Cold Case Files

Guest post written by my buddy Lavern Small

I have always been a huge fan of true crime dramas. The first time I watched 'Cold Case Files' on satellite TV I immediately loved it.

The show stars Lilly Rush a detective played by Kathryn Morris, her boss Lt. John Stillman who is played by John Finn, and her co-workers. When the show starts it normally depicts an original crime scene then skips to someone contacting the office and asking for the case to be reopened.

The team who gets the case starts at the beginning, digging into the past closed cases. They try to solve the case using modern knowledge and technology.

After the case is solved and the criminal is brought to justice, the show is brought to an end. The end usually depicts the team seeing the victim's spirit watch over them with approval then they walk the box of cold case files back to the closed section in the storage room.

This is a very entertaining tv show. It combines the reality of crime with the thrill of a good drama. I like the variety of personalities on the show, it allows you to relate to at least one character. I enjoy relating to them because it allows me to escape the living room and jump into the story.

'Cold Case Files' airs on Sunday nights at 9pm and also reruns are shown throughout the week.

I Want to Plan an Anniversary Surprise!

My 6th wedding anniversary is 3 1/2 weeks away and I want to plan something really nice for my husband. We have been together for almost 12 years, (we were high school sweethearts) and so our wedding anniversaries have never been celebrated as something special. For the last 5 years we have ordered pizza and watched a movie at home. Sometimes we go out to eat on the weekend after, but it's never anything too extravagant.

I want to do something really special for Shawn this time. 6 years isn't typically made a very special celebration for most people because it isn't a milestone. The number of years isn't super special to me, but the guy I'm married to totally is. Shawn has been working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, for over 4 months now. I would love to take him somwhere that he can relax and be away from work for a while.

Here is an incomplete list of some things that I think Shawn would like to do

1. Swim with Sharks


2. Helicopter Rides


3. Hot Air Balloon Rides


4. Dune Buggies


5. Jet Skis

As you can see, Shawn is into experiences. As you may know by my refusal to purchase tomato cages, I am into saving money and being frugal. I'm looking for something that is going to keep us both happy. Any ideas?

Planning for a Birthday Party With the Internet

Thanks for the post, Arthur Lawrence

Planning a birthday party for a child can be a stressful situation. What should I do? What kind of games should I do with the guests? Many of these questions can all be solved by using the computer and satellite internet. The information found can take the guesswork out of a lot of your questions and concerns.

When my son turned three years old, I decided to have a big party for him. I planned on about fifteen of his friends as well as our extended family. Quickly, I turned to the internet from satellite and internet packages for ideas for the party. On Target's website I found some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle's plates and cups. Since that was his favorite at the time, I knew that this was the beginning of the idea and theme of the party.

Another website had Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle invitations that I purchased with satellite internet wireless for the party. I also got a great deal on plain green t-shirts for each of his friends. I went to the fabric store and bought colored fabric on the clearance bins. With this fabric, I cut it into strips for the kids to wear around their head like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle's.

At the party, the kids decorated the green t-shirts with paint. This was a great craft and also made for great pictures!

Anniversary Time!

It's that time again! Time for my wedding anniversary! This is going to be our 6th year as a happy married couple. I have been trying to think of something romantic to surprise Shawn with. I found something fantastic in our Clark Parks and Recreations news printing. It was a hot air balloon ride over wine country for $180 per person including travel to the location where they blast off (or whatever they do).

I thought this would be PERFECT! Shawn loves stuff like that! Then I ran into a real road block. This outing is for people 50 years old and older! NOT FAIR! So now I am back to square one. I will post more of my ideas later, hopefully I think of something original.

Saving Up For Braces

Caleb had is routine cleaning and check up at the dentist yesterday. His teeth look great, very clean and "shiny" which is Caleb's new favortie word, so he was excited to hear the dentist say it. Dr. Lewis says I didn't do any irreparable damage by waiting so long to take away his pacifier.

Caleb has a gap in his front teeth and as adorable as I think it is, we are going to get it taken care of. Dr. Lewis thinks we can do it without braces after he loses his 2 from teeth - super cute, but very far away, or so it seems. I'm sure it will sneak up on me before I know it.

We did learn that Caleb has a crossbite. He will probably need a retainer or braces in the future to take care of it. Dr. Lewis says that he will probably refer him to an orthodontist when he is about 7. That gives me 4 years to save for braces. I should probably start on that right away!

Saving up for our cruise

Guest post written by Kimberly Bramlett

This economy has left me cutting costs wherever I can and even though it’s supposed to be improving, those ways are pretty ingrained in me now.

So when my boyfriend suggested that we go on a cruise to the Bahamas, I told him that it would probably be way too expensive and he was crazy to even think about that. However, he told me the cost, which would end up being just a couple hundred dollars – a whole lot cheaper than I expected.

I decided that I would examine my utility costs and compare them to other providers so I could get better deals and put that extra change toward the trip. I found a satalite internet special that seemed like a good deal so I switched over that and my cell phone service.

After a couple of months I had saved quite a bit and put that extra money toward spending on the cruise. It was so nice and the worst part was having to come back to work instead of drinking rum out of coconuts on the beach.

Too Much Retail

I work part time on a retail sales floor. At the beginning of every week I remind myself that there are only 4 work days in a week for me. I try to amp myself up that 4 days is so little, and then I have a 3 day weekend waiting for me every Friday.

Unfortunately, it only takes about 5 or 6 hours before I start longing for Saturday morning. It usually has something to do with the customer who is waiting in line saying that they want to break their foot off in someone's tushie before I even get to talk to them. I just wish people could be kind and courteous to strangers.

So if you ever go into a business establishment, remember, the person you are dealing with is at work. That means their day already sucks enough. The last thing that anyone needs is to be made into some stranger's punching bag. Can't we all just follow the golden rule and treat others how we would want to be treated? Can't we all just get along?