Tag Archives: Anything & Everything

Spring Cleaning Tips You Need For 2024

Standard
Spring Cleaning Tips You Need For 2024

We’re moving into a new year which means that you have to start thinking about how you want it to begin. Some people want to start their new year with a huge bash but who wants to start with a house they have to clean up?! Getting your home cleaned at the beginning of the new year can make a huge difference to your health and well being but it can also make a difference to the way you choose to get organized.

We may still be in the midst of winter and spring is a few months away, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get the house cleaned up and ready to go for the season. In fact, with the tips below you can ensure that every inch of your home is cleaned out and is ready to feel great. Let’s take a look at some tips that’ll help you to kick off well:

Start from the ground up:

The first thing is to get the vacuum cleaner and rid your home of dust and that starts with the floors. You need to vacuum everything from carpets and tiles to window tracks and skirting boards. Cleaning along all of these areas prevents the dust building up any further than it already has. Go cordless if you want to get everything done but always have a corded vacuum cleaner in the background just in case!

If your carpets have ground in stains or are a far cry from their original color, vacuuming alone is not going to give you the deep clean you are looking for. If this is the case for your home, simply enter a search for “Carpet Cleaning in Round Rock” (or your local area). You will be amazed by the results when your carpets are looking as good as they did when you first moved in.

Wash the walls:

Not many people think that their walls need to have anything done to them but washing the walls down is a great idea. Mixing a sugar soap solution in a bucket of warm water is the first step, the next is a flat mop. This will help you to wash the walls top to bottom without streaks being left anywhere.

Clean the bathrooms:

Bathrooms are germ cesspits and yours is no different no matter how often you clean it. Don’t just clean the bath and shower or the toilet, but clean the extractor fans, too, as this will stop any dust flying through the air and misting your bathroom with more dirt.

Bring in the carpet cleaning experts:

You can either hire someone to do it for you or you can hire a carpet cleaning machine and do it yourself. This should be done every three to six months because of dust and mite build up in the fibers. Cleaning out the carpets can also be done with steam cleaners and shampoo, but you need to make sure you don’t over wet it. The last thing you need in your quest to clean up is mold growth in the carpet and that musty smell that follows.

Sparkling windows:

When was the last time you had your windows professionally cleaned? It could be a great gift to yourself this year to have them cleaned on the inside and the outside. You won’t really notice how dirty the windows have become until you give them a proper clean. You can vacuum the tracks and then go through with warm water and detergent to scrub the windows, tracks, and the windows themselves. Always use a squeegee to remove any water so that you can get rid of any streaks.

Kick start your spring cleaning now for a squeaky clean home to welcome the new year with!

Featured Image By: Pexels

How To Learn A Brand New Skill In Middle-Age

Standard
How To Learn A Brand New Skill In Middle-Age

Middle age is nowhere near the “can’t teach an old dog new tricks” stage yet, and that adage is hardly even true in the first place. Sure, nootropics like Fasoracetam can give you a leg up, but nothing beats diligent hard work and motivation. So, let’s say you want to dive straight into embracing your novicehood in a brand new skill. How might you go about it? That’s not an easy question to answer, but in this post, we’ll help you get there. Let’s begin:

Don’t Over Complicate It:

Your age doesn’t mean you have to swim before you can walk, so never over complicating your pursuit is healthy. Say you want to learn how to draw – using anatomy figures and learning very basic perspective tips with YouTube tutorials or even sketchbooks can be tremendously helpful. Perhaps instead of learning a new hobby, you would like to try a different career. You can do this no matter what your age is and all you need to do is start. You can look into local colleges, certification programs, or community services courses online so you can learn in your own time and give back to those who need it. Remember that you have nothing to prove to anyone but yourself.

Fall In Love With The Craft:

As we get older, we tend to learn skills for practicality. This is because we all have to earn a living, or refine ourselves in certain roles, be that parent, homeowner, business person, etc. But obligation can often make you feel disconnected or even tired of the skill or habit before you even begin. That’s why it’s good to fall in love with the craft, even if it’s learning basic DIY so you can improve certain aspects of the home more cheaply and integrate your own aesthetic changes.

Join A Social Group:

This is an optional step, but you’ll find it’s much healthier to learn alongside and make mistakes with novices just like you, who may be in the same boat. For example, you can definitely learn yoga poses and take classes online, but there’s something connective about being in a studio with people from all walks of life and trying not to fall down among them during increasingly difficult poses that yes, you one day will pull off. Not only does this turn the skill into an event, but let’s face it, it can be harder to make friends as you get older. As such, this provides a golden opportunity to get started and socialize while doing it.

With this advice, you’re sure to not only learn, but excel in a brand new skill, no matter your age!

Going To Therapy Update

Standard
Going To Therapy Update

Hello!!! Last month I announced that I was going to start therapy and I was really looking forward to it. I thought it would be most helpful after this extremely difficult past year to have a third party to talk to. Unfortunately, I did not care for the therapist that I was seeing after my second session. It just wasn’t a good match at all and that’s okay. Sometimes you have to shop around to find a therapist that works for you.

To be honest, I was kind of put off immediately during my first session with the person who I was seeing. The meeting was brief – barely over a half hour and I don’t think she fully listened to what it was that I wanted to get out of therapy. At twenty-nine years young, I know myself enough to know what it is I needed and that was simply someone to talk to and unload all of these pent up emotions. During our following session, it felt like the therapist wasn’t really getting it. Instead of hearing my saga, she assigned “homework” and offered solutions for statements that were beside the point.

It wasn’t that I minded hearing ways to overcome stress in the now, but I thought I made myself clear enough that the issue was, first and foremost, issues in the past. I felt really disappointed after our second session because I didn’t feel heard and that is the entire point of therapy!! I decided to cancel my upcoming appointment that was scheduled and didn’t plan on trying a different therapist out. However, the receptionist who I was speaking with encouraged me to give it one more chance with someone who might be a better match for me.

I begrudgingly accepted the new appointment for early next month and I am proud that I did. I also am very appreciative to the receptionist who nudged me forward in that direction. I told myself beforehand that I would wait a few months for another shot at therapy and I’m glad that I didn’t drag my feet. Now, I feel hopeful for my upcoming session and I know it will do me a world of good. What’s that old saying? If at first you don’t like your therapist, try, try a new one? Lol.

Although it is discouraging for a therapist to not be a good fit, it’s a normal thing. My initial instinct was to give up for now and that’s not going to help me one bit. If you are in a similar situation, try again! I am lucky that the receptionist said the same to me and this is me encouraging all of you! ❤

Did you have to shop around for a therapist that worked for you? Who do you like to talk to about your problems? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Belated Nine Year Blogiversary!!

Standard
Belated Nine Year Blogiversary!!

Hello!!!! September 13th was lifewithlilred’s Nine Year Blogiversary and it came as a huge surprise to me lol. Obviously, because this is a belated celebration post! Not only was the date of this a shock, but also the length of time. It feels like just yesterday that twenty year old Sarah sat down and began her blogging journey. It is thrilling that almost a decade later, my blog is still going stronger than ever with daily content for the past four years and change!

As always, the best part about lifewithlilred is all of the incredible friends and readers that have come along for the ride. And, man, have we been through a lot! You have all been there through major milestones in my life – graduating college, new jobs, and getting married. It is so special to me to know that my dear readers are there celebrating the good and offering support for the bad every step of the way. It inspires and motivates me to no end, which is the main reason lifewithlilred has kept on truckin all of these years.

Every day, I feel so excited to sit down and write and I think that my blog is a reflection of my favorite phrase “the joy of writing”. I write for me, I write for my beloved viewers, I would write for no viewers – it just makes me happy to do. lifewithlilred is something that brings me true joy and it is my safe haven that I have carved out in the great world wide web. For nine years, I have been in blogging bliss and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for my page in the years to come. ❤

Thank you to each and every one of you for being the driving force behind lifewithlilred for the past nine years. I could not do it without that love and support and it works both ways. I love all of you and wish nothing but for you to continue on in your blogging journey and experience the joy of writing every day!

Mental Health Day

Standard
Mental Health Day

Hello!! This past Monday, I enjoyed my first mental health day in I don’t know how long. Granted, it wasn’t necessarily my choice but it still counts lol. This weekend, I was in a crazy freak accident – no one was hurt, but my car was so I was out of commission to get to work anyways. I would have loved to have had a mental health day under different circumstances, but I guess I’ll take what I can get? Haha and I used my time off well!

On Monday, I slept in until… SIX AM!!! It was great and definitely beats my normal wake up time around 4:30. Melvin and Penelope weren’t thrilled to have postponed their super early morning outing, but once I was up they got to hang out outside of their hutch almost all day. I also was able to get my car set up for its repairs because who knew auto body shops were closed on the weekend? Not me and it was a big relief to get all of that sorted. Also, I took my car to a mom and pop shop and the owner was just adorable. 🙂

Once I was home from my errands, I got to work doing lots of cleaning and that felt fantastic. When my life was really crazy, it was hard to find the time or energy to do a good deep cleaning of the apartment. I got to do that and more with my day off and I felt so accomplished and proud of my efforts. Maybe I needed this day for me more than I realized because I knew it would be nice to clean, but I didn’t appreciate how nice until I proudly surveyed a sparkling space.

After my chores were done, I completed the last item on my agenda which was finishing my Independent Provider annual training. Every year, we must do eight hours of additional online training to maintain our certification. I was on hour six of mine so I didn’t have too much left to do, but it was cool to not have to do it once I was home from work. I also don’t mind the online training at all because they’re always super interesting and it’s fun to learn something new!

Once all of my checklist for my day off was accounted for, I got to spend the rest of my afternoon FaceTiming with my bestie, Kate, of Live In The Nautical. It was the perfect way to end my Mental Health Day. If you are feeling like you need a day for you too, then I can’t encourage an MHD enough. We all need one from time to time and it’s important to listen to what your mind and body needs!

How do you like to spend a day off? When was your last mental health day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

4 Year Celebration!!!

Standard
4 Year Celebration!!!

Hello!!!! lifewithlilred has been going strong since 2014! That’s almost a decade of everyone’s favorite lil redhead in the blogosphere and it is something that I am very proud of. Several years back, I decided that I wanted my page to have fresh content daily and I have stuck with it. Huge shout out to being able to schedule posts because that definitely helps the cause! This past weekend, I ran my calculations because I am currently on day 1,474 of daily content which makes….

An over four year streak!!!!!!

I knew that I was having a good run with publishing every day on lifewithlilred, but I had no idea that it was that good. Writing almost every morning feels so natural to me that it’s something that I don’t think too much about anymore. Knowing that over four years ago, I set a goal and I have been achieving it for that long feels awesome. It also makes me even more dedicated to continuing the quest for daily content because how could I mess up a streak like that?! That would suck lol.

Despite such a lengthy tenure in the blogosphere, I still get writer’s block and feel uninspired from time to time too. However, having so many amazing friends that I have made tuning in serves as the best inspiration of all. If it wasn’t for all of these fantastic friends and readers alike, I think I would have given up on daily content a long time ago. So, thank you all for helping me achieve my goal. I love you!! ❤

What are some of your blogging goals? What is your favorite thing about your blog? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Switch To A Greener Lifestyle With These Tips

Standard
Switch To A Greener Lifestyle With These Tips

A greener lifestyle has a whole host of benefits, both for the wider world and for your household. You can save money, cut down on waste, and live a healthier lifestyle while decreasing your carbon footprint. Here are some ways to do so:

Increase Utility Efficiency:

Utility bills are more expensive now than ever before, which means that you have multiple incentives to cut down on your utility usage. The good news is that there are ways to increase your utility efficiency, which means that you don’t have to make any major sacrifices. Installing a smart meter or thermostat allows you to set a comfortable temperature on timers, so you aren’t ever heating an empty building. It will also monitor your energy usage so you can keep track of spikes and other issues. Repairing and replacing your windows and doors will also help you be more efficient with your power usage. You should also check your insulation and roof, especially before winter strikes.

On a similar note, you should also make sure that your utility provider is making an effort to improve their own sustainability practices. This way, the companies you’re giving money to on a regular basis are making a positive difference, as opposed to contributing to a growing problem. For example, American Water Works has won awards for both its sustainability and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles, making it a great choice of provider.

Use Green Energy:

Another way to change the way you use electricity is by switching to a green energy source. You can do this in a variety of ways. First, you can install solar panels on your property. This is a great option if you have a roof that gets a lot of sunlight and is stable enough to support the panels. Solar panel specialists will be able to walk you through this process step by step for maximum success. They might even employ 3D models of the project with solar proposal software so you can have a visual of the end result. If this isn’t an option, you can get involved in a community solar project. This allows you to purchase solar panels on a solar farm, so you benefit from the power they produce.

You can even set up a community solar project yourself. You will need some appropriate land, as well as planning permission for a solar farm. Look into the legal requirements to make sure that you don’t miss anything in your local area. From there, you will need to focus on community solar customer acquisitions. Find like-minded people who want to invest in a better world.

Lifestyle Changes:

You can make small but significant changes to your lifestyle to improve your health and your carbon footprint. For example, can you change your daily commute so you walk or cycle instead of driving? Could you take public transport? Another option is to set up a vegetable garden and grow your own produce. This reduces waste and encourages your family to eat healthier.

Running a Green Business:

If you run a business, you have even more opportunities to reduce your carbon footprint. When setting up your business, look into local governmental grants and schemes that encourage businesses to operate in a more environmentally friendly way. This way, you can increase your efficiency, cut down on waste, and potentially get tax breaks or other benefits for your efforts. An eco-friendly business also benefits from a better relationship with customers. If your customers are interested in climate change, they will appreciate your efforts and are more likely to be loyal. Reputation matters in the business world.

Go green with the tips above both for yourself and the world around you!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Turning 29 – It’s Not So Bad!

Standard
Turning 29 – It’s Not So Bad!

Hello!!! Although my Gemini Twin and I have been joking that we have been turning twenty-five for the past several years, I turned twenty-nine this past week. And, no, that running joke never gets old by the way! Lol, anyways, I cannot tell you the amount of people who have wished me a happy birthday along with the sentiments of “oh, you’ll be thirty next year, you’re getting old”, yada, yada, yada. And, yes, that is factual information. BUT, I have come to the realization that maybe, just maybe it’s not that old after all. 😉

I feel like once people reach their twenties, turning thirty is looming over their shoulders like a character in a horror movie. The big 3-0 seems to have become the death of youth so to speak and I am here to call bullshit. Believe you me, I had the exact same thoughts and a teeny tiny part of me still feels that way. However, turning twenty-nine has made me start making the mental flip in my head and adopting the old phrase of “you’re only as young as you feel”.

In 100% seriousness, I honestly forget how old I am constantly and my mind is blown when I remember my actual age. Yes, I’m an adult and am close to thirty, but I really don’t feel like it. Sure, when I’m working I feel like a grown up. When it comes to my downtime, though, my age comes as a surprise to me. I am a goofy, outgoing gal, and I love to have a good time. Johnny is five years my senior and he is the exact same way. So, when we’re hanging out together or we’re with our friends age truly feels like just a number.

Despite everyone’s obsession with youth, I find myself thinking if I would like to be in my early twenties again and it’s a hard NO from me, dawg. I was plagued with mental health issues, was in one shitty relationship after the next, and my businesses hadn’t blossomed to what they are today. Now, here I am at twenty-nine and my mental health is much more stable, I’m married to the best guy in the world, and I am a successful business owner of two. My personal style has developed into something amazing, I love the way I look, and I feel happy other than a loved one being in poor health. It just took some extra years on the old odometer to get there.

If you feel like an approaching landmark birthday is the end of the world, I can now confidently say that it isn’t. I’m staring at thirty dead on and, at this point, all I can say is “bring it on” because there’s nothing else I can do. Youth is a mindset so, yeah, I guess I always will be twenty-five! 😉

Did you freak out before turning a certain age? Do you feel like your age? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Musings From A Hospital

Standard
Musings From A Hospital

Hello!!!! My darling best friend/Gemini Twin, Kate, of Live In The Nautical and I have so many similar things about us that it’s honestly insane. We both come from funeral home families, we are both former figure skaters, have the same birth month, and share a passion for fashion, musicals, and movie magic. The one thing that I desperately hoped we would not share twinship in is a loved one being in poor health, but here we are.

From the hospital, we have been texting nonstop about the similarities from the Cleveland Clinic and her stomping grounds in North Conway and I guess we are twinsies in that way too. Obviously, we are both incredibly grateful for the wonderful care our loved ones are receiving, these are just the petty things that make us laugh during a tough time. I am genuinely curious – has anyone noticed some of these things in the hospitals in your neck of the woods or is it just us?

Really Crappy Art:

Okay, I will be the first to admit that the Cleveland Clinic has some awesome art installations. Having said that, there is some art hanging throughout the hospital that is not the best. I hate to be judgy but some of it looks like my four year old niece could have made it and the art in the outer ICU was arguably the worst. The art in the other areas of the hospital, I get it. BUT, you would think they would show out a bit in the ICU when people are going through the literal worst time of their lives! SMH.

Really Uncomfortable Chairs:

Ah, yes. Hospital chairs – SO uncomfortable!! From the rooms in the hospital to the waiting rooms and family areas scattered throughout the floors, the chairs are not great. Are we expecting a plush armchair? No, even though that would be awesome lol. BUT, the lack of padding on all of them makes it so hard to get settled – especially when you are posted up there for a while. Also, all of the wall length benches tend to have dividers on them, like the evil tactics used to keep homeless people from sleeping. So, long story short, any hope of giving your poor back a break is simply out of the question. SMH.

Really Lackluster Vending Machine Selection:

Lol, okay, I get it. We are in a hospital and junk food isn’t going to be pushed in vending machines. BUT, come on!!! Sometimes, you just need that comforting sugar rush or salty snack and they are nowhere to be found!! The vending machine selection in the family room in the ICU was one of the saddest displays I have ever seen. It was basically trail mix, Almond Joys, York Peppermint Patties, chapstick, and bottled water. Major shout out to my diabetic dad because he now keeps a candy stash on him for that reason and it comes in handy. What can I say, we love a Hershey and Heath bar! SMH.

Really Amazing Staff:

Like I said above, Kate and I were cracking up from the little things that are so similar in the hospitals states away from each other that we are spending a lot of time at. We aren’t Gemini Twins for nothing! BUT, the staff at both of the hospitals are just fantastic and the gratitude we feel is unmatched. Every time I visit the Cleveland Clinic, I joke that I’m the mayor because I can’t walk anywhere without running into someone who has helped my family in some way shape or form. That sense of community puts me at some semblance of ease even at the most stressful times, as does knowing my loved one is in the best hands. The Cleveland Clinic staff has done more for my family than words can say and almost every single one of them holds a very special place in my heart. Not SMH at all! ❤

The next step in mine and Kate’s twinship is for the people we love so much to be in perfect health and we are both eagerly anticipating that day. Until then, her and I will continue to support each other endlessly and, yes, be a bit petty with our musings! 🙂

Can anyone relate to the sentiments above? Do you have an unofficial twin in your life? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Tim Misny: A Hometown Hero

Standard
Tim Misny: A Hometown Hero

Hello!! Every major city seems to have a lawyer who specializes in amazing marketing. In the greater Akron/Cleveland area, this honor goes to none other than a one mister Tim Misny. He is a personal injury lawyer who literally everyone knows from his billboards and commercials featuring his signature eyebrow arch and catchphrase of “I’ll make them pay”. His billboards are absolutely everywhere, sometimes they are one on top of the other! In fact, on the way to the Cleveland Clinic, I see at minimum five Tim Misny billboards and it never ceases to make me smile.

Recently, Tim Misny opened up a merch shop called Misny Merch and proceeds from every sale goes to the Cleveland City Mission, a charity close to Tim’s heart. Because my dad and I always get a laugh at the omnipresent Tim as we frequent the Cleveland Clinic throughout the week, he let me go on a Misny Merch shopping spree for my birthday! Check it out:

image_50421505(1)image_50458625(7)image_50421249(10)

^^^ How can anyone say no to a Misny To The Max baseball cap?!

With this purchase from my father, there was a catch. Tim Misny is currently hosting a contest for the grand opening of his shop and I am desperate to win. The prize? A lunch with Tim at “Misnyland”!! I am not sure what Misnyland is, but I guess I’ll find out when I win lol. Cocky? No. Just confident because the contest parameters are one that I specialize in: Pictures showcasing your Misny Merch swag! And you all know what that means: An OOTD featuring my fabulous new cap and T-shirt that Tim Misny made me pay for. 😀

You can peep my Misny To The Max OOTD coming soon on lifewithlilred. Winner or no, this purchase went towards a wonderful charity that is dedicated to helping people out of a tough time and that is good enough for me. Cross your fingers and toes that Tim Misny picks yours truly as the winner so I can make him pay for lunch!!! ❤

Who is a local celebrity in your neck of the woods? Have you ever won a contest before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah