apologize. The points seem comical but they are spot on and in my opinion totally true:
"I Deeply Regret"
One of the popular go-to phrases is "I deeply regret ..." It's such a useful tool in the unapologetic person's arsenal because it doesn't require you to admit you did anything wrong. I don't know if it's technically correct, but it's common to send "regrets" to a friend whose loved one has just died, and nobody takes it as an admission that you were responsible for their uncle's death.
People who deeply regret things often are pretty hazy on the specifics of what they did. When the U.S. General Services Administration got called on the carpet for spending over $800,000 on a Vegas trip, agency head Martha Johnson personally apologized to "the American people" for "the entire situation," which could technically refer to anything from the recession to global warming.
"Mistakes Were Made"
For those who feel that "deeply regret" is admitting too much responsibility, they can upgrade to "mistakes were made," the highest level of non-apology, used at the highest levels of government. Politicians have used the phrase, which one-ups "deeply regret" by not only leaving it open whether they are actually the culprit but existentially questioning whether there even is one.
Apologizing for Someone Else
You can only apologize for yourself. Maybe there are some gray areas, like apologizing symbolically for a group you are part of, but you should not be apologizing for the person you are apologizing to. Sometimes people are a lot more deliberate about pointing the finger at other people, like the pastor who advised parents to punch their gay children. He later said, "I apologize to anyone I have unintentionally offended. I did not say anything to intentionally offend anyone in the LGBT community ... It is unfortunate I was not more careful and deliberate. I can understand how these words could be misunderstood without the context of years of ministering to the people of God at Berean Baptist Church. I have received nothing but notes of appreciation and support from the people within the church." He could have stopped at the first couple of sentences and it would have been an apology (though probably an unsatisfactory one to most people), but he really sticks his foot in his mouth by going on to say that the apology is only needed for people who don't really get what he is saying, and all the people who get it (the people in his church) are appreciative. So he really didn't say anything wrong, because the smart people get it. What he is sorry about is that you offended morons do not have the years of experience to understand it.
Ingrid Newkirk of PETA was even more blatant about it. After an ad campaign comparing animal cruelty today to the Holocaust, Newkirk wrote a statement of "apology" where there was about one paragraph of apology and the rest was basically, "I KNOW LOTS OF JEWS THAT WERE FINE WITH IT!" to the point where the main message wasn't anything like "We shouldn't have done this campaign," but actually "If you were offended, and none of these real Jews were, what does that say about you?" It was basically a passive-aggressive attempt to shame anyone offended by the campaign by accusing them of hyperbolic fake outrage about something "real Jews" don't even have a problem with.
"Sorry" Used as Punctuation
Public personalities are usually smart enough (or well-managed enough) not to carelessly throw "apology" words around as meaningless punctuation, but it's something you commonly see among regular folks, especially during a rant. "OK, I'm sorry, but your YouTube video was a piece of garbage." "I'm sorry if this offends anyone" has sort of turned into a slang phrase that really means, "All right, get ready for the edgy truth I'm about to lay down!" Unlike the politicians and weaselly types, they don't even intend to deceive you; this is just a new slang use of language, like when people decided to use "bad" to mean "good" or "sick" to mean "awesome." Unfortunately, not everyone has gotten the memo on the cool kids' slang these days, so quite often anyone using this kind of language just comes across as a very stupid person trying to trick you.
Apologizing for a Completely Different Thing
Another great tactic that works when people are tired of vague apologies is to apologize in detail and take full responsibility -- for something completely different. Look at Enron's Jeffrey Skilling, apologizing for some serious corporate malfeasance that destroyed thousands of people's retirements: "I am devastated by and apologetic about what Enron has come to represent." Not that Enron has done any bad deeds, but that people, for some inexplicable reason, now think of bad things when they happen to think of Enron, and of course Skilling goes on to say he never did anything wrong. I hope it makes you feel better to know that he was convicted of 19 counts of securities fraud and other charges.
A freshly-prepared meal is always loved and appreciated but after a long day at work who wants to cook? One simple word can help: shortcuts. Cooking shortcuts are little tricks that let you make good food without the full-on effort. Here are 5 timesavers that speed things up.
Cooking shortcut #1: Fast rice
Rice goes so well with so many main dishes from chicken and beef to veggie stir-fries. You can eat it plain or dress it up with add-ins such as veggies, cheese and seasonings. Making it from scratch, however, can take awhile, and instant rice isn't always that tasty. The solution? Skip the boxed instant and go premade. Many stores now sell frozen, pre-cooked rice. Or look for brown rice in your supermarket's freezer section for a fast, healthy, fiber-friendly side.
Cooking shortcut #2: Mince garlic faster
Fresh garlic adds wonderful taste to so many dishes, but sometimes you just don't have time to mince it up. Sure, you could add garlic powder, but it doesn't give quite the same flavor to a dish. Instead, try jarred (or frozen) garlic when the dish you are making will cook at length. "I always used jarred garlic in soups and casseroles. Garlic takes me forever to chop, and if it's not the key ingredient, you can't tell the difference," says food writer Maris Callahan, who blogs about her creations at In Good Taste. If garlic is front and center in a dish, however, do stick with fresh.
Cooking shortcut #3: Use chili sauce
Want a tangy flavor without the measuring and mixing? Try chili sauce. "I loathe ketchup, but chili sauce is great! It fleshes out BBQ sauces and adds a tangy flavor to a lot of dishes without a lot of effort on my part," says cookbook author Rachel Rappaport.
Cooking shortcut #4: A faster chop
Need to chop veggies for a soup or sauce? It can take awhile if you do it by hand -- but who says you have to? Instead, toss onions, carrots and whatever else you need into your food processor (or mini food prep) and pulse until you get your desired chop. If you need something sliced, a full-size food processor fitted with a slicing disk does it in seconds.
Cooking shortcut #5: measuring cups in canisters
How many times have you opened a canister, needing to measure its contents out fast, but had to take time to find the right measure? Save time by keeping a measuring cup handy all the time. "I keep a quarter-cup measuring cup in my flour, white sugar, brown sugar, etc. That way, I never have to go digging for one," says Cate O'Malley, who writes Sweetnicks.
It's been a whole year since I took some time off and boy do I need it! Yep, the vacation season is here and no matter where you go, it will cost more. Airline tickets and gas prices can take a chunk of cash out of your plans. So take the advice of travel experts on how to get the most out of your summer vacation.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
The first trick to scoring deals is to stay flexible. Traveling at off-peak times can save you money on both airfare and room accommodations. Hotels and resorts are cheaper during the week than on the weekend with room rates being the cheapest Tuesday through Thursday.
CONSIDER ALTERNATE ACCOMMODATIONS
You should also be flexible about where you plan to stay. Vacation rentals, for instance, can be a great alternative to the traditional hotel room for large groups.Similarly, Bed and Breakfasts may prove to be a more affordable option to some consumers since these establishments typically include complimentary breakfast, snacks or cocktails hours at some point during a stay. If you do feel a hotel room is your best option, forego the room with a view and save a bundle.
FLIGHTS TO/FROM ALTERNATE CITIES
Don't limit yourself to one point of departure or arrival. Instead, look for fares in and out of cities near both your hometown and your ultimate goal destination.
"A flight from Houston to Honolulu may cost $300, but a flight from Dallas to Honolulu may cost $900," says George Hobica, an airline expert and founder of Airfarewatchdog.com. "You can do the math."
FACTOR IN AMENITIES
Is it cheaper to book a hotel room that offer free amenities or services or book the lowest priced room?
Free Wi-Fi is a favorite hotel amenity and both business and leisure travelers (who may need to print tickets, research attractions or find directions to nearby restaurants) may want to opt for an establishment that won't charge for Internet access, in lieu of one that will, despite its lower room rate.
Other hotels may offer free shuttle transports that can save you $40 on a taxi to and from the airport, which may, in turn, justify the extra $10 for the room.
LAST MINUTE DEALS
This can be a gable but as with all gambles the reward could be huge. Hotels usually offer exclusives that are available if you book the same day or 24-hours in advance. As such, it pays to mine travel search engines and hotel websites as your days off approach, then take off should you find a great deal. Travelzoo.com is one search engine that helps you find steals and deals last minute. Airlines also don't want to lose money on empty seats, so prices similarly drop as the take-off time approaches.
Tuesdays have long been considered a great day for last minute airfare deals and Friday has been a good day to get in on the Fare Wars.
Yeah, I think of strange things all the time and one of them happens to be the sequence of those 16 numbers on credit and debit cards. I mean there has to be a reason, right? Of course there is! So bust out your credit/debit cards and lets put this mystery to rest:
The first digit is the Major Industry Identifier. It describes the category of the company which issues the card 1 & 2 are Airlines 3 is Travel & Entertainment 4 & 5 are Banking & Financial 6 is Merchandising and Banking 7 is Petroleum 8 is Telecommunications 9 is National Assignment
The next 9 numbers are the digits that identify your account. Some issuers use less than 9 and because there are literally a trillion number combinations there will not be a shortage of number anytime soon.
The last number is called the Checksum, which uses the Luhn algorithm to see if the whole credit/debit card number is valid. Here is how it works:
Step 1-Double the digit value of every other number, starting on the right side on your card.
Step 2-Add the undoubled numbers of your card to the sum of the doubled number you did in step 1.
Step 3-Add all of the numbers for a final sum. Doubled numbers with two digits are added as a sum of their digits (14 becomes 1+4)
Step 4-If the final sum is divisible by 10 then the credit card number is valid.
Sounds complicated right? I think it is meant to be, so here is an example using a made up credit card number of 4417-1234-5678-9113
4417 1234 5678 9113 (BOLD numbers are doubled in value) becomes 8427 2264 106148 18123 (remember the results of a two digit doubled number is a sum of it's digits).
8+4+2+7
2+2+6+4
1+0+6+1+4+8
1+8+1+2+3
TOTAL is 70
70 is divisible by 10, so the number sequence is valid.
So now you know more than you'd ever want to know about those little numbers brazened on that piece of plastic kept in your wallet! Thanks to Jess.net for providing the example.
-Chris Malone
Ever wonder why you're able to stay up until 2 am, while your best friend can't make it until 10pm? It has everything to do with your internal clock, said Dr. Tracey Marks, an Atlanta-based psychiatrist and author of Master Your Sleep: Proven Methods Simplified. "Most people's internal clock has 24 hrs, but if it's a little longer, then you will be pulled in the direction of not feeling tired until later and later each evening." Don't fret night owl -- it is possible to train yourself to be more alert in the mornings than in the evenings. Here's how.
Slash an Hour From Your Day
If you want to wake up earlier, trim down those evening obligations, said Marks. We know what you're thinking: How can I not overextend myself? "We typically overestimate how much available time we have and take on projects that we have no business committing to," said Marks. "For the sake of decompressing your day, assume you have one less hour in the evenings (to be set aside for a wind down period) and say no to things that infringe on that time."
Pile On the Protein
You know the saying: "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." So if you're trying to make mornings more bearable, a cup of coffee and a stick of gum isn't going to cut it. "After sleeping all night, our metabolism and blood sugar are at their lowest; we need a healthy breakfast to re-energize us," said Rebecca Scritchfield, a Washington D.C. based nutrition and exercise expert specializing in weight management. Her breakfast of champions consists of a protein, a colorful fruit or veggie, and a whole grain (Think: Greek yogurt topped with fresh blueberries topped with granola and chia seeds). And if you're a walking zombie without your morning caffeine fix, Scritchfield suggested adding a spill of milk or fortified soymilk (i.e. lattes and cafe au laits), which spikes your beverage with calcium and protein.
Reward Yourself
Yes! You did it! You didn't hit the snooze button! "Once up, take advantage of the extra time you've given yourself to build in a few minutes of a 'reward'," said psychologist Patricia Adson, author of A Princess and Her Garden. Read a favorite newspaper or blog column, listen to a few minutes of the morning news, do an exercise routine, or meditate. Even having time for an extra cup of coffee or not having to race out the door can be a reward. Select something that means something to you, said Adson. "Later, notice how you feel about yourself when you have given yourself the time to get a good start on the day."
Give Yourself a Pep Talk
"Remember, you don't have to want to get up, you just have to do it," said Adson. As you get going, ask yourself what it is you get to do that day, rather than what you have to do (that will come soon enough).
Exercise When the Sun Comes Up
We're wired to have peak alertness around mid-morning. Early morning exercise can help boost the morning energy surge, as you will have elevated body temperature and elevated adrenalin levels for several hours after you exercise. Need an extra incentive? Research has shown that exercising before breakfast burns more fat calories and results in more weight loss than exercising after breakfast.
Turn Everything Off
Keep the radio and television volumes low in the evenings in order to create an atmosphere that lulls you into sleepy mode. This helps you associate the evening with slowing down so that you can mentally prepare your mind for sleep.
One of the biggest stress events of many families revolves around finances. So today is the first day of getting in them under control. Here are 5 financial mistakes many families make and their solutions. No matter if you are a new family or one that has withstood the test of time, we all could use a reminder.
FORGETTING ABOUT SAVINGS
Any good financial adviser will stress the importance of saving for the future -- for emergency purposes, retirement and, in some cases, future college tuition for the kids. Make sure your family budget accounts for this by setting aside a portion of your income each month to build up your savings account. Jennifer Openshaw of Family Financial Network says to "Pay yourself first... straight off the top... at least ten percent of your income." She recommends that people put that money straight into a savings account, then look at what is left over each month to create a budget.
UNDERESTIMATING EXPENSES
When it comes to creating a family budget, it's better to overestimate your expenses. A classic mistake families make when mapping out their finances is to let their optimism get in the way of creating a realistic budget. You aren't doing yourself any favors by setting a budget that just doesn't match up with your financial needs. For instance, your new car payment is $400 but keep in mind to estimate maintenance and insurance so budget for $800 instead. Of course, you should trim the extras where it makes sense; however, you need to be honest and create a budget that you can live with. Underestimating expenses will only lead to a sense of frustration and failure down the road.
OVERSPENDING
A budget will only work if it is followed. Don't get complacent and let your spending be influenced by the siren call of those fabulous daily deals beckoning you to "buy now!" or continuing bad habits of buying what you want, when you want it. Before making any purchase, whether it's a new outfit or a half-price restaurant gift card, first check your spreadsheet to make sure you can hand over the credit card without busting the budget.
NOT PLANNING FOR "EXTRAS"
Start your budget by listing the expenses you know you can count on every month. Mortgage payments, car payments and utility bills are all recurring expenses you can easily estimate. It's the "extras" that can trip you up if you fail to account for them. Ask yourself if you plan to take any family vacations, if you will be making any home improvements or if you want to designate a general "entertainment" fund to cover eating out, movies or tickets to museums or the zoo. Kids' extra-curricular activities like sports, dance and art classes are also expenses that can add up over time. Review recent credit card statements to get an idea of how much you need to set aside for the extras.
HAVING A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE
Approach your family budget with a positive attitude and be clear about the purpose of the budget. Are you looking to pay off your credit card bills, save money for travel or just to live within your means? Creating a budget is the first step in achieving the goals you are setting for your family -- and that's a good thing. As in life, success will come when you approach the project with enthusiasm. Remember that sticking to your budget now will mean the goals you set for the future will be met.
Thanks to SheKnows.com for info on this blog post!
Some may call it crazy but I think you and I can agree it's fun! I'm referring to the Gator Gauntlet coming up Saturday, May 26th in Gainesville. Fun mud runs like the Gator Gauntlet are the latest trend sweeping the country and many are themed for extra fun like this one with 20 medieval themed obstacles. This will be the 2nd mud run I've participated in with the first one being the Swamp Dash & Bash last month. In that mud run, my co-worker JC Kirwan and his wife Jessica and I planned for months on how we do, if we'd like it and if we'd finish. Needless to say all three of us finished it, loved it and are hooked! Now we tackle the next mud run with co-workers Joe Herchel and Carolyn Butler (TeamKTK) for the Gator Gauntlet, from which the posted photos suggest will be a welcomed challenge. For my friends that think I'm crazy their first question is, why? Well to be honest working out in the gym can get boring and something like this is perfect to put myself to the test. All the hours of working on building strength and endurance will be tested once again. Plus you end up hiking through some beautiful landscape and the peacefulness of nature is a welcome change from computer screens and ringing phones. A challenge like the Gator Gauntlet fulfills a primeval urge as an adult and get muddy without having gentlemen in white coats taking you away! But you don't have to be in tip top shape to enjoy. There is one competitive heat and 12 non-competitive; which means you can take up the Gator Gauntlet at your own speed, try obstacles and play in the mud!
So that is what I'm up to in the next couple of weeks. If you are excited as I am then register for one of the remaining heats by clicking here. I'll be sharing with you pictures and stories of the mud run. It promises to be a fun day of being a kid again!
I know that some people see a dog or a cat simply as a pet, but most feel our pet is a major part of the family. How could you imagine life without them? Those brown eyes and wagging tail just melt your heart. The warm purr is a such a comfort. But as every pet owner knows a trip to the vet can drain your bank account. Don't despair, there are common-sense ways to help defray the costs at the veterinarian.
PRACTICE PREVENTIVE ACRE
This may seem like a no-brainer, but feeding your pet well, making sure it gets plenty of exercise and doing simple things such as brushing and rubbing it to check for lumps or changes in its skin or coat could help you save money in the long run. Also, administering those necessary drugs to prevent heartworm, or putting spot-on treatments that prevent pests may seem like extra unnecessary expenses, but they're much cheaper than treating the ailments that may result if you cut that from your budget.
FEED YOUR PET A HEALTHY DIET
Whether you decide to feed your pet commercially prepared food, a raw diet or a home-prepared diet, you should always be aware of what your pet needs to maintain a healthy weight and feel good.
Cathy Alinovi, a veterinarian in Pine Village, Ind., advocates for feeding a healthy prepared-at-home diet. "I show my owners how to feed pets food in a healthy, balanced way," Alinovi says. "The savings is 50% less than regular grocery store pet food, so imagine the savings over prescription foods."
STAY ON TOP OF VACCINES
Experts recommend administering vaccines once every three years, instead of annually, which is in line with the guidelines of some professional veterinary organizations.
There are good studies that show many vaccines, like the traditional distemper combo, provide protection for more than seven years.
Many city, county and state health departments still require a rabies vaccine every year, but you could save on the other vaccines. Learning to administer vaccines (with the exception of rabies, which has to be administered in the veterinarian's office), is another way to save, but the experts advise you to check the origins of the vaccines to ensure their quality and effectiveness in protecting your pet.
ASK FOR PRICE MATCHING
Do you like your vet, but have found better prices elsewhere? Don't hesitate to ask your vet to price match services or the medicinal products you find at discount sites on the Internet.
"If you and your pet are loyal clients, most veterinarians will match the price you find online if you bring a printout with you to the office," says Amber Anderson, a veterinarian who writes for the industry. Another way to save is to ask your veterinarian for a multi-animal discount if you have more than two pets.
COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY
Amy Robinson, a dog trainer, advises pet owners to tell your vet why you're there and specify what you want done.
"If your dog or cat is going in for an ear infection, for example, you can probably skip a bloodwork panel," Robinson says. She also advises getting a written estimate for the procedure. "Once you have a written estimate, look at all of the components, and you may be able to negotiate with the vet on one or two," she says.
DON'T DOUBLE PAY
Most veterinarians consider a follow-up visit a week after an initial consult or procedure as part of the initial cost, but some will charge you for the follow up. Robinson says to ask your vet at the initial visit if the follow up is part of the initial fee. If it is not, ask your vet not to pay for the follow-up visit.
DON'T DELAY CARE
Finally, if you see a change in your pet's eating habits that lasts for more than a couple of days, or start hearing a cough or notice any changes to their coat, gums or find any lumps, act immediately. Don't wait, or the problem will likely become worse and increase the cost of care.
Sometimes you get a food craving that over powers everything in your life. What does it mean? Science answer this question. "Your body may be trying to tell you something about your diet", says Keri Glassman, R.D., a New York City nutritionist.
CRAVE SALTY OR GREASY FOOD
It could mean you're slightly dehydrated. "Salt holds water in," says Glassman. "Your body may be trying to hang onto the fluids it's got." Aim for eight glasses of water a day.
CRAVE CANDY OR CHOCOLATE
It could mean you need protein. Without its slow releasing energy, your body will try to get a quick fix to boost blood sugar. Try a cup of yogurt it has 24 percent of your daily protein total.
CRAVING BREAD OR PASTA
It could mean you don't eat enough. Starches are already partially broken down, so your body knows carbs will give it energy fast. Be sure to eat at least 1,200 calories a day.
For anyone who has ever been to California you can talk for hours and get into deep conversations of how your love runs deep for In-N-Out Burger. I too am a fan and always look forward to eating my first meal on a California vacation at the nearest In-N-Out Burger (too bad for me that with the time change I have to wait until nearly dinnertime to enjoy lunch). But as Californians champion their In-N-Out Burger, Texans take up the challenge in claiming Whataburger is the best! Needless to say both burger chains have worldwide fans and two Whataburger fans are Karl and Carol Hoepfner, a retired couple from Rockport, Texas, are on a mission to visit all 735 Whataburger restaurants across 10 states. The inspiration for this bucket list journey takes us back to April 2011 after Carol, 73, was diagnosed with eye cancer. While his wife was in treatment, Karl visited 23 of the Whataburger stores near the hospital and brought back lunch and dinner to his sweetie. Since then, Karl and his wife of 55 years have been traveling in their own van to Whataburger restaurants in Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Texas.By the way, the Hoepfners were crowned Whataburger's Biggest Fans in 2010. Their pilgrimage to visit all the Whataburger stores continues. You can read the entire story from the El Paso Times by clicking here. I'll admit, Whataburger makes a good burger and it's a shame the Whataburger stores in Gainesville, Ocala and Starke are closed!
Just a reminder that Mother's Day is Sunday. Of course searching for a way to honor dear ol' Mom can be frustrating and it usually leads to the standby gifts like flowers, dinner or a massage. So to your rescue, here are some unique gifts that Mom will love (or say experts) and that are very affordable:
BODY BUTTER
Your mom might be a softy, but nothing helps butter her up more than this body butter from the fair trade arm of Overstock.com. Your mom can feel good about herself slathering on this 100-percent natural unrefined shea butter, sweet almond oil, lavender and honeysuckle oils and feel better about the environment as this product ships carbon neutral. Price: $21.72.
REMIND MOM TO TAKE CARE FOR HERSELF
Whoever said there isn't a book on parenting hasn't met Author Debbie Koenig, author of "Parents Need to Eat Too," a book helping new mothers navigate the kitchen while taking care of baby. There's a chapter based entirely on the pantry (who has time to shop?), another with recipes to do in stages while baby sleeps, a chapter stocked with streamlined slow cooker recipes, and one full of meals to eat with one hand (no more skipping meals just because baby's fussy). Price: $16.99.
TURN HER KIDS INTO FINE ART
Any photo image can be uploaded and published on unique materials such as: birch wood, acrylic, mirror, glass, aluminum, wall art. Gallery Direct implements the same state-of-the-art printing technology and high-end materials to user image uploads as they do to publish limited-edition prints of artwork from their 100s of signed artists. Cost to create art using the above materials is $49.
TURN HER FAMILY INTO A BOOK
If art isn't Mom's thing, you might consider giving her a gift that can be passed from generation to generation: A photo book MyPublisher's photo books feature high-end luxury details like heavy stock, professional quality binding and a variety of color, styles and materials such as picture windows, custom jackets or leather cover options. Prices start at $2.99 per page for a 20-page soft cover book.
PERSONALIZED GIFT CARDS
Ok, money isn't necessarily a unique gift, but the way you give it can be. For $5.95 + whatever amount you would like to put on this Visa card from GiftCardLab.com, you can personalize the card with her favorite family photograph or a special love note from the kids. Every time she pulls this Visa card out wherever they are accepted, she will think of her family.
SUSTAINABLE PRESERVES
Mom loves Mother Earth, so a great gift that she will enjoy on her organic toast comes from food preserves produced sustainably. If your mom is a foodie and loves preserves, this 6-jar gift set from Rare Bird Preserves uses only fruit grown sustainably, local to the producer and in season. Price: $50.
WATER FEATURE
You don't have to go digging the backyard up if your wife or mother would like to have a pond. These patio ponds can be set on your concrete patio or wooden deck and provides the same advantages with less space and maintenance. Made from weather resistant wicker will not fade or crack. Price: $299.
SHOE CHOCOLATES
What Mom doesn't love shoes and what Mom doesn't love chocolates? Mix the two together and you have a very unique Mother's Day gift that pays homage to Mom's favorite things. Simply Sweet Arrangements has a package of seven individually wrapped chocolate lollipops is $29.99 and comes in a gift box with a gift card provided.
I hope these though starters help you make this a Mother's Day the best ever!
-Chris Malone
Here are five facts to help you understand the importance of this often misunderstood holiday. What's the big deal about Cinco de Mayo -- literally translated as the fifth of May? Here's what you need to know to celebrate the day:
1. Cinco de Mayo IS NOT Mexico's Independence Day.
Most Americans confuse this holiday with Mexico's Independence Day, but that is incorrect. (Mexico's Independence Day is September 16.) Rather, Cinco de Mayo is the anniversary of a battle that took place between the Mexicans and the French in 1862.
2. Cinco de Mayo IS a celebration of the Battle of Puebla.
The holiday commemorates the Mexican Army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867).
3. Cinco de Mayo IS a celebrations of underdogs.
Why make such a big deal over one victory? The win at Puebla was a huge deal for Mexico because the Mexican Army went into the battle as underdogs. They had no training and no equipment and were vastly outnumbered against the well-armed, well-disciplined and well-funded French, who up until that point had defeated them at every turn. Yet, they prevailed.
4. Cinco de Mayo IS NOT really a big deal in Mexico.
With all of the fuss around May 5th here in the U.S., you would think it was the biggest holiday in Mexico -- but that's not the case. That honor goes to Mexican Independence Day. Still, Mexicans do celebrate the day with family get-togethers, fireworks, dancing and lots of yummy food.
5. Cinco de Mayo IS a holiday for everyone to celebrate.
Many towns around the U.S. have festivals, fiestas, dances, fireworks, food and music in honor of the holiday. It's a great time to teach your kids about the culture, people and history of Mexico -- or even learn a little yourself.
People who know me can agree on one thing, I do not like salad! It's not for the lack of trying it but something about the texture of lettuce that makes my taste buds revolt.
So when I saw this article from the UK's Daily Mail I had to share. If salads do not tickle your taste buds, then try eating the greenery while looking at a full color picture of a pizza, complete with meaty topping in gooey cheese. The picture will actually fool your brain into thinking the salad tastes good, say scientists at the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland. In fact, any picture of a decadently delicious high-carb dish can trick the brain into thinking that healthy fare is tasty even green beans or broccoli. The researchers reached these conclusions after showing people various images while scanning their brains and testing tastes on their tongues. "This study provides evidence that high calorie food cues enhance the pleasurable evaluation of tastes presented afterward," says study leader Dr. Johannes le Coutre. "This provides insight into how the brain processes taste and sight to produce food enjoyment."
I'm going to try this...once...to see if it actually works!
When it comes to valet parking I usually pass. Although it's convenient I always have thoughts of the attendant not taking care of my car and doing a scene from Ferris Bueller's Day off
Only adding to my argument Orlando TV news channel 9 (WFTV) was tipped off to a parking lot owner who liked to use customers' cars for his own use, and, within just hours of dropping off a GPS-equipped Chevy Corvette bait car, watched as the owner tore around town in the pricey convertible.
Can you beleive this guy?!?!?!
Are you wasting your money? We all try to watch our checkbook but there are some items we unknowingly overspend. Check out this list and learn have to save some green and if you can cut down some expenses! -Chris Malone
1. Investing in expensive mutual funds.
Unlike utility companies, mutual funds don't send you a monthly statement showing how much of your money they're taking. Even though the cost is hard to find, mutual funds that charge high fees are eating away at your returns. High fees, which can include trading costs and fund management fees, can go unnoticed because investors don't get a bill. Instead, the fees are simply deducted from your account, reducing the overall return on your investments. Instead of investing in expensive mutual funds, look for funds that charge less than 0.50% in fees annually. You can find index funds that charge less than 0.1%. And if you need some help with your investing, rather than paying 1% or more for someone to manage your investments, use a service like Betterment. This online service makes investing a snap, and it recently lowered its fees.
2. Ignoring your credit score.
Everyone knows just how important a good credit score is, but most people probably don't think of it in terms of wasting dollars. Your credit score affects everything from your interest rates to auto insurance premiums. It can even affect your chances of getting a job, as some employers use credit history as part of their hiring criteria. It's simple: The higher your credit score, the more money you are going to have in your pocket. For example, while you may be able to qualify for a mortgage with a credit score of 620, you won't get the best rates. To qualify for the top rates, you need a score of around 760 or higher. And the difference between a score of 620 and 760 can be more than a full percentage point in the interest rate. Over the life of a mortgage, the better score can save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest. Remember, you can entitled to one free credit report per year.
3. Failing to lower your rates.
The only good thing about high interest rates is that they can be lowered. You can lower you rate on just about anything, including credit cards, mortgages, car loans and student loans. There are several ways to get lower rates, but the easiest one is simply to ask. Particularly with credit cards, just requesting a lower rate has proven to be very effective. With mortgages, car loans and student loans, refinancing is also an option if rates are lower. And keep in mind that even if prevailing rates have not changed since you took out your loan, you still might be able to get a lower rate if your credit score has improved. With credit cards, consider taking advantage of 0% balance transfer options. There are plenty of opportunities to lower your rates, and not doing so is just throwing money away.
4. Overpaying for car insurance.
Auto insurance is one of those necessary evils in life. We all hate to pay for it, but we have to have it. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce car insurance premiums with just a little effort. For example, you can raise your deductibles or even cancel certain types of coverage for older vehicles. Auto insurance companies offer numerous discounts, and comparing insurance online takes just minutes.
5. Buying brand-name products.
It's easy to get caught up in buying brand names. After all, these big companies force-feed us with their captivating slogans on a daily basis. Looking past the pretty labels and catchy commercials, however, will save you money. Many off brands are made by brand-name companies, so the product is basically the same, but with a better price. This is especially true for prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
6. Buying too much life insurance.
Like car insurance, life insurance is a necessary expense if others are relying on your income. The key is to buy only the life insurance you need at the cheapest available price. For many, this means buying term life insurance, not a universal or whole life policy that combines life insurance with investment products. And as your life circumstances change, consider whether you can reduce the amount of insurance you need, or even eliminate it completely.
7. Failing to get the company 401k match.
Getting the most out of your 401k is essential to your retirement planning. Many companies will match a portion of an employee's contributions to a 401k. But to take full advantage of a company match, you must contribute a certain amount, which varies by plan. By not making the most of an employer's matching contributions, many employees lose what would otherwise be free money. So take advantage of your 401k by contributing at least the amount your employer will match.
The toughest job in the world has got to be the one of Mom. She's always on the clock and it why we honor her with Mother's Day. Did you know your smartphone can be very handy when it comes to Mother's Day? MainStreet put together the most helpful apps for Mother's Day and I thought I'd share some of them with you! Best of all these apps are free!
ProFlowers
Flowers are a popular gift for mom on Mother's Day. The National Retail Federations says just over 66% of consumers will buy flowers for their mother. The ProFlowers iPhone app allows users to order bouquets of flowers right on their smartphone and have them shipped directly to mom!
Tango Video Calls
Can't see mom in person on Mother's Day? Use the Tango Video Calls app on the iPhone and Android phones to send mom a free video message. You can even include fun animations to each message. Yet another cool app that is free.
Sincerely Ink Cards
ICreating Mother's Day cards on your smartphone has never been easier thanks to the Sincerely Ink Cards iPhone app and Android app. Choose a template, add custom photos and include the recipient's address and a card will be sent via mail. The app has partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and 70% of the proceeds will be donated to the foundation!
Tango Card
If you plan to get mom a gift card for Mother's Day, make sure she has the Tango Card app downloaded on her smartphone (available on the iPhone and Android phones). Instead of having to carry around all of your gift cards in your wallet or throwing them into a drawer and forgetting about them, the Tango Card app lets you organize your gift cards conveniently on your smartphone. Enter in the gift card number and you can track balances of each card. When you're ready to use the card, the cashier will scan the bar code that appears on the screen of the phone to redeem the card's value.
It's May Day! Tradition is to leave a gallon of gas at the door step of your favorite DJ! Hey, can fault me for trying, right? :)
Speaking of gas, the good news is that the price appears to be falling even as the Ms. Cleo-types warn of $5 gas my Memorial Day weekend. But just in case you may want to scrounge up some extra cash and that's where a yard sale comes in play. Not only can get get some extra coinage (meager attempt in using hip words) it clears out your home of stuff that just sits and uses space.
But holding a yard sale also requires the homeowner to become a salesperson for the day, and that's a role with which you might be unfamiliar. How do you set prices and negotiate? How should you advertise? How do you turn passers-by into paying customers? Here are a few ways to apply real-world business principles to turn your pile of junk into a well-run retail operation.
PRICE TO HAGGLE
When you go into a typical retail store, you expect to pay the price on the tag. But yard sales, much like car dealerships, operate a bit differently: customers go in expecting to be able to haggle down the price. As such, it's wise to price more expensive items a bit higher than you're actually willing to sell for. "Everybody knows there's give on all these prices," says negotiation expert Herb Cohen, author of You Can Negotiate Anything "Everyone knows you don't pay the sticker price." If you want $70 for an item, for instance, he suggests pricing it at $98. "Three figures seems outlandish to people, and $99 seems a little phony," he explains. "List it for $98, it seems more authentic."
If you're unsure how much you should be asking in the first place, garage sale directory site GarageSaleSource.com has a pricing guide. This is a really helpful pricing guide especially if you never held a yard sale or it's been a while since your last one.
DROP THE PRICE CAREFULLY
With the asking price established, you can be amenable to dropping the price for hagglers. Cohen explains that your price drops must be calculated so that you arrive at or near your target price. In the case of the hypothetical $98 items, he says your first price drop should be significant - say, an $18 price cut to $80. If the customer still wants to haggle, drop the price in lower increments.
"Make another drop to $75, and then, after telling him you really can't do this, you squirm, you perspire and take it down to $72," he explains. "The first drop was $18, the second was $5 and the last was $3. By your concession rate you're signaling the end."
When all is said and done, you've received a price close to what you were looking to sell for, and the customer feels a sense of accomplishment for talking you down on price.
APPEAL TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY
Oftentimes a negotiation will end with an employee going to his or boss to get "permission" to sell at a certain price point (remember when you bought your car?).
Doing so lends an air of authority to the store's final offer, leaving the customer with the impression that they've successfully snagged the best possible price by going to the top.
Use this strategy. Prepare a printed price list of all your items ostensibly prepared by your spouse; that way, when you insist that $70 is your final offer, you can pull out the price sheet that shows that you're forbidden from going lower than that. And if you're so inclined, you can also head into the house to ask for "permission" from your spouse, lending your final offer an imprimatur of authority and putting an end to the negotiation.
DON'T SPEND TOO MUCH TIME HAGGLING
A car salesman has all the time in the world to go back and forth on price if he or she knows that the end result is a $20,000 sale. But if you're spending 20 minutes fighting over the price of a $10 toaster, you could be neglecting other customers, says Mark Ryski of the HeadCount Corporation, which specializes in retail analytics and customer conversion.
"When a store gets too busy, people might not tolerate a long line," he says. "As much as you want to chat it up, you also want to try to get to as many people as you can and take their money quickly. Get through the negotiation quickly and get to the next person."
If you have the luxury of having friends or family helping you sell, you might be able to afford to make nice with the neighbors or negotiate extensively. Otherwise, you'll need to keep conversation to a minimum lest neglected shoppers get annoyed and wander off.
PUT OUT REFRESHMENTS
One of the common sales tricks is to offer free food and drink to would-be customers; the idea is to create a sense of obligation in the customer in the hopes that they'll reciprocate by making a purchase. While putting out a plate of cookies is obviously a negligible expense for a car dealer, even someone selling junk in their front yard can benefit from spending $10 or $15 on some lemonade and cookies.
Anything that gets people to stop and spend extra time is a good thing, and the cost of refreshments is nominal. You get a mild sort of obligation edge.
ADVERTISE HEAVILY
Once again some advise from Mark Rysk, "Getting the word out, whether for a yard sale or major chain, is an important thing," He recommends going above and beyond the traditional telephone pole signs by using word of mouth and social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Craigslist and Pinterest to spread news of your sale. You can also advertise for free on sites like YardSaleSearch.com.
OFFER PAYMENT OFFERS
Common sense dictates that you should have plenty of cash on hand so as to make change for customers - think small bills, as many people may need you to break twenties. But you can also expand your potential customer base by adding the ability to take non-cash payments. Believe it or not, "there's an app for that" and there are several software designers that have created person-to-person debit card and credit card payments programs that allow you to take payment from any card displaying the Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express logo. The most popular is called Square. Sign up for an account and the company will send you a tiny device that turns your iPhone, iPad or Android into a credit card reader, complete with the ability to email receipts. The reader and app are free, though there is a 2.75% transaction fee on every swipe.
COORDINATE WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS
Ever notice how similar businesses tend to group together in the same geographic location? In New York, for instance, hundreds of jewelers have set up shop on 47th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, a block that's become known as the "Diamond District." Meanwhile, most areas will have some variation on the "auto mile" - a stretch of road with several auto dealerships. While that means more competition for each retailer, it also means that the area becomes known as a destination for shoppers seeking a particular kind of ware, and that's good for business.
The same holds true for yard sales - if you don't believe us, just look at the Highway 127 Corridor Sale, an annual four-day yard sale stretching nearly 700 miles. While yours probably won't be that long, consider banding together with some neighbors to throw your sales on the same day. If a solitary yard sale isn't enough to get the locals to make the trip, perhaps the promise of three or four sales on one block will be enough to get them to show up.
DON'T GET DESPERATE
The fact that most yard sales only last a day means that you'll likely find yourself lowering prices later in the day just so you can get rid of the junk - after all, it's not like you can keep it on the shelves until someone comes along willing to pay the asking price.
Some savvy hagglers may try to use this against you in a negotiation by threatening to walk away and come back later in the day, when they have more leverage. Keep in mind, though, that you still have power here.
And if they do come back at the end of the day? How much you're willing to deviate from your asking price is up to you, but you shouldn't let on that you're desperate: Make it clear that you're willing to put the item back in storage or sell it on Craigslist if you don't get the price you're seeking.
Good luck on your yard sale and many happy returns of cash in your pocket!
-Chris Malone
Quite possibly the best voice you will hear all day, that’s because when you hear Chris Malone weekdays from 3pm to 7pm, your workday should be about done. Chris keeps your favorite music going strong as you head down the home stretch. Keep 98.5 KTK with you in the car, as hitting the rush hour adds stress; Chris keeps it away with the Stress-Free Drive Home, starting weekday afternoons just before 5.
