DISNEY HOTELS: GINGERBREAD HOUSES http://wp.me/p146tm-9L

Megan and I [Justin] spent the evening last week walking around the Disney resorts. We found some incredibly decorated hotels that are worth the trip to see. At the top of the list I would recommend going to see the Grand Floridian, which hosts a life size gingerbread house pictured here. We took the monorail from there around the resort area and stopped in to a handful of well decorated resorts.

The other hotel worth stopping into is the Beach & Yacht Club. This video below is of a gingerbread carrousel. I don’t know how long all of these decorations will be up but this is a great way to spend an evening.

To see more pictures click here. 
 

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Date Night: Light Up UCF - http://wp.me/p146tm-9x

Light Up UCF is a seasonal event put on outside the UCF arena. If you have not taken an opportunity to check it out you definitely should. If  you know nothing about it here is a video showing some of the attractions.

http://wp.me/p146tm-9x

My advice would be to pick one of these nights to go watch the undefeated UCF Knights basketball team play and end the night with Light Up UCF. Your ticket from the basketball game will get you a reduced rate into the attractions outside. For more information you can visit the light up UCF website by clicking here or visit the Facebook Page.

12/29/10	vs. Furman (UCF Holiday Classic presented by EA Sports)	Orlando, Fla.	7:00 p.m. ET
12/30/10	Northeastern/Princeton (UCF Holiday Classic presented by EA Sports)	Orlando, Fla.	TBA
01/05/11	vs. Marshall *	Orlando, Fla.	7:00 p.m. ET

1. Ice Rink Pavilion
2. Artic Glide Ice Slide
3. Attractions
4. Santa’s Workshop
5. Community Stage
6. Holiday Light Show
7. Holiday Film Festival
8. UCF Arena
9. Cypress Room

 

7 Towns Where Land Is Free - http://wp.me/p146tm-9n

The Homestead Act of 1862 is no longer in effect, but free land is still available out there in the great wide open (often literally in the great wide open). In fact, the town of Beatrice, Nebraska has even enacted a Homestead Act of 2010.

As with the homesteaders of the 1800s, the new pioneers must not be the faint of heart—they can't be the type to shy away from the trials of building a home from the ground up, or the lack of Starbucks on every corner, or unpaved roads (extremely remote location and lack of infrastructure is probably what caused a well-publicized land giveaway in Anderson, Ark. to flop). If the Google Maps overhead view of the vast open space surrounding the modest street grids of these towns doesn't instill cabin fever, then read on—these parcels are up for land grabs.

Marne, Iowa

marneiowa.com

Marne is a southwestern Iowa community with a population of just 149 or so, about 60 miles from Omaha and 80 miles from Des Moines. It was never a big town (pop. 617 in 1875), but the head count really began declining around the turn of last century, through the teens and 20s. "The decline of the family farm affects rural areas like this, says Mayor Randy Baxter. "Back in the '60s and '70s, there more smaller farms, and small towns supported the folks in the country, but now those homes aren't there anymore."

In hopes of boosting that number, the Marne Housing and Development Corp has made four free lots available: 3 for private and 1 for commercial use. The first family to take advantage of the free land moved onto their new property the fall of 2008, also availing funds from the USDA's Rural Development Agency for building their home, and they qualified for $10,000 down payment assistance from the Southwest Iowa Planning Council.

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Boost Your 2010 Tax Deductions By Making Your January Mortgage Payment A Little Bit Early - http://wp.me/p146tm-9s

Looking for an extra 2010 tax deduction? Consider making your January mortgage payment a few days early. It’s a simple strategy that works because of how mortgage interest works. Unlike rent which is paid in advance at the start of a month, mortgage interest is only paid after it’s been borrowed. Your January mortgage payment, therefore, accounts for the interest that accrued in December. And for a lot of Lake Mary homeowners, that mortgage interest is tax-deductible. By making January’s mortgage payment in December, eligible homeowners can apply the interest paid to 2010’s tax returns instead of waiting to claim the same deduction against 2011. Don’t cut it close, though. It’s best to remit payment prior to the last week of the month, leaving your servicer ample time to receive and process your paperwork. Most importantly, though, before prepaying on your mortgage, talk to your tax professional. Not every homeowner is eligible for mortgage interest tax deductions, nor should every homeowner itemize their respective tax deductions. The “pay early” plan could be a wasted effort for you, ultimately, depending on your taxpayer profile. If you don’t have an accountant that you trust, call or email me anytime; I’m happy to make a recommendation to you.

How To Install Motion-Detector Lighting On Your Home

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Activated by infrared waves, motion-detector lighting can illuminate a dark driveway, a dark sidewalk, and a dark yard, thwarting would-be thieves while also giving homeowners a lit, safe path to their own front or back door. If your home is not already equipped with such lighting, this video from Lowe’s will be helpful. It’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to install motion-detector lighting on your home. The basic steps are as follows: Cut the power at the circuit breaker If applicable, remove the existing light fixture Install the mounting strap Connect the junction box wires to the light fixture wires Mount the fixture to the mounting strap Lowe’s marks the the skill level to complete the job as “intermediate”. So, if you don’t want to tackle the job yourself, or if the idea of working with electricity frightens you, reach out to a handyman. Motion-detector lights sell for as little as $25.

Top 10 Orlando Golf Courses - http://wp.me/p146tm-8K

10. Shingle Creek Golf Club

9939 Universal Boulevard / Orlando

This David Harman-designed, 18-hole new golf course was recently ranked as one of the “Top 40 Best New Golf Courses in the U.S.” by Golfweek Magazine. Why? Partially because it features undulating fairways and interconnecting waterways bordered by the natural backdrop of dense oaks and pines along historic Shingle Creek.

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9.Hawk’s Landing Golf Club

8701 World Center Drive / Orlando

Recently redesigned by the firm of Cupp Design, this is a fun and challenging 18-hole golf course. Wrapping around three sides of the Orlando World Center Marriott, the course is open to resort guests and the public and boasts water in play on 15 out of its 18 holes and the entire back nine!

More on Hawk’s Landing Golf Club

8. Falcon’s Fire Golf Club

3200 Seralago Boulevard / Kissimmee

Topping the list of the area’s “must play” public golf facilities is this natural, classic 18- hole, par 72 golf course designed by Rees Jones. Just minutes away from DisneyWorld, this popular golf course boasts exceptional service and encourages vacationers to come experience what it’s like to “be a member for the day!”

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7. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes

Central Florida Parkway / Orlando

Open to the public, this 18-hole championship golf course located at the Grande Lakes Orlando Resort was designed by two-time British Open Champion Greg Norman. Listed as one of the top 10 “America’s Best New Courses” by Golf Digest in their January 2005 issue, we bet it will make your Top 10 list, too.

6. Disney World Golf Courses

World Disney World

This golf spot is no Disney-themed mini golf course! Walt Disney World is the site of the PGA Tour’s FUNAI Classic. You’ll find five championship golf courses here: Eagle Pines, Lake Buena Vista, Magnolia, Osprey Ridge, and Palm.

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5. Champions Gate Golf Club

1400 Masters Boulevard / ChampionsGate

Located just 15 minutes from Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, ChampionsGate is home to two unique 18-hole championship golf courses designed by accomplished architect and golfer, Greg Norman. This beautiful resort is regarded as one of the top courses, not only in Florida, but in the United States.

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4. Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge

16301 Phil Ritson Way / Winter Garden

You’ll find more than you may expect at this top Orlando golf spot. It features two 18-hole championship courses (Panther Lake Course and Crooked Cat Course), a 9-hole short course, several onsite instruction schools, and the largest driving range and practice facility in America!

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3. Grand Cypress Golf Club

One North Jacaranda / Orlando

Looking for a challenge? This golf club located at the Grand Cypress Resort features 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus signature designed golf with four unique course combinations! The 18-hole New Course is reminiscent of the legendary Old Course found at the one and only St. Andrews, Scotland.

2. Mystic Dunes Golf Club

7850 Shadow Tree Lane / Kissimmee

Located at Wyndham Palms Resort and Country Club, this 18-hole course is twice as nice. It’s got an eastern, front-nine reminiscent of “low country-style” Carolina courses, plus a western back-nine with a British Isles links style—both designed by Champions Tour professional and NBC golf analyst Gary Koch.

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1. Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge

9000 Bay Hill Boulevard / Orlando

On your next trip to Orlando, play a round on one of the most popular courses on the PGA Tour! This course is home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational Tournament (formerly known as Bay Hill Invitational Tournament) and has been the winter home of the Palmer family since 1976.

More on All of Central Florida’s Golf Courses

Happy Veterans Day - http://wp.me/p146tm-7V

Thank you to all of our Veterans who've fought for the freedoms we have today. This is a great poem called "Soldier."

There is discipline in A Soldier
you can see it when he walks,
There is honor in A Soldier
you hear it when he talks.
There is courage in A Soldier
you can see it in his eyes,
There is loyalty in A Soldier
that he will not compromise.
There is something in A Soldier
that makes him stand apart,
There is strength in A Soldier
that beats from his heart.
A Soldier isn't a title any man
can be hired to do,
A Soldier is the soul of that man
buried deep inside of you.
A Soldier's job isn't finished after
an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week,
A Soldier is always A Soldier
even while he sleeps.
A Soldier serves his country first
and his life is left behind,
A Soldier has to sacrifice what
comes first in a civilian's mind.
If you are civilian -
I am saying this to you.....
next time you see A Soldier
remember what they do.
A Soldier is the reason our land
is 'Home of the free',
A Soldier is the one that is brave
protecting you and me.
If you are A Soldier -
I am saying this to you.....
Thank God for EVERY SOLDIER
Thank God for what YOU do!This poem was written by Angela Goodwin.