Robby Oakes Mortgage

Chapel Hill Mortgage Lender | Robby's Blog about Mortgages in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Crystal Coast area of NC

Branching Out – How to Celebrate Arbor Day

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Trees are amazing living things.

They can live for hundreds of years, they can grow under all kinds of extreme conditions and they quietly cleanse CO2 from our atmosphere and provide us with oxygen.

They sway in the breeze, freeze in the winter and offer us welcome shade on a hot summer’s day. Trees give us everything from a perch for our childhood clubhouse to the wood in our pencils to the heat in our fireplace.

We should celebrate trees every day of the year, but the official holiday to honor these leafy wonders is Arbor Day.

The name Arbor Day comes from the Latin word “arbor” which means tree.

This holiday is dedicated to the planting and care of trees and it originated in Nebraska in 1872.

The holiday is observed in the springtime and the date changes according to the suitable planting conditions. In 2012, Arbor Day will be held on April 27th.

Here are a few ideas of what you can do on Arbor Day:

How to Write Tweets That Get Attention

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You might think that tweets are easy to write. They’re only 140 characters, how hard can it be?

However, because tweets are such small tidbits it is even more important that we pay attention to how they are written.

There are only so few words that can go into a tweet, so it’s crucial that you make sure these words are the right ones!

When your tweets are well written, Twitter can be a great tool to drive more traffic, gain followers, make contacts, and spread the word about you and what you do.

Here are some tips for writing attention-getting tweets:

Get Some Sunshine For Cheaper: Budget Beach Destinations

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Although winter snow can be lovely, there comes a point after your hands have gone numb from scraping the ice from your windshield and your back is sore from shoveling, when you wish that you could just lie back on a hammock under a palm tree and soak up some sun for a change.

If your budget is a bit tight this year you might be thinking that a beach holiday to a warmer climate is outside of your price range.

However, there are many cheap and hot travel destinations that can be reached from the USA for a lot less than you might think.

Here are a few ideas:

It’s Time for Spring Cleaning!

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The snow is starting to melt, the sun is starting to come out of hiding and the birds are starting to sing in the trees.

Soon the flower buds will begin to open and the grass will transform into a lush carpet of green.

Spring is on the way and this time of rebirth and renewal is a great time to give a “spring cleaning” to all aspects of your life. You might do a spring cleaning on your home every year, getting rid of clutter and brushing away the cobwebs.

However, have you ever thought about giving a metaphorical spring clean to your lifestyle?

Taking some time to spring clean your life can help you eliminate old stresses, set new goals and approach the summer feeling fresh and energized.

How to Keep Your Car Organized

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Your car is your important mode of transport between point A and B, but if you are like many people you might also be in the habit of using it as a trash can on wheels.

Are you embarrassed when you offer someone else a ride in your vehicle because of the detritus of empty bottles, pieces of paper and food wrappers that litter the floor?

If you have children, do you have to clear an entire army of toys and stuffed animals from the back seat before anyone can sit down?

If your car is becoming a disaster zone, here are some tips for regaining control of the clutter.

Exploring the Historical Sites of Puerto Rico

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The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico has a long and fascinating history. Because it is located right in the middle of the “New World” it has been a target of conquest for many centuries.

Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1493, on his second voyage of discovery. It was later settled by the Spanish explorer known as Ponce de Leon and was under possession by the Spanish for over 400 years.

At the end of the Spanish American war, the island of Puerto Rico became United States territory due to the Treaty of Paris.

There are many battlements and fortifications throughout Puerto Rico, built to protect the island from its many invaders.

These are very interesting places on the island that reveal fascinating stories about the past. Here are some of the best historical sites:

How to Avoid the Awkward Moment When You Forget Someone’s Name

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Dale Carnegie, author of “How to Win Friends and Influence People” said that a person’s name is the “sweetest and most important sound in any language.”

Whether in a business networking situation or a friendly party, being able to remember people’s names is an important skill for your career and your social life.

Here are a few tips for cementing those names in your memory so that you never have to be embarrassed again:

Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund

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If you are expecting a large tax refund this year, what will you do with it?

It might be tempting to spend this large windfall on shopping, eating out and other fun things.

However, a tax refund is also an opportunity to gain some financial headway and set you up in a better situation for the future.

Here are a few smart ways to use your tax refund this year:

How to Simplify Your Inbox When You Suffer From Email Overload

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Have you ever came back to work on Monday only to spend your entire morning answering the huge onslaught of emails that are clogging up your inbox?

Are you tired of having 46 unread messages and after reading through them all realizing that only two are important?

Do your co-workers complain that you never respond to their messages?

If you need to improve your email system, here are some tips that will help:

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