Empire Today Makes Choosing New Carpet So Easy

Are you thinking of making some home improvements, maybe buying new carpet?   Empire Today has been a leader in installed home improvements for over 45 years, has over one million happy customers, and has won the 2008 National Stevie Award for Best Customer Service Organization for providing world class customer care.  For two years in a row, they were also a finalist in the Best Overall Company category.  Now that tells you something!  Add in the fact that they have quality products that will improve the value of your home, and that is a win-win situation.

These are the products that Empire Today offers:

  • Carpet
  • Hardwood Flooring
  • Laminate Flooring
  • Ceramic Flooring
  • Window Treatments
  • Bath & Shower Liners

The great thing about Empire Carpet is that you have the convenience of shopping for the name brands at home with their specialized products expert.   One convenience I really like is that you see all the samples in your home with in-home demo and in-home shopping.  Several years ago we bought new carpet, and the frustrating part was bringing the samples home from the store only to find they looked like completely different colors in our living room.  With Empire Today, there is none of that frustration.  You see the colors in your own home immediately.  And you don’t have to deal with traffic or worry about the kids getting into things in the store.   You sit in the comfort of your home and shop.

Empire Today’s representative gives free estimates, which are low warehouse prices, and will measure for most products right then and there.  There’s no need to set a separate appointment for measurements.  And the estimate includes all costs.  Installation can be scheduled the next day, and that’s not just for carpet.  It’s also for all flooring, window treatments and bath liners as well.

Have you seen the Empire Today Commercials?  They are informative as well as entertaining.  If you would like to hear from some happy, satisfied customers then check out Empire Today Bath Stories.   Be sure to listen to “Empire Man” who, since 1977, has come to represent great value, world class customer service, and next day installation. Empire Man had been seen all over the world in commercials and other media, and has even been in McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which then inspired the Chicago Cubs to have an official “Empire Day at well-known Wrigley Field in downtown Chicago. When you hear the jingle, 800-588-2300 Empire, which is one of the most recognized phone numbers in the country, remember the quality that stands behind it!

Summer is Almost Over

Well…actually the “summer season” will last a while longer, but “summer” according to the school calendar is almost over.  Even though we didn’t actually take a week long vacation this year, we did take a couple of two-day trips.  One trip was to Hillsboro, Texas, to shop at the Hillsboro Outlet Mall.  I found a lot of clothes there for Baby J for his birthday, and I had so much fun shopping for him!  Another trip was to Waco, Texas, to visit the Dr. Pepper Museum which was very interesting.  We also got to walk on a historical bridge and visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum.  It was truly a fun trip!

We’re not big movie goers, but we saw three movies this summer which we thought were really good movies.  We saw the Indiana Jones movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and Journey to the Center of the Earth.

I went to a ten week Bible study at my friend’s house this summer on Thursday nights.  There were several friends there (we all attend church together) to study “Believing God,” which deepened our faith even more.  This Bible based study was written by Beth Moore.  It was a great time of fellowship and studying God’s Word!

And last, we had a lot of good family visits with our daughter (“C”), son-in-law, and Baby J.   We got to have a mini family reunion in June when my mother-in-law flew down to visit for a week.  Lots of wonderful memories were made!

These are the highlights of my summer which centered around God, family, & friends!  It’s been a wonderful summer for me in that regard.

Online Auto Insurance

Whenever someone in the family gets a new auto, whether it be new or used, it is necessary to get insurance on that vehicle.  Sometimes it is a pain to try to squeeze finding insurance into an already busy schedule.  One easy way to shop for auto insurance is to look at online car insurance quotes.   Quotes are conveniently given online.  How easy is that!

Natural is Always Best

Natural is always best.  Natural, whole foods are healthier than processed ones.   Natural hormones are better and safer than synthetic ones from all that I’ve read and from what two of my doctors have told me.  I doubt my gynecologist would tell me that, though.  I think all he prescribes are the synthetic hormones.  My regular doctor prescribes natural, compounded from a pharmacy progesterone.  If your hormones are giving you a lot of trouble, if you gain weight and can’t seem to lose it, or you’re having any of the many symptoms that estrogen dominance can cause, you might want to check into natural progesterone.  Natural is the best way to go.

Four Foods on Friday #42

#1. What is your favorite appetizer?

Hmmm.  I guess it would have to be Spinach Artichoke Dip & Chips.  Guacamole, nachos, and Queso would be next.
#2. Do you eat enough appetizers that you get full and can’t eat your meal?

Usually not, but I have done that in the past.
#3. Do you usually make frozen or fresh appetizers?

I usually make them, either nachos, guacamole, or queso.  Actually, we make a meal out of the nachos.
#4. Share a recipe or instructions for an appetizer.

Easy Chicken & Black Bean Nachos

Creative Back-to-School Lunches

Now that it’s time for school to start and time to start thinking about school supplies, it’s also time to start thinking about school lunches.  Elizabeth has some fantastic ideas in her post, “Brown bag lunches your kids will eat!” When I used to make school lunches, I would make the homemade lunchables sometimes, but I never had themed lunches like Elizabeth does.  These lunches are very creative!

Easy Chicken & Black Bean Nachos

This is such a quick and easy recipe:

  • 1 can chicken breast, drained & separated into small pieces
  • 1 can black beans, drained (I use organic)
  • 1 jar Tostitos Queso, Medium
  • 1 pkg Tostitos Natural Blue Corn Tortilla Chips (organic)
  • 1 avocado, sliced (optional)

Top each chip with a little chicken, black beans, and then top with a spoonful of queso.  I used to heat these in the microwave, but I’ve recently learned from one of my doctors how the microwave affects food so I’m heating them in our toaster over instead.  Heat until cheese melts down a little bit.  Top with a slice of avocado (and whatever else you would like).

This is fairly healthy, and half the ingredients are organic.

Baby J Had a Birthday!

Our first and only grandbaby, “Baby J,” celebrated his first birthday this past week.  We went for the weekend for the birthday party on Saturday.  Our daughter, “C,” had everything decorated so cute.  There were balloons and streamers decorating the mailbox, front door, entryway, living room, and the dining area.

First, we had a cookout with hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the fixings.  Then Baby J opened his many presents (actually our daughter opened the presents – Baby J wasn’t into opening presents…at least this year anyway).  Then it was time for the cake.  “C” has taken a cake decorating course, and so she made the cutest small birthday cake for “Baby J” and then a larger cake for everyone else.  Our grandson did not like the icing, though!!  Once the thick globs of icing were on his fingers, he looked at it like he didn’t understand why he couldn’t shake it off.   His daddy proceded to feed him the cake part which he loved.

It was an exciting and fun-filled day for Baby J, grandparents, an aunt, an uncle, and friends of the family.  Baby J was so keyed up from all the excitement that he couldn’t unwind for his nap.  Needless to say, by the time bedtime rolled around, he was extremely tired…so tired that he got the giggles and laughed non-stop for a minute or two.  Well, we all got tickled at him and started laughing too.  It was a wonderful end to a wonderful day!

It is such a blessing to have Baby J in our lives!

Back to School – Time to Get Organized!

How many of you have been organizing and getting ready for school to start in a week or two?  I know I’ve been cleaning out shelves and drawers, filing, and trying to get everything organized.  There’s just something about this time of year when it seems natural to do that.  I guess it’s the teacher in me.

Things used every day need to be easily accessible and labeled for efficiency purposes.  The Dymo Label Maker is a perfect tool to help get everything organized. File folders can easily be labeled.  Plastic storage bins and plastic tubs need labels just as well.

For children, it helps to have things labeled by type or maybe by the child’s name if there are several children in the family.   For teachers, the classroom is a great place to use a label maker to get everything in top notch organization.   Students can label their book covers, folders, and other supplies.  And we can’t forget college students who have files and all sorts of things that need to be organized.

There are more uses for a label maker besides household or educational purposes.  Those who sew or enjoy a craft know the importance of keeping things sorted and easy to find.  And even husbands can benefit by having their nails, screws, and hardware organized.  The uses for the Dymo Label Maker are limitless!

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

If you haven’t seen The Chronicles of Narnia movies, let me recommend them!  We have seen both movies and thoroughly enjoyed them, but the movies need to be seen in sequence to understand everything in the second movie.  So, if you’re planning on seeing The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, make sure you’ve seen the first movie.  If you haven’t, then rent and watch it first. The second movie is still great even if you don’t watch the first one, but you’ll understand certain references if the first movie has been watched.

The Chronicles of Narnia movies are filled with adventure, great effects, and entertaining plots.  In my opinion, they’re a “must see.”

Identity Theft – Be Proactive!

Have you heard the latest news this week about the huge case the Department of Justice is prosecuting?  There were 40 MILLION credit and debit card numbers stolen by a crime ring that spanned from the United States to Eastern Europe to East Asia.  Secret Service Director Sullivan said that this case was the largest and most sophisticated one ever brought against hacking and identity theft criminals prosecuted by the DOJ, and 11 people were charged in this case.  The criminal ring hacked into wireless networks, security systems for major retailers such as Marshalls and T. J. Maxx, and laptops.

Even though these people have been caught, there’s no way to know how many others are out there.  We have personally been the victims of identity theft three different times.  Each time there was a charge on our credit card that was not ours.  We’re careful with our credit cards, and I always shred anything that has our credit card information on it.  But being careful isn’t enough.  Even though the DOJ is prosecuting these criminals, there are still more people out there who want to steal our identity.  We must be proactive!

At lifelock, they’re being proactive and educating the consumer.  Consumers must watch out and learn how to be proactive!

Brown Rice With Red Bell Peppers

Here’s a healthy recipe that is easy to fix:

  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups brown rice (I use organic)
  • 1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped (again, I use organic)
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley

Bring chicken broth to a boil.  Add olive oil and rice.  Cover and simmer for 25 minutes.  Add the red bell pepper and cook 5 more minutes.  Stir in parsley before serving.