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3 Ways To Take Care Of Yourself

When you have a family, it can be very easy to fall into the habit of looking after everybody else, and not yourself. It is easy to do, but how can you be there for everyone if you are running on empty yourself? This is why today we want to share with you 3 ways to take care of yourself, giving you a few ideas of ways to recharge yourself.

Embrace exercise

Exercising regularly is absolutely essential for your health and well being. It keeps you in good shape physically and it improves your mental health. It wins all round on this one, and yet it can be one that many of us struggle with. It can be difficult to get into the habit of exercising. With so many other jobs and tasks to juggle, finding the time to get out to the gym often falls to the bottom of the list and we never get round to it. Which means that the first thing to do here is to commit to making it a habit, and aim for a short term goal to kick start you. Tell yourself you will do this for two weeks to take care of yourself, and see what works and whether it can become a habit in that time.

It is also key that you find a form of exercise that you actually like and want to do. There is no point in paying for that gym membership if you are always putting off going. Lots of people don’t enjoy gyms. Perhaps running in the fresh air is more your thing? Or maybe you would rather get your exercise by going to dance classes, trying a yoga session, walking the dog or by spending a few hours gardening? Find something you like to do and you are far more likely to embrace exercise.

Banish those bad habits

We all have those bad habits that we know we should put a stop to. You might try switching to bc vapes from cigarettes. You could also reduce your alcohol intake, or maybe you know you eat too much sugar. Few of us are able to switch everything off at once and stick to it, so choose one habit that you want to change and figure out what you will need to do to make it happen. For example, you might decide to reduce your sugar intake, so you might plan to stop buying candy and switch your soda to water for one week, then make more changes week by week.

Take Care Of Yourself By Treating Yourself

We all need to give ourselves little pick-me-ups from time to time, which is why this one is so important. You should treat yourself and indulge in those things that help you smile and relax. Think about the activities that help you to unwind and plan to do more of those. Perhaps you will read more often, or you might choose to write letters to friends or maybe you will or take up a new craft. Doing things like this that are just for you will help you to unwind and you are sure to feel refreshed afterwards. It can be fun to take care of yourself.

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Choosing A Car To Fit Your Lifestyle

Karen · Leave a Comment

When my children all still lived at home, I always took them with me when I shopped for a car. We all “tried on” the car, to make sure it would fit our family. We spent so much time in the car together in those days, that it only made sense to make sure we all fit in it comfortably before I bought a car. It is very important to make sure that you are choosing a car to fit your lifestyle!

Three Kids and a Dog?

If you are a busy mom with three kids and a dog you will need to make sure that your entire family fits comfortably inside the car. What age are the kids? Some kids grow rather quickly from ages 12 thru 15, so make sure any teens have plenty of leg room to grow into. Choosing a car like a Jeep Patriot or a Dodge Durango will fit your lifestyle for quite a few years.

Empty Nest

As an empty nester, you can purchase just about any vehicle you like. Even though the children are no longer living in your home, think about what your hobbies are? Do you sew, knit, or enjoy scrap booking? Make sure the trunk is large enough to hold all the things you’ll make that you will be taking to craft shows, crafting meetups, and things like that. What about camping? Will this vehicle pull a small tent camper? You can be comfortable in a Dodge Ram Pickup and, it will hold all your stuff and pull your camper.

Grandma Babysitter?

You brought up three kids, right? Back when we were having babies, we could just put them in a box on the back seat. Now in order to even drive down the street with a child, you have to know CPR, how to rescue a baby trapped in a mini van, and have room for a diaper bag, a box of diapers, a ton of baby milk, and directions to the preferred pediatrician. By the time you get all the stuff in the car that you will need, you will have no more room for the baby! Look at mini vans, station wagons, and hatchback models like the Chrysler Pacifica Van.

There are lots of different lifestyles out there, so it is up to you to determine which model of autos will fit you for several years. Do you see yourself still doing the same thing for longer than five years? The point is, try to think about the things you do that make you unique, and choose an automobile that will still work for you in several years. Not only will it save you a lot of money, it will keep you smiling as you drive it every day. You can check all the different choices that fit your lifestyle at your Dodge Jeep Ram dealership.

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Things To Consider Before Building A Granny Flat In Your Backyard

Karen · Leave a Comment

More and more families are concerned about aging relatives. Indeed, according to the National Council on Aging, a quarter of the American population over the age of 65 falls each year. Falls are an increasingly common occurrence, especially in old age as seniors can struggle with visual impairments, muscle weakness, and strong medications which can cause dozing. Unfortunately, elderly adults can seriously injure themselves in the process. Every 11 seconds, a senior is treated in the ER as a result of a fall. But, more dramatically, every 19 minutes, an older adult dies following a fall. Building a granny flat on your property can help your aging relatives live safer while staying somewhat independent.

How can a fall become a life-threatening risk in your everyday home? Many factors contribute to their danger. First of all, when your elderly relative lives alone, several days can go by before someone notices the fall and comes to their rescue. Additionally, muscle weakness can increase the risk of falling down the stairs, which can have devastating consequences on an unfit body. Furthermore, with brittle bones, which is an unfortunate result of old age, fractures and breaks are amplified, which can lead to health complications.

As a result, it’s not uncommon for families to consider the addition of an accessory dwelling unit – ADU – on their property to provide their elderly relatives with a safe tiny home. Granny flats are not only hugely popular and practical, but they can also bring estranged families together. After all, when the kids can spend every day with their grandparents, you don’t have to worry about planning family visits. Besides, inviting your relatives to stay with you can also make your property safer. Indeed, when there’s always someone at home, the risk of burglary during the day is virtually non-existent. However, if you’re going to build a tiny home by your house, you need to make sure you understand all the implications of an ADU.

You can’t rely on DIY only

You might be handy with a few tools, but building a tiny home should be a task you entrust to professionals. Indeed, your granny flat needs to meet the building health and safety standards, which is unlikely to occur if you choose a DIY approach. Specific repair and improvement works should be left to certified technicians and builders. The typical granny flat is self-contained, which means that you need to install a plumbing system for the bathroom and the kitchen units. Any mistake could have devastating consequences on your budget and safety! Similarly, electrical wiring is another job you should plan with a qualified electrician. If the granny flat is part of a conversion, such as transforming the garage into a home, you are unlikely to need structural works. However, if you’re building from scratch professional structural additions and roofing work will be necessary.

You need to be clear about housing laws

A tiny home is a cost-saving housing alternative for your elderly relatives. Indeed, downsizing can not only save a lot of money but also a lot of stress in their day-to-day lives. However, don’t let the charming size of a small dwelling fool you. There are plenty of strict laws regulating tiny homes building and living, which you need to comply with. Indeed, if you’re building in your backyard, you may not need to worry about zoning regulations as the granny flat is already located in a residential area. However, you should ensure that your architecture remains compliant with the International Residential Code and the Building Code requirements. Additionally, state laws vary dramatically. It’s a good idea to discuss your local requirements with an architect before taking any decision.

You can forget about stress-free life

Christmas holiday can be a stressful season for many adults who structure to survive family reunions. Indeed, spending time with your relatives can be a source of anxiety and unhappiness. More often than not, the problems you might experience with your family stem from not being acknowledged and respected for the person you are. As a result, many adults find their parents treating them in the same way they used to when they were younger. While you have long outgrown the label of a child, your relatives are stuck in that parenting role. It can take a lot of time and effort to break free of those family roles. Consequently, it’s not uncommon to experience anger, frustration, and emotional distress when you’re spending extended time with your relatives. Now imagine inviting your mother to stay with you forever. Can you genuinely see past her critical words or her overbearing motherly attention? If you haven’t managed to make family holiday stress-free, it’s fair to say that you may not be ready for a granny flat.

Who is in charge of decorating the granny flat?

You’re building the annex for your relative. Of course, it should make sense that you stay in charge of its interior decor. However, you may want to discover arrangements with your guests first. After all, a tiny home would force your relatives to downsize their lifestyle dramatically. There will be memories they simply can’t live without. Knowing what sentimental units, items, and photos they want to keep can influence the overall decor. More importantly, you also need to clarify together what their requirements are in terms of living space. Indeed, wheelchair users, for instance, will require storage units to be in accessible locations in the lower half of the room. On the other hand, someone who is still mobile and active might want to maintain their tiny home themselves, which implies the addition of a cleaning cupboard with brooms and a vacuum cleaner.

Can you care for your elderly relative in a granny flat?

Inviting your parents to live in a tiny home on your property is not a light decision. You have to be ready to potentially assume the role of carers as the health of your parents degenerates. Caring for an elderly relative is not only a matter of knowledge; it is also a difficult emotional journey. Indeed, your roles have changed, and now they depend on you, you have to let go off old emotions to build a new script for your relationship. The hero of your childhood, the mom or dad you look upon, is long gone. While it doesn’t mean you can’t build a meaningful relationship with your aging parent, you have to accept their weakness, their anger, and their fears.

Is independence a good idea?

The primary reason why granny flats are a popular option for elderly relatives is that granny doesn’t want to lose her independence. Indeed, growing old is an unpleasant process during which one wants to maintain their dignity and sense of freedom for as long as possible. For seniors, maintaining their independent lifestyle is detrimental to their physical and mental health. A tiny home can give them the boost they need to care for themselves and be their own person without the dangers of isolation. However, it’s fair to say that not everyone grows old at the same pace. Tiny homes are the perfect solution for older relatives who have maintained their cognitive agility and mobility. On the other hand, someone who is prone to confusion and physical weakness might be safer in a nursing center.

Building a tiny home in your backyard can be the perfect way of supporting your relatives through old age while giving them the independence they want. However inviting your parents to stay with you, even if it is in a granny flat on the property, needs specific living rules. Are you going to share meals together? Should granny have her own washing machine or will you do her laundry? There is no right or wrong answer, but you need to clarify from the start how to manage day-to-day tasks to avoid frustrations or high expectations.

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Tips for Finding the Right CBD Products for You

Karen · Leave a Comment

There are many different manufacturers of CBD products right now. Some companies seemingly pop up out of nowhere and can disappear almost as quickly. Others have been around a while and are more trustworthy. So, how can consumers find the right products to get their CBD?

Here are some pointers on how to find the better CBD products for you and what to avoid too.

How is the Hemp Grown?

Hemp is grown in different ways. Chemicals including pesticides can be added during the growing process. This results in hemp that’s not a good quality. Pesticides are used by growers to protect crops from pests, however, they’re likely to reduce the effectiveness of the CBD product that is eventually produced using these hemp crops.

It’s well known that hemp acts like a sponge to soak up everything around it. Therefore, it takes in much of any chemicals added. Try to learn about the growing processes that a CBD company uses to understand how their hemp might be unduly affected by it.

Pay Attention to CBD Oil Extraction Methods

For CBD oil derived from a hemp plant, oil is extracted by exacting pressure on the plant. The CBD company will then collect it, bottle it and retail it. There are several ways to do this, some better than others.

One approach is to use heat. Usually, butane is included in the heating process with the chemicals present in the butane touching the cannabinoids within the extracted oil. This creates a chemical reaction which is unavoidable and changes the profile of the compounds within the oil itself.

Search for companies that use other methods to extract the oil like ethanol that’s food grade or CO2. Both these solvents are from natural sources leaving the terpenes and cannabinoids totally unaffected.

Are There Any Independent Lab Reports?

Does the company regularly offer lab reports from independent testing facilities to confirm the makeup of their products?

Bear in mind that the FDA has yet to regulate CBD products. As such, it’s up to consumers to look for evidence of what they’re actually buying. This is best done through companies that allow their products to be independently tested. This way, you’re getting what you’re paying for and the company isn’t just making bold claims.

Broad Spectrum vs Isolated

While it’s sound advice that you don’t pay full price for CBD products, you want to pick the best CBD products too.

Not all CBD products are made the same. Some are produced to include a single, isolated cannabinoid. This might be somewhat effective. However, understand that the best broad-spectrum CBD product will have up to 100 cannabinoids, many terpenes, flavonoids and amino acids contained within. Used in combination, this creates an entourage effect that’s highly beneficial; compared to an isolated CBD mixture.

Is There a Guarantee Offered?

Does the brand offer a money back guarantee to buyers of their product? How is their customer support? Do they have a website, a 24-hour hotline, or live chat features on their site? Can they be contacted easily, or have you hunted through their website and you cannot even find a phone number for them?

Also, consider how long the company has been operating with the same brand. Do some Googling to see what other customers have said about the business. If they offer a good product, they’re bound to have some positive reviews online.

When you’re careful about the CBD producer and how they make their products, then you can find excellent supplies. Doing a little homework before making a purchase ensures you get the best results possible.

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Benefits of Home School for Military Families

Karen · Leave a Comment

Do you ever feel like your parenting plight is like a script from a Hollywood movie as far as your child’s educational options? As a military spouse of seventeen years, my friend often felt like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. While trying to physically, academically, emotionally, socially, financially, and psychologically navigate the nuances of raising her children she navigated the twisters of deployments, erratic schedules, and other unique challenges facing military families. In sum, online home school programs for students k-12 can serve as the “Emerald City” for educational needs facing this important population.

benefits of home school for military families — Benefits of Home School For Military Families

Ease on the Down the Educational Road: Flexibility

First, the main rationale for an online homeschool program involves the flexibility that it offers all learners, a trait that military families especially appreciate. As my husband prepares to deploy to Qatar this upcoming Saturday, I sadly realize how he will miss my daughters’ first official days of school during his service. It’s time to channel my inner Dorothy and remain resilient!

Speaking of resilience and flexibility, online homeschool programs enable families to accommodate their personal needs, allow you to work at your own pace, and freedom that traditional education programs never could. A recent article by Classen, Horn, & Palmer (2019) found that military students are often a highly neglected demographic in mainstream, traditional school approaches. Thus, the use of online programs could ensure more individualized attention, a family-centered approach that military members cherish, and even more reliable data and recordkeeping as far as transportable documentation. Make the Tin Man shine and “ease on the down educational road” with online homeschooling as your new GPS!

Lion Heart: Cultivating Courage and Character Education

Next, online homeschooling can better cultivate moral, ethical, civic, and character education due to the personalized nature of the lessons. Students can yield more affective learning because there’s more time to target lifelong lessons, without the over emphasis on test preparation that’s often prevalent in traditional school approaches.

To add an additional caveat, those who are interested in embedding more religious perspectives have greater opportunities to find curricular connections and crossovers within an online home school program because of the increased flexibility and more ample time advantages associated with the online paradigm.

A Rainbow of Responsibility and Creativity

online home school — Benefits of Home School for Military Families

Just as the vibrant colors of the movie illuminate, allow your kids to accrue more responsibility and creativity through a home school program. Contrary to the myths that home school parents coddle and helicopter, research contends how the opposite is true: “Kids in conventional educational [settings] have very little responsibility, because ultimately the school, the teacher, or the curriculum designer is given credit for kids’ success or failure. In self-directed education, the learner is making all the decisions, so they get all the credit for their own success or failure. That is responsibility” (McDonald, 2018, p. 7).

While I’m certainly not encouraging you to have your kiddos hang out with weird, eccentric characters like flying monkeys and scarecrows, it’s evident that students can gain more autonomy over their own learning when they participate in online home school programs from a young age-onward.

Creativity, real world relevance, and motivation are also major “rainbows” associated with online home school options. Research also depicts how online programs hone “around what the kids wanted to learn about” (McDonald, 2018, p. 6). Kids have more time to participate in music, art, dance, and other imaginative extensions and applications in online home

school programs. Marital arts, STEM, yoga, or ceramics, anyone?

Likewise, an interesting study by Jackson (2013) adamantly praised online home school programs for helping not only struggling students, those who are ESL/ELL, but also gifted, introverted, and possess special needs like OCD, ADD/ADHD, etc. One parent commented how it specifically allowed her child “to soar, not get bored, and to develop his talents and interests” (Jackson 2013, p 9). Let your kids’ true colors shine with online home schooling!

Ruby Slippers: Stress Management and Mental Health Merits

Lastly, like the dazzling ruby slippers that empowered and protected Dorothy, think of an online homeschool program as your child’s, tween’s, or teen’s pair of ruby red slippers, boots, flip flops, or sneakers against stress and mental health woes and “witches.”

Studies consistently confirm how military families often experience greater stress levels related to their unique circumstances, so home-based psychoeducational materials helped in one study to promote more positive, proactive attachment-based parenting and child education curricula, more peer support among parents, and increased connectedness among families to additional services (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-26919-001). Remember, “There’s no place like home!”

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Why Pattaya Is A Great Budget Destination

Karen · Leave a Comment

Thailand has been a popular tourist destination among western travelers for its tropical unexplored beaches and abundance of nature. However, most tourists let Pattaya pass because of the notorious reputation that it had enjoyed over the years. However, as the Thai government took tourism development seriously, Pattaya underwent a huge paradigm shift. Here is why Pattaya is worth a visit especially if you are on a budget.

Accessibility

Unlike other island destinations in the country, Pattaya enjoys much easier accessibility due to its close proximity to the capital. Pattaya is located at a three hour’s drive from Bangkok and with a well-developed road route. That means you do not have to invest additional time and money in air travel. Once you land in the capital, you can find multiple options to reach Bangkok. If you are on a very tight budget, you can book yourself on one of the buses, which are very cheap and easily available. Another great option, if you have a driver’s license, is renting a car and enjoying your own road trip. If you do not, spend a little extra to hire a private taxi.

Attractions

Contrary to popular opinion, Pattaya has something to offer for people of all ages and preferences. Pattaya Attractions are one reason why many travelers prefer not missing out on this happening town. Some of the famous attractions include the Cartoon Network Themed Water Park and Elephant Safari,which is absolutely loved by kids. History buffs will fall in love with the hauntingly beautiful ancient Buddhist temples, dotted by jungle treks and local villages. If you are an adrenaline junkie, you should head straight for Skydive, where you can experience a tandem jump from 14,000 feet. The best part is that Pattaya’s sky diving facility is the cheapest in the world, so it is definitely the right place to fulfill your bucket list.

Food and Shopping

No travel is complete without good food. In fact for many tourists, food plays a key role in picking up a travel destination. Thailand is famous around the world for its flavor rich scrumptious food. However, Pattaya goes a notch above with the best food variety from all around the world. From cheap street food to some exotic fine dining, you will find it all in the town. Likewise, if you are a shopping freak, you will be amazed at the cheap and affordable shopping options that you will find in the city.

Entertainment and Nightlife

Pattaya is one of the best holiday spots for singles and party animals. It is a favorite spot for bachelor trips for all the right reasons. The town comes to life as soon as the sun goes down with pubs and nightclubs. You will find some of the best collection of music and booze along with great performances and shows.

Beach

When you are done with everything else, you can never go wrong with unwinding at the pristine beaches. The beach strip in Pattaya is home to a wide range of beach resorts. The best part is that unlike most beach destinations in the world, Pattaya offers some of the cheapest beach accommodations so your dream beach vacation will not be a dream anymore.

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Insomnia

Karen · 1 Comment

Most nights, when I lie down on my comfortable bed, I’m so tired I feel like I could fall to sleep immediately. Most nights, though, it doesn’t happen. As soon as my head hits the pillow, and I get still and comfortable, my demons come out and haunt me until dawn. I toss and turn. I pick up my phone and read news articles until my eyes feel like they will fuse shut. But, I still feel like the memories from my childhood, teens, and young adulthood are zombies, chasing me until they eat me alive. I feel like I am one of the walking dead.

I know these memories can’t really hurt me. The traumas are long over, with only the scars left to remind me, night after night, that sometimes life isn’t so kind. I know I have PTSD. Therapy, counseling, whatever it is called, three times, for various reasons at different phases of my life, has helped. I wonder sometimes how I have made it to my senior years, appearing “sane” to the outside world.

If I could tell you about the things that run through my head on these nights, I don’t think you would believe me. I’m still not ready to talk about specifics, even after 60+ years for some of these demons. I want to. I want to write them all down, and flush them away into the blackness of the internet. I want to sleep. To rest. To finally get some peace in my life.

I don’t know how to make this stop. It seems that the older I get, the worse it becomes. I take all my meds at night, with the thought that they will make me sleep. I take Cymbalta for depression. It helps. Gabapentin and hydrocodone help with the pain of diabetic neuropathy, so that is no longer a factor keeping me awake. Maybe a talk with my doctor on my next visit, to find out if that is a mistake.

Tonight was another restless, sleepless night. The zombies won, again. Maybe soon, it’ll be my turn.

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Keep Your Home Free From Pests That Spread Diseases

Karen · Leave a Comment

Pests never give up, and that is why it is important to keep up on your pest control. It is ideal to have a pest control company such as www.moxieservices.com come to your home monthly. By doing this, you will not only get rid of pests that are already in your home, but you will also prevent new ones from coming in.

Hiring a pest control company is the best way to keep pests out of your home. Having a maintenance plan will ensure that your home is free and clear of pests. Many people think that they can get their homes treated once, and they don’t have to worry about bugs anymore, but it is necessary to reapply the sprays and to reevaluate your home to ensure there a no new cracks or other areas where pests can get in. Some people will call a pest control service when they see pests in their home, but by then there is likely a whole colony of pests in the home. It is far better to use prevention when it comes to pests and to keep them out in the first place.

Hiring a pest control service will ensure that your home is inspected from top to bottom. Pest control technicians are trained and have the experience to find nests and colonies and will be able to take care of the pest problem at the source. They will find where pests are getting in and will be able to seal it off and stop pests in their tracks.

You don’t want to share your home with pests as they can destroy your home. It doesn’t matter how small they are. Termites are only about 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch big, and they can literally eat you out of house and home. They can also eat through the support beams of your home and cause it to collapse. Mice can chew through electrical wires and cause fires. They can also chew through your water heater and cause flooding. You don’t ever want to let it get to that point. Many people think that they can save money by forgoing pest control services, but it’ll cost you more in the end. Instead of spending around $50 a month to keep your home pest free you could be spending hundreds if not thousands on repairs and replacing items that have been destroyed. Some items are not replaceable such as photographs or family heirlooms.

Another reason that you do not want to share your home with pests is that you can never really relax after you spot one. It is also harder to fall asleep because you have heard the stories of people eating bugs in their sleep or earwigs crawling into the ear. You may even hear scurrying or scratching in the ceiling or in the walls. That alone is well worth spending a few bucks a month to keep pests out of your home.

Many pests, such as mice, can actually cause a whole slew of issues such as allergic reactions and skin irritations. There has even been a link between house flies and certain diseases. House flies actually carry pathogens and every time they land on something they transfer those pathogens to that surface. They even vomit and defecate where they land, and they carry at least 65 different illnesses that infect people. Some of the diseases that house flies carry include Anthrax, Salmonella, Tuberculosis, and Cholera. The house fly is just one type of pest, and there are many others that also carry disease that can make you very sick. If you get sick, have to miss work and get some big hospital bills you are spending much more than if you just got the pest control service and kept your home pest-free. Plus, you won’t have to suffer from an unpleasant illness.

Cockroaches can make you sick. Not only are they very unpleasant to have in your home, but they also carry diseases such as W Coli, Listeria, and Salmonella. Bed bugs are not just found in your bed, but they can live in the walls, behind door frames, and even behind outlet covers and they feed on human blood. Pests are unpleasant, so you want to keep them out of your home.

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