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Neighborhood break ins

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A year or so ago my husband signed up for a community watch newsletter at our local police station. Time went by and he never got any notices. Until this week. It seems there’s been a rash of break in in the neighborhood. cars and houses are being broken into and if we see any suspicious people in the area or if someone tries to gain access to our house by knocking on the door handing out flyers etc we’re supposed to call the police at a specific number. Well I suppose we’d call 911 if it were something serious but if it were just something hinky or suspicious we’d call the hotline number.

I’m actually thinking of contacting the officer in charge of the investigation because someone tried to break in to our house in mid-December when I was home. I thought it was my husband coming home extremely early from work as it sounded like the person was using a key in the door but it wasn’t Chris and when my dog started barking and growling like crazy the rattling at the door stopped. I was scared seeing my dogs reaction. Her hackles were up and the sounds at the door hadn’t been normal but by the time I went to look who ever it had been was gone. I am certain someone was trying to get in though as there was signs someone had been on the porch and our outer door was open.

I’ve actually thought of getting one of those home security systems. I could get a professional one or the kind you can buy from a place like Costco where you set up your own Cameras etc. Probably the professional one is best but having a camera or two wouldn’t be bad .. I live on a busy street and there’s lots of activity and sometimes some strange stuff goes on close by even though I think my neighborhood is basically safe.

I guess I’ll look into home security tomorrow when I’m more awake! While I’m at it I’m going to make a note to look at workflow management software at eoncode.com too. A friend of mine was looking for some print management software and I think that might work for his company.

Anyway – how is your neighborhood? Is it safe? Any break ins or scary stuff going on? Do you feel safe, do you have home security and if you do what kind do you think is best?

Puddles and Guitars

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I think I’m going to have to buy myself a pair of rubber boots! We had all that snow last week, about 18 inches of it and now it’s all melting away so quickly we have ponds of water everywhere. It’s so hard to get around if you’re walking anywhere. Yep, rubber boots are definitely a must .. until it freezes and snows again that is and with this crazy weather that’s just what it’s going to do soon enough.

Speaking of weather, our house has been so dry this year! We have humidifiers on our main floor and upstairs and I fill them almost daily. I’ve never had to fill them as much as I’m filling them. I don’t know why it’s so dry this year. My husband happened to have his Gibson guitar when he was visiting a guitar store earlier today and the man was an old pro at assessing the condition of guitars. He looked over my husbands guitar and said it was still in very good condition but there were a few places in the fret board areas that the wood had shrunk a bit .. probably because the house is so dry! I wonder if the wood will still look shrunken to this man with the expert guitar eye in the summer time when there is more humidity in the air?

I think Chris was in the store secretly trying to get a deal on a new guitar. He says he was just talking to the store owner and learning from him but I have a feeling he was checking out an instrument or something. He’s sneaky.

Anyway – how’s the weather in your area? Is the snow melting or is it raining there? Are you dealing with huge puddles too?

Here’s An Easy Way To Find Bargains Online

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There are gazillions of bargains online if you know where to look for them. In fact, you should never have to pay full retail price for anything once you learn to surf the net and hunt for bargains. If you are still using Google to search for shopping deals, you are missing out on the enormous advantages social shopping networks, box store websites and bidding sites bring to the table.

Social Shopping Networks

Social shopping networks are based on social network platforms and trends and provide interactive and effective ways to discover new bargains. You can engage in discussions about products and your friends and acquaintances who will definitely keep you filled in on all the best sales out there.

Tag a relevant keyword or term with an assigned piece of information. If you found a coupon for a wonderful new product on the web you can publish their site’s URL or what you read in the address bar of your browser. Write an honest description of the item or site and instant advertising for your favorite website. Who knows? You may get a reward.

Find bargains online by looking through posts and finding those that have high “votes”. You will find the best product offerings by counting up the number of votes and going to the site to purchase.

Write a post on products you have tried and let your friends and acquaintances comment. You can help make people educated shoppers and they will in turn send you the best sites for bargains.

Let others know what you are seeking. If you have found the most wonderful new design on handbags on a site, shoot your friends an email through social media, like or pin on your site and you have found a new bargain and made a new contact.

If you ask for websites that offer free and discounted merchandize you will definitely have many suggestions. Go to http:/www.viliat.com that is a social shopping network for more bargains and ideas.

Comparison Shopping Online

No more driving all over town or reading all the newspapers in your city to compare and find bargains. You can comparison shop on the internet without ever leaving your easy chair.

The huge number of web merchants makes comparison shopping a bit confusing, but if you limit your searches to five major sites you will find that you can compare just fine and find bargains galore.

Use automated price comparison tools. Automated tools instantly search thousands of online stores for low prices and unique designs. Using this tool significantly improves your chances of finding a bargain.

Read product reviews that are unbiased. Most large companies hire professional copywriters to make products sound wonderful, but most of you have had the experience of purchasing something that did not live up to the description. Read unbiased reviews from customers that have purchased and used the item you are researching. This will give you a grit idea of exactly what the product will do. No hype; no marketing gloss just good information. Customer reviews will also give you hassle free information about returns and exchanges.

Online coupon codes and discounts are awesome. The published price you see at a web site many not be the one you have to pay at the final checkout. Search a web store for coupon codes and offers.

Finding the best bargains online is very easy once you use the right tools. You can still use Google, but check out eBay, box store sites, discount sites and watch for free advertising on your social media page and in your email box.

David Richardson writes for www.factoryfast.com.au, and if you’re in Australia and looking for some of the best bargains online be sure to check them out.






Top IPad Accessories

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iPads are awesome devices that really do change the way we access the web and consume media. The brilliance is in the convenience and the speed of the iPad, which means that checking the weather is now just the matter of picking up a nice flat piece of technology and swiping across the screen. No longer are we shackled to our desks or sofas when we want to use the internet, and no longer does it have to be a solitary or unsociable experience.

But while you’re probably getting a lot out of your iPad as is, there are many more ways you could potentially be getting even more enjoyment from it by buying the best accessories. Here we will look at some of the most useful and coolest iPad accessories out there.

Covers

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Getting a good iPad cover is something you should do right away as soon as you own your new toy. The reason for that is that it will enable you to personalise your iPad and give it that unique slant that tells you it’s yours – iPads are fashion accessories too so show off your sense of style. Meanwhile these are also practical accessories that can help to protect your iPad in a fall, avoid the screen getting dusty and allow you to slip your device into a shoulder bag without worrying about it getting scratched.

Stands

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Some iPad stands come built into the case, but either way these are a must to get the most from your device. The best thing about them is that they enable you to lie down while reading or watching a film – which is even more convenient now than using a book or your hands as you can angle it exactly where you want it.

Stylus

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iPads are great devices for designers thanks to the wealth of design apps and touch-screen input. Using a stylus you can take full advantage of this fact by drawing directly onto the page with more control and precision than you would otherwise have. Look for one with pressure sensitivity to really mimic the paper/pen experience.

Keyboards

Magnet Stand

One downside to the touch screen input is the lack of speed when it comes to typing. Unfortunately, even though the on-screen keyboard is well designed, the lack of physical keys means you don’t get the tactile feedback. By getting a hardware keyboard you can eliminate this problem and turn your iPad into a great productivity device so that you can enter text quickly. Again some keyboards come built into the case, which makes them even more convenient so that you aren’t forced to carry a large extra peripheral with you everywhere.

Car Seat Holders

There are a range of these great iPad accessories, but they all work the same way by allowing you to attach your iPad to the back of your car seat for the children in the back. Put on a film and then enjoy the peace and quiet for a few hours before they start asking ‘are we there yet’ again…

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Shirley Templeton is a technology blogger and writes for Blankdvdmedia.com. Shirley has contributed numerous posts related to iPad and other gadgets to top technology blogs.

Shopping in New York: Find the Best Stores

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From the massive department stores lining Fifth Avenue, to the small boutiques and independent shops dotting the East Village, New York is a veritable shopping mecca for fashionistas and everyday consumers alike. With all of the hustle and bustle and constant excitement, however, it can be somewhat challenging to narrow down the very best stores in the city. Fortunately, with a bit of luck and research beforehand, any visitor to New York can make certain they don’t miss a beat during their holiday.

Department Stores

For years, New York’s shopping experience has been influenced by the large department stores, such as Macy’s and Bloomingdales. These iconic stores still sell some of the best merchandise in the city. Not only is it fun to browse through the wares on display, but experiencing the atmosphere of these stores themselves is an adventure in its own right.

For those looking to drop a fair bit of money on their shopping adventure, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman are both popular destinations. These stores sell apparel and accessories from some of the world’s most sought after designers. From Chanel to Gucci, Prada to Stella McCartney, it is easy to find luxury clothing in these fabulous shops.

Independent Stores

While it may be fun to socialise with the wealthy shoppers of New York, the city is also home to plenty of independent boutiques with their own unique vibes. One of the great things about New York is that there is something for everyone. For those looking the casual hipster feel, head to Hollander & Lexer in Williamsburg. This popular shop mixes jewellery and vintage accessories with modern apparel that is comfortable and easy to wear.

On the Lower East Side, EVA is a popular destination for those looking to sport cutting-edge designs. Looks fresh from the runway populate the shelves and racks in this boutique. EVA often showcases foreign designers and up-and-coming stylists’ picks, making it easy to score on great outfits at an affordable cost.

Ask Around

Regardless of where one heads in New York, it is easy to find fantastic shopping destinations on nearly every corner. One simple tip for finding more fabulous shops is to simply ask salespeople for their advice. If a boutique or shop really stands out in terms of its apparel and overall style, there is a good chance staff members will have an idea of what other business options are located in the immediate area.

New York shopping is a must for all visitors to the city and whether you visit the smaller boutiques or the larger department stores you will be sure to be able to shop until you drop!

Ursula Jones writes on a number of subjects including shopping in New York. You can find the best stores in New York by using the online shopping guide from Shopikon

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