Upgrading Outlets to USB with DIYZ

Disclosure: This post is in collaboration with the DIYZ® app. All opinions of apps and companies that help me complete DIY projects are my own.

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One thing I hear all of the time from my family and kids is that I often forget to charge their tablets. My best excuse it that I have no idea where the chargers are or that I can’t find the big brick blocks that are required to charge these things. Fact is, it’s just a USB cable connected to some power. You can now upgrade your home outlets to include a USB port so you can charge your devices. Isn’t the future great? For this Mother’s Day, the kids and I are doing a little home upgrades. Mommy will be so proud.

Outlet-with-Tablets

Now, I am a pretty technical person but when it comes to electricity, I can get a little freaked out. I need to be sure I am doing everything right so I don’t hurt myself, or someone else. That’s where this awesome app called DIYZ comes in. I downloaded the app to my phone and got right to it. It is a very easy to use app with a plethora of projects to look through for every DIY skill level. Each project includes step-by-step instructions and even the option to live video-chat with a professional contractor if you need it. The Pro Advisors are available Monday through Friday from 6:00 PM – 1:00 AM ET and on weekends from 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM ET. Check it out and #GetWise! The DIYZ® app is free to download and is available in the Apple App Store for iPhone and Google Play for Android. For a limited time, the video-chat feature is also FREE!

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I easily found the project I needed and started going through it step-by-step. First, I needed to make sure I had all the tools needed, and within each project on the DIYZ® app you can easily browse a list of tools for each project with the option to purchase directly in the app via Amazon, if you don’t already have them. Doesn’t get much easier than that. I thought this project was going to be easy as I already had all the tools that were listed, so I was ready to get started right away. But first I figured I would get the kids involved in this as well. It is good for them to get experience with tools and get some hands on #DIYZ experience.

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So the first thing you always need to do when working with any sort of electricity is to turn off the breaker. Always be sure to double check that the flow of electricity has been cut with a none contact voltage tester, just to be sure no current is still going through. With all tools in hand and the electricity turned off, we were ready to start the removal of the old outlets. I picked up a couple outlets so we have some options on where we plug in our devices. We decided to start in the kitchen.

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The kids removed the screws from the outlet covers first and then they unscrewed the outlets themselves. I did all of the wiring. It was fun working with them on this little project using the DIYZ® app. The app really helps make the job a lot simpler and set my nerves at ease when working with something like electricity.

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There also wasn’t a big mess, and now Mom will be super happy being able to charge her devices just about anywhere in our home. The new outlets were unveiled on Mother’s Day and my wife was so proud of her kids’ hard work. It was a big hit in our home and I am finally out of the dog house when it comes to charging the kids’ tablets!

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Be sure to follow DIYZ on these social channels and download the app today!

DIYZ Homepage: https://www.diyz.com
DIYZ Blog: https://www.diyz.com/blog
DIYZ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DIYZApp
DIYZ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DIYZ_App / @DIYZ_app
DIYZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diyz_app / @DIYZ_app
DIYZ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diyzmobileapp
DIYZ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVRsZ1NjtnDAU5JkhXEjyBg/

“This post is in collaboration with the DIYZ® app. All opinions of apps and companies that help me complete DIY projects are my own.”

Accomplishing My #LawnGoals

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Ah, spring is here and that means it is time to put on my yard pants and get to work on my lawn goals. Each year before winter my wife and I get all of our kids’ toys and put them up so the yard is clear of anything that could damage it during the cold months. We put up houses, cars, sandboxes, slides, and more. It’s a lot of work preparing for winter, but it’s even more work afterwards.

This year I am attempting to crush my lawn goals by getting rid of our bare spots. This requires some prep work and tools and other materials, like grass seed and some straw. I could go the sod route but I chose to grow my own. You could use something like a Cub Cadet Garden Tiller to get your ground ready for your seed. I’m trying to grow some grass, but you could use a tiller to get a veggie or flower garden ready as well. It’s all about what your own lawn goals are.

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So after I get my ground worked up I enlist the help of the kids to start spreading some seed. We hopefully got it spread all over so that when it’s time for it to sprout I’m not left with some bare spots. Using a rake I sort of spread the dirt to smooth it out and get the kids to help start spreading straw. They are the best helpers and they did a pretty good job as well. It was fun listening to them point out spots they missed and wanting to make sure they did a good job.

With the seed and straw down it’s time to start getting the toys out and cleaned up along with getting the lawn ready for it’s first mow. We like to use Cub Cadet leaf blower to get the remaining leaves up and off the grass. Because of our large backyard it can take a little bit of extra time. The Cub Cadet helps speed up that process but sometimes we still don’t get them all but we do our best and once the leaves and sticks are all picked up it’s time to fire up the mower and get that fresh cut grass smell going.

LawnGoals-AbbySo now that we have the debris cleared I am ready to get things fresh. Like I said, my backyard is pretty big, so I’m not a fan of push mowing. It takes longer and I just don’t do as good of a job as when I’m using a zero-turn. I am really impressed with Cub Cadet’s RZT L/LX Series. I have tried one out and the comfort and ease of use really makes maneuvering around obstacles as efficient as possible.

Our backyard is our stay-cation. It is where we go to hang out when we want to go outside and just get out of the house. We can run around, let loose, and just have fun back there. Keeping the lawn ready for any sort of family adventure is at the top of my lawn goals list.

 

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#LawnGoals Sweepstakes

Do you have your own #LawnGoals? Enter to win one Cub Cadet RZT L 42 KH Lap Bar Zero-Turn Rider (ARV $2,399.99), hotel accomodations for two, and two tickets to attend an NHRA event this summer 2017! Click here to learn more!

  • To enter capture a photo or video of your yard, tell us how you bring your lawn to life and why your yard is #LawnGoals. Share the post on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtags #LawnGoals #Sweepstakes or visit www.cubcadet.votigo.com/lawngoals and upload a photo.
  • If your entry is approved, you’ll be entered for a chance to win one Cub Cadet RZT L 42 KH Lap Bar Zero-Turn Rider (ARV $2,399.99), hotel accommodations for two, and two tickets to attend an NHRA event in the summer of 2017.

Show us your #LawnGoals!

Be sure to follow @CubCadet_USA on social media!

 

March Madness 2017 with 83rw and DJ Digikid

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It’s here! For the last few weeks my good buddy from Canada (DJ Digikid) and I (83rw) have been working on our latest team up mix March Madness 2017. The time for release is now so be sure to check out this intense EDM mix whenever you can. Listen in the car, office, home, gym or where ever, this mix is certainly set to get your feet moving.

Starting back in 2004, DJ Digikid and I started working on a mix together entitled International Alliance. It was a fantastic mix of blends, exclusives, and other amazing hip-hop tracks. Thirteen years later International Alliance is back. This time however, not as a mix, but as a movement. International Alliance is about uniting DJs across the globe together to build an awesome collection of music for all to enjoy. DJ Digikid kicked off the new International Alliance social media sites on FacebookInstagram, Mixcloud, and Soundcloud so be sure to follow them to connect with this growing community. We’re kicking this off with March Madness so hopefully we do not disappoint.

So what’s with 83rw? 

mm2I can imagine what you’re wondering. What’s with this name 83rw? What does it even mean? Well, when I first started DJing, I called myself DJ R Dubz. It was cool for the time but as I got older I wanted something that signified that I was getting older, so I went with Dr. Williams, which is a play on my last name and initials. I am obviously no doctor and with the closure of the hip-hop podcast and website in 2009, I felt like it was time to switch things up again. So I went with something short and sweet. Hence, 83rw. So that is where that name came from. It’s my DJ name and my online handle for things outside of St. Louis Dad. It doesn’t sound as interesting when you read it out like this but I still like it… Oh well.

83RW - DJ DIGIKID - MARCH MADNESS 2017Back to the mix. March Madness features a variety of EDM styles, remixes, and artists. I was able to secure an exclusive track specifically for this mix from another Canadian buddy named DJ Krueger. Now, Krueger has been a part of my small musical circle since 2005 and since working with him is always a pleasure I reached out and asked if he was up for providing a verse or two for the mix. He happily agreed and after a few weeks of hounding him for the track he finally obliged and provided a verse set atop of Kiiara’s Gold. The track is awesome and I am also releasing it as a remix single because that’s just the type of guy I am.

With all of that out of the way, be sure to give March Madness a listen. I think you will really enjoy what DJ Digikid and I have put together. And while you are at it, grab the download for DJ Krueger’s track with Kiiara. It’s just as fantastic and is a great addition to just about any playlist. I know it’s not exactly about parenting or even specifically dad related but hey this dad has to have hobbies too and why not showcase here at St. Louis Dad. It’s okay to work on projects that do not involve your children. Maybe one day I will get my kids on the 1’s and 2’s but for now, it’s all about me. Just a note about the mixes, they do contain some language that may not be suitable for younger listeners or for a work environment, so be sure to listen in consideration of others.

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Listen to 83rw – March Madness 2017 – Download MP3

Tracklist
01-March Madness Intro
02-Major Lazer – Bubble Butt (feat. Bruno Mars, 2 Chainz, Tyga & Mystic)
03-Tove Lo – Cool Girl
04-Two Feet – Go Fck Yourself
05-TroyBoi & Big Wild – Decorous
06-Ariana Grande – Side To Side (Slushii Remix)
07-BLVCK – Hypnosis
08-Getter – Wat The Frick VIP
09-GTA – 11 Little Bit of This (feat. Vince Staples)
10-Cash Cash & Digital Farm Anima – Millionaire (Alan Walker Remix)
11-Hippie Sabotage – High Enough (Halsey Flip)
12-Kid Cudi – Day ‘N’ Nite (Andrew Luce Remix)
13-Lucky Charmes – What’s Up!
14-Kiiara ft. DJ Krueger – Gold (March Madness Exclusive)
15-A Billion Robots – Crazy (Original Mix)
16-Dan D-Noy – Unbreakable (DANK Radio Edit)
17-J – Trick – Bouncin (Original Mix)
18-Victor Niglio ft. Hype Turner – Blackout
19-Mason – Exceeder (Kill The Buzz Remix)
20-Delora – Hey Mami (Original Mix)
21-Timmy Trumpet – Nightmare (Original Mix)
22-MAKJ & Lil Jon – Let’s Get F_cked Up (KURA Remix)
23-Warren G – Regulate Ft. Nate Dogg (Le Boeuf Remix)

Listen to DJ Digikid – March Madness 2017 – Download MP3

Tracklist
01. MYTHIC – Servin’ Feens
02. Kendrick Lamar vs. DJ Snake – M.A.A.D. Propaganda
03. Excision & Dion Timmer – Africa VIP
04. Yellow Claw ft. Juicy J & Lil Debbie – City On Lockdown
05. Boombox Cartel – Jefe
06. Helix – Bussa (Woogie Remix)
07. Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – Bad and Boujee (LUCA LUSH Remix)
08. Migos – T-Shirt (Awoltalk & Filip Remix)
09. Herobust – Dirt Heater Tea (YUNGJULIAN Remix)
10. Skellism, Terror Bass & Lil Jon – In The Pit
11. A$AP Ferg ft. ScHoolboy Q – Let It Bang (MEGAMAOR Remix)
12. JOYRYDE ft. Freddie Gibbs – Damn (AWAL Bootleg)
13. Galantis – In My Head (Slushii Remix)
14. The Prodigy – Voodoo People (Karetus Remix)
15. A$AP FERG – Let It Go (Riot Ten Remix)
16. Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane – Black Beatles (BVNDS Remix)
17. Dirty Audio – Gorilla Glue
18. Excision x Space Laces – Throwin’ Elbows
19. Megalodon & Stabby – Lazer Torpedo
20. Bare & Henrix ft. Cali Ruler – Double Up
21. Formal One – Ninja Cat (Terra BLVCK Remix)

Kiiara ft DJ Krueger - Gold (Remix)

As mentioned above, here is DJ Krueger’s latest track where he is featured on Kiiara’s Gold. Be sure to grab the download because it is just waiting for you to enjoy. Like what you hear? Well expect some more mixes and what not from me as well as the rest of the International Alliance crew in the future.

Listen to Kiiara ft DJ Krueger – Gold (Remix) – Download MP3

So that’s it! Be sure to stay on the lookout for more mixes and throwbacks coming to St. Louis Dad!

Throwback Thursday – March Madness Edition

mm-coverAs I have mentioned in the past, there is a lot more to me than just my kids. One of those things is that I used to DJ back before kids. Back then it was mainly hip-hop but now-a-days I typically will mix some electronic dance music (EDM). I don’t get opportunities as often as I had in the past so when a chance comes up to do a little mixing I will take up that chance.

Earlier this year I reached out to my buddy up north in Canada and asked him if he was interested in working together on a new March Madness mix for this year. He agreed and we began work on our mixes. Along with our mixes DJ Digikid also started something that we had created years ago, but to see what it has morphed into now is incredible. I’m not gonna mention what it is until Friday’s March Madness release but it is a pretty cool idea that I hope many will enjoy.

So in preparation for the latest March Madness 2017 mix from me and DJ Digikid that will be released tomorrow, Friday (March 10th) please enjoy a throwback to 2015 with a previous March Madness mix. There is some choice language in this mix, so beware if listening at work. If you can put in some headphones and enjoy!