Organize and Get Paid

If you’re good at organizing, you can help others get organized…and make money at the same time!

If you’ve always been interested in organizing, there’s actually a professional in the world known as ‘professional organizing.’ That’s right…you can actually make money, helping others get organized. What a concept! Whoever thought that someone would pay you to help organize their kitchen, or get their papers into a filing system? But there are people that help others get organized every day, and make lots of money doing so!

What I love most about this business is it doesn't require lots of capital. It doesn't require you to spend thousands on advertising. You don't have to go out and buy expensive equipment. You don't have to invest in any special training. You don’t even need a college education. You basically have to have two things:

* a knack for helping people get organized and

* a desire to run your own successful business

That’s what I find amazing about this business. Anybody who is good at organizing can do it, and can make a great income at the same time.

My good friend and organizing expert, Maria Gracia, has come up with a comprehensive resource that shares every single thing you need to know to start, manage and grow your very own professional organizing business. She makes everything easy-as-pie and fun! I highly encourage you to have a peek at her material.

Get all the details here:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/aff-1shop-ultimateguide.html

Renew Your Passport

Wow, it was minus 14 C this morning with a high humidity index of around 91 % and combined, that is cool and is equivalent to 14 degrees fahrenheit. Now water starts to freeze at 32 F and at 0 C so you know what's happening outside. Inside it's starting to put thoughts of warmer climates in my head.

The Missus noticed it starting last night when her friend "arthur" one of the "itis" boys payed a visit and stayed all night. Her hands were both red, swelling and sore as heck.  Oh yes, she popped her faithful Aleve but that only helped for a little while. She's better today because the Sun came out and its a balmy minus 10.. Hmm I took a bit of a sidetrack there for a minute because this is supposed to be about Renewing your Passports.

So the Missus pulled her passport  out and said " I've got to get mine renewed before the end of 2012 so I went looking to see if it could be done on line.  Eureka, I went to the Canadian Government passport link and sure enough you can --- sort of.

Here's the deal, you still have to get your pictures taken and submit the fees and then wait while they process it. Processing times will vary depending on the way you applied. Here are some general guidelines: 
Processing times — not including postal delivery times

In person (at a Passport Canada counter)		10 business days
By mail		20 business days
Via a receiving agent (Service Canada or Canada Post)		20 business days
From the United States		20 business days

If you plan to travel within the next 20 business days, please submit your application at a Passport Canada office.

There's another great resource page called Traveler's Corner that provides handy tips and suggestions and another link that provides a warning about not getting swindled.  It seems that there are a few nefarious types out there just waiting to get there hands on your travel money or just your money by offering a service to guide you through the process. You don't have to do it because all the resources are right on the page.  If you do get in a bind your local Member of Parliament is a handy resource as well. 

US PASSPORTS

The US passport process is handled by the Department of State (DOS)and they have a completely different process that utilizes the mail service or appearing in person. So far I haven't found an online source yet but I'll keep looking.  One nice thing I noticed is if you are in a hurry and you plan on travelling internationally you can get a passport within 2 weeks.

A VISA might be another option. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the U.S. Before traveling to the U.S., a citizen of a foreign country must generally obtain a non-immigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you will need is based on the purpose of your travel. There's also tons of information on the D O S site about visiting, attending college, temporary working visas and Immigrating and living in the United States full time.

There's certainly several areas I'd like to return to live including Austin, Texas area, the Oregon Coast, Memphis or Nashville Tennessee, and Seattle, Washington to name a few. And, one area I would love to see is the New England states. 

Regardless of your destination though your passport is your best form of identification and you will want to protect it at all times. This document is extremely valuable in the wrong hands so be aware. Enjoy your travels and we'll see you where its warm. Dave

Organization Made Easy

The Easy Way to Get All Your Details, Information and Notes Organized Once and For All

If you’re like me, you’ll agree that we all have way too much to remember. Birthdays, phone numbers, goals, books we want to read, movies we  want to see, chores, store sale dates, home inventory, doctor visits and medications, web sites, travel checklists, things to clean, great ideas, vehicle maintenance, gifts to buy...phew! That's a lot to remember, isn't it?

It’s no wonder there’s so much stress in the world!

So, how in the world do you keep all this information organized, and easily accessible when you need it, without breaking the bank?

Great news...I know of an awesome system, developed by my good friend and organizing expert, Maria Gracia, that can help you keep it all organized. I use it myself, and I can firmly attest that it’s one of the best planning systems out there to help you keep it all organized and accessible when you need it!

I use it--I love it--and I know you will too! Get all the details here:

http://www.getorganizednow.com/aff-1shop-ezorganizer.html

Anti Aging and the Food Pyramid

Are You Getting Enough Of These Anti Aging Foods?

When we think of aging we often think about the external effects - the wrinkles, sagging and weight gain that makes us look older from the outside.  But what a lot of people don't realize is that you can help slow down the aging processes from the inside by eating a lot of anti aging foods. 

You've probably heard the expression you are what you eat, right?  Well, it really is true. 

The foods you eat today are what your body is using for fuel tomorrow.  If you eat foods that are a drag on your system and empty in nutrition, you will not have the vibrant energy and good looks that you want.  Eating too many fast foods like burgers and fries will not only put on weight but are also associated with many diseases.  Not getting enough vitamins and unsaturated fats in your diet can leave your skin and hair looking dull and dry.

Making sure you get enough of the right foods, ones that have antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins and minerals will not only improve your appearance but they will also help protect you from disease and Illness like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.  So, just what are these anti aging foods?

Fruits And Vegetables

Probably the best foods you can eat are fruits and vegetables.  They are loaded with vitamins and minerals and, when eaten raw, have powerful enzymes that actually help your body with the digestion process - leaving more energy for you to use on other things. 

Fruits and vegetables are also loaded with antioxidants which fight off free radicals.  Free radicals actually play a major role in aging and are thought the be major contributors to disease so the more of them you can fight off, the healthier and younger looking you will be!
   
Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids might not sound like something that are good for you, but they are.  The Omega-3 fatty acids in particular are essential for keeping your cell membranes fluid which helps with a host of body functions not the least of which is younger looking skin.  You can get these essential fatty acids from cold water fish like salmon and tuna, flax seed oil and walnuts.

Fiber

Fibre foods

Fiber is key to keeping your digestive process working and it can also help keep your cholesterol levels in check. While this might not do a lot for your outer appearance, it can do a whole heck of a lot for your insides and this in turn will help keep you vibrant and youthful. 

It's especially important to get enough to keep your bowel movements regular, after all, who can look energetic and youthful when they are constipated?  Fiber can be found in whole grains, black beans, pears, prunes and apples. 

When buying whole wheat breads, don't be fooled by the words whole wheat on the label. Look at the ingredients and make sure the very first one is whole wheat or whole grains.  Otherwise, you are not getting a full whole wheat product.

Finally, the last of the anti aging foods I want to talk about isn't really a food at all - it's water.  Plain and simple water.  You need to drink plenty of it to keep you hydrated.  This not only helps with the inner functions of your body but will also help your skin and hair look younger.

Here's a great guideline for the types of food you should use and in what proportions you should consume.

Here's to healthy living. Dave

Look Younger Today.

Boring salad.

8 Things You Can Do To Look Younger Today

Almost everyone that has reached middle age wants to look younger without succumbing to drastic surgery or painful injections.  Luckily, there are some things you can do right now that will help you have a younger - and healthier - appearance.

1.  Stop Smoking.  Need I say more?  Not only is smoking a major contributor to cancer, heart disease and a host of other illnesses it will age you like nothing else.  Smoking causes excess wrinkles, a graying pallor to your skin and it makes you smell bad! 

2.  Treasure Your Sleep.  Sleeping rejuvenates your body and when you get enough of it, you'll wake feeling refreshed and energized which, in itself, will make you appear more youthful.  You'll also have a nice glow to your skin and no puffy bags under your eyes.  But how much is enough?  There is no one size fits all amount - you'll have to  figure out how much is right for you but generally around 7 or 8 hours is what most people find works.  It is important to get deep uninterrupted sleep as the deeper sleep is what really rejuvenates you.

3.  Eat Your Fruits And Veggies.  Fruits and vegetables have powerful antioxidants that can actually help slow the aging process.  The fiber will help keep you irregular and the added water content will help keep your skin looking luminous.  Plus all the vitamins and minerals will help keep your immune system strong allowing you to fight off disease and have a healthier life.

4.  Take Care Of Your Hair.  Eating right will help your hair keep it's shine and good looks but if you have a good hair style, this can literally take years off your appearance.  This is especially true for women but men should try to go with a trendy - age appropriate cut as well.  Contrary to what you might think, keeping your hair long as you get older does not make you look younger.  It actually can add years to your appearance!  Go for a stylish haircut that compliments the shape of your face and don't be afraid to add some highlights to mask out those grays!

5.  Sit Up Straight.  Good posture can make you appear more youthful while bad posture will make you look older.  In fact, if you practice good posture it could help you look 10 years younger and 10 pounds lighter!  When you have good posture you appear confident and happy plus it helps to reduce muscle strain and back problems. 

6.  Get Enough Exercise.  Getting enough exercise doesnít have to mean grueling aerobic workouts every day.  You want to incorporate some aerobic activity - walking, swimming, tennis etc as well as strength training and stretching.  Yoga and Pilates are great exercises to keep those muscles stretched and toned which is very important as you age.  Exercising will give you a energetic youthful appearance, help keep your weight off and will also help you keep your muscle tone as well as good balance as you age. This is critical as you get into your golden years since one of the main problems that happens to the elderly is falling which is mainly due to bad balance.

7.  Take Care Of Your Teeth.  Good dental hygiene is important not only for your health but for your looks too.  Many people don't realize that problems with your gums and teeth can actually have adverse affects on other organs in your body so it's critical to go to those dental visits every 6 months and have the recommended work to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  Have nice straight, white teeth can do a lot to improve your youthful appearance. 

8.  Keep Your Weight Down.  Excess  pounds adds years to your appearance and also is a contributor to many health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer so why no keep your weight down as you age?  It does take a little bit of work, but you'll feel and look so much better!

Exciting Salad!

It is said that you learn a new habit if you repeat it for 21 days so mark 21 days on a calendar and work on at least one of these tips for those 21 days. For example, finish your day with a nice salad made of raw veggies and spinach or lettuce. Dress it up with slivered almonds or pine nuts and some dried cranberries or blueberries. Ad a few drained fruit slices such as peaches to the top and then sprinkle on a little long strand coconut. For a dressing, use a tablespoon of strawberry or blueberry yogurt. You won't believe how delicious this combo can be. Eating it in the evening will cut down your junk food cravings and will give your stomach something to digest that isn't going to add fat to your body. Challenge your imagination with salad ideas and you will surprise yourself.  Oh make sure to weigh yourself before you start and then at the 21st day.

Until next time, enjoy life and be healthy. Dave

Fall is here and its a dandy

Can you believe its just about October and the flowers are still blooming and a lot of birds are staying around longer. Could it be climate change or are we just having a great fall.

The temperature has been unbelievable for north central Alberta in fact we were just over 30 c here last Sunday. That's around 88 F for the metrically challenged and for late September that is bonus weather.

I've noticed lots of leaves are changing colour and it is a spectacular pallet but the darn winds have been taking them down quicker than candidate posters after election day. In any case we will take as much of this good weather as we can. Bring it on.

Did I mention election? Yes I did and I think it's just about time to wrap it up. It seems like for the past 6 months that's all we've heard on TV, radio, our phones, our emails and pretty much everywhere else  a politician can get some space to tell us how much they're going to do for us. Let's hope this time its different.

Make sure you do get out and vote though. This Saturday is the final kick at the cat and you'll be choosing the next Premier of the province who will run until he or she decides to call another election. Please don't do it right away or I'm going to scream. Fortunately a while ago someone in their right mind decided that we should have scheduled elections. One every four years. Yay. Oops, spoke too soon, March of 2012 could be the next date and that's not that far away.

There are three candidates to chose from - Doug Horner, Gary Mar and Alison Redford. Just Google them if you want more info on who they are and what they are offering. You do have to have a membership in the Progressive Conservative party in order to participate but its only $5 and allows you to participate in not only the election but on boards and committees as well. Its an interesting experience and who knows something you mention at a meeting might get moved forward as a new policy.
Anyway, that's enough about politics for now and its time for me to get to the office. Have a great one and we'll talk soon. Dave

That's enough politics for now

Can you really make money on line?

I've been trying for some time now to create a business on line but just haven't found the best way to go about it. Oh I've searched and Googled and clicked here and there on interesting side bar ads on other websites and blogs but have been disappointed each time because it gets confusing or you get up-sold at every turn of the page.

Yes I've looked at Clickbank and all its offerings and Commission Junction and on and on but each time I'm told you have to have Word Press (doesn't work well on a Mac) or you have to have this type of hosting or you have to have this kind of domain name or we'll create a website for you and the blah blah blah goes on and on.

Why do I want to earn money on line? Primarily, I'm close to retirement and I know I'm going to need to supplement my income just to make ends meet. I'm still working, for myself, in the printing business but its getting tougher to keep up to the pace and the technology and it will only become tougher. So, I need a new source of income so the missus and I aren't eating from dumpsters or pet food cans or living in our vehicle.  (That's maybe stretching it a bit but you know what I mean.)

I want to be able to offer a real service to internet searchers.  A product or service with real value that people really need and can afford. I'm tired of all the hypsters flogging one-click riches and five clicks to millions software. In fact its going to be interesting to see what pops up on the sidebars and in the ads that are shown on this page. Oh, these add content to my page but to date they haven't earned me a nickel. (that's five cents to you younger folks).

If Anyone out there has found something real that doesn't cost an arm or a leg and doesn't keep up-selling you all the time I'd be interested in hearing about it. You can comment at the bottom and I'll follow you if I think its worthwhile if not, I won't. That simple.  Till next time. Dave

Here's an event for the Baby Boomers and Car Fans alike

Do you remember those warm summer nights when you were out with your buddies or even better yet your best girl. You had your hot rod polished up so it gleamed from bumper to bumper. The pipes had that throaty rumble that showed you had a little more than a stock engine and classic tunes were pumping out of the speakers for all to hear.

Your destination was likely your local drive through restaurant where you could show off your hard work and girlfriend a little. For many of us in Canada it was more than likely the local A & W restaurant where you could stay in your car and Car Hops would come and take your order. The inside stalls around the island were all drive in style while the outside ring was the one you wanted because you could back in to show off that shiny grill. Ahhhh the good ole days where a burger might have cost you a $1.50 and for under $10 bucks you could feed you and your gal.

Well,  while the rod is gone and probably the hair and maybe even the girlfriend you can relive those halcyon days once again because A & W is still here and they are putting on a show on August 25th, 2011 and inviting those who still own rods or hot bikes to show them off once again. The event will also support the MS Society and that's always a good thing. A $1 from every Teen or Dbl Teen sold goes to help fight MS.  In fact here's a poster that you can view for more details.
See You at the "W" (Dub)

Renovations can be a challenge

Yes, I said renovations. One day we're sitting having a coffee looking at the walls and thinking gee, we should paint them. The next thing I know we're in full blown reno mode. Walls, fixtures, switches, plugs, plates, flooring, baseboards, door trim, closet doors and all are getting a fresh look.

We started last weekend and moved all the furniture around and packed the small stuff into blue tubs with lids. This alone has made this job easier than I expected. With the small stuff out of the way, its easy to move the furniture around and just work around it.

Since the walls were the first order of the day we covered the furniture, and got to work patch old nail holes and other imperfections in the surface with drywall mud. Once dry we sanded it down and applied a primer to all the marks and trouble spots. Oh yes we took off all the curtain rods and curtains and light switch covers so we could get down to it.

We also had one wall that was a vertical wood grain venir and we've tolerated it since we bought the house but felt it was time for a change. It helps a bit that our son was in the retail lumber and building supplies business so he gave us lots of good hints and tips. That same primer we used on the walls was used to cover the wood panel wall. Took two coats but covered it beautifully. Then we painted over it with a paint colour called tomchuck its a cafe mocha colour and looks a lot like a Tim Horton's ice cap. The other three walls were done in a colour called kicking horse. It's hard to describe this colour but it is lots lighter than the feature wall. I guess its a pale beigey sand colour. Looks great anyway. Way better than the flat eggshell crap that was on there.

With that said, I'm hitting the hay cause its been a long one and tomorrow brings new challenges. I'll get the names of the paint and the primer so you'll have a reference. Talk to you later. Dave

Frost Makes Gardening Tough

I can't believe it. This weather is absolutely crazy. Here it is the 5th of June and we've had frost over the past couple of nights and have been covering like crazy.

What really bugs us is that we had the garden in and planted back on May 14 and it was coming along pretty well. It's been dry but we've been helping it with daily hand waterings so that's kept it growing. Our tomatoes were getting blossoms, the onions were about 6 inches up and we were looking forward to chopping them into salads. (We will cause they are tough and OK but back to the rest of the story).

Our garden is about 30 x 80 feet and filled with a combination of vegetables including potatoes, corn, peas, carrots, beans, beets, lettuce, zucchini and of course onions. We've also planted some pumpkins for the grand kids and we've even got some watermelon plants coming up. With all this going on you can imagine my the panic the Missus was in when the weather forecaster mentioned frost for Saturday, May 28. We bustled about the garden with all manor of pots, blankets, tarps, cardboard boxes, pails, tubs and even tipped the wheelbarrow upside down to cover momma's precious garden.

The yard looked like someone had dumped their junk off but it worked. We had two degrees of frost that night and we were dang glad we had it covered. Trouble is I think we started a trend. Now the garden seems to want to be covered up every night. Next it'll be wanting bed time stories. Oh, a couple of things got touched but at least we haven't lost anything --- yet.  We'll its starting to warm up outside so we're heading out to roll back the covers and see how things survived. Oh, it only went down to 2 C last night. We've also found some great little tarps at Princess Auto that were designed for wood piles but work perfectly for garden rows. They are 3.5 feet wide and 17.5 feet long. The price was very reasonable at $3.49 each so we bought several. To protect the plants a bit we elevated them on some old plastic starter trays we had in the greenhouse (its just hobby size nothing elaborate). I considered myself fortunate to get to go into Princess Auto cause usually the Missus has me banned cause they have too many things I need. LOL

Oh, I've also got some grape vines going so come back later and I'll tell you how I've got them protected.

Aboriginal Showcase to open in Cold Lake

The second annual showcase of First Nations & Metis culture, dance, song, history and economic potential starts tomorrow (June 2) in the Energy Centre in Cold Lake starting at 10 a.m. and running until 5 p.m.

The event provides an opportunity for all ages to experience First Nations and Metis culture and meet with the people who live in the area. Last year's show was held in Bonnyville  and drew nearly 2500 people and was a resounding success. There is no admission charged and everyone is welcome. 
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Have you ever been to the Opry?

You may never have been to the Opry but we're going to bring it to you. Well, at least The Opry Boyz. Yep, Bonnyville's own Opry Boyz and they are playing for the Bonnyville Pro Rodeo Dance on Saturday, May the 28th in the biggest dance hall around - the Centennial Centre Field House.

The Bonnyville Ag Society took on the dance part of Rodeo weekend about four years ago when volunteers were tiring out from being spread too thin. They were working all day at the rodeo grounds and then having to come over and put on a dance till 2 or 3 in the morning. Not a lot of fun and it was burning out volunteers pretty quick so the Ag Society stepped up and its been working pretty good ever since.

Anyway, back to the Opry Boyz and the rodeo dance. The doors open at 8:30 and the band kicks off at 9 with their brand of real danceable country tunes that everybody recognizes and can sing along with or dance holes in the soles of your boots. They have been growing in popularity for the past couple of years and folks just won't let them stop playing.

Tickets are available at the Centennial Centre Box office (Main Desk) for $20 in advance or $25 at the door. You can also order by phone toll free if you're from out of town at 1-877-812-2740 or 780-826-3400 if you're in town. You can even order online at www.centennialcentre.ca and just click on tickets on the left hand sidebar.

A big thanks goes out to the Bonnyville Oilmen's Society who are providing drivers for the shuttle vans that will help get you home safely. Also to Bonnyville Chrysler, Ducharme and Tercier Motors for providing the shuttle vans. Remember if you can to tip these drivers, they are volunteers and their group does a great deal of good in the community.
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Here's another event the Bonnyville Ag Society is working on that will set your heart pounding. They have just inked a deal to host the Canadian National Truck and Tractor Pulling Championships this September 16th, 17th & 18th and its going to be a doozy. Three days of intense competition with a spectacular fire works display on Saturday night and you'll be able to watch the show in the comfort of grandstand out at the exhibition grounds.

There'll be everything from  high-powered minis running 500 plus horsepower up to a five engine monster putting out about 6,000 horsepower. There'll also be modified and super modified two and four wheel drive pickups and tractors along with a diesel wheel standing Semi. If you like motors, motion and power, you won't want to miss this event. Keep checking this column for updates and ticket information as we get closer to the date.  For more information or to volunteer for the event contact the Bonnyville Ag Society at 780-826-3240.
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Singing In the Rain

I don't know about you but I'm starting to get a little cabin fever and was going a little squirrely until this appeared in my email. I've always known that music and singing is good for what ails you so I was delighted to see that the Bonnyville Society Singers are mounting a spring concert at the Lyle Victor Albert Theatre on April 28, 29, 30. For more info on this event, check the poster. You can click on it to make it bigger.

If you haven't heard these folks yet, you'll want to mark it in your calendar and get your tickets bought. The theatre only holds about 160 people at a time so don't delay or it'll be sold out and you'll miss it.  I'm singing in the rain tra la la. Oh, just watch the video.


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Another event that is sure to usher in spring is the EASTBOURNE HALL ANNUAL CRAFT,
ANTIQUE AND GARAGE SALE
 Friday April 15 - 10 to 8 pm and Saturday April 16: 10-3 pm.

Eastbourne Community Hall is located on Hwy 28, 1 mile
west of Hwy 41 – the Elk Point turn off and 8 miles east of
 Glendon turn off. 
If you are interested and would like to reserve a table for your crafts, household goods, antiques, coins,
 stamps, sporting and fishing equipment, collectables baby items or anything you would like to sell or trade.  Tables are $10 for the first two.  Additional tables are available.  Please call Marci at 780-826-3816 or Roger at 780-826-6816.
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A Spring Cold Is a Pain. Is there a Cure?

Ever had one of those sneaky little colds pop up in the morning and lay you low for the day or maybe even more? You know the itchy, scratchy throat and runny nose kind of cold. They are annoying as heck and I got one just the other day. The Missus brought it home from her office where several people have been hacking and coughing for weeks on end. She caught it and then gave it to me. Thanks Honey.

Of course I headed for the medicine cabinet to see if we had any over the counter (otc)stuff that I could pound down to get rid of this little bugger.. Well, I took a tablet of something that seemed to work OK and then about bedtime I took another one (the night time label) and fell into a sound sleep. Until that is about 1:15 in the morning. Something was not right. My hands felt like they were covered with fibreglas insulation - you know itching, twitching and feeling like they had a life of their own and they didn't want to sleep. I got up and walked the floor, washed them, drank some milk, ate a couple of soda crackers, anything to quell the tingling. Finally a couple of hours later they had settled down enough that I fell asleep until I was awakened with a coughing jag and a plugged nose. Rats, no more pills for me so I got out the chest rub and smeered it on my chest and under my nose and got some relief that way.

After a fitful sleep I got up and decided that I would check out the health food store that day to see if they had anything because  I didnt want to risk taking another cold pill. (Oh and I have high blood pressure and those pills were pushing it upward.) Luck was with me because I think I found it. Maybe not a cure but something that works and has helped me get rid of this cold in record time. Would you believe POMEGRANATE juice!

I've always been a fan of the fruit and love the taste of the juice but hated peeling the tough skin so when I saw this little bottle of concentrated pomegranate juice I thought I'd try it. It was only eight ounces and a little pricey at around $11 bucks but I thought concentrated so maybe it'll go a little further and it did.

I started using it as a tea. Just a half ounce in a cup topped with hot water. It was awesome. It started cutting through the junk in my throat right away and then my sinuses started to clear. Three days later and I was feeling much better. I was still getting rid of stuff from head and chest but didn't have that crappy feeling and was sleeping better than I ever have.

I don't know if it'll work for you but I know it worked for me. I have it as a tea every morning and I'm going back for more. I hardly even drink coffee any more except later in the day and I may cut that out.

Anyway, I'm not selling the stuff just telling you about my experience with it. The one I tried is called Bernard Jensen's Pomegranate Concentrate. It recommends 2 Tbsp per serving which is pretty strong so adjust to taste. I use much less and it worked. This serving size is about 100 calories so using less means less calories. In addition, it has no fats, only 1 percent sodium and 8 % carbs. There is no sugar added so diabetics won't have a problem with it.  You should be able to find it or something like it at better health food stores. Or order it through Amazon and you can use the search box on the right. 

Oh, one more thing, I've noticed it cut my appetite a bit and I've even lost about five pounds over the last week and a half and that can't hurt.

Hope this helps with your rotten spring cold. Enjoy life. Dave.

Is there still time to go RVing?

Its still winter here in Canada but there's still time for a short jaunt to meet the Sun on its northward treck. You have lots of options so lets check them out:

Fly away with me:  The quickest way to get there is by plane and there are some deals to be found out there. Check out Westjet's Blue Tag Thursdays. Visit them at http://www.westjet.com . How about prices like this - $99 from Calgary or Edmonton to San Fran Cisco. Cool stuff and the discounts start after 1 pm every Thursday.

Or you could consider driving in your own vehicle or a new rental with great rates from online companies like www.redtag.ca who can help you with hotels, flights and car rentals. How about these last minute deals: Calgary to Veradero Beach Cuba on March 19 for $477 per person. Unbelievable. But you have to be flexible.

If you've got a bit more time why not take the RV. You'll have your home and your food and you can stop when and where you want to. Plan ahead though and make sure you have a great auto club plan like AMA's  RV insurance coverage options. You never know when you'll need it.

Insurance aside you'll need to budget for fuel because you'll find prices ranging from $3.50 to $4 per gallon in the US and up to $5 in Canada. You'll also be paying for parking each night unless you find a free style sight without any services. Either way, plan well and worry less and most of all, enjoy your trip. Here's how a few folks do this full time. Enjoy the videos and tips.

Catering is a hard business

Holy crap, we helped a friend out yesterday when she needed help in catering supper for a school drama club fund raiser in her home community. Little did we know how much work went into putting this meal on. Both the missus and I have a lot of owies this morning and its going to take a few Aleve or Tylenol to get through the day. Oh, we'll live but I'm thinking we may not do that again.

Oh, how many did we feed? A small gathering of 300! Yup 300 people and everything was prepared fresh, no store bought ready to cook stuff here. The menu consisted of chicken cordon bleu, baked ham, three salads, creamy mashed potatoes with chives, carrots, peas and pearl onions, rice and peas and a ton of dessert. All the chicken cordon bleu was pan browned (over 300 pieces and I did them all in two little fry pans) then baked in the oven. Around 100 of potatoes and well you can imagine the rest. It might have been fun if we'd had a little more help but there were just three of us to do it all. Oh we got bits and pieces of help prior but the three of us did the bulk and I'm dang tired today. Oh well, its a long way from my heart as they say and at least I'll have an excuse for a nap this afternoon or maybe sooner.

Have a great Sunday. Dave.

Ever Thought About Retiring Abroad?

Have you ever dreamed of retiring to a place where the days are warm and sunny, beaches are nearby, the cost of living is much less and the pace of live is slow and easy. There may be a way.

Canada is experiencing a dramatic  increase in the number of people reaching retirement. The first of the postwar baby boomers are now over 60. Over the next decade, an unprecedented number of Canadians will reach the normal retirement age of 65. Many are already opting for early retirement.

Most retirees choose to spend the rest of their lives in Canada, often moving out of large urban areas to
smaller regional centres; others opt for semi-retirement, staying active in their profession or trade on a part time basis. However, a significant number decide to live in another country, either permanently or for part of each year.

Family or cultural ties are sometimes incentives to retirement abroad. Since Canadians come from all parts of the world, there are few nations that are not potential destinations for retirement.

Some of the countries that are Canada’s major sources of immigrants are also major retirement destinations. Lebanon, the United Kingdom, France and Germany are examples.

Those who retire abroad for other than family or cultural reasons tend to be clustered in countries that offer a combination of low after-tax living costs and a warm climate. In some cases, an existing Canadian expatriate community helps to mitigate the cultural isolation that can otherwise make life difficult. Countries in this category include Mexico, Costa Rica and some Caribbean island nations.

Reasons for Retiring Abroad
Retiring abroad holds many potential pitfalls for those who choose a destination on the basis of a dream rather than sound planning. In general, those who consider only the financial benefits of moving overseas are more likely to experience disappointment than those who retire abroad for lifestyle or cultural reasons. Whatever your motives, careful research is essential, and the Internet makes it more practical than ever to carry out a detailed evaluation before you leave.

If you're considering a move for retirement and you'd like a FREE guide, just comment below with your email address and I'd be pleased to send it along. Your email will not be shared with anyone because I hate spam as much as the next person. This is a legitimate report produced by Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Canada.

Happy Valentines Day.

Give your heart to someone special or just share it around with good deeds.

I'm looking for a Great Coffee Maker

We're looking for a Great Coffee Maker but don't want to spend a fortune. We've been using those basic machines that run around 30 bucks but just haven't been happy with their output. Heck I've even made instant coffee that tasted better than what we get out of the pot. We've used good filtered cold water, cone filters and really good ground or pre-processed coffee but just can't get that magical coffee taste.

We looked into buying one of those little Tassimos by Bosch but heard they were noisy and they only brew one cup at a time. There's another one out there but I can't remember the name. We had coffee from it at my sister's place over Christmas but forgot to right it down. It seemed to have a few more bells and whistles than the Tassimo but likely costs a lot more.

They had Tassimo on sale prior to Christmas for around $100 but now they've shot up to $150 and that's just nuts. The pods have prices that are all over the map as well so we're just not sure which way to go. If you've got suggestions for a Great Coffee Maker just comment below.
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Lots of action on the political front in Alberta. PC's, Libs and Alberta Party all seeking leadership, NDP quietly picking away and a bunch of old Greens trying to resurrect their party after they got delisted last year because the didn't submit their financial statements to Elections Alberta and that's a no no. Oh and they can't use their old name either so their scrambling to come up with something that identifies what they stand for. So what's that now, six parties vieing for the chance to lead us citizens into the future. Yoy its going to be a crowded ballot.
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Hey, I was just thinking. We have a family day holiday in February but nothing in March. 31 days is a long time to go without some kind of break so let's put our thinking caps on and get one started. I'm thinking around Monday the 14th which is just before the Ides of March. In Roman times they had parades and celebrated their military. Maybe we could celebrate and thank our soldiers and veterans for all they have done.

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Since I was on a coffee kick earlier here's a little chuckle for you.

One morning, a grandmother was surprised to find that her 7-year-old grandson had made her coffee! Smiling, she choked down the worst cup of her life. When she finished, she found three little green Army men at the bottom. Puzzled, she asked, "Honey, what are these Army men doing in my coffee?" Her grandson answered, "Like it says on TV, Grandma. 'The best part of waking up is soldiers in your cup.'
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Classy Hotel with a real client relationship team

I was in Edmonton recently for a 3 day convention and annual general meeting and we were staying at the Mayfield Inn a venerable hotel in Edmonton's west end. We've stayed before and were always pleased. This time it was different. How you might ask. Well, from the time we checked in until we left everyone on staff was so friendly. I mean everyone from housekeeping to the front desk and everywhere in between. You just feel so appreciated and don't mind the upper end prices although they could adjust them a bit because a bowl of clam chowder and a beer for $15 bucks seems a bit steep. But its all worth it to pamper ourselves once in a while.

My Room

In any case here's another example of great customer service. On the first morning I noticed there was a leak at the top of my window and it was splashing down on the sill and onto the sheers that hung from floor to ceiling. On my way through the lobby to breakfast I stopped at the front desk and mentioned the leak. They thanked me and asked if it would be alright to go into my room to check and repair it. Of course I said yes.

I forgot about it until later in the evening after a full day of meetings when I returned to my room and discovered a nice tray of nachos, salsa and two cold Coronas in an ice bucket. There was a nice little note which I kept, thanking me for bringing the leak to their attention. The leak had been fixed and the carpet freshly vacuumed.  Do you think I'll be going back. Oh yeah. And, I'll be telling everyone I know about the great service. http://www.mayfieldinnedmonton.com/

Oh yes, we even did the Dinner Theatre on Thursday night. "The Groovy 70s II, Keep on Truckin" Was great and the food spectacular. I'll tell you more about the show later. Gotta run. Dave

Chicken Soup is Really Good for You and Your Soul!

Jack Canfield Award Winning Author & Coach

You are probably familiar with the book series Chicken Soup for the Soul co-authored by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Millions of people have found inspiration in the thoughts put forward and I came across some of this inspiration the other day. I was doing some research on the web about business and success and came across a presentation by the man I'm going to introduce to you. Everything I saw and heard from him hit me like a hammer. It all made so much sense and the answers he provided inspired me to share this with you. 

We really can do anything we set our minds to do! 

Get Ready to Transform Yourself for Success!

If more success and personal fulfillment is what you’re seeking, Jack Canfield can help you get from where you are to where you want to be.  As the beloved originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, he's personally taught millions of individuals his unique and modernized formulas for success and is an internationally recognized leader in peak performance strategies. It doesn't matter if your goals are to be the top sales person in your company, become a leading architect, lose weight, become a better parent, increase confidence, buy your dream home or make millions of dollars – Jack can help you develop a clear, personal plan of action that will completely transform your life into exactly what you want it to be.

For more than 40 years, Jack has been teaching, training and coaching entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders, and people from all walks of life (and of all ages, cultures and backgrounds) to create the life they desire -  and he can do the same for you! To get started, explore this link http://tinyurl.com/Meet-Jack-Canfield-Now  to discover fun and easy ways to accelerate your success – STARTING TODAY!

Stop Your Snoring Tonight

 

Did you know? - According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world's loudest snorer reaches 93 decibels...which is the same as an 18-wheel vehicle blasting through your bedroom every 10 seconds!
Everyone who suffers from snoring or shares a bed with a snorer knows the true dangers of the annoying habit. Snoring can indicate serious health problems; break up marriages and in some cases even lead to death.

• Would you do anything for a good night's sleep?
• Tired of either you or your partner's relentless snoring?
• Embarrassed about your loud snoring?
• Do you want to cure your snoring for good?

Then you have to check this out http://tinyurl.com/Cure-Your-Snore-TONIGHT
Enjoy!

Retired and need a little extra Income?

Everyday companies are paying big bucks to everyday people like you and me just for our opinions? It's true!
These companies are desperate to understand how you respond to their products and then in turn they will pay YOU good money for your opinion.

They Need You!

Right this minute, we have hundreds of market research firms looking for survey takers to rate, review and even test consumer products.
Whether you are a housewife, working full time, a stay-at-home mom, a student, retired or just looking to make some extra cash, taking survey's on-line is your ticket to make a fun, easy income online.

Check To See If There Are Any Positions Available In Your Area Today:  http://tinyurl.com/45tv82y

Enjoy.

People just don't have any manners anymore

I don't know what some people are thinking as they rocket around in their vehicles now a days. And I do mean rocket. Just because the weather warmed up doesn't mean you can push the foot feed down farther. It's still slippery underneath and some folks are trying to work safely. Just last night we were clearing some ice and snow at the local Tim Hortons so people wouldn't slip and fall and I couldn't believe the chances people were taking trying to out run our shovel loader. I had to keep directing people away from the area we were clearing even though our 10 ton yes, 10 TON loader had its flasher and lights going and was moving back and forth quickly trying to get the job finished. I swear they must put cocaine in the coffee because people are so crazy to get there for a cuppa joe that they ignore everything around them. I mean, just look at the possibilities here.
Notice how big the loader is in comparison to the gravel truck then check out the car right, that got run over in a New York snow storm.
If you play chicken with one of these babies you are gonna lose. Give them a wide birth and let them finish their job. You don't have to park right in front of the door, the walk will do your butt some good. These are professional operators and they are trying to watch out for you but you aren't making it easy. Give them or any machine operator some courtesy and it will be returned. Disrespect the power of the machine and you may get burned. Nuff said.
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So the Edmonton Oilers lost again last night. It seems they have a lot of talent but none of it is meshing. I'm thinking that the big lights have gone to the young lads heads. Its not about stardom but about team work and I think that they are getting rewarded well enough for playing. How about taking a pay deduction every time you mess up. Would that be incentive enough to go out and win one?
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I wish we had somewhere to go for Dim Sum what with Chinese New Year just around the corner. It would be nice to tuck into an endless supply of exotic dishes to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. Yes, February 3rd, 2011 is New Year's eve and it kicks off 15 days of celebration in the Chinese community.

How do you say Happy New Year in Chinese? The Cantonese version is "Kung Hei Fat Choi" and will get you many smiles and return greetings when dining in your local favourite asian cookery.  It actually means Congratulations and Grow Wealth as you'll see in the video. Enjoy! Bye for now. Dave

I'm back

I've been away for a couple of days emceeing a two day show in Lloydminster called Cattleman's Corral, Crop Visions. It features an agricultural style trade show and a number of speakers on various topics of interest to the ag community. There's also a banquet where awards are handed out for champion grain seed producers. The entertainer for the evening was a fellow from Colorado by the name of Lloyd Mabrey, a singer and guitar player who entertained us with snippets of a wide range of songs and comedy that involved the entire audience. From old time rock and roll to blues, folk and country and a killer John Denver cover you definitely want to check him out. Here's one of his websites: http://lloydmabrey.com/ Check out his video below.

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Ken & Marlene Hursh

One of our KeyNote speakers at the show was Kevin Hursh who is a communications consultant an agrologist and a farmer who spoke about determining what size does your operation have to be to be viable. He also shared a lot of information on the world ag products market and how it will affect producers going forward.  He also does a daily ag report on  a number of stations across the country but if you can't pick him up you can follow him on his website at www.hursh.ca
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I'll have to resume my trip to Cyprus story tomorrow because I've been away for two days and I've got some catching up to do in the office. So until then, keep smiling and being friends with each other. Dave.