Watches Are Useful

Watches are useful, right? They help you be on time for appointments and know how long it is until the next coffee break. They're also really cool and pretty. I think the latter two reasons are why I like them so much. I'm a sucker for anything shiny and pretty that I can wear on my wrist.

My latest watch obsession is a jacques lemans watch that I found on BlueDial. It's from the Rome collection and its stainless steel with blue and brown Swarovski Crystals around the bezel. The band is brown leather stitched in blue. How cool sounding is that? I wear a lot of brown and blue so it will go with lots of things in my wardrobe. My favorite Coach handbag is even brown and blue. Have I convinced you yet that I need this watch?

I'm happy I found it on BlueDial. They have great customer service and they guarantee that the watches they sell are new and authentic. They've been around for 10 years and have developed a wonderful reputation. You have to be careful about fakes these days. To top things off they offer free 2nd day shipping within the 48 states. I could be wearing a new watch by Friday if I order now!

He Caved

When we got out two little bichon puppies last fall, it was with some trepidation on my husband's part. He has always said that he does not like little dogs, he only likes big dogs. Because of that we have always had rotties and now a golden doodle.

I'm happy to say that the two little ones have totally sucked him in! Sometimes I think he is crazier about them than I am. The little girl has especially won his heart. She is a real daddy's girl and follows him around. It's fun to watch. And I'm glad to know that I can have some little guys around from now on!

Moving Made Easy

One of the most frustrating parts of moving can be trying to find the right number and size of moving boxes. Even when you contact local businesses that sell moving supplies they do not always have everything in stock. You are busy enough trying to move without having to drive all over town searching for supplies.

The moving packages offered by UPack.com have everything you need to safely pack and move all of your household goods. They have boxes of every size including wardrobe boxes. The moving box assortment packages conveniently offer just what you need for various rooms. There's a starter package, a kitchen one and on up to a deluxe package. Their moving experts have put together just what you need for every room.

To make it even more convenient the supplies are shipped right to your house. They will arrive in a few days and you will be ready to start packing. Any order for moving boxes that totals over $150 is shipped for free so you will not only be saving time you will be be saving money with their service.

Don't worry if you are unsure as to how many boxes you need. There is a handy moving box estimator right on the website. They have thought of everything! Check them out and make your next move less stressful and even a little cheaper.

Atlantic Coast Vacation

I almost feel like a traitor saying it since Florida tourism is hurting from the oil spill, but we are planning our annual trip to Myrtle Beach. It has been a family tradition for years for all of us to meet there. It's the most convenient spot for everyone.

We don't all stay in the same place. We spread out and meet up for shopping trips, dinners, golf or whatever comes to mind. We get to spend time together without getting an overdose of togetherness. In my family too much togetherness is not a good thing. I'm still looking around for reservations. I've been told the Towers at Myrtle Beach is nice. I'm checking out their site at www.towersatnorthmyrtlebeach.com . I will have to check with everyone and see if anybody else has made reservations.

Hopefully Not the Last

My husband came home with a box of oysters yesterday. For those who don't live on the coast, a box of oysters in the shell is 60 pounds of oysters. Some neighbors came over and we shucked and sucked oysters for hours. They were some of the best we've ever had. The sad part is that the box may be the last one we get for a very long time. The oil is moving closer to the oyster beds here in north Florida. This is all such a tragedy on many levels.

Coastal Cottage

Summer is in full swing here on the Florida coast. I have been on a garden decorating binge. We started switching over to natural plantings last year and this year we are completing the transformation.

I found the perfect window boxes for plants over the weekend. I like being able to pull some of the color from the native flowers up to the windows with flower boxes. The best thing about using the native plants is that they don't need as much water as non natives. I had quit using window boxes for flowers because I had to water them twice a day to keep them alive in the heat and they still wilted. My little coastal cottage is going to be so pretty when I'm finished.

Helping Out

One of the many things that I love about the internet is how easily things can be accomplished from a distance. I have an elderly aunt who lives a great distance away. I use the computer all of the time to help her with things. Right now I am shopping for Connecticut auto insurance for her.

I have helped her in the past with her Connecticut home insurance this way. Her late husband handled all of the financial details and she feels helpless. I can't imagine trying to do all of this by phone, it would take forever. Next on the agenda is helping her with her Connecticut annuities. That's one are I don't know much about so it will be a learning experience. I've found an agency that handles it all, so I may wind up using them for everything.

It's Here

The beaches of Walton county have pretty much been spared by the oil spill up until now. It looks like our luck has run out. They have tar balls on 6 miles of beach and there is a large pool of oil floating offshore. I find it hard to believe that it's been over 60 days since this all began and all we can do is sit and look at it. Nobody has a plan to stop it from coming ashore. I'm sickened...

Taking Control

My husband and I have been more fortunate during the financial meltdown that a lot of other people but we suffered some losses. The IRA accounts were hit particularly hard. I have decided to take control and pay more attention so that I can make decisions rather than relying on a broker to do our stock trading.

After some debating we decided to use an online broker. We can easily keep up with the day to day market trends and there's even mobile trading if we want to use it. I think online trading is giving us the control and input that we both want when it comes to our investments. The way we look at it, nobody is as interested in protecting our assets as we are. It takes some work and study but it's worth it.

Doing My Part

My brother and I moved my parents to a retirement village in Texas to be near him late last year. My father broke his hip and was having difficulty getting around and my mother has health issues as well. Most of the duties of taking care of them falls to him since he lives close to them but I try to do my part when I can. Today my part is finding the style of men pants that my father likes to wear. We all know that I am known as the shopper in the family!

I have found some that should be perfect at Blair.com. They offer a wide select of styles from casual to jeans to dress pants in their men's section. The site has something for just about everyone including pets. The trick is staying away from those tabs and staying focused on men's wear for today.

He may be old but he is very particular about the style and type of clothes that he will wear. Comfort is his number one issue and at his age he has earned the right to wear whatever he wants to wear. His requirements for slacks include side elastic and easy care. My mother is beyond spending her time ironing things. They need things that are wash and wear.

He does not wear jeans so he needs a good wardrobe of casual pants to wear for every day activities. He is old school and believes in wearing slacks and a button shirt. He does not even do golf shirts. I think he is going to be thrilled with the John Blair mens pants that I have selected. They meet all of his requirements and from the pictures they look nice as well. He is going to be the best looking man in the retirement village.