Top Favorite Things About Cats

I love cats. Growing up, we always had at least one cat, and so it was natural that I should get a cat of my own shortly after moving out. Even though I've become something of a dog person thanks to my husband, and even though I love all animals, cats will always hold a special place in my heart.

Here are my top favorite things about cats:

1) They like to snuggle up against you while you sleep. There is nothing that makes getting out of bed difficult quite like having a warm, soft cat snuggled against your legs. And heaven forbid they be purring! It's amazing I get out of bed at all some days.

2) They are so cute when they play! I love playing with my cats — and yes, they continue to play long after they cease to be kittens. One of my cats adores pole cat toys and laser pointers — he prefers to play with you — and the other prefers balls and mice, particularly those fluffy rabbit fur mouse cat toys, such as the ones made by Vo-Toys.

3) They are pretty self-sufficient and easy to care for. With cats, really all you need to do is make sure you keep their food and water dishes filled and their litter boxes cleaned. They take care of their needs themselves for the most part, except of course for companionship and attention — which is the fun part anyway.

My cats are great companions for me. In fact, right now I'm up working late, and one of my cats is in the chair next to me, enjoying a luxurious tongue bath. What would I do without my cats to keep me company?

Hair Extensions vs. Hair Replacement

For the last, oh, 8 months or so, one of my best friends has worn hair extensions in her hair. Hair extensions are usually real hair that has been dyed to match your hair color and is attached individually to each strand of your hair. It is therefore an expensive product not to mention an expensive procedure to do.

Hair extensions are simply used to make one's hair appear longer than it really is. You may be familiar with hair extensions because movie stars typically use them for special events or for their costumes in movies. However, regular everyday people also get hair extensions, such as my friend — who simply wanted a taste of having longer hair for a while.

Hair extensions are not really part of your hair, and are temporary — they do come out after a while. Hair replacement systems, on the other hand, usually consist of a surgical procedure that permanently replaces hair loss such as receding hairlines and thinning hair. Hair replacement surgery actually transplants the hair folicles from areas with health hair growth, to areas where you are losing hair. In this manner, the replacement hair is actually your own hair, and therefore shouldn't look odd or different from the rest of your hair.

Goals for 2009

One of my goals for this year is to make sure I get to the dentist. It has been way too long since I've been, and heaven knows how many cavities I will have.

The thing is, I'm really nervous about going. I've never liked the dentist, because I feel like I'm always getting yelled at — for not flossing enough, for not doing a good enough brushing, yadda yadda. But I can't help but wonder — does anyone ever get a good report at the dentist? Or do they yell at everyone about these things?

I remember once when the dental technician told me to open my mouth, I did so, and she just sat there in silence and stared for a moment. Then she heaved a sigh, and said, sounding pissed, "Okay." I mean, come on, really — my teeth can't be that much worse than everyone else's!

Perhaps it would make me feel a little better if I made sure to go to one of the best dentists in Washington DC. Knowing I'm in capable hands might alleviate some of my nervousness. There are a lot of dentists in the area to choose from, though, so that choice won't be easy!

I wonder if I should also consider some teeth whitening. DC dentists have some really great teeth whitening services, and goodness knows, I could probably use it, after as long as I've gone without going to the dentist!

This is probably one of my biggest goals for 2009 — to bite the bullet and finally just go. Wish me luck!

My New Fishing Boat

For my birthday last month, my wife let me get a new fishing boat. I say it’s new, because it is to me. In these tough times, buying new is not in the cards. I was able to get this 18-footer for a great price from a local dealer. My last one was a 14 foot bass boat. With this one came size and power.

If you’ve ever had a boat, you know there is an expense involved with it. I suggest you get to know your local marine supply guy. Working on a boat is not that hard, but you need to be able to get parts at good prices. I know that my boat will be needing a few Johnson parts in the coming year, and I’m fairly certain I know what they will be. I have always found it safe to keep a stock of boat parts on hand, and in the boat.
This year I am planning many launches. My young children are going to learn to have the fun I did back in college. I would think that the time I will spend with them now will equate to a lifetime of memories, and shared pleasures.

Do We Ever Really Grow Up?

When you're a kid, you have this idea that when you're grown up, you'll no longer want to do things that you did as a kid. Or maybe that society will expect you not to. But I have to say, I'm turning 29 in a week, and I really don't feel that different than I did 10 years ago — except that I've lived longer and learned more.

I still love to play, which is what I'm really talking about here. These days it takes the form of collecting, dressing, and photographing dolls, but I have to say I've wondered what is so different between that and actually "playing" with them as I did as a kid. My only hesitation is when I get to the thought of doing the voices for them — which I think is more of a reflection of adults being more self-conscious, rather than being too old to play.

Another form of play that I can think of is something a lot of my guy friends still play: airsoft. It's funny to see a lot of grown men running around shooting at each other with airsoft pistols (read: toy guns for grown-ups), but there you have it. Who said that growing up had to mean that you didn't "play" anymore, anyway?

Types of Dogs

Most people who are looking into getting a new dog as a pet will be looking at the different breeds of dogs that exist. Although the breed of the dog is important, the first thing that you should actually take into consideration when choosing a dog is the type of dog that you want. Dog types and dog breeds are different things. The type of dog that you get relates to the class that they fall into -working dogs, hunting dogs, herding dogs, etc. By choosing your breed of dog from within the category of dogs that you find most appealing you can assure yourself of making a selection that you can live with for a long time to come.

For example, if you were choosing by the breed of dog then you might fall in love with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel but if you're not actually someone who enjoys toy dogs then you probably won't end up liking this breed. In contrast, if you first chose that you wanted a gun dog or a working dog then you can look through these types to find breeds like the Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Great Dane which would better suit the type of animal you want to have as a pet. Learn about different dog types first and then find out which breeds within that type are your favorites.

An Investment in Luxury

If the three rules of real estate are location, location, location, an investment in San Diego real estate is a real no brainer. Not only are most of the properties located on golden sandy beaches, the homes offer luxury living at an affordable price. With the current market, it’s a buyer’s paradise and in San Diego, that is a near literal statement. Take for instance the price of real estate in Del Mar. People that initially wanted to put down stakes in the coveted California suburb were daunted by the $3.5 million and higher price tags a few years ago. Today, these same folks can look at a Del Mar domicile for a fraction of the cost. Celebrity style homes may even go for $999K! You can find the same deals when investigating the real estate La Jolla has to offer. The super ritzy and elegant neighborhood has become a lot more inclusive as of late due to economic downturns. Real estate speculators and home buyers alike are taking notice!

Why the massive interest in San Diego? The area is well known for its temperate climate, magnificent beauty, friendly people and high caliber schools. Being able to walk to the beach or eat fresh seafood caught just off the shore is yet another enticement that draws people to the wonderful Californian town.

So, not only is investing in San Diego homes an investment in luxury it is your investment in a future of fun in the sun and opulent living.

Mortgage Education Aids Some Into New Job

Mortgage education could help some people find a new job. For those who may be laid off from other sales positions due to the lack of customers, the mortgage industry is doing well. For those who may have suffered a job loss, nothing could be worse than knowing that not only is your job no longer available but that the entire industry is struggling and therefore a position with a another company may be very difficult to get into. For those in this position, where sales jobs have been cut or even eliminated totally, it may be best to turn to an industry where there are jobs available such as the mortgage industry.

There are several different types of education available for those in the mortgage industry, such as FHA training and loan officer training. While the mortgage and real estate industries have suffered considerably, they are also likely to be some of the easiest to bounce back industries and therefore they may be one of the best to get into as a professional in this industry. Keep in mind that you do need some training and you may have to obtain a licensed depending on the type of job you wish to obtain.

My Favorite Room in Our House

...Is quite possibly our bathroom.

My husband and I have an old bungalow from 1920. We have only 2 small bedrooms, no dining room, and no dishwasher, but we have one thing that (in my mind) makes up for all of it: a clawfoot tub.

I've always loved taking baths, but having a clawfoot tub has made it infinitely better. I can fill the water to over a foot deep, thanks to a fun little suction-cup cover for the overfill drain that I got at Bed Bath & Beyond. The water stays warm longer, and it is very comfortable to lean back and relax. Really, the only thing better would be a hot tub or whirlpool bath — and that only because of the jets — or a 2 person hot tub, which would allow my husband to join me!

Our clawfoot tub admittedly isn't very big (which is why hubby can't take a bath with me). Our bathroom is pretty small, and was probably even built around the tub, as it doesn't seem like it would fit through the door. So the tub is only about 5 feet long from end to end, which includes the sloping back. But by folding my legs I can fit almost all of me under the water, and that's what really matters!

What is your favorite room in your house, and why?

I Am Traveling

I recently finally paid off my last loan from when I took out all my private student loans while I was in college. So I am finally free and I could not possibly be any more excited than I am now. I think that I have also just recently finally made my big decision as to what I am going to do with the rest of my life now that I have the freedom from any kind of financial debt or obligation to other people and organizations. Or I do not know maybe it will not be for the rest of my life but at least for the next several years I know that I am going to be going traveling.

Some of my friends and family have reacted very positively to this idea, but kind of surprisingly, a number of them have not responded very kindly to my big dreams of going traveling. I do not really understand why they are not supportive because it is not as though anything that I am going to do with my life is going to be affecting their lives at all but you would sure think so with the way they act sometimes. Hopefully they will come around.

How Can I Make An Outdoor Space Work?

An outdoor kitchen sounds like it would be a really neat thing to have outside our home. But I’m not quite sure how to go about doing that. From magazine pictures like in Better Homes and Garden, then always look somewhat enclosed: they seem to be tucked into an area that is flanked by two sides of your house that are perpendicular to one another.

But what if your house is not built like that? My house has just a little “jog” in the wall on our long back deck, which is pretty exposed and has no cover. Then down one story on one side, I have a cement slab against a sliding glass door. But it looks like that if you want the whole shebang—cushioned furniture, counter space, cooktop and an outdoor sink—you need more shelter than I seem to have.

So what ideas are out there for making an outdoor kitchen work when you don’t have the ready-made architecture for it? I’d love to see some pictures and ideas for protecting your kitchen and sitting area from the elements. Because what I have right now is okay for a plain barbecue and sun deck, but I’d like something a little more gracious.

Just the Vacation We Need

It's been a rough year so far. Last summer I finally started my own business after many months of planning. It's a restaurant franchise that caters to families. I have a partner, but she is an investor rather than an active participant, so I'm the one making the day-to-day decisions in the business.

As we all know now, the economy fell off a cliff last year, and that's affected just about everyone. The restaurant started off well and things looked pretty good, but by fall, fewer customers were coming in and we had to cut back our hours and reduce our staff. I asked the chef to come up with more lunch and dinner specials, which really helped, since everyone's looking for deals these days.

I'm not sure how long we can keep going. I'm lucky to have a husband who is a food broker - no matter how bad the economy, people still have to eat. Charlie is also very understanding, and he's offered to lend us money if necessary. Besides that, he knows I've been under a lot of stress. For my birthday next month, he's taking me to a wonderful place - a Fiji resort. I must admit, when he first told me this, I said it wasn't the best time for a vacation, there was too much to do, etc. Charlie pointed out that I'd been overworking for too long and it was the PERFECT time for a break. When I heard about their Fiji spa, I was sold.

Worth it to Reward

The most successful companies across the board recognize the many great benefits to the company and its subsequent profit margins when they implement an employee rewards system and loyalty programs for the customers that the company serves. Employees who work for a company or an employer who is willing and wanting to acknowledge and reward hard work are much more likely to work harder. Often times it can be noted that employees who are well rewarded either in money or various other kinds of incentives are willing to put in longer hours and more diversified schedules than the typical nine to five standard work day.

Companies can go even a step further and reward not only hard work, but smart work. Then the company can benefit even more, because the company’s employees will be always thinking of ways to work better and more efficiently for the business. This can generate some really great new ideas for the company and every person involved can be very happy and satisfied with the work at hand. It is not very hard to put in such a program to keep employees happy, and it is not hard to have a program that will show customers the same reasons to keep coming back either. It is a move well worth it.

3 Types of 2 Way Radios

Most people who are asked to picture 2 way radios are going to picture something along the lines of walkie talkies. While these are the most common types of 2 way radios that people use, they are not the only two-way radios out there in the market today.

Another type of two-way radio that is actually fairly common is the mobile phone that can be used as a two-way radio. People can get accessories for 2 way radio phones that allow them to basically turn their standard cell phone into a walkie talkie. Sprint is a mobile phone company that is known for allowing this service.

Another type of two-way radio that isn't as common but which does exist is the base station radio in which the radio is a stand-alone device that does not get held in the same way that phones or walkie talkies would be held. Typically people use wireless phone headsets to communicate with these base stations so that they can still move around freely even though the radio itself is a stationary device.

Communication over two-way radios is fun. It can also be highly useful in certain situations. Although most situations would call for the standard walkie talkie type of radio, these other options are also efficient during certain times so it's a good idea to learn how to use them.

Don't Give Up Health Insurance

People who are struggling to make ends meet in the recession are making some drastic cuts to their spending. Unfortunately, many people are making some big mistakes while they do this. One huge mistake is that some people are choosing to give up their health insurance because they don't want to pay their monthly bills. They're taking their chances that they won't get ill in order to save some money but this could easily come back to bite them later.

Instead of giving up health insurance entirely, see if you can reduce your spending in this area without significantly reducing your coverage. The first thing to do is shop around in the area near you to see if you can get better rates. For example, if you have Florida health insurance then you will want to look at the different rates offered by various FL health insurance companies. You may find that health insurance in Miami is cheaper than health insurance in Orlando or vice versa.

It's smart to make reductions in your spending to accommodate the changes that you are going through financially as a result of the recession. What's not smart is giving up things that you really do need just to save a buck. Don't let your fears cause you to do something that isn't good for you in the long run.

Relationships and Rehab

People who are interested in working in the field of drug rehab or alcohol treatment need to learn a lot of different things about addiction. One of the most important things that these professionals can learn is how relationships and rehab are connected.

Let's take a look at some examples of relationship issues in a few of the alcohol treatment centers in Florida:

• Several of the people who came to this Florida drug rehab center for help with their addiction did so because their addiction spun out of control after the breakup of a relationship.
• A few of the people in this Florida drug treatment program were here because their loved ones performed an intervention to get them some help.
• One man has been back and forth from the center a few times. He sobers up but then he moves back in with his girlfriend who still drinks and he ends up falling back into those old patterns.
• Relationships between people in the program together are common even though it is not recommended that these relationships take place.

Almost every drug rehab center in the country shows some of the same relationship issues coming up for people. Professionals in this business need to understand that in order to be able to work well with the people they are trying to help.