Hockey fans

Thanks for the guest post by Jo Levy

Our neighbors invited us over last night for a hockey dinner party. They moved here from Canada and apparently they are huge hockey fans. They got the NHL channel because it was included in some direct tv specials when they had their satellite TV installed. I have only been to one hockey game in my life and I did not think it would be fun, but while at the game I learned that the entertaining part of hockey is the fights that happen amongst the players. Our neighbors told us that hockey is huge in Canada. I cannot imagine that it would be as big as football or baseball is here, but our neighbors assured us that it is. They were really disappointed when they moved here to find out that hockey is not a big sport here. I really like our neighbors and my husband and I would like to start hanging out with them more. We agreed to go to some hockey games with them this season as long as they agree to go to some football games with us.

Swamp People

The article written by Alonso Kramer

Sometimes I really don’t get my husband. He works strange hours most of the time and then has trouble sleeping, so I come home to him watching the strangest things on our direct tv. His newest obsession is called “Swamp People”. It’s about families in the Louisiana bayou who make a living hunting alligators and other native wildlife. Sometimes I wish I understood what makes him tick. I can watch one episode of this ridiculous show, but he can sit and watch 10 episodes in a row. One of the funniest things about it is that the characters all speak in a thick Cajun accent and I can barely understand them. The show actually needs subtitles to explain what is going on. When he’s done watching for some reason he thinks it’s funny to try and speak with a Cajun accent just to annoy me. After watching a few episodes with him just to make him happy, that is the last thing I want to hear! It’s funny for about 10 seconds but then it just starts driving me insane.

POA makes me paranoid

Guest post of the week by Brittany Booker
Our neighborhood decided to set up a property owners association. In principal, it sounds like a good idea. A group of people who make sure the neighborhood looks pretty and new improvements are made. How could anyone say no to that? The neighborhood looking better helps everyone because it helps increase each home’s value. Well, while the association is nice, the e-mails have me paranoid. The association set up a group e-mail. The purpose is to allow any neighborhood news to easily be e-mailed to the entire neighborhood. The system is completely abused to complain about anything and everything. People e-mail about buckets missing, rakes missing, or any other miscellaneous thing. While I am sure it is all innocent, I keep thinking there is a robber among us and even had SECURITY CHOICE come install an alarm system. Yes, I know this is overkill for a missing rake, but honestly you never know what could happen next. I would much rather be over prepared for the worst than wish I had prepared myself more when the worst happens.

A fairytale Disney vacation for our princess

Guest post written by Mary Caldwell

To say that our daughter likes princesses would be a vast understatement. If we would let her, she would definitely just wear her princess dress-up outfits to school every day and even sleep in them. But we obviously make her wear regular clothes. I tell her that it wouldn't be special if she wore them all of the time! Because of her love for princesses we thought that it would be neat to go to Walt Disney World for vacation this summer.

She's never been and I haven't been since I was a kid so I'm pretty excited about it. While I was looking up some information on that and deciding the actual dates for us to go, I saw the site mobilebroadband4G.com. I read through it and thought that would be a great service to have so I signed up for it.

We'll of course have to make a visit to Cinderella's castle, where you can apparently eat breakfast. I guess that we'll let her wear her princess outfit to that. Besides, she will be in the company of another princess!

A little outdoor jump roping

Guest post written by Janna Wagoner

Springtime is definitely my favorite time of the year. It's still not that hot yet, but there's that anticipation in the air every day that it's a little warm outside. Even if it isn't short weather yet. I've been spending a lot more time outside over the last couple of weeks, whether it's been gardening, washing the cars or whatever I can think of.

I thought that it would be easy to start doing a little more of my exercise outside just for fun, so I went online to find some ideas about what I could do for that. As I was looking, I saw the site satellitestarinternet.com, read through it and ordered an internet package fr! om a new provider on it.

I decided to dig out my old jump rope, which is in surprisingly good shape, and start jumping rope. It really is pretty fun. I had kind of forgotten about that. Then my son saw me doing it and wanted to try, so I ended up buying him a new jump rope. He plays video games so much that I try and urge him to get outside and get some physical activity as much as possible.

Guest Post: This is a paid post

Got to Have My Soaps

Guest post from: Mohamed Simon

I have been a nurse for several years. One other thing that I have been for several years is a fan of the soap opera Days of Our Lives. Because of the fact that I am a nurse, I do work very long hours. That means that there are many days that I have to miss my show on DirecTV is. Oh, but wait just a minute. Thank goodness for DVR. I have had my DVR every since the first one was released several years ago. I just do not know what I would do without it. In my opinion, this is the greatest invention of our time. I mean, just think about it. Who would have ever thought 20 years ago that we could leave the house, and never miss a single soap. Who would have thought that we could do all of this without having to use blank tapes and a VCR. I am so glad that we live in the futuristic world that we live in. I have got to have my soaps.

Kid to Kid: Unbelievable deals on all children's supplies

Today's post comes courtesy of our sister blog over at 8-Pound Preemie.

The very lovely Loretta, a Kid to Kid full-timer, was kind enough to grant me an interview and a behind-the-scenes look around the store this past Sunday after-hours. Considering how this is one of my absolutely favorite stores (my sisters can attest that 90% of the kids' Christmas presents came from here), I was obviously excited.

The first thing that impressed me was how clean and well-organized the store is. The employees are clearly very diligent in maintaining the store's appearance. The shoes you see on the left? That's how the shoe aisle looked at the end of the weekend. Anyone who's worked retail knows how impressive that is.

Being that I am an amateur journalist (well, blogger), I couldn't just ooh and aah. I had to get down to business, in this case, the interview:

For the ravers, the rockers, the people looking for a party...

So maybe I turned some of you off with the post about ballet. I know it's certainly not for everyone.

On the completely opposite end of the spectrum, neither is Lincoln Theater. This is not a place where you go to wear a fancy gown and sip champagne. Lincoln Theater is where you go to hear groundbreaking local bands and be packed in with strangers close enough to breathe their sweat. If, the next morning, you still have hearing in both ears and your mouth doesn't taste like an ashtray (even though the building is no-smoking), then you've experienced it wrong.

And, I'm not going to lie, I love it.

For when you can't get out on the town to shop in Raleigh

This is a paid post.

I may not be your typical material girl or shopaholic, but I do like getting good deals. (In fact, I tend to hold off on purchases until I can get a good deal.) So when I decide to make a purchase, I do what most frugal moms do: research various brands, and look around at different places until I can find the lowest price for the specific item I want.

If I don't feel like going to all that work, I can now just go to Become.com. They're a price comparison site, so they find the best deals for you. In fact, right now they are featuring some of their best deals on products that make for wonderful mom-goodies. (After all, we spoil our kids all the time. Daddy can spoil us every once in a while.)

Here are some of their products in top-demand:

Shiatsu Elite Footmassager FMS 200H. May sound space-age, but it's a guaranteed foot massage. (As opposed to one you have to nag your husband for.)

.40 Micro Pave Platinum Anniversary Band. Anniversary bands are nice because your guy can only buy you an engagement ring and wedding band once (well, ideally).

Bahai Pendants Aquamarine. They also have this truly beautiful "Mother's Embrace" birthstone pendant. (You use your kids' birthstones in it.)

Don't let the links fool you. They have thousands of more products in all categories, including some amazing deals on electronics. So if you've got some online shopping to do, Become.com is the place to do it.

Carolina Ballet Presents: The Ugly Duckling

I have always loved ballet but, I'll confess, the breathtaking movie "Black Swan" has rekindled my desire to go watch a ballet live again. While watching ballet at home on my couch in lounging pants is certainly cheap and convenient, nothing quite matches the experience of dressing up and being taken to a nice dinner before going to enjoy a ballet in person.

For those fortunate enough to live in Raleigh (or close by), I now present you with the perfect upcoming opportunity to do just that. (We'll even keep with the "transformation of water fowl" motif!)

Coffee, events, children's entertainment and...oh yeah...books!

Okay, so I know this post isn't technically about "Raleigh", but the Raleigh Barnes & Noble locations are next to Crabtree Valley Mall, which is simply a nightmare to get in and out of, and in Triangle Town Center, which is way up Capital Boulevard and often crowded. I go to the bookstore to relax, and that's why I go to the Barnes & Noble across from Cary Towne Center.

The Cary Barnes & Noble is not in the same parking lot as the mall, it's across Walnut Street from it, so parking is not very much of an issue. Also, unlike other locations, it's very pleasantly oriented with the in-store Starbucks acting like the hub of a wheel, from out which the rest of the store branches. This makes the on-side Starbucks very open and well-lit, with much more seating space than some of the other locations. It's the perfect place to hold a small reading group, or to just sit down with a paperback and an oversugared coffee drink.

The children's area is very nice, as well. There's a great selection of books, toys, puzzles, and games, and a large train set laid out so the kids won't get bored.

The Cary location also boasts a very full events calendar. Here are some of the upcomings to look forward to:
Family Fun Night Friday, January 28th at 7:00 pm
Contemporary Book Group Thursday, February 10th at 7:00 pm
Meet Angelika Selle Saturday, February 12th at 2:00 pm

There are plenty more events listed on the website. I'm there at least once a week, so don't be surprised if you see a red-haired woman with a creme brulee latte hunched over a laptop in the Starbucks.

Irregardless Cafe: Bad grammar, great food and entertainment

The Irregardless has been around since my mom went to college in Raleigh. It is a landmark of the city, an institution, and it didn't get that distinction through luck or accident.

To start with: the food. The menu changes daily, so even if this is one of your favorite lunchtime spots, you're not going to get bored. What doesn't change is: the variety of healthy (including vegan and vegetarian) options, the creativity, and the quality. The last time I went, I enjoyed a pomegranate polenta, of which all attempts to replicate at home have fallen miserably short. So, don't even worry about what you're going to order when you get their. Whatever you get, you're going to love it.

The drinks: The wine selection is exquisite, and the cocktails are wonderfully balanced. (Try the Oreo Martini in lieu of dessert.) The only recommendation I would make is to stay away from the bottled beer as, just like anywhere else in Raleigh, you're going to be overpaying for your alcohol.

The entertainment: This is what makes The Irregardless such a treat. Get late-dinner reservations on a Saturday night and, after 9:00, live music opens up the dance floor. Yes, you heard it here: Somewhere to dance in Raleigh where you neither have to learn to shag nor deal with sweaty co-eds rubbing up against you.

Check out the menu options, music schedule, etc. here at their site. And be sure to book those reservations in advance.

Best Deals

$26 bottle of Lucky Star Californian Pinot Noir

Complementary bottle of house wine on your birthday or anniversary (w/ e-mailed certificate)

Ability to make reservations online

Raleighwood: Dinner and a movie, without having to move your car.

If you grew up in the Triangle and you've never been to Raleighwood Cinema Grill, you have been missing out. Raleighwood allows you to sit and enjoy your meal while you sit and enjoy your film. They have a full schedule of current (or near current) shows, and also serve adult beverages, as well.

Events and special offers are plentiful throughout the week, but as their website stresses, please arrive a minimum of a half hour before starting time (45 minutes on the weekend).

Best Deals

Take in a show on Thursday and enjoy a free Sundae after your entree

On Sundays, receive a free popcorn basket with each entree

Tobacco Road Sports Cafe: More than worth the effort to find parking on Glenwood Ave

Look at those big screens and recliners and tell me that is not the place you want to go to watch the play-offs.

That slice of Heaven is Tobacco Road Sports Cafe. That's right; not "bar", "cafe". The owners make a point of distinction there. Sports bars have lots of beer and big screen tvs and bad food. Tobacco Road has beer and big screen tvs and amazing food. (And, unlike most joints that close the kitchen around 10:00 or 11:00, they serve the full menu until 2:00 a.m.)

The first time you go, try ordering the House Made Corn Dogs. No, that's not a joke. The corn dogs are huge, and incredible. They are corn dogs created for a gourmand. And you might as well ask for a doggie bag up front; you can't finish them.

Most entrees run around $10-$12, so it's a lot of luxury for not a lot of cash. Right down Glenwood South, just slightly past Sushi Blues.

Best Deals

$2.95 Happy Hour Menu running Mondays through Fridays (with $2.50 minimum drink order)

The North Carolina Museum of Art

The North Carolina Museum of Art (or NCMA) is located right down Blue Ridge Road past the State Fairgrounds.

Just last year, the museum reopened after major renovations. What was once a lovely little collection of pieces housed in an unremarkable building is now a full-fledged indoor/outdoor masterpiece. (The Rodan Garden is breathtaking.)

You can get lost for hours, meandering the hallways and exhibits, exploring everything from period paintings to installation art (a hyper-realistic tree made entirely of sheet metal graces the grounds). The sheer size of the property also allows for ample parking; a nice touch for anywhere near downtown Raleigh.

Of course, it's not all beautiful art. There are plenty of other accoutrements, such as fine dining and shopping, and, of course, special exhibits. (The Norman Rockwell exhibit is just wrapping up now.) Visit the NCMA website for details on times and exhibitions.

Best Deals
Excluding special exhibits, admission is always free for the majority of the grounds.

Adventure Landing

When discussing the attractions provided, in the interest of saving time, it's much easier to list what Adventure Landing doesn't have, which is, essentially, nothing.

A little over a decade ago, this was just another basic Putt-Putt joint, lurking out on Capital Boulevard. Since becoming Adventure Landing, laser tag, rock climbing, and a heavily upgraded arcade have joined the three mini-golf courses, batting cages, and go-kart track it already boasted.

Also, for what you receive, pricing is more than fair. Their website consistently has coupons, group rates, and daily specials available. Whether you're looking for somewhere to host a birthday party, team building event, or just a family night out, Adventure Landing is a great place to make those memories.

Best Deals at the Moment
Parents golf free w/ paying child (requires printable coupon from website)
Half-priced attractions on Sundays from 10:00-1:00
Free laser tag session (requires printable coupon from website)
Friday from 6:00-10 is Family Night: unlimited mini-golf, laser tag, and a large pepperoni pizza for $24.99 plux tax (limited to family size of up to four)