Tag Archives: family

Happy Haulidays: Mom & Dad Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Mom & Dad Edition

Hi! In today’s Haulidays post we will be looking at some polar opposite prezzies from my mom and dad. This year, things were a little bit different becauuuuuuse *drum roll please* my dad actually picked a present out for me! Haha, my dad is notorious for the ol’ presents “from mom and dad” trick and I think that he’s always just as surprised to see what my mom picked out as we are. So, it was an extra special touch that I got the perfect daily calendar from my beloved dad! Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • Daily True Crime calendar
  • Betsey Johnson gemstone snake wrap around necklace

My dad knows me all too well, because I couldn’t have asked for a better day by day calendar if I tried. He knows that I am an absolute horror junkie so I guess when he saw these daily factoids about crazy killers, it spoke to him. And, I don’t see why it wouldn’t, with a caption like “wife cannot recall cutting off his penis” on the front! My dad seemed very pleased with his purchase and, as morbid as it is, I’m flattered that this made him think of me. 😀

And, from my mom, came a gorgeous Betsey Johnson snake necklace that I’ve had my eye on from TJMaxx. I have a pretty sizeable collection of snake themed jewelry and I am so happy to be able to add this necklace to it because I freaking love it. It’s just beautiful! The dazzling colors and the slithering surprise of what the necklace actually is shaped as is so me and I cannot wait to break this baby out!

How do your parents buy your Christmas presents? What is one of the most thoughtful gifts you received this hauliday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Haulidays: Brother In Law Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Brother In Law Edition

Howdy! Today’s Haulidays post is compliments of my sister’s long term boyfriend, Ramon! Ramon is one of my best friends in the world and, even though he and Kristen are expecting a little baby together soon, he still lets me third wheel all the time. What a guy! Not only is Ramon one of my favorite people on the planet, but he is also an excellent gift giver and always knows just what to get for Lil Red. Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • Step Brothers fleece blanket
  • Step Brothers Boats N’ Hoes glass
  • Rainbow glitter shot glass

As I’m sure all of you know by now, Step Brothers is one of my favorite movies of all time. So, it always behooves people (And myself!) to get me themed presents from Will Ferrell’s finest. Ramon hit the nail on the head big time with the huge fleece blanket with front and back images of Brennan Huff and Dale Doback’s smiling faces and I love wrapping myself in it every night. And, nothing is better than enjoying a cold one in a new glass that promotes their hit single, Boats N’ Hoes! Turn up! 😀

What is your favorite movie? Is there a theme for gifts that always work well for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Your Checklist To Prepare Your Home For A New Dog

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Your Checklist To Prepare Your Home For A New Dog

Getting a dog and bringing it to your home can be a huge milestone for the entire family. From a new puppy to adopting a dog, there is so much fun and excitement that comes with a new pet for the family. The environment that you bring them home to is so important, though, and the first day that you bring them back is crucial, too. Your dog is going to be full of nerves and excitement, as they are brought into something so different than what they have been used to. So being able to make them as comfortable as possible is key. With all of that in mind, here are some things that you can do to make sure that the transition to getting a new dog goes well:

Prepare All Household Members:

If you have other family members in the home, even if it is just you and your partner, you all need to be prepared for the new arrival. If you have children at home, then it is a good idea to talk to them about what is going to be happening. It is also wise to assign out the expectations of welcoming a new dog into the home, as well. If you expect the children or teenagers to help with walking the dog, then they need to know ahead of time that it is what you expect of them.

Get The Right Equipment:

Before you bring the dog into your home, you need to make sure that you have all of the right equipment in to make things more comfortable for your dog. A dog bed, bedding, bowls, toys, and food is a must, of course. The food can be trial and error with a new dog but starting with something like TreeHousePuppies could be a good idea. Vitamins can be a good for your dog, too.

Puppy-Proof:

All dogs are going to react differently to different things and the new environment that they are going to presented with. But it can be made much simpler by making sure that you have done your bit to puppy-proof the home. It could be simple things like putting houseplants out of reach for your dog or moving things like roach traps out of the way, too. If you don’t want them to go upstairs, then getting gates for the stairs, much like baby gates, is going to be a great idea and using them right from the start is a must to avoid confusion.

Getting a vet for your dog is one of the things you should do once they’re all settled. This can be especially important if you are adopting a dog as you won’t know what the state of their health could be. But most of all, enjoy your time with your new addition to the family!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Merry Christmas!!

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Merry Christmas!!

Hellooooo all of my beloved readers and friends and a very Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! I am so happy to be able to celebrate the holiday with my family today and I hope that no matter how you spend your day, you have an amazing time doing so. It has been a hell of a few weeks for Lil Red and Christmas day spent with family, presents, and lots of good cheer is just what the doctor ordered! May all of you have a safe and love filled holiday and I will be back with the latest and greatest tomorrow! Much love. -Sarah

Coping With The Stress Of An Unexpected Situation

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Coping With The Stress Of An Unexpected Situation

Studies have shown that most of us feel stressed out at least some of the time in our typical day to day lives. We get stressed about work issues. We worry about our family and our relationships. We panic about financial problems. We’re stressed out by constantly being connected to social media and our emails. We worry that we’re eating too much or not enough of the right things. We know we should be exercising more, but we just can’t find the time. We work long, hard hours, we rarely give ourselves a break and when we do we use it to scroll through Instagram feeling envious of other people’s perfect lives.

That’s when things are going well. Our stress levels often reach their peak when something unexpected happens. Unfortunately, unexpected situations can’t always be avoided. Things break down and need repairing. People lose jobs or get sick. We find ourselves facing legal issues or problems with our children. You can’t prepare for them, but you can learn how to cope with the stress that they bring, allowing you to deal with them better.

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Just breathe!

Research:

When something unexpected happens, it’s the unknown that causes us stress. Not knowing what’s going on, or why, or what will happen next causes undue concern, sleepless nights, and panic. Research your situation, employ the right people to help you, look for a lawyer and real time court reporters if you need to. Learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to ask for help understanding if you need it.

Speak to Someone:

You’ve probably heard the saying “a problem shared is a problem halved”. Well, it’s often true. We’re frightened and stressed out because of a lack of knowledge, but we almost talk ourselves into getting more stressed out if we deal with it in our own heads.

Speak to someone about your worries and concerns. This might be a professional that can offer you help or it could just be a close friend. Either one will give you a soundboard to get things off of your chest and offer you advice. Sometimes just vocalizing our problems makes them seem smaller.

Look At Your Options:

We often get stressed out because we feel trapped. Something unexpected happens, and we can’t see a way out. We panic, we focus on the negatives, and all we can see is the worst possible outcome. But, chances are, you have got options. Speaking to someone and learning more about your situation will help you to see them. Don’t be too proud to ask for help from the people that love you. They’ll need your help too one day, and you’d hate to think that they wouldn’t ask for it.

Concentrate On What You Can Change:

We can’t change everything. If something has happened, it’s happened. You can’t change it, and you can’t fix the past. So stop worrying about it. Focus your energies on the future, the things that you can change, and you’ll feel much better.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

How To Cope With A Scary Medical Diagnosis

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How To Cope With A Scary Medical Diagnosis

There’s nothing quite like being diagnosed with a serious illness or disease. It’s a situation nightmares are made of. Even if you suspected that something was wrong, this information completely knocks you for six, taking over your entire life in one terrifying and paralyzing moment. It may feel as though time has stopped, but you do need to find a way carry on. To help you cope with this scary news and bring balance back into your life, here are six things that you can do:

Allow Yourself To Feel:

Maintaining a positive attitude can help you to make better choices and improve your quality of life. However, if you’re not feeling particularly positive, you shouldn’t have to fake it. Many people diagnosed with serious illnesses choose to put on a brave face so as to not worry their loved ones. Unfortunately, this can be incredibly overwhelming. It’s much healthier to let yourself feel and not be ashamed of it.

Use The Web Wisely:

Certain conditions most of us already know quite a bit about, but, when you’re diagnosed with something you’ve never heard of, one of the first places you might turn is the internet. Just make sure you use it wisely. As useful of a tool as the web can be, it also contains some wildly inaccurate information. It’s much more sensible to talk to trusted health professionals, instead.

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Avoid The What Ifs:

When we receive a serious diagnosis, our minds instantly jump to the worst case scenario. You should avoid doing the same. As beneficial as some services from hospices may be, you’re not at the point that you need them yet, and actually may never be. You might think that you’re preparing for the future, but all you’re really doing is causing yourself unnecessary stress.

Choose Whom To Tell:

The support of your family and friends is crucial in times like this, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should tell everyone you know right away. A loved one who is going to cry or offer unhelpful advice every time you see them is someone you may want to keep this information from, at least until you’ve wrapped your head around it. Only talk to those who will help you.

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Find Those Who Understand:

No one can ever truly understand what you’re going through, but there are plenty of people that can take a good guess. You’re not the only person in the world to be diagnosed with your illness, so, instead of battling it alone, you could consider talking to those who are going through the same thing or have in the past. You can often find these people through support groups and they are sure to offer great advice. For example, someone might have benefited from a medicare patient advocate that helped with billing assistance or another member of the group could have recommendations to soothe symptoms. You are all in it together and a sense of community can be uplifting.

Stick To Your Routine:

Certain illnesses will require treatments that take up large portions of your day. However, when possible, you should try to stick to your usual routine. Some days you will want to lay in bed and ignore the world, and that is okay, but you can’t let this be your life. If you do, your diagnosis will define you. You may choose to cut back on certain things, but many elements can stay the same.

Hearing a scary diagnosis will never be easy, but, hopefully, with these tips, you can cope better through the next few days and weeks.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Helping An Elderly Relative With Their Medical Needs

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Helping An Elderly Relative With Their Medical Needs

Unfortunately, age comes for us all, and is coming for us right now. Some age like a fine wine in terms of health, while others struggle. Most have at least one issue they need to manage, and do so with care. However, as someone ages it can be harder to keep up this maintenance, as well as dealing with new issues that are sometimes natural, sometimes not depending on their circumstances. The best thing that you can do for your elderly relative is provide love and support in this time. Doing so requires more than words and smiles. Helping them manage conditions, even if you need to split the care giving throughout the responsible adults in your family can be a true blessing for them, and is always a beautiful thing to do for anyone, family or not.

Of course, it would be wrong to assume that you can help them with everything. In the following article, we hope to explore a range of systems or assistance you could give to help your elderly relative through this time. Consider:

Help With Medication:

Your presence or an extra helping hand from in home aged care services can sometimes be the most important thing depending on your family needs. This way you’re not forcing them to head to a retirement community, or bringing them to the doctor everyday. Simply having someone to quickly check in and help with their medication or wash themselves can be all the help in the world that they need, at least for the time being. Simply reminding them through texts or calls can be worthwhile. but it’s also likely that they’d appreciate some human contact, especially if they live alone.

Help With Living A Normal Life:

Living a normal life is completely subjective, but sometimes your elderly relative might not have the capacity to live how they might like due to a medical issue. Spending time with them, taking them out for the day, or baking with them might seem like a small act of kindness and joy to you, but it can make their entire week if you plan it right. The most precious resource anyone elderly has is time, especially if ill. This means giving them this is the most potent form of love you can gift them.

Another way that you can help your loved one is by seeking out activities, stores, libraries, and a doctors office nearby. Giving up independence can be a struggle for elderly people so things that they can get to on their own if they are able will give them a huge boost! Care professionals can also assist with adding normality back into your loved one’s life. There are resources like local aged care software that will help in-home carers update progress notes on your loved ones well-being, enhancing the overall quality of care they receive.

Finding The Right Family Medicine Practitioner:

Finding the right family medical professional might take a little time, but figuring out what you need can help. It might be you require the potential for urgent medical care, continual appointments, or someone who your relative trusts and enjoys being around. Search until you find this, and accept no compromises. This can truly help take the sting out of the care that is given and needed. A great family doctor can ease the burden so dramatically it can be hard to overstate.

With these tips, and the ability to never rule out medical community housing depending on your relative’s needs, you’ll be sure to find the best approach possible.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Important Decisions When Upgrading Your Home’s Exterior

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Important Decisions When Upgrading Your Home’s Exterior

If you’re planning to improve your home over the festive period or in the new year, the best solution is to start from the outside. Internal changes will count for very little if the outside aspects fail to offer the protection and foundations of success. Knowing that you wish to upgrade external parts of the home is one thing, but doing it in a productive manner is another thing altogether. Making the right decisions requires careful planning and preparation. Here are the issues that you need to consider:

The Color Of Brickwork:

Your emotional reaction to the property begins as soon as it comes into sight, and the color of the walls will have a telling impact. Some people prefer to leave the brickwork as it is, but others like to paint it to bring a fresh energy to the home. With so many colors to choose from, you need to think about how it will look alongside any other cladding materials that may be used. This is a job that can be completed on a DIY basis, although you may still wish to hire a professional, too.

The Style Of Roofing:

The roof is one of the most important elements of any property. It influences the appearance, protection, and the insulation all at once. First and foremost, any roof should be kept in perfect health. Nonetheless, it’s important to make the right decision on style. There are many contributing factors to consider including your location and the overall style of the property. Metal is an increasingly common option, and you can visit https://roofingwarnerrobinsga.com to learn more. A great roof will enhance the entire home.

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Very cool!

The Quality Of Windows:

New windows are an upgrade that we made not too long ago, and can confirm that it was worth every penny. Alongside the roofing, they have an integral role to play in the overall insulation. Moreover, their influence on the look of the home is noticed from both inside and out.

There are many shapes and styles to choose from, but the key is to opt for thickness. Depending on how close your home is to the public pathways, you may wish to consider using window films. These items provide the additional privacy to help you relax while you’re enjoying the home.

The Type Of Security:

No home feels 100% right until the security is under control. You can have a positive impact by ensuring that doors and windows are blessed with the right locks. In truth, though, adding external security should be on the agenda, too. The right facilities should deter any wannabe thieves.

In addition to the latest monitored security cameras, you can use automated gates and voice access systems. This will promote even greater safety. It should prevent burglaries while it also collects evidence should the worst occur. Best of all, it’ll give your family added peace of mind.

The Function Of Your Garden:

If your home has a backyard, you should make the most of it. The right choices will add a whole new dimension to the property while also adding esthetic beauty and added value. When done well, the transformation can turn this into your favorite part of the home.

There are many options at your disposal, such as building a deck or using a shipping container to create a pool. Sheds, summer houses, and other structures can all be built too – and usually without planning permission. A beautiful garden will go a long way to making the house a home.

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 Lovely!

The Selection Of Plants:

Some homeowners will opt for a vegetable patch or want to grow trees in the garden. However, the flowerbeds aren’t your only option. Hanging baskets can be added to brighten up the decks and porch areas. Likewise, potted plants are ideal for making a big statement. When choosing flowers and plants for the external areas of the home, it’s important that you consider which seasons they will bloom. Moreover, the colors should complement the overall vibe of the external spaces.

The Driveway Materials:

It’s very easy to overlook the importance of your driveway. In truth, though, it’s one of the first parts that you interact with. As such, it’ll have a huge influence on your impressions of the home as well as the views of others. The quality of materials could impact your car tires, too. The choice of material will largely be determined by the dimensions of the driveway and your personal tastes. Whichever you choose, visit https://drivewaysealcoatingusa.com to seal the driveway. This will ensure that it continues to sparkle for years to come.

The Choice Of Furnishings:

Small details hold such significance when designing a home. You can give the outside of your property a serious boost in style and grandeur with the most basic upgrades. Investing in a better mailbox is just one example of what can be achieved. Upgrading the door numbers, nameplate, knocker, or bell can have a similar impact. If nothing else, going the extra mile in this field will establish a sense of ownership. You cannot underestimate its influence for a second.

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Upgrade, perhaps?

The Source Of Lighting:

Lighting is a central focus when building the atmosphere inside a room. However, it can be equally useful for the external parts of the home. External lights can add beauty, extend your time in the garden, and be used as another security feature. Spotlights, floodlights, and solar panel garden post lights are all great options. When choosing LED solutions, you can also create different color patterns to give the home an entirely new esthetic. Overlook this aspect, and you’ll never unlock the full potential.

Give everyone the best first impression of your home by using the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Bad Weather? Here’s How to Protect Your Home

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Bad Weather? Here’s How to Protect Your Home

If you’ve never experienced the damage bad weather can do to your home, you should consider yourself lucky. Sure, rain may make your living room floor soaked if your windows are leaking and a hard gust of wind may weaken the shingles of your roof – but it’s still nothing at all compared to the floods and hurricanes we’ve experienced over the last decade.

While it’s difficult to prepare your home for that kind of weather unless you live in a bunker, you can still prepare it for cold days and heavy falls of both snow and rain. The spring has yet to arrive for a couple of months and the more you can do for your home now, the better off it will be in case your area should experience a storm anytime soon.

Here is a handful of tips in terms of making sure your home is strong enough to handle the elements. It just makes it a bit easier to put your feet up and relax as the wind howls outside:

First: Seal windows and doors

It’s only logical that the first thing you need to do is to ensure that the storm has no way of entering your home. This means, of course, that you need to make sure that all of your windows and doors are sealed properly. Wind funneling through your home will push upwards and may even lift your roof if it’s strong enough. It’s the kind of water damage your home could definitely do without.

You may want to purchase and install special storm shutters for your windows, for example, or just take a tour around your home to inspects the seals and make sure that there are no cracks to allow the wind in. Have a look here if you’d like to make your own storm shutters, by the way. They will be just as strong as the regular ones you’d buy in the shops as long as you follow the instructions.

Next: Consider steel doors:

You will only need this if you live in an area that often experiences stormy weather, but steel doors can really make a huge difference in terms of safety at home. When you have a steel door as your entry door, you avoid seeing hard winds tearing through those weaker double, French, or sliding doors for your patio. Install special hardware to strengthen the doors where they meet and try bolts that fasten the doors into the framing at the top and the bottom.

Think about the other doors in your house that are connected to the outside world; have a look at garage doors, for example, to avoid seeing the storm damage your vehicle, as well. That being said, your car may still get damaged by severe weather and if that does end up being the case, don’t wait to file your insurance claim for hail damage or any other type of damage that comes from the weather. Your insurance will work with you to make the repairs as cost-effective as possible.

Other points to keep in mind while it’s still quiet before the storm is, of course, to clear out your yard so that no furniture is able to fly off – and have an extra look at your roof. While the damage bad weather can do to your belongings is big enough, it can do even more damage if a roof shingle should hit an animal or a person.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Super Sweet Surprise

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Super Sweet Surprise

Hello! As you guys know, I recently had my wisdom teeth removed and it sucked on ice. The operation was done on a Friday morning and I had to go back to work on Monday. I was in a lot of pain and, unfortunately, I still am as I type this now. But, thanks to one of my amazing clients, I was able to perk up a little because of some Super Sweet Surprises! Take a look:

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Because I was hurting so badly, my client and her family decided that it was the perfect day to give me my Christmas gift, even though it was fifteen days early! They treated me to:

  • A festive headband
  • Holiday nail files
  • Mini liquor bottles
  • Three sets of holiday earrings
  • Three sets of fuzzy socks infused with aloe
  • A gorgeous homemade scarf

When I first received my present, I was honestly just blown away by how cute the packaging itself was. My client’s mom showed it to me and said that I could take it home, but I had to put it under my tree and wait until Christmas day to open it. I begrudgingly said “okay” and had every intention of taking it home and (in)patiently waiting until December 25th to open it.

But, about a half hour before I had to leave, everyone insisted on me opening the gift to help cheer me up for the rest of my work day. It was one of the sweetest things that I’ve experienced in a good long while. Each gift that I opened was just as good as the last and I was so touched by their generosity. Giving me a holiday gift is something that I would never expect of any of my families so, when it happens, I feel so spoiled rotten.

The cherry on top of the prezzie tower ironically came from the bottom box – the divine scarf that my client’s mom crocheted for me. Her color palette was on point and the detailing was simply marvelous. I was so moved that she took the time to create such beauty for me and the kindness that was shown to me that day definitely made the rest of my work day wonderful, despite any pain that I was in. So, I would say that their mission was accomplished! ❤

Have you experienced any Super Sweet Surprises lately? What is your favorite kind of gift to home make? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah