This post is sponsored by Optum Palliative Care for MomentsofLife.org

Last summer, my father-in-law, who was dearly loved by all of his family, declined in health rather rapidly. He went from staying at home on his own, to a nursing home, to home health care, to hospice, in a matter of weeks. Although it was an extremely difficult time for those of us who only knew Poppa as a strong, fun loving, supportive husband, father, grandfather, and friend, hospice care made it easier for us all.

If you are the caregiver or person who has to make decisions for or about your older parents, or for someone in your family who has a life-limiting illness, you may have to decide whether or not to choose hospice care.  Hospice has been in existence for more than 40 years, yet, professionals in the field still see a need for basic information about hospice, advance care planning, care giving, and grief. Hospice care makes the last days of live better for all concerned. Because of his in-home hospice care, Poppa’s last days were spent surrounded by those who loved him, in his own home, right where he wanted to be.

Optum Palliative Care is supporting the non-profit 501 (c) 3 National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s, “Moments of Life” campaign.  “Moments of Life” educates the public about the choices we all have when facing a life-limiting illness, and how choosing hospice is not ‘giving up.’  The campaign presents the facts about hospice, advance care planning tips, understanding grief, and caregiver stress. The 30 second public service announcement video captures the vivid, emotionally powerful ‘moments’, showing what people who receive hospice care genuinely experience.
For more information about Hospice and Palliative Care, go to Moments of Life.org

Published in partnership with www.dogfencediy.com.

Most people love their pets just like members of the family, and would do anything to keep them safe from harm. If you own a dog, you know that they’re the most loving, loyal creatures. However, they’re also blissfully ignorant of the dangers in the outside world. You want your dog to be free to run and explore, but you also need to keep them on your property. If you’re considering what type of fencing to get for your yard, you have two main choices: traditional or electric. While there are benefits to both types, here are some of the reasons you might install an electric dog fence.

Keep Even the Most Stubborn Dogs Safe

When your primary motivation for installing a fence is to keep your dog safe, an electronic dog fence is a reliable choice. Unless your dog is younger than six-months-old, pregnant, or very sick, they can be trained to use an electric dog fence. Despite what some people think, electric fences will not encourage aggression or bad behavior. For the most difficult dogs, electric fences are often the best way to contain them.

Dogs that love to dig, like terriers, and dogs that love to hunt, like hounds, are particularly inclined to do well on electric fences. These types of dogs can be stubborn, and their determination can lead them to jump over, break through, and burrow under a traditional fence. Wired fences, on the other hand, will stop them from getting close enough to the perimeter of your yard to escape.

Aggressive dogs may also require an electric dog fence. For the most aggressive dogs, it’s best to combine an electric fence with a traditional fence. The extra layer of protection will stop your dog from escaping your yard when their adrenaline is pumping. For dogs that simply do not want to be contained, electric fences can be the solution you need.

Enclose Large or Uniquely Shaped Yards

For farms and ranches with lots of acreage, an underground dog fence is a practical choice. Traditional fences take a lot of preparation, time, and money to install around large yards; the earth must be evened and cleared, and you don’t save money by purchasing more fence sections. An underground dog fence is comparatively easy to install and inexpensive, because any amount of wire can be added to any containment system at little extra cost.

If your yard has a unique shape, it’s also easier to bend your wire than it is to create custom fence sections. A wireless dog fence can also be used to enclose circular perimeters. If you want to fence an oddly shaped perimeter, a wired fence offers much more flexibility than a traditional fence. It’s also much easier to change the shape or dimensions of an electric fence.

Save Money on Installation and Maintenance

Traditional fences can cost thousands of dollars. In contrast, a DIY electric dog fence can cost less than $300 total. If your budget is modest, an electric dog fence is the best choice. Usually, for such important purchases, you don’t want to go “cheap,” but a self-installed electric fence is very effective. In fact, it can be more reliable than a traditional fence, which is prone to damage.

An invisible fence is protected from the elements, severe weather, and accidental damage. In the long run, you’ll save even more money by not having to repair or replace any sections of the fence due to unforeseen circumstances. The only long-term costs associated with an electric fence are replacing e-collar batteries every year at most, and they aren’t expensive either.

Maintain Your Yard’s View and Accessibility

Finally, an electric dog fence won’t alter the architecture or landscaping of your property. If you have a great view from your yard that you don’t want to obscure, a wired dog fence will do the trick while still keeping your dog safe and contained. The aesthetics of your property won’t change. Sometimes, housing authorities prohibit fences, in which case a wired fence is a must.

If you want to be able to easily access other parts of your property, an electric dog fence won’t interfere with your movements, either. For example, if you want to restrict your dog to a certain area of your yard, you can do so without having to open (and remember to close) a gate in order for you to cross the boundary. An electric fence gives you great accessibility.

If you’re considering installing an electric dog fence on your property, be sure to explore all your options before choosing a system. The PetSafe YardMax is a great choice, for example, but other system may be necessary for specific situations, such as if you have more acres. No matter what you choose, your dog will be happy to have an open space to roam.

We encourage you to share your experiences with a variety of dog containment systems in the comments section. Commenters and those who share the post in social media qualify for a drawing of a $50 Amazon gift card! Use Giveaway Tools form to enter the giveaway

The installation of carpet is never easy nor cheap, and chances are you paid a pretty penny for the carpeting itself. So, it should go without saying that it’s in your best interest to do everything you can to protect your carpeting, since better protection means they’ll be longer-lasting. While you’ll certainly want to invest in regular professional cleanings from a company like Green Choice Carpet, there are easy at-home tips you can practice regularly in order to ensure your carpets are well-cared for:

Take your shoes off.

Shoes that are left on don’t just track dirt into the house – they also grind it into your carpeting; and that ground-in dirt acts like abrasive little bits of rocks and glass that will slowly but surely shred your carpet fibers, which leads to damage and premature aging and overall breakdown. Enforcing a strict, consistently-followed “No Shoes On The Carpet, Ever!” rule is one important step (pun intended) in pampering your carpets.

Vacuum regularly.

Make it a habit to vacuum at least once a week, or twice a week if you have children or pets – more than that if you have both, or if you live in an area where dust and allergens are a significant problem.

Do mini deep-cleanings

Invest in a small, portable steam-vac or upholstery vacuum that’ll make it easy for you to do deep cleanings on your carpeting — or at least the carpet in heavily-traveled areas such as entryways and hallways — at least twice per year.

Move the furniture.

If you have the urge to rearrange your living room furniture, here’s a great reason to go ahead and do so: heavy furniture shouldn’t be left to sit in the same spot for more than six to nine months; any longer than that and its weight can permanently break the carpet fibers beneath it.

Treat stains promptly.

Don’t put spills off until later, as time gives stains a chance to set and become a permanent part of your decor. Make sure you take care of spills promptly – gently blot to soak up liquids, and use cold water and gentle soaps to cleanse.

Many individuals swear by their high-end skincare products, while some think their local drugstore beauty products work just fine to do the trick. Some women love to splurge on new beauty products, and some don’t. What about you? What do you consider a reasonable amount to spend on skincare beauty?

You Get What You Pay For

The saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is usually true about everything, including skincare. However, it’s a fact that some people go overboard. Everyone has their own point of view and unique experience when it comes to shelling out money in order to look good. How much would you spend on a quality face moisturizer or toner?

The High Price of Looking Like a Million

The average woman spends more than $3251 per year on a variety of skincare products including make-up, face creams, and high-quality shampoos. They also spend a substantial amount of money on special treatments such as manicures, waxing, and haircuts along with more expensive products like rich eye creams and hair oil. This indicates that by the time women teach the age of 40 they will have spent a whopping$47,531 or more just to look their absolute best.

Obviously, these numbers can vary wildly depending on the city where you live, income, and available products. In bigger cities, women tend to spend more overall on their personal skincare regimen. Also, it’s likely that celebrity women pay a huge dollar amount to look as good as they apparently do.

While every person has their own unique skincare ritual, some individuals use the same products year after year and would never dream of trying out anything new. On the other hand, others will experiment until they’ve spent their last dollar regardless how much it costs. Many women like to go to the salon and spend a little extra on their skincare products simply because it makes them feel good – a bit of self-pampering has a way of boosting the mind, body, and spirit.

 

And yes, you’re worth it.

Make no mistake about it; blinds are one of the important features of your little one’s bedroom. In fact, as newborns and during the first year in general, we’d go as far as suggesting that they are absolutely crucial.

Their ability to block out light can never be underestimated and as any parent will tell you, any extra sleep we can buy is greatly appreciated. While no direct studies have ever been conducted between the effectiveness of blackout blinds and a baby’s sleeping patterns, the fact that a pitch black room has been found to improve our sleep quality in general suggests that they are hugely important components.

However, there does come a time where the blackout blind comes somewhat redundant. Once your little one reaches the toddler stage, things start to take a different turn. Now a routine has been established, sleeping patterns are difficult to break and one could argue that the blackout blind has run its course. So what’s next?

Some parents will not hesitate to keep them, just to continue the solid sleep patterns that they have now come accustomed to. Others might think differently though, as a whole set of other considerations start to enter the equation.

For example, durability and maintenance is a keen issue. Nearly all blackout blinds that we have found are finished in fabric and while it does its job perfectly, from a durability perspective it’s never going to win any awards. You only need to get a few sticky hands, or a bit of paint splashed on them, and your window treatment looks a mess. It’s here where you’ve got to consider a more practical solution, with wood and aluminum being the obvious choices. They are easy to wipe and if something does go wrong, or spill more specifically, a simple wipe of a cloth can keep your window intact.

Unfortunately, it might not be a simple switch for some parents. While wood and aluminum might be ideal from a maintenance perspective, they are far from it when it comes down to adding character. The day we see cartoon characters etched onto horizontal wood slats will be quite something in the blind industry as put simply, it’s something that’s just not possible because of their design. Therefore, in the midst of staying practical, you’ve got to ask just what color and character you wish to bring to your toddler’s room.

Of course, there are countless other perspectives to cover here. In some nurseries, the windows might be completely inaccessible which means that there’s no point in investing in a hardy material like aluminum, as sticky fingers aren’t going to come into contact with them anyway.

However, for some parents the conundrum will still exist and it’s here that a decision has to be made. Weighing up the pros of sticking with the renowned blackout blind, versus the drawbacks noted earlier through this article, is difficult. Nevertheless, with the pace that the blinds industry is currently moving, don’t be surprised if we one day see a product that satisfies every toddler factor. For now, you might have to decide whether it’s practicality or style you’re after.

I received product from Overstock.com

If you are a foodie or just someone who loves to cook, and likes to try new recipes and cooking methods, then you should see the new Farmer’s Market section at Overstock.com! They have so many choices for you to get for yourself, or for a friend or family member. From the Butcher Shop, to the Bakery, to preserves, sauces, seasoning, and so much more! It’s just too hard to decide what to get.

One of the features I like about the Overstock Farmer’s Market, is that I can enter my zip code and it will show me products that I can have delivered to me. No guessing if it is available in my area, I will know before I decide! You can also check out who their farmers, bakers, and cooks are with just a click.

I loved the Paella Gift Kit! It makes a great gift for a gourmet cook, or someone who wants to try their hand at new things. The kit includes a paella pan and these ingredients for an authentic Spanish Paella:

 

• Azafran-Oro Saffron from La Mancha (7.9 oz.): The La Mancha region of Spain is famous for its high quality saffron that is used to give flavor, aroma and color to many wonderful traditional dishes
• Valenciano Paella Rice by Matiz (0.028 oz.): Grown in the rich soils of the national protected L’Albufera Park of Valencia, this short-grain rice make the perfect ingredient for paella, arroz negro and risotto
• Paella Pan by Vaella (12.3 oz.): This authentic stainless steel paella pan with rubber handles is a must have for real Paella. (34 cm pan serves 4-5 people)
• Chorizo by Palacios (2.2 pounds): Palacios Chorizo does not contain any preservatives or artificial colors, just pork sausage cured with paprika and garlic. They use a traditional process, using a secret 30-year-old family recipe, creating a smoky, earthy, sweet, and tangy sausage
• Valenciano Paella Sofrito by Matiz (32 oz.): This hand-made sauce is your first step to an authentic paella

The Paella Gift Kit is still available at Overstock.com for $69.99. Go get yours today, or any one of hundreds of other choices for the cook. Oh, and did I tell you they have free shipping?