It's Shark Week!

Truly the most joyous time of the year (other than the season premiere of Deadliest Catch) Shark Week starts tomorrow on Discovery Channel. Living in the Shark Bite Capitol of the world makes this even more special for us lovers of New Smyrna Beach. Watch it with someone you love!

Call Me Thrifty

I decided to hit some thrift stores this morning, too hot to mow the yard (it was tough to convince myself of that) so off I went in search of a cheap bookcase. I have been looking for one for several months...no luck. How hard could it be to find a wood bookcase. If you don't want to know change the channel now.....

So I started in Edgewater and worked my back up US1. Goodwill had nothing, they do have some really cool stainless retro chairs with orange and purple cushions if anyone is interested. Mike's furniture may have had a bookcase in there but if so I could not find it. Too much stuff. Three Sisters is a new place (well since Feb, I asked) they are next to Mike's on US1, they had a ton of nice stuff and I did make a $3.00 purchase there for a gift for my mother.(I know you are thinking, how lucky is she!) Very nice people. No bookcase. Off to Hospice, no bookcase. Habitat, they had a bookcase, it was teeny tiny and was $40.00. Their prices are high on furniture, it is used for heavens sake. Moving on to Drug Free Youth Thrift, all their furniture is on sale for 50% off. You guessed it, no bookcase. Got a Pepsi and a can of cat food in Dollar General, chatted with some homeless men that I feed on Friday's at the Community Meal and came on back home. Spent $5.00 total, no bookcase. Guess I will mow the lawn.

Have a great weekend!

Pinkberry

Have you had Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt?

It is delicious and is opening in Orlando, one day we may get lucky enough to have one here at the beach but in the meantime, for our Orlando friends...yummmmm is the word. You can check out all their products from seasonal fruit yogurts to parfaits, smoothies and cones.

Pinkberry's newest location will be in the Dr Phillips Marketplace at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd, Orlando. If you would like to try out Pinkberry in their new location leave a comment on this post and you will be eligible for some special saving promotions at their new location!



we were not compensated in any way for this post

Time For Shots

No, I am not talking about shots of Tequila (although if school does not start soon they may be on the list). I am talking about immunizations you may want to consider for your child.

There are serious diseases that kids are at increased risk for as they approach the teen years such as meningitis, whooping cough, and human papillomavirus (also known as HPV). Meningococcal infections are very serious and can result in long-term disability or even death; Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is not just a childhood disease—many teens are diagnosed with it each year; certain strains of HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, can cause cervical pre-cancer and cancer. Each year in the United States about 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and nearly 4,000 women die from this disease

The three vaccines recommended specifically for kids age 11-12 to protect them from these diseases are Meningococcal vaccine, which protects against meningitis and its complications; Tdap vaccine, which is a booster against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (this one is required in Volusia County for children going into 7th grade) and the HPV vaccine, which protects girls and women against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer

In addition, the CDC recommends that all kids 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine every year. Even healthy kids can get the flu and it can be serious (my daughter had it two years ago and it was quite horrible.)

Kids should also have a medical check-up during their pre-teen years in order to make sure they are up-to-date on vaccinations, recommend routine screening and discuss other ways to stay healthy with their doctor.

For families with health insurance, all or most of the cost of vaccines is usually covered. For families without insurance, children age 18 and younger may be eligible to get the vaccines for free through the Vaccines for Children program (VFC).

If you would like more information on the CDC's recommendations for your child their website has plenty of valuable information.

Visit the CDC Pre-teen Immunization Hub for a text-based versionVisit the CDC site for more information on pre-teen vaccines


I am writing this post as part of a CDC blogger outreach program. I may receive a small thank you gift from the CDC for my participation in raising awareness about pre-teen immunizations

Back To School

August 16th is right around the corner, if you have not already done so you can print the 2010-2011 Volusia County School Calender here. Specific information on individual schools is located here.

Both of my darling children will be attending Middle School this year, I am very excited that they will both be getting dropped off and picked up at the same time and place, however I am fairly certain there will be an all new level of drama in our house. Can't wait.

A couple of notes for NSB Middle - Back to School Orientation for 7th and 8th graders will take place on Thursday, August 5th from 9:30am-4:00pm. The Welcome Everybody (web) program for 6th graders will also be Thursday, August 5th at 6:00pm.

Have a great weekend!

Bayview Urgent Care

My child who is never sick has been fighting something for a week, so today I decided time to get him looked at....of course I decided this at 4pm and there was no chance my doctor could see him. Since we were headed to Samsula anyway we took a run in the Bayview Urgent Care Center at Venetian Bay. We got there about 4:45pm and were the only ones in the place. I filled out a brief form (the usual Dr. stuff) and he was seen in about 5 minutes. We were out of there in about 30 minutes flat from start to finish. Loved that. They have excellent hours from 8am-8pm Monday thru Friday, 8am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday. They are a great alternative to the ER for after hours illness.

Wine & Art Walk

Come on down to Flagler Avenue this Saturday for the monthly Art & Wine Walk. Local vendors will be displaying their arts and crafts and for $20.00 you can pick up a wine pass and sample some great wines at several different establishments along this historic street.

This is a great way to get the jump on Christmas shopping and stumble walk along the avenue with some wine, entertainment and good food!

Support your local business!

Meatless Monday

It is Meatless Monday and much to the dismay of my vegetable hating daughter we are going to enjoy some new veggie recipes tonight. Simply Recipes is one of my favorite sites to find good stuff to eat. Grilled tomatoes are on the menu, as well as mashed potatoes (the one thing she will eat) some corn on the cob and my favorite Asparagus Frittata. I broke out the bread maker today and made a fresh loaf of banana bread, amazing even with it being opened 45 times(to see what it was doing) the bread came out great!

Meatless Monday is an effort to reduce meat consumption by 15%, their website has some great information and you don't have to be a vegetarian to participate. It is good for everyone, including the wallet!


Support your local business!

Note to Self: Avoid Beach on Sunday!

I took the kids to the beach today. Rare weekend visit, I try and stay away when it is crowded. I remember why now. I believe people are basically good, however, some of them are stupid. Many of those good, but stupid people were enjoying New Smyrna Beach today. Some of them walk in front of cars without looking, I am not talking about small children, I am talking about adults.  Hello, please look before you cross. Playing chicken with cars is a game you will probably not win.

Then we have those that leave their car running, doors open radio blasting, while sitting 10 feet away from the vehicle. Really, Why? Enter Beach Patrol Officer....he stops walks to vehicle, looks around asks whose it is, this brilliant individual now acts as if they did not know whose car it is. Beach Patrol Officer turns the car off, drives away. Brilliant individual gets up and turns car back on. Really, Why?

Then we have the large family who was grilling, eating, drinking and having a good old time on our beautiful beach....drove away and left all their trash in the sand. Really? Why?

I also love it when basically good, but stupid people feed the birds in the middle of a crowded beach...every bird in Volusia County was in attendance. Alfred Hitchcock would have very much enjoyed this little scene.

It was a beautiful day and it is always amusing to watch good, but stupid people come to the beach. I think we will go back to our normal mid-week beach visits. Less people to make fun of but just less people!

Around Town~Weekend Events

Lazy summer weekend at the beach....not much going on.

Farmer's Market on Canal Street, Saturday morning from 730am-1230pm. 

New Smyrna Beach summer concert series: J.P. Inc. will perform at 6 p.m., Sunday, at Riverside Park. Concerts will move to the Brannon Center if there is inclement weather.

Chase's at the Beach has their Reggae Brunch and Bloody Mary Bar on Sunday from 10am-1pm.

Watch out for rip currents at the beach, jellyfish and nettles have subsided.

Three Olives Putt & Crawl

Come on down to Flagler Avenue, tomorrow, July 15th for the first annual Three Olives, Putt & Crawl.  It features 18 Holes of mini golf down Flagler Avenue, there will be hole in one prizes at every hole. Several grand prizes include a private plane to St. Augustine for the day, golf bags, rounds of golf at Sugar Mill, Venetian Bay and more! Participants must be 21 and over to play. ID is required. Another fun way to support your local business.

Feathers & Friends

My daughter's Beta fish finally bit the dust....this fish rode here in a cooler from NC when we moved several years ago so it had a long happy Beta fish life. However, if you have ever encountered the drama that ensues when an 11 year old girl loses a pet (any pet) then you understand replacing Blueberry (the fish had a name) was a priority of massive proportions. So...my friends at Edgewater Animal Shelter told me that Feathers & Friends in Edgewater had Beta fish. Off we went, in search of the next Blueberry.

Zazu ( a very large bird) greeted us loudly when we entered, he pointed us in the direction of the fish. They have a large collection of both Betas and tropical fish, aquariums and supplies to choose from. Owner Debbie Williams was there to give us details on the different ages and colors of the fish, we discussed her birds and hamsters as well. She is a great source of information and answered all of our questions.

A few minutes and $5.00 later we were off with our new white Beta fish. Feathers and Friends is located at 114 W. Indian River Blvd at the end of the plaza near Subway and the Chinese Restaurant. Stop in and say hi and remember to support your local business!

Sunday Stumble-Food Again

I am not a vegetarian, although I now eat less meat than I used to and I am always looking for new things to try. Here are some great sites featuring vegetarian recipes that everyone will love!

The Savvy Vegetarian is a collection of information and great recipes. I finally found a recipe for greens that I liked on this site. Kath Eats Real Food is another one with some really good recipes. Her Q&A section has all kinds of information on healthy eating and weight loss. Dreena's Vegan Recipes has everything from soup to dessert, good stuff. The Veg Blogger is a combination of information, reviews, activism and recipes...one stop reading for all things Veg. These are just a couple of options there are tons of them out there that provide information, recipes and more. Enjoy!

Around Town~Things to Do

A few things to do the next couple of days!!

Friday, July 9th there will be a couple of FREE movies at the Port Orange City Amphitheater:
Free Willy & Escape from Pirate's Cove
The Amphitheater is located at 1999 City Center Circle in Port Orange, for more information call 386.506.5935 or visit the website


After your free movie come on out the the New Smyrna Beach Airport for a pancake breakfast on Saturday Morning, from 8am-1030am. If you come in by car breakfast is $6.00, if you fly in, ride your motorcycle it is $4.00. The menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns and muffins.   For more information please call Jennifer at 386.690.8557, or email at info@timelesswingsandwheels.com.

Then on Saturday night it is the monthly East Coast Cruiser Night on Canal Street, there is food, fun and entertainment along with street rods and antique cars. The event is free. Check out their website for more information.

Have a Safe & Happy July 4th!

Bye Big Girl

Sad and happy day at the ranch today.....6 years ago I bought a Tennessee Walker named Worth The Price, before long she was known as Big Mama. She joined Marco our other Walker at a high point in life. As it often does that ended, I moved back to FL to be near my family, got a divorce and so on....Big Mama and Marco came with us and moved to Marcody Ranch. All was well for a few years and then the economy tanked....my job became not so great and food and utilities became the topic of the day not horses.

Today Big Mama went to her new home, it took 9 months to find it, I turned down offers to take her, they just were not right. She has gone to the right place and as sad as it was for me and my daughter, that big sweet horse is already happy in her new place. I believe in fate and karma and all that. I was talking about her in the right place at the right time someone overheard me and she found her new forever home. It was kind of meant to be....thank you Cyndy and Maria, and thank you Big Mama for giving me that sweet look and biting my shoulder as I gave you away....I always planned that you would retire in Florida, now you will....

Celebrate

It is almost the weekend, no one is happier than I am about that. Here are some very interesting and fun sites that celebrate July 4th and all it represents!

Joys of Home - Display that Flag

Independence Day on the Net - all things 4th of July

July 4th Entertaining - Amy Atlas has some great ideas for the 4th.

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular 

Enjoy the weekend!!