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Tyler Christian Preschool

April 14th, 2010

714 Shelley Drive
Tyler, TX 75701-9440
Phone: (903) 534-9987

Well it is now after midnight, and I’m only now sitting down to do something I’ve intended to do for some time.  It’s been about four months since I last published anything on the directory, but in that time it has been my intention to write about a tremendous local business that is having a lasting positive influence on area families.

As a single dad I know the guilt that many parents feel about dropping off their children at daycare before going to work. As the only bread winner in my house however, child care is for me, a necessary evil. After making the tough decision to place my son in someone else’s care during the day, my dilemma became one of determining the most suitable people with whom to leave him. Of course I wanted a safe secure location, with room out doors to play, and a caring and patient staff, who were well trained and accustomed to dealing all kinds of children, (in our case, a very active and energetic two year old boy). Perhaps most important to me was that he be in place where the teachers cultivate my son’s developing faith. In Tyler Christian Preschool, I found a daycare / preschool that offers all of these things.

After an admittedly shaky start due to facility and personnel issues, TCP has grown into an excellent Tyler institution. Its purpose is to provide a Christian environment where children from the ages of six weeks to five years can grow and develop. The building has undergone a series of updates and repairs and now offers a great space where the kids can play, learn and rest.

TCP’s curriculum is “Christian based.” It incorporates Bible stories, songs and gospel lessons. The teachers are terrific and do their very best to add to the children’s sense of safety, security and familiarity. Perhaps most important is the fact that the teachers genuinely care about their students and have the children’s best interest at heart.

Tyler Christian Preschool offers fulltime care for children ranging in ages from six weeks to six years. Part time after school care is available for students six to thirteen years old. During the summer months, full time care is also available for students six to thirteen years old. This includes activities and field trips.

While starting a new school can be a difficult transition in a child’s life, (and a parent’s for that matter); it doesn’t have to be traumatic. After a short period of transition (about a week or so), my son has come to love his school. Anytime we happen to pass Tyler Christian Preschool, he proudly shouts “that’s MY school!” to anyone in earshot.

I heartily recommend checking out Tyler Christian Preschool. They are located at 714 Shelley Dr. in Tyler, and can be reached via telephone at (903) 534 9987. Also see their website at www.tylercp.com.

BioLife Plasma Services in Tyler

January 8th, 2010

As someone who knows what it is like to be a struggling college student, I thought I would suggest what may seem to some like a somewhat extreme method of making a little extra cash each week. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking, so let me assure you that it is perfectly legal, and there’s no need to remove any clothing. I’m referring to “donating” plasma at Biolife Plasma Services in Tyler.

What exactly is Blood Plasma?

Blood plasma is the yellowish fluid mixed into the blood. It’s the portion which contains the blood’s cells and is easily replaced after a couple of meals. During the donation process, blood is extracted from the donor, the plasma is separated, and the remainder of the blood is returned to the patient’s blood stream. The plasma is then used for medical research as well as the manufacture of treatments for various forms of disease. What should I expect from the donation process?

In order to become a donor, an investment of about three hours is required. You’ll want to make an appointment, as the Tyler Texas plasma center is always full of people. Don’t just show up expecting to give, and get paid an hour later. When you make an appointment the staff will set up your account and give you a brief physical. This is not a complete physical but consists mostly of a blood pressure test, and standing on a scale. There is also an extensive series of questions regarding medical and sexual history. Personal privacy and dignity is protected by the fact that after the initial visit the questions are answered via touch screen computer. Contrary to urban legend, having a tattoo or two does not disqualify you from donating, provided any tats or piercings are at least four months old.

After the initial visit the process usually takes around an hour and fifteen minutes. Each visit the donor is required to answer the questionnaire, weigh in, have his or her finger pricked, and blood pressure and temperature tested. Once this short ritual is completed the donor is directed to a bed where the I.V. is inserted. Don’t worry after a couple of minutes you’ll completely forget it’s there. I should also say a word about a pre-donation meal. It is very important to eat prior to donating. Once, I neglected to eat due to a busy morning and still gave. It was a most unpleasant experience. The rule, as I understand it, is not to wait longer than three, or three and a half hours after eating to give blood. Failure to heed this advice results in nausea and dizziness.

What are the rewards of donating plasma?

On one hand I am not going to say that the process is always pleasant, particularly if you’re squeamish, but it’s not a terrible one either. There is generally little discomfort, and for an hour of reading time, the pay is pretty good. The staff there is really great. They are competent, helpful and friendly. Giving blood twice a week you can expect to make from two hundred to around three hundred five dollars a month. Twice a week is the maximum donors are allowed to give, and visits cannot add up to three in a seven day span. Even after the initial visit you’ll have to continue making appointments, which can be done on line. Beyond the immediate financial benefit, you can be assured that the sacrifice is for a worthy cause. Tyler’s Biolife Plasma Services is located at 1827 W. Gentry Tyler Texas. For more information you can also consult their website at www.biolifeplasma.com.

Dove Tree Apartment Tyler Texas

October 27th, 2009

Dovetree Apartments in Tyler TX
There are many different apartment complexes in Tyler Texas, but I have had the most personal experience at the Dove Tree apartment complex. I was first attracted to the complex because of the location and price. One advice that I would give to anyone looking for an apartment is to get the complaints that were made to the police department.

As my new family and I looked for an apartment we wanted a safe place for a good price. I found Dove Tree apartment. It looked great and could give us the apartment that we wanted right away. It was right in the middle of town. The apartment was just a couple miles from the mall and grocery stores. As a bonus, the apartment had a pool and a great work out room. Our neighbors were, nice, yet interesting, to say the least. We did not have any problems with the people around and we lived a couple miles from my work. It seemed great.

After a couple months after living there the roof began to leak. We called maintenance. It took about two weeks of annoying dripping throughout the night and several frustrating phone calls for someone to come take a look at our bathroom ceiling. Finally a man came in the middle of the day and vacuumed out a metal crawl space from where water was dripping into the four buckets we had in the middle of our bathroom floor. That idea stopped the unbearable dripping for only a couple days. A few more weeks past and several more phone calls before they decided to come again. I would think that if one thing was not working that they would try to do something else. But again the maintenance vacuumed out the water and went onto the next thing. I was very frustrated after fighting with this for months, and the entire time we lived there it never was completely fix.

Apartments have so many hidden secrets. Even though we had a six month lease we had to tell the management that we were leaving about four months before we were going to move out or they would charge us an outrageous fee. This bothered me, because if you get a six month lease, obviously your intentions are to move out in six months. I met one young lady who did not realize this rule and went to tell them a couple weeks before she left, they told her that she had to pay for the next month and some ridiculous fee that did not completely make sense.

The apartment selection is huge in the Tyler area, do not sale yourself short. Make sure the maintenance is quick and do not forget to read the small print.