Electric Tour Company Review - Travel and Play in San Francisco

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 Hey, it's me coming to you all the way from my San Francisco vacation in Golden Gate Park. Yes, I am on a Segway and oh yeah, it obviously is my first time driving. 


I thought I was doing pretty good. That is until I leaned forward and let it rip right toward one of my trainers, Evan. Take notice on Evan's face. That is how he looked right before I flattened him like a pancake, driving my Segway a little too fast.

Evan, hoping we can drive

Okay, that isn't really the truth. I learned how to ride a Segway just fine and Evan, he's a great Electric Tour Company trainer and still around to work with the next lucky group. I tried to convince him to let me ride off into the sunset with my Segway. It didn't work, but he did let me ride around Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California and even waved me on, all while trying to hide how he felt about my driving skills.

What is a Segway? It's a two wheeled electric personal transporter. The design allows you to stay upright on it even when not moving. They are easy to learn to use. Especially  when an awesome group like the staff at Electric Tour Company works so patiently with you.

Our tour guide, Devin, giving group instruction

Upon arrival at the Segway tour start point, my mom and I checked it, was given a helmet and a vest and assigned a Segway. We were treated to a private lesson where one of the pleasant staff members told us about how the Seway's worked, taught us how to mount and dismount, then let us try it on our own. All safety issues were addressed and by the time my personal training session was over, I was confident I could start and stop without killing myself or the person in front of me. Then our entire group lined up on our Segways for our group instruction. We were given a chance to try an obstacle course. Actually, we drove around cones and successfully left them all standing. After the approximately 30 to 40 minute training session, the real fun began.

I've been to San Francisco before, but never to the Golden Gate Park. I was super excited to see the park. I love trying new things and chose the Segway tour because I've never done one. I usually rent a bicycle and drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausilito when traveling to San Francisco, but since I was traveling with my mom, I thought the Segway Tour would be something she would like better. Definitely a good choice. We both had a great time and learned a lot about the park.

Something I learned. The entire park is man made. Sand dunes originally covered the park area. Every plant and tree was brought in from around the world and planted in the park. Luckily, they not only survived, but thrived. John McLaren, one of the early park commissioners, worked tirelessly to make sure the gardens could be enjoyed by all. I also learned Golden Gate Park is one of the top five largest urban parks in the United States. Thanks to my tour guide, Devin, I not only learned these park facts, I also got to see the beautiful gardens he taught us about and even got to see the statue honoring John McLaren. 

Mom & I in front of man made lake

The entire tour lasted around two and a half hours. I would definitely do this tour again. Both my mom and I had a great time and thought it was well worth it. When I didn't laugh at all of our tour guide, Devin's jokes, he was probably wondering what I thought. Wonder no more. Devin was excellent as was the rest of the staff. Judging by the photos on the Electric Tour Company's Facebook page, we weren't the only ones who loved our tour. The smiles on the faces of the participants tell it all. Electric Tour Company also offer Fisherman Wharf tours in San Francisco. I highly recommend this tour for anybody traveling to San Francisco. Keep in mind, children under the age of 12 can not participate since only one person can ride on the Segway.

**Disclosure: Per FTC guidelines, I received my tour at no charge and paid for my mom's tour. Regardless, my opinions and experience are honest and not influenced by the company providing the tour.

Travel in the USA: Southwest Airlines Review

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Our plane preparing for flight

Airports aren't always the most exciting places. Not unless their the starting point of a fun trip. Before getting to the airport, there is always the process of choosing what airline to fly in the first place.

I invited my mom to travel to San Franciso, California. I had been several times and knew it was a great city to with plenty of things to do and see. I always start my search for airlines with the online travel sites. There I can usually find the airlines side by side for the best pricing. Then I compare those prices directly on the airline's sites. I  check Southwest Airlines as their prices are not posted on those sites. Prices are not the only important thing for me. I also check for the availability of direct flights. It's not fun sitting in airport for lay overs just to save a few dollars. 

Since I was traveling with my mother, I had some extra considerations to take into account. While I am used to traveling and can fit all I need in my carry on luggage. My mom likes to pack much more. I knew she would want to pack an extra bag. I also knew that extra bag could cost as much as $30 each way. Automatically, I was drawn to checking Southwest Airlines for rates to San Francisco. I did find the best rates compared to other airlines. Unfortunately, I didn't find direct flights at times that we convenient for us. However, I found rates for the Oakland, California airport which I knew was nearby and not only found better prices, but better times with direct flights. My experiences with Southwest in the past have always been good so I booked our flights, happy to have found convenient flights much lower than the other airlines I checked.

Mom waiting for our flight

With Southwest Airlines, there is no assigned seating so the earlier you can check in, the better boarding position you get. I wasn't able to check in right at the 24 hour before mark but I was able to check in online early enough to get a B boarding pass. This would at least allow us to find two seats together. However, compared to other airlines I've flown, Southwest seems to board faster. I wonder if it's because people keep moving until finding an empty seat instead of stopping in front of someone who has a seat further back.

Our flight boarded on time and was out of the gate on on the runway within ten minutes of the scheduled depart time. We arrived exactly on time in Oakland. The flight attendants were pleasant. The seats were comfortable. Our experience was definitely a good one. I was impressed with yet another trip with Southwest in which my flight was on time. Next time I travel, I will check Southwest first, as I not only like the on time flights, but the chance to check in one piece of luggage at no extra charge. Thanks Southwest for another great flight. I can't wait to write about our trip to San Francisco.

**This is not a sponsored post. I did not receive anything in return for my post.

Melaleuca Essential Oil Review & Giveaway

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Essential Oils are used from aromatherapy and relaxation to various dietary uses. They are extracted from the leaves, seeds, bark, stems and other areas of plants.Some vital oils contain have powerful antioxidant properties. Many are safe for dietary use, but some oils can only be used externally.

I've used essential oils in the past for massage therapy and enjoy how the calming smells help with relaxation and how my skin feels after having the oil massaged into it. I love trying new oils and am especially drawn to citrus and mint. I was thrilled to receive a bottle of dōTERRA Melaleuca oil to review. I learned that Melaleuca oil, also known as "tea tree" oil has a rich history of being used as a cleansing oil and skin regeneration. Since it is one of the few oils that are targeted for cuts, I decided to try it on a small cut on my hand. I used it for five days. What I liked is that it kept my sore from drying out and from itching as it healed. I also liked that it kept my skin soft around the sore. The Melaleuca oil does have a scent that I was worried would be too strong for me. I sometimes have skin reactions to products with strong scents, but did not have any skin reaction to the Melaleuca oil. The scent did not bother me. I liked the oil so much that I used it to rub into my cuticles as well. My cuticles were dry and a few of them were cracking. After five days, my cuticles did not feel dry. I was thrilled that the oil worked well for me.

While I know the medicinal benefits of essential oils have not been evaluated by the FDA, I do know how well the oil I tried worked for me and it makes me want to try more. I would love to try the peppermint.

Do you want the chance to try some essential oils? ENTER HERE for your chance to win one of the following awesome prizes.

Contest Prizes - Ends April 16, 2012

1. 1 Grand Prize Winner - Family Physician Kits (10 bottles of our most popular oils) PLUS a full outfit from Bohme Boutique
2. 3 First Runner's Up - Essential Oil Introductory Pack (3 bottles of oils)
3. 10 Second Runner's Up - (1 Bottle of oil)

Disclosure: In accordance with FTC guidelines, I received a bottle of essential oil to try for review purposes. Regardless, my opinions are my own and not influenced by outside sources.

College Text Book Rentals

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Textbooks I'm stuck with

As a college student the only thing more maddening than buying an expensive textbook and only using it one semester was trying to sell that book back to the campus book store only to be told that the textbook is being replaced by a newer edition. Argh! It's been several years since I was in college and I still remember how frustrating that was. With a son getting ready to graduate from high school and heading to a university, I am looking for ways to save wherever I can on his education.

For about half the price of buying a new textbook, my son can now rent textbooks for the semester and return them postage free at the end of the semester. No longer are we stuck with textbooks we will never open again like the ones in my photo. I paid up to $80.00 each for the books. With four or five classes each requiring a textbook, that can raise the cost of a college education by almost $1000.00 per year. Ouch! For us, that could mean the difference of having our child live at home during college or closer to campus.

I checked the rental price of the algebra book in my photo. I paid almost $80.00 for the book. I could have rented the same book through Campusbookrentals for $22.25 for an 85 day quarter or $24.45 for a 130 semester. This is a huge savings. As soon as my son chooses his college courses, I am going online to find his textbooks. There is no way I'm paying so much for college textbooks again. Anybody working their own way through college will appreciate the savings even more. I even noticed Campus Book Rentals offers $5 toward textbook rentals for inviting friends. That's easy. What college student wouldn't want to save a few bucks?
 

I'm participating in a bloggers campaign sponsored by Cyber connect bloggers network and was compensated. However the opinions are mine.
Link to: http://www.cyberconnect.ning.com

Perfectly Posh Review and $15 Gift Certificate Giveaway

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I love bath and body products so I can't think of very many things better than getting my cute little pink bag full of Perfectly Posh products to review. Let's just say if I was sitting on the fence about Perfectly Posh items before, I have made the leap and can't quit jumping. I am now a full fledged fan.

 Pucker up for the LipShot Balm - Raspberry Bang-Bang.
This moisture shot lip balm will do more than give your lips a raspberry bang. Not only was the flavor truly scrumptious, the lip balm left my lips super soft. My favorite thing about the lip shot is that it didn't feel waxy. When I rubbed my lips together, it was like gliding across ice, only a lot warmer. Okay, that might be a little stretch, but the moisture in the balm got rid of any roughness and friction. Made with shea butter and almond oil.

I live in a dry climate so my skin often feels tight or itchy. I go through a lot of moisturizing products and shea butter is one of my favorite ingredients. The minute I saw the Slather whipped shea body butter from Perfectly Posh, I knew I had to try it. It did not disappoint. The Slather left my skin feeling soft without feeling greasy. My favorite thing is that it absorbs quickly so I didn't have to spend a lot of time rubbing it into my skin. I used the Slather on most of my body. It worked especially well on my hands. I had some sores around my finger bed where I had pulled a hangnail. I rubbed the Slather into the sore and it kept it smooth so I wouldn't pick at it. I was impressed that the Slather didn't make my sore sting at all and even aided in the healing of a scratch I had on my leg.

I received two different scents of the Slather to try. The first was Lemon Rice. It reminded me more of vanilla with a very faint splash of lemon. I like vanilla so I found the scent calming. I was not at all disappointed about the weak lemon scent.

The second scent was the Sassyooma. I would never guess by the name that it is a citrus scent, like grapefruit. I absolutely loved this scent and have found my new favorite. I could order every item in the Sassyooma scent and not get sick of it for a long time. It smelled so good I almost wanted to eat it. The Sassyooma is made with cocoa butter and lived up to the description of being like satin. The Slathers contain vitamin E which is another ingredient I look for in creams and lotions.

I can't wait to try some of the new Spring products. I have my big eyes set on the fat yummy hand cream.

As always, my favorite thing about the Perfectly Posh items is that they are made in the U.S.A.

Isn't it time you Posh yourself too. I received my products from Perfectly Posh consultant, Shaleen Ague who is also on Facebook. Shaleen has generously offered to give one of my readers a $15.00 gift certificate to choose a Perfectly Posh product of their choice.

Contest Details: $15.00 Gift Certificate/Code to Shaleen Ague's Perfectly Posh store. Contest starts 3/25/2012 and ends 4/7/2012 at 11:59 EST. Please use the Rafflecopter form for entries. By entering the contest, you agree to the terms on the Rafflecopter form.

**Disclosure: As per FTC guidelines, I received the products at no charge for review purposes only. I was not required to give a positive review in exchange for product nor do I accept products on the condition that I will give a  positive review. All opinions are my own.

Carbona Color Grabber Cloths: Product Review

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I am one that doesn't mind separating my laundry into colors and whites. I've had a few laundry mishaps in turning clothes a different color, but it is usually when I have brand new jeans or a new red shirt. Once I wash my new clothes a few times, they stop bleeding during the laundry cycle.

Still, I was excited with the prospect of a product that would keep the dyes in my clothes from bleeding into each other. Though I didn't have any new clothes to try the Carbona Color Grabber Cloths on, I did try them on several loads of everyday clothes.

My first load of whites, I used one cloth in the wash load and transferred the cloth to the dryer at the completion of the wash in my front loader washer and dryer. I didn't think the color grabber cloth would look much different after a load of whites, but it did look a bit dirty when I pulled my laundry out of the dryer. I'm assuming the cloth picked up some of the dirt from the laundry.

White load with after Carbona Cloth on top

For the second load of laundry, a load of colors, I again used one Carbona Color Grabber Cloth for the load. The cloth definitely looked dirtier at the completion of the wash and dry and had more color attached to the cloth than the load of whites.

Colors load with used Carbona Cloth on top

For my third load, I mixed whites and colors. Again, I used one color grabber cloth. The cloth was definitely darker than the cloth from the white load. There was only a slight difference in darkness from the all color load. The cloth appeared to have some of the dye from the darker clothes as well as some dirt. I threw in a red shirt with this load, but the red shirt has never bled before so I didn't anticipate it bleeding this time either. I did not see any red dye on the cloth afterwards so I assume the red shirt had no extra dye in the first place.

Mixed loads with used Carbona Cloth on top right

After I finished with the three loads, I compared the Carbona Cloths side by side to a new Carbona Cloth. Each cloth had a definite change with the cloth from the colors load the darkest and showing the most color grabbing.

From left: New Carbona Cloth, cloth used on whites, used on colors, mixed load

The Carbona Color Grabber Cloths work on older clothes without excess dye. I didn't try them on new clothes, but the packaging suggests washing new clothes five times before trying the cloths which seems to defeat the purpose. At less than $3.00 for  package of 12, the price is reasonable. If I was one who wanted to wash my colors and whites together, I would use these on a regular basis. For now, I will keep them on hand and use them when I think about it or if I have a small amount of clothes I need to throw together on a mixed load. I may use them when I have newer clothes as well. However, since I don't mind separating my clothes, I doubt I will remember to use them on a regular basis.

**In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a sample at no charge for review purposes. This in no way influenced my review. All opinions are honest and based on my real experiences.

Made in America Blogger Event

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                                                             CALLING ALL BLOGGERS!!!

Mimi from Woven By Words and Courtney from Joy Of Momma Joyner are excited to bring a FUN, new event celebrating The 4th Of July, called Made In America. This event will run from 12:01am EST Wednesday, July 4, 2012 through 11:59pm EST Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Want to join in the celebration fun? It’s super easy!!

Sign up now.

Need some ideas for U.S.A. made products you could include in your giveaway. Be sure to check out my category pages on the left side of my blog. There are a lot of companies still making products in the U.S.A. This is our chance to get the word out.

Simple® Smoothing Facial Scrub Review

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Simple® Skincare, the number one selling line of skincare in the U.K. is now available in the U.S. What's even better is that Simple® skincare is being manufactured in the U.S. as well.

For the last week, I have been using the smoothing facial scrub. I haven't always been a fan of facial scrubs. I have sensitive skin and most facial scrubs leave my face feeling scratched and tender. I was hesitant to give this product a try, but the fact the entire skin care line is made for sensitive skin gave me confidence that it might be different. It was different in a great way.

Rice granules help exfoliate dry skin. The granules were a little bigger than I would like. However, they worked well. I did not feel any scratching or burning on my skin from the granules. I liked that it left my skin feeling smooth and ready for moisturizer. It did not dry my sensitive skin. There are no harsh chemical or irritants in the smoothing scrub which is important for those of us with sensitive skin. I did not have any reaction at all to the scrub.

The scrub is supposed to be unscented. However, there is a scent which I did find a bit unpleasant. Not enough to make me not want to use the product though. The scent is not a perfumed scent, but perhaps a natural scent from the added ingredients. This was the only thing I didn't love about the product. However, it worked as well as similar upper end products I have used and I like that I can find it at my local Walgreen's which is not far from me.

I also liked that the scrub contains Vitamin E to help improve the moisture of my skin. I have no problem in continuing to use it. I look forward to trying more products from this skin care line.

Want to find out how others liked this product? Visit She Speaks Up on Facebook.


**Disclosure: I received the product at no charge from Simple® and shespeaks.com for review purposes. This in no way influenced my opinion about the product.

$10 Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway (CLOSED)

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The last Starbucks gift card I gave away was such a success, I wanted to do it again. This gives me a chance to thank my readers for supporting my blog.

Did you know you can shop online at Starbucks?





Contest Details: Winner will receive a $10.00 Starbucks gift card by mail. Contest starts 3/19/2012 and ends 4/2/2012 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond. Open to US and Canada. Please use Rafflecopter form and see form for terms. By entering this contest, you agree to the terms set forth.

**Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. Post may contain affiliate links.

The U.S. Political Process

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Photo by Ian Britton at Free Foto

        The Neighborhood Caucus               

I'm embarrassed to admit I had never attended a neighborhood caucus meeting until a few days ago. I never really understood the entire political process until recently. Sure I've been a registered voter for years and haven't missed voting in quite a while. However, so much happens before a name is even put on the ballot. I learned that the hard way when I watched a esteemed sitting senator get ousted by his own party before the voters even had a chance to vote. I was outraged and it wasn't even because I wanted the senator to win another term. It was because I had no say. I was not allowed to vote. From that moment, I decided I would learn more about the political process and make sure I got involved.

I grew up in a blue collar working class family. My father use to complain about politicians yet he never did a thing about it. He never researched a candidate and never bothered to register to vote. As a teen, I recognized the irony in my dad's rantings. I knew I would never have room to talk about politics unless I was willing to get out and vote. Recently, I recognized the I had no room to complain about the current caucus system in my state if I was not participating. 

In a perfect democratic society, the names for public office would be put on a ballot and everybody would be allowed to vote with victor taking the most votes. However, the current allows for only one name on the ballot for each party. That doesn't mean only one person wants the job. The names have to be narrowed down. This is where the neighborhood caucus comes into play.

Not every state has a caucus system, but the state of Utah where I live does. And finally, I learned first hand how it works. Each neighborhood is divided into a precinct. On the party's caucus night, you are asked to attend your precinct meeting. This means you have to choose a party in which to register with. The idea of the caucus meeting is to discuss the candidates as neighbors and decide which candidate best represents the people. If the entire neighborhood would show up for the meeting, the caucus system would work well. Unfortunately, very few people show up to these meetings. I understand a few years ago, only nine people were at a caucus meeting. This year, both major parties made a push to get a higher attendance at these meetings. They even asked local churches to encourage their parishioners to attend the caucuses for both parties. Their efforts paid off and we had over 50 people at our caucus meeting for the first time in years. 

Once the candidates are discussed, delegates are chosen by votes of the caucus attendees. The delegates attend the party convention and he or she will vote for the candidate to represent the party in the primary election. The two candidates with the most votes will emerge from the party convention and appear on the ballot for the primary election. Then all registered voters for the party will vote on the one who will represent that party in the general election.  It is expected that the delegates will vote for the candidate in which they stated they would in the meeting, but the delegate is actually free to change their mind. I attended my meeting in hopes of securing a delegate spot for the state convention. Since it was my first caucus, my chances against the older, more established members was slim. Though I did not win the vote for the state delegate, I did secure a spot as a county delegate. I thought that was fair since I had never attended a meeting before and I feel fortunate I was given the chance to be a delegate at all.

My next step is to research all of the candidates running for office in my county. I want to be completely prepared to vote for the candidate in the convention that not only represents my views but those of my neighbors as well. It really is a powerful spot to be in. There will be only 1600 people at the party convention to choose the candidates who will show up on the primary ballot. I will be inundated with phone calls from the candidates in which I will choose from. For me, it will be an inconvenience to have my phone ring at dinner time for the next month, but I also feel the common people have to make sure our voices are heard. 

I encourage every citizen to get involved in the political process. This is the only way we can make sure the fringes of either party will not gain too much power. Not sure when your meetings are or what type of process is used in your area? Call the local party offices. They will be happy to walk you through the process. This is the way we get our voices heard.

VA Home Loans

Tweet You have served your country. Now you want to buy a home in the country. With home prices down and interest rates for VA home loans lower than ever, it's a great time to buy a home. However, this can be a daunting task. Finding the perfect home is easy, it's trying to get a loan that is the hard part. Luckily, you don't have to go any further than your keyboard to find the help you need.

VA Home Loans.net can help you get started. You can even get pre-qualified for a loan which makes house shopping so much easier. When I was shopping for my home, I got pre-qualified for a loan which helped me in finding a home in the price range I could afford. No need to look at houses above your loan rate and get excited only to find out you can't afford it. This way, you will know before you get started. Why pay rent when for the same monthly payment, you can own your own home? As a veteran, you may even qualify for a home loan with little or no money down. 


Make sure you check out the offer for vets, and see for yourself if the time is right for owning your piece of the American dream.


**Disclosure: Sponsored Post

Lucky Clover Giveaway Event. Game Gear Athletic Shirt Giveaway (CLOSED)

Tweet                                                                                                       Thanks for hopping over to my blog for the St. Patrick's Day blog hop. I have a wonderful sponsor, Game Gear, who has generously agreed to give not one but 5 lucky winners a Game Gear Performance Tech Shirt.

Game Gear Women's Performance Tech Slash Short Sleeve Shirt is perfect for running and cross training. I have one I received to review and I absolutely love it for running. It keeps my arms from rubbing and chafing and it wicks moisture away from my body. The winner of this prize will get to choose this shirt in any available color and can choose men's or women's. Use the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post to enter to win the Game Gear shirt and read on to find out more about the Lucky Clover Event.

Welcome to the Saint Patrick's Lucky Clover Event! Together with Anderson's Angels and Joy Of Momma Joyner, I am excited to be a part of a fun blog hop with a total of 30 bloggers! There is a great prize package valued at $25 or more on each blog! You'll definitely want to hop on to all the blogs to enter!

This event runs 12:01am EST Saturday, March 17, 2012 through 11:59pm EST Friday, March 23, 2012. Don't delay, start entering now! :)

ALSO... Visit either one of the two host blogs linked above and find a CASH GIVEAWAY valued at $75! EASY to enter on a Rafflecopter form!

To win the Performance Tech Athletic Shirt from Game Gear, please use the Rafflecopter form. After you are finished, visit one or all of the participating blogs to enter more great contests.

Target Gift Card Flash Giveaway (CLOSED)

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Welcome to our Target Gift Card Flash Giveaway! I've teamed up with an awesome group of bloggers in hopes that you will use your winnings to buy more Made in USA items. Over the next 3 days you can enter for your chance to win the following prize: 

                              $25 Target Gift Card

Use the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday night - 3/18/12.

Have We Become Too Much of a Price Driven Society?

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I recently had a conversation on the telephone with a potential cosmetic surgical patient at my place of business. The first thing the client asked is what we charged for the procedure. After I explained to him the pricing structure and how he really needed to come in for an appointment to get an exact quote, he very honestly replied that we were not the cheapest surgeon and that price was the biggest issue for him. I asked him, "Aren't you concerned about the skill of the doctor in performing this procedure? Don't you want to know about our doctor's credentials and how many of these procedures he has performed." The client was very candid and frankly replied, "Not really. I am truly only concerned about price." I happen to know which doctor is the cheapest in town in performing this procedure. I also happen to know that this doctor came into town with the least experience. He could not compete with skill or experience so he had to drastically cut the cost of the service to compete with the more established doctors. While I am not suggesting his lack of experience compared to the other surgeons make him a bad doctor, I am concerned that in a consumer's efforts to find the best price, that quality may suffer.

This conversation really got me thinking. Have we really become such a price driven society that we don't think about the consequences? In my workplace, we have at least one patient a year who comes to our office wanting us to "fix" a less than desirable outcome of the cosmetic procedure in question. When we ask who did the original procedure, it is always one of the doctors with less training and experience. This isn't unique to our setting. This happens in the service industry every day. I have friends who are general contractors. One of them told me that he has to charge more because of licensing requirements and insurance he keeps for his company. He told me he is constantly being undercut in pricing by handymen who neither have the proper licensing nor insurance. The scary thing is that if you hired one of these handymen and they happened to get hurt while remodeling your home, they could potentially sue you for damages. However, a licensed and insured general contractor would already be covered under his own plan. As consumers, we risk more than we can imagine when we fail to ask about proper licensing, training requirements, etc. In the long run, it might even cost more to have a bad job fixed.

It's not just the service industry. It's in the products we buy as well. I use to buy jeans at a store I will not name. The price was attractive. I could get two pairs for the price I paid for one at a more expensive department store. Unfortunately, I got holes in the knees of the jeans and both pair only lasted a year. I finally broke down and bought a more expensive pair and sure enough, they lasted longer than a year. In the long run, I actually saved more buying one pair and having that pair last longer than the other two.

When I have potential patient's I know are shopping around, I give them a list of questions they should be asking besides price. Many of these questions apply to the entire service industry and I have modified them. When hiring somebody whether it be a doctor, a contractor, a plumber or even a dog groomer, please ask these questions:

• Does you job require licenses and if so, do you have the proper licenses?
• Are you insured?
• What type of training have you done? For doctors, a fellowship training is more intense than a weekend course. Ask a doctor if they are a trained fellow in their area of expertise.
• Can you provide at least 5 non-family references?
• Can I see some of your previous work?
• Do you offer any guarantees or warranties for your work in writing?
• How long have you been in business?
• If you have assistants helping you with the job, how much experience do those assistants have?
• What sets you apart from your competitors? I always want to hear what they can do better not how bad their competitors are.

I find many of our potential patients are too afraid to ask these types of questions. I always tell them never to be timid. As a consumer, you have a right to know and a reputable business will answer all  questions, honestly, professionally and ethically. If something makes you feel uneasy, walk away. I had a female client in for a consultation. We told her we needed to run some lab tests to make sure she was a candidate for the procedure. She had been to other doctors and not one had talked to her about lab tests. Little things like this are really a red flag. Another red flag is a professional telling you that licenses, fellowship training, etc. are not really necessary to perform the work. That is the answer I hear when those professionals don't have what you are asking for. It's important not to let cost drive you into making a decision you might regret later.

Elton In Concert

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Guest post by Gerard Mcdaniel

Earlier this week, I logged onto Ticketmaster.com, using my clearwirelessinternet.com. Elton John is performing next week pretty close to home. All of my Ticketmaster e-mails had been going to my SPAM folder, so I was completely unaware that Elton was coming until I heard one of my co-workers talking about it. I have loved Elton John ever since I was able to listen to music. My mom has always been a huge fan, and naturally, I grew up listening to Elton and being able to sing all of the songs that came on the radio. So after I heard my co-worker talking about going to see the show, I was delighted that there were still some tickets available! Unfortunately, the only thing that was left was the nose-bleed section. Even in the nose-bleeds the tickets were pretty expensive, one hundred and forty dollars. That is a pretty penny for an evening out, but I think that to see Elton, when I have never seen him live, it is definitely worth it. I decided to buy two tickets: one for me and one for my mother. I am going to surprise her with them next week when it is time to go to the show. I know that she is going to love it!

**Disclosure: Sponsored guest post

Walmart Gift Card Flash Giveaway (CLOSED)

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Welcome to our Walmart Gift Card Flash Giveaway! I've joined with a group of my fellow bloggers in the hope you will buy more Made in USA items at Walmart. I know it is sometimes hard to find Made in USA, but if enough people start asking, then maybe we can convince some of our low price stores to look for and carry more Made in USA products. Over the next 3 days you can enter for your chance to win the following prize:

                              $25 Walmart Gift Card

Use the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on Thursday night - 3/15/12.

Be A Sexy You!

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During the month of March, Eden Fantasys is celebrating the International Women's Day (March 8) 

with their "Be a Sexy You" campaign. Everybody needs a little "me" time. As a woman, I give so much to others, I need to time to slow down and give myself some time too. Even a chance to soak in a warm bubble bath is enough to replenish my mental energy for another week.

What better way to give something to yourself than indulgent beauty and bath products made in the U.S.A. from Eden Fantasys. I've had a chance to try some of Eden Fantasys awesome skin care products and they really are indulgent. How about treating yourself to your own bubble bath with the Chemistry Bubble Bath set? 

Want to look beautiful for that woman in the mirror? I always love trying new make up and it's good to mix it up once in a while. Eden Fantays carries a great line of make up like this palette.

I love the vast array of beauty products I find at Eden Fantasys. The only trouble I have with them is that it's hard to choose which one I want. I wish I had money to buy them all. I'm sure you will have the same problem. 

Eden Fantasys has found a way to help you out. During March and the "Be a Sexy You" campaign they are offering 20% off your entire order. Just use the code POTOFGOLD at check out before March 31, 2012 to receive your discount, and don't forget to celebrate yourself by giving you some "me" time.

**Disclosure: In accordance with FTC regulations, I received compensation for this post in the form of a gift card from Eden Fantasys. Regardless, I only agree to write about products Made in U.S.A.

Products Americans Want to See Made in U.S.A.

Tweet                                                                                                                                                Manufacturers:  Let's Bring These Home

Recently, I conducted an informal survey in which I asked my readers in contest entry question what they would like to see manufactured in the U.S.A. I had over 300 people respond. Many of those respondents gave more than one item they would like to see. The majority of the respondents were women. Almost every category from my list on the left side bar was mentioned. I have listed the items from the highest responses to the lowest.

• Apparel                                                        
• Electronics
• Toys
• Shoes
• Food
• baby/kids products 
• home including home decor and cooking supplies
• pet
• purses/bags
• Holiday items
• Bath & Body
• Furniture & appliances
• other 

I urged my readers several months ago to join the $64 movement. For those that don't know, it is estimated that 200,000 new jobs could be created if Americans would spend $64.00 on U.S. made goods. I have created a category list to help my readers find U.S. products. As for the number one item, on the list of what my readers want, I have found many apparel companies still making products here in the United States. The only category in which I haven't found many U.S. made products is electronics, but there are some companies out there.

One of the biggest reasons I hear from consumers is that though they would like items made in the U.S., they can't afford them. In my reviews of U.S. made products, I have found that many not much more expensive than products shipped from overseas. For those that are more expensive, it is usually by a few dollars. I realize this may not be true of luxury brands, but not all U.S. companies are targeting those with lots of money. I urge my readers to take another look at U.S.A. made. For me, the durability I've found in U.S.A. made products make it worth spending a few extra dollars. In the long run, I haven't saved money if I have to replace a low quality product sooner than the higher quality counterpart.

When more Americans demand U.S.A. made goods, more companies will be forced to bring manufacturing home. We all have to work together to bring the middle class back. 

Comments are welcome. I would especially my readers to answer this question: What is your biggest deterrent to buying Made in U.S.A.?

Natural House: Review and Giveaway

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  I always like to try green and natural products. But, that doesn't mean I think they always work better. I've tried cleaning products in the past that are supposed to be natural, but just can't stack up to some of the tough cleaning that some of the harsher chemicals accomplish. 

I am happy to report that I have found cleaning products that can stand up to their harsher counterparts without the chemicals that sometimes burn my skin or leave me dizzy. Natural House makes natural cleaning products that work by using cutting edge probiotic action. The probiotics are natural enzymes which break down grease and digests odors.

I received three Natural House products, Flushy, Trashy and Sinky. The catchy names are perfect for the intended use.

                                             Flushy

Flushy toilet bowl cleaner came in easy to use individual packets. I just cut one open and poured it into the toilet bowl cleaner. It foamed up quickly and changed to the common blue color of most toilet bowl cleaners. I waited a few minutes and scrubbed the toilet bowl with my brush. My bowl was clean afterward. I had accidentally left a small piece of toilet paper in the bowl and noticed right away that Flushy was breaking down the paper. Though I don't have a septic system, it is safe to use in septic tanks and the probiotics continue to break down waste and paper after it is flushed. My toilet bowl stayed clean an entire week before I had to use Flushy again. Definitely a bonus for me. Really, who likes cleaning toilets anyway?

                         Trashy
First impressions are always a funny thing. I thought for sure Trashy would be the product I liked the least and yet I ended up liking it the best. I had put the wet chicken packaging in the garbage and left it there overnight. Unfortunately, the bag leaked all over the inside of the garbage can and it was smelling rank by the next afternoon. I sprayed my can with Trashy and let it sit for a minute before wiping off. Trashy has a nice hint of wintergreen scent. It left my trash can smelling clean and fresh. I used a second spray and let it dry on just to make sure the rotten smell went away which it did. By the time we replaced the bag a few days later, the garbage can still did not smell.

                              Sinky

The last product, Sinky, designed for sink disposals worked well too. My disposal hadn't been cleaned for a while and I noticed a sour smell before I used Sinky. I didn't see it bubble the first time I used it. I also noticed it took into the second week and the second time I used to to get the smell out. However, compared to other products I've used, this was quite an improvement. As dirty as my disposal was, I didn't expect it to work perfect the first time but it did a pretty dang good job. After two weeks, I could no longer smell the sour smell. Sinky is easy to use in a single use packet which lasts all week.

Natural House products are definitely right for me. To find out more about these great products and how they work, watch the You Tube video.


Want to purchase Natural House products? You can purchase directly from Natural House on their website HERE or on Amazon HERE

Follow Natural House on Facebook or Twitter. Natural House is giving away a 30 day supply of Flushy, Trashy and Sinky to one of my lucky readers.

Contest Details: Please use the Rafflecopter form for all entries. Winner will receive a 30 day supply of Flushy, Trashy and Sinky. Contest starts 3/5/2012 and ends 3/18/2012 at 12:01 a.m. EST. By entering, you agree to the terms set forth on the Rafflecopter entry form.

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fan Jam 2012 Givaway

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Hosted by: Mom Blog Society, Mom Does Reviews & Tropic Heat Studios

Shawn Gallaway, The Singing Sage, is a singer songwriter, visual artist, author, ceremonial healer, workshop facilitator, energy worker and Certified Lifeline Practitioner. He has traveled throughout the world sharing his message of healing through the arts, branding Conscious Music a movement calling attention to the significance and to the consequences choice has in our lives. Recently, Shawn shared the stage with authors Gregg Braden, Bruce Lipton, Robert Holden and with rock and pop masters Orleans and Friends. He also had the high honor of being present for the showing of his I Choose Love music video during the presentation of a Freedom Award by the Civil Right’s Museum in Memphis, Tennessee to his Holiness the Dahlia Llama.








As a workshop facilitator and a ceremonial healer, Shawn has assisted and blessed many over the years with his keen insight and his ability to bring a sense of humor to the healing process. He is also a screenwriter whose current passion is producing and combining all his gifts into a multimedia theater production and film called The Choice. The Choice can best be described as a healing experience that can enlighten and inspire the masses into loving action in the world through the use of the arts. The Choice chronicles the healing journey of eight brave men and women who together choose Love and walk the path of the heart, transforming their fears into love in service to humanity and the earth.

Currently,Shawn resides in Nashville, Tennessee and continues to tour and share his passion for healing through the arts and through conscious music, calling attention to the impact our choices have all over the world.

The Giveaway: 7 Winners!

Grandprize: 1 Flat Screen TV

3 lucky winners will get this autographed Shawn Gallaway CD:

3 lucky winners will get Shawn's Infinite Love and Gratitude Artwork:

Giveaway starts March 2, 2012 and ends March 15, 2012

Open to US only.

Use the Rafflecopter form to enter below!

If form does not load, click HERE.