March 6-8 North Texas Irish Festival at Fair Park in Dallas 

Within the Festival is the North Texas Irish Festival Fun Run. For more information about the festival, visit http://www.ntif.org/  For tickets to the festival and run, click here.

March 14, 11am. 41st Annual Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival

For more information, click here. 

March 14, 8am-1pm St. Patty's Day Dash Down Greenville 5K

Click here for more information.

March 14, 12pm- 9pm Fort Worth St. Patrick's Festival

Click here for more information.

March 14, 9am- 4pm 3rd Annual McKinney St. Patrick’s Day Festival & Shamrock Run

For more information, click here. 

March 14 Mansfield St. Paddy’s Pickle Parade and Palooza

This looks like one of the most fun events I've seen in a while! All sorts of fun and crazy parades are included in this fun event. Click here for more info.

Ready for cleaner, whiter, straighter teeth? 

Look no further than Paradise Dental, your local Melissa dentist owned and operated by  Dr.Nadia Taiyari. For the past 13 years she has taken care of the dental needs of Melissa residents.  Dr. Taiyari has a great staff to welcome you and make you feel comfortable. 

She is easy to find in the Melissa strip center on the north side of 121 at 2212 Sam Rayburn Hwy, Ste. 300, across from the new Montessori school.

I asked what’s new in the dental world and she spoke about “Fast Braces”.  New technology that is safe, easier, and affordable.  My braces took several years to work; now the time frame is 6 to 8 months depending on what is going on.  This new technology focuses on finishing the job left incomplete by nature.

She also works with “invisalign” the invisible teeth straightening process.  Be sure to ask if that is an option that will be beneficial for you.

Still have a mouth full of silver fillings?  Have you been told to have them replaced due to heavy metal contamination or wear?  Dr. Taiyari removes the silver fillings as she protects you, and the environment. 

Thinking of the environment, Dr. Taiyari is an avid nature lover.  She loves walking, biking, yoga, and reading. 

The friendly folks at Paradise Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry treat you as family.  They offer Call them at 972 837 2929 for your free consultation.  They look forward to helping you enjoy your bright healthy smile. 

Worth Realty Team Business Report on Kim's Korner

Kim’s Korner has new owners.  I spoke to Sam today and he expressed how happy he was to be a part of the Melissa community.  He looks forward to meeting his neighbors.  He and his family are fresh from North Carolina.  They bring experience in running a store like Kim’s Korner so it shouldn’t be long until they are going full swing. 

Krispy Krunchy Chicken

Try their new option… Krispy Krunchy Chicken.  Recognizing the younger demographic, they serve, they felt the chicken option would be more appealing to the many kids in our neighborhoods.  If you haven’t tried it yet…why not? 

They have replaced frozen hamburger patties with fresh and  Sam says you will enjoy the difference.  They offer pizza, made to order sandwiches, tacos and other favorites too.  Don’t forget to hydrate.  They literally have a wall of every kind of cold drink.

Remember the Fudge? It is still there.  Don’t miss it!

Worth Realty Team is very happy with their service and is proud to share a little about this great local business. We recommend them to our real estate clients, and they have thanked us.

Check them out at:  2148 TX-121, Melissa, TX 75454

Phone: (972) 837-2422

The Worth Realty Team Dry Cleaner of Choice: Pristine Cleaners

I caught Maria of Pristine Cleaners in one of those rare moments when she wasn't serving customers.  She told me some of the Pristine Cleaners story.  Pristine Cleaners has been in the same location since opening in 2010.  They have good company in that shopping center with Sugar Babes and Paradise Dental.  There will be stories about them in the future.  The Worth Realty Team has used Pristine since moving here in 2012 and they have always provided exceptional service.  The clothes are ready when promised.  They are treated appropriately.  I like my jeans with no crease and light starch.

Other Services

They offer other services beyond getting shirts and jeans laundered.  Our dry cleaning is always crisp and fresh.  It is nice they offer alterations and repairs.  It is not fun to trash a favorite piece of clothing simply because it has been snagged on something.  They do wedding dress preservation, leather and suede cleaning as well as laundering your favorite snuggly comforter.

Ever wonder what to do with the hangers that multiply like rabbits in the closet?  Pristine can recycle them.

Hours of Operation

Pristine is open M-F 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM and Saturdays 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  They even offer same-day service.  Get your clothes there before 9:00 AM and you can pick them up the same day after 6:30 PM.

Local Business is Good Business

Worth Realty Team is very happy with their service and is proud to share a little about this great local business.  We recommend them to our real estate clients, and they have thanked us. Their address is:  2212 Sam Rayburn Hwy # 500, Melissa, TX 75454 and the phone # is: (972) 837-1199

5 Money-Saving Tips for Keeping Your Home Clean as a Pet Owner

There’s a special joy that comes with owning a pet. However, keeping up with the recurring mess and clutter can be stressful and expensive. And we all know that a clean and healthy home is a happy home. Fortunately, there are solutions. For the pet owners out there, here are five money-saving tips for keeping your home spick and span.

Choose the Right Cleaning Supplies

You know that it’s time for a deep clean when you get a whiff of strong pet odors. In this case, simply vacuuming the floors isn’t going to cut it. One of the best ways to eliminate odors is by cleaning urine spots with an enzymatic-based solution. This cleaner attacks the odor-causing enzymes, but it needs time to soak the affected area and be left to dry in order to be effective. If you’re dealing with a urine spot on carpet, you may have to get it professionally cleaned or replaced depending depending on whether the spot reached the sub floor.

Doesn’t it seem like you have all the cleaning supplies you need until your pet makes a mess? Make sure you always have supplies available so that you can clean a mess as soon as possible. Sign up for rewards at your local pet supply store and stock up on items when they go on sale. Also, look into online retailers; companies like Amazon frequently offer promos and coupons for quality products.

Tidy Up After Your Pet

Your pets are probably not trained to pick up after themselves, which means that when they play with a toy, it’s left on the floor or furniture when they’re finished. This not only creates clutter, but it also adds to the dander, saliva, and other bacteria-filled substances circulating through your home. Anytime your pet plays with a toy, remember to put it back in their bin. This will help you keep a tidy home without costing you anything.

Groom Your Pet Regularly

Another way to keep your home clean is to keep your pet clean. Regularly taking your pet to the groomer is a great way to reduce dander and odors in your home. However, if you want to save money, you can learn to do a lot of the grooming yourself by utilizing online tutorials. For instance, regularly bathing your pet, brushing their teeth, and brushing through their fur will help keep them clean and healthy. Furthermore, trimming their nails regularly can reduce the dirt brought into your home while also protecting your furniture and floors from scratches.

Wipe Their Paws

Along with grooming your pet, the simple act of wiping their paws after they’ve been outside can do wonders for keeping your home clean. A lot of dirt, leaves, and other debris are tracked in any time a pet comes back inside. Before you know it, there are muddy paw prints all over the floors, furniture, and bedding. Keep a towel handy by the door and wipe their paws each time.

Wash Their Bedding

Your pet’s bedding is a hub for a variety of bacteria because of all the fur, dander, and saliva that accumulates over time. This not only makes their bed, pillows, and blankets smell bad, but the bacteria can also spread to other areas of the home. That’s why regularly cleaning your pet’s bedding is so important. It’s good to vacuum their bed every few days. Also, try to wash their bed (and pillows and blankets) at least every other week. If there are stains on the bedding, spray a stain remover on it before throwing it in the washing machine. These same principles apply to your pet’s toys and bowls as well.

Having a clean home is within reach, even if you own a pet. Start by gathering an arsenal of affordable pet cleaning supplies, and pick up your pet’s toys when they’re finished playing. Learn how to groom your pet, and be sure to wipe their paws anytime they come in from outside. Finally, wash their bedding regularly to cut down on bacteria. By implementing these habits, you can enjoy a clean home without breaking your budget.

Photo Credit: Pexels

As a Mary Kay consultant, I'm in the business of enriching women's lives by offering pampering parties, one on one instructional facial care, make-overs, mom and daughter spa days, senior living centers, and much more! As your consultant, I'm also able to help you with choosing the right facial and cosmetic products to fit your specific needs. 

Phone: (214) 537-2273 
Email: rwhitlock73@gmail.com
Website: www.marykay.com/rwhitlock

Small Dogs, Big World | Moving with Pocket-Sized Pups

I can't take credit for this awesome advice.  My friend Cindy Aldridge is kind enough to make it available to all of us.  Enjoy!

While you might think having a tiny-tagalong would make moving much easier, the reality is that the smaller the dog, the bigger your worries. Here, we’ll take a look at why and touch on a few apps and ideas to help things move along.

Bite-sized breeds = big personality difference

Small dogs are treated differently than large dogs, which results in an almost universal difference in behavior. Karen B. London, Ph.D., explains that breeds under 44 pounds are often more easily excited than same-age larger dogs, and tend to be less obedient and affected more often by fear and anxiety. However, their velcro nature more than makes up for it, as they are always ready for a cuddle session. For these reasons, small dog owners must be duly diligent when packing and moving. Here are a few apps and services that will help ease the process.

MoveAdvisor

MoveAdvisor is an app-based moving timeline guide that will help you set a schedule of when and what to pack. Dogs are sensitive to even the smallest change, so packing over the course of one or two days will create added stress, which may lead to destructive behaviors. Custom reminders mean you can spend more time soothing your smallest sidekick as he watches his domain get deconstructed. MoveAdvisor will even remind you when it’s time to prepare your pets and choose your movers.

City Pet Sitters

City Pet sitters can connect you with dog-loving dudes and divas that offer a range of services no matter where you’re coming from or where you’re going. Small dogs that need lots of attention – attention you can’t get give while packing boxes – will find a loving lap to sit in through City Pet Sitter’s network of doggy daycares, overnight pet sitters and local dog walkers who can help you and your curious canine get acquainted with your new city.

U-Haul

Gone are the days when U-Haul simply meant gray and orange storage centers scattered throughout the sketchy part of town. Today, U-Haul is one of the nation’s leading moving and self-storage companies and offers a handy set of online tools to keep you organized during your move. U-Haul’s moving supply calculator will help you determine ahead of time the number and types of moving boxes and containers you’ll need to pack up efficiently. This will prevent making several supply runs that will set your dog’s internal alarm to “agitated” every time you open the door with boxes or bubble wrap. U-Haul even offers plastic moving crates so you can avoid the mess that comes with an inquisitive Chihuahua chewing through a corrugated moving box.

Whistle Pet Tracker

No matter how many precautions you take, there is always the possibility that your precious pooch can slip away on moving day. Doors can be left open and small dogs can even jump out open windows at gas stops. Whistle 3 is a collar mounted GPS tracking device that can help you find a frightened Fido no matter where he wanders. As an added benefit, Whistle offers a built-in activity tracker so you’ll always know if your dog is getting enough activity, which is vital for lowering stress levels in a panicky Pekingese or fearful Frenchie. Alternatively, if your French bulldog has started acting up, consider using a dog training collar to help him improve his behavior, thus preparing him to be a model neighbor once you’re all moved in.

Regardless of how many helping hands and assistive apps you have on moving day, ultimately, it is your responsibility to ensure that your entire family arrives at their new home safe and sound. Make sure your dog’s ID tags and microchip are up-to-date and that his collar is properly fitted. Never leave your dog unattended in the car and always keep him secured in an appropriately-sized pet restraint. Most importantly, take some time each day to simply hold your pet. This will ease his anxieties and reinforce his place in your pack.

Keep in mind, too, that it may take some time for your pup to settle in, so make the new home as familiar as possible by putting his bed and toys in similar places as they were in your previous home, and stick to your routines. Give your pup lots of snuggles, and use this time to get to know your new home together. You’ll find your go-to dog park in no time, and before you know it, your new house will be a home.

 Image via Pixabay

Traveling for business or pleasure you need to check out the Red Gate Inn

If you are like me, one of the things I find least enjoyable about traveling is my loss of roots.  I don't have my regular coffee shop, grocery store, drug store or my favorite spot at home in which to relax.

If any of that sounds like you, you are in luck, especially if you are traveling to McKinney.  The Red Gate Inn is easily accessible from US 75, SH 121, and especially downtown McKinney, where you can find entertainment galore.

Settle into the Red Gate Inn

Bring your bags in, settle in, enjoy a beautifully appointed early 20th Century home that is yours.  That's right, you get the dining room with never-ending snacks and coffee, the great room, the front foyer, the gardens, the porch, the comfy beds, Apple tv in every room, Sonos sound throughout the house.  It's a bed and breakfast, so you get breakfast too!  It's all yours...plus you are minutes from exciting downtown McKinney.

Don't take my word for it.  Come talk to Paul or Melissa and check it out for yourself.  You may find yourself traveling more often to McKinney,

Check them out at 

Looking for a Home Warranty Company.  Check out this website for a listing of many top Home Warranty Companies.

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