May13

5 Things They Don’t Tell New Dog Owners

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5 Things They Don’t Tell New Dog Owners

If you have your heart set on having a new canine companion in your life, no one will blame you. According to a recent survey, over 63 million people own at least one pet dog in the United States. Dogs are loyal, loving, and offer owners companionship and happiness.

You’re likely reading this because you’ve never owned a pet dog before, although you may have had a dog in the family when you were growing up, or perhaps you spend a lot of time with friends that have dogs themselves. There are some things that existing dog owners never tell people that are considering getting their first pet dog. It’s not necessarily that they’re deliberately withholding the information; it’s more they assume those people might already know this stuff:

1. Some Dogs Bark a Lot

It’s no secret that dogs have unique and individual personalities in addition to the traits of their breeds. With that in mind, it’s worth knowing that some dogs bark a lot whereas others seldom utter any noise! If you’re planning to get a smaller dog, it might be worth getting the best bark collar for small dogs to help keep noise levels down, especially if you need to leave your new canine friend alone at home sometimes.

2. Some Breeds Have Known Health Problems

You could be lucky and end up with a dog that seldom has any health issues during its time with you. Or, you might end up with a canine companion that spends much of their time at the vets. The fact is, some dog breeds are genetically predisposed to certain medical conditions. For example, greyhounds are well known for having dental problems, and others like dachshunds might have heart conditions. Keep this in mind when looking at purebred dogs.

3. Dog Toys Don’t Last Long

One thing you want to do is ensure that your dog is happy and has plenty of mental stimulation, so you’ll likely buy your new pet some toys to play with and chew. If you thought those toys would last a long time, think again! Dog toys aren’t indestructible, and if you end up with a pet that loves chewing everything all the time, you’ll need to buy new toys for them regularly.

4. Dogs Can Get Jealous and Protective

While some dog breeds are known for having a laid-back attitude, it’s typically the luck of the draw whether you end up with a chill dog or one that gets jealous and protective over you – especially if you are female. If jealousy and over-protectiveness become a big problem in your house, especially when you’ve got a family in tow, you could try engaging the services of a dog behaviorist to help you and your pet.

5. Dogs Can Be Fussy About Their Food

Lastly, don’t assume you can feed your dog any brand of dog food. Like humans, dogs have preferences over the food they consume, and if you give them something to eat they don’t like, they’ll end up being very hungry! Fortunately, it’s relatively straightforward to work out what your dog likes and dislikes at dinnertime.

Getting a pet dog is a huge commitment so do your research well and remember the above when making your choice!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May13

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Night Swim By Megan Goldin Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Night Swim By Megan Goldin Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Today we will be discussing a true crime thriller called The Night Swim by Megan Goldin – without giving any spoilers away, of course. It took me a while to get started on reading this book because these past few weeks have been super busy for yours truly. However, once I finally cracked it open I devoured it in less than one week and it was excellent. In fact, it has easily been one of the best books that I’ve read in a good long while.

Before proceeding with the review of The Night Swim, I will be placing a trigger warning on this book as the true crime aspects include rape and murder. Here we go:

Rachel Krall is the creator of the hugely popular true crime podcast called Guilty or Not Guilty. Love her or hate her, she is a household name who reached overnight celebrity status when she uncovered new information that lead to a man falsely convicted of murder to get out of jail in one of her seasons. Between investigating, writing, and recording for her podcast, Rachel is an extremely busy woman and is in crunch mode because the highly anticipated third season of Guilty or Not Guilty is about to begin.

While previous seasons of her podcast reviewed crimes and trials that had already happened, season three will be completely different as Rachel will be reporting in real time at the trial of Scott Blair – a teenage swimming champion accused of rape. Rachel travels to the sleepy, small town called Neapolis in coastal North Carolina, which is already incredibly divided about the case before the trial has even began.

Before reaching town, Rachel stops at a roadside diner for some caffeine and returns to her car to find a letter tucked under her windshield. Despite Rachel’s celebrity status, she has maintained anonymity and her fans don’t know what she looks like, making this delivery alarming. Even more shocking, however, are the contents of the letter from a fan named Hannah who grew up in Neapolis.

Hannah explains that she believes her older sister, Jenny, was murdered twenty-five years ago and wants Rachel’s help to uncover the truth. As previously mentioned, Rachel is a busy woman and her time in Neapolis is spent between investigating a current rape trial and a cold case from a quarter of a century ago. Will her skill and instinct lead her to new information to give closure to Hannah? What will be the outcome of season three of Guilty or Not Guilty? Read The Night Swim to find out!

Despite downright disturbing subject matter, The Night Swim was a captivating read and it really felt like I was investigating the cases right along with Rachel. The book went back and forth each chapter between Rachel’s detective work, letters from Hannah, transcripts from her podcast, and a play by play of the rape trial. It made The Night Swim completely unputdownable because it felt like I was Rachel’s partner and I was urgent for more information to try and solve the cases. While I didn’t get the grand reveal right, I was damn close and was pleased with how much I was able to piece together.

What I enjoyed the most about The Night Swim was how seamlessly it weaved together the past and present cases that Rachel was investigating. In Neapolis, everyone knows everyone and having information from twenty-five years past about current characters provided insight that you rarely get in psychological thrillers. And, of course, Rachel was an amazing heroine who you will find yourself rooting for the entire book.

If the subject matter of The Night Swim isn’t triggering for you, then I cannot recommend this book enough. To further confirm this, I will be awarding it with the prestigious ten out of ten star rating. I have never read a book like this before and I honestly wouldn’t mind reading it again. Megan Goldin is definitely an author to look out for!

What are you reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

May12

4 Best Dog Breeds For Families With Kids

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4 Best Dog Breeds For Families With Kids

While one breed of dog can never be considered the ‘best’ breed around, some are more suited to different situations than others. For example, if you wanted a security dog, you’d likely opt for an Alsatian over a Chihuahua! The same sort of logic applies to families that are looking for a pet dog. If you have children, you need dogs that respond well to these small humans. So, here are some of the top dog breeds for families with kids:

Labrador Retriever:

You can’t go wrong with a Labrador, and it is arguably the most popular family dog of all time. They’re playful, loving, and extremely loyal. Plus, they train really well and are extremely intelligent. The only thing to be wary of is that Labradors require a lot of exercise. So, keep that in mind if you’re welcoming one into your home. They grow to be large dogs, but not overly large to intimidate your kids. Honestly, they’re pretty much the perfect family dog.

Beagle:

Beagles have been in families for generations, and for a few good reasons. First, they’re a relatively small dog, so any intimidation is taken out of the equation right away. They’re also always up for some fun and love the outdoors, making them perfect for kids who like to go out and play all day long. Beagles are also one of the happiest and friendliest dogs around, getting along well with other breeds. Not only that, but they also get along with other pets, so they could be a great option if you have a cat in the home as well.

Too cute!

French Bulldog:

The French Bulldog is another small dog that’s suited to families with children. They’re one of the best around for families that live in the city and don’t have much backyard space. Frenchies are so easy to maintain and don’t require lots of daily walks at all. Plus, they’re one of the most accessorized dogs out there! You can find loads of Frenchie apparel online, letting you kit out your pup in many different safe items of clothing. Frenchies are also very playful and friendly, so they suit kids to a tee.

Pexels Image

Rough Collie:

A breed that was made famous by the movie Lassie, the Rough Collie is an excellent family dog. They are loyal to a fault and get on so well with kids. Honestly, in terms of dog-child relationships, the Rough Collie is probably the most kid-friendly dog out there. Again, they’re not too hard to handle, and their intelligence means they are one of the easiest dogs to train. A Rough Collie is typically seen as a medium-sized dog, so they won’t grow to be too hard to handle!

Smile!

Don’t worry if your favorite dog breed hasn’t made this list! There are loads of other breeds that can be suitable for families with children, these are just the top four to consider. If you don’t mind what type of dog you get, perhaps opting for one of these will make your life easier.

Featured Image By: Pexels

May12

Nothing To Smile About! The Risks Of Poor Oral Hygiene

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Nothing To Smile About! The Risks Of Poor Oral Hygiene

When we are looking to optimize our health with the right practices, we may not necessarily give as much attention to our oral health as we should. While we all know the importance of flossing and brushing our teeth, the reality is that if we do not look after our teeth properly, it could set us up for more problems down the line. If we have poor oral health, we will experience toothache, bleeding gums, and bad breath, but if we neglect our oral health, we could end up with one or more of the following conditions:

Cardiovascular Disease:

If the gums are inflamed, the risk of bacteria getting into the bloodstream increases. There are many reasons that your teeth could allow bacteria into the bloodstream, even if you brush them properly. Misaligned teeth may hide a number of germs that you are not able to access. Furthermore, wisdom teeth that hide underneath the gum could also harbor bacteria. In order to prevent any form of the disease, cardiovascular or gum, proper oral hygiene is crucial. A winning combination of regular trips to the dentist, while also aligning your teeth with products like Invisalign or braces make sure that any hidden debris that is hard to access is greatly minimized.

Respiratory Infections:

Surprisingly, poor oral health can result in issues in the respiratory system. This is because any bacteria that stays in the mouth from infected teeth or swollen gums could be breathed into the lungs or travel to the lungs through the bloodstream. Bacteria in the lungs could cause breathing issues such as respiratory infections, COPD, and bronchitis.

Kidney Disease:

Chronic kidney disease can cause havoc with blood pressure and affect the bones and heart. People with gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can have weaker immune systems, which give them a higher likelihood of getting infections. People can potentially experience kidney disease if they suffer from poor oral health.

Diabetes:

While diabetics are more susceptible to infections, such as infected gums, it can work the other way. Periodontal disease can make diabetes more difficult to keep under control. People with diabetes have fluctuating blood sugar levels, which can be a direct cause of gum disease. Gum disease can cause higher than normal blood sugar levels, therefore, a person with poor oral health is at a higher risk of getting diabetes. However, this can be mitigated by having a healthy diet.

There’s a lot of risks associated with poor oral hygiene, including rheumatoid arthritis and even cancer. The best way to prevent any serious issues resulting from bad oral health is to practice good oral hygiene. It is all about simple things, including brushing the teeth for at least two minutes twice a day, avoiding tobacco products, as well as flossing. Healthy gums are, in many ways, a window to your general health. While it’s important to maintain good health practices, we also need to be aware of the risks of poor oral hygiene too.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May12

What Have We Been Up To?

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What Have We Been Up To?

Hello! When we’re not making preparations for our wedding, Johnny and I have been enjoying lots of new games and TV shows in our downtime. Once we are both home from work and dinner is made, we like to spend our evenings with video games or laughing hysterically to old and new favorite shows. We’ve been super into the following:

Stupid Deaths:

Johnny and I purchased the party game Stupid Deaths on one of our date days and I finally had the chance to play it with a lot of people when my brother and his family visited from Georgia. It was so much fun and super easy. The point of the game is to vote on if a unique death read from a card actually happened or not and to avoid the Grim Reaper on the board. Stupid Deaths was a hit with my whole family and, despite Johnny and I being downright awful at it, it was a blast and is sure to be a hit for your next game night. I want to buy Stupid Criminals next!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe:

Johnny recently purchased Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Switch and it quickly became our new favorite video game to play together. The race tracks are awesome, the character and car selection is massive, and the battle games are a hoot too! I consider myself to be highly proficient at Mario Kart 64 and Double Dash but Johnny gives me a run for my money every time we play Deluxe. It’s fun to get competitive and the first time we played it, we raced for four hours straight without even realizing it. Time flies when you’re having fun. 😀

The Promised Neverland:

While I am still looking forward to seeing the Demon Slayer movie in theaters, my attention has turned to a new anime as per my brother’s suggestion called The Promised Neverland. I just started season two and it is EXCELLENT. I can’t say much about it without giving the major surprise of the first episode away but it is a dark, fast paced show that is both gorgeous and exciting to watch. I have never seen anything like it and I just adore the kids whom the show revolves around. I have to laugh because, for the most part, I can’t stand child actors but anime children are just fine by me lol!

Schitt’s Creek:

My brother, Peter, and his wife, Megan, highly recommend Schitt’s Creek when they visited so Johnny and I decided to give it a try and I am so glad we did. It is absolutely hilarious and we were in stitches minutes into the first episode. We have only watched three episodes so far and I am itching for more. Eugene Levy and his son Daniel as well as the incomparable Catherine O’Hara are a match made in comedy heaven and it’s a trip to watch an uber rich family gone broke try to make it in the not so glamorous real world.

Ever since Daniel Levy’s amazing Saturday Night Live debut, Johnny and I have been interested in watching Schitt’s Creek. Peter and Megan’s recommendation was just the push we needed to begin watching what I have a feeling will be our new favorite comedy.

What have you been watching recently? How do you like to spend your evenings? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May11

Summertime Q & A

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Summertime Q & A

Hi! In Akron, Ohio it has been nonstop rain day after day and I am so over it! The grey, chilly days have left me yearning for summertime weather and fun – especially after my family enjoyed a beautiful preview of what could be when we all went to the zoo together two weekends ago. To put myself into a sunny state of mind as the rain pours down on my apartment skylight, I decided to do a little summertime Q & A so let’s get to it:

What is your ideal weather in the summer? Although I am really looking forward to summertime, I absolutely hate super hot weather. In Lil Red’s perfect world, it would be seventy or so degrees and sunny all season long with a couple of eighty degree days peppered in for swimming.

What are you most looking forward to this summer? My wedding, of course! And Johnny and I share June birthdays exactly one week apart from each other so it’s fun to have combined celebrations for our big days. While there are, obviously, major events that I am looking forward to, I also can’t wait to be more active in the community again now that Johnny and I are both fully vaccinated. His band will begin playing their first outdoor shows in well over a year, which is so exciting!

Where is your dream summer vacation destination? As mentioned before, really hot weather is not my bag at all so a location where it’s a bit cooler would be ideal for me. I would skip the sandy beaches and head for New England. I loved the mild temperatures and the scenic terrain when my family visited Vermont and New Hampshire in my youth.

You won a contest to select three headliners for a music festival. Who are you picking? Well, my whole family was supposed to see the Rolling Stones last year so they would definitely be on the list so Johnny could finally see them live. Then, I would pick Cardi B to keep the party going followed by AFI so we could all have a good cry afterwards.

Do you have a summertime wardrobe staple? Can we all just agree that shaving our legs constantly is such a hassle? Lol, that’s why I love maxi skirts and dresses during the warm weather! They are cute, cool, and cover up my legs when I am too lazy to shave. 😀

Favorite warm weather outdoor activities? Let’s see, I enjoy going for hikes. I like farmers markets and outdoor shopping centers. Zoos and swimming are also always fun. One of the things I love the best during the warm weather is playing outside with my niece with bubbles and sidewalk chalk. There are also a lot of wonderful parks in my area for her to explore too!

Favorite summer memory? One of the best family vacations that we ever took was, easily, Universal Studios in Florida and I often think back to that trip and how much fun we had. I would love to go back!!

How would you answer any of the above questions? Do you have any exciting plans this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May10

Smile!

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Smile!

Hi!! Johnny and I have a lot to smile about and I am so excited for all of our upcoming adventures. We recently got fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine and are looking forward to a much more active summer than last year! We also recently got engaged and have really been enjoying planning our nuptials. Our wedding will be short, sweet, and small so the ceremony didn’t need much thought but our outfits most definitely did! We have even begun making plans for our honeymoon, hopefully, next year. 😀

Getting vaccinated has lifted our cloud of constant anxiety significantly and while we will always err on the side of caution, it has felt so good to do things we never would have considered at the start of the pandemic. For example, when my brother and his family came to visit from Georgia, we all went to the zoo and ate at a restaurant. That was mine and Johnny’s first big outing since March nineteenth of last year and it was a blast. Spending time in public with my whole family is what I have been waiting for for so long and not experiencing crippling fear the whole time was the cherry on top!

Returning to some semblance of normal has felt like coming home after a long vacation. What never will be normal, however, is my fiance’s process when it comes to taking selfies with me! Lol, I swear getting a regular, smiling picture with Johnny can be like pulling teeth but it always makes me laugh until we snap just the right pic:

^^^ He loves me! 😀

Every day with Johnny is the best day and I feel so thankful for all of the wonderful things we have to smile about. ❤

What are you looking forward to this summer? What can always make you smile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May9

Is It Worth It? Let Me Work Out Pt. 2

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Is It Worth It? Let Me Work Out Pt. 2

Hi! Last month, I posted about how I began doing a small daily work out to strengthen my upper body and thought I would do a follow up on my gains. When it comes to upper body strength, let’s just say that it would qualify under “needs improvement” my entire life because I have little to none, lol. This was further exasperated by the nerve damage in my arms from a car accident that Johnny and I were in in September of 2019 which left me hospitalized with an injury to my cervical spine.

I have never been overly concerned with working out as I mentioned in my original post and I’m not sure what inspired me to start but I am glad that I did. In April, I began doing twenty-five push ups and arm circles every day. At first, the push ups were a bit much but I am proud to say that I can now do fifty in a row! I doubled where I started from and I feel awesome about that.

While I can’t say that I notice any physical differences in my upper body, my arms feel stronger. On a normal work day, my arms are completely aching by the time I go to bed because of the nerve damage. It can be incredibly painful and on a day when I am typing a lot, my arms are sometimes out of commission by the afternoon. Since starting my daily work out, I have noticed that the nerve pain in my arms has gone down considerably and I am really thankful for that. I also feel like I have so much more energy in the evening now because I am not struggling through intense pain to complete any tasks.

After Johnny and I got our second COVID vaccine, we were both hit hard by the side effects and I took a break from my work outs as I recovered. However, trust and believe that as soon as I felt better, I began my routine again. I am looking forward to seeing and feeling more gains in my upper body strength and I am proud of what I have accomplished already! 😀

What are some good upper body work outs? What is your favorite form of exercise? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May8

The Tiniest T-Shirt

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The Tiniest T-Shirt

Hello! Johnny and I had SO much fun online shopping for our wedding outfits and we cannot wait for our big day! Of course, our shopping wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t find a rock n’ roll inspired outfit for our niece and little flower girl, Valerie, and her TT went all out for it. Thanks to the Etsy shop, Pinehart, I was able to order her the tiniest Rolling Stones T-shirt which I was having a lot of difficulty finding. The Rolling Stones is Johnny’s favorite band and we had to have Miss Val represent! Check it out:

^^^ Is that not the cutest thing you’ve seen in your life?!

Pinehart had an amazing selection of shirts and patterns to pick from in sizes ranging from infants all the way up to men’s and women’s. In fact, Johnny is so jealous of his niece’s new shirt that I’m going to have to order one for him too! I was highly impressed with the quality of this little T-shirt as the material is thick and sturdy and I have no fear of the logo peeling off, either. It is printed on there so well and that was a concern of mine because we all have had an experience where a logo on a shirt seems to be crackly or flimsy enough that you could just take it off yourself.

I paid under twenty dollars for this tiny top and I considered it such a steal. Pinehart even sent me a coupon for ten percent off all of my future purchases which is so generous and much appreciated because I plan on being a repeat customer so Johnny can get another Rolling Stones T-shirt to add to his massive collection. I swear, he could wear a different Rolling Stones T every day of the week!

Prior to being engaged, I have never really shopped on Etsy before and have now made several purchases through the site. I have been blown away by the quality, prices, and fast shipping of all of my orders and am looking forward to finding even more favorite Etsy shops in the future. 😀

What is your favorite Etsy shop? If you have an Etsy shop, feel free to leave your link in the comments too. I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May7

Instant Transformations To Any Room

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Instant Transformations To Any Room

The COVID-19 pandemic has been long and incredibly difficult and I am sure we are all SO sick of our houses by now! If this sounds like you, then it’s time to shake things up in your home to get it feeling like new again so you can better enjoy your space. From big projects to small, the following suggestions will add an instant transformation to any room. Let’s get started:

Update Your Flooring:

Threadbare carpets and old linoleum flooring that never looks clean no matter how many times you Swiffer have got to go. Think modern and sleek with interesting tile floors in the kitchen or bathroom while opting for grander options in the living room like oak hardwood floors. Cozy up the space with plush rugs and blankets for the perfect rustic chic motif. Sometimes, the best place to start when transforming a room is from the ground up!

Let The Light In:

If a lack of sunlight in your home office is making it feel like five PM at one in the afternoon, then your productivity is sure to suffer. How about having some large windows installed? Not only will the natural lighting instantly transform the space but it will make your home office the best in the business – especially if you were working in a cubicle pre-pandemic! The sunlight pouring in will eliminate cozy home office vibes to a more work appropriate space and it might just be the cure for that mid afternoon slump.

Make A Statement:

A surefire way to transform any space is with a new piece of statement furniture. A great place to start would be with the couch because I am sure we can all agree that it has gotten an ample amount of use in the past year and change! Shop for sales or explore secondhand stores to find that special piece that you didn’t know you needed. If your home is feeling blah but you can’t pinpoint why, a few new pieces of furniture should quickly solve that problem.

Clear Some Space:

The new hobbies we began during the pandemic deserve an appropriate space to be practiced in. Once you are done with an overall decluttering of your home, target a specific area to turn into your new painting studio or writing nook. Having a special space to continue perfecting your new craft will help shake the boredom blues and will, surely, become your favorite place in the house because it is just for you. Home gyms or game rooms are another good option to turn a space into something brand new.

We all deserve a little home makeover after living through a global pandemic and the ideas above will instantly transform any space!