Tag Archives: family

May25

Having A Great Day, The Safe Way

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Having A Great Day, The Safe Way

Hi! While in quarantine, there have been many special occasions that have came and passed, including several birthdays in my family and Mother’s Day. Although it would have been nice to have big birthday blow outs and celebrations, that just isn’t possible right now. However, my family always seemed to manage to have a good time, despite the obvious set backs.

For example, for my sister and dad’s back to back birthdays, Johnny and I ordered pizza and we made an evening of it at my parents’ house. And, for my brother’s birthday, we hit up a local ice cream stand and brought that deliciousness home to enjoy. We also took the dogs (and ourselves) for a walk around the neighborhood, too!

While these are, admittedly, tame ways to celebrate someone’s big day, it worked perfectly for the current circumstances. Good food and company was shared between all of the people I love and it doesn’t get much better than that. Also, Pizza Hut… Need I say more?

Although your get togethers might not be picture perfect right now, you can still make a great day with the options that are safely available. My boyfriend’s birthday is a week before mine and, while I have gifts at the ready compliments of Amazon, I am also making him something special for dinner. AKA I’m getting him Outback Steakhouse so he can have that for his birthday dinner and watch WWII documentaries a la Parks & Rec. Like I said, work with what you’ve got given the circumstances!

Enjoy your low key celebrations for now and plan for an even bigger and better bash next year. Stay safe and have fun. ❤

How are you celebrating special occasions social distance style? What is your favorite takeout treat? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May16

Top 5 Dogs For Small Spaces

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Top 5 Dogs For Small Spaces

Getting a dog is a big step that requires commitment and dedication you have to be ready for. Some of the factors on the dog’s side you should consider include age, size, nutrition, and training requirements while sorting out financial status and space on your end. The fantastic news is that even if you have a small space, some specific breeds will fit you perfectly. But size is not what only matters here; how loud, friendly, and energetic is the dog? Take a look at these five breeds that can thrive in small spaces. Also, note that they are all super cute, so choosing one might be hard:

1. Bichon Frise:

This dog breed does not usually grow taller than a foot even and weigh about fifteen pounds. This means that they won’t take up much space on the couch and in the apartment. Even though they require daily exercise, they also love to play, and so are very energetic. These hypoallergenic cuties learn very fast and are very friendly, making them well behaved with company.

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Angel!

2. Boston Terrier:

This is one of the short-haired breeds which go well in apartments. They usually do not grow taller than a foot and a half and are also very lively and energetic. They are called the ‘American Gentlemen’ for a good reason; they are gentle and generally wonderful to be around. Once they’re well-fed and exercised, they’re content.

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Another angel!

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

If you love the silky dog breeds, then you’ll enjoy this one. They love going on walks and lounging on your lap when you’re ready to relax. They weigh thirteen to eighteen pounds so space is not a problem at all. In fact, their preference to stay attached to their owners even makes small spaces good for them. The only issue is that they are quite hard to train, but a lot of outdoor time and positive reinforcement can solve that problem fast.

4. French Bulldog:

These dogs are compact and engage in very minimal activity, two reasons why they’re perfect for small spaces. They also very rarely bark, which is a good thing if you have neighbors. This is also beneficial because they will only bark when there is a reason to which is a characteristic good watchdogs have. Daily brisk walks are enough to keep them in shape, and so it’s not a problem if you spend most of the time inside.

5. Havanese:

This 10-pound dog is another favorite among apartment dwellers because not only is it cute, but it also loves to stay indoors. They are clingy and love to play with their owners, and so it is easy to keep an eye on them.

Knowing the type of dog you can have for your space will save you a great deal of trouble. You will have to take care of them like any other pet, paying attention to their inner and outward health. You can protect them from parasites with https://it.nexgardspectra.com/ and visit your vet for regular check ups.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May16

Mother’s Day Bouquets

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Mother’s Day Bouquets

Hello and a very happy belated Mother’s Day to all of my lovelies who celebrated! Although I normally love getting creative with gift giving, I always find Mother’s Day to be a bouquet occasion. So, I went to our local grocery story and picked out some beautiful flowers and floral decorated mason jars for them all to go in for my giftees.

Over Mother’s Day weekend, my boyfriend and I made our flower delivery rounds and, although these pictures are admittedly not the best (I was half asleep!), take a look at my handy work:

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Once I bought my Mother’s Day flowers, I took them home so that I could begin arranging them into their jars. My dad is an amazing bouquet arranger so I thought back to all of the million times I’ve seen him prepare a bouquet for my mom and gave it my best shot. And, I think they ended up looking great – the recipients definitely thought so!

I am partial to receiving flowers, myself, but there’s nothing like giving them on a special occasion to all of the strong, beautiful women that you love. Again, a very happy belated Mother’s Day to all and I wish I could have given flowers to all of you. ❤

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

May5

Smart Tips To Help Manage Your Cat’s Weight

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Smart Tips To Help Manage Your Cat’s Weight

Part of keeping your cat healthy is ensuring that they stay at a healthy weight. We might all like to laugh at and coo over a fat cat, but the reality is that cats shouldn’t be carrying lots of excess weight. They need to be at a healthy weight so that they can remain active and so that there is no extra strain put on their bodies. Managing your cat’s weight can be difficult, though, especially if you have an indoor cat that might be less active. If you’re looking for some tips to help manage your cat’s weight, take a look at the advice below:

Speak to Your Vet:

Your vet can give you plenty of helpful advice about your cat’s diet and weight. They can let you know if your cat is overweight or even underweight, and make recommendations to help keep them healthy. They might recommend a specific food, especially if your cat might benefit from a special diet to improve their health. Your vet can recommend portion sizes and feeding times and generally offer more personalized advice compared to what you would get from a packet of cat food.

Make Measuring Food Easy:

It can be tricky to get your cat’s food right, especially concerning how much to feed them and when to feed them. Measuring out the right amount and sticking to a schedule is an important part of giving your cat the right diet. Many cat owners let their cats snack on dry food throughout the day, but this can lead to them eating too much. An automatic cat feeder can help you to measure out the right amount of dry food. Some even have cameras so that you can watch your cat when you’re out of the house. If you feed both wet and dry food, you need to make sure that the combined calories don’t exceed your cat’s recommended amount.

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ANGEL!

Keep Your Cat Active:

Exercise is another important part of managing your cat’s weight, particularly if you have an indoor cat. Indoor cats can be less active than outdoor cats, who will often go roaming for large parts of the day. Playing with your cat can encourage them to be more active, which helps to manage their weight. Make sure to adjust their diet to match their levels of activity too. More active cats may need to eat more.

Be Restrained with Treats:

Giving your cat treats can be a great way to pamper them and even teach them a few tricks. However, too many treats could mean that your cat is eating too much. While a few treats aren’t a bad thing, it’s important not to go overboard. It’s also important to give your cat special cat treats, which you include in your cat’s daily calorie allowance, and not human food.

Keep your cat healthy by managing their weight. Food and exercise play important roles in cat weight management.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr24

Tips For The Best Ways To Feed Your Horse

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Tips For The Best Ways To Feed Your Horse

If you’re a new horse owner or you simply want to become a better one, one of the things you’ll need to think about is how you feed your horse. It’s one of the most important things you have to consider when you own a horse and there are many decisions to make. We’re going to discuss all of that and cover the most important issues around feeding your horse correctly, so read on to learn more:

Stick to Trickle Feeding:

Trickle feeding is the process of giving horses small amounts of food at a time. This way of feeding horses is used because it’s how horses naturally eat and it suits the size of their stomach, which is relatively small. Because they’re being fed small amounts, they can be fed more often. Horses 400kg and above should only be fed around 2kg of food per meal.

Feed Plenty of Forage:

You can still feed horses plenty of forage, though, as this is essential for their digestive health and they’ll graze on it throughout the day. As well as helping their digestive health, it also makes it easier for horses to absorb vital nutrients from other sources, aiding their health and fitness generally. You should give them more than 1.5% of their body weight per day in forage.

Ensure Fresh and Clean Water is Always Available:

It’s essential that your horse always has easy access to fresh and clear water at all times. Without this, they’re only going to get dehydrated and it’ll eventually have a massively detrimental effect on their general health and well being. Don’t underestimate the importance of the water and replacing it with fresh, clean water at regular intervals.

Get the Logistics Right:

It’s also important to choose the right food and to ensure you always have a reliable supply of it heading your way. Places like https://www.naturafeed.com/production-distribution/ can help with the distribution of horse feed, and it’s a good idea to select an option that offers those provisions. Once you have a feed, you want to keep it consistent and always have it in stock. It’s best for your horse if you’re not making changes all of the time and swapping their feed.

Keep Feeding Times Consistent:

Horses like routines and form strong habits. That’s why it’s so important for their general happiness that you keep their feeding times as consistent as possible from day to day. You should also offer the amount of food that matches up to the amount of work that’s been done by the horse that day so their energy reserves are adequately replenished.

Feeding your horse correctly is a vital part of being a horse owner. Nothing should be left to chance and you should put real time and thought into working out how much feed your horse needs and what kind it needs. These variables will differ depending on your horse.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr21

Community Fun In Self-Isolation

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Community Fun In Self-Isolation

Hello! While all of us are basking in the boredom of self-isolation, I am sure that those who were active members in the community are itching to get back to planning and participating in events for all to enjoy. Although seeing each other from a distance is the standard now, there are still plenty of ways for us to come together as a community and make the best of a difficult situation. Perhaps with some of the following ideas:

Parking Lot Events:

The inspiration from this post actually came from a client’s mom who told me her family attended Easter mass from a broadcast in the church parking lot. What a great idea! Just like at the drive in movies, people filed in with their windows up and were instructed by signs to tune into a radio station for the mass. She said it was such an amazing, refreshing, safe community event and it sure sounds like it.

If attending a parking lot religious ceremony isn’t your thing, how about a neighborhood drive in movie night, instead? I could definitely go for that one!

Social Media Groups:

My city in Ohio has a Facebook “talk of the town” group where people can post news and chit chat with each other. If your area doesn’t have such a page, why not create one yourself? Have everyone vote on a different show to watch in unison from the comfort of their home so all of you can discuss it later. Or how about a neighborhood book club? As long as everyone is communicating with each other, that’s all that matters.

Neighborhood Games:

On your neighborhood social media group, you could post the rules for a neighborhood participation game. You could try something like I Spy for people to walk or drive around and find the clues. Maybe you could encourage everyone to put their dog in a Halloween costume if they are going out for a stroll. Or how about a quarantine edition of Bingo to play from the porch? There are tons of possibilities if you get creative!

Decorate Your Yard:

Something fun for your neighborhood to participate in could be a yard decorating extravaganza for everyone to enjoy. Perhaps you could plant beautiful flowers in your yard? Or what about putting some of your holiday themed inflatables or lights back on display? You could even do something totally random like a snowman made out of tires if you feel like it! Get inspired and create a lawn display for all of your neighbors to be proud of when they walk or drive by.

It’s hard not being able to see each other traditionally but it’s important to still enjoy your friends and neighborhood even if it is from a distance. Use the ideas above and have some fun!

How have you been interacting with people from a distance? Has your community done any social distancing activities like the ones above? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr20

Activities For Children In Self-Isolation

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Activities For Children In Self-Isolation

Hello! Many of my friends are now home schooling their children and, for the most part, it’s going great. Some are even thinking of making the plunge to home schooling all of the time. But what do you do when your kiddos have a ton of extra energy and assignments due? How about some entertainment? Help eliminate the wiggles and get some extra focus back with the following activities:

Scheduled Recess:

To many students, playing with their friends at recess is the high point of their day. Schedule some play time outside or board games inside if the weather is inclement after lunch. It will bring some familiarity to their schedule and, after a half hour of free play outside, the next math assignment should come a bit easier afterwards!

Pillow Fort Party:

Are your kids hung up on English homework? Build a pillow fort special for them to do their reading in. Permit playing in the fort once the chapters are read and the homework is complete for a special reward. How about a movie night from the comfort of the pillows and blankets once the day is complete? Don’t forget the popcorn. 😀

Kitchen Helpers:

Kids can learn a lot about math and science through helping in the kitchen. Have your little ones help you out the next time you make lunch or bake cookies. Teach them about different measurements and kitchen safety. If it goes over well, decorating the treats once the “lesson” is done makes for a fine reward.

Talk To Them:

If you’re having a hard time keeping your kids focused on the task at hand, just ask them what you can do to help. Maybe that means playing music as they work. Or what about a dance break to a few songs every hour? They might have their own tried and true methods, themselves, so try sticking to them if they work.

Encourage Their Friendships:

I’m sure it’s so hard for all of the kiddos to be away from their friends right now, especially if they have no one around their age at home. Encourage their friendships even in self-isolation. Allow them to FaceTime or chat with a friend on the phone during a break. Even teachers give their students chit chat time so do the same while you’re homeschooling. Just a small break to talk to someone in their peer group could be a welcome change of pace for your child throughout the day.

I tip my cap to all of the parents at home right now with their children because I genuinely don’t know how they’re doing it! Hopefully, these tips will make their current job a little bit easier. 🙂

How is homeschooling your children going? How do you keep them focused during the school day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr19

Taking Care Of A Dog When Practicing Social-Distancing

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Taking Care Of A Dog When Practicing Social-Distancing

Having a dog can change your life. A dog means that you’ve got a constant and loving companion. Someone who loves you and shows it. Who is loyal and affectionate and who is always there when you need them. Owning a dog can improve your mental health, boost your social interactions, and encourage you to get more exercise.

But now, normal life is very different. We can’t take our dogs to our favorite dog parks. We can’t let them run free, playing with their friends while we chat with other dog owners. If you are ill, you might struggle to look after them, and getting to the vets can be difficult.

The good news is, that there isn’t currently any evidence that COVID-19 affects dogs or that they can transmit the virus to humans. Having a dog shouldn’t make you sick, and you shouldn’t be able to affect them if you become unwell. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take some extra precautions. Here are some tips to help you to look after your dog while practicing social-distancing or even living in self-isolation:

Find a Quiet Time to Walk:

At the moment, as long as you are in good health, at no increased risk, and have no symptoms of COVID-19, you are allowed to take your dog out for a walk. But, it’s best practice to stay at least two meters away from anyone else, to avoid the possible spread of the virus. If you usually walk in quite a busy park, you might find it easier to avoid other people if you find a quieter time to walk, perhaps first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Keep Him on a Lead:

Social distancing becomes a lot harder when your dog is off the lead, and you’ve got less control over where they run. Keep them on their lead whenever you go out, and remember to wash the grip before you go out and when you get home.

Save Money on Pet Care:

Pet care can be expensive, and if you can’t work at the moment, you may be keen to save money wherever you can. Save money by printing a petmeds coupon and try shopping around for pet food and any other supplies. Don’t forget to shop on sale!

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All smiles!

Find Out More About Your Vet’s Policy:

Hopefully, your vet is still open and seeing patients. Even if you don’t need to see them, it’s a good idea to be prepared, as their policies may have changed. Look on their website or social media pages to see if any restrictions have been put in place. You may have to book in advance, and you might not be allowed into the surgery until your appointment time, to minimize contact in the waiting areas. If you do need to see your vet, wash your hands before and after, avoid touching your face, and consider wearing a mask while you are out of the house.

Minimize Contact If You Are Symptomatic:

If you are symptomatic, however mild your symptoms are, you should go into self-isolation straight away. Then, while there is no evidence that your pet could become affected, not enough is known about how they may carry the virus on their fur or collar, so avoid too much contact until your symptoms subside.

Arrange for an Alternative Walker:

If you are self-isolating, you shouldn’t even leave the house to walk your dog, nor should anyone else in your household. If you have a garden, you may be able to manage, but if not, it’s important that your dog gets some exercise. Arrange for someone else to collect (without entering your home or coming within two meters of you) your dog for walks, bringing their own lead, and not making contact with anything from within your home.

Keep Stocked Up on Food and Other Supplies:

You don’t need to stockpile pet food and supplies, but it is a good idea to have at least a week’s worth at all times, in case you struggle to get out and can’t get a delivery.

Use the tips above to keep taking the best care of your four legged friends during this difficult time.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr17

Top Four Ways To Protect Yourself From The Wider Effects Of Coronavirus

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Top Four Ways To Protect Yourself From The Wider Effects Of Coronavirus

Coronavirus is sweeping the globe, and it doesn’t matter who you are, it affects you. There is a lot of advice out there for the obvious ways to protect yourself and how to deal with symptoms, but what about all of the other things coronavirus is responsible for? Check out our list of the top four ways to protect yourself from the broader effects of coronavirus:

Claiming what you’re eligible for:

Whether this is through work or the government, make sure you know precisely what is out there and whether you can claim for it or not. If you are eligible, claim! Don’t hold yourself back because you think someone else might need it more, or because you don’t want to be a burden. If you’re entitled to it, ask for it.

Disability insurance:

Disability insurance can be a great way of covering yourself throughout a pandemic, like coronavirus. Coronavirus (or COVID-19) is included in some disability insurance policies. Go through your paperwork and ensure your provider will cover you. Some kinds of insurance policies will cover you through the death of a loved one. Out of all the deaths caused by coronavirus, 1% is of people under 50. If you have to take care of someone seriously ill or go into isolation or quarantine, this can create a need to claim on your insurance.

Mental health:

It’s not just your household’s physical health that you need to look after. Being in quarantine or on lock down has a massive impact on your mental health. It can cause depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as creating frustration and irritability. If you’re cooped up with family, roommates, or even just pets, you’re likely to get cross with someone eventually. Trying out calming techniques like meditation and mindfulness can really help. It’s also worth encouraging discussion of your emotions as a family. Frequently remind your household that everyone is tense because of lock down, and if someone does snap, everyone else should try not to take it too personally.

Balance your consumption of the news:

Following the news has never been more critical. You need to know what the government is currently advising and what the latest updates are, but you don’t need to know every last detail if this upsets you. Obsessing over the news won’t help you, but locking yourself in a bubble is not the way to cope, either. Limit yourself to checking a reputable news source once or twice a day — coronavirus news doesn’t move much faster than that anyway.

Avoid sources that are not major news providers or your government. It’s best to stay well away from the speculation on social media. If it keeps appearing on your dash, block the keywords or tags, or unfollow whoever is posting it. Use social media to stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues, and to pass the time in a fun and pleasant way.

Stay safe and follow these four tips to get through the coronavirus pandemic.

Featured Image By: congerdesign

Apr12

Celebrating Special Occasions In Self-Isolation

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Celebrating Special Occasions In Self-Isolation

Hello! Ohio has a stay at home order in place until the beginning of May – as for right now. Unfortunately, special occasions don’t just stop because we are practicing self isolation. So, if a loved one has a birthday coming up, it can certainly feel like a bit of a bust. Thankfully, there are still ways to keep communication alive from the comfort of your own home. Use some of the following tips if anyone you know is celebrating their big day:

Order Them Takeout:

If a friend or family member is celebrating a birthday, you could do the social distancing equivalent of a birthday dinner by sending them over some takeout. Pick out a delicious meal from their favorite restaurant and Door Dash it on over for a birthday surprise. And, how surprised and thankful your giftee will be when he or she finds out that they don’t have to cook dinner!

Special Delivery:

Online deliveries are, for the most part, still a thing. How about sending your giftee a quarantine kit to help keep them entertained? Assemble a care package filled with adult coloring books, board games, books, or movies with the promise of a game night/late celebration once the stay at home order has been lifted.

Have A Virtual Drink:

Virtual drinks and happy hours over video chat has become a new trend as of late and my boyfriend and I are so there for it. We have participated in a few rounds of virtual drinks with our friends and it is always a blast. Call up your friend or family member on FaceTime or Skype who is celebrating a big day and toast to them. And, of course, real life drinks at a later time goes without saying!

Plan Ahead:

If all of the virtual mumbo jumbo isn’t your style, send your loved one an email or some snail mail inviting them to a celebration hang out at a later time. Your giftee will be 1) tickled that you remembered and 2) excited to have a fun event to look forward to. Plan an itinerary for an afternoon or evening on the town with the person celebrating and don’t forget to mark it in the calendar!

Don’t let your loved one’s special day go uncelebrated with the tips above and happy happy days to those celebrating during a stay at home order! ❤

How have you celebrated a special occasion during self-isolation? Will your birthday take place during the stay at home order? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah