Things I’m Missing

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Things I’m Missing

Hello! Johnny and I have been living in a lock down style state since March 19th when the restaurants and bars in Ohio closed down. Since then, the only things I have left my apartment for other than work has been the grocery store, gas station, and my monthly nail appointment. And, on occasion, we might have a friend over for a drink through serious social distancing in my living room.

Despite being constantly surrounded at home by “entertainment” like the TV, streaming services, video games, books, and board games there are definitely some activities in the community that all of the America’s Next Top Model marathons in the world couldn’t replace. I eagerly await going to all of the following once it is safe to do so:

TJMaxx:

Lol, of course TJ’s was going to be the first on my list! You guys have no idea the amount of TJMaxx related memes that I have been sent by people who have genuinely been thinking of me during this pandemic for that reason alone! I miss going on my monthly shopping trips to TJMaxx with my mom more than anything but we have all been picking and choosing what we do very carefully. For example, my monthly “treat” outing is visiting the nail salon where I feel most comfortable. I know I wouldn’t feel safe in a store full of people so online shopping has been the move for months now.

But, trust and believe that as soon as I feel one hundred and fifty million percent okay, TJ’s will be the first place I visit. I have plenty of birthday gift cards burning a hole in my pocket and I intend on using them on a gigantic haul. It’s always nice to have something to look forward to, haha. 🙂

Restaurants/Bars:

It’s not like Johnny and I went out a ton pre-coronavirus but we would usually go to the bar or out to eat maybe once a week or so. These outings were the best last summer when we could have drinks on all of the outdoor patios in Kent. It was just such a nice way to spend an hour or two after work and I miss being able to unwind with our friends.

Most of all, however, I miss going to the bars where the band my boyfriend is in, The Outside Voices, would play. Going to their shows over the weekend was always something we really looked forward to and I know it has been so hard on him to not be doing anything musical. In fact, I think he misses performing just as much as I miss shopping at TJMaxx and that’s really saying something.

Guilt Free Hang Outs:

I have been able to Skype with and social distance hang out with a few of my friends on occasion. Of course, it’s always nice to see them whether that be on the laptop screen or at the opposite end of the room. But what I really miss is being able to hug them and interact more closely. For example, when Lea usually comes over we like to curl up on the couch and drink wine. Not so much anymore, lol.

I miss all of the little things that I never thought much of before. Big hugs goodbye, sitting on the same couch, or venturing out for random adventures – just for starters. A lot of thought goes into doing just about anything now and I miss the spontaneity that comes with guilt free hang outs with all of my besties.

What are the activities that you’re missing the most right now? Do you have a safe “treat” outing that you participate in? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Harry Potter Hang Out

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Harry Potter Hang Out

Hello! Sunday is normally my and Johnny’s lazy day where we indulge in a movie or TV marathon. It could be anything from binge watching the same show all day, experimenting with something new, or revisiting old favorites. For example, this past Sunday, Johnny and I had a Harry Potter marathon and watched The Chamber Of Secrets, The Prisoner Of Azkaban, and The Goblet Of Fire.

Of course, Johnny fell asleep immediately when we started Chamber Of Secrets and that gave me the opportunity to reflect on how much I friggen LOVE Harry Potter. All I can think about whenever watching the movies for the millionth time is how cool it was to essentially grow up with the cast. I also always reminisce on all of the fun my family had when we vacationed to Orlando, Florida and got to experience The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. (Take me back, PLEASE!)

It’s so special to think back to all of the Harry Potter midnight showings I’ve attended, reading the books for the first time, and then reading them one hundred times more. There is nothing better than immersing yourself in something magical when there is so much craziness going on in our world and Sunday felt like such a treat for that reason.

All of Sunday, I got to peek into the fantastic and mysterious wizarding world and it was a relief to “be” somewhere different for the day. Granted, I won’t be making anything levitate or be able to unlock my apartment door just by uttering a simple charm. But, my mind was occupied and totally entertained all day and that is the next best thing when you’re in quarantine!

What is your favorite book series? How about your favorite movie series? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Invest In Your Home – It Will Pay You Back!

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Invest In Your Home – It Will Pay You Back!

Our homes are our sanctuary from the world, the place where we make happy memories with friends and family. But more than that, they are also the single biggest financial asset that you’re likely to own in your life. Most of us would like to own a home to pass on to our children as an inheritance or to provide a pension pot and some security in retirement, as well as having a nice place to live. And that means taking care of those four walls and everything in between. Not only for your own safety and enjoyment, but to protect your investment and hopefully allow it to mature, so that if you do come to sell your home, you make a good return. Read on to find out more:

Repair Damage Swiftly:

It should go without saying, but you’d be surprised how many people are either slow to repair damage to their homes or even just don’t see how run down their property gets over the years through general wear and tear. The trouble is that when we don’t attend to minor problems quickly, they often have the potential to develop into far more complex and costly to repair issues over time.

If your home suffers something like subsidence or storm damage, then make it a priority to contact a specialist company such as https://www.hlrestoration.com/storm-restoration/ to tackle the damage and prevent it from getting worse over time. Even simple things such as keeping on top of routine repainting, jet washing patios and decking, and making sure the gutters are cleared out and flowing properly can make a huge difference over time.

Add In Some Bathrooms:

In modern times, the perception of a luxury residence and the standards that people want from their accommodation have changed a lot. So modern houses are generally always built with a small ensuite bathroom to each bedroom. If you live in an older property, then this may not be the case – frequently there are less bathrooms and perhaps only one bedroom with an ensuite shower room.

One way to really boost value and the perception of your home, as well as making it more pleasant and functional to live in yourself, is to add a bathroom or two! If you have the space, then taking a little from a large bedroom or even converting a storage closet or finding a little extra space out of a hallway can give you enough room to include a shower, sink, and compact toilet. This is something buyers actively look for that really can improve the value of your property.

Reconfigure The Layout:

Sometimes a lot can be achieved simply by reconfiguring the existing layout of your home. Improve the flow and visualize how the space could work for you. Creating a large open plan kitchen and living space can completely change the way you live. Removing walls is not a complicated job if they are stud walls, but even if they are load-bearing, the right contractor can reinforce with steel beams and remove them. This will cost a little more, but it could well be worth it for the open plan layout of your dreams and modernizing your home for a future sale.

Use the tips above to give your home a huge boost in its value!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Amazon Skin Care Haul

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Amazon Skin Care Haul

Hello! I live in Summit County in Ohio, which is one of the seven counties being mandated to wear masks anywhere you go now. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, I haven’t been “shopping shopping” in months – just groceries and an occasional trip to the nail salon. So, I’ve had to resort to Amazon for purchasing all of my skin care needs as opposed to making one of my monthly or bimonthly trips to TJMaxx.

Needless to say, I miss TJ’s more than anything. But, I am happy that I have been able to find the brands that I love on Amazon. I also purchased some sheet masks by Celavi because my boyfriend finally caved and said he’d wear one with me. GREAT SUCCESS! Lol, check it out:

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You guys already know how much I love the SkinLab moisturizers and Azure Lux serums so let’s talk face masks. I paid ten or so dollars for twelve sheet masks by Celavi and I considered it a steal. I never have this many face masks on my person at one time and it is going to be so nice to relax with them after a long day at work. Johnny finally participating in the Face Mask Festivities will just be an added bonus!

Online shopping certainly is not the same as making my rounds at TJMaxx but, in the meantime, it is the safest option. I plan on continuing to get my skin care through Amazon until I feel one hundred percent safe going “shopping shopping” again. Until then, you can catch me and Johnny chilling in our Celavi sheet masks all pandemic long. 😀

Are you online shopping more frequently now? Which actual store do you miss the most? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

How To More Adequately Prevent Property Damage

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How To More Adequately Prevent Property Damage

When you become a homeowner for the first time, you’ll feel a sense of true achievement. You should, because it is. That being said, now you open yourself up to many more responsibilities than you would when renting. It’s now your duty to care for the maintenance tasks of the property, and to do so with a sense of urgency to prevent them getting out of hand.

Issues will come your way, and they, more than likely, will have an effect on your property. It’s not about completely avoiding them outright, rather it’s more about learning what to do when these challenges do appear. For instance, nothing you can do will prevent a harsh blizzard from coming in during the winter, provided you live in an area where that happens. Yet you can apply a few preventative measures to stop the damage from becoming unnecessarily significant.

So, how can you more adequately prevent property damage? What efforts will ensure or even guarantee this outcome? We’ll explore that together, below:

Preparing For The Seasons:

The seasons can come hard and fast depending on where you live. For some, the intensity of summer requires real forethought, while for others, the intensity of winter can feel like entering another world entirely. In this latter example, purchasing a de-icer, ensuring that your pipes are routinely worked to avoid them freezing over or purchasing large quantities of grit for your sloped driveway can be important. It is a good idea to tend to issues like cracks or potholes on your driveway as they can worsen with the changing seasons. To find a professional team to take on the task, simply enter a search for “Asphalt contractor in Shelbyville, TN” (or your local area). Taking care of these driveway repairs now can save you from a bigger bill down the road. AC repair and ventilation adjustments can also help in the midst of summer. Prepare for the upcoming seasons and keep yourself safe and comfortable all year round.

Preventing Leaks:

Preventing leaks in your property is also very important, and, unfortunately, failing to do so will ultimately result in one. That sounds like an obvious statement, but you’d be amazed at just how many avenues leaks can find to provide you with a lovely, unwanted amount of property damage. Avoiding water damage in your home includes ensuring your roofing insulation is well applied, caring for your pipes, appropriately plumbing, and investing in shielding your home from the elements. With these efforts combined, you’re sure to come to the best possible solution.

If you are experiencing leaks, do not let is fester! It will cost even more and cause more damage the longer you wait to get it looked at by a professional. To find an expert, simply enter a search for “water damage restoration in Denver, CO” or your local area to get the space effected by the leak looking good as new.

Important DIY Skill Sets:

DIY skill sets can help you avoid contributing to property damage yourself. You’d be surprised at how commonly bodged jobs can cause issues from shoddy wiring to bad plumbing, and even shelves that haven’t been secured as strongly as they should have been. If you can take the time to learn and research before you begin and visit the hardware store to ensure you have the correct tools (such as using a level instead of simply going by eye), you’ll be in a better place. You can visit DIY forums to ask questions and pre-plan your approach to begin with. And in the case of some examples, like electrical work, it’s simply best to call in the professionals.

With this advice, we hope you can more adequately prevent property damage each day to keep your home strong and in tact all year.

Featured Image By: Pexels

A Cleaner Home For A Healthier You

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A Cleaner Home For A Healthier You

It’s no secret that most people want to maintain a clean home. No matter how hard you work on this side of your life, though, there won’t be much point if you’re not using the right tools, methods, and techniques to ensure that your place doesn’t just look clean, but is also hygienic. It’s easy to make something look good, but viruses like COVID-19 can’t be seen by the human eye, and they can last for a very long time on the surfaces and objects found within your home. Let’s take a look at some of the steps that can be taken to overcome an issue like this. This has been split into the rooms you use, making it easier to get started with the right methods in the right places:

The Kitchen:

Kitchens are spaces that have to be clean. With food preparation being the main purpose of a room like this, you could easily find you and your family members experiencing health issues if you’re not working hard enough to clean it. There are a number of key areas that need to be focused on when you’re going through this, and you can find each of them listed below. It’s always worth making sure that you use chemicals that are both safe near food but strong enough to kill hardy bacteria and viruses.

Surfaces & Cupboards:

The surfaces in your kitchen are designed to make it nice and easy to prepare your food, but you have to make sure that they’re cleaned before you use them. Anti-bacterial sprays are perfect for this, with companies like Detol offering options that can safely clean your worktops. The same effort can be applied to your cupboards, too.

Fridges & Freezers:

Any appliance that is used for storing food needs to be kept extremely clean. This makes it well worth disinfecting your fridge on a weekly basis to ensure that you don’t have anything growing unseen. Alongside this, you can find special air fresheners that can help to remove any unwanted odors from your food bearing appliances.

The Oven:

Much like your fridge and freezer, it also makes sense to clean your oven from time to time. It will be much harder for bacteria and viruses to live in a place like this, with the extreme heat killing most of them off. Of course, though, this doesn’t mean that your oven shouldn’t be given the right kind of treatment.

The Bathroom:

Much like the kitchen, bathrooms can be very sensitive rooms. You will perform a range of different tasks in a space like this, and many of them will involve processes that have to be sanitary. Of course, though, alongside performing hygiene tasks in a room like this, you will also be using your bathrooms to get rid of waste, creating a challenge for those who want to keep this room as clean as can be. You can find some of the most crucial cleaning jobs you’ll have to perform in this room below.

The Toilet:

The toilet is probably one of the most obvious cleaning jobs you have in your home. The waste that goes into this vessel is extremely unsanitary, and this means that you will need a strong chemical like bleach to make sure that it’s hygienic. You can wash the whole toilet with bleach, though it’s worth making sure that you rinse it off where the skin will be touching the toilet.

Sinks, Baths, & Showers:

Alongside your toilet, you will also have sinks, baths, and a shower to think about when you’re cleaning your bathroom. It’s always worth making sure that these areas are kept clean, but you don’t have to scrub them as often as you’ll be working on the toilet.

Toothbrushes & Other Sanitation Tools:

Your toothbrush is an item that you will always want to keep clean, and it may shock you to know that many people live with their toothbrush very close to their toilet. Bacteria and viruses can travel through the air, making it well worth keeping your toothbrush somewhere that keeps it out of the line of sight of your toilet.

Communal Spaces:

The areas you share with your family and other housemates can quite easily become very dirty without the right care and attention, and these spaces are some of the most likely to aid in the spread of sickness. This makes it well worth spending the right amount of time cleaning these spaces. You can find a list of the tools and techniques you should use for this below, giving you everything you need to get started with it. Of course, though, communal spaces can be very different from one another, and this means you may need to apply your own ideas.

Tables & Other Surfaces:

Shared tables and other surfaces can be a hotbed for bacteria and viruses. Much like the surfaces in your kitchen, you should be disinfecting these places whenever they’re going to be used for food. Doing this as part of your regular cleaning routine can also be a smart idea.

Shared Tools:

Remote controls, computer keyboards, and other shared tools are another area to consider when you’re making your home more hygienic. Using anti-bacterial wipes to clean these elements of your communal spaces can be an excellent way to keep them sanitary, with each person giving them a wipe down before the next person uses them.

Carpets & Rugs:

Fabrics are surprisingly good environments for many bacteria and viruses to grow in, with moisture and food easily getting trapped between fibers. Professional carpet cleaning can be a great way to turn this around, giving you the chance to deep clean this part of your home without having to use harsh liquid chemicals on them.

Soft Furniture:

Alongside carpets and rugs, it’s also worth thinking about your soft furniture. As these are also made using fabrics, you will have to be careful to make sure that you’re cleaning them properly when people from outside your home use them.

The Bedrooms:

Having somewhere to sleep is crucial to normal life, and most people will get this done in their bedroom. It’s easy to neglect hygiene in a room like this, with many people only spending a small portion of each day in their bedroom. Of course, though, it’s well worth putting some time into this to make sure that you’re not going to make yourself sick. Children’s rooms should always be given extra consideration as you go through this, with your little ones finding it very difficult to keep up with cleaning after themselves.

Tables & Other Surfaces:

The tables and surfaces in the bedrooms in your home can be easy to ignore. Most people will spend very little time in rooms like this, but this doesn’t mean that they will be free from bacteria and viruses. You don’t need to give this space as much attention as you give the other parts of your home, but it’s worth using disinfectant from time to time.

The Bed:

Your bed can also play a role in this. Issues like bed bugs can cause major health issues, and leaving your bed dirty for long periods can be a good way to encourage them to find your home. Changing your sheets on a regular basis can help with this, but it’s also worth spending time cleaning your bed’s frame, too.

The Walls & Floors:

The walls and floors in your bedroom should also be cleaned on a regular basis, with carpets being vacuumed, and hard floors being mopped. The walls can be trickier to clean, and it’s usually best to be proactive with this. Whenever a mess is made, you should be ready to start cleaning.

This extra busy work will all be worth it. Keeping your home clean will make you feel better in day to day life, while also limiting the chances that you or your family members will get sick when they are at home. With issues like COVID-19 causing so many problems around the world, this sort of action could end up being essential in the future.

Thankfully, though, this article should give you everything you need to start making a difference, even if you absolutely hate cleaning. If you’d prefer to give this sort of work to someone else, there are plenty of cleaning companies out there that will happily do the job of cleaning your place. Though it’s always worth keeping in mind that this can end up costing quite a bit of money!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Lil Red’s Book Club: Christina McDonald’s Behind Every Lie Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Christina McDonald’s Behind Every Lie Edition

Hello! For a while, I was really into reading the thriller/mystery books with an unstable narrator. I loved the plot twists and the grand reveals and all of the pieces finally coming together that seemed so disjointed throughout the book. Then, after a while, I became bored with the premise of another alcoholic or sleep deprived young woman being accused of murder.

Then, Christina McDonald said “hold my beer” and asked “what if the girl was struck by lightning?”. Lol, without giving any spoilers away, this is Behind Every Lie:

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Behind Every Lie is a back and forth thriller that alternates between Eva Hansen and her mother, Kat, every few chapters or so. However, all of Kat’s speaking will be in the past tense because her murder is what our unstable narrator, Eva, is being accused of when she wakes in the hospital after being struck by lightning. The catch? Eva can’t remember a damn thing.

Eva is an artist who lives under a cloud of insecurities and stays under the protective wing of her boyfriend, Liam. Already unstable from past trauma and tensions running high since the lightning strike, Eva’s world as she knows it takes a drastic turn when she realizes not everyone is who she thinks she is… Even herself.

So who is Eva? And who murdered her mom? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

For the most part, I really enjoyed Behind Every Lie. I haven’t read an unstable narrator novel in a while and the premise of this one was so different that I went for it. I’m not going to lie, I loved the story line – especially because I guessed what happened before it was revealed in the book and who doesn’t love that? 😀

However, the characters were not the most likeable and I had a hard time caring about any of them. They were all so closed off in their own ways that it was difficult to form a connection to them until the last few pages when the grand reveal was… revealed. Not to say that it wasn’t worth the read because it was for the story line alone. The characters are just not the ones you are going to remember vividly a year after reading this.

Overall, I did like this book and would definitely read something else by Christina McDonald. I rate Behind Every Lie with six and a half out of ten stars for a unique take on an unstable narrator and an unputdownable plot. Not bad. Not bad, at all.

What have you been reading recently? What is your favorite genre to read? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

At Home Concerts

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At Home Concerts

Hello! For those of you who don’t know, my “big girl job” is as an independent provider for people with special needs. I specialize in community integration and the development of daily living skills and have been an “essential” employee throughout the coronavirus pandemic. So, you can imagine how hard it is to do my job of getting my clients out and about in the community when there is a contagious virus and many of them are high risk.

My job has now been limited to the homes of my clients and that is A-okay because it’s what is best for them, their families, and myself. But, that’s not to say it hasn’t been easy, especially when cabin fever is kicking in for everyone. I am constantly trying to come up with fun ways to keep my clients entertained at home to combat the boredom blues and was particularly pleased with my brain blast last week.

My most senior client who I am with the most often during the week LOVES the golden oldies and always tells me about when he saw The Beach Boys and Sha Na Na in concert. After his recollection last week, he asked when we can see those bands live together. I told him as soon as it was safe, as always, and then I realized we kind of could see them in concert.

I told him I had an idea and pulled YouTube up on his TV. Then, I found some live footage of Sha Na Na performing as well as plenty of full length Beach Boys concerts. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw his favorites performing right in front of him again. In fact, he was so elated that he told me to bring his brother up so he could see how much fun he was having. 🙂

My friend and I plan on having weekly “concerts” at home, compliments of YouTube. We have The Beach Boys on deck and who knows what will be next! It was amazing to see him so excited about something and, sometimes, the most fun things can happen right at home. ❤

Which bands have you seen in concert? Who would you love to see perform live? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

How To Consistently Meet Your Health Goals

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How To Consistently Meet Your Health Goals

If you’ve had problems meeting your health goals and you feel like it’s a hopeless task, there are some things you need to get right. The wrong approach to your health goals will mean you experience nothing but sustained failure. A few changes will help you to consistently meet your health goals over the long-term, no matter how much you’ve struggled in the past. Read on to find out more and then start putting what you learn into action:

First of all, you need to think about what your health goals actually are and how you might go about setting them. If your goals aren’t realistic, you’ll keep falling short and that will lead to a spiral of disappointment. What it all comes down to is settings goals that are within your reach and not set your sights too high. That doesn’t mean they can’t be challenging, however!

It’s important that you try not to overwhelm yourself when you’re working towards health and fitness goals. Approaching one day at a time will help you to break down the challenge and get closer to reaching it in small steps. Those smaller steps will be much more digestible than the overall long-term goals you’re working towards, so keep that in mind.

Whatever existing health problems you might have, it’s important to approach those problems in a range of ways. If you try different treatment options you’ll find the one that works for you much sooner. Things like Functional Medicine and other alternative options might provide you with benefits as well as regular mainstream treatments. It’s up to you to explore the options out there and find the right way forward for you. It is helpful to get recommendations from friends or online forums for the different facilities you are considering. Whether you are trying a holistic approach with https://hwofc.com/services/ or searching for a new therapist, you will want them to be well reviewed by happy patients.

Of course, it is also important to discuss any treatment options with your doctor before committing. This could be exploring different medications or seeking referrals for a practitioner like Dr Paul Crowe who treats issues like vascular or prostate disease. Regular appointments with your general practitioner can help pinpoint problems before they get worse so be sure to be punctual. The earlier medical issues are found, all the better.

There’s no need to go at it alone when you’re trying to get in shape or improve your health. Health professionals as well as personal trainers can help you get to where you want to be. You can get help and support from friends and work out together. Having that extra person working out alongside you can really spur you on and provide you with the motivation that you need.

One thing that many people get wrong is thinking that there’s a disconnect between physical and mental health, but that’s not the case. You should remember that these things go hand in hand. When you get one right, it’ll help the other. So when you’re trying to reach your health goals, you should also try to make sure that you pay attention to your mental health too.

Consistency and commitment are key when you’re attempting to reach your health goals month after month and year after year. The tips and ideas we’ve discussed above will help you to get this right and ensure your health comes first, which is the way it should be.

Featured Image By:  Pixabay

Still Need Something To Do?

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Still Need Something To Do?

Hello! If quarantine has been giving you nothing but the boredom blues as of late, then it sounds like you need an activity ASAP. We’re not just talking about the basics of reading, gardening, and baking… We’re talking guest blogging. If you would like to be a featured writer on lifewithlilred for the day to my readers in over one hundred and ninety countries, then shoot me an email at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com

Join my Quarantine Team and spend an afternoon doing something different! Who knows, it might just light a creative spark to keep you inspired as the coronavirus pandemic continues on. Send me an email with a few post ideas that you had in mind and we’ll get you on your way to becoming part of the lifewithlilred family in no time! ❤