Achieving a higher education is getting more difficult by the year. Costs are rising, and in states like Florida, the university system is actually making cutbacks that will reduce the number of enrollees and teachers. It’s that much more important now to make sure you have the financial side of your child’s education squared away before you ever begin thinking abort where they will attend college. That way you can focus on getting them into a great school without worry about money at the same time.

Proctor and Gamble is sponsoring the PGP College Education Sweepstakes. You can win $50,000 toward your child’s education, or a 6-month supply of Pampers. The TV shows As the World Turns and Guiding Light are participating. In order to enter the sweepstakes each day, all you have to do is watch those shows on February 11, 13, and 15 and answer which character spoke the opening line of each show. If your answers are correct all three days, you qualify for the drawing.

Easy enough, right. I am going to give it a try myself. Of course, I think I will DVR the shows.

One of my favorite Christmas presents I gave out this past year was a calendar I designed individually for each person who received one. I made one for my mom, for example, with pictures and layouts featuring the grandkids. I used digital scrap booking elements to make adorable designs, uploaded the pictures to Vista Print and ordered the calendar. Despite everything else my mom received as gifts, this was her favorite. In fact, when I got hers in the mail I was so impressed that I designed one for myself. I get SO many compliments on it.

I used to use a local print shop to do small jobs for me, but lately I have been relying more and more on Vista Print. I can upload my designs from home and complete my order in minutes. Then, they final product is shipped to my house. It’s never very expensive, they are forever offering free promotions, and their quality is fantastic.

I know you probably see the promos for free business cards all of the time, but Vista Print actually does everything from rubber stamps and brochures, to calendars and event invitations. In fact, right now they are running a special where you can order 10 free invitations just by using the promotional code BlogInvite10 when you check out.

I’ve enjoyed Florida’s smokeless dining for years now. You may not smoke here in a restaurant or even in some bars that serve over a particular percentage of food. You cannot smoke in workplaces either. It all makes for a very pleasant dining experience and I have to admit I’ve become spoiled.

When I used to visit my dad in West Virginia, I would be shocked back into remembering that the entire US is not yet at the same place Florida is. I would stop on the way up north to eat and realize I had to eat in a non-smoking section at a Cracker Barrel in Georgia, for example, where the smoking section poured over onto my table. Ick.

West Virginia went no-smoking in certain counties a few years ago, so my time in the state is actually quite lovely.

I am happy to hear that even nations like France are looking around and seeing that the world is becoming a healthier place. France is following fellow European countries like Ireland and Italy in making all bars, restaurants and cafes smoke-free. You can still smoke if you are sitting outside, though.