The "Guys" Review For SKECHERS

The guys- Jon and Gerry, did some SKECHER reviews for us .

Jon chose to review the Garton-Meleno boots from SKECHERS.

Handsome style comes with cloud-soft cushioned comfort in this boots. Smooth oiled leather upper or soft pigskin suede upper in a lace up casual comfort ankle height moc toe chukka boot with stitching and overlay accents. Air cooled memory foam insole, Skech-Air cushioned midsole.

Jon says these boots are stylish, comfortable, warm & lightweight. The flexible rubber out sole provides superior traction on snow and ice so you don't have to worry about slipping or falling. Highly recommended - these boots are no match for our cold Canadian winters!

Gerry chose to review the Skechers on the Go Glide Enrich Sneaker .

Iconic design and premium materials fuse with innovative SKECHERS GOimpulse Sensor technology to achieve the ultimate in comfort and style. Skechers On the GO - Enrich has a soft suede upper in a lace up sporty casual comfort sneaker oxford with contrast accents. Goga Max® insole.

Gerry says he loves his shoes because they are nice and lightweight. The sole is cushioning and above all they are stylish and look great with everything. 

End of the Week( Almost) and an Update

Rented a movie from good ole' Redbox, for tonight. Missed their movies- always new releases- cheap! $1.65 for a movie- rented Tom Cruise's The Mummy .
Airshow at the airport today- would have been an all day thing in heat if we went and would have had to leave Jakey, so we parked by Walmart with our RV, after filling water and doing dumps today, and seen a bit of it for free!

Still staying warm here during the day. 26 degrees on average, and evenings not cooling off enough yet for me. 16 and 17 degrees at night still is warm, but by mid week it will drop to 13 and 14 at night and make sleep more manageable.

I found this "grave" near our campsite when we arrived, and at first thought someone's pet died and they had to bury it here, until I looked at the "fresh marker" on the board, and the date. The marker and board would have looked more weathered if it really had sat there for 16 years. Plus add to that other pieces of the same board in the fire pit nearby.. ya right!

Had to order a 9" back up camera for the RV since we got here, as the monitor went. Got one from Ebay for $100 but saw in RV catalog they go upwards of $900! Insane! 

Fixed the slide that was broken- got a piece welded here in the city, for $40, rather than getting  a new piece ordered and having to wait. Now we just have to look at why our outer tire is worn, on the RV. Gerry thinking is might possibly need a wheel alignment! Seems like always something. But we're well, and will stay in touch with our travels and life on the road.

BTW- we have really loved shopping the grocery stores here. We love just looking in them- they have so many nice things and the prices are so much better than ours up north.

Promotions Are Not A Time Served Bonus

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There is this sort of weird culture in the workplace where employees presume they will get a promotion for every year they work there. That’s not how it works though. You don’t get bonuses for serving time in a job and to think so is, well, kind of ludicrous.

To secure a promotion you need to do more, and that means actively proving - and quite possibly telling - your boss that you deserve any promotion that may be up for grabs. You need to prove you are the perfect placed to take on any extra roles. And here is just how you can do that.

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Make It Easier For Them

This may sound like a totally counterproductive thing to suggest because, in many ways, making your boss’ job easier is like making them obsolete. But this is less about putting them out of a job and more about proving you can be trusted with more than just your workload. Do this and you will then be freeing up their time, meaning they can do the same and make their higher-up's lives easier. Exceeding expectations is something that will get you noticed by the bigger fish. Fact.

From Start to Finish

One of the things employers want to see is people that can take on a task and see it through. They place a lot of premium on these individuals, which is why you do all you can to take ownership for tasks from start to finish. Show that you are the one that leads the charge, do it consistently and you will find you become indispensable, and do you know what happens to employees that are indispensable? They get promoted.

Show You Are Committed

This doesn’t just mean getting to work early and leaving late. That simply shows you are a) sucking up or b) taking longer to do your work. To show you are committed you need to produce high-quality work and embody your work as more than a job. Get a master’s degree to further your career by putting yourself on an online accredited MBA program designed to improve your leadership skills. Start developing important relationships that will benefit the company. basically,  put extra effort in where possible. Employees that do this will get noticed. Their names pop up more often. Ipso facto, they get rewarded in the only suitable way - promotion.

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Raise Everyone Else

Nothing is more unattractive than an employee that steps all over those around them in order to get noticed and climb the ladder of success. These people are more atrocious than Gilderoy Lockhart in The Chamber Of Secrets. Instead, what you want to do is help your colleagues where possible and lift their performances. Complete your tasks and then ask how you can help others. The person that is able to lift their team is the one who will be most cherished by the higher-ups because they aren’t just raising their performance, they are adding value to an entire team.

Do all this and you will be on the path to promotion-ville, even if you are required to make a pitstop and verbally tell your boss that is what you are seeking. Trust us, that will be music to their ears.

Oct 16- October 31 Expenses- On The Road

Wanted to report expenses for our trip from October 16- 31st.

The Canadian portion of the trip from Saskatchewan to the border and in CDN dollars:

-Take Out- $18.25
-Gas RV- $314.70
-Propane $40
-Groceries- $14.10
-Laundry - $0- used our own unit at a full service campground

The US portion of the trip from the border to Lake Havasu, Arizona. in US dollars:

-Gas SUV- $0
-Propane- $38.74
-Take Out- $49.23
-Gas RV- $974.00
-Groceries-$145.39
-Camp fees- $82.29
-Laundry- $6.25
-Water for RV- $5


We paid more on take out than we normally would have but alot of this was due to arriving later at destinations and being hungry NOW. We usually as well boon dock and don't pay camp fees- BLM land, Walmarts, etc., but had 2 full service camp sites during this trip to have full use on internet, unlimited water for showers, laundry usage, etc.

On another note- selling our bikes- or will have them and the carrier for sale. We just don't use them. Mainly because most of the roads we are on where we do camp are very heavy with sand and not easy to ride on. Last year, the sand was so bad in one spot it knocked me off my bike, wrecked a pair of pants and got a small scar on my knee as a reminder.

Happy Halloweenie!

No trick or treating for us today. We seem to "get out of " the whole day when we come to the USA and camp for the winter. But hopefully see some good candy sales afterwards ! Hope everyone else has a great day though- and we'd love to hear what everyone is doing today for Halloween. Are you staying home and passing out treats, taking kids out? Attending a Halloween party perhaps?

Serve Up “Milk & Cookies” as a Tub-Time Treat this Holiday & Invite Her to Indulge in Some “Me Time”

Santa loves his milk and cookies and so will women around the country this holiday thanks to Luxe by Mr. Bubble’s latest retro-tastic introductions. Choose from three Target vintage-inspired treats that will surprise and delight the women in your life this gifting season.

Take a dunk in a rich and creamy warm bath surrounded by bubbles with the exclusive Luxe by Mr. Bubble Milk & Cookies Tub Time Retreat Gift Set. 

Indulge yourself (or a loved one) in a nourishing milk bubble bath made with Shea and Vitamin E and add a double dose of hydration with two butter cookie bath melts. Enriched with nourishing Cocoa and Shea Butter, the decadent bath treats slowly melt around you, leaving your mind relaxed and your skin irresistibly soft. Oh, you're one smart cookie.  

This “tasty” trio is available in either the sweet scent of Original Bubble or the luscious, sugar cream scent of Sweet & Clean. It makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for your mom, sister or best gal pals or a refreshing alternative for a hostess or teacher gift. Priced at only $9.99, you can pamper ALL the special ladies in your life! Milk & Cookies is available exclusively at Target retail stores and online starting November 1.

“The Mr. Bubble brand is all about fun. For this holiday we took our popular Luxe line and developed innovative, luxurious products that are kitschy, affordable and ready-to-gift,” said Michelle Hanson, Director of Marketing, The Village Company, parent company of the Luxe by Mr. Bubble brand. “The best thing is, you can indulge without the added calories!“ 

Me Time Gift Set Duo

If bubbles get you thinking about rest and relaxation, check out the exclusive Luxe by Mr. Bubble Me Time Gift Set Duo. This limited edition set includes indulgent Bubbletini Bath Bombs in a functioning martini shaker and luxurious powdered bubble bath in a reusable retro tin. It’s like four gifts in one! Timeouts aren't just for kids anymore, so sit back, relax and get pampered with Mr. Bubble, the original brand of bath luxury.

Both bubbles and bombs come packaged in a giftable box in your choice of Original Bubble or Sweet & Clean. No wrapping required! Priced right at $12.00 and available exclusively at Target retail stores and online starting December 1.

  

Bubbletini Bath Bombs

Bath Bombs are more popular than ever, but packaged in a reusable drink shaker? That’s a gift that keeps on giving! Fun, fragrant and moisturizing, these little bombs pack a heavenly punch for the most indulgent bath time retreat. And they pair perfectly with your favorite cocktail, shaken of course, not stirred. Each Bubbletini contains 14 bath bombs, enough for 4-6 luxurious baths, and are available in Original Bubble and Sweet & Clean. Priced at only $8.99, you can afford to get them both!

Bubbletini Bath Bombs are available at all Target locations and online starting December 1. 

Learn more about all the Luxe by Mr. Bubble products by visiting mrbubbleluxe.com.

Celebrate World Sandwich Day with Subway’s Buy One Get One Deal

On Friday, November 3^rd, Subway is taking National Sandwich Day global with World Sandwich Day! More than 40,000 Subway® restaurants in more than 60 countries will invite customers to join its “Live Feed” by enjoying a special offer that will help fight hunger around the world.

In the U.S., when customers purchase any sandwich and a 30-oz. beverage, they will also get a sandwich of equal or lesser value for free. For every meal purchased, Subway will donate a meal to Feeding America to help fight hunger in our communities.

“Last year, our customers helped us make history with the largest single-day donation to Feeding America – 11 million meals,” said Subway® President and CEO Suzanne Greco. “This year’s unprecedented initiative will include thousands of Subway® restaurants around the globe.  We’re excited to bring together our customers, franchisees and communities to inspire global action around hunger.”

Visit feedingamerica.org to learn more about Feeding America®.  Also join the conversation with Subway® on Twitter, Instagramand Facebook.

Also visit The National Council For Aging Care, and learn the facts behind Senior Hunger.

Meteor Crater , Arizona

50,000 years ago a huge nickel meteorite hit the earth forming a crater that is 550 feet deep, 2.4 miles in circumference and is now a very popular tourist stop called Meteor Crater.

Cool place, a bit pricey admission: $18 pp
One for the bucket list though!

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park is a United States national park in Navajo and Apache counties in northeastern Arizona. It is 28 miles across. Took us about an hour and 15 minutes to go through it...but easy to follow road with alot to see!
It was quite warm today though and we were both "overdressed" to say the least!
Cost of admission: Used our National Parks Pass

Mortgage Matters: Can You Really Afford To Buy A House?

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There are a lot of things about renting your home that are really great. You have total freedom to leave and go wherever you want at the end of your contract, you don't have to worry about things like utilities since that's your landlord's job, and you might even be able to find somewhere that's furnished in order to save money on buying furniture. Of course, there are also a lot of frustrating things about it. You can't do things that you want to the house, you're at risk of being kicked out without much notice, and perhaps most importantly, it can feel like you're just throwing your money away. Of course, the alternative can often feel impossible. A lot of young people assume that there's no way for them to be able to buy their own home. Well, in order to help you, here are a few things that you can do to bring that dream a little closer to reality.

Go through a broker

Trying to figure out which lender to go with and who to speak to can be a seriously overwhelming experience. After all, lenders all have different factors that influence both whether or not you'll be able to get a mortgage in the first place and also what kind of repayments you'll be making. However, going through a broker like https://altrua.ca/ can simplify the process greatly. You're able to find the best possible deals without having to talk to dozens of different lenders, allowing you to make the most informed decisions possible.   

Consider alternatives

Of course, if buying a house looks like it's going to end up being too expensive then why not think about other options. How about something like a houseboat? A lot of people find themselves being incredibly happy living in something like a boat or a van. Not only is it far less expensive to buy but it gives you the kind of freedom that a lot of properties simply can't. What could be better than deciding that you're bored of whatever town you're living in at that moment, and then just taking your home with you to some new place?

Think long-term

The reality is that buying any kind of property is going to involve a pretty sizable financial commitment. However, that's a commitment that you can make if you're willing to save for it. That being said, saving is something that often takes a lot longer than a lot of people are willing to put up with. As long as you're able to think long-term and start putting money aside for the future now, you're going to be able to put yourself in the kind of position where you can afford a home. Even if it's a process that takes a few years, or even longer, it will almost certainly be worth it in the end.

It can often be frustrating to think about how easy it was for previous generations to buy a house, but it's important to remember that it's not impossible. You just need to be willing to put in some effort and perhaps wait for a little bit longer than you would like.