(Long Island, N.Y.) What’s the good word? Here’s four “favorite things” you ought to know about here on Long Island.
A local business you can trust: M Dolson Flooring
Whenever we get some work done on our house—I usually cringe. That’s because my husband is the most detail-oriented person I’ve ever met. (Read: near-impossible to please.) And it’s not that he’s a difficult person, it’s just that money is tight these days and if he’s paying someone to do a job, he expects them to do a stellar one. Unfortunately, that rarely happens. Contractors cut corners, rush the work and get my husband on the phone with them, complaining up a storm—for good reason. (Doesn’t anyone keep their word anymore, actually show up, and pay attention to detail?)
So, when I first heard my very meticulous husband highly recommending a local company to family and friends—I was floored. In fact, we’ve referred M Dolson Flooring many times in the last few years and always got a “thank you” from the happy, very satisfied customer. Here’s the deal: If you need your hardwood floors done, Dolson is the guy you want. They’ll come in, move all the furniture out, refinish the floors, move your furniture back in. No fuss, no muss and no frustrations! Their work is good. Real good.
You’ve just got to make some plans ahead of time to get out of the house. And that’s why a reliable recommendation is key: you don’t want strangers in your home without knowing beforehand they’re dependable and trustworthy. Owner Mike Dolson doesn’t advertise and says all of his business is by word-of-mouth. (Which in my opinion is why he’s really, really busy!)
And if you’re picky about the stain or undecided, he’ll work with you until you chose one you’re satisfied with. “Show me a picture of anything that’s wood,” says Dolson, “and I’ll match it.” In addition to refinishing wood floors, they also; sand decks, do ceramic tile and bathrooms, install hardwood floors. If you’re not sure if they do it, give them a ring and ask.
Seriously, if you’re going to invest any money in fixing up your home, you’ll want a crew you can trust. It’s family owned and operated: Dolson works alongside his father, uncle, two brothers and a loyal, skilled crew– and have done so for many years. “Any wood floor out there that needs to be refinished—we do it,” says Dolson. They’re located in Sound Beach but serve all of Suffolk and Nassau.
On a personal note: I assure you, they’ll treat your house as if it’s their own and won’t, well, wipe the floors with you by overcharging. So that’s why I’m spreading the good word. For inquires and estimates call Mike at (631) 821 7353 or email MDolsonFlooring (at) aol.com
A great way to whip up a fresh dinner in a flash: What’s 4 Dinner
The one question that often throws me for a loop: What’s for dinner? Many nights I’m staring into an open (empty) refrigerator, shrugging my shoulders thinking, “It sure beats me!” Well, one Smithtown-based business has got the answer: What’s 4 Dinner is a custom “meal assembly kitchen” where you come in and create dinners for your family that are both easy to assemble and affordable. How cool does this sound: All the ingredients are already sliced and diced, and ready for you to assemble 4, 8, or 12 meals. Each meal serves a family of 4 – 6. The best part is all of this can be done in less than two hours!
Now doesn’t this sound peachy? You can be eating fresh, homemade meals that are prepared in their kitchen then cooked in yours. They do all the grocery shopping and prep the ingredients, (dice, chop, and cut) you assemble them the way your family likes them. Each station has everything you need for that particular dinner. It’s the easy, and affordable, convenient way to prepare healthy, homemade meals in no time. I personally think it would make a great gift for any new mom.
“Since everyone is so concerned with the economy and they have two parents working, a lot of time dinner together is only for special occasions,” says co-owner Donna Schukal. “We make it so that dinner together can be an every night occasion and it does not have to be a lot of work or processed, unhealthy food.” She says the quality of the food combined with the ease of preparation “make us stand out from any competitors.”
Here’s another idea: if someone close to you is ill or injured and you want to help but you’re not sure how—this might be a terrific idea: Make them a week’s worth of meals! For more info visit: www.whats4dinnerinc.com
Beyond Long Island–But Easy to Get Online
An at-home work out that really rocks: Dove’s Bodies
I’m not exactly a gym-girl. I usually wander around, baffled by the equipment. And the fact that my two kids make it impossible to get out to the gym. So I’m forever on the hunt for home workouts that are fun to do. Facing the fact that it’s just oh-so-easy to plop on the couch, I need a fitness routine that’s easy-to-follow and challenging.
A few months ago, I hit pay-dirt: Celebrities flock to Dove’s Bodies. Her name sounds so soft but Dove Rose’s workouts are intense–and effective. And you don’t need an LA address to take her class. I just tried one of her at-home DVD’s and all I can say is wow. Dove’s workouts really do rock. There’s old-school push-up, lots of squats, props–and she mixes up the routine so brilliantly, you just don’t get bored and head for the sofa. www.dovesbodies.com
An online destination for a special delivery: Get Quoted
Sometimes, an inspirational quote is all you need to put a spring in your step. I love, love, love quickie words of wisdom and often jot the good ones down in a notebook or display them near my computer to keep me going.
For a daily dose of quotes delivered to you each day, browse any of these online destinations and sign up for a free email subscription—a little inspiration in your inbox:
- www.meditationsforwomen.com Each meditation reinforces in some way the requirements of unshakable self confidence and self-esteem. They take only a minute to read and are quick positive thoughts to start your day
- www.dontquoteme.com Topical and timely, this free subscription service serves up a fun and informative quote each day. Plus, each quote comes complete with the biography of the speaker and interesting details about the quote.
- www.alancohen.com. Best-selling author of 20 inspirational books and CD’s, Alan Cohen’s site also features a free daily archive of over 1,000 inspirational quotes by himself and others.
