Wanna Win Some Moo-lah?

Don't miss your chance to win $500.  

That's 500 smackers, Moo-lah, buck-a-roos.

Enter the Bradenton Herald's 2013 People's Choice Contest 

Vote for your favorite Bradenton businesses for your chance to win $500.

 BUT... (Oh ya, you knew there was a but)...You have to hurry!

The voting ends midnight, this Sunday February 3.

We would appreciate a vote for Acme Termite & Pest Control as your favorite pest control company in the "for your home" section.

If you have entered the People's Choice contest in the past, you will be pleasantly surprised with some changes that they have made with this years ballot.  You are no longer required to provide answers for the majority of business categories.  Instead you only nominate companies from the categories that you choose. Regardless of how few or many that may be.  This means you no longer have to vote for companies that you aren't familiar with, just to get your total number of answers in.  I think that was a brilliant change that not only makes the voting process less tedious and lengthy, but also brings out more sincere votes for companies showing who voters trust and love.

Best of luck!  and please... don't forget to vote for Acme. 

New Item!

Now when you have your home protected from termites by Acme Termite & Pest Control, you get this awesome custom key chain as a thank you for choosing us!

These custom designed, bottle cap key chains were created by Zu-Li Designs and also double as a traveling business card. So now, whether you're out of town, always on the go, or simply busy at work, you will always have our number close.

We want to give a special thanks to Billie at Zu-Li for working so hard on these for us and simply put, we think they're pretty awesome!

Get off your butts and vote...PLEEEEEEEZ

It's that time of year again for everyone in the Manatee County area to speak up and vote for your favorite local businesses.  The Bradenton Herald 17th Annual People's Choice Awards has started.  Voting is pain free (we promise) but it will take a few minutes to complete.  We would sure appreciate your vote for Acme Termite & Pest Control on your ballot...but you have to hurry...voting ends Sunday, February 6 at 11:59pm.   Oh...and if our begging isn't enough of a reason for you to vote--you could WIN $1,000 in CASH for submitting your entry online.   Yep--that's what I thought, now hurry up and vote.

Start off 2011 the right way

If one of your New Year resolutions is to get organized...It's your lucky day. Get a free sample of Post-it durable tabs.  Also check out their website while you are there for organizing ideas, coupons and other free samples.

While you are sitting there getting all organized in your home office, you may find that your home could use a little freshening up.  If so why not take advantage of this Febreeze Noticeables rebate.  Purchase one warmer unit and get a $3.50 rebate by mail.  There has also been some great coupons lately that can be used when you buy it.  If you don't find them in your paper search on line for coupons or sign up at Febreze.com.

So now that your house is all organized and less stinky, don't forget to give your BFF a treat for putting up with you all this past year.  Stop by the Blue Dog Bakery site for a $1.00 coupon off a box of treats.  Our dogs LOVE these and it is a real down to earth company that really appreciates your business.  Sign up for their newsletter and stay in touch with them.

Borrow or buy?

You know all that stuff packed away in your garage, attic, shed and closet.  That thing, and those boxes of du-dads and all the other stuff that you just absolutely had to have...that now sits unused, dusty and forgotten about.  Well here is an idea for you...
A guest writer for Almost Frugal offers an interesting enhanced version of freecycle (which I have previously blogged about). Read the article here about borrowme.com.  Among the long list of available items that are available to borrow, rent or buy from people in your area, you may find a wheelborrow, canoe, camping equipment, pet carriers, music, DVD's, wedding dress, baby needs, tools, bicycle or my favorite funny find "Ten stupid things women do to mess up their lives" book.  You can even create a wish list of things you are hoping to find. 
So now you can loan or give out your unneeded items to someone who could use them or rent out your unused things-and make a little cash...maybe to spend on your next big "I gotta have!" item.

Making your life a little easier

Acme Termite & Pest Control is happy to be able to offer something that can make your life a little bit easier.  If you are a customer of ours you can now share in the excitement of being able to save time and money.  You can now pay with the security provided by Pay Pal using your Pay Pal account or debit/credit card on line.  Paying your bills on line reduces the amount of mail you receive.  Plus you'll use fewer checks, save on postage and won't worry about your payment arriving on time.  If you are looking for a way to "go green" this is probably one of the easiest.  Call or email our office today and we will send you an email invoice link, using the pay pal site, for payment processing.  Save time, hassle and worry....pay on line today.

We need your help!

The 2010 People's Choice Contest  is under way.   It's that time of year again for Manatee area residents to speak up and vote for their favorite businesses.  You can let your voice be heard and enter for a chance to win $1,000...in cash!  That's worth a few minutes of your time, right?  Acme Termite & Pest Control needs your help to win this year.  Please vote for Acme as your favorite pest control company.  But....you have to hurry - Voting ends February 7th at midnight.

Another Zu-Li Give Away

Here is another great give away by Zu-Li Designs.  Enter to win a super cool bottle cap pendant & chain necklace-of your choice!  There are several to choose from including Hello Kitty, skulls, cherries....but my favorite is the butter fly.  Visit Zu-Li for contest details. 

Good Luck.....But Hurry!!!  The contest ends Saturday January 30 at noon.

Halloween Spirit

Looking for some Halloween Spirit? How about these adorable drunk pumpkins? I love these guys!
We have had some fantastic Halloween parties in the past. I have fond memories of the adults taking our kids around to trick or treat in 40 degree weather all bundled up...some years we even had snow already. It was cold but fun. Of course we don't have that problem here in Florida. Instead, we have to wait until the day before to put our carved pumpkins outside, otherwise they turn to goo by the special night. Ewwwwww.


This year we are gathering at Billie and Jeff's for a Rock-Star themed party. Rock star costumes are required and a Guitar Hero competition will be taking place. Yeah, that ought to be interesting & fun.
Want to see something scary? Check out this website with pics taken of Walmart shoppers.

Feeling Crafty? How about these cute ghost luminaries from empty glass jars. Visit familycorner.com for instructions. You could make these out of small or big containers. and...they wouldn't turn to goo on your front porch step.


When the kids were little we made a bunch of these. I still have them.

They really turned out cool. (I was impressed). Here is the instructions.

Where ever you end up at this year..have a fun and safe Halloween.

Skull Keyring Contest

Want a chance to win this cool skull keyring from Zu-li Designs?

Yes you do, after all this is the newest "in" thing these days. Here is how it can be yours

Go to the Zu-Li blog post for all the details and up to 4 chances to win...

but hurry!! the contest ends Sunday, October 11, 2009. Good Luck.

ATTENTION: All teachers & students grades 4-8

Whether you are a teacher looking for ways to infuse creativity and fun into your lesson plans, an educator facing an added challenge due to cut budgets and programs or a student in grades 4-8 looking for a challenge...here it is!

**You can win $3,000 for your school's science department**

The PPMA (Professional Pest Management Alliance) has announced the "Pest PSA Contest"

Use your biology, entomology and creativity hats to create educational public service announcements (PSAs) that discuss the health and property risks posed by household pests. The grand prize winning entry will receive $3,000 for their school's science department.

Check out http://www.pestworldforkids.org/index.html for full contest rules and details, including sample PSAs and lesson plans for creating PSAs. The website is a great spot for kids to find pest guides, games, science fair kits, & help for writing reports. Check it out.

I haven't listed any freebies or good deals lately, so here is a few.

Here is a coupon for $1.00 off Naked Juice. Ya-I know...sounds weird, but they have several different flavors-all packed full of fruits and veg's and some are really good. {try the blueberry}

Get a free sample of Scope Outlast....and feel fresh up to 5x longer. Too bad they don't make a version for dogs (lol)

I know you are interested in natural products... Get a free sample of Burts Bees Natural Acne Solutions, with willow bark. I haven't tried it yet, but my order for a sample is in.

We wish everyone a very *Safe* and Happy 4th of July!

Here, in Bradenton Florida, we are limited with the fireworks that are legal to set off. Nothing like the crazy stuff that we have bought and set off years ago. The news man was teasing the other day that practically the only thing legal is sparklers. But actually, I have seen more people get seriously hurt with those than with the larger, exploding fireworks. Go figure.

Thanks to Amy at Living Locurto for the cute beachy theme.

Stop by her site for creative ideas & free downloads.

Weird bumpy paper

Embossed wall paper used to be a big thing when I was younger. I thought the bumpy paper was a little weird but couldn't help but touch it. Then it seemed to loose its flair and everyone removed it from their walls. Well, guess what, apparently it is coming back again (as everything always does). Check out this article from BH&G on customizing the accessories around your home (besides your walls). I love the covered boxes and office storage ideas. The lamp shade and bedroom mirror are nice too. I think my daughter would love the window shade and would probably try making a wallet out of the material, to go with her multi compartment, decorated duct-tape wallets (see below) that she has been making. (Ya, I know...don't ask)...they actually look pretty cool are are functional. One has a Velcro closure and the other a ribbon/loop closure.

YO...Mary!

You've heard of the fairy-tale poem, which is directed at Mary & asking her..what's up with your garden chi ca, how's it grow'in??

Well, I'm working on gettin' me one of those-there gardens too...for the fun of it and hopefully to save a little money, instead of purchasing these things from the grocery store all the time.

So far it is actually going well. And I don't say that in a boastful, bragging way...but instead in an OMG, I'm surprised type of way. The green peppers have started flowering (I can't wait), the rosemary is loving it, the basil and lemon thyme are singing also. I have had some problems with the cilantro and parsley. Something keeps digging them up and I find them bare-root naked laying in the pot, where hours before they were planted. I'm not sure if it is a bird, squirrel or cat..but whatever it is had better watch out! I also have some green onion, sweet basil and about 4 other herbs. I am also trying a tomato plant in an upside down planter. It is growing fast, has 1 baby and 5 or 6 flowers on it. But it has some leaves with a powdery film, so I am a little concerned. Inside I have seeded red, green and hot peppers, which didn't cost a cent. We are using recycled containers and seeds saved from previous veggies. (No sign of life yet). Last night we made our first meal with the herbs. I used the lemon thyme and rosemary on some chicken breasts. They turned out great and the house smelled wonderful with the aromas. I have also planted some lavender. Mark my words, one of these days, I will be running care free in a field of lavender.....of course the field may only be 2'x2',...but I will. Wish me luck

Free Ride?

So here's a question for ya'all. Does anyone have experience with freecycle? I saw an article about 2 years ago from a location in New York (I think), the people went on line, checked it out and got a free bike. They only had a few locations but now there seems to be many. This is how it works..you go to freecycle.org and sign up for the group in your area. You post things that you want to get rid of (for free) and people who live nearby will contact you and come pick it up. You can also post things that you are looking for. Lastly, you can monitor the posts and if you see anything you want, you contact the poster and go pick it up (for free). No money exchanges hands, no spam or advertising is allowed. So far I have seen clothes, playhouses, baby strollers, cribs, etc., set of dishes, microwaves, furniture and so forth. Just wondering if anyone has tried it out and what kind of experience that you had.

Get your finances in order

Need some very straight-forward, no bull advise about spending, saving and everything in between? Get a free download of the new book by Suze Orman. 2009 Action Plan. But Hurry...it is only available until January 15th. Thanks to Coupon Cravings for the link.

Coupons, Free Samples & Great Links

Short and Sweet----Everyone can use some help right now, so check these out.

Progresso Soups: Coupon for $1.00 off 2 cans or $2.00 off 4 cans.

Free Sample of Gold Bond Ultimate Soothing Lotion

Quaker Rice Cakes: Choose free sample of Mini Delights or Rice Snacks

Visit RedPlum for a Meaty Bone Buy 1, Get 1 Free coupon

If you shop at Walgreens then sign up for the newsletter at From Wags To Riches to save $$$

More newsletters worth signing up for: Almost Frugal, Coupons.com, Hooray for Freebates and Coupon Cravings

Dollar Stretcher has good newsletters and the website covers anything you can think of.

Get a Free Sample of Pedigree Good Bites, bit sized dog treats

That's A Wrap!

The house is all decorated, you have spent countless hours shopping and it's all done (for the most part), now it's time to sit back and relax.....hold on there G...those presents aren't going to wrap themselves. Need a little boost to get in the groove? Check out these ideas for wrapping the perfect gift.


Whether you reuse wrap and bowes, buy new each year or you are in the "Green" movement, you'll find some wrapping ideas. My fav's were the paint cans, printing out script font phrases from your computer, and decorating lunch bags. Have a flat bow that won't perk up-BH&G cut the loops and made it look like new. And my final fav-spray paint a leaf and use instead of a bow.

Now, go turn on some music, get out your stuff and Get Your Wrap On!

Earn Money with Ebates

If you haven't heard of Ebates-you, my friend, are missing out! Almost any shopping that you do on line, can be done thru Ebates..and you will earn actual money..moo-lah! (not points or credits..the green stuff) Here's the deal: you sign up (free membership) then each time you are going to shop on line ie: to a clothing store, Target, Walmart, Hot Topic, Office supplies, Home improvement store, car stuff, pet stuff...(get the idea) your first sign in to Rebates, then directly to the store of your choice. It is the actual site, everything is exactly the same as if you went directly there first hand. Except..you earn money for every purchase (up to 26% cash back-although the average is probably 5%, coupons to hundreds of stores and the best prices. They automatically cut you a check every 3 months and mail it to you. How simple is that?? So far I have earned $86.21 in 4 months, just for shopping as normal.

And here's a sweeter deal---sign up now by going here and make your first qualifying purchase before December 31, and we will both get a $10.00 credit. SWEET