First Annual New Year's Eve party

Guest post written by Charlotte Robertson

I've been to tons of New Year's Eve parties before but this year is the first time that I've actually hosted one. I'm a little nervous about it but I think that it's going to be really great. I've been planning for a few weeks now and because we went home to my parents' for Christmas, I've been able to concentrate on hosting this party.

2010 was actually our first year as a married couple and homeowners, so I'm still kind of excited to show off our house because this is the first big event we've hosted in it. I've been getting a lot of the ideas and recipes for the party online and when I was looking up a cheese ball recipe about a week ago I came across the website Cleartvbundle.com. I looked through it a little bit and then we signed up for one of the home internet packages we found on there.

I just hope that we have enough room in our house for the New Year's party because it isnÕt exactly a mansion.

My Favorite New Year's Eve Program

Guest written by our friend Mason Abbott

Every year my family and I gather together on New Year's Eve and have a quiet evening at home waiting to ring in the New Year. We have a nice family dinner, then desserts and then it's time to put on the television and watch Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve. This show has been on the air ever since I can remember. Dick Clark always puts on great show with many different entertainers. He has a lot of musical numbers that are played and it is just a tradition with our family to watch this each year.

Dick Clark does not actually host the show any longer but, he is there anyway. He counts down the minutes until the New Year and builds the excitement along the way. My family and I always watch this show on our satellite television from http://www.cannonsatellite.com/ since it gives us the best reception for it. We never lose the signal and even if the weather is bad on New Year's, we always get this show. Over the years, Dick Clark has been known to kick start the careers of many new singers and often these now famous people will appear on his show on New Year's Eve.

Many stars like Barry Manilow have appeared on this show over the years. Barry Manilow actually wrote the theme song for Dick Clark's bandstand show years ago, I believe.

Aspen: A Skier's Delight

Thanks for the guest post by Jo Levy

Our family enjoys skiing as a way to exercise while also spending quality time together. One of our favorite places to ski is in Aspen, Colorado. We have stayed at a number of resorts in this city and love the casual, relaxed atmosphere of the town. Nestled between Smuggler Mountain and Aspen Mountain, the town is a skier's delight.

Once a year, my oldest son meets us and his two younger siblings for a weeklong retreat in Aspen. We usually visit in February when the conditions are perfect for skiing. Though we have stayed at rental condominiums in the past, our family prefers to stay at a resort because of convenient access to restaurants and the slopes. The price is often slightly higher, but we truly enjoy meeting new people and families at the ski lodges.

Preparing for our annual ski trip involves making sure we have brought all the ski equipment we need. Since our family drives to Aspen, innovative packing methods are a must. We usually tie large equipment, like skis, to the top of our car. After setting our home security alarm from http://www.Allhomesecurity.com/_ and asking our neighbors to feed our cats, we are off for a fun week of skiing in Aspen.

He Stole What

Thanks to Erasmo Cortez

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas lives on forever in my mind as my favorite animated Christmas special. I could give you all the reasons for this, but it would take years to explain it all to you. The green Grinch doesn't like Christmas but the Who's in Whoville set him straight. After much evil, he's able to see the true meaning of Christmas and even carve the roast beast, something that is endlessly cute to myself and anyone else out there that has ever appreciated this Christmas classic.

My list of favorite shows usually includes all those Christmas classics. I don't mind watching a show or two that's new every season but my heart belongs to the old, established shows that have proven themselves reliable over the years. Every time I watch one of these shows, it's like I've never seen it before in my life. The magic happens all over again. I plan to continue enjoying The Grinch Who Stole Christmas every year on my direc 4 u television broadcast, and I'll pass the tradition down to my children and any other children in the world that want to see one of the greatest animated specials of all time.

It's the best at Christmas but it's also best in its category. There's a reason that the Grinch is a highly memorable classic and one viewing will prove it.

Why I like Ebbie

Guest post written by my buddy Aldo Mays

The film "Ebbie" is an updated version of the Charles Dickens' film "A Christmas Carol". My family and I all gather round when it comes on and watch it together. We pop some popcorn, light a fire, turn on the satellite television from bestchoicetv.com to watch "Ebbie" and enjoy.

The film centers around a business women named Elizabeth "Ebbie" Scrooge. She is taught a lesson by three ghosts of the Christmas season. "Ebbie" is not as scary as "A Christmas Carol" according to my children. It is much easier to watch this film with my children because of this. It still teaches the same morals and principles that "A Christmas Story" does; however, it does it with an updated feel.

I know it is Christmas time when I see "Ebbie" come on. I start to see the commercials for it starting the week after Thanksgiving. I started watching this film when it was released in 1995. I just hope that I have passed the tradition on to my children. It is a timeless movie that thrills me no matter how many times I have watched it.

Nick Nick Nick Nick Nickelodeon

This guest post from Josue Nichols

My son and I absolutely love to watch Nickelodeon together! All of our favorite shows come on there-Fairly Oddparents, Spongebob, Wonder Pets, and even Go Diego Go! Patrick is both my son's favorite character as well as mine. It is always a special treat when we watch Nick on our DIRECTV.

Of all the shows we watch, Spongebob is our favorite. Patrick always makes us laugh, and my son loves to imitate Squidward. Nick really knew what they were doing creating this show. There is no wonder why it is such a hit. No matter what your age, it will always bring you a ton of laughs.

Go Diego Go has even helped the both of us learn a bit of Spanish! Not a lot of cartoons these days are educational, so I sure appreciate those that are both fun and educational. At 5 years old he can speak more Spanish than me, and I owe it all to Diego!

And who can forget The Wonder Pets? The theme song to Wonder Pets is so catchy, I find myself singing it long after the show has went off! We are so glad to be able to watch Nickelodeon together!

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Black Friday Ended With A Comfy Sofa

I appreciate the guest post, Rodrigo Coffey

It was a browsing Black Friday for me. You know, nothing particular in mind but you're waiting for something to scream at you. I waltzed through a few stores like Best Buy, Bon Ton and a new store in the neighborhood called Below 5. Everything is $5.00 or below. (O.K. name makes that point obvious) But anyways I did come across some lovely Nintendo DS Lite carrying cases. My daughter was fascinated by the Hello Kitty design, sparkly red with Hello Kitty sitting on a rainbow. Normally this type of item in regular stores will go for around $17.00-$25.00. I paid only-well-$5.00.

A friend that was with us actually needed something electronic that's where Best Buy came in the picture. He didn't find what he was looking for though. The continuous walking around was starting to take a toll on my feet, stylishly fit into a pair of sleek cowboy boots. Oh, we did stop by Wally's (Walmarts) just to pick up some basics. We did find some pretty good exercise clothing. Great “bang for the buck” as they say. Finally returned homed to some nice cozy heated rooms, flopped down on my comfy sofa to watch my satellite TV from DirectStarTV.com. For me, that was a great ending to a typical Black Friday.

Family Ski Reunion in Gatlinburg

Author: Joyce Mccall

One of our family's favorite winter activities is skiing. Since we have family located in Virginia, West Virginia, and West Tennessee, the city of Gatlinburg in the eastern region of Tennessee serves as a perfect spot for us to meet once a year for our annual family reunion. We usually schedule this event during the winter months in order to take advantage of the ideal skiing opportunities at Ober Gatlinburg. This resort is convenient to all of the activities that Gatlinburg has to offer. It is a great place for beginning skiers and children too.

The Ober Gatlinburg resort offers bunny slopes, snowboarding, snow tubing, and slopes for more advanced skiers. However, the prices for ski rentals seem to be a bit higher at this resort in comparison with other ski resorts we have visited. Therefore, we usually pack our own equipment. I will generally tackle the task of tying all of our skis to the roof of our SUV, while my husband tidies up the house and sets our home security alarm from Security Choice for added assurance and peace of mind. After everything is prepared, our family is ready to meet all of our extended relatives for our annual Gatlinburg ski reunion.

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Camelback Displays

How often have you walked through a trade show and disregarded an entire aisle of exhibits because nothing really attracted your attention? In the exhibit industry, there are often times when standard trade show displays are passed over. The goal is to be dynamic, captivating, and attractive to attendees. And yet it is so easy to make the same display mistakes year after year that detract from this goal.

Many exhibitors do not consider the sheer fatigue of the average trade show attendee who has to make their way through tons of exhibits that all look relatively the same. We know that a good trade show exhibit must attract their attention in only a few seconds. Often times, exhibitors work at odds against this idea because they fill their exhibits with too much information. It is important to have a visual focal point; your core message, rather than a bombardment of individual trade show graphics and images that may turn off weary eyes. Also, eddy against the stream and be distinctive! This isn’t too difficult because most exhibitors tend to buy the same trade show exhibits that everyone else has and anything that looks different (different in a good way!) will attract more eyes.

Attracting attention with a successful trade show exhibit doesn’t necessarily mean depleting your trade show budget either by going bigger. Consider the marketing messages you are conveying to attendees. Hone in on 3 core messages that compliment your main idea. Produce large graphics for your main idea and compliment your visual presentation with pictures. Interesting images can effectively convey a message faster than words.

So, what if your competitors are doing the same thing? How do you stand out against them? Grab their attention with light! Light naturally triggers a visual AND an emotional response, distinctively or subtly. Think about it. Hazard lights, blinking lights, a sunrise, a sunset, all affect us in different ways.

The idea is to bring your graphics to life with backlit lighting. Backlit lighting adds dimensionality to your image and directs the viewers gaze. There are many options available for backlit headers and signs. Camelback Displays specializes in a range of light solutions including large backlit graphic display walls, called The Pop-Lite. This light box-like system transforms a sturdy pop up system into an illuminated, backlit display. Another type of pop-up uses what's called a "bubble panel" which curves outward from the other panels and is backlit. Backlit headers can also brighten up a pop-up or panel system. Light boxes strategically placed can emphasize ideas or messages and come in small or large sizes. Spot lights with colored gels can give a dramatic effect to your display, especially if they involve movement. Product displays with bottom-lit platforms can add interest and emphasize shape and form.

You may be trade show exhibit number 30 in an aisle of 40 exhibitors, but with a distinctive, backlit presentation, potential customers will surely gravitate towards the bright light ahead!!

Aruba Beach Wedding

Thanks to Austin Camacho

I just got back from my sister's wedding at a beautiful resort on the island of Aruba. The resort wasn't your typical high-rise that towers over a crowded beach. Instead it was a low-rise building nestled in lush gardens, and it had everything a bride could want for her dream wedding. White sand on the beach, turquoise water, and deep green palm trees were just the beginning of the delights that awaited us.

Once all the guests arrived, we enjoyed a buffet supper and then went for an evening sailboat tour of the island. I'll never forget the fresh scents of the water and that breeze in my hair. After we freshened up, we met everyone at one of the clubs to enjoy some dancing and live music. My sister and I shared a luxurious air conditioned room that night. Then, the next morning, she and I dressed like we always dreamed we would for her big day: like two fairy princesses. Then we headed for the beach and the most romantic wedding ceremony I've ever witnessed. I was sure to set the security alarm from http://www.besthomesecurity.com/ Afterward, we had a fantastic wedding brunch right there on the beach, and then everyone headed off to play in the water. We skied and snorkeled and sailed some more before we left this island paradise and headed for home with many wonderful memories.

James Garner is My Favorite TV Actor

Guest post from: Jerald Hammond

James Garner has been my favorite television and movie actor for years. I first saw him in his western TV series "Maverick", and he became an instant favorite. When I was a kid, I wished I had a hat like his from the series, and I even practiced that charming grin in the mirror after the show. Then came "The Rockford Files", and I'll tell you the man didn't lose any of his acting ability. He played a private detective with that same level of charm as he played the gambler in "Maverick".

Of course today I like the fact that I can watch him on Direct TV Specials because the images are so much clearer than they ever were when I watched with an antennae. The picture and sound are better, and it's almost like watching each series new. James Garner did more than television, of course. He played private eye Philip Marlowe in the film "Marlowe" and he even acted with Doris Day in some romantic comedies back in the sixties. And who could forget his tough guy role in "Victor/Victoria?" He's one of those actors that could always find work if he wanted it, and he hope he keeps on wanting to work for years to come.

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Looking for a menorah that's a little different

Guest post written by Jordan Hughes

I like to take my own spin on things and do things differently whenever I can. It's not that I think I'm better than everybody else or anything like that, but I just like to do things differently and make the stuff that I do stand out. So I decided that this would be the year that I would get a new menorah that's just a little crazy and different for a change.

I've always used a really basic menorah that my mom gave me a long time ago and it was getting a little worn for wear anyway. I went online with my Providence Clear Wimax to try and find a different kind of one and there were actually all kinds of ones out there that I found on the internet!

I've decided on getting a Hanukkah menorah that's really glitterly and sparkly, which definitely fits my personality. I think that it will sparkle even more once I light the candles in it and all the glitter will reflect the light and look really cool.

Heading To Chicago For Thanksgiving

Guest post written by my buddy Thelma Roy

This Thanksgiving, our family will be driving to Chicago, Illinois to visit my sister and her family. I love Chicago during the holiday months because there is always so much to see and do, even though the weather is brisk and windy. Although my sister and her family do not live in the city of Chicago, they do live in a nearby suburb. We really can't wait to take a walk down the famed Michigan Avenue, which is otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile. At this time of year, they are gearing up for the Christmas season, and the store windows are decorated elegantly and beautifully. In addition to all the site seeing that we will do, I can't wait to sit down with my family for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, string bean casserole and cranberries. Also, my sister plans on making lasagna and a small ham. Of course after dinner and clean-up, there is nothing more to do except take a nice rest, while watching the holiday shows. Of course we will miss home, but there is nothing better than visiting family during the holiday season. Since I try to always be aware of safety, I will make sure to set my home security alarm (click here) before I go to visit my family on Thanksgiving, in Chicago.

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Met My Best Friend at a Sidewalk Coffee House in L.A.

Content by Sol Rosales

I have been making good money on eBay auctions for years and found the best stress reliever when working is to pick up my laptop and get out of the house. The local coffee cafe in Sherman Oaks is my target destination for some fresh air, urban sounds and a connection with the outside world. Everyday I set my ADT Home alarm and head out to greener pastures on Ventura Boulevard.

One day I was sitting at the outside tables and a bunch of guys piled in to the back sidewalk seating area. I was alone and noticed a nice gal sitting right in front of the group of rowdy guys, who were growing in numbers to about ten. Samantha was on her own, as I was, and she was also working online. I motioned for her to come to my quiet table at the other end of the cafe seating, and we worked independently for a while on our projects. Then I shared with her my eBay endeavors and we really hit it off and became fast friends. Samantha and I can talk about anything and she is a real soul mate for a lifelong friend. You never know when a special person is just around the corner, so my best advice is to keep your senses aware and give people a chance.

Hey Arnold

Thanks for the post from Nora Mccoy

One of the best shows of my childhood and teenage years was Hey Arnold. This was a cartoon show on Nickelodeon and it was very popular for quite a while. I actually remember watching it from the beginning and they even had an episode where one of the characters' voice changed because the kid who played him was going through puberty. That was a pretty cool episode and after that, Gerald's voice was a lot deeper than usual.

Hey Arnold featured a young football-headed boy name Arnold who lived with his grandfather in a boarding house full of other funny people. Some of his housemates were My Hyunh who was an Asian country singing sensation who was played by country legend Randy Travis when he was singing.

Arnold went to school at P.S. 118 and his best friend was Gerald, the boy I mentioned earlier whose voice cracked. Arnold had an antogonist named Helga, who was actually secretly in love with Arnold, almost to the point of being creepy. Helga would constantly harass and tease Arnold about his football-shaped head but nobody knew about her secret obsession with him. She even had a shrine in her bedroom of Arnold. This show was on Nickelodeon during the 1990s but these days you can only watch Hey Arnold on satellite TV from www.tvbydirect.com/directv-deals.html on one of Nickelodeon's sister stations.

Getting some new replacement windows…

We recently decided that we wanted to try and reduce the heating costs for our home. The electric bills were getting really high every month. We did several different things, but the most important was we got replacement windows for our home. We went to a local hardware store to figure out which ones we wanted to install. We didn't know the first thing about doing it ourselves so we had to hire someone to do it for us also.

I honestly didn't realize what an effect replacement windows would have on our home, but it was amazing. They installed the windows right away and immediately I could tell a difference. One thing was that our house just looked a lot nicer outside. These new windows made our home look like a different one. Another thing that I really liked was that the drafts seemed to be gone. When I walked by the windows, the temperature didn't change. Used to you would feel a cool breeze sometimes, but this was gone. The first month I got a new heating bill I was so excited. Our bills had dropped a significant amount. The replacement windows will pay for themselves in just a short amount of time. I am very glad we made this decision.

This is a guest post by my friend Matt Walkes