In 6th grade, I got to pick out what instrument I wanted to play in band. We were led a couple at a time into the gym, where there were tables set up with all of the instruments we could choose from. The advice from the band director was “If you can pick it up and make a sound come out, you should play it.” After trying a couple and being told I’d have to take my instrument home, I chose the smallest one there: the flute.

Each child is going to be drawn to a different instrument for a different reason. By having your child answer a few questions before he or she chooses one, it might be easier to pick from the myriad of instruments.

First, assess whether your child wants his or her instrument voice to stand out a lot, or be more in the background. There tends to be a large amount of flutes and clarinets in school bands, so those instruments, as well as bass ones like the tuba and baritone saxophone, will be more in the background. Trumpets, drums, and horns are more likely to stand out a bit.

Size does matter, especially if your child will need to bring his or her instrument home often to practice. For instance, a drum or tuba might be more difficult to ride on the school bus with. Also, if the school participates in marching band, the student will have to be big enough to carry the instrument while marching.

Each instrument is different in terms of how it’s played. Have your child rule out any of the ways he or she would not like to play an instrument. There’s pushing keys down, covering holes with your fingers, hitting with sticks, and sliding a slide. There is also a difference between having to use a reed versus having to buzz your lips.

While ruling a couple instruments out this way will help, the best way to choose an instrument is to try them. Have your child have some fun picking them up, holding them, and trying to make a sound. The most important part is to have fun!

For more information about choosing a musical instrument, trying them, and buying them, visit Midwest Musical Imports in Minneapolis, MN.

Chicago is a great city of opportunity. If you’re moving there, congratulations! There’s a lot going on in the windy city, so boredom is not an option. However, before you can really explore, you’ve got to get the moving in part done and out of the way. If you hire the right movers, moving should be a pleasant experience.

Barrett Moving & Storage will get your belongings packed and safely moved to your new home in Chicago. They deliver your things on time, guaranteed! So, after you’ve chosen Barrett to be your Chicago household movers, you’re set and ready to go. Just choose a date and begin planning your trip. Keep in mind, if you’re moving between September and April, you may score some better deals, as moving resources are in higher demand during the summer months.

Now that you’ve got a mover and a date, the rest will be pretty simple. Barrett will help you choose which method of moving is the right choice for you. Full service moving is the least-stressful option, as the movers will help you pack everything. Barrett can also help you with a DIY/partial pack, where they just help you with your oversized or more fragile belongings. No matter what option you choose, you’ll be in great hands.

Once you’ve figured out the details of how you’re going to accomplish the move, it’s time to start exploring the area you’ll be moving to. A good resource for this is the City of Chicago website, along with the Explore Chicago website. There, you’ll find resources such as laws, specific neighborhood information, maps and guides, information for renters, and other valuable information. You can also visit Barret’s Moving Resources page for some helpful tools and tips.

No matter where you’re moving, Barrett Moving & Storage will help you with your transition. Visit their website today to request a moving quote!

When you mix dough for cookies or order a milkshake at your favorite fast food restaurant, do you ever think about the motor that’s doing all that work, to save your arms? Probably not. The only time you’re likely to think about the motor is when it wears out and starts smoking. If, in a stroke of misfortune, that should happen to you, you’ll probably send your equipment in to be fixed, or you’ll buy a new one. Either way, you’ll be getting a new motor. Where on earth do those motors come from, anyway?

Groschopp Inc. manufactures those types of motors and gearmotors for OEM and distribution products. They’re located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and have been in business for over 70 years. They offer customers many solid advantages, such as the ability to create custom motors, a 48-hour build time for standard catalog motors, and over 8,000 standard motor designs. All of their products are made and assembled in the USA, and they have a commitment to quality, integrity, and involvement.

If you would like to check out their case studies, technical resources, product overviews, or anything else related to motors, gearmotors, and gearboxes, head over to http://www.groschopp.com. They’ve also got a blog to read, a free calculator tool, and an e-newsletter that you can sign up for. Check them out today! The next time you’re mixing your favorite dough, remember that companies like Groschopp are behind those motors that you demand excellence from.

While losing weight and quitting smoking are two of the most popular new year’s resolutions, getting organized is also pretty high on the list. Have you ever noticed that you concentrate on your work and sleep better when the room you’re in isn’t piled with clothes and junk? In a survey last year commissioned by the National Sleep Foundation, it was shown that people can sleep better when their bedrooms are clean and comfortable. A clean, uncluttered space is typically more enjoyable to be in than the opposite. So, simply follow these organizational tips to start living a cleaner, more comfortable life.

1. Clean out and organize your closets. Wait a second…what’s inside your closets isn’t visible when the doors are shut. Why should you clean them first? Well, there’s probably some stuff sitting out that could stand to be in the closet, and it’s going to be hard to fit it in there if there’s no space. So, take out your junk and make piles: keep, throw out, and donate. In general, if you haven’t used something in a year, it’s probably something you can get rid of. Once you’ve done that, organize what’s left. Closet shelves and organizers come in handy here, and they’re usually available for pretty cheap prices online or in department stores.
2. Next stop: the bedroom. It’s time to get rid of the old clothes you haven’t worn in years. If it doesn’t fit or it’s really outdated, throw it away or donate it to someone who’ll use it. As far as the rest of the room goes, it’s all about comfort. Keep walls, furniture, and decorations clean and fairly simple. Don’t use loud colors as more than accents. Also, don’t skimp on bed linens – buy the best ones you can. Indulge in anything that helps you sleep!
3. Don’t use half of your office space as storage. Life is full of distractions already, without boxes of stuff piled by your desk. To keep yourself more focused on work, keep your space clean. Also, it’s really easy to just throw random papers into the office somewhere. Go through all of them, recycling the stuff you don’t need and filing the stuff you do. Clearly label some file folders or drawers to keep all of your important papers organized in. A fun tip for the office is to create an inspiration board. Clip or print some things that inspire you to get work done and pin them up on a board, so that you can be inspired each day.
4. Organize your pots and pans. A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen. Get rid of kitchen clutter! Throw out some of your old, stained plastic containers. Donate any old pots and pans that you no longer use. Also, it’s time to go through your junk drawer. We all have one! It’s that drawer that you throw random things from your pockets, your purse, or your countertop into. Most of what’s in the drawer can probably be thrown away, and the drawer can be used for something more practical and useful, like food, silverware, or clipped recipes. Don’t have enough cupboard space? Check out this cool kitchen pegboard idea.
5. Deep clean your living room. The living room is where you most likely spend a good chunk of time. It’s a place to gather, to have fun, and to relax. Since this room is such an integral part of your space, it’s really important to keep it clean. Recycle or file the pile of old mail and magazines you’ve got on the coffee table. Don’t leave any food laying around, and vacuum often. Keep your couch and other furniture open, clean, and inviting. Make sure you’ve got nice lighting. If you really unleash your style to decorate the room, and you’ll enjoy the space more and keep it cleaner. Check out these living room feng shui tips for some help with setting up your space.
6. Clean up after kids and pets. While your pet may like to wallow in its own scent, that doesn’t mean you should smell like him too. Keeping your furniture and floors swept and vacuumed and pet-hair free can make a big difference in how clean your space appears. Tackle any stains that may be eyesores. Also, if you’ve got children, make sure to go through and get rid of their old toys every so often, so that they have fewer to leave lying around the house and in piles on their bedroom floors.
7. Cleaning the bathroom isn’t fun, but somebody’s got to do it. While many people hate cleaning the bathroom, it’s very important for the cleanliness of your space as a whole. It only makes sense that the room you clean yourself in should be just as clean. An easy way to do this is to wipe down the sink, toilet, and shower a couple times a week. That way, there won’t be any buildup of soap scum or other dirt and grime. Also, go through your medicine cabinet. Not only do old medicines take up space, but they can also be dangerous. Throw out anything that’s past its date or doesn’t look or smell right.
8. Stop carrying garbage around with you. Are you a student? Clean out your book bag. A woman? Clean out your purse, wallet, and makeup bag. A man? Get rid of the old cards and receipts in your wallet or man bag.
9. Organize your activities. Start keeping some sort of calendar or notebook. A small notebook, and app on your phone, or a dry-erase board in your entryway will do the job. Keep track of appointments, due dates for work or school projects, grocery lists, important ideas, etc. You’ll be surprised by how much more organized it makes you feel. It may be hard to remember to do it right away, but if you keep at it, you’ll fall into the groove.
10. Organize your happiness. Keep your new year’s resolutions. De-stress, take vacations, get rid of distractions, get in shape, treat yourself occasionally…it’s much easier to keep your space enjoyable if your life fits the same definition.

I’m hosting a party for my business next week at my home. I want to do something special but unfortunately I don’t have much time. I thought I’d share these time saving tips just in case you’re like me and are short on time!

• Forgo paper invitations (unless your party is formal). Instead opt for easy web services like Evite.
• Get menu ideas from gourmet sites like Epicurious and then select a couple of stellar recipes to feature.
• Order platters that can fill out the menu. I ordered some fantastic looking platters from Whole Foods.
• Get plenty of liquor and non-alcoholic beverages. I’m making a non-alcoholic punch that people can drink as is or spike with vodka, champagne or rum. Punch is a huge time saver and it makes the party more festive.
• Organize your playlist ahead of time. Think about the natural flow of the party. Choose songs that will help get the party rolling, festive and then wind them down toward the end.
• Make sure you have good lighting! Candles, candles, candles! Everyone looks better with mood lighting.

Well, it’s finally nice in Minneapolis! It looks like we’re going to have a string of beautiful weather if the forecast is correct this time. I’ve been searching for new thing to do this summer…here’s my list so far:

Minnesota Events:

Minneapolis Fireworks
Bastille Day
Tubing Down the Apple River
Twin Ports Music Festival in Duluth
Minnesota State Fair

Restaurants with Awesome Patios!
Moto-i
Barbette

Last night was date night. We hadn’t been to one of our treasured neighborhood favorites for a while so we decided to keep it in the ‘hood.

Rinata is a little Italian bistro in Uptown Minneapolis (25 & Hennepin). From the exterior, it doesn’t look like too much, simple, green awning with a few bistro tables during the summer. Once you set foot inside, however, you’ll quickly be taken over by the delicious aromas of the kitchen.

I love this little restaurant. Here are the top reasons why:

1. Rinata makes all of their own pasta and it is DELICIOUS!

2. Rinata has a decent wine list and they offer superb deals on wine like 1/2 price bottles on Tuesdays.

3. They aren’t afraid of anchovies. The Caesar salad is TASTY!

4. The service is top-notch. The waiters are knowledgeable and friendly without being too much.

5. The prices are really reasonable.

Visit Rinata and find out why they say they are a little piece of Italy in Uptown Minneapolis.

Tuesday nights are date night. This usually means that my darling husband enjoy a relaxing dinner out sans kids. Through the years (we’ve been doing date night regularly for about five years) we’ve tried lots of new restaurants and become regulars at others. Last Tuesday we tried a new restaurant at The Shops at West End (St. Louis Park) called Sopranos. We usually stay in our neck of the woods, Minneapolis but we started our date by buying a new washer and dryer at Home Depot. We selected a Maytag Front Loader in Granite with pedestals. I know this doesn’t sound like a good start to date night, but trust me it’s really quite romantic.

Sopranos was decent enough. The food was good. The service attentive and maybe a little too hover-y. The wine list was nice but overall the place was a little pricey for the location. The restaurant was branded similar to a Gordon Ramsey restaurant. It was solid but maybe a little too much for my taste. The food was good but not incredible. That said, I should mention that Sopranos has been open less than two weeks. They’re off to a running start! Under the talented Minneapolis chef, JP Samuelson, Sopranos is in great hands. I still miss JP’s awesome ahi tuna and amazing calamari (RIP jP’s American Bistro).

New Restaurant at The Shops at West End

Our Menu Selections:

Coppola Director’s Cut Cabernet 2007

Calamari lightly dusted in panko crumbs
White bean soup with kale and spicy sausage
Caesar with anchovies
Ribeye steak
Asparagus with prosciutto and lemon aioli
Ricotta cheesecake with cherries

I recently had the pleasure of traveling to St. Maarten for my BFF’s wedding. I was really looking forward to the trip but I was a little worried about leaving after just picking up a couple of new SEO clients.

I have the best husband. See my last post. My DH surprised me the day before our trip with my own iPad 2. How awesome is that?

I immediately started looking for useful SEO apps and just plain fun apps. He are some of my favorites.

1. The Raven Tools app for managing SEO campaigns – awesome. Thumbs up!

2. The Google Analytics app. Perfect for reviewing Analytics with clients.

3. Food and Wine…yummy!

4. Spin Magazine

5. Monopoly

6. Facebook Friendly – nice app for checking in on Facebook.

7. Hootsuite

8. Scrabble

What are your favorite apps?

I’ve been married for almost eighteen years. My husband I get along beautifully and are truly best friends, lovers, co-parents, business partners and musical collaborators.

My friends regularly comment how I don’t ever (or very rarely) complain about my husband. Fortunately I really don’t have much to complain about.

There ARE some secrets for keeping your relationship happy (IMHO). Here are some of my secrets:
1. Regularly schedule a date night. David and I have been setting aside Tuesday nights for over 10 years. We both look forward to Tuesday nights. it’s a night without kids, work…

2. Don’t go to bed angry.

3. Give your relationship energy. A relationship is a growing, living thing. Give it care, time and energy.

4. Recharge Your relationship with a vacation – regularly!

5. Take up something that you can share. With us it’s music, cooking, traveling…too many couples only go to movies.

I hope these tips help you with your relationship!