This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Dr. Oetker. All opinions are 100% mine.

Renting is a blessing and a curse at times. On the one hand when anything breaks the owner is responsible to fix it. Now if you have some good owners this gets done hopefully within a reasonable amount of time. Sometimes you get bad owners who don’t fix anything unless it is an absolute emergency after it breaks. Kitchen appliances and AC units are one of those high ticket items that most people pray never fail.

Where I rent right now, the fridge is on its way out. It probably coasts for about 5-10 minutes before kicking back in cooling things off. So it essentially runs 24/7. The stove is one of those cheap ancient beings that just needs to die by the waste side but it is still kicking. The dishwasher was actually replaced but it also is a cheap model and doesn’t work completely in that the goop that is supposed to put a nice clean shine doesn’t work so I buy those Dawn tablets with the sheen in it. Now MY microwave is bordering on 20 years old I kid you not and it still works. Granted it takes longer to cook things but it still works!

The Dr. Oetker Kitchen Makeover Contest is happening right now and I only wish I was in my own home to win this prize package but alas I’m not. I’d love to have a flat top stove and stainless steel appliances. The fridge is exactly the one I want too. I’m so envious. This contest is only available to all my Canadian readers, you lucky people. You need a PIN from specially marked packages of Casa di Mama Pizza. You could win either the $20,000 kitchen makeover or one of the eight secondary prizes. There will also be 2000 winners for free Casa di Mama Pizza or a pizza cutter. The contest ends January 10, 2010.

I understand that there is a mass of H1N1 flu cases running rampant. I also know that there is a short supply of H1N1 vaccines to be given out especially around here as well as the regular seasonal flu supply due to some 40,000 doses being frozen during shipping. I, however, draw the line when it comes to people trying to shove this down your throat stating you are going to die without getting the shots. Some people do not believe in them and I am some of those people. Some people swear by them, so be it. I don’t harass them each time they get them. Some people freak if they can’t get them. Now I’m not going to mention any names but I know a few of these people and they are insane for thinking that they need them to be immune.

People, even if you get these shots you still might get the flu. It does not make you completely immune. It supposedly alleviates the symptoms somewhat but you can still get it. I don’t see why I should receive a shot a year, well 2 starting this year now, for something I don’t get. I can’t even tell you the last time I had the flu, if indeed I have ever had it. I’ve had bronchitis, severe colds, and allergies galore. And even if I do get the flu that won’t convince me to start getting the shots either because it does not make you immune to the bugs. People need to get a grip and relax.

What prompted this? The hospital was giving flu shots in the hallways again and stopping people asking have you had your flu shot yet? No, and I don’t want it either so back off.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.

I like having to pay just a few bills a month which is why I had my cable internet, cable television and phone service through one company. Now what I have a problem with at the moment is the fact that I am on the most basic of packages with no HD anything, DVR, or special television packages and my bill is almost $150.00/month. I find that not only disturbing but bordering on extortion. I keep thinking maybe I should change companies and switch to satellite/dish TV as well as DSL but really, DSL is slow compared to even my basic internet package now. I download movies at night because it could take anywhere from 3-8 hours depending on what sort of speeds I get and how often my company slows the stream up. I also have an issue with dish due to too many trees behind my house which is where the dish would have to face, not to mention when it rains the picture messes up and I don’t like that.

The closest Charter communications office to me is about 50 miles away. I can only hope they are moving their way up to me so I can switch. I would love to have the charter ultra fast 60 so I can get my movies in less than hour if that might be possible as well as my wi-fi capable components might get a boost in speed. Even when I get movies for my blackberry, it still takes about 30-60 minutes. I also have to keep watching some of my TV shows online due to a couple of them playing at the same time. Why do they continuously load down Thursday nights? It is just not right if you ask me. Of course if I could get a DVR with the service and not break the bank with it I could watch them on the TV instead of a tiny tablet screen.