TEXAS Tax Free Memorial Day Weekend

During Memorial Day weekend, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales and use taxes on purchases of certain energy efficient products so let’s get shopping!

The 2011 ENERGY STAR sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. (after midnight) on Saturday, May 28, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day).

The products qualifying for the exemption are:

• Air conditioners priced at $6,000 or less
• Refrigerators priced at $2,000 or less
• Ceiling fans
• Incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs
• Clothes washers*
• Dishwashers
• Dehumidifiers
• Programmable thermostats**

* Because most dryers use similar amounts of energy, ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers.

** ENERGY STAR specification of programmable thermostats was suspended on December 31, 2009; however, any existing stock of ENERGY STAR labeled programmable thermostats offered for sale by retailers is still eligible for the exemption.

Qualifying products will display the ENERGY STAR logo, which may appear on the appliance, the packaging or the Energy Guide label. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Earning the ENERGY STAR means a product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by these two federal agencies.

There is no limit on the number of qualifying items one can purchase during this sales tax holiday, and an exemption certificate is not required. The tax exemption is only for the items listed here and all Texas retailers that sell qualifying ENERGY STAR products should comply with the sales tax exemption law.  For more information: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx96_1331/  or http://www.texaspowerfulsmart.org/incentives/faqs.php

Love At First Google ...

I am currently on the hunt for a tablet, an Android tablet to be exact. I was this close to buying the newly released hTc Flyer today at Best Buy but something made me stop and well, google. Then I came around the Toshiba website who was displaying this yummy delicious tablet that is coming soon, so I took a look.

To drool for! That's all I gotta say. The Toshiba 10" Honeycomb Tablet is simply dreamy. After seeing all the specs and the super girly pink color it also comes in, I was in love. And it comes loaded under the hood too! That's it, I'm done Googling for a while. I think I found "the one".

The Specs: Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)
10.1" wide view display for your fingers to caress and tap. :)
Two cameras, 5.0mp and 2.0mp.
Wi-Fi access including Flash & Bluetooth.
USB, mini-USB, HDMI, SD slot and a headphone jack.
A replaceable battery & stereo speakers.
User-Replaceable covers available in six colors including pink! :)

The when: I don't know but I hope it's tomorrow! :))

The price: I don't know either but I wouldn't mind washing dishes all year just to get one.

Check it out: www.thetoshibatablet.com

If only the Coming Soon would get here already because I'm in love!!! :))

Happy Birthday To Me!!! :))

Yay, May 23, it was my special day and I was one happy girl! :)) I was so grateful at everything I got that day but mostly for actually getting there. That is definitely the biggest blessing and gift I could ever hope to receive. Every year is a celebration of life and that is what I try to focus on, everything else is secondary and not necessary.

The only thing I asked for was life, happiness and cake! Thank you God for the blessing of life you have given me and for everyone who surrounds me.  I realized how special I feel just knowing they are in my life. This past year was a bit hard for me but I look forward to a more amazing year.  We cannot go back in time but we can only learn not to make the same mistakes.  Thank you God for everything!

May 23... Happy Birthday to Me!!! :))

My Bon Jovi Concert...

Exciting is short of a word to describe my latest concert experience. In fact, it's just so many different emotions it's hard to describe it in just one. It feels like I've been waiting since I can't remember when to be there and I finally was.  It was a dream come true and I loved every minute of it.

I became a Bon Jovi fan the day I saw my sisters screaming and kissing our tube TV when his videos would come out on MTv. Even if some of them are no longer interested, I still remain a fan and probably will for the rest of my life.  That's how strong the influence of my sisters was on me... And I'm ok with that. :)

Everything was just what I imagined it would be... From the awesome music to the drunk girl lifting her shirt up and falling off on top of the girl in front of her in the crowd. She later was removed from the concert due to her falling on top of people, somehow that's not cool anymore. She looked 20 years too late to be doing this. :)

The music was simply the best just like I thought it would be. He sung all his bests and my favorites from It's My Life, Born to Be My Baby, Runaway, Wanted Dead or Alive, Living on A Prayer, to his ballads like  I'll be there For You, You Wanna Make A Memory and my new favorite What Do You Got. Yeah, I was screaming like a little girl and I danced all night long even if my back was killing me the next day. :)

I enjoyed every moment of it and if you have the chance to go to one of his concert, you should. You will not regret it! I can't wait and wish to have the chance to do it all over again! :)

Bon Jovi in Houston, Tx!!! :)

My Own Mother's Day

Even though I should have celebrated the fact that I am a mom and have been blessed with my two precious baby girls, I could'nt stop thinking this was the day for one person, and one person only, my own amazing mom.

I don't know what I would ever do without my mother. She has always been there for me in more ways than I could ever imagine or be thankful for. She is my strength and my one reason to keep trying sometimes when nothing else seems to work for me.  My mother has always inspired me to do my best but not too long ago she became more than that.  She became my will to be when I had nothing else to hold on to.  She believed in me when no one else did. She became literally, the wind beneath my wings and I will never forget this for as long as I live. I don't see how I could ever repay her everything she's always done for me but I will always try. I have been blessed for having the most amazing mother in the world and I will always be grateful for that. Thank you Mamich!! I love you with all my heart! You mean the world to me. :)

- Lorena

*Happy Birthday Sophia!*

Nine years ago I became a mommy for the first time and my life has never been the same. She was the biggest blessing God had given me and it made my life complete. I never could've imagined how happy she was going to make me all these years. And now every day I am with her is another reminder of how blessed I am. She is sweet, smart and caring... I love my babygirl with my entire heart.

Making my babygirl's birthday wish come true every year is never easy unless she gets just what she wants. This year she wanted to go shopping and she got just that. There's nothing like taking a 9 year old, clothes-loving little girl into Children's Place and telling her "get what ever you like." And let's not forget her yearly Build-A-Bear! She was so happy and so were we. :)

 ~~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIA LOREN! ~~