Health & Fitness
Finally! I'm writing!
I am introducing myself as a 1st time Blogger on Patch, and starting a conversation on shopping local or with specials/deals for the holidays.
I saved my email invite to blog (dated May 19) from Kris, the Woodbury Patch Editor, knowing I would expand my funny and random Facebook postings into a blog at some point!
I actually went to college to be a High School English teacher—so I do love to write, but instead my husband and I took our love and knowledge of ballroom dance to the full-time level and opened a dance studio, Tropical Ballroom, here in Woodbury.
The best part about teaching people how to dance, is that every client who walks in our door actually wants to be here. We provide a healthy (social, physical, and mental) extra-curricular activity for adults in a time when they most want to escape their daily routines.
Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
My husband James and I live in Woodbury with our two little kids—Lucas is 2, and Olivia turns 1 this Saturday!
Now that I've introduced myself, I'd like to start a topic for conversation already: Shopping Local for the Holidays. As a small-business owner, James and I have learned to shop other local and family-owned businesses as much as possible. There are some good ones here in Woodbury, but how do you shop local for family on the opposite side of town? (My family lives west- from Bloomington to Victoria, and James' family lives north- from Coon Rapids to Ramsey).
Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Also: gift cards? We have a rule that we can buy gift certificates for actual services, but not just a store gift card to buy anything; otherwise, it would be just a big gift card exchange, and then why bother with gifts?
Coupons and Holiday Specials: Yes, I think we can score some good deals by shopping at the right time and with a coupon or special. I recently joined the www.groupon.com email list, and my first Groupon purchase was for myself and saved me $500 on LASIK eye surgery! I know, people have said, "Really? Wouldn't you want to go to the most expensive place for that?" No, not when it's that expensive to begin with. I took my chance and had it done just over a week ago and have perfect vision with no cheaters and no problems!
What are your thoughts on holiday shopping? Shop local? Shop cheapest? Shop online? Or- just say hello to me!
