So my girlfriends parents (or should I say future in-law’s so I don’t get smacked?) have lived in North Carolina for, well, years. They both held good jobs but oddly enough, both received buy-outs from their companies to retire so they both opted to take the package. After living the retired life for a year or so, they got tired of it and needed a new challenged, so they opened a local hardware store since it was something her Dad had wanted to do for a long time. I haven’t been, but I’ve seen the pictures and it looks amazing. He’s so handy and she’s so crafty, so when they combined their two talents it really turned into something special. The unfortunate thing for them is they have really limited means when it comes to using a computer, so they asked me if I could look into some charlotte nc marketing for them. Be it online marketing or small business marketing, their fancy store isn’t going to succeed without some help, so, that’s where I’m coming in. I’m going to set them up with a local marketing company so they’ll be able to expand and grow their dream business.

To me, when it comes to the initial set up for blogs or websites, there is nothing more important then a good webhost and the servers incorporated with that. I don’t know why, but so many times I see people completely skip over this factor, either going for the first one they come across or simply being unaware of who or what they’re buying. Let me tell you – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, but that doesn’t mean you can find yourself some servers with the most competitive pricing on the market. You just need to do a little research – that never hurt anybody, did it? For me, I have a personal preference for something like LiteSpeed Technology hosting on 8-core Xeon but for others, they may need something a bit more simple (or maybe some need something more advanced) but either way, doing your homework will result in finding a good web host with competitive pricing who will be helpful and reliable. For any webmaster, that’s all you can ask.

So I wake up this morning, do a few things around the house and walk outside – what am I greeted by? Cold, frigged, foggy air. Now personally, I love it – it’s my favorite weather, actually, but I love the sun as well. Thankfully, where I live, I tend to get the best of both worlds because that early morning cold gray sky soon turned into warm, sunny, Summer like weather. I went outside to do a few things and it just hit me – we are getting really close to Summer! It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve been able to hit the beach, but the time is coming and you know what that means?! Beach body weather!!! haha.

I’ve been looking into some diets, but, I want something effective and healthy – not just some silly fad that makes you drop a few pounds, but makes you put them all back on in a few weeks – I hate those! I’ve been doing some research and I came across a few options, namely the dieta mediterranea, the dieta Fricker and the most popular of them all (at least, far as I can tell), the Dieta Atkins. They each have their own qualities, namely what type of foods you’re supposed to eat, so I guess that’s going to be what it comes down to – a food style and a portion control, of course. All three of them have good food choices, so I’d be happy with any of them I think – but given my love for meat, I might have to go with the Atkins – my problem will be portion control. What? No fries and a soda with my hamburger? I might cry!!! haha

Seriously though, I think I’ll be able to do it. To me, that’s the biggest part about going on a diet and losing weight – you need the willpower. Like anything in life, if you don’t put forth the effort and set your mind to it, you wont do very well and I think that’s why a lot of people can struggle with diets. You need to really want to do it. Some people say they do, but they don’t mean it deep down. Just think of all the consequences from being out of shape. That should be enough for most people to get in shape, be it from working out, a diet, or most likely both.

Either way, here’s to a Summer beach body!

You know, before I actually put forth some effort and checked into it, I figured IT help was essentially the same everywhere. Granted, I personally don’t usually deal with IT issues, but a good friend of mine who runs an online business (who’s in over his head, honestly) asked me if I could help out and find him a place where he could get a company/service to help him with things like IT solutions, managed services, support and cloud services. I did a bit of homework and found a few places, made the calls and I was really bummed at the type of response I received from most. Some didn’t even answer their phone – others didn’t even call back (!!!!) and some that I talked to, well, I think I had a better understanding of what was needed and I’m not very illiterate when it comes to technical IT stuff. Thankfully, I guess I saved the best for last with Brisbane IT solutions (they were my final call) who was VERY helpful and understand of what I, well, rather my friend, needed. Guess you have to go through the weeds to find the flowers, eh?

So I was over at my nieces house yesterday after I came home from the car dealership and before I could get myself through the front door, she grabs my hand and forces me to run towards the back of the house. Seriously, who knew such a little thing could pack such a punch! haha.

About halfway through the trip down the hallway and into her bedroom, I knew what she was wanting to show me – her new bed from Bunk Beds AtoZ. Her Mom had spoiled the surprise for me (actually, I paid for half of the bed, so, lol, wasn’t really a surprise) but she didn’t know that, so I acted like a kid on Christmas morning for her, being just as excited as she was. She was climbing up and down it like she was a little monkey, haha – it was so nice to see her enjoying it given she’s pretty difficult (like me) to get excited! She’d already draped a blanket over one side and turned it into a fort. It’s also pretty cool because it slightly higher off the ground then many beds I’ve seen, so, she can actually sit under it comfortably (until she grows) but it gives her a neat little hiding/play place as well. Turns out it’s more than just a bed – it’s a play unit as well, haha.

My Mother has been a fan of bamboo sheets for quite some time and is always telling me how nice they are. I’ve looked into them, but, once I saw the price tag I ran the other way, haha. Anyway, I did happen to find some this weekend (they were online) so I went ahead and bought them since the deal was too good too pass up. Everything I read says how soft and breathable they are, so I was wondering if any of my Pride and Peril readers have any bamboo sheets? And if not, what type do you have and why? I’m looking for something cool for summer, but also very soft. After using the microfiber ones I’ve been using for a while, I’ve come to determine that price is no object – just give me comfort!!! haha

So as many of you know, I’m currently going through what I’d call a mini-remodel. I’m not doing a complete overhaul of the house, heck, I’m not really even doing a complete overhaul of any room – just changing things out and painting, really. One of the rooms that I’m currently focusing on is the kitchen. The appliances really need an upgrade as they’re pretty old by today’s standards, so, I’ve been in the market to buy new. I’ve been checking out all of the typical resources, in fact this past weekend I went to home depot for home appliances. It was mostly for my own research, to see what I wanted, what I liked, and what would fit where since they’re made in all different sizes. My kitchen cabinets hang pretty low, so, I have to get a pretty short refrigerator, etc – and the same with my oven. It’s elevated so I can’t have anything TOO heavy or it’ll fall through the wall. Who knew you’d have to think of all these things? Thankfully though when I mentioned all of this to a friend of mine, she asked if I had got a coupon – to which I replied dumbfounded, “they have coupons?!” lol.

Yes, apparently they do! So big thanks go in part to her for saving me some solid money when the time comes to get some new kitchen appliances.

Now it’s really a decision about the colors I want. My Mother told me I should go stainless steel, which I love, but it does seem to be the most pricey of all the options. Wonder if she’d be willing to help me out since she’ll be the one who comes over and uses them, haha.

The guy at the Depot also told me I could go with a double oven, which I think would be pretty cool, but I’d have to have somebody come in and relocate the microwave which might be more trouble then its worth. Either way, I need to start making some decisions about the whole situation soon!