Bed Bug Invasion in the Empire State Building!

The New York Daily News has reported a bed bug

invasion in the Empire State Building! 

The blood sucking bed bugs have become a problem for the whole country but now they are striking our landmarks. 

Previously in New York City, the bed bugs were found in a movie theater, a Victoria’s Secret lingerie store and  the clothing store of Abercrombie & Fitch. 

The nasty bugs are hitchhikers and travel in suitcases, handbags and even your laptop bags. They can live a whole year without eating which makes them especially hard to get rid of. 

All they need to be happy is a warm body to suck blood from. They don’t care if you are young or old, rich or poor, dirty or sparking clean.  They’ll suck your blood at night and you won’t even feel it. They’ll leave you with red, itchy bites. 

During the days they will hide out in mattresses, bed springs, bed frames, under carpeting and even electrical outlets. 

It’s suggested you encase your mattress and box springs in bed bug proof coverings and set the legs of your bed in bed bug interceptor traps.
You can also smooth Vaseline on the bed legs to prevent the bugs from crawling up the legs. Vaseline also works well around the electrical wall switch plates. 

Dark ink like markings (their droppings) on your sheets and pillowcases is an indicator you may have bed bugs. Check your mattress folds and bed skirts for the markings too. 

Not sure what a bed bug looks like? Check out this National Geographic video!

 
Unfortunately, even though an exterminator was called promptly, the bed bug invasion in the Empire State Building will probably not be the last for New York City.

Tax Free Weekend In South Carolina – Shop For School Supplies

I’m looking forward to the tax free weekend in South Carolina. Shop for back to school clothes and loads of other items. Many states are offering the tax free weekends so be sure to check with your own state.

Our weekend starts at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 6 and continues through midnight, Sunday, August 8.

Just about anything you need for school supplies is included in the tax exempt items. You can also get towels, pillows, and linens for your dorm room tax free but unfortunately furniture is not included.

Here’s a complete list of the exempt items posted on the S.C Department of Revenue site. Look closely because a few items I thought were obsolete! Girdles? Who wears a girdle anymore?

Pursuant to Code Section 12-36-2120(57), the following items are exempt/tax free during a South Carolina sales tax holiday (source: SC Dept. of Revenue):

Adult diapers
Aerobic clothing
Antique clothing
Aprons
Athletic or sport uniforms or clothing (but not equipment such as mitts, helmets and pads)
Baby bibs
Baby clothes
Baby diapers (cloth or disposable)
Baby shoes
Bandannas
Barrettes
Bath mats
Bath rugs
Bath towels (all sizes, including beach towels)
Bath wash cloths
Bathing caps
Bathing suits
Bathing trunks
Beach capes and coats
Bed comforters and bed comforter sets
Bed duvets and covers
Bed linens, including baby bumper pads, canopies, baby crib padding, bed skirts, box spring covers, dust ruffles, mattress pads, mattress toppers, pillow covers, and shams (box springs, drapes, mattresses, table cloths, and window curtains and other window treatments are taxable)
Bed pillow cases
Bed pillows (e.g. baby pillows, body pillows, husband pillows, throw pillows)
Bed sheets and bed sheet sets
Bed spreads
Belt buckles Belts/suspenders
Blankets (e.g. afghan, baby, electric, and throw)
Blouses
Bobby pins
Bonnets
Boots (climbing, hiking, riding, ski, waders, fishing, cowboy)
Bow ties
Bras
Bridal gowns and veils (must be sold; rentals are taxable)
Capri pants
Caps
Coats, capes and wraps
Computer hardware service contracts sold in conjunction with computers
Computer software
Computer software service contracts sold in conjunction with computer software
Computer software service contracts when the true object of the contract is to obtain computer software updates during the contract period
Computers (computer parts, such as computer monitors, keyboards and scanners, when not sold in conjunction with a central processing unit (CPU) and accessories are taxable)
Corset laces
Corsets
Costumes (must be sold; rentals are taxable)
Coveralls
Daily planners or organizers when used by school children as a school supply
Dress shields
Dresses
Earmuffs
Elastic ponytail holders
Fishing boots
Formal clothing (must be sold; rentals are taxable)
Furs
Galoshes
Garters/garter belts
Girdles
Gloves (batting, bicycle, dress, garden, golf, ski, tennis)
Gowns
Graduation caps and gowns (must be sold; rentals are taxable)
Gym suits
Hair bows
Hair clips
Hand muffs
Handbags
Handkerchiefs
Hats
Headbands
Hosiery
Hunting vests
Ice skates (rentals are taxable)
In-line skates (rentals are taxable)
Jackets
Jeans
Jogging suits
Jumpers
Leg warmers
Leotards and tights
Lingerie
Mittens
Nightgowns
Overshoes
Pajamas
Pants
Pantsuits
Pantyhose
Personal Digital Assistants (hand-held computers used as daily planners)
Pillow cases |
Pillows (all types)
Ponchos
Printer supplies (replaceable ink cartridges used in printers are exempt from tax as “printer supplies”)
Printers (replacement parts are taxable)
Prom dress (must be sold; rentals are taxable)
Purses
Raincoats
Rainwear
Riding pants
Robes
Roller skates (provided the skates are permanently attached to the boots) (rentals are taxable)
Sandals
Scarves
School uniforms
Scout uniforms
Shawls and wraps
Shirts
Shoes (ballet, baseball, bicycle, boat, boots, bowling (taxed if rented), cleated, cross trainers, flip-flops, football, golf, jazz/dance, soccer, track, in-line skates, ice skates, running, etc.) (rentals are taxable)
Shorts
Shoulder pads for dresses, jackets, etc. (but not athletic or sport protective pads)
Shower curtains and liners (shower curtain hooks and rings and shower curtain rods are taxable)
Ski boots (snow) (rentals are taxable)
Ski masks
Ski suits (snow)
Skin diving suits
Skirts
Sleepwear
Slippers
Slips
Sneakers
Socks
Sport clothing and uniforms (but not equipment such as mitts, helmets, and pads)
Sport jacket
Stockings
Suits
Support hosiery
Suspenders
Sweat pants
Sweat shirts
Sweat suits
Sweatbands
Sweaters Ties/neckwear
Tights
Towels of all types and sizes, including bath, beach, kitchen, and sport towels (paper towels are taxable)
T-shirts
Tuxedo (must be sold; rentals are taxable)
Umbrellas
Underwear
Waders
Wet and dry suits

Save some money on school supplies and backpacks by taking advantage of the tax free weekend in South Carolina. Shop for school supplies or a girdle!

Pet Multivitamins Are A Good Idea

Just as multivitamins are a good idea for us, pet multivitamins are a good idea for your dog or cat.

Even the best diet may not provide everything your pet needs to stay healthy and strong. Many pet foods lack nutritional additives and many of the products used in the foods are by products of  human foods that aren’t fit for human consumption.

Pet Bounce is one of the most complete vitamin supplements for pets on the market.

The Pet Bounce multivitamin is formulated especially for your cat and dog. The formula was created especially to support their health and well being.

In addition, Pet Bounce is fortified with Resveratrol, a powerful anti-oxidant,  to help increase your pets’ vitality.  All the essential vitamins and nutrients they need are contained in a chewable wafer with a flavor they’ll love.

Ensuring your pets’ health is crucial. A good diet and exercise are important but pet multivitamins are a good idea to follow up with.

 

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