Veranda Chit Chat

Choose Your First Home: 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits Available

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Coldwell Banker. All opinions are 100% mine. If you’re ready to move out of your apartment or your parent’s home, there isn’t any time better than the present. Right now, first-time homebuyers, or those who haven’t owned in the last three years, can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit. Beginning to search for your first home is an important step to having the ability to build better finances and to live in a place that’s comfortable. If you’re considering a new home for your family, there are specific things that you’ll... 

Win a Conference Pass to BlogHer10 in NYC: Giveaway

2-Day Conference in New York City Win A Ticket If you’re a veteran blogger, you’re probably familiar with all the conferences that take place throughout the year in various parts of the country. If you’re new to blogging, Blog Conferences are a great opportunity to meet fellow mom bloggers, affiliate marketing bloggers and bloggers from all walks of life.  Together they share information and bounce ideas off of each other. BlogHer is open to anyone and everyone who considers themselves part of the blogosphere; BlogHer is particularly focused on highlighting the skills... 

Snow What Winter Olympics? Find Me at the Lodge

What Kind of Snow Bunny Are You? After the blizzard the Mid-Atlantic states and Washington D.C. experienced this week, we in Connecticut were lucky we missed it. But our turn in New England is coming on Wednesday! How do you handle snow?  Does your inner-child come out?  Maybe you always dreamed of participating in the Winter Olympics! Do you rush off to go skiing, snowboarding, skating or sledding? Do you hunker down inside, or maybe go on a cruise or fly south like the snowbirds from up North do? I just took this little test – and if you read through my posts and 101 Random Things... 

BlogHer10 Conference Pass Giveaway Coming Up!

2-Day Conference in New York City Win A Ticket Many of my readers know I was all excited about attending BlogHer10 in New York City this summer. If you’re a current email subscriber to Moomette’s Magnificents – thank you; but if you aren’t yet – you must might want to subscribe NOW because I’ll be running an exciting contest in March! But first things first. If you’re a veteran blogger, you’re probably familiar with all the conferences that take place throughout the year in various parts of the country. If you’re new to blogging, Blog Conferences... 

Haiti Earthquake Humanitarian Effort Needed

Help Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Haiti has suffered a horrendous, devastating earthquake within the last week.  In desperate need of food, medical supplies, clothing and water, the country of Haiti, in the Caribbean is desperate from help from all over the world. It’s difficult to comprehend the suffering of so many people, young and old, just by watching media and news coverage of the vast destruction of this natural disaster, the likes of which have not occurred in my lifetime. My daughters’ high school, Mercy High, has always been involved in humanitarian effort for Haiti. ... 

How To Get More Blog Followers – Friday Follow Celebration

Friday Follow Get More Followers! This meme occurs on Fridays and is a great way to meet new friends and get more blog followers! Welcome to the first ever Follow Friday Celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades!   They invite you to join them every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun. Here’s how YOU can join the celebration: Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops. Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed... 

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This and That

Census 2010: Snapshot of America – Make Your Voice Heard

As a U.S. citizen, I’ve dutifully filled out Census forms every 10 years. Why is it important you may ask?  Your state receives funding from the Federal Government based upon the population living in your state.  The number of U.S. Representatives sent to Washington from your state to speak on your behalf is determined by the population of your state. Winter will soon be a memory and family thoughts will turn to spring break and anticipation of summer  vacations. The fact of the matter is fewer Americans than ever before will not be able to take a vacation this year. The number... 

Building A Deck: Keep Railing Safety Ideas and Designs In Mind

Deck-orative Ideas Spring For A New Deck Now that the income tax refunds have arrived, many homeowners are making plans to tackle those improvements that have been on the wish list or back burner.  My oldest daughter has plans to add a deck to her home. I always wanted to add a deck to my home, but we opted instead for a gazebo. Decks can be your own homeowner oasis while  providing the perfect outdoor space for an individual getaway or an evening party with friends. The fun part of building a deck, to me is choosing the design. If you have young children though, there’s certain things to... 

Checklist: Prepare Your Home For an Elderly Parent

Sandwich Generation It’s a fact, as we get older so do our parents, and along with our aging parents can come some problems. I recently did a book review on siblings and caring for aging parents. More and more Baby Boomers are facing tough choices with our aging parents regarding their living arrangements.  Some adult children choose to send our parent(s) to a nursing home or assisted living facility where they’ll get around the clock care; others decide to hire help that can come to the parents’ home; while still others may decide to bring the parent to live with them. My... 

How Home Staging Can Help Sell Your Home Quicker

Getting Ready to Move Spring is here and that’s when you’ll start to see all the “For Sale” signs going up around the neighborhood.  Everybody wants to get the kids settled into a new home before the start of the next school year.  My daughter and charming son-in-law had their house on the market for 7 months last year, but decided to take it off, stay where they are and do some home remodeling, and are considering adding vinyl siding and a new deck. In today’s buyer’s market, Home Staging is often done when you sell your home. Staging a home can command a much higher selling price.... 

In Home Spa Treatment: Pamper Yourself

Me Time Stress isn’t limited strictly to young families and moms with kids at home, believe me.  People have busy lives and are constantly dealing with stress. Whether you’re a WAHM, stay-at-home mom or corporate execute executive, all of us have important tasks to do on a daily basis and we’re always on the move. As long as we get to have a moment to relax and rejuvenate ourselves so we can start each day refreshed, it’s OK. What can we do to relax and rejuvenate our minds and bodies? Soaking in a tub can do wonders for the mind and body. No time, you might ask?  Well then create... 

Martina McBride: Shine All Night Tour-Discount Promo Code

Hit the REWIND Button Country Music Star Martina McBride is a working mom who’s always juggling the demands of home and a successful career that takes her out on the road Like most working moms, McBride has learned to prioritize work life and motherhood. She’s currently on the road with her SunnyD Shine All Night Tour. Whether in my car driving doing errands, working, or relaxing around the house, I usually have the radio tuned to Country 92.5 FM. I’ve become a fan of Martina McBride and Country Music and joined the bandwagon a bit later in life – but I find the music relaxing. ... 

Surviving Selling Online Through Better Communication

Business Sense My Internet presence began back in 2007 when I became an eBay store owner specializing in vintage collectibles.  Since then I’ve changed venues and now sell on Bonanzle.  At that time, I was a moderator on an eBay Forum and participated in conversations where many members were becoming fledgling online sellers. That trend continues today as many companies are now doing the majority or even all their business online and foregoing the “Brick and Mortar” storefront. It’s easy to see why that trend has happened. For example, the cost of setting up such a business is relatively... 

Culinary Arts Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities Turn Your WAHM Talents Into a Full-Time Business I have yet to see the new movie that came out about Julia Child, “Julie and Julia” – but it’s on my list of top things to do. I’ve posted here in the past that in hindsight, I should have gone to culinary school since the Culinary Institute of America used to be located almost in my backyard. Cooking has always intrigued me, and those with specific talents can turn their passion into a catering work-at-home business and in turn expand their work-at-home business into a full-time restaurant business!  Some of... 

Cell Phones and the WAHM

Mommy Brain As moms and grandmoms, we change hats quite frequently, depending upon “who’s calling us.” And I don’t necessarily mean on the phone.  It’s either the kids, pets, husband, significant other – always somebody wanting our attention. Cell phones, however, have become a way of life for most of us. Do we really want to be available for everyone and anyone on a 24/7 basis?  What do I mean?  A famous person once said that the more available you make yourself; the more available everyone will expect you to be. People will actually be annoyed if you aren’t constantly and... 

Children’s Activities – Arts and Crafts Family Fun

Snow Day Fun I was babysitting my granddaughter last night while her parents were at a Super Bowl party and was trying to come up with some ideas to keep her entertained. In my family room I still have a cabinet filled with arts and crafts supplies that my girls used for school projects. It’s only February, but there’ll still be plenty of snow days off from school before spring finally arrives. What are some fun ways to spend time together when the weather outside is dreary? There are all kinds of inexpensive ways to spend time with your kids. Reading a story to your young child is a wonderful... 

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