Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Globetrotter Summer Basketball Clinic

My family and I are big fans of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. We've seen them performed live quite a few times and loved it! If you've never seen the Harlem Globetrotters in action, it’s something you’ve got to try & it’s great for the whole family. Recently, my daughter was given the opportunity to participate in the Globetrotter Summer Basketball Clinic in Austin. She was thrilled when she found out about it because she loves to play basketball. 
The Summer Basketball Clinic is a two hours jam-packed with fun games, tricks, drills and moves inspired by their show. This program is open to boys and girls aged 6-12 and offered in select cities across the country. Each clinic will be coached by actual Globetrotter stars.
We've got the best Harlem Globetrotter player rosters in the house! Meet Sweet J and Cheese. 
Kids took a seat at half court and got ready to meet their Globetrotter coaches. They even showed a few tricks before they started coaching! 
While their stretching, the players shared some tips on how to stay healthy and safe when the kids play.
And the fun begins....
Yay, she made it! Hubby and I were amazed that she shot the ball. That was totally surprising and we can't believe that she did it!
Kids enjoyed relay races, trick passing drills and fancy dribbling.
"Sweet J" tried to stop her while doing her relay race. She dodged her and continue dribbling. I thought that was a funny scene...lol!
At the end of session, the players passed out certificates of completion along with the kid's new Globetrotter nickname. My daughter's new nickname is "All Day". She thought her nickname sounds funny!
Overall, I thought the whole session was awesome! The rosters are great with the kids and very entertaining for us parents. My daughter had a blast! I would highly recommend this summer program to all parents out there.
 For more details or would like to register, you should visit harlemglobetrotters.com today! You might want to like them on Facebook for updates and promotions. So what ware you waiting for?

Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets for my daughter to participate in the Globetrotter Summer Basketball Clinic through a partnership between Harlem Globetrotters and the US Family Guide bloggers. 






How to Prep Your Home for Summer Vacation

Now that summer is here, all you can think about is getting out of the house and heading outside to the beach, a camping trip, or whatever other summer activity you have planned. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the beautiful weather and all the wonders that nature has to offer. Before you leave, however, you should think about what you are leaving behind.
Crime rates always rise during the summer. This is partially because criminals know that you are leaving your home for extended periods of time to go on vacation, so they have the perfect opportunity to break into your home. You can avoid this by taking a few quick precautions. Here are some ways that you can prepare your home before you leave for summer vacation to lower your chances of a break in.
Keep your home secure whether you are there or away
Having ADT security in Sarasota or wherever you live is essential in keeping your home safe and secure at all times. Having a great security system is important, and you can always find a system that will work within your budget. If you want to up the security you have already, look for system updates to the security alarm system that you already have to make sure that you have the best possible service. You can also create extra security by adding more signs displaying your security alarm systems logo all around you home, to scare away any intruders before they break in.
Do not broadcast that you are leaving
Of course, you are ecstatic to get out of the house and leave for your summer vacation, but you should try to resist shouting from the rooftops before you leave because you never know who might hear it. Criminals can watch your social media profiles and other public calendars to know when you will be home, therefore knowing the best time to break in. Do yourself a favor and sign off until you return to not set off any alarms for criminals to see.
Keep the area around your home clean and clear
You want to put off all your cleaning and yard work until after you return, but you may really benefit from doing it before you leave. Having the grass cut, the bushes trimmed and all the gutters cleaned out helps keep your home safe in two ways. It makes it look like there is still someone at home, and it leaves little to no space for criminals to hide. They will be more likely to pass up your home and go for an easier target.
Turn off anything that uses energy

Turing off all your electronics and energy-using appliances will not only save you money while you are on vacation, but it will also help keep your home safe. Having a lot of electronics and appliances plugged in and turned on could cause an electrical fire in your home while you are gone, especially in the hot summer months. Try to turn off everything that you can and keep the air-conditioning on low while you are away from home.






Monday, June 23, 2014

Installing Elevated Decks In Homes

Some properties are built on uneven terrains and this geographic challenge might create problems for engineers and architects that need to plan a safe layout for a home. A foundation can be stabilized in various soils thanks to technology such as reinforced concrete and other bolstering structures. However, some homeowners might want to build decks or patios above uneven ground. This could be possible by considering elevated platform designs that are engineered to be installed above any type of surface. For instance, some waterfront homes might have a rocky terrain. Similarly, other beachfront properties could stand above uneven sand and dirt.
An elevated deck design solves all problems that are associated with uneven surfaces below a home. Special adjustable platforms are used to support a traditional layout of a deck or patio. Each pillar can be adjusted in height manually in order to compensate for the slope of the terrain below. This means that one platform might be several times shorter or taller than another. The pedestal structures are designed to support maximum loads per square foot. A combination of several of these units can therefore offer enough support for thousands of pounds of static or dynamic weights.
Some homeowners actually want to have rooftop patios or decks in order to enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. It is possible to install elevated deck systems above slightly sloped rooftops. A system of platforms is used to create a level surface that can be used as a functional outdoor space. Each supporting pillar can be securely mounted onto the rooftop structures. The biggest disadvantage of traditional rooftop decks is a sloped design that allows for the draining of rain and snow. However, elevated decks are designed to be superimposed above an existing roof. A drainage system is installed into the platform style deck in order redirect water down to the actual roof and eventually to the ground.

The bottom line is that rooftop patios should not have to be slanted in order to be in sync with the slope of a roof. Adjustable pillar systems finally give homeowners the chance to enjoy the outdoors from a level rooftop space. Homeowners can learn more about the benefits of having adjustable elevated decks that could be assembled and disassembled as needed. Homes that experience flooding frequently might enjoy the design concepts of decks that stand at least several feet above ground level.






Splashtown Waterpark, San Antonio

Hooray! It's officially summer!!! Time for some fun in the sun, and what better way to start the summer than by spending some quality time with your family at Splashtown, San Antonio. Splashtown is San Antonio's family waterpark with 20 acres of cool, clean water excitement and over 50 rides & attractions. This Family Waterpark has something fun for everyone!!!
* Over 50 Rides & Attractions
* FREE Life Jackets
* Covered Public Picnic Area
* Restaurant & Concessions
* Dive-In Movies
* Lockers for Rent
* Professionally Trained Lifeguards
* FREE Parking
* Restrooms with Shower Facilities
* Souvenir Shop
* Special Events
Get Your Splashtown 2014 Season Pass Today
Splashtown is definitely a great place to escape summer heat and have lots of fun with your loved ones! For more details or would like to purchase tickets, you should visit splashtownsa.com today! You might want to like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter for updates and promotions. So what are you waiting for? Click HERE to Save $5 Off Admission!






Thursday, June 19, 2014

My Top 3 Ideal Lazada Gadgets

Being a full-time homemaker is not easy. With so many things to attend to attend to, it can be challenging to find the time that I need each day to finish everything on my to-do list. Finding the time to shop can also be challenging at times. It’s a good thing that there is a more convenient alternative – online shopping.

Lazada is a favorite shopping website because they offer the latest and most affordable products that are available in the market today. I have actually made a list of my top 3 ideal Lazada gadgets that I can’t wait to get my hands on. There is the Cherry Mobile Fusion Bolt Tablet which is quad-core tablet with a 7-inch display that is ideal not only for playing games but also for surfing the web and organizing files. It is a useful tool for bloggers like me who require gadgets with multi-tasking capabilities. It also comes in an affordable price which is perfect for practical shoppers like me.

I am also eyeing the Apple iPod Nano 16GB which will be perfect when I go out on errands or when I take my early morning walks. I can listen to my favorite songs whenever I want to. Another must-have gadget on my list would have to be the Samsung ST150F 16.2 MP Smart Digital Camera. I enjoy taking pictures and having a handy digital camera with me can help me document every memorable event that is happening around me.

Lazada offers a wide variety of products including the latest electronic gadgets at the most affordable price. Visit them today to find out how you can shop for your must-have items and at the same time, enjoy huge savings. You might also want to check out their press release here.






The Right Toolbox for Your Needs

Finding the right storage solution for all your tools is important for a number of reasons. First, you want to be able to organize your tools for quick access, especially when you are in the middle of a project. Getting the right storage for your set of tools is also important to help prevent damage to the high-end tools and gadgets in your collection. Also, having your tools in one place can help prevent you from losing or misplacing an item when you need it.

Getting the right storage solution for your needs is a good way to prevent all of these potential problems. The first thing you will want to think about when you are choosing toolboxes is whether you plan to work in one place or whether you want to travel around with your tools. A stationary tool cabinet or chest can benefit those with a workshop, but for those who do work outside of the shop, a smaller carrying case will be preferred.

The type of storage options you will have to choose form will also have a number of different sizes and types of draws to store tools in. Depending on your work or hobby, you will want to make sure that you find a toolbox that will fit your biggest tool as well as your smallest tool--without it getting lost in the mix. Some of the bigger tool storage options will include multiple drawer sizes along with cabinet and racks for tools that can be stored vertically.

When shopping for any type of toolbox, there are some features that you may want to consider that come with some higher-end toolbox models. First, you may want to consider models that provide weatherstripping for prevention of dust and moisture. The materials should also have some type of weather-resistant feature. For easy moving, you will also want to look for models that have handles and casters.

No matter what type of work you do, storing your tools properly is the best way to keep them If you are interested in learning more about what types of toolboxes, chests and work tables are available, you can check out a place such as Elite Toolboxes for all of your storage needs.






Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Divorce: Think Financially, Not Emotionally

Divorce can be an extremely emotional and stressful process for anyone. Those who are facing divorce suddenly have to make difficult decisions regardless of whether they are emotionally prepared for it or not. They are aware that the decisions that they have to make will affect their future and that of their children. Some of the most difficult decisions that they have to make are those that concern their finances. The whole process of how to divide the couple’s assets and debts, for instance, can be overwhelming for anyone especially when the divorce occurs suddenly and the other party is caught off-guard.

Getting one’s finances in order after a divorce may not be easy at first but with the proper advice and guidance, a secure and stable financial future is possible. The book by Jeffrey Landers called Divorce. Think Financially, Not Emotionally® is a great source of information for women facing divorce. It offers vital and practical information that women can use that will allow them to help secure a sound financial future for themselves and their children. The book discusses the different stages that a woman has to go through during divorce including preparing for the divorce, how to go about organizing all the necessary records and documents and how to protect one’s personal assets. It also guides its readers on how to go about choosing a divorce team which is usually composed of a financial advisor and a divorce lawyer. The book also has a chapter on special topics on equally important issues such as how to discover hidden assets and how to protect a business.
Divorce. Think Financially, Not Emotionally® by Jeffrey Landers is a must read especially for those who are looking for advice and guidance on where and how to begin when faced with divorce. The author of the book has also pledged to donate portion of the profits from the sales of the book to the Bedrock Divorce Fund for Abused Women, a non-profit charity that helps victims of domestic abuse.

For more details or would like to purchase the book, you can purchase it on Amazon.com today. So what are you waiting for?






Thursday, June 12, 2014

Maleficent

Have you seen the "talk of the town" movie, MALEFICENT yet? You sure don't want to miss this awesome Disney film this year. My family and I watched it the day after the premier.
We received a $2.00 off /ticket Military discount...hoorah!
 I thought it's a great movie, and Angelina Jolie did a great job portraying the evil fairy. It's touching, exciting and funny!
The untold story of Disney's most iconic villain from the 1959 classic "Sleeping Beauty." A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman with stunning black wings, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army of humans threatens the harmony of the land. Maleficent rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal - an act that begins to turn her pure heart to stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the king of the humans and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom - and to Maleficent's true happiness as well.






Wednesday, June 11, 2014

GW Timeshare Services

This post brought to you by Overnight Reputation. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hurray! Finally, school is over for my 2nd grader! She’s on vacation mode already but she still has to do a little bit of reading and math at home. Aside from her regular gymnastic and piano lessons, we enrolled her in a two-week private swimming class this month.

June is going to be a hectic month for us, and I can’t wait for this month to be over. We hope everything goes well according to plan because this July is going to be our annual family vacation. We are going to the Philippines for two weeks and we are very excited about it. We will be spending more time on the beach and hang out at the mall. We can’t wait!

Last year, we had a blast during our one week cruise to Belize, Honduras and Mexico. For our next year’s vacation, we are thinking of going to Hawaii for a week. Accommodation is not a problem since my sister-in-law owns a timeshare in Hawaii. She offered us to stay there for a week, so who knows we might take advantage of her offer before she’ll get rid of her time-share. She’s no luck in trying to sell it.

Next time I see her, I’ll mention GW Timeshare Services. This company specializes in offering immediate financial solutions to timeshare owners who want out of ownership. Groupwise Inc. target their assistance to resort property owners who are struggling to sell or not using their properties, or are concerned about the mounting maintenance fees and special assessments they continue to accrue.

They have years of expertise and outstanding customer service. They focus on one thing: acquiring unwanted timeshares. In today's tough economic times, they offer assistance to resort property owners through a unique program in which their obligations are removed through financially-sound business practices.

So if you want to get out of your timeshare, you should visit groupwiseinc.com today or call 1-877- 981-6120.




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Five Ways to Move Across the Country Efficiently

Making the move to a new city is a stressful process on its own. Add in the hassle of moving your life across the country with you, and suddenly the excitement and anticipation of life in a new place has diminished into a major headache.
Use these five tips to make the moving process much easier so you can get to focusing on your new life in a new city:

1. To-Do List Organization
One of the most important things to do in a chaotic situation like moving is to create a detailed and organized to-do list. List out the boxes you have already shipped to your new home, the boxes that are traveling with you, and any other details you need to complete like canceling any subscriptions or changing your address on all of your important documentation. To make the process even smoother, make sure your new home has already been set up with essentials like TV and Internet. For the best deals, search by company and city. For example, if moving to Texas, search DIRECT TV CORPUS CHRISTI in order to find the best service deal.

2. Hire Movers
While it’s unlikely moving companies will be willing to move you across the country, you can at least hire movers to carry the heavy furniture items into your moving truck. They have an efficient process, and know how to protect your fragile furniture for a cross-country move. And, if you hire from a large company with locations in all states, you can likely set up an appointment with the company to help you unload your truck when you arrive at your new destination.

Many people skip the step of hiring movers, for they assume they can do it themselves. However, with the hassle and stress that moving inevitably brings with it, save yourself the trouble and allow a moving company to deal with the bulk of the weight.

3. Get Creative
To consolidate on boxes, use luggage and duffel bags as packing material. Since you have to move them anyway, you might as well make use of them and pack clothing, towels, and bedding in them. Towels and bedding also make for great packing wrap for fragile items like fine china and decor mementos.

4. Packing Materials
Don’t skimp on the packing materials. Moving your entire life from its current location into boxes is time consuming. Make it easy on yourself and have plenty of material at your disposal. If you have to stop every couple of hours to run to the store to purchase more boxes and other materials, the packing process will feel never ending. Additionally, always be on the lookout for free boxes behind shopping center and at recycling centers.

5. Personal Items
Any important documents like birth certificates, school records, new job contacts, recent bank records, current bills, closing papers, passports, etc. should be kept with you at all times during the move. This ensures that should anything happen to any of your boxes, you have what is important with you.

These simple tips will make the tough process much more bearable.

Image Source: www.designmom.com






How to Train Your Dragon 2

Looking for an action-packed weekend of fun for the whole family? Head to your local IMAX® Theater for the premiere of How to Train Your Dragon 2!

  
Starting this Friday, June 13th, the second chapter of DreamWorks Animation's belovedHow to Train Your Dragon franchise is soaring to all IMAX theatres domestically in select engagements. The IMAX 3D release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®, creating a unique environment that will make audiences feel as though they are flying alongside heroic Viking Hiccup and his faithful dragon, Toothless.
Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, T.J. Miller, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Wiig reprise their respective voice roles, joined this time by Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett, Djimon Honsou and Kit Harington. For more information about How to Train Your Dragon 2, please visit DreamWorks Animation's official website.

Disclosure: The information above has been provided by IMAX.






Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Finding the Perfect Gift for Every Kind of Dad

Author: Mary Kremer
Father’s Day is coming up and with it comes the inevitable stress of finding just the right gift for Dad. Men are supposed to be easy to shop for, but sometimes finding a meaningful gift for the men in your life can be a challenge. As the countdown to Father’s Day begins, here are a few great gift ideas for dads of every kind.

For the Outdoorsy Dad
Does your family spend a lot of time outdoors? Then your husband or father might benefit from a few extra tools. Here are some fun and not-so-common gifts every outdoorsy dad would enjoy:
  • A good multi tool should be included in every outdoorsman’s basics. If your husband already owns a swiss army knife, take a look at what he has and buy him one with different tool options. There are unlimited possibilities when it comes to multi tools and you can spend anywhere from $30-$150.
  • A basic survival kit is not over the top for an outdoorsy dad. It’s handy to keep around and he’ll probably get a huge kick out it.
  • A bike repair kit is also a great gift for the guy who likes to get out. A basic kit would include a small pump, patches to repair tires, and a few tools to aid in tune ups.
For the Practical Dad
Are your husband’s tools always organized on the back wall of your garage? Does he hang all of his ties according to color, or enjoy adding up your weekly expenses? The practical dad is actually one of the most difficult dads to shop for. It’s hard to find something he’ll enjoy and also deem useful. Here are some great gifts every practical dad should receive…
  • A good shoe shining kit is a great gift for practical dads. It’s useful, but it’s likely something he might not splurge on himself. Basic kits start at $25 and can reach up into the $100 range.
  • If your husband or father is the kind of guy who enjoys a close shave, try getting him an old school straight razor shaving set. These sets range from $25-$100, but you can find good sets for around $40-$50. This gift will add a little luxury to a daily chore. Useful, but still fun.
  • Any product from a line of all-natural facial products like this one might be a home run when it comes to a father’s day gift. Your husband might be less likely to spend money on a good facial cleanser and toner, but that doesn’t mean he’s beyond pampering. His skin will thank you (and you’ll probably enjoy it, too).
For the Game-Playing Dad
If your husband or father loves gathering the family around a board game for fun, here are some clever game ideas that are sure to please:
  • Why not re-invent Dad’s favorite game with personalized pieces. Take any game (like monopoly, checkers, or chess) and recreate the pieces with modeling clay. You can create figures for every person in the family. This gift is an inexpensive way to please everyone.
  • To get everyone outside this summer, why not get an outdoor game, like croquet or lawn bowling? This will get everyone moving and is a great way for the kids to spend some time with Dad.
  • Shake things up and learn a new game together. All you need is a deck of cards and you’ve got a world of possibilities. Learn a new game to teach to the family and spend the evening playing together. Family time is a great gift for every dad.
For the Dad in the Kitchen
If your husband is like mine, he actually does most of the cooking. Here are some great gifts to keep in mind for the man who lives in the kitchen:
  • If your husband is a big BBQer, you might want to invest in a grilling tool set. These sets can be found for about $25 and are a great idea if your husband plans on spending time on the grill this summer.
  • Learn how to cook something together. There are kits and books to teach you how to make cheese and create your own sushi, among other things. Pick something delicious that you and your husband can enjoy creating (and eating) together.
For Every Dad
Remember, the best gift you can give the man in your life is some quality family time and a little appreciation. A heartfelt gift will be perfect, no matter what you choose.







Friday, June 6, 2014

Insurance Quotes for Homeowners

Your home is one of your biggest investments and in order to protect that investment, you need to have the right home insurance. You home insurance can provide you with the peace of mind and protection that you will need as a homeowner especially since you never know when something may go wrong. If you ask other homeowners about how they were able to acquire the home insurance policy that provides the kind of coverage that they need, you may learn that most looked for insurance quotes first so that they will know all the available options. Some of them may have found homeowners insurance quotes online more convenient since they do not have to spend time visiting different insurance companies just to be able to ask for insurance quotes. These insurance quotes will provide them with the information they need that will help them decide which specific insurance plan is right for their home.