Neblett's Frame Outlet: A Job Done and Priced Right

This past weekend a chain store tried to rip-off my daughter and son-in-law.  Last December, when they were home for Christmas in Mississippi, my wife and I gave the two of them a couple of large prints that needed framing.  This past weekend, while on a visit to their home in Birmingham, AL, we noticed that Michaels Stores was having a 30% off the already 50% reduced price on framing.  

Off to Trussville, AL we drove with the prints in hand.  At the rear of the store was the framing department where we were greeting by a very friendly clerk, Frances.  She was a young person who was good at her job and helped us to pick out a frame and quote a price for the job.

What Frances probably didn't know or at least I hope she didn't know, was that Michael's had very much overpriced the initial cost of framing to then mark down to a still excessive price.

According to the quote that my daughter was given, the original cost to frame two 27x39 prints was $1,005.40.  The reduction in price (30% off the already 50%), lowered the cost by $631.42 to a total of $373.98.  As friendly and professional as Frances was, it simply felt like a rip-off.  In fact, we knew it was a rip-off and it really angered me that someone (Michael's) would take advantage of others in this fashion.  Michael's slogan is, "Where Creativity Happens" and it appears that especially goes to their pricing structure and promotions.

Neblett's Frame Outlet, Clinton, MS

Back to Mississippi, the prints came and earlier today my wife took the prints to Neblett's Frame Outlet in Clinton, MS.  Retail Manager, Kay Dykman, a friendly and professional person quoted framing the two prints for $249.67.  That's correct, $249.67, which is 66.67% less than Michaels double discounted price!

A big pat on the back to Neblett's Frame Outlet in Clinton, MS and to all the other frame shops that treat people right with a proper price and a job well done.

                      Below are the quotes and invoices from Michaels and Neblett's.

A Hidden Gem: The Abita Springs Opry

Last Saturday, my wife and I along with M.D. and Marijane Whitfield left Clinton headed south.  Our destination was the Covington/Abita Springs area.  The ultimate purpose of our journey was to see and hear the Abita Springs Opry.  Abita Springs is right beside Covington, LA on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain and right across the lake from New Orleans.  For those in search of day trip or an overnight stay in the New Orleans area before the heat and humidity of summer completely sets in, I would recommend a fun trip to the Abita Springs Opry.

Abita Springs Town Hall, home of the Abita Springs Opry.

The show is held in the Abita Springs Town Hall.  The old town hall is set up to hold about 400 people in white plastic folding chairs.  There is a "concession stand" behind and to the side of the stage that serves soft drinks, water, gumbo and what I am told  is an amazing bread pudding.  If you eat before going to the Abita Springs Opry, save room for the bread pudding.

The Opry starts promptly at 7pm and ends promptly at 9pm.  I think there is a broadcast of some sort that is involved with the Opry and that is why it is on such a strict schedule.  Each band will play between 5 - 7 songs and you will get a good taste of their style, talent and music.  On the night that we went the show it ended with three strong groups.  Perhaps the one with the most personality was a group called Chrispin Schroeder who was lead by a local pastor named none other than Chrispin Schroeder.  The next group, The Deslondes was kind of like a modern day "'O Brother Where Art Thou".  They fused New Orleans Rhythm and Blues, Country and a twist of Jazz and Gospel.  The last and perhaps most talented group was Tuba Skinny.  who played a traditional bluesy New Orelans Jazz with a wonderful trumpet and clarinet as well as a talented vocalist.

The Deslondes

The term "Opry" is often linked to the Grand Ole Opry and country music.  That is not the case with the Abita Springs Opry.   The Abita Springs Opry hosts "Louisiana Roots Music" which can be anything from bluegrass, jazz,  zydeco, gospel or busker (New Orleans street performer) music.

I would give the Abita Springs Opry a big thumbs up and recommend it to anyone.  If you like live music then you will really enjoy the Opry.  The next and last performance of the Opry before Fall 2016 is May 21st.  It would be wise to buy tickets in advance.  Tickets are $18 each and the contact number for the Opry is 985-892-0711.

Pampered Chef Lives Up To Warranty

This week as I was warming up my left-over Pizza Hut pizza I heard a loud cracking sound.  I thought very little about it as I thought there had been a shifting of something in the stove due to a change in temperature.

When I opened the stove, I found the Pampered Chef cooking stone which I had used many times cracked in half.  I removed the stone with pizza still in tact and opened my laptop.  While eating my pizza, I went onto the Pampered Chef website  and located their contact number.   My call was answered by a very friendly person who looked up my name and email address.  From that information she was able to see when I had bought the stone and that it was under warranty.  She then emailed me a warranty claim.  I was instructed to write the warranty claim number on the back of the broken stone and to attach the photo to the warranty claim email.  Once the email was received by Pampered Chef with documentation of the broken stone a new one was sent my way.

A big Pat on the Back to Pampered Chef for standing behind their product and making a warranty claim extremely easy.

Starbucks Doubleshot: A Headache Remedy?

Several years ago, I was in New Orleans, LA on a dreadfully hot summer day.  I had a dull headache and the heat was not making it any better.  I went into the Walgreen's on Canal Street and found a BC Powder to take for my headache.  I had found that while not a tasty remedy, BC Powder was a quick headache solution.

Looking on the back of the BC Powder at the ingredients, I found that the only two ingredients were aspirin and caffeine.  Caffeine was listed as a "pain reliever aid".   With my BC in hand I went to the refrigerated drink section of Walgreen's and spy'ed a Starbucks Doubleshot.   I had never consumed one before but if BC said caffeine would aid in pain relief then I figured a double shot of espresso wouldn't hurt.   I was all in.

I purchased the Doubleshot and consumed it's 6.5 ounces rather quickly.  Within just a matter of minutes my dull headache had subsided.  I had not even taken the BC which was my original plan.

My wife and I began to keep a four pack of Doubleshot's in our refrigerator just in case of a minor or dull headache.  The double shot of espresso mixed with cream is a good taste and will definitely take the edge off of a headache.

You will find Starbucks Doubleshot Energy drinks which I have never consumed.  They are a larger can than the smaller 6.5 ounce can and I cannot vouch for them. Go with the original Doubleshot and you will not be sorry.

By the way, you don't have to have a headache to drink one.

Margaritaville Resort and Marina: Your Access to Sunset Key

A while back, my wife and I discovered a wonderful, isolated tropical location right here in the United States: Key West, FL.  The island which is just over a mile wide is great for walking/strolling.  On many evenings, we would make our way down to Mallory Square, a large public plaza along the waterfront facing west.  It is here that much of the island comes to watch the sunset each evening.  Just off the coastline is a very small Key known as Sunset Key.  This small twenty-seven acre Key is aptly named as it is generally behind this Key where the sun sets.

On this small Key are a handful of very upscale, expensive homes.  On seven acres of the Key, the Margaritaville Resort and Marina has a small number of cottages, some overlooking the water and others overlooking the pool.

The pool is set in among the palm trees and cottages right along the edge of the Key and was one of the most wonderful, relaxing pools that I have ever experienced.  .  Guests of the cottages have instant access to this pool simply by being guests there.  But what about the guests of the Margaritaville Resort over on Key West?  Can they take advantage of this wonderful place in this beautiful setting?   As it turns out they can!

Each day, the Margaritaville Resort allows travel by boat from the Margaritaville Marina to Sunset Key.  But, here is the catch.  Not everyone can go.  Only the first twenty guests of the Margaritaville Resort who sign up with the resort each morning are given an access pass to Sunset Key.  This pass gives you a boat ride to and from the Key and access to the pool, restaurant and small beach.  The water is beautifully clear!

REMEMBER:  The Resort begins to take names at 8AM.  It is smart to be there a little early to make sure you get your name on the list.  Most people staying at the resort know nothing about the ability to go to Sunset Key, so that is very much in your favor.

I highly recommend that if you stay at the Margaritaville Resort (formerly the Westin Key West Resort), then most certainly try to go to Sunset Key.  And, if you just happen to be staying in a cottage at the Sunset Key Cottages, then good for you!

IMPORTANT 2017 UPDATE:  As stated above, the Westin Key West Resort has been purchased by Margaritaville.  As would be expected, Westin points are not accepted by Margaritaville.  The Westin Sunset Key Resort is now Sunset Key Cottages and they operate with Margaritaville.

A big Pat on the Back to Westin Resorts for such a beautiful resort in such a wonderful location!!

Starbucks: The App with Benefits

Late last year, I downloaded the Starbucks app onto my phone.  Yeah, that was pretty much it.  Another business, another app.

Later that same day, with the app loaded onto my phone, I realized I could place my Starbucks card onto the app.  Flipping the card over, I punched in the numbers on the back of the card and before my eyes, that exact card came onto the screen with my account balance.  This allowed me to use the card for purchases and card reloads through my iPhone.

I felt fairly cutting edge, whipping out my phone and holding the screen beside the scanner as it took away the charge for my coffee.  But that was about it.

THEN, I actually started reading the messages that Starbucks would send once or twice a week to their app.  I had always figured that it was the usual advertising "junk email" that you always receive.  As I looked into the app's message box, I saw a message that stated, "Pick of the Week,  Free App Download".  I couldn't resist.  I downloaded the app to what would become one of my favorite games.  The next week, "Pick of the Week, Free Song Download".   Over the summer I have downloaded 8 songs.  All free!  Just today, I downloaded a Cheryl Crow song, all compliments of Starbucks.

If you enjoy free music and apps, I highly recommend the Starbucks app.  The app is free, just like the downloads.

I would like to give a pat on the back to Starbucks for an excellent app with benefits!

A Healthy Alternative: Organic Oat Beverage / Milk

In early August, I took a calcium scan test at my local hospital.  The test is non-invasive, takes less than ten minutes and cost about $100.  The test checks for plaque buildup in your arteries and heart.  It then comes back and gives a score based upon the amount of plaque buildup you have vs others of your age and gender.

When my score came back off the charts in a negative way, I scrambled to see if there was anything that I could do to help myself.  I looked at several books, hoping to save myself from myself.  One of the books, Track Your Plaque, by Dr. William Davis, went into great detail as to some of the causes of plaque.

One major cause is saturated fats.  I began to look at all of the labels of everything that I consumed.  I started out with my morning cup of coffee which always contained two Spendas and a hefty shot of Half & Half.  As I checked the nutrition labels, it went something like this: Coffee, check. Splenda, check. Half & Half, OH CRAP!

As it turns out, when I checked the nutrition label on the Land O' Lakes Half & Half, it stated that two tablespoons contained 10% saturated fats.  And here I was each morning, drinking it down, enjoying it very much before 9AM even rolled around.  I immediately stopped consuming this product.   To Land O' Lakes defense, they do sell a non-fat Half & Half that contains 0% saturated fat.  In fact, they pretty much had 0's all the way down the nutrition label.  I have found that as a general rule, "low fat" equals "poor taste", so I went about the local Kroger looking for a substitute.

Making my way to the small "Organic and Healthy Folks" section of the store, I prodded around for something else to put in my coffee.  From reading the book that I earlier mentioned, oats were mentioned throughout as being very good for the heart, and right before my eyes on the shelf sat a product that looked like milk.  On the label were the words: Pacific Organic Oat, Non-Dairy Beverage.  Below the words was what looked like milk being poured from a pitcher into a glass.  I thought, "What the heck, I'm dying anyway" and purchased the product.

Now here is where it gets good.  The next morning, I pour this Oat "milk" into my coffee, stir it up and take a sip.  Quite to my surprise, there was this really good and unusual sweet taste.  Not only is it not killing me, it tastes good!

I have also tried it with cereal and it is delicious.  It has a somewhat dingy white color but what really counts is the taste.  In fact, on the container, it states: "We keep it simple, letting the natural sweetness of the oats shine in this creamy beverage packed with a full serving of whole grains."  I highly recommend that you try this product.  It has been a pleasant surprise.  

Speaking of surprises, after about three weeks of stressing over my test score, I checked into the hospital and had a nuclear stress test done on myself.  As it turns out, the calcium scan is somewhat like a mammogram.  It might show something but that does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong.   Fortunately, in my case, all was well. 

So, the moral of this story is that by thinking I was dying, I have begun to eat better.  That includes organic oat non-dairy beverage in my coffee.  

I would like to give a big pat on the back to Pacific for their  Organic Oat, non dairy beverage.  It's good!