Will you go to the dance with me? __Yes__No__Maybe
So the groundhog saw his shadow, or didn’t, and that means… Valentine’s Day is 12 days away! And winter will end eventually.
Rather than a creative list of glittery, chocolaty, candle-lit gift ideas for your sweetheart (which we can totally do too – call me) let’s talk about FINDING a valentine. Online.
Online dating
The term ‘online dating’ causes some singles to shudder, but it’s really about embracing the 21st century. We do literally everything else online, so why not this? Besides, matchmaking has been going on for millennia, this is just done through mouse-clicks and algorithms instead of the village wisewoman.
Where to start
ConsumerSearch.com is a great resource for many things, including dating sites. They rate Match.com as the “best dating site overall”, eHarmony.com as the “best matchmaking site”, and OkCupid.com as the “best free dating site”. Details below paired with quotes from some friends of mine, though not their real names.
Match.com
About $35/month
Pros: Lower subscription fee than some sites, excellent search options, diverse pool of members, mobile access, six-month guarantee.
Cons: Only paying members can send and reply to emails, automated matches aren’t based on science.
James says, “Match gives you the most flexibility to chose who you want to connect with based on looks, personality, interests, faith, etc. I personally think it has a reputation of being a site for people who are a little less serious about wanting to get into a committed relationship, though I do know people that have met on Match and are now married.”
eHarmony.com
About $60/month
Pros: Good bet for long-term relationships, scientific approach to matching, guided communication process.
Cons: Expensive, no searching allowed, heterosexuals only, lengthy sign-up process, no mobile access.
Anne says, “eHarmony caught my attention due to the intense screening. I felt safe meeting people on eHarmony and was impressed by how accurate my matches were. It sure beat screening people at the bar! In less than 3 months, I started communication with and dating the man I now call my husband.”
OkCupid.com
Free
Pros: Free, fast joining process, automated matching, flexible search options, no ad’s, integration with Facebook.
Cons: Relatively small pool of members, compatibility questions aren’t developed through research, no security verification.
Mary says, “While online dating site questionnaires can be tedious, it’s helping me figure out who I am and what I want in a partner. Plus, instead of screaming introductions over loud music or trying to get a moment alone with someone, you can muster up all the courage you need before sending an email or a wink into cyberspace. OkCupid is like your virtual wingman or gal pal – who helps you to avoid the losers and break the ice with the winners.”
More targeted matching
Of course, these aren’t the only dating sites available. There are literally hundreds and you can search sites specific to faith, ethnicity, orientation, and much more.
Whatever site you choose – good luck, and have a fantastic Valentine’s Day.
Online dating successes or horror stories? Do tell.
Utility bill woes
Seems like the average temperature everywhere this winter is um, cold and colder. If the frost on my car, persistent desire to put on another sweater, and futile attempts to convince my 17-year-old cat to go outside weren’t enough to remind me of this, my gas and power bills certainly are!
Wow. Apparently I can’t afford winter.
I don’t have the most energy-efficient home to start with (85 years old), but there must be something I can do to bring these bills out of jaw-dropping range.
First stop, the U.S. Department of Energy. They offer great information on everything from energy efficient appliances to low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy. This list includes some tried-and-true classics such as only washing a full load of laundry or dishes, using power strips for electronic equipment and switching them off, and lowering the temperature on your water heater. I’m on it.
This California realtor’s site claims, “space heating and cooling accounts for about 45 percent of your utility bill and offers the greatest opportunity to save on energy costs.” (Other sources put this at 50-70 percent, yikes!). It has an exhaustive amount of detail and suggestions and though I have to admit I’m skeptical about the viable impact of some items, I learned quite a bit! Check it out.
A top suggestion from all sites is to use a programmable thermostat. I had one in my last home and it really saved us money. Wondering why I’m not using one in my current home ? Me too. You can get a $40 model at most home improvement stores that does the trick.
Finally, I liked The Daily Green’s 19 Easy Home Winterization Projects. Personal takeaway: I need several draft snakes, stat. (As an aside, they also have a backyard beekeeping blog!)
So, turn down your thermostat, put on a sweater, brew some hot chocolate, and let me know how you plan to save energy this winter. I can use all the help I can get.
Throw Out Fifty Things (yes, fifty!)
The new year always makes me want to clean.
Once I’ve finished packing away the decorations, thinking wistfully how much better the room looked with Christmas lights, vacuuming up endless pine needles, and putting the furniture back where it was; I realize I like the cleaner, simpler ambiance.
Enter, Gail Blanke, author of Throw Out Fifty Things – Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life. As a “world-class motivator whose vision is to empower men and women to live truly exceptional lives”, Ms. Blanke gives a detailed, step-by-step system for discarding, donating, selling, recycling, and rediscovering.
Wait, a book?! I don’t have time to read books!
Ok, me either. But she has a FREE, 26-page workbook available on her web site which covers just about all your bases. Check it out!
I confronted some very old scented candles that had transformed in to a totally unrecognizable smell and color, about 47 million twist ties (give or take) that were beyond the twisting and tying needs of a lifetime, and rediscovered a small pendant I received on my 18th birthday (yay!).
Let us know your best throw-out or other secrets to keeping yourself organized. Happy de-cluttering!
Apps, Anyone?
Check out this fantastic article at WorkingMother.com detailing their top 20 iPhone application picks (some available for Android too). Everything from organizing multiple schedules to expense tracking to comparison shopping – something for everyone.
Be sure to read the full list, but here are a few to whet your appetite (hee):
Family Organizer – just like it sounds. This FREE app helps you keep track of everyone and everything with a shared calendar, lists, reminders, and more.
Dinner Spinner – AllReceipes.com’s app helps you plan dinner based on ingredients, prep time, etc. or just “spin” to get random ideas. FREE.
NameCatcher – records info for a new contact plus a hint to help you remember them. $0.99.
Holdr – calls you back when that “next available service representative” is actually available. Brilliant. $1.99.
Peekaboo – finds mobile coupons based on your current location, redeemable from your phone! FREE.
Have more fantastic apps? Let us know!
Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow!
Okay, cheesy I know, but come on, it’s probably not going to be a white Christmas – we do live in the south after all. But some of us do know how to light it up and while the weather this week has been frightful, it will be warming up to a balmy 45 degrees towards the end of the week. As we enter the last few days before Christmas, consider something old and something new:
New Lights for 2010:
”Santa’s Holiday Hayride”
off 401S; Raleigh
Drive east on South Saunders Street.
When Highway 70 and 401 split, travel 2.2 miles South on 401, on left
919-772-5261
http://www.santashayrideofraleigh.com/
Santa’s Holiday Hayride and Light Show have been a dream of Lin and Cindy Honeycutt of Raleigh for many years. The Honeycutts have enjoyed decorating their home in Raleigh off of 1010 Road for more than 15 years and have shared their display with thousands of visitors from all over North Carolina. Their love of Christmas Lights led them to open a Christmas Light store in 2004 called “The Holiday Light Store.” By partnering with 401 Par Golf, the Honeycutt’s dream has become reality. A beautiful venue of hundreds of thousands of lights have transformed Par Golf into an experience for the whole family.
Hours: 5:30 – 10:30 each Thursday through Sunday and week following Christmas until New Year’s eve.
Admission: Adults $8.00, children 8 and under $4.00; 4 and under free.
Old Favorites:
‘Lights on the Neuse’ Christmas Light Park
1620 Loop Road
Clayton, NC
919-553-0016
http://www.lightsontheneuse.com/
Choose this venue, and you’ll be whisked away (slowly) on a mile long tractor-pulled hayride, which concludes at the banks of the Neuse River. (30 minutes). Along the way, you’ll be privy to 15 lighted scenes, containing over 1 million lights in total! In addition to the ride itself, the Lights on the Neuse also offers kids a chance to have their picture taken with the jolly old elf himself, Santa Clause! And if Santa’s lap proves to be a frightening experience for your youngster, walk them over to Santa’s Sweet Shoppe, and get them a little treat such a hot chocolate, cider, or a sugary snack guaranteed to keep them up the entire car ride home.
Open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Thanksgiving until December 26, 6:00pm – 10:00pm. Also December 22-24, 6:00pm – 10:00pm (until 9:00pm on 24th).
Admission is $8.00 per adult, $5.00 for children ages 5-12, while children under 5 are admitted for free.
Lake Myra Christmas
6601 – 6605 Lake Myra Rd.
Wendell, NC
http://lakemyrachristmas.com/1.html
Lake Myra Christmas is a spectacular light show set to music. This year’s display will feature over 180,000 lights that are computer synchronized to “dance” in time to the music. The display is created by the Williams family of Wendell, who painstaking design and assemble the glowing extravaganza every year.
Nov. 23 through Dec. 31, Sunday – Thursday 6:00-10:00p.m.; Friday and Saturday 6:00 to 11:00pm. Santa is at the show from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Saturday nights.
Admission to the light show is free.
What I love to see the most are people’s homes. There are some absolute favorites, but we are always looking for something new. Help us out and let us know if there are any houses we need to visit this year. Post the street and the town, here are some to get you started:
Near SouthPoint Mall:
Located in the Lakehurst Subdivision off of Herndon Rd.; the 3rd street on the right. This house has many unique hard to find lighted pieces that are not seen at other homes. It is said to look nice even during the day.
Cary:
Coronado Way (off of Walnut ,not far from the mall): http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=…8925&z=15&om=0
The other one was a cul de sac that was lined with large candy canes and quite a few of the houses had a large display- Melanie Ln or Webster St. The cul de sac was on the left coming from Coronado Way: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=…8925&z=15&om=0
Kilarney Drive/Crimmons Circle
Penny Road/Holly Springs Road: http://www.city-data.com/forum/2297740-post34.html
Green Level West Road has two amazing displays on opposite sides of the street, put up by two brothers who keep expanding every year.
To get there take High House Road West away from Preston and CROSS NC55 (CVS will be on your left as you cross). High House becomes Green Level West Road wast of 55. Drive about a mile – can’t miss it.
Hope you have a safe and twinkly holiday season!
I’m not just talkin’ turkey… well, yes I am.
What size? How long should it cook? What are the best ways to prepare it? What else should I serve?
These are questions you may have regarding the upcoming holiday when Americans consume an average of 4500 calories in one meal. You got it, Thanksgiving. Sure, you can go to the Food Network website or consult the latest edition of the Joy of Cooking, but why not TALK to someone who can call themselves the “experts?”
Butterball Turkey. Who else?!
This time of year Butterball offers an outstanding service that sounds too good to be true. But, believe me, it’s for real – I’ve made the call! Simply dial 800-BUTTERBALL. Press 3. As their site indicates, one of over 50 professionally trained, college-educated home economists and nutritionists will answer. Now is your chance to ask anything and everything you have wondered about turkey, turkey prep, turkey left-overs, sides, dessert, etc…
Don’t have time to make the call? No problem. You can email them at talkline AT butterball DOT com or check out the frequently asked questions page – your question may already be answered – wouldn’t that be convenient?! This FREE service is available only in November and December.
This year, I certainly will give thanks to the Butterball hot-line!
Rock on!
How many of you have young kids that enjoy listening to kids music? Now, how many of you adults are tired of listening to Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star, and B-I-N-G-O? Well, you are in luck!
There are two local bands out there that perform kids music that is both appealing to kids and parents!
Sandbox and Mommie both have a groovin’ beat.
Sandbox covers many of the standard, recognizable songs. If you are local to the Triangle area, you can see them perform at various venues. Check out their upcoming shows – and, be sure to add them to our list of great things to do at the NC State Fair.
Mommie performs original songs such as, Dumptruck, Cherry Picker, and Go, Go, Go. Kids and parents can’t stop singing and dancing with this fun, lively group.
Turn the volume up and rock on, mom and dad!
Spice up your State Fair
There’s a slight chill in the air, the leaves are just starting to turn, and we’re craving large crowds and giant turkey legs. It must be time for the North Carolina State Fair!
Everyone seems to have a standard Fair “route”. Some relish going back each and every year to the same vendor, event, or show. But others are a little uninspired by the same-old-same-old and feeling that Fair spirit start to waver.
Whichever camp you’re in, here are some ideas to spice up your 2010 Fair experience (and they’re fun for kids too!).
Milk a Cow
Everyone should try this at least once, right? Don’t worry, the NC State University Animal Science Club will show you how. Located in the Exposition Center.
Fried Food
Try something new. Some of this year’s unique foods include: Deep Fried Bacon & Cheese Mashed Potatoes Bites (um, wow) and Deep Fried Pumpkin Pie.
Photo Scavenger Hunt
This takes a bit of planning but you can make it as simple or complex as you like. Have a list of 10 items each team must find and photograph in one hour (ex. horse, hot dog, largest elephant ear, etc.). Team with highest “finds” or most entertaining photos, wins!
Hogway Speedway
If you haven’t seen cute little pot bellied piggies run around a racetrack, you are seriously missing out. Located near Gate 9, shows most days every two hours starting at 1PM.
Sticker Frenzy
Visit the Education Building to see how many stickers you can collect from vendors.
World’s Largest [ _____ ]
The quintissential Fair experience. Check out a giant pig, steer, or rat (c’mon, you know you wanna.)
Kettle Corn and Fireworks
Get the BEST kettlecorn at the Pitzer Heritage Circle, then relax on the grass by the Village of Yesteryear to ooh and aah at the 9:45PM fireworks.
Find more information and activity ideas at http://www.ncstatefair.org/2010/
So what are you most excited about for this year’s State Fair?
Exploring Fall Foliage in the NC Mountains
After months of 90+ degree weather, this recent request from a member was a breath of fresh air. Cool, fresh, North Carolina, mountain air. It helped put us in the autumn spirit and gave us something to look forward to (this is an occupational hazard of ours, particularly when researching a trip to Costa Rica.). We wanted to share it so you can get in the spirit too!
First and foremost, the Asheville Visitors Bureau offers a fantastic guide to exploring the fall foliage in the North Carolina Mountains, Below are highlights from the site.
When to go
Consider late September or early November. The fall color season begins at the end of September and goes until early November due to the differences in elevation and many species of trees in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You’ll be fighting crowds in mid-October.
Keep an eye on weekly fall color reports from the (informal) Fall Color Prognostication Society. “Leaf enthusiasts” (for a lack of a better term) give running commentaries and the bottom line on each of their mountains as well as a bit of science as to why the leaves are turning and when.
Scenic driving routes
In the early fall, the best scenic drives are at the highest elevations in the Asheville area, specifically Grandfather Mountain and Mount Pisgah. But if you can’t get away until later, no worries. Mid-season has you visit Waterfall Country, Hot Springs and Maggie Valley. For late October you have several options including Chimney Rock, Reems Creek Valley, Hickory Nut Gorge, and the North Carolina Arboretum. Specific route information here.
Where to stay
Getting a room at an Asheville area hotel or bed & breakfast can be quite difficult in the fall. Here are a few tips to make sure you have somewhere to lay your head after a long day of “leaf peeping”.
Have Expedite Group book your room ahead of time!
- Don’t just assume you’ll find one once you’re there. Chances are you won’t.
- Plan a stay Sunday through Thursday nights. Room availability increases and rates tend to run a little lower.
- Take advantage of your insider knowledge about the long leaf season. Book your room outside the popular October season.
- If you aren’t an EG member yet and don’t have your own personal concierge, contact the Asheville Visitors Center and ask for Elaine Rich. Elaine has access to room availability, and can book directly. Contact her at erich@exploreasheville.com or 828-210-2720.
Finally, for those with a more adventurous spirit (and more vacation days) consider taking a longer trip AAA suggests a great fall route from Asheville, NC to Knoxville, TN, a 315 mile trip (“Leg 3”).
Planning a fall foliage trip or had a great experience in the past? We’d love to hear about it!
Working Mothers’ Luncheon
Are you a working mommy? If yes, this is the post you’ll want to read. The Greater Raleigh Chamber, along with the series sponsors Expedite Group, Credit Suisse, Greene Resources, and Marbles Kids Museum, is excited to present the Working Mothers’ Luncheon on Tuesday, September 28 from 11:30am-1:30pm.
This semi-annual event is held for working mothers all over the Triangle. The series focuses on the issues and concerns that many working mothers face. This luncheon will feature four guest speakers who will discuss the event’s topic, Helping Our Kids Live Healthy.
Kids who eat right and are active will have stronger muscles and bones, a decreased risk of developing several health conditions, and are less likely to become overweight. But in today’s busy world of deadlines and responsibilities, sometimes it’s hard to focus on ensuring they have balanced meals and are active enough. That’s something you can change.
Join the Greater Raleigh Chamber for our next Working Mothers’ Luncheon. The panel of experts will share tips and tools-on everything from nutrition to exercise-that you can use to develop plans to make sure your children are eating healthy and staying active. Find out how to make manageable changes that will work for your entire family, and share your own ideas with other working mothers.
A luncheon to network and learn from other moms at the Umstead Hotel and Spa… what better way to spend your lunch hour?
Cost: $35 per employee of member firms; $50 per non-member
