Tag Archives: anything and everything

Jul27

How To Make Rural Life Easier

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How To Make Rural Life Easier

Living in a rural area is never an easy task, especially if you don’t have much experience with being far away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Fortunately, figuring out how to thrive despite leading a rural lifestyle doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might imagine. This guide contains some of the most effective ideas that you can make the most of today so you can start to thrive in no time:

Have Home Experts On Speed Dial:

It is so important to have a range of experts on speed dial so you can call a professional if you find yourself in a tricky situation. For example, a number of rural homes which are not directly linked to utility services have their own septic tank, meaning you should certainly add an emergency septic company service to your contact list.

To add to this, you’ll also likely benefit from sourcing a trusted plumber, as well as a registered electrician. Making the mistake of not building relationships with such people could leave you in a terrible situation without access to electricity or hot water, or even stop you from using your toilet. Always take the time to read reviews beforehand so that you can locate the most trustworthy and reputable providers, as you need to be able to put your faith in whoever you call.

Always Stock Up:

When you’re far away from the grocery store, it’s always best to stock up rather than being left without the ingredients or items that you need. There are bound to be many items that you can stock up on to begin your journey to a constantly full pantry, starting off with dried foods. It’s likely that you and your family will eat things like pasta or rice at least once a week, so you can purchase these items in bulk to ensure you have enough for the next few months!

Dried foods generally have a really long shelf life and can be left in storage for many months or even years without degrading in any way. Canned foods are great to stock up on too, as canned tomatoes, beans, vegetables and more can also stand the test of time without going off very easily. When you can stock up properly, cooking becomes an easy task that you can genuinely enjoy, rather than a chore that leaves you worrying about your next restock.

Success in a rural setting means lots of planning ahead and having trustworthy people to help you when you’re in a bind. Use these tips to get started today!

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Jul19

3 Ways To Upgrade Your Life

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3 Ways To Upgrade Your Life

Sometimes you just know that you are in need of a change, even if it is not immediately obvious what the nature of that change should be. If that is the position that you are in right now, then there are a lot of potential things you might want to think about, changes which might be necessary for you to make in your life. In this post, we will take a look at some of the biggest kinds of upgrades that people commonly consider:

Move House:

First of all, you might want to consider moving home. This can often act as a very significant change to your life, and if you do it right it could be exactly the upgrade that you are hoping for. Moving home is a great way to make a big change in your life, especially if you also make a point of moving to a completely different area or even a different country. There is a reason that they say it’s one of the biggest life events you will ever go through, after all. If you want a big change, consider moving house at some point in the near future, and setting up a new life somewhere. It could be in a different country, the East Gate subdivision, or even one city over. It’s amazing how much of a difference this can make to your life, and how much it can help in general.

Of course, it is no secret that moving house can be stressful. This is why you will want to plan to the letter and have the help you need scheduled and ready to go. For example, HireFleet are experts at van hire to rent a vehicle for moving boxes and furniture should you opt to not use a moving team. Just be sure to enlist the help of friends and family too for the heavy lifting!

Remodel Your House:

Of course, you don’t always have to move home to get the feeling of being in a new home. You might want to simply remodel or use construction services to create an addition to the house that you currently have. This can be beneficial in a number of ways, including the fact that it can make you feel like you are experiencing a fresh start without having to actually move. Remodeling your house is a huge undertaking and one which you are going to need to have the right help for. Getting a home remodel by Distinctive Homes, for instance, will ensure that it is professional and that it’s working out as it should, so that’s something that you should think about while you plan.

Change Careers:

Are you stuck in a career that isn’t really suited to you? When you are in this position, it can be a very tough place to be, and you might find yourself feeling that it would be better to simply change careers. This is an option that you always have available to you, so it’s worth thinking about whether you want to do that. Changing careers in this way can help you to feel a fresh start, and that can mean that your life suddenly has a lot more meaning again.

Whether you take big steps like the ones above or small, we should always strive to continue upgrading our lives!

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Jul13

Yikes! A Summary Of A Terrible 9 Days

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Yikes! A Summary Of A Terrible 9 Days

Hello! This past week and change has been an absolute doozy and I sure hope that it has been much better for all of you. Two car accidents (Both not my fault), an injured toe, and spilled leftovers from dinner all over the porch of my apartment made for a very upset Lil Red. After this ordeal, fingers crossed that it’s sunshine and rainbows from here on out because your girl needs it!

It all started two Tuesdays ago when my beloved car got a major ouchie from a HUGE window cleaning van. While driving to work, my car got hit by someone not paying attention in the slightest when he was trying to change lanes. The Little Red Love Machine got hit smack dab in the middle and has been out of commission since then. I miss my car terribly and I cannot wait for the repairs to get done so she can be back in my loving arms once more.

Thankfully, no one was hurt from this mishap – except for my feelings, that is! 1) The driver who hit me was SO mean to me and that was charming, to say the least. And 2) When Johnny and I first started dating, we were in a major car accident when we got hit head on and it left me hospitalized. For the next several days after my car got hit, I was sore but mainly shaken up. Getting hit by such a big van had me feeling the trauma of the accident Johnny and I were in all over again and that was the most difficult thing.

Now, you would think that I wouldn’t be due for another accident nine days later so we can all be surprised by that lol. Last Thursday, my literal worst nightmare came to fruition when I was driving with a client and my car got hit. Once again, the driver was not paying attention and backed into my car at a red light while trying to change lanes. He claimed to have “not even seen me”, which is exactly what the last guy said too!

Thankfully, no one was hurt from this mishap, either. But, my client struggled and that upset me the most because it is my job to keep him safe. It was, honestly, the worst possible timing imaginable especially considering that we were barely ten minutes away from home. I was so proud of how quickly my client was able to recover from this situation but it just felt like one bad thing going on after another and I was really feeling the emotional pain from it.

The straws that broke the camel’s back, so to say, happened the following day on Friday. Yes, they were small things but it almost made me break down in tears. To start, I dropped our Nintendo Switch on my big toe and it hurt like a MOTHER. Then, when dropping off my brother and some leftovers from Hibachi Japan at my mom and dad’s, one of the containers slipped and fell all over my porch and stairwell.

I took my brother home and returned within fifteen minutes to clean up the spill and, to my surprise, Johnny had done it for me. This almost had me crying too because it was SO sweet of him. He saw what a tough time I was having and took it upon himself to take care of it. I knew I married him for a reason! ❤

Thanks to Johnny’s angel status on Friday, I was able to rally a little and enjoyed a hang out session with our friend, Ty. We got to break in mine and Johnny’s new TV with video games and a scary movie, which was a hoot. The following day, my amazing best friend Kate of Live In The Nautical and I had an all evening FaceTime date and that cheered me up even more. She is, truly, so wonderful and it was just the sunshine I needed to start feeling better again.

It can only go up from here, right?! As always, I am beyond grateful that nobody got hurt during the car accidents. I am also beyond grateful for my darling husband and friends for helping me get through these trying times. Now, I think I need a vacation!

What or who makes you feel better when you’re sad? What kind of self care do you do to help yourself feel better? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun27

Look For The Rainbows

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Look For The Rainbows

Hello! This past week was a bit of a doozy with a busy work schedule and lots of bad news. I was so ready for the weekend on Monday lol. Thankfully, I had the perfect little pick me up on Thursday morning that made everything a smidge better. And, oddly enough, it was on the rug at my mom and dad’s house:

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^^^ Never mind the dog hair! 😀

When I walked into the living room at chez parents, I almost didn’t believe my eyes when I saw the oval rainbow prism on the rug. I thought that I was really losing it lol but, alas, it was there and it was glorious! I had never seen a prism with that shape before and it blew me away. It truly is the small things, isn’t it?

Rainbows, of course, always remind me of better things ahead but they also make me think of my lil niece who lives for a good rainbow. It was just what I needed to see during the final few days of the working week when everything felt so difficult. I had accepted before my day even began that it was probably going to be a bad one and this prism turned that whole outlook on its head – I ended up having a great day!

Even if you don’t have a literal rainbow in front of you, whether it be an actual one or a prism, this is your Lil Red Reminder to always look for them anyways. The rainbow could be a text from a friend, feeling sunshine on your face, or a smile from a stranger. No matter your situation, there are always going to be rainbows for you to find as long as you know where to look. ❤

What or who encourages you? What is something that makes you happy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun22

Advice For A Fantastic Mid-Year “Tune Up”

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Advice For A Fantastic Mid-Year “Tune Up”

Any driver knows that from time to time, a full vehicle inspection is required. So, if we can do this with our vehicles, why can’t we do it with ourselves too? Sometimes, we might need the ‘tune-up’ that we give to our possessions. But surely you are the most valuable ‘possession’ you have in the first place! So, what plans can we make in order to optimize our approach here? In this post, we’ll discuss all of that and more:

See Your Dentist:

It’s quite amazing how fresh we feel after a visit to the dentist. A local dental clinic can help assess the entirety of your dental environment and make any recommendations that may be important. They can help clean your teeth, attend to any pain or problem areas you might have, and unlock your natural smile in the best possible way. For many this may seem like a pedestrian task, but regular visits can help you prevent long term dental issues that you may have otherwise had.

Take A Fitness ‘Inventory’:

It sounds quite sanctimonious to suggest you should sit down and consider how healthy you are. But the truth is, that it is a good thing to figure out where you are health wise and think about what you’ll do to better yourself. You also have to consider what you could actually do, not what you just think you should. This might involve losing that last couple of pounds, walking more in the mornings, or simply getting more vitamin D. It might mean trying to restore your flexibility after an injury you sustained. Your fitness inventory doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be right for you.

Update Your Style:

Updating your style is always a great thing! Otherwise, we can feel outdated and like we’re behind everyone else. This doesn’t mean you have to dress in the latest fashions, but it’s certainly health to consider the condition of your clothes and to improve them – to opt for a few fixtures like a nice winter coat or even having that watch repaired finally. A tuneup means being able to present yourself to the world with a renewed sense of confidence and appreciation. An approach like this can help you with that through and through.

With this advice, you’re certain to generate the best mid-year tuneup, ready for the best of summer and the onset of the colder seasons. 2022 is already halfway over, if you can believe it, so make the most of it!

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Jun9

Housewarming/Birthaversary Party Success!

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Housewarming/Birthaversary Party Success!

Hello!! At the end of May, Johnny and I had a housewarming/birthaversary party to celebrate our big move. We also decided to clump it together with Johnny’s birthday on the first, our first wedding anniversary on the fourth, and my birthday on the seventh. It was such fun and we were so proud to show off all of our hard work on the new place to our friends and family.

In my humble opinion, the event was a GREAT SUCCESS and I thought that I would share some pro tips on get togethers now that it’s all said and done. I definitely learned a lot for next time:

Prepare & Prepare Some More:

I am the planner in mine and Johnny’s relationship and he is, easily, the more spontaneous one. Therefore, I insisted on hardcore party prep the entire week beforehand and I am so glad that I did. No one wants to be stuck with a monumental task the day before the big event. The week leading up to the party, we kicked our unpacking, cleaning, and rearranging into high gear. And, the night before, Johnny finally (!!!!) finished readying his domain of the game room and it turned out great.

Preparing the home is a given before a get together but don’t forget about food prep and table caps to display your dishes on! I spent a good amount of time planning a menu and making a shopping list so that we had everything we needed. The night before the party, I spent a solid four hours cooking everything that could be made ahead of time. Any food prep that you can do in advance should be taken advantage of because it can be such a time consuming task. Also, no one wants to be frazzled in the kitchen before guests start to arrive. I couldn’t imagine doing all of the food preparations that I did the day of!

Have Plenty Of Seating:

Johnny and I have two small love seats, a chaise lounge, and four chairs for the kitchen table and that is it when it comes to seating. We knew that this wouldn’t be enough and were lucky to have been able to borrow folding chairs from Johnny’s parents. I highly recommend having additional seating as a backup if what you already have is limited. Folding chairs can be borrowed, rented, or bought on the cheap at a secondhand store. You want your guests to be comfortable at your party and that means having the seating arrangements to back it up.

Stay On Top Of Cleaning:

As the host of a party, you are in charge of everything. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of the day but it will really help you to stay on top of cleaning throughout the party. When there were lulls between guests leaving and arriving, Johnny and I were cleaning up spills, taking the trash out, and making additional drinks. An overflowing garbage can is a disaster waiting to happen! Also, if you clean as you go during the day, then you won’t have a huge mess to take care of after everyone has went home.

Ice, Ice Baby:

Johnny and I don’t have the space in our freezer to account for bags of ice. If this is the case for you too, then buying a cooler for the event is the way to go. Johnny bought a cooler and ice the morning of the party and that worked out so well. The ice stayed frozen all day, we had somewhere to put canned drinks, and it took up a small amount of space. Plus, a cooler will come in handy afterwards for picnics and outdoor events!

Make Use Of Outdoor Areas:

If the weather is nice the day of your party, making use of outdoor areas will add additional space to the event. The new apartment has a great front balcony that was perfect for people to hang out on and get some air. Even if you don’t plan on using your outdoor space, opening windows and doors with a screen will help keep your indoor space from getting stuffy. As always, comfort for your guests is key.

At our old apartment, a party like the one we had simply would not have happened because we didn’t have the room for it. It was an absolute delight to be able to host our friends and family the way we have always wanted to. I already can’t wait to do it again on a smaller scale!

What are your party pro tips? Do you have any big events happening soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May26

Top Tips To Start Your Day Off Right

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Top Tips To Start Your Day Off Right

Are you a morning person or do you find it impossible to feel energized and motivated until at least 10 AM? Getting the morning off to a good start sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you struggle to get up or you feel like you rarely start the day with energy and enthusiasm, here are some simple tips to help you make positive changes:

Establish a sleep routine:

Most people don’t want to jump out of bed as soon as their alarm goes off because they are tired, and staying under the covers is a much more appealing option. If you experience tiredness in the mornings, it’s a good idea to review your sleep routine. You might not be getting enough sleep or your body clock may be out of kilter. Try to establish a routine, which involves setting a time to go to sleep and get up in the morning. Stick to those times as much as possible to enable your body clock to adjust and ensure that you get the rest you need.

Stretch:

Stretching is a brilliant way to make your body feel more alive and get your mind ready for the day ahead. Take five or ten minutes to stretch your body, do a yoga session, or enjoy benefits from Surya Namaskar sun salutations. Stretching is beneficial for your joints and muscles, it increases flexibility and suppleness,  reduces stress, and makes you feel calmer and more focused. The beauty of daily stretching is that you can do it whenever and wherever you like. You can follow workouts or guided sessions or simply do your favorite stretches when you wake up, you have a break at work, or there are a few minutes to spare after dropping the kids off at school.

Eat a healthy, balanced breakfast:

Most of us are familiar with the old adage, ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’. Eating breakfast fires up your digestive system and it can help to raise energy levels and prevent you from experiencing hunger and a lack of energy and motivation later in the day. Try to opt for nutritious foods and meals such as wholemeal toast with poached eggs or avocado, oatmeal, whole grain cereals, omelets, and fruit and natural yogurt. Foods that release energy slowly will help you stay fuller for longer. If you need some caffeine along with your breakfast to get the day going, you could try a VALR Nitrogen-Infused Energy Drink. You will always feel like you woke up on the right side of the bed!

Get organized the night before:

Stress and anxiety can make it difficult to sleep. If you know you’ve got an important meeting the next day, you won’t have time to go out and buy lunch, or you need to look sharp, get organized the night before. Make a wrap, salad, or sandwich to take with you, decide what you’re going to wear, pack your bag, and take half an hour before you go to bed to de-stress and relax. Run a bath, read a book, watch TV, listen to music, or meditate. Avoid checking emails, scrolling through social media, or doing anything that will stress you out or stimulate your mind late at night.

Some people jump out of bed in the morning ready to attack the day, but for many, it’s a struggle to get motivated. If you find it hard to approach the day with energy and vigor, use these simple tips to get every day off to the best possible start!

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May20

Sweetest Thing Ever!

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Sweetest Thing Ever!

Hello! The day of Johnny’s show this past weekend, we were just hanging around our apartment when he looked closely at my new nails. Then, he told me that they were the same color I had on during our first date – strawberry lemonade! Needless to say, my heart exploded into a million tiny pieces and I had to pinch myself that I actually have this guy as my husband.

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I can remember our first date very well but obviously not as well as Johnny. For example, I was so nervous that when I got to the Cashmere Cricket, I literally walked right by him without even noticing that he was there lol. Over drinks, we talked about anything and everything and had the best time and have been together almost every day since. Johnny, on the other hand, could tell you verbatim conversations that we had on our first date and it never fails to give me the warm fuzzies.

When Johnny told me his revelation about my fresh fill, my first thought was instantly that “I am the luckiest girl in the world”. And, secondly, I thought that no one should settle for anything less than this. And, believe you me, before I met Johnny I did a lot of settling when it came to relationships and I always wondered why I didn’t have the best results.

Every person deserves to be treated like royalty by their significant others and, despite always thinking this, I never let that rule apply to me. I, honestly, didn’t even know my own worth until I started seeing myself through Johnny’s eyes. We often get from our friends and complete strangers that we are “#relationshipgoals” and that is so sweet. However, we are just two people who are basically exactly alike who found each other at just the right time.

Prior to our first date we had both been unlucky in love and I had sworn off of dating until he Facebook messaged me asking if they made a pair of my Union Jack platforms in men’s. Now, there was a guy that I could talk to! We went out to the Cashmere Cricket that night and the rest is history. Every day I am reminded of how lucky I am to be married to such a stand up guy and his comment about my nails is a shining example. ❤

How did you and your SO meet? What makes you feel lucky? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May13

What Have We Been Up To?

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What Have We Been Up To?

Hello! Johnny and I have been diligently unpacking away after our big move at the end of April. While that has taken up a majority of our free time, we have still been enjoying ourselves and making time for fun things too. And, yes, part of the fun has shockingly come from the unpacking process itself – which I never thought I would say!

Unpacking:

Actually… Let me rephrase that… It’s not so much the unpacking that’s fun rather than all of the opportunities that come with it. Johnny moved into my apartment so there wasn’t much for us to decide on when it came to furniture placement and decorating together. Now, however, with much more room, it has been nice to come up with our apartment layout as a team.

For example, we have a little nook under our staircase that we decided would be perfect for bookshelves to house our massive collection. When I got home from work, it was a huge surprise because Johnny assembled and filled the new shelves while I was gone. This opened up considerable space having the shelves neatly tucked away and we were able to have a lot more options when it comes to placement of other furniture. It looks so nice!

Another fun part about the unpacking process is that we have a goal in mind: A housewarming/birthaversary party. We can’t wait to welcome friends and family into our new place at the end of the month to celebrate all kinds of big events: Our move, Johnny’s birthday, my birthday, and our one year wedding anniversary. I’m so excited! 😀

Entertainment:

Because of having a functional AC unit in our new apartment, it has become the place to chill both literally and metaphorically. We have been having a blast relaxing in a comfortable climate and watching all kinds of good movies and TV. We are currently binging The Man In The High Castle, which is absolutely EXCELLENT. We have also been enjoying lots of movies including The Imitation Game (One of my faves!), Schindler’s List, Indiana Jones, and Role Models (Both of our faves!).

Of course, this was something that we would have done at our old place regardless of the extreme heat. Actually feeling cold and snuggling up with blankets is a brand new sensation to us, though, and we still can’t get over the novelty of it!

Out & About:

Actual spring weather is finally here with some summer like temps peppered in for good measure. We have been making the most of it with outings in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, at hiking trails with my family, game nights with friends, and meeting our new neighbors. It was easy to stay cuddled up at home with the snowy and rainy days last month. But, there is no excuse now that the weather is nice out and we have been trying to have outings together at least once a week.

It has been an exciting and jam packed few weeks for us and I have been enjoying every minute of it… I’ll enjoy it even more, though, when we are fully unpacked and celebrating at our party!

What have you been up to? What are you currently binge watching? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May10

How To Find The Perfect Home

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How To Find The Perfect Home

Selling your house to buy a new one is a major decision that should not be made lightly, as it can take a significant amount of time, effort, and money to identify and find the ideal property for you. Fortunately, when you know how, choosing the right property doesn’t have to be as challenging as you might assume, and there are just a few important areas in which you should concentrate your efforts to guarantee that you can remain cool and calm during your move. If you’re looking for the perfect house and want to learn some of the most useful ideas and tactics for accomplishing your goals in no time, then read on:

Plan And Prepare:

One of the most common mistakes made by house movers is a lack of preparation. It’s surprising to learn that almost two-thirds of home buyers don’t have a list of questions to ask the real estate agent before they visit houses or apartments to view them. When planning, it’s helpful to make a list of your negotiables and non-negotiables. Other factors to consider include which house characteristics are essential to you and which you are ready to compromise on.

When searching for a new house, an extensive web search will save you time and provide a good starting point. We recommend contacting your local real estate agents as well, as they may have a house on the market – or even one that’s just about to come onto the market that is just right for you.

If you are coming up with a goose egg during your house hunt, you might want to consider building a home from scratch. This will surely set you up with the perfect house! You can design your dream home with Ware Design Build – Wisconsin Custom Homes or a pro in your area.

Know Your Budget:

You’re contemplating a move, but how much can you really afford? Find out how much your present home is worth by getting at least two or three estimates from local real estate professionals. You’ll have a better idea of how much money you have to work with if you do this. Your calculations should include:

  • Any outstanding bills or mortgage payments.
  • The cost of new furnishings.
  • Any additional funds that may be required in the future.

Working out your finances in detail can help you achieve your goal of moving. Knowing your budget from the beginning is essential if you want to erase debt and save for the future. Having a solid budget also helps as it shows you which options can be available to you. For example, you might find that building a brand new home with French Brothers homes (or a similar company in your area) could be cheaper or equivalent to a home on the market.

Think Ahead:

Smaller houses will not accommodate large families effectively, so if you want to grow your family soon, think accordingly and get that additional room. This is also true if you work remotely (or are planning to once you move). It would be beneficial to have an extra space that can be converted into a home office. A smaller house, on the other hand, can suffice if you are single or a couple who does not want to have children in the near future. If and when the time comes, you can always sell and move into a larger house.

We will touch more on looking into the neighborhood in the next section but there is one important thing to note if you have children or are planning on it. If you have a home in mind, you should check out this community beforehand to see if it is a family friendly setting. It can be a huge drag for your children if they are moving away from their school friends and have no kids in the neighborhood to play with!

Check Out The Neighborhood:

Searching online is one thing, and it’s almost certain that you’ll find a few houses that tick all the boxes for you. However, it’s crucial that you take the time to check out the neighborhood too – it might be that the house you love is in a place that won’t suit you, perhaps because it’s far away from work or school, the parking is a nightmare, or there isn’t enough green space (or too much of it – it all depends on your preferences).

When searching for a new home, it is all about the preparation and research on your end to keep the process running smoothly. Good luck!

Featured Image By: Ketut Subiyanto