7 AWESOME LOCAL PLACES TO GO FOR THE 4TH OF JULY

Hello all,

The 4th of July is upon us and I wanted to post some local places to go to celebrate the holiday. There are many choices this year so please enjoy with friends and family as we celebrate our great nation:



1. Light Up Tampa Bay Independence Day celebration- This is Tampa's largest 4th of July celebration. They will have live music, entertainment and fireworks. Party starts at 6pm, fireworks at 8:45 pm. Located at 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa.

7 AWESOME  LOCAL PLACES TO GO FOR THE 4TH OF JULY - CHANNELSIDE

2. Tarpon Springs 4th of July Fireworks - The best place to view tarpon spring's fireworks is the beach at Howard Park , but they get launched off at Sunset Beach. They should start atg 8;30 pm. Howard Park is located at 1700 Sunset Dr., Tarpon Springs.

7 AWESOME  LOCAL PLACES TO GO FOR THE 4TH OF JULY - HOWARD PARK

3. Clearwater Celebrates America at Coachman Park - This free celebration has music, food, and local vendors, also with family friendly activities. fireworks are at 9:30 pm. Located at 601 Coachman Rd., Clearwater.

7 AWESOME  LOCAL PLACES TO GO FOR THE 4TH OF JULY - CLEARWATER COACHMAN PARK

4. Safety Harbor 4th of July Celebration  - They start their celebration off with a parade at noon. Then they have children's activities, live entertainment and food vendors. The fun starts at 5 pm, the fireworks at 9 pm. Located at Waterfront park, Safety Harbor.

7 AWESOME  LOCAL PLACES TO GO FOR THE 4TH OF JULY - SAFETY HARBOR

5. Sparklebration at Pasco County Fairgrounds - This one isn't free, $5 admission and $5 parking. They will have many activities like a bounce house, watermelon and hot dog eating contest, pony rides, petting zoo and more. Gates open at 4 pm, fireworks at 9"15 pm. It is located at 36722 St. Rd. 52, Dade City.

7 AWESOME  LOCAL PLACES TO GO FOR THE 4TH OF JULY - PASCO CO SPARKLEBRATION

6. Family Funfest and Fireworks at SS American Victory Steamship Museum - This is one of the best places to watch the fireworks at channelside. I have been here many times. You can explore the which is very interesting. It is one of the only fully operational WW11 ships in the country. They will have music, food, and games. The doors open at 6:30 pm. and it costs $7-13. Located at 705 Channelside Dr., Tampa.

7 AWESOME  LOCAL PLACES TO GO FOR THE 4TH OF JULY - FAMILY  FUNFEST

7. 2017 Kiafest Main St. Blast - New Port richey's 18th annual fest runs from June 30th to July 1st. It will have music, games and a beer garden. fireworks will be 8:30 pm on July 1st. This free event is located at Sims Park, on the corner of Grand Blvd, and Bank St., New port Richey.

7 AWESOME  LOCAL PLACES TO GO FOR THE 4TH OF JULY - KIAFEST

Everyone have a safe and happy 4th of July! Don't forget the sunscreen!

MY REVIEW OF MEDIEVAL TIMES ORLANDO

I received compensation in exchange for writing this review. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.



Hello,

There is so much to do in orlando! One of my favorite things to do there is to go to one of their many dinner theatres there. Over the weekend I was very fortunate to visit the dinner theatre Medieval Times in Orlando. If you have never been, it's definitely worth going.



One of the things they emailed to let me and others know was to arrive a few hours before the start of the show. We got their 2 hours early among many others. They tell you this so you have time to walk through their Medieval Village, which was very nice by the way. And also because the table seating is first come first served, meaning first in line get the tables located in front. They let us inside an hour before showtime.

This is something I think they should address and fix. I witnessed a 14 year old girl collapse from the heat from standing in line so long. After she sat down for awhile and had gotten some water, she recovered. But management should provide a cooler place for patrons to wait, especially if they are telling people to get their a few hours early as was us. Fans or misting fans appropriately placed would work wonders against the heat. or if they passed out numbers as you came, so then you didn't have to wait in line but could come back before the show starts to retrieve your place in line would help also. Also, the first come first served encourages some adults to act as children. When I was speaking to the lady at the window, a tall gentlemen who thought standing in line was beneath him was pushing me out of the way to get tickets he needed for his party while ignoring everyone else in line.

MY REVIEW OF MEDIEVAL TIMES ORLANDO

Besides those issues the show was truly awesome. I really enjoyed walking through the Medieval Village. It consisted of several rooms linked together with exhibits from the time period. They had rooms with a kitchen, bedroom, candlemaking, a loom, wine making, black smith, and a torture chamber.

MY REVIEW OF MEDIEVAL TIMES ORLANDO

The meal was quite good. It consisted of a chicken leg quarter, a small corn on the cob, a half potato wedge, a small bowl of tomato soup, and a piece of pineapple pound cake for dessert. To drink they offered pepsi, water or lemonade. I was able to get a refill on my pepsi. My husband got beer at $7.00 a piece. After dinner they offered coffee. While it is true they don't offer eating utensils, they do give you a wetnap.

MY REVIEW OF MEDIEVAL TIMES ORLANDO

MY REVIEW OF MEDIEVAL TIMES ORLANDO

MY REVIEW OF MEDIEVAL TIMES ORLANDO

Before the show, they had the king come out onto a small stage. Their he knighted children and adults for a small price. It was nice. The show was a sight to see. It was beautiful with all of the lighting and music. It was easy to follow, with knights battling each other in a tournament. Some of the falls were a little fake, but all in all it was well acted. It was awesome to see the horses parading around, and also to see them perform in a dance routine. They had a gentleman with a hawk flying around doing tricks. They even had a villain in the story! I really enjoyed watching the jousting, it looked very realistic. They had them battling with swords and maces, it all kept you on the edge of your seat! The costumes were very authentic looking. We really enjoyed our visit, and it definitely was a lot of fun and  is appropriate for all ages. We definitely will be going again, and this time we want to take our granddaughter!

MY REVIEW OF MEDIEVAL TIMES ORLANDO

MY REVIEW OF MEDIEVAL TIMES ORLANDO

MY REVIEW OF MEDIEVAL

ONE OF A KIND AWESOME TARPON SPRINGS SPONGE DOCKS

Hello all,

Florida has a lot to offer in things to do and enjoy.  With my family living within close proximity to Tarpon Springs we love going to the Sponge Docks.

Tarpon Springs is a leader in the worlds natural sponge market. Greek immigrants built the Tarpon Springs signature sponge industry. It has the highest percentage of Greek Americans than any other American city.

One of the main things we like to do is shop there. They have many one of a kind shops, over 125 to be exact. They have shops for unique Florida gifts and spices. They also have many stores where you can buy authentic sea sponges. One place the Spongeorama Sponge Factory also houses a small museum with daily showings of a movie about the history of the Sponge Docks.

ONE OF A KIND AWESOME TARPON SPRINGS SPONGE DOCKS - SPONGEORAMA SPONGE FACTORY

They also have many Greek bakeries and restaurants there. One bakery that stands out is the Hellas Bakery where the Greek pasties are delicious. Mr. Souvlaki and Rusty Bellies are good restaurants to try for seafood.

Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks boasts several cruises such as Spongeorama Cruise Line, Odyssey Dolphin Cruises, and the Viking Gulf Star Fishing Cruises. We went fishing on the Viking one year and had a blast!

They also have a nice, but small aquarium, the Tarpon Springs Aquarium. It is located at 850 Dodecanese Blvd.The admission is cheap, $7.75 for adults, kids $5.75. Now with paid admission kids get into Puffy's Playground for free. They have a shark tank in there where they have a diver go in and do a show. A few years ago they helped us out with jumping a shark for Gishwhes.You can also pet small stingrays in their petting tank (Of course the barbs have been removed), along with a few other small sea creatures you can pet and feed.

ONE OF A KIND AWESOME TARPON SPRINGS SPONGE DOCKS - TARPON SPRINGS AQUARIUM

Tarpon Springs holds their Epiphany celebration every January. Its a 100 year old tradition highlighted by local boys diving into the Spring Bayou to retrieve a cross thrown into the water by an archbishop. The boy who surfaces with the cross is said to have good luck for the following year. Afterward they have a lively celebration with food, drink and live music.

With many things to do and see, this is surely a place to stop and see! The Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks are located on Dodecanes Blvd. Tarpon springs, Florida 34689.

ONE OF A KIND AWESOME TARPON SPRINGS SPONGE DOCKS

TOP 5 INCREDIBLY FUN THINGS TO DO IN TAMPA

Hello all,

It's summer, and this is the time of year for outside activities. I know my family schedules most of our outside fun time this time of year. I love Florida, but especially certain cities. One city I love is Tampa. It has so many things to do, and it's close to me. I find myself there often. Here is a list of the top 5 fun incredibly fun things to do in Tampa. If you visit, you should definitely check these out!:

1. Nearby Beaches - First we should start with the most obvious reason people come to Florida, our beaches.  Fort DeSoto Park is a great one located in Tierra Verde on a barrier island. It is a 1136 acre park with a beautiful beach, campsites, two fishing piers and a historic fort. If you've never been, I recommend it, the fort is a site to see!
Clearwater beach is another tourist favorite. This was chosen as one of the best US beaches! It has sugar fine sand, a pier, and plenty of rentals for beach chairs and jet skis. Be forewarned though, this one is always crowded.
Another beach I should mention is Caladesi Island State Park located in Dunedin. You take a ferry to this one and they have a beautiful beach, a lookout tower, and a dock, and a three mile nature trail. Many come here to collect shells.

TOP 5 FUN INCREDIBLY FUN THINGS TO DO IN TAMPA

2. Busch Gardens - This is definitely on everyone's to do list vacationing here. This theme park, located in Tampa, boasts many popular roller coasters like Sheikra and the Cheetah Hunt, along with water rides and shows. And let's not forget the animals! It's hailed as one of the biggest zoos in North America with more than 12,000 animals representing 250 species.

TOP 5 FUN INCREDIBLY FUN THINGS TO DO IN TAMPA

3. Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) Tampa - This is a not- for- profit science museum located in Tampa. It has IMAX movies, planetarium shows, ropes course, a zip line, and more than 400 hands on exhibits. The exhibits teaches us about how our bodies work, weather, the future and there is even a hands on children's science center.

TOP 5 FUN INCREDIBLY FUN THINGS TO DO IN TAMPA

4. Florida Aquarium - This is an amazing aquarium and one of my local favorites. It boasts over 20,000 aquatic animals and plants. It is ranked one of the top 10 aquariums in the country. It showcases Florida's aquatic life and ecosystems. It has 8 large exhibits showcasing this, along with a children's splash pad, shows and add on behind the scenes adventures, a lot of fun!

TOP 5 FUN INCREDIBLY FUN THINGS TO DO IN TAMPA

5. Lowry Park Zoo - This is a 63 acre zoo located in Tampa boasting 1200 animals. It has many animal interaction experiences like touching and feeding stingrays and lorikeets, a petting zoo, giraffes and giant tortoises. They have a splash play area, shows and many behind the scenes events like safaris and sleepovers. So much for the kids!

TOP 5 FUN INCREDIBLY FUN THINGS TO DO IN TAMPA

While this is just a small list, Tampa has so much more. Got out and explore this wonderful city. Enjoy!

9 AWESOME MONEY SAVING APPS

Hello all,

There are a lot of great apps out there. There are more and more everyday. Sometimes they get hard to keep up with. My favorites are the ones that help you save money! I've came across a few awesome gems I want to share with you. Enjoy:


1. Ibotta- This is a cash back app. They have a list of stores  you go to, then you can scroll to see what products are offered for cash back.  To receive the cash back you upload pictures of your receipts showing you bought the item.  You can cash out with Paypal or Venmo once you reach $5.00.  It's a free easy to download app and I have heard good things about it.



2. Checkout 51- This is another cash back app. It's similar to Ibotta, where you go the store then scroll through products that are offered. This app differs by you don't have to be at a specific store to save on a product. You just have to make sure you take a picture of your receipt with the purchase and upload it. You usually get your cash back in 24 hours.



3. Savingstar- This one is different from the cash back apps. This one is like digital coupons. It features hundreds of e-coupons you can get for free.



4. Retale- This app shows you all the weekly store ads in your area. You can search for specific products you want and it finds the best deals for you. You can then add them to a shopping list.



5. Walmart Savings Catcher- This app gives you cash back to spend at Walmart when it finds a lower price at a local store on a deal you just purchased. You just need to scan your Walmart receipt within 7 days, and they email you if it found a lower price. When you're ready to cash out with money earned, they email you a code you can use at checkout.



6. Target Cartwheel- This app offers free digital coupons you can use at Target. Each week Target releases new ones. You can also stack them with manufacturers coupons.



7. Groupon Snap- This coupon provides you digital offers at various stores. It helps you save money at thousands of places. You just click on the link for your store or click on the coupon for instant savings.



8. My Points- This is a cash back app that lets you earn rewards by shopping online and printing coupons. Just use the MYPOINTS portal  next time you shop and start racking up the points to redeem for gift cards.



9. Favado- This app check prices on items for you at over 65,000 grocery and drugstores across the country. It lets you know which stores has  the best deals so you can decide which ones to ass to your weekly shopping list. It is similar to the Retale app.



Happy saving!

9 AWESOME MONEY SAVING APPS

MY REVIEW OF THE RIWBOX X7 IN EAR SPORT EARBUDS

I received compensation in exchange for writing this review. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.

Hello all,

I recently received for review the Riwbox X7 in ear sport earbuds. This is a really an awesome product. One problem I encounter when I try to wear earbuds is that I find them very uncomfortable. Also I have trouble trying to get them to stay in my ear. That can be very aggravating when I am trying to listen to my favorite music!

I don't have any of those problems with these earbuds. They provide a locked in comfortable fit with its ergonomic design.  The sound they provide is excellent. Another great thing I love about them is that they are waterproof and sweatproof. That makes it perfect for here in Florida since we are never sure when we may experience a rainshower. They are also noise cancelling, so if I need to lower the volume of my music, I can still hear it clearly. 

You couldn't find a better quality #Earphone on the market. You can find it on amazon for $13.98 through this link: http://www.amztk.com/earbuds-with-volume-control.  Enjoy!

RIWBOX X7 IN EAR SPORT EARBUDS

RIWBOX X7 IN EAR SPORT EARBUDS

FLORIDA'S MOST DANGEROUS VENOMOUS PESTS

Hello all,

Summer is finally here.With  summer here and us spending more time outside, I thought I would share  pests indigenous to Florida that we all should be aware of. There are many more, but here a a few of Florida's most dangerous venomous pests.


1.Spiders- These are definitely one of Florida's most dangerous venomous pests. There are 2 kinds of spiders found in Florida that can be dangerous. The brown recluse is one of the most dangerous of all in Florida. Its a small brown spider with violin type marking on its back. its bite is highly venomous and can put you in the hospital.

Florida's most dangerous venomous pests - spiders

The Southern Black Widow is more common. It has a distinctive red hourglass marking on its back. The female of the species is bigger and far more venomous. Their webs look 3 dimensional and chaotic. To avoid getting bit you should shake out clothing and footwear before putting on.




2.Snakes- There are 6 types of venomous snakes in Florida that are dangerous and venomous you should watch out for. The Southern Copperhead .They usually grow to about 36 inches long. It has a wide head and is pinkish tan. it is usually found west of the panhandle. Their bites are very painful, but usually not enough to kill a healthy adult.

The Cottonmouth is another one that is also known as a Water Moccasin. Florida has 2 types of these and they are darkly colored with heavy bodies usually 48 inches long. Their bites are fatal, and are found in or near water. So watch out!

Florida's most dangerous and venomous pests - snakes

The Timber Rattlesnake is a venomous pit viper. It can grow to be 60 inches long. It has black cross bands and a grayish body. Stay away from this one, it is one of Florida's most dangerous.

The Pygmy Rattlesnake is a small snake that can be found all over Florida. It can be 24 inches long, and is black with grayish markings. It makes a rattling noise when agitated. Ist bite isn't fatal but is very painful.

Florida's most dangerous venomous pests - snakes #2

The Eastern Diamondback is also known as a Rattler. They are very heavy snakes and can be up to 72 inches long as weigh as much as 26 pounds. It can strike out up 2/3 of its body length and is very venomous.

The Eastern Coral Snake has distinctive markings. It has black, red, and yellow bands. It can grow to 30 inches long and is all throughout Florida. Its bite is life threatening, second only to the Eastern Diamondback. Many confuse it with the Scarlet Kingsnake because of its similar markings.

Florida's most dangerous venomous pests - snakes #3

3. Aedes Mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters, but also bite at night. The Zika Virus we've been hearing about in Florida is spread by these mosquitoes. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus and can cause birth defects. There is no vaccine for the Zika Virus. It can also be spread through sexual partners or if a mosquito bites someone who is already infected with it. The virus in healthy adults usually lasts several days to a week and can include rash, fever, headache, red eyes, and muscle pain. You can protect yourself with mosquito repellent and long sleeved shirts and pants. Many theme parks here in Florida are now offering mosquito repellent to all visitors.





4. The Bufo Toad has been showing up in Florida lately. It is a huge grayish brown toad with a yellow belly and can grow to 9 inches or larger. It moves in short fast hops and when confronted it shoots toxin from the glands on its back in the form of white venom. It is highly toxic to dogs and cats and causes skin irritations in humans. It causes your pets to have very foamy saliva, vomiting, convulsions and paralysis. Keep your pets away!

Florida's most dangerous venomous pests - Bufo Toad

5. The Triatomine Bug or Kissing Bug has been showing up in South Florida. The inch long brown insects can carry the parasite that causes the potentially deadly Chagas Disease. They are known as the Kissing Bug because they usually bite you around your mouth and face. The parasite can be inside of you for years and can cause heart disease.

Florida's most dangerous venomous pests - Kissing Bug

So please be forewarned when traveling  and know of hidden pests. A little research can keep you healthy!

WHAT ARE 6 DANGERS LURKING IN FLORIDA

Hello all,

Florida is one of the hottest spots when it comes to vacation destinations. There is just so much to do here. But amidst all of that fun, we come into contact with wildlife we don't usually have encounters with. Here is a guide to some of those creatures.

1. In Florida, the Bobcat appears statewide. It makes its home in swamps and forests. It can be recognized by its triangular pointed  shaped ears and bobbed tail. They are much bigger than the ordinary house cat,(twice the size) but much smaller , for instance, than a panther. It feeds on small animals and birds. They usually hunt at night, and don't sleep much , about 2-3 hours a day. We saw  a mother and its cub running near us at a local park, and it was very scary how the mother kept her eyes on us. We left quickly. I have also saw a few lurking in my neighborhood. Though they're not known to attack people, still keep your eyes open when out in nature, they are very stealthy.

WHAT ARE 6  DANGERS LURKING IN FLORIDA - THE BOBCAT

2. If you go out to enjoy nature, also be on the lookout for fire ants. They are small red ants that have a very painful bite that causes itching and swelling. The fire ant mound looks just like small piles of white sand. Sometimes they are so small you're not even aware you stepped in one till you feel the bites. If you do get bit, washing the affected area then applying ice helps. Beware, these things are everywhere. A fire ant mound is pictured below.

WHAT ARE 6  DANGERS LURKING IN FLORIDA - FIRE ANTS

3. If going to the beach is on you're agenda, then I should mention stingrays and jellyfish. Stingrays have flat brown bodies, a long tail that has a spine, venom and a barbed end.  They can grow up to 7 feet in length. Stingray season runs from April to October. This is when they come into to warmer waters and bury themselves in the bottom sand to hide from predators. They are usually present 3-10 yards from shore.  So what do Floridians do to avoid getting stung? We do the stingray shuffle, of course. Instead of just running and sloshing through the water, shuffle your feet instead.  It sends vibrations through the sand that scares away the rays. If you do get stung go to the hospital immediately.  Its venom can cause a drop in blood pressure, increased heart rate, dizziness and shock.  Do not remove the barb yourself, let a doctor do that!

WHAT ARE 6  DANGERS LURKING IN FLORIDA - STINGRAYS

WHAT ARE 6  DANGERS LURKING IN FLORIDA - JELLYFISH

4. Jellyfish are in all  Florida marine waters. They are usually more on the Atlantic side and in the Panhandle.  They can be up to 2 feet in diameter.  they have a mushroom shaped cream colored or translucent bell with long thin tentacles.  Florida has several species that do sting.  The stings leave red streaky welts that last for up to 2 weeks and causes severe  pain, nausea and headache. If stung    remove the tentacle by scraping with a credit card. rinse with vinegar or apply a baking soda  and saltwater paste. Then go home and take a hot shower then apply an ice pack  If an allergic reaction happens, go to the hospital immediately. Oh, there is an old wives tale that says you should urinate on it. Don't do it! That makes matters worse.




5. Finally, we should discuss alligators and crocodiles.  We've all read about recent attacks involving these animals They  mostly live in freshwater environments and brackish waters, but have been found in marine waters. Their mating season is from  April to May. Never feed them or swim near them, especially at dusk since that's their feeding time. When you feed them they become more aggressive because they no longer fear us. It is illegal to feed them in Florida. They can run fast, up to 9 mph,  but not very far. The running zigzag myth is just that, a myth. They are also good at climbing and can climb a chain link fence. They can grow to be very large, 10-12 feet in length.Their choice for prey is usually based on size, so please keep children and pets away from waters edge.

WHAT ARE 6  DANGERS LURKING IN FLORIDA - ALLIGATORS

6. Crocodiles are usually found in the north end of south Florida. They live in saltwater and brackish areas, but have been sighted in freshwater areas also. They can grow up to 18 feet long. Their snout is more narrow than the alligators. They will eat anything that moves. There are a lot more alligators than crocodiles, and crocodiles are considered endangered. Conflicts between them and humans rarely occur because they are shy creatures. Recently we have run across Nile crocodiles which are not native to this country and are much more aggressive.

WHAT ARE 6  DANGERS LURKING IN FLORIDA - CROCODILES

So please  be aware when you're out and about, and use caution. Enjoy the outdoors and all that Florida has to offer.

9 OF THE BEST AWESOME FATHER'S DAY GIFTS

Hello all,

Father's Day will be here soon. If you tired of giving the same old, same old take a look at my gift guide for some fresh new ideas. I found some great deals to share with you on amazon to make your shopping for Father's Day a little easier, enjoy:

 coffee mugs - If your dad is a coffee drinker, these coffee mugs are just the thing:

9 OF THE BEST AWESOME FATHER'S DAY GIFTS  - COFFEE MUG

This adorable coffee mug is just $10.01 on amazon.

9 OF THE BEST AWESOME FATHER'S DAY GIFTS  - COFFEE MUG

My husband would love this mug, he has this on a T-Shirt. It is available for $17.97 on amazon.







 My dad always carried a pocket knife with him. I guess it's a dad thing. And these personalized pocket knives would make an awesome gift. They are available for $11.40 on amazon.

9 OF THE BEST AWESOME FATHER'S DAY GIFTS  - POCKET KNIVES

 Here are some awesome choices if your dad is master of the grill:

9 OF THE BEST AWESOME FATHER'S DAY GIFTS  - T-SHIRT

This T-Shirt is just $14.95 on amazon.




 This stainless steel grilling spatula will also come in handy for the griller:

9 OF THE BEST AWESOME FATHER'S DAY GIFTS  - SPATULA

 This tie clip will be just the thing on those occasions when he has to dress up for those special family gatherings. It is available for $24.95 on amazon:

9 OF THE BEST AWESOME FATHER'S DAY GIFTS  - TIE CLIP

 If its tools he's into,this  hammer displays a wonderful sentiment. It is for sale for $39.99 on amazon:

9 OF THE BEST AWESOME FATHER'S DAY GIFTS  - HAMMER

 Here are a few more great T-Shirt ideas to round out my list:

9 OF THE BEST AWESOME FATHER'S DAY GIFTS  - T-SHIRT

This one is $15.99 available on amazon.





Here is another great one that may catch your fancy available for $19.99 on amazon. Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will make your dad feel special on his day!

9 OF THE BEST AWESOME FATHER'S DAY GIFTS  - T-SHIRT