It's been awhile since I've posted to this blog...I apologize for that.  But believe it or not, sometimes, a freelance writer runs out of ideas to write about.  However, I've decided to take this blog on a new adventure.  I'm going to do my best to do one posting at least four times a week.  And each blog will talk about a new service or product that I've tried.  I might throw in a random posting here and there, but for the most part, I want my postings to be of the utmost value to my readers. 

So, here it goes.  

About two weeks ago, my son and I were outside enjoying our new patio furniture.  Well, actually I was enjoying the furniture and he was riding his new skateboard.  After a few minutes of being outside, he wanted to use my phone to take a picture.  When he handed it back to me, it fell...perfectly face down on the concrete.  

"I hope it didn't crack my screen, Lucas."
"It didn't crack it that bad, Mom."

Me: Uugghhhhhhhhhhh...I just spent $659 on this phone and now the screen is already cracked.  

What to do, what to do?  

I immediately started looking for places that could repair the screen on a Samsung S5.  And much to my surprise, there was no one locally.  I found a place about an hour away, but they wanted to replace the entire front screen, including LCD and digitizer.  The LCD and digitizer on my phone were fine, though, and I really didn't want to pay $280 when all I needed was the front glass repaired, which can be purchased for $5 on eBay. 

I called my cousin and she put a posting on Facebook asking if anyone knew how to repair the screen on a S5, and within only a few minutes, a guy responded saying that he could make the necessary repairs for only $65.  

I have since had my screen repaired by the guy who replied to the Facebook posting.  His name is Robert Skaggs and he lives about 27 minutes from me.  

If you or someone you know is in need of Samsung S5 repair services, please keep Robert in mind.  He was exceptionally friendly and I couldn't be happier with the services he provided me.  My phone looks better than ever.  

Most importantly, do not attempt to repair the screen yourself.  If you do, you'll likely find yourself dishing out hundreds of dollars on a digitizer and LCD.  Also, I highly suggest that you follow the advice Robert gave me: put a tempered glass screen cover on your phone and go ahead and dish out the money for an OtterBox or Roocase.

Football season is right around the corner, and there's no better time to start celebrating.  So, go ahead and throw a few pre-tailgate parties to make sure you and your buddies are ready to tackle the 2014 football season like never before. 

Shredded Pork Sandwiches

• 12 to 14 hamburger buns
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground mustard
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2-1/2 cups ketchup
• 3-4 lbs. boneless pork shoulder butt roast
• 1 cup water
• 6 tablespoons vinegar
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion

Cook roast in a Dutch oven that's covered in nonstick cooking spray.  

First, brown each side of the roast for about 2 minutes in a pot.

Mix brown sugar, ketchup, salt, pepper, water, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and water in a bowl until a sauce is formed. Remove 2 cups of the sauce; refrigerate. Into the remaining sauce, add celery and onion and pour over roast.  

In dutch oven, cook roast for 5-6 hours; meat should then tenderly fall apart. You can shred meat with two forks. If you prefer, warm sauce that's in the refrigerator and pour it over the pork.  

Serve on buns. 


Slow Cooked Roast BBQ Sandwiches

• 8-10 hamburger buns
• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 1 cup cola
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 boneless pork loin roast (about 3 to 4 pounds)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Cut the roast in half; put in slow cooker. Top it with seasoned salt and garlic powder.  Cook on low for 4 hours. 

Remove from cooker and shred with fork. Put back in the cooker and pour cola and BBQ sauce in. Cook two more hours.  

Remove and serve on buns. 


BBQ Pulled Pork

• 10 hamburger buns
• 8-10 cups brewed black coffee
• 1 bottle BBQ sauce
• 1 butt pork roast (about 4 to 5 pounds)
• 1 oz dry onion soup mix

Put coffee in crock pot as well as onion soup packet. Add roast; cook for 8 hours  on low. 

Remove the roast; put in large bowel. Shred with two forks. Pour in BBQ sauce and mix with shredded pork.

Serve on buns.




When it comes to buying the pork roast for these receipes, I highly suggest going to Walmart, Kroger or Meijers.  I haven't had too much luck out of the meat from IGA.

School is back in session and the kiddos are already coming home tired.  They sit around for a bit, relax while watching TV or playing video games, and then it's like they get a second wind.  Off through the house they go, running, playing hide-and-seek, and jumping on your new memory foam mattress.  After supper, everyone gets their showers and starts to settle down, but 10 minutes before bedtime rolls around, you look down to see the little ones asking for a night snack. 

Are bedtime snacks okay? 

Sure they are.  You don't want your kiddos going to bed hungry, do you?  Christine Palumbo, R.D. (nutritionist) says "Assuming [your kids are] eating enough dinner there is nothing wrong with [them] needing to have a substantial bedtime snack, particularly if it consists of healthy foods.  [Your] kids may be about to enter a growth sprout -- often times calorie needs increase right before a growth sprout."

What snacks are okay?

Do be aware that bedtime snacks come in many forms, and they greatly affect the sleep that your children will get.  For example, you don't want to feed them a chocolate brownie right before bed.  If you do, you might check in on them at eleven o'clock only to see them staring up at the ceiling unable to go to sleep. 

Palumbo's bedtime snack suggestions include:

• A wedge of cheese with crackers
• Hard-cooked eggs
• A bowl of cereal with banana
  

All of these snacks are heavy in protein, which will help curve hunger until morning time rolls around and it's time to eat breakfast.  And just like your momma always taught you, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. 

Other healthy snacks that you could give a try include those that are rich in carbohydrates; these foods tend to contain "the natural sleep-inducing chemical tryptophan," which can help children, especially younger ones, settle down before it's time to go to sleep.  However, it's best to avoid sugary, processed carbohydrates as they contain sugar and are likely to keep your kids wired instead of tired.

Is there a right and wrong time for a bedtime snack?

It is highly recommended that bedtime snacks be consumed about 30 minutes prior to going to bed.  When eating too close to bedtime, this can sometimes interfere with sleep.   

Top Tips to Remember

Stay away from sugary foods right before bed.  In fact, you may want to eliminate them after 5 o’clock in the evening.  Remember, foods rich with carbs will help keep your kiddos full during the nighttime, allowing them to get the best sleep possible.  And if you really want to provide them with a good night’s rest, cuddle up with them on their memory foam mattresses and read them a nice bedtime story.    

Instead of buying homes that have been occupied by previous residents, many people choose to have new homes built for them.  Taking this route comes with lots of advantages, including the ability to use customized floor plans.  In fact, a homeowner can decide the exact way that the home needs to be constructed, which allows the residence to meet any specific needs that his or her family may have.  

It's imperative that all aspects of the building process be carefully considered before any construction starts, and this especially applies to all plumbing-related tasks.

Understanding the Plumbing In a New Home
Thanks to advancements in technology, there are many types of plumbing that can be installed in a new home.  From solar powered plumbing systems to gas-heated pipes, the type of plumbing that gets installed is decided by the homeowner.  

It's pertinent to keep in mind that lead pipes have the potential of leaking lead into a home's water supply, which can be detrimental to the health of any residents.  Here's an excellent article about lead pipes and the dangers that they can bring forth.

Other types of plumbing systems that can be installed in a new home include those made out of:

• Copper
  
• Galvanized steel
  
• Polyvinyl chloride
  
• Cast iron
  

Importance of Assessing Plumbing-Related Tasks
Once plumbing is installed, it's hard to move it; this notably applies to plumbing that has been embedded within concrete.  Take for example a home that has a concrete basement.  If the plumbing has been stubbed out and concrete poured around it, it then becomes essentially impossible to move it.  It's because of this that the exact locations of the following rooms need to be carefully decided before any concrete is poured:

• Bathrooms
  
• Utility room
  
• Kitchen
  
• Any room with running water
  

What's your plumbing look like?  If it's a mess, then you need someone experienced to redo it for you.  And even if it seems to be operating perfectly, you still need to have it inspected on a regular basis.