Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Sober High

I've never been to Sober High.

I just heard about these "recovery" high schools today, though the first one began in 1989. These sobriety, sober, or recovery schools help teens who have been addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and have completed rehab treatment. The schools are a safe environment for these teens to go to finish their academic career without having to get caught up in the same environment where they got into trouble in the first place. There are not many recovery schools in the nation, but the ones in operation are seeing benefits and good results for the students. There are also a few colleges which implement recovery programs as well.


That I'd like to see.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Poetry Coach

I've never been to a poetry coach.

I had never been very good at poems. Either at reading them or writing them. But as I began blogging, some of my online writing experiences did include some forms of poetry. Once I even tried to submit a couple of poems to be published. I got some good advice but neither were ever accepted. I could have used some advice from the Poetry Coach!

The Poetry Coach has a great looking website that will allow the aspiring poet to gain the added insight to getting his/her work(s) published. The Poetry Coach has lots of experience in writing, reading, and teaching. This looks like the perfect place to get that extra punch! And just maybe you too will find yourself a published poet!

That I'd like to see.

Nordic Trac Coupons

I've never been to get Nordic Trac Coupons.

I doubt it would ever have occurred to me that there are coupons for Nordic Trac machines! Since I can't do any running these days, I have been using the elliptical machine in place of my running. The ones at the gym are not Nordic Trac. But lots of people choose Nordic Trac for their in home use. And I just found today that the nordictrack audiostrider 990 pro is one sale for just under $1000. But even better than that is the 5% coupon code you can get to save even more off the sale price!

That I'd like to see.

Shoe Bank

I've never been to the Shoe Bank.

The Shoe Bank is a service to provide comfortable shoes for men, women and children in need. Their provisions reach out to those both here in the U.S. and abroad. The program began in 1989 in an effort to provide shoes for homeless men in Dallas, TX. And now the Shoe Bank reaches all over the globe. They have become the largest provider of shoes for children in Central America. The local Christian Triathletes group is collecting and donating gently worn shoes to provide to those in need.

That I'd like to see.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

detox spa

I've never been to a detox spa.

I've heard that it is good for your body to detox once during every season. I know that after Christmas I was ready to do a detox. I was going to follow a three day detox that I'd done. I only finished two of those days. It's so hard to keep the discipline of a detox routine. I think that may be the draw of the detox spas. Here you can concentrate solely on detoxing your body. You can relax and do what it takes to get your body back into the proper routine of cleansing and nourishing itself. So instead of sitting around reading about diets, detoxes, colon cleanser reviews, rest, supplements and everything else involved, maybe visiting one of these detox spas is just what a body needs to jump start the right nutritional needs!


That I'd like to see.

couponmom.com

I've never been to couponmom.com.

My friend just told me about this website. It's an online one stop shop to get coupons. The site claims you can cut your grocery bill in half! I like to use coupons when possible. Every little cent I save is helpful. Couponmom has grocery coupons, restaurant coupons, a blog and forum, and free samples. My friend also told me that this week some of the funds saved from coupons is going to help with Haiti relief.

That I'd like to see.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

medical deductions

I've never been to Publication 502.

This is the form that lists what is and is not allowed as medical deductions on income tax returns. Because we have spent so much in doctor bills this past year, I was curious to find out if we could claim ours. If you spend more than 7.5% of your income on medical bills, then you can claim it. Publication 502 on IRS.gov is very helpful in this. It tells what is allowed (prescription meds, doctor visits, even some travel to medical facilities) and what is not (no supplements including vitamins, calcium, cla supplement, health club dues, etc.) In looking over our expenditures, we have spent 8.2% on allowable items. I hope that we will be able to recoup some of the money we have spent on medical issues this past year.


That I'd like to see.

Yale Open Courses

I've never been to Yale Open Courses.

Yale University has an online offering of Open Courses. These are courses that have been recorded in the classroom and are now available online. You cannot earn any credit from them, but they are free to all. You can learn something from nearly every subject. There are offerings from History, English, Psychology, Chemistry, Religion, Government, Art and many more. The information is presented in both text and video form. This is an excellent way to see what is currently being taught in colleges, as well as to stay up to date on information. It is a great way to take a college course for free!

That I'd like to see.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Golden Globe Awards

I've never been to the Golden Globe Awards ceremony.

I doubt that I ever will. I guess I don't truly appreciate the entertainment industry. Some of the films I had not heard of. Many of the actors I did not know. I don't even know who the MC is! I didn't know Julie & Julia as well as Sherlock Holmes were considered comedies (I've seen neither!) And I must say that Arnold's joke about someone not having seen Avatar, well, none of my family has! While the audience was filled with lots of the pretty people I was very pleased to see some ladies who look a bit more natural, or who don't look like they've been taking the latestnatural weight loss products much less like they've been starving themselves (though I saw some of those too!) Since I only saw about 30 minutes of the program I guess I don't have much to base my comments on. I am just glad that people like Mrs. Cameron, Gabourey Sidibe, Sigourney Weaver, and a couple others I don't know, were looking like normal people!

That I'd like to see.

Haiti

I've never been to Haiti.

And right now is not the time to go. While all of our hearts go out to the nation, we hope there is some small part we can do to help. Many people all over the nation are eager to help provide relief for disaster victims in Haiti. Of course folks want to help through agencies who have a record of doing their jobs and providing the most relief possible. Our church is donating through Healing Hands International. This faith-based, non-profit organization has been around since 1991 providing relief internationally. I like that 91% of funds goes directly to those in need. They also offer the option to donate online using PayPal. If you have been looking for a way to donate, check their site and see if this if the right place for you.


That I'd like to see.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

boot camp

I've never been to boot camp.

I think I would enjoy these extreme exercise "classes". At these boot camps you get concentrated exercises meant to raise metabolism and burn fat. Most boot camps will also focus on learning to eat right, showing you what to eat, how to shop, the foods that burn fat, how to prepare them, and a host of other nutritional tips to help you not only get in shape but to maintain that shape.

That I'd like to see.

Houston Greeter

I've never been on a tour with a Houston Greeter.

Here is a program right in my own back yard that I would love to take advantage of! You can get a guided tour with a Houston Greeter for up to four hours. Visitors are introduced to local attractions. Metro Rail even provides free passes for the visitors and greeters. This sounds like a great program for visitors from far and near. I hope to take advantage of this one soon!

That I'd like to see.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Alli Reviews

I've never been to read Alli Reviews.

At the beginning of the year, the gym is always noticeably more crowded. Many people make resolutions to get in shape or to lose weight. Hitting the gym is a part of that. So is eating right. But lots of people are looking for quick fixes. I was glad to see in the latest allireviews.com report, they state that Alli is not a quick fix for weight loss. While I did learn that it helps lower cholesterol and risk of type 2 diabetes with extended use, it does not do much for promoting weight loss. They go on to say the best method for that is proper diet and exercise!


That I'd like to see.

Moscow airport

I've never been to the Moscow airport.

But on an upcoming trip, we will be flying through Moscow, with a layover there. I shared this with one little girl at church, who was born in Russia. She was very excited to hear that I would be at the airport in Russia. She asked me very seriously if I would please take a picture for her while I'm there. Of course! I can't deny that! Now I just hope that I am not so disoriented that I forget! I would love to bring home a photo of the Moscow airport, and anything else I can during that layover, for this special little girl!

That I'd like to see.

Friday, January 15, 2010

mall walking

I've never been to the mall for mall walking.

I had heard that it does open early for those who want to walk inside. I think this is a great idea! I can see that would be something a lot of folks would like to do. You can chart your course that you want to walk. It's a safe place to walk. And being indoors you don't have to worry about the outdoor weather. I think walking inside the mall beats taking the latest herbal diet pill! Maybe one day I'll be an mall walker too!


That I'd like to see.
I've never been to see the Screwtape Letters.

I have read the C.S. Lewis book and just heard that the stage play is coming to our area. The story is about a Senior Demon writing letters to his Apprentice Demon teaching him the best way to win a Christian from "The Enemy." The show is coming to Houston's Hobby Center Jan. 28-31.

I was excited to hear about it and then saw that the lead in the show is Max McLean. He is the reader on the Bible CDs we enjoy listening to. I really wanted to get tickets. The show is coming for the one weekend only and the tickets are going fast. When I called yesterday to arrange tickets for a group, I was told there were only four tickets left in the regular price range! We went ahead and purchased the expensive seats in the Orchestra center section. We are hoping this show is especially good!


That I'd like to see.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

South Beach

I've never been to South Beach.

Over the last week, it has been really cold here. Colder than normal. Dreaming of spending some time in south beach hotels soaking up the warm sun would have been lovely. While in South Beach, I would have to be sure to take the Art Deco walking tour. This is a 90 minute tour led by local historians and architects. Sounds very interesting! There is also the Historical Museum of South Florida. There is a zoo, and a monkey jungle and a parrot jungle! Of course I can't forget the Science and Space Transit Planetarium, the Seaquarium and the Everglades National Park.

That I'd like to see.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Meet Your Mac class

I had never been to a Meet Your Mac class.

But yesterday I was indoctrinated, uh, introduced to my new Mac computer. We had all the stuff from the old computer transferred over to the Mac and then a tech showed me all the good stuff on the Apple. I thought it was just a one on one class but there was another family there too, with their own computer. It was ok. Most of it I could figure out from just playing around with it, but he did show me where all my pictures and documents are. And we got all the bookmarks pulled over too. He also showed me all the great stuff to do with photos. It will be lots of fun. Now I can schedule One to One classes as often as I want over the year and learn anything I want to learn about with my new Mac.

That I'd like to see.

Monday, January 4, 2010

kitchen faucet

I've still never been to buy a kitchen faucet.

Buy my husband has! It seems that most of the little fix ups have been fixed up around here! Now I don't remember which faucet he got (though I'm pretty sure it wasn't a Danze faucet) but I have to say he did a good job. He went with a two handle faucet this time in hopes of eliminating the chances of leaks. But best of all, it matches the cabinet handles perfectly in style and color! He's pretty good about that! Now if we can just keep everything in working order...

That I'd like to see.