Tag Archives: family

Pet Care: Dos And Don’ts

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Pet Care: Dos And Don’ts

We love pets! Therefore, we always want to give them the healthiest, fullest lives while they’re with us. Unfortunately, in trying to give your pet the best, you may inadvertently harm them in the process. A National Pet Owners survey revealed that 85 million families in the US own pets and the majority of owners are concerned about their pet’s wellbeing. It’s essential to know the right way to care for your lovable animals. Here are three do’s and don’ts when taking care of pets:

Know what to feed them:

How often do you take time to read your pet’s dietary plan as well as what its food contains? These are the first steps in showing responsibility towards your pet. Many pet foods claim to be healthy but are not. In 2019, a lawsuit was filed against Kansas-based Hill’s Pet Nutrition over allegations of unhealthy foods that resulted in many dogs’ deaths. Did you know goldfish cannot take in food containing yeast as this is hazardous to their health? Click here to find out on what to feed your goldfish to be on the safe side. Additionally, always consult your veterinarian on ingredients you are unsure of. More so, avoid overfeeding your pets as this may cause them to exceed their daily calorie limits.

Regular visits to the vet:

It is critical to start your visits to the vet quite early with your pups and kittens. Your dogs and cats must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies when they are fourteen weeks old. At precisely one-year-old, they should also get a booster shot, depending on your state. For example, whereas California law strictly requires a dog to receive boosters annually, New York State law demands repeat shots every one to four years. However, some pet owners ignore booster shots for their pets and that puts families, strangers, and other animals in the home at risk. In extreme cases, others are not vaccinating their pets at all – known as anti-vax animal owners.

Your regular appointments with your vet are so important for your pets to have a long and happy life. Vets can help detect problems before they become significant and will be able to recommend the best course of treatment. This could include prescribing dog arthritis treatment, advising for physical therapy, or simply encouraging a change in diet. You are responsible for all aspects of care for your pet and an appointment with your vet is the best place to start.

Rub them the right way:

After a long and stressful day, you look forward to getting home to show some affection to your furry buddy. You finally get to rub your pet but immediately get nicked or scratched. Do you know what you did wrong? You rubbed them wrongly! Experienced pet owners recommend rubbing your furry friends in the direction of fur growth and not against it. When this is not done, your pet may interpret this as an attack. You should avoid going directly to the top of their head as you show affection. Instead, approach from the side of the pet’s head while maintaining gentle strokes until you reach the upper part. While dogs love to be stroked in the neck and shoulder areas, cats prefer soft scratching under the chin. You should also look out for signs of a wagging tail and purrs. These indicate that you’re doing it right.

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Be sure to explore more tips on pet care. It requires a considerable amount of time, effort, and of course, money to care for your pets. It is all worth it, though, when you know your furry friend is healthy, happy, and safe.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Rita Rites

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Rita Rites

Hello!! I like to think that I got my knack for writing from my grandma. Not only was she a gifted musician but she loved to write too and had a monthly newsletter called “Rita Rites” that was distributed in her church and mailed to her friends. In fact, when I was younger, we would both sit by the computer and she would read her handwritten draft of Rita Rites out loud to me while I typed it. I would always look forward to receiving the end results of our handiwork in the mail! In a way, it was kind of like her own blog, filled with jokes, fun facts, stories, and charming insights.

I was proud to be able to help my grandma with her newsletter and even prouder when my mom accidentally called my blog my “Rita Rites” the other day. I considered it a high compliment! From a young age, I was exposed to all of the joys of writing and I definitely have my grandma to thank for that. Her creativity, dedication, and the fact that I can never recall her using the same blurb twice continues to inspire me to this day.

I loved being able to help my grandma with Rita Rites and I miss her terribly. But, thanks to my mom misnaming my blog, I have felt so close to my grandma every time I’ve sat down to write since. Fond memories of an afternoon with my grandma working on the newsletter and then sitting down to a delicious dinner with my whole family have flooded my thoughts and it makes me happy. I think my grandma would be extremely proud of my blog and that makes me happy too. 🙂

Even though everything pretty much sucks right now, writing has helped keep me sane. And, whenever I struggle to come up with a post for the day, I think of my grandma’s dedication to her craft and everything just kind of flows. Whether you just started writing or have been doing it for years, keep going! Great friends and some of the best memories will be around to greet you at every corner. I am so thankful to the support of the blogosphere and my loved ones when it comes to my blog and Lil Red will always be here to help support all of you too!

What inspired you to start blogging? How long have you been writing for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Importance Of Learning About Your Pets

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The Importance Of Learning About Your Pets

The pets you have at home are truly a gift. They make you happy, provide entertainment, and are always up for a good cuddle when you need it most. Of course, love isn’t all you need to be able to provide for your pet. Along with this, you also need to do some learning. Every animal is different, with dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and a range of other pet options available, and this means that you need to know your stuff before you take them home. This post will be exploring some of the key areas that you will need to brush up on:

Nutrition & Basic Health:

Nutrition is crucial when you are looking after an animal. They won’t be able to eat the same foods as you do, and you may have to be quite strict to avoid weight gain or other health problems. Alongside their nutrition, it also makes sense to learn about their basic health needs. Your vet should be able to help with both of these areas, but it can also serve to take some time to do your own research around the web. Everyone has a different idea of how to handle this part of a pet’s life, and you can apply what you learn to your own pet accordingly.

Behavior:

It can be hard to pinpoint what is wrong with a pet when they are acting in a way that you’re not used to. For example, bearded dragons can seem like they have few emotions on the surface, but signs like their beard turning black can be an indicator that they are scared of something. Sites like Homepethelp go into incredible detail to describe issues like this, giving you the chance to figure out exactly what is causing your pet to act strangely. Once you have the cause of something like this, it will be much easier to keep your pet happy.

Exercise & Play:

Some pets don’t need much attention, but others will need you to spend hours each day with them. It is very important to make sure that you know what your pet needs, with animals like cats and dogs often getting depressed when they don’t get enough quality time with their owners. Other animals can be used to make this easier, with loads of groups on sites like Facebook being dedicated to helping pet owners to find play dates. Along with this, you could also think about getting some automated toys for when you simply don’t have time to play.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of learning about your pets. This can be a great way to make their lives better, while also giving them the support they need to develop properly.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Tips For Taking The Best Care Of Your Dog

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Tips For Taking The Best Care Of Your Dog

Welcoming an extra furry member to your family can be such a rewarding experience, as a dog can provide you with comfort and entertainment to no end. Learning how to provide the best care for your pup should always be a priority whenever you invest in a new pet, as the responsibility is on you to look after them to the best of your ability. Luckily it needn’t be difficult to ensure they can lead a happy, healthy life, as there are a few key areas in which you can focus your efforts to make them feel comfortable and content for as long as possible. Like the following:

Eating Well:

One of the most important parts of your dog’s day is dinner time, and it’s vital that you make an effort to keep them on a healthy, balanced diet. Unfortunately, it’s so easy to just grab the cheapest canned food option from the supermarket shelf, but it’s more than likely that this choice will be made up of the lowest quality ingredients that provide little benefit whatsoever. Taking your dog’s diet seriously will mean that they have a much better chance of leading a long and comfortable life, as avoiding artificial foods can reduce the risk of illnesses like cancer occurring. There are so many fresh pet food options on the market today, even those which are kept inside the fridge, so take some time to research each choice and make an informed decision on which one is most suited to your pup.

If you want to take it one step further, you may wish to consider making your own dog food from scratch at home. There are hundreds of recipes online that you can utilize, most of which are based around grains, meat, fruit, and vegetables. Making your own dog food at home will be really beneficial for your pup if they have any allergies or sensitivities, as you can track the ingredients to make sure every dish is gentle on their tummy. Providing your dog with a healthy dinner each and every day will give them the energy they need to thrive, as well as all of the vitamins and minerals that their mind and body needs to function at optimum levels.

Regular Exercise & Play:

Making sure that your pup gets regular exercise is key to maintaining proper health, as they need a chance to stretch their legs, move their muscles, and work their heart harder. Aim to take them on a walk at least once a day, more if you can, as this will provide them with the exercise they need to stay fit. Taking them on a walk will also give them the opportunity to meet with other dogs, allowing them to stay social and improve their interaction skills at the same time. Regular play is a key feature of a calm and happy temperament, as a dog that’s bored is often much more unruly.

The duration of your pups daily exercise session should depend on their breed and age, as smaller or older dogs will want to walk far less than larger or younger dogs. Make your walks interesting by taking them on a route that includes a little nature such as a field or a forest, as they will get the chance to be a real animal and use their senses as they were destined to in the ‘wild’. You may also wish to take a few play items with you on your walk, such as a tennis ball or rope so you can play games like fetch to get them moving.

Keep Them Clean:

It’s absolutely essential that you keep your dog as clean as possible, otherwise they will experience discomfort, distress, and potentially even disease. Depending on the breed of your dog, you should aim to wash them at least once a month, possibly more, to keep them clean and fresh. If you aren’t able to wash your dog yourself, don’t simply skip over your responsibilities – take them to a groomer! If you do wish to clean your dog by yourself, then start off by finding a quality shampoo that suits their fur type. You can find shed control blends, sensitive products for dry skin, and so much more. It’s a good idea to read up on reviews left by previous customers to get a better view of the quality of the product you wish to buy before you invest, as there’s nothing worse than finding yourself in the bathroom with your dog covered in water and a shampoo that simply won’t lather.

Always remember to rinse their fur well and follow up with a conditioner for a touch of luxury. Make sure they are as dry as possible once you’ve finished bathing them, as wet dogs often smell quite foul. In addition to bathing, you should also perform other hygiene related tasks such as clipping their nails and you can even find dog teeth cleaning centers which can help to maintain their pearly whites. Making sure that your pup is clean will aid them in feeling comfortable and calm, and they’ll surely repay you with endless affection for the effort that you put in. Keeping your dog clean will also help you to keep your house clean, so it’s a win win situation!

Learning how to take great care of your dog has never been so simple with the tips above! Start off by sourcing the best quality food for your pup to devour and make sure you allow them to take part in regular exercise and play to stay physically and socially active. And also, please pet them for me! 🙂

Featured Image By: Pexels

Ballin’ On A Budget Christmas Gifts

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Ballin’ On A Budget Christmas Gifts

Hi! Christmas is coming in hot and it is no secret that this year’s holiday celebrations will be much different than in 2019. COVID-19 has put a damper on literally everything and many are still out of work and struggling to make ends meet. It is understandable that the holiday season might be stressing out those in a pinch even more so I put together a list of totally sweet and cheap gift ideas that will make anyone’s day. It’s always, always the thought that counts and your giftees will love the following:

Picture this:

Do you have a ton of favorite selfies and pics with one of your giftees? Print a couple out and frame them or print out a bunch and tuck them away in a photo album. I love this gift idea and have used it often, myself. Photos bring you back to happier times like vacations, girls night out, and family get togethers. Everyone can certainly smile more during these times and a pic with you and your giftee will do the trick just fine.

DIY:

Another simple and fun gift idea is all things DIY. How about crafting some holiday ornaments for everyone on your list? Holiday themed decor always goes over well and your options are limitless. Perhaps painted winter scenes to hang up? Homemade bath and body care items or candles? Or you could assemble all of the ingredients to make holiday cookies into a cute Mason jar. DIY gifts are special because no one else in the world will have something like it!

Future fun:

Talk to your giftees about what they are most excited to do when it’s safe. Are they dying to see a movie in theaters? Browse the mall care free for the afternoon? What about dining at their favorite restaurant? Get the deets and present a plan for a day together with those on your list in 2021. This is insanely thoughtful and it shows that you’re listening when your loved ones talk to you. Also, who doesn’t like having something to look forward to?!

Family Day:

Instead of a gift, why not opt to plan a winter wonderland day for your family post or pre Christmas? Host a snowball fight or a trek through the woods. What about ice skating on a lake? Or driving around to look at Christmas lights? It will be such fun to have everyone all together again! Have hot chocolate ready for once you head inside and pop on a Christmas movie or comedy to keep the good vibes going. I would love to do this with my family. 🙂

Books & movies:

I don’t know anyone who isn’t constantly asking for recommendations of books or movies to help ease their pandemic boredom. Choose a new book or movie that you think your giftee would love. It could be one of your favorites, it could be something new from their fave author or actor – heck, it could be something totally random! Either way, you are providing some entertainment for everyone on your list and they will be most appreciative when they feel like there is “nothing” to do.

The holidays shouldn’t be a stressful time so try and enjoy yourself! Easier said than done, I know. But, as I said before, the thought you put into your gifts is the most important thing so use the ideas above to help get you started. ❤

How is your holiday shopping going? Do you have a gift you are really excited to give? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Productive & Rewarding Activities To Do As A Family

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Productive & Rewarding Activities To Do As A Family

As a parent, you’ll want to do all you can to make your child’s (or children’s) quality of life the best it can be. This means you’ll have to put in work in various areas. Educating them is obviously high on the list of priorities. Keeping them healthy mentally, physically, and socially is also important, of course. You also must make sure that their minds are being stimulated every single day in a positive sense, too. Part of being a parent is helping your child to view life in an optimistic and positive light. There is very little point to life if we’re not enjoying every single day!

Your job is to raise them properly and ensure that they have every advantage going into their adulthood when they’re entirely responsible for their own life. No matter how old your kids are, they are never too old to do things together as a family. Here are some activities that you can do with your family that will be educational, productive, rewarding, and fun:

Family work outs and exercise:

Working out as a family is a great way of bonding as well as staying fit and healthy. It’s often tedious and grueling when you have to work out on your own – especially during the cold, dark, and gloomy days. Getting your gang to tag along with you can be so rewarding. Not only will you all enjoy it, but you’re teaching your entire family about the kinds of things they need to be doing in order to feel better mentally and physically. They could also pick up all kinds of sporting hobbies – which is, of course, an added bonus.

Extra curricular schooling:

Some kids may not like the idea of learning things when they’re away from school. Others, however, may find something they genuinely love and they may want to delve into it even further. The practice of learning from home has become a lot more popular due to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean it has to stop once life gets back on track again. One thing’s for certain; you’ll have a much smarter child on your hands than if you don’t bother with it!

Work on the house:

Nobody’s expecting you to behave like professional remodeling companies, of course. Even though that would be AMAZING if you could replicate that stuff! Doing some DIY and conjuring up little projects would be fun a place to start. You’ll get productive tasks done while teaching the kids (and yourself) all kinds of new, useful skills.

Travel to new places regularly:

Doing the same kinds of things over and over again, even if you find them quite entertaining, will end up being boring. You won’t stimulate your brain anywhere near as much as perhaps you should. Visiting new areas of the world definitely would. Even new areas in your home country need exploring! You’ll learn so much and your confidence would grow a lot. Plus, there are plenty of awesome memories to be made when traveling with your family!

Enjoy quality time all together with the ideas above for an even stronger family unit in the future.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Sweet Surprises: A Thanksgiving Stowaway Edition

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Sweet Surprises: A Thanksgiving Stowaway Edition

Hello!! Sadly, Johnny and I were not able to attend Thanksgiving with my family and it really, really sucked. It was so hard to visit my loved ones outside and not be able to hug them and enjoy the day together. It was especially difficult to not be able to hold my niece, Valerie, because she is my lil BFF and I have never not held her whenever I see her since she has been born.

My parents were nice enough to drop Thanksgiving dinner off on mine and Johnny’s doorstep and it wasn’t until the following day that I noticed a little stowaway on the bag they sent over:

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Valerie loves playing with stickers and her and my sister stuck this little guy from Trolls onto our to go bag. I didn’t notice it right away because it was on the backside of it and it made me so happy when I finally saw this “hi auntie” message from my niece.

The little things really do make the best sweet surprises. I wish I could have been there to hear Val say “uh oh” when one of her stickers ripped and I am so ready for Christmas so I can be there when her and her parents open all of her prezzies.

This Thanksgiving was straight up not a good time for me or Johnny and I am sharing these stories to help remind and encourage people to continue wearing their masks and social distance. The food, my sticker stowaway, and being with Johnny made the day not the worst but our Thanksgiving would have been so much better had we been able to celebrate traditionally.

Regardless, my sweet surprise from my niece and sister definitely helped perk me up. It is also a nice reminder that even the smallest gestures can have such a great impact. Be kind to everyone because you have no idea what they’re going through. Who knows, you might be helping make their bad day just that little bit better. 🙂

How did you safely celebrate Thanksgiving? What are you looking forward to as the year comes to a close? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

4 Steps To More Success: Helping Your Children Learn From Home

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4 Steps To More Success: Helping Your Children Learn From Home

As a parent, tutoring is automatically an additional responsibility once your kids are school age. Whether you are helping with homework or teaching them how to do basic research, you are engaging in some form of tutoring. With the COVID-19 pandemic still a real threat, many parents have taken on tutoring their kids full-time to keep up with the schoolwork they may be missing. Other parents have decided to co-tutor with teachers online using the various available technologies. This is the best time for you to step up your game as a tutor so keep on reading for our tips to help you improve:

Incorporate technology:

Technology is driving education, and you must find ways to incorporate it into your teaching. Students of all ages now have access to at least a mobile phone or a laptop – even if it belongs to their parents. There are tons of apps out there that can help you to deliver any conceivable topic from history, science, math, and English tutoring, the choice is yours. You can use these apps for your professional development or you may be able to introduce these apps to your kids as a fun way to learn and explore the subject area.

Prior to teaching your child, you should hop on the computer yourself. You can’t expect your student to get a grasp on the information if you don’t! You can look up everything from teaching methods and lesson plans to American history books for high school. There are plenty of resources to help you in your new role of assisting in at home learning.

There are tons of apps out there that can help you to deliver any conceivable topic from history, science, math, and English tutoring, the choice is yours. For example, innovative educational tools like Age of Learning ride on the back of technology to deliver comprehensive and engaging content for kids no matter where they are. These helpful online resources provide a wealth of information you can use to support your child’s education at home. Indeed, technology has transformed the face of education, providing several benefits. If you are determined to provide the best learning tools, consider exploring beyond physical books and assignments.

Be adaptable:

No two students are the same, so you must be adaptable and quick to realize your child’s learning style. Find a method that he or she identifies with and use that to teach them to increase their participation. Some students prefer to know the subject matter and prepare before the actual class. Others learn best when the teaching is interlaced with some activities that improve their retention. Another thing to improve upon is speaking in terms that will be understood and always encouraging questions when things aren’t clear.

Be patient:

Patience is key to understanding your child and finding ways to make learning easier and more fun for them. While some students are quick to understand certain concepts, others are not. Do not get flustered or impatient. Instead, take your time to explain and break down the idea so that they can grasp it. Other students have problems with retention, and this is quite common. If you do have a student that struggles with information retention, employ the use of memory retention techniques such as mind maps and acronyms, which can be helpful in such a situation.

Remember that at home learning is new for both yourself and your children. Take some time during the day for much needed breaks if you find your patience wearing thin. Break up the day with a snack, free time so your child can read some educational books for teens, or cell phone time to keep things running smoothly.

Seek your child’s feedback:

If your child is struggling, ask for their feedback on what you can do to make things easier. It could be that he or she is not learning in a style that best suits them. Ask them how they feel about your teaching style or approach to a topic when you are helping with homework. You can also ask them how you can make the lessons more exciting or beneficial to them. This will help you improve your teaching methods while giving your kids the opportunity to voice their feelings and have a hands on experience with their education.

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2020 has brought parents directly into the classroom with at home learning. Help them be successful with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Protecting Your Dogs In Winter Weather

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Protecting Your Dogs In Winter Weather

When winter comes around, every good pet owner will want to make sure their pooch is happy and safe. We can put on layers, while they cannot. We can avoid puddles and slippery ice on the sidewalk, just by knowing what would entail if we stood in them. Dogs don’t seem to realize their paws will get stuck to the ice and this can be incredibly dangerous and painful. Not to mention, they tend to bring in half the snowfall, as they come inside our homes from walks. We can help our dogs remain safe, not lose our minds with all of the cleanup duties, and enjoy winter together as good pet owners:

Frostbite danger:

Many people will still try to take their restless dog outside in the cold for his morning and evening walks. However, no matter what kind of dog you have, always make him or her wear some shoes. In the wild, dogs are not just roaming around in the cold. They avoid harsh conditions but we have domesticated dogs that want to stick to a routine and need to be outside at a particular time of day. That’s fine, but dogs will start to shiver and their paws become numb if they have prolonged contact with the frozen pavement. So make sure that they are wearing winter shoes or they might suffer from frostbite which is extremely painful.

 

He wants to snuggle:

If your pup isn’t allowed on the furniture, give him an elevated bed so it’s not touching the cold floor. If your dog’s bed is on tiles or hardwood floors, then it will lose warmth. But if you keep it off the ground this won’t be an issue. Nevertheless, give your dog an extra blanket or a thicker blanket for the winter. It is equally as important to move the dog’s bed away from draft-prone areas such as close to windows and doors.

Messy paw prints:

When your dog has been outside in the garden to do his business, he will have muddy paws. You can bet that during winter, in the rain and melting ice, the garden will become a muddy mess and that mess will be brought inside. Your furry friend doesn’t know any better, but thanks to a good reliable carpet cleaning service you won’t need to stay upset for too long. The paw prints won’t be permanent and your nice area rug won’t be scarred for life. They use a special patented Hot Carbonating Extraction service which does a very hot deep cleansing clean of any carpet. The carbonation doesn’t harm the carpet fibers and they don’t need to use any undue pressure to get the mud and muck out.

A need for more:

Just like you, during the winter your dog is going to want more food. It’s natural, as we need more energy to shiver, keep warm, and regulate our metabolism during winter. However, do not use this as your only method of helping your dog get through winter. Although he might beg for more food, you should be wary of feeding him too much. Instead, you should only add an extra 10-15% calories more than he would normally have. Give him a jumper or inside top to wear and this way he will not need to burn as many calories to stay warm.

Brush his paws:

If you go for walks on the pavement instead of on the grass in the park, then beware of grit salt getting stuck in between his paws. This can lead to the skin splitting and becoming raw if left alone. Just use a simple toothbrush to wipe your dog’s paws clean as he gets inside. It will make sure little pieces of grit do not remain lodged in your dog’s paws. Again, as we have recommended earlier, just buy him some winter shoes and all of this will be avoided.

Your dog is counting on you to stick to his routine so he doesn’t feel anxious and become restless. But he also needs protection from the icy gritty pavement. These are just some of the things you can do to keep your pet safer this winter.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Lil Red’s Thanksgiving

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Lil Red’s Thanksgiving

Hello! For those of you who don’t know, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love sitting around the table with my family and enjoying the most delicious food that I have been waiting all year to eat, lol! Unfortunately, due to the nature of my job of working in several different homes throughout the course of this pandemic, Johnny and I deemed it unsafe for us to participate in the holiday with both of our families.

Making that decision was not easy and I honestly cried for at least three days about it. However, safety is and will always be my primary goal and anything I can do to protect my family, my clients, and myself is worth all of the hardships. As I’ve mentioned before, COVID-19 has been on a terrifying rise in Ohio and it has made doing anything other than work and grocery shopping damn near impossible for those who are taking the virus seriously.

On Thanksgiving, Johnny and I were able to visit with my family outside and my parents were nice enough to drop off our Thanksgiving meal to our apartment. It was not traditional in any sense of the word but we all felt good with that decision no matter how hard it was.

As someone who has worked in the health care field throughout this entire pandemic, it is safe to say that I am totally burned out. However, a bright ray of sunshine is on the horizon for me come Christmas. I have not taken any time off to recharge for the past nine months and I plan on taking two weeks off prior to Christmas so I can celebrate safely with my family.

It will feel so good to have that time to relax, breathe a little bit easier, and be able to watch my family open all of the gifts that I picked out special for them. Thanksgiving was a bust but I am going to make this Christmas the best one yet and I can’t wait!

How did you celebrate Thanksgiving this year? What is your favorite holiday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: Thank those of us in the health care profession not just with your words but by wearing a mask and social distancing to help curb the spread of COVID-19. We are tired. We are exhausted. And we need your help!