CoworkMYR – a new option for work-at-homers

Source: Facebook

This is a small tangent from my usual family musings, but it’s something cool happening in our community that may be of interest.

Here’s my deal.  I work part-time for a few companies.  I’ve had the luxury of consistent contract work for the past maaaaaaany years.  I’ve, primarily, worked from home since 2000.  A lot of folks think it’s the holy grail.  I get to have a career, as well as stay home with my children.

I thank my lucky stars all the time for the ginormous amount of flexibility I’m granted.  That allows me to volunteer in the classroom, be home after school (most days), do laundry while I’m working, and a smattering of other things.  The downside is that when you work in the online world, the internet never stops.  Thus, my work is always there waiting for me and there’s little time in a day when I’m not working for someone.  Another downside is that I’m rarely surrounded by my team.  Plus, when you don’t have a conference room or office somewhere other than your house, where do you meet your associates?  I’ll tell you where – loud coffee shops that inhibit conversation.

Until this point, there was no solution.  It didn’t make sense to get my own office outside of my house.  It was too expensive and the terms of committment were not agreeable.  So what’s changed?  CoworkMYR is coming to town, baby!

So how does cowork..well…work?  It’ll be filled with people like me.  Perhaps some folks in start-ups.  Maybe contractors in other online industries.  I’m hoping there are some creative types like photographers or graphic artists.  I’m a heck of a baker and a nice plate of cookies might just equal a stock photo or two. Just sayin’.

I’m throwing this out there because I know there are loads of other parents out there like me.  An office will give me a place to meet with my business associates.  In my case, it’ll bring one of my teams together in one place for easy collaboration and communication.  It’ll give me a place to, essentially, clock in and out of.  I won’t be distracted by the phone, a Bravo marathon of the Real Housewives of Somewhere, or that junk drawer that needs organizing.

If this sounds at all interesting to you, check out their site and sign up for the newsletter that will provide you with the latest updates.  You can also connect with them on Facebook.  The project is still several weeks out but now is the right time to start learning.

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2012 Summer Freebies – Kids movies at Inlet Square 11

Frank Theatres on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/FrankTheatres

Cheap summer movies are coming to Murrells Inlet this year!

Frank Theatres Inlet Square 11 at Inlet Square Mall will host a series of eight children’s movies throughout the summer.  They’re all rated G and PG, that will play on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10 a.m.  Admission is $1.

You can have a look at the flier here. And here is more information about the theater.

June 5 & 7: Puss in Boots
June 12 & 14: Happy Feet 2
June 19 & 21: Shrek Forever After
June 26 & 28: Spy Kids All Around the World
July 3 & 5: Alvin and the Chipmunks – Chipwrecked
July 10 & 12: The Adventures of TinTin
July 17 & 19: Dolphin Tale
July 24 & 26: Rio

For a full list of 2012 summer freebies (or seriously cheapies), have a look at our topic page!

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2012 Summer Freebies – Kids movies at Rivertown Stadium 12 in Conway

Flickr user ScypaxPictures

Frank Theatres Rivertown Stadium 12 in Conway has chosen a series of eight kids’ movies, all rated G and PG, that will play on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. throughout the summer. Admission is $1.

June 5 & 7:  Shrek Forever After
June 12 & 14: Spy Kids All Around the World
June 19 & 21: Alvin and the Chipmunks – Chipwrecked
June 26 & 28: The Adventures of TinTin
July 3 & 5: Dolphin Tale
July 10 & 12: Rio
July 17 & 19: Kung Fu Panda 2
July 24 & 26: The Smufs

You can have a look at the flier here. And here is more information about the theater. Have fun!

For a full list of 2012 summer freebies (or seriously cheapies), have a look at our topic page!

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2012 Summer Freebies – Kids movies at Cinemark at Coastal Grand

Majiscup – The Papercup & Sleeve Log
on Flickr

Okay, okay…this one isn’t a technical freebie, but it’s close.

The Cinemark Kids Movie Clubhouse is back for 2012 at Coastal Grand mall!  Shows are all rated G or PG and are $1 each or $5 for the advance purchase of ten. All shows run Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 10 a.m.

June 11 -13:  Happy Feet
June 18 – 20: Rio
June 25 – 27: Kung Fu Panda 2
July 2 – 4:  Despicable Me
July 9 – 11:  Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2
July 16 – 18:  Dolphin Tale
July 23 – 25:  Puss in Boots
July 30 – August 1:  Winnie the Pooh
August 6 – 9:  Yogi Bear
August 13 – 15:  Charlotte’s Web

You can check out the flier here.  On it is a coupon for $1 off the movie snack pack of popcorn and a drink.  For more information about the theater, click here.

Have a look at our 2012 Summer Freebies page for more fun (and free or very cheap!) things to do with kids in the Grand Strand this summer!

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A shout-out to the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA swim program

Source: Facebook

I want to spend a few minutes totally gushing about the awesome swim lesson experience we’ve had at the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA.

We’ve done various types of levels at other places.  And while we’ve had positive experiences, I can’t say they were terribly successful.  That may have been because my children were younger, thus had a lower attention span and physical capabilities.  My suspicion is that the class size was a problem.  One of my children is on the shy side.  When the swim teacher would ask each child to demonstrate the skill being taught, this little girl would hold back and maybe half do it.  It was incredibly frustrating!  But alas, the teacher would have to move on because there were six other kids in the class and they needed her attention too.  The result was a child who had very little confidence in the water.

This is all important because towards the end of last swim season we had something scary happen.  We were at the pool with lots of friends and children.  I was watching and chatting and chatting and watching.  Despite the watching, I missed my own children getting in water above her head and a moment or two when she was in trouble.

Fast-forward to when this all came into view and I internally FREAKED OUT.  This is my baby.  I was watching her.  How could this happen?  The bottom line is that it can, hence my insistence that we solve this “water insecurity” issue, stat.

A friend of mine had her two children in a semi-private swim class and we got to talking.  This sounded pretty good.  One instructor for my two children would eliminate the possibility that my little one could shy out.  Plus, the likelihood of chances my girls would actually learn to swim shoots up with all of this attention.  As long as it wasn’t that expensive, I was in.

Here’s the short version.  $140something total for my two children, for six 30-minute sessions.  Totally doable since other six-week programs have run me right about that much and the class sizes were larger.  The result is two kids who can absolutely swim.  Our coach (Brittany) has been fantastic.  She’s knowledgeable, effective, enthusiastic, and encouraging.  We’re getting exactly what I hoped for out of these classes and I couldn’t be more pleased – and thankful!

To top it off, the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA is gorgeous.  It’s only been open a few years, but it looks brand new.  The locker rooms and bathrooms are always very clean.  The whole place looks shiny and has tons of light.  If it wasn’t so far from our home, I’d break my very long streak of non-gym-membership.  One thing I love is the zero-entry pool.  If that had been available when my girls were smaller, we would have been there every darn day!  It’s perfect for toddlers!

If you have questions about anything going on at the YMCA, give them a call at (843) 449-9622.  You can also connect with them on Facebook here.

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Summer passport from the Children’s Museum of South Carolina

CMSC on Facebook

Like it or not, we’ve only got three weeks of school left here in Horry County.  Bring on the days at the beach, swimming in the pool, sleeping in late, bickering, and a bad case of “I’m bored” three days into summer break.  Can I get an amen, from the congregation?

If you’re like me and have young children in school, you’ve got the extracurricular activities to go along with that.  By the time June 1 rolls around, I’m wiped out and ready to have a lot of nothing on the calendar.  While my mind tells me signing my children up for a few summer camps is a good idea, I just can’t seem to commit.  That’s where a summer passport from the Children’s Museum of South Carolina comes in.  For only $55 for the whole family, you can have unlimited access to the Children’s Museum from Memorial to Labor Day.

Admission is typically $8 per person (adults, too) for everyone over one year of age.  For a family of four, one visit will run you $32.  That makes the Summer Passport quite the deal, paying for itself in just two visits.

For more information on the Summer Passport and all season passes, check out their site.

*Note – the Children’s Museum of South Carolina is closed from 5/14/12 – 5/21/12 for renovations.  It will be open again on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.  Connect with them on Facebook to see pictures of the work being done.  It’s exciting!*

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2012 Summer Freebies – Bowling

The KidsBowlFree program is back for the summer of 2012!  When you register your child(ren), you’ll receive two free games per day from June 2 through September 3, 2012.  Coupons will be delivered to you via email once per week.  Just print them out, bring them to the bowling alley and get bowling!

The only participating bowling alley in our area is Waccamaw Lanes off 501 in Myrtle Beach.  They honor the coupons from noon to 8 p.m. daily.  Standard shoe rental prices apply unless you have your own.

Once registering your children, you can buy a “Family pass” for $24.95.  That pass buys you and up to three other non-child family members up to four games per day for the same dates and times as the KidsBowlFree program.  It you’re pretty dedicated, this is a pretty good deal.

Our family has enjoyed this program for the last three years.  It’s been a nice, cool activity when the weather gets unbearable.

Waccamaw Lanes as gone smoke-free and updated quite a bit since last year.  If you haven’t been in a while, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

For the latest on all of the 2012 Summer Freebies, bookmark our topic page!

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