iPad Softly to the Fridge In Search Of Beer

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Citi. All opinions are 100% mine.

So... Apple launched the iPad today, and the best headline I found came from fellow blogger Ken Armstrong's incessant Twittering: "iPad Softly to the Fridge In Search Of Beer." Runner up was "iBored." Although my husband, Rex, remains hopeful that the iPad could be a cross between his beloved Blackberry and the notebook computer he refuses to carry with him to and from the office, I'm skeptical... of course, I'm the one Rex turns to when technology goes wrong. He dumped his iPhone after a week because he couldn't stand the touch screen, and has been disappointed about being able to open and read client files (in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) on his Blackberry. So we'll see.

There is some good news for the iPhone and iPad: millions of Citi® credit card customers in the United States can now manage their card accounts via the downloadable Citi Mobile(SM) application for the iPhone® device, and I'm guessing Rex would be able to use his shiny new iPad to access our Citi credit card accounts, since the iPad runs on the same operating system. According to Citi's Head of North America Consumer Internet & Mobile, Liza Landsman, "This application now provides our customers with anywhere, anytime access to their credit card account information, which is important for people on the go. It will help more customers to stay connected in real-time to their finances and to make informed spending decisions." If you're like Rex and me, Existing Citibank members click here to download Citi's Mobile App for the iPhone; if you don't have a Citi credit card, you can also Click here to apply for Citibank and then get started with all the benefits of mobile access to your account information: manage spending more wisely, quickly check account balances and available credit at any time with just a tap of the screen, and get details on recent transactions and the date on which your next payment is due, which can help prevent the accrual of fees from inadvertently late or missed payments.

I'll let you know if Rex gets the iPad... and speaking of Citi, I'd better make my monthly payment right now!

Music Monday: Clouds (Both Sides Now) by Judy Collins

This week's Music Monday on Roxy's Bay Head Blog is dedicated to Rex and my husband's love affair with Salesforce.com and cloud computing...I'm sure that's not what Judy Collins had in mind, but here goes:




Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

Oh but now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they tell me that I've changed
Well something's lost but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From WIN and LOSE and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Buy A Beach House!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Coldwell Banker. All opinions are 100% mine.

Even though it is a balmy 40 degrees during the "January thaw" here in the Roxiticus Valley, New Jersey, it's not even close to warm enough to think about opening our beach house. It is, however, warm enough to dream about sunny summer afternoons playing in the waves and relaxing on the beach in Bay Head with Rex, London, and Maddie... heading back to the house for my six o'clock beer, while Rex grills a steak or steams 100 clams for dinner, and London and Maddie paint seashells that they gathered during the day.

There's not a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for all that I have... good health, a loving family, and a house at the beach in Bay Head, New Jersey. Last summer, as we all struggled through the miserable economy, it was discouraging to see so many classic beach houses for sale (and not selling, and not selling, and not selling) all around town. I hope that when we open our beach house in April, we'll see signs that other families are taking advantage of the 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits to find a home at the beach in Bay Head.

The best deal is for first-time homebuyers, or those who have not owned a home in the last three years, who can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit. Rex's son, PostBoy, and his new bride, MathGirl, took advantage of the 2009 credit to buy their dream home in Connecticut last Fall.

The first-time homebuyer tax credit was working towards economic recovery, but what the housing market and our national economy needed was an incentive for the "move-up" buyer. According to the 2009 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the number of first-time home buyers rose from 41% to 47% of all home sales last year, and was the highest on record dating back to 1981. So this year, existing homeowners can benefit when they buy a new home, too: homeowners who have lived in their current home consecutively for 5 of the past 8 years can receive up to a $6,500 tax credit when purchasing a home. There may be no future extensions, so all qualified homebuyers are encouraged to act now (even though it's too cold for the beach) and have a written, binding contract by April 30, 2010 (close by June 30, 2010). The income limits are $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples, with a $20,000 phase-out of the credit for both.

Visit Coldwell Banker to do your own research... you can even start a new Home Search on the site for your own house in Bay Head, NJ... hope to see you on the beach this summer!

MLK Music Monday: Dion's Abraham Martin and John

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked 'round and he's gone.

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, and it's a-gonna be one day ...

Today's Music Monday post honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.



Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
You know, I just looked around and he's gone.

Anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked around and he's gone.

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people,
But it seems the good they die young.
I just looked 'round and he's gone.

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, and it's a-gonna be one day ...

Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill,
With Abraham, Martin and John.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of iCoke.ca. All opinions are 100% mine.

Way back when, the wild single Roxy traveled to Vancouver... for skiing and well, the type of thing wild single women usually travel to do. It involved a long running bet with a Vancouver lawyer over the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Now that I'm married with children, however, the closest I'll get to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics will probably be on TV and a FREE Coca-Cola Collectible Medallion, available exclusively at Mac's Stores. Roxy (and each of you loyal Bay Head Blog readers out there) can receive one of three different (but all free, free, free) Coca-Cola Collectible Medallions with the purchase of two (2) Coca-Cola 591mL products at Mac's stores.

While I've told London and Maddie that they aren't allowed to drink soda (and ruin their teeth) until they're seventeen years old, I love all of the Coca-Cola products. Back in my college days when I didn't have to worry about my girlish figure, I drank Coke Classic. More recently, I'm a Coke Zero fan, and for a little variety Rex and I both drink Diet Coke with Lime or Diet Cherry Coke. So we won't have any trouble going back to Mac's Stores again and again to score each of the unique Olympic Medallions. This giveaway is subject to availability, so drink Coke and get yours right away.

Music Monday: Good for Me by Amy Grant

Happy New Year! To get 2010 started with an upbeat tempo, I thought I would share this bubbly 80s fave from Amy Grant. Live from New York, it's "Good for Me"!



You like to dance and listen to the music
I like to sing with the band
You like your hands splashing in the ocean
Well I like my feet on the sand

Does anybody have it any better?
Isn't it easy to see just how well we fit together?

When I start to sing the blues
You pull out my dancing shoes
I think you could be so good for me
You get brave when I get shy
Just another reason why
I think you could be so good for me, so good

You like to drive like Mario Andretti
I like it taking my time
But let me say wherever you are going
You know it suits me just fine

Does anybody have it any better?
Isn't it easy to see just how well we fit together?

When I start to sing the blues
You pull out my dancing shoes
I think you could be so good for me, good for me, yeah
You get brave when I get shy
Just another reason why
I think you could be so good for me

Could be so good for me
You could be so good
Could be so good
Could be so good for me

You get brave when I get shy
Another reason why
You could be so good for, good for me baby
Good for me baby

When I want to sing the blues, good for me baby
Oh, when I want to sing the blues
Good for me baby
You could be so good
Good for me baby, when I want to sing the blues
Good for me baby

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!