Tag Archives: work

Aug23

Improving Your Home The Right Way

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Improving Your Home The Right Way

Building is one of the most commonly sought-after trades, and builders can specialize in several types of residential projects. From conversions to minor refurbishment works, some do it all, yet it is important to ensure that the builders you employ are adequately skilled and experienced.

Finding a reliable builder who is committed to delivering exceptional customer service is absolutely essential to running a successful project without any problems. From kitchens to bathrooms and garage conversions to loft conversions, there are certainly plenty of projects to keep builders busy throughout the year. Like the following:

People Prefer To Improve Their Current Home:

House price rises mean that people are now having to stay in the property where they currently live and to extend either into the garage or up into the loft area. This is often seen as a much cheaper way of adding extra space to the property than moving house. The kitchen and bathroom are also popular room refurbishments, particularly if you have bought a house which is in need of some maintenance. Perhaps you are a buy-to-let investor and need a trusted builder to carry out refurbishment work for you – you need a good quality builder who you can count on. All building work takes skill and many years to master properly through training and experience. You should always make sure that your builder has the right level of knowledge and expertise to carry out your projects.

Making improvements piece by piece is an amazing way to keeping your house looking fresh and updated. From adding a patio space to upgrading to Solicon® Conservatory Roofs, these renovations provide a boost in curb appeal and property value.

Finding Quality Builders:

Securing the services of quality builders can be difficult if you don’t take the necessary steps to find the most suitable one. Whatever work you need, from an extension through to a full renovation project, you must ensure that your property and the project will be in safe hands. Finding a good builder will also reassure you that they will be using the right quality materials for the work they are undertaking. Before you start searching for builders, friends and family are always a good port of call, to see if they can recommend any reputable builders they have used previously. If you can’t find suitable recommendations in person, simply enter a search for “construction company in Fort Worth, TX” (or your local area) to see what companies people in your community would recommend. It is so important to find someone trustworthy and highly skilled. You may need to bring some other professionals into the mix as well, such as a plumber, so follow the same careful process and ensure they are happy to work within your existing schedule.

If you are ever unsure of anything, it’s always best to leave it to the professionals. If you’re considering a new roof and need a Conservatory Roof Conversions Company, Projects4Roofing is an excellent way to go!

Refurbishment Projects and Bathroom Fitters:

Plumbing is a job that should always be left to the pros and it will only benefit you to do your research beforehand. Ask for recommendations from friends and family and verify what they say through the company’s online reviews. Simply enter a search for “plumber Sydney” or your local area to reference check. Once you have found a plumber for all of your pipework, you need to fit your bathroom. Within any type of bathroom refurbishment, there is certainly a lot to think about and fitting fixtures is perhaps the last thing on your mind. However, choosing decent bathroom fitters is important as they will understand how each unit fits together and will ensure that your new bathroom is installed with few or no problems. They use their knowledge and expertise to professionally install new showers, toilet facilities, baths, and sinks as well as completing tiling and decorating work. It is always recommended that you use a qualified and experienced fitter.

Efficient Building:

Once you have chosen suitable builders like the team at Element Construction Group Ltd or a similar company in your local area, it pays to carry out several steps to ensure that both parties are safeguarded. It is always recommended that you draw up some form of a written contract so you understand what work will be carried out and the builder knows what is expected of them. A contract provided by builders should detail the work to be completed, when it will begin, how long it will last, how much it will cost, and when payment is required. During the build, make sure that all furniture and household items are tidied away and the builder has enough space to work.

Use the tips above and improve on your home in the best way possible!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug23

Making Time For Me

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Making Time For Me

Hello! Ever since I began my self employment journey five years and change back, I have been dedicated to running both of my businesses the best that I can. Of course, it is exhausting but it is also so rewarding that it makes putting one foot in front of the other each day that little bit easier. The only bad thing about self employment? No paid time off. -_-

I have always had a hard time taking days off because needing “me time” during the week means I won’t be getting paid! However, having a boyfriend who gets holidays off has turned my mindset a total one eighty. Believe you me, I love my job but having to go to work on a day that Johnny has off is for the birds.

So, I began to do something different when Johnny and I got more serious. I began being much more lenient with myself about taking a day off. Sleeping in during the weekend rocks but there’s something about sleeping in on a day you should be at work that just hits different.

Since I have become better about taking a day off every once in a while, it has given me something to look forward to. Johnny and I now coordinate our time off as best as we can and I cannot wait for Labor Day Monday so I can have a three day weekend with my MAN. It’s a bit of a way off, yes. But can you blame a girl for being excited about the little things during the coronavirus pandemic?!

Making more time for me has turned me into a much more relaxed individual because I’m literally giving myself permission to chill out. That really has never happened before since I began being my own boss. A day off with my boyfriend is always what the doctor ordered, though, so bring on Labor Day! 😀

What are you looking forward to? How do you make time for yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug13

My Attempt At Making Spaghetti Squash

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My Attempt At Making Spaghetti Squash

Hello! When I’m at work, I am constantly being handed bagfuls of goodies from the gardens of whichever home I’m at for the day. During my produce haul last week, I was given a gigantic squash that I had absolutely no idea what to do with. My client’s mom suggested spaghetti squash and I have always wanted to try it so I thought I would give it a shot over the weekend.

Unfortunately, my attempt at making spaghetti squash was not very successful and, after a quick Google, I learned that the squash I used definitely did not look like traditional spaghetti squashes. WHOOPS! Lol, oh well. I tried something new and now I know differently for the next time! Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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To learn how to prepare my “spaghetti squash”, I visited the blog Cookie + Kate. This is one of my mom’s favorite sites to get vegetarian recipes from and, as her spiel goes, “Cookie is the dog and Kate is the human”. Lol, I consulted Kate’s recipe while making my squash and it was so easy to follow because it was just like learning how to make it from a friend. No unknown cooking terms and no long stories of how she found God while making this dish, haha.

To prepare my spaghetti squash, I cut it in half from the middle and then halved the pieces again. Afterwards, I scooped out all of the squash guts… AKA the seeds! It was actually pretty fun. Once the squash halves were seedless, I drizzled olive oil onto each of them and then seasoned with salt and pepper. All that was left to do was bake them and I kept my squash in the oven for a little under an hour at four hundred degrees.

I was eager to take my squash out of the oven but, sadly, there was nothing really “spaghetti” about it. I tried to fluff the insides into a spaghetti like texture as Kate had mentioned but there was hardly even any squash to work with on the interior. What I was originally hoping was going to be a noodle shape ended up being a few forkfuls of the squash and the texture definitely looked more like pulp. Although, I must say, it still tasted really good!

Sadly, my attempt at making spaghetti squash didn’t go too hot. However, I feel confident that if I ever get the right ingredients to make it with, it will turn out delicious with the help from Cookie + Kate! 😀

What is your favorite vegetarian recipe? What do you top your spaghetti squash with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug8

Smoky Cauliflower Bites Recipe

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Smoky Cauliflower Bites Recipe

Hello! As I get older, I have definitely been trying to eat more healthy. AKA more fruits and veggies and less Taco Bell, lol! But, seriously, sometimes it’s just a hassle to make a healthy meal – especially after a long day at work. Quick and easy recipes are the name of the game in my household and this super simple/speedy recipe for Smoky Cauliflower Bites makes for a delicious and ultra fast appetizer for your fam:

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Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 3/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1/8 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 medium head cauliflower, broken into florets

Directions:

  1. Combine all of your dry ingredients and mix into the olive oil, then pour over your cauliflower florets. You might want to let it sit for a few hours, shaking every so often to let the flavored oil sink in on all of the areas it might have missed.
  2. Preheat oven to 450 and transfer into a baking pan and roast until tender – about 15 to 20 minutes. This recipe is by Courtney Stultz of Weir, KS and I have no rights to it!

My client’s brother makes these cauliflower bites often and it is my absolute favorite treat. Last week, he so generously bought a head of cauliflower for me and mixed up the dry ingredients into a zip lock bag so all I would have to do is cut the veggies and heat it up at home. It was such a sweet gesture and I was eager to make it because it is so delicious in every sense of the word.

After fifteen minutes of roasting in the oven, my cauliflower was ready to eat and it was just as good as when my client’s brother makes it. I love all of the seasonings that drench the cauliflower because they add quite a bit of heat to it but it was never overpowering. Johnny and I dipped our bold and smoky cauliflower bites in Ranch dressing and enjoyed it as a side dish with our dinner. Ranch or sour cream is a good bet to have handy with you just in case there’s a little too much “oomph” for anyone at the table.

Easy as pie to make and tasty any time of the day, make these Smokey Cauliflower Bites to spice things up at your next family dinner!

What is your favorite veggie recipe? How do you eat healthy at home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug6

Making It Work

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Making It Work

Hello! I recently had to cancel a lifewithlilred photo shoot for COVID reasons and I was so disappointed because it was a treat I was really looking forward to. Safety trumps all, however, so I decided to try and make a photo shoot work anyway. Thanks to my mom’s iPod photography skills, I had a bounty of great shots to pick from and I enjoyed the quality time with JANE most of all.

You know how after you take a bunch of pictures, you immediately seek out the ones that you deem “good”? I am guilty of it, myself, and it took a few times of scrolling through my pics to see the beauty in the unintentional shots my mom captured. In fact, quite a few of them ended up being my favorites! Check it out:

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Keeping two businesses up and running during any time is stressful but during a pandemic it is even crazier! This photo shoot was such a nice way to relax and have some fun and so much new content for lifewithlilred has been inspiring for me. Not to mention your girl was feeling her goddamn self!!

For the past six years of being self employed, making it work has been the name of the game. I wouldn’t have it any other way and it only improves my ability to think creatively and problem solve. These “oopsie” pictures are a visual reminder to me to keep making things work – from maintaining my businesses to taking the time to notice the amazing things that can be captured every moment. It’s all about just knowing where to look. 🙂

How do you make it work during stressful times? What is something that you find beautiful? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug4

How Can You Tell When A Job Is Good For You?

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How Can You Tell When A Job Is Good For You?

Being able to tell when a job is good for you can be hard; it’s tricky in the moment, when you’re caught up with work, and it might be all forgotten about by the time you slip into bed at night. However, there are quite a few things you can look out for as you work away day by day to tell you if the job you’re currently signed up for is actually good for your health. Make sure you keep the points below in mind if you’re curious about where you stand with your occupation, and whether or not something needs to change:

Every Day is Satisfying:

If you want to know if a job is good for you or not, it’s important to take note of how you feel at the end of each working day. Say, if you’re working in food service jobs right now, and you’re coming home feeling like the day was good (Even with a couple of fussy customers!) and you’re surrounded by friends at work, you might just be in the right position for you.

Overall, you need to be satisfied with how your workdays usually go. You need to be able to come home feeling like you’ve done some good work, and you’re ready to face a similar tomorrow. Jobs should be satisfying, in order for you to do your best work through them, and if not, it’s time to look elsewhere!

You’re Always Motivated to Keep Going:

Working can take a lot out of us, but when we enjoy a job, we keep going, if not for any other reason than we’re being paid for it – don’t worry, it’s valid! But in knowing that a job is right for you, being able to keep going, no matter how tough things get, is a great way to determine whether or not you’re happy where you are.

Take some time to think about the worst days and how you handled them. Did you need to stop and take five? If so, did you get back to the task at hand? Because even if you did, you’re well suited to your job!

You’re Still Feeling Healthy:

And, finally, it’s important to think about how physically strong and/or well you feel, after working in a job for at least six months. Are you worn out? Do you get on with labor you’re not trained for or can’t handle? Are you at a desk for 8 hours a day? Because all of these questions can help you to determine if your work is keeping you healthy, and if you need to offset any of the effects.

A job is good for you when you know how to do it, you can do it safely, and you’re satisfied when you come home again at the end of the day. A good job is one that treats you like a human being, and ensures you have everything you need to succeed. Good luck!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul28

Why Debt To Success Could Aid You And Your Career

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Why Debt To Success Could Aid You And Your Career

When we have debt of any type, it can greatly impact our lives, from the way in which we handle our career choices to our personal lives. These issues offer further problems that allow us to be set up to fail. When trying to pay off debt, you may have found the repayments are too much or your debts are not minimizing as quickly as you would have liked. There are options, however.

Debt to success systems have been implemented for a while and provide assistance that could be hugely beneficial to you. They are both transparent and affordable and open to discuss the scheme as well as how it could work for you. If debts are left unpaid, then they can easily spiral and, with added interest and other hidden costs of debts, you can be left with hefty bills for years on end, which is completely stressful for you.

Releasing yourself from the grasps of government chains can be the best way to aid you in moving forward, but with a simple automated system, you can be sure that you can create a positive move. With Debt to Success System, you can learn about the ways that you can start to repay in a neat and secure monthly payment program, which allows you to remove yourself from the throws of debt and move away from the societal schemes that create bigger stresses in our lives.

Why is removing debt so important?

Even if you feel as if you are managing your debts well, you are still tied into a system that is constantly hanging over your head. If your income drops, you are still having to pay that hefty sum of money. Debts can affect all areas of your life, including mortgages and insurance. By paying off your debt in a secure and affordable way, you may find that you have less stress and more disposable income in your life. They say that the average person should be debt free by the age of 58, unless you choose to extend your payments. However, if you are in your early thirties, you may feel that this is a long way off and can really affect the way that you view money. For business, time may be more limited in order to sink finances back into it.

You should also consider using a disciplined budget, which will assist with repayments. If you are struggling with budgeting, then there are plenty of online assistance tools to ensure that you can meet these requirements. You must be sure that you are prepared to rid yourself of debt in order to move forward in business. During the Covid-19 crisis, the amount of debt in the average household has heightened. With job losses and money loss, it is easier to slip into debt. By looking at a system that works such as DTS, you can move towards the business goals that you have really wanted to focus on.

Use the tips above to get your money write and continue moving forward in your life!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jul15

At Home Concerts

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At Home Concerts

Hello! For those of you who don’t know, my “big girl job” is as an independent provider for people with special needs. I specialize in community integration and the development of daily living skills and have been an “essential” employee throughout the coronavirus pandemic. So, you can imagine how hard it is to do my job of getting my clients out and about in the community when there is a contagious virus and many of them are high risk.

My job has now been limited to the homes of my clients and that is A-okay because it’s what is best for them, their families, and myself. But, that’s not to say it hasn’t been easy, especially when cabin fever is kicking in for everyone. I am constantly trying to come up with fun ways to keep my clients entertained at home to combat the boredom blues and was particularly pleased with my brain blast last week.

My most senior client who I am with the most often during the week LOVES the golden oldies and always tells me about when he saw The Beach Boys and Sha Na Na in concert. After his recollection last week, he asked when we can see those bands live together. I told him as soon as it was safe, as always, and then I realized we kind of could see them in concert.

I told him I had an idea and pulled YouTube up on his TV. Then, I found some live footage of Sha Na Na performing as well as plenty of full length Beach Boys concerts. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw his favorites performing right in front of him again. In fact, he was so elated that he told me to bring his brother up so he could see how much fun he was having. 🙂

My friend and I plan on having weekly “concerts” at home, compliments of YouTube. We have The Beach Boys on deck and who knows what will be next! It was amazing to see him so excited about something and, sometimes, the most fun things can happen right at home. ❤

Which bands have you seen in concert? Who would you love to see perform live? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun23

Face Mask Festivities: Actual Face Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Actual Face Mask Edition

Hello!!! My county board of Developmental Disabilities has been doing a wonderful job of educating and protecting all of their employees and the people we help. Earlier in May, a care package was delivered to me that was filled with games and activities to help entertain my clients while in quarantine.

This month, a box of personal protective equipment was dropped off and I was able to divvy up the goods between all of the families I serve. I even got to keep two cloth face masks for myself and Johnny. I was so happy because I’ve been meaning to buy cloth masks for a while but never did because Johnny and I have been using the disposable hospital masks.

I love that the cloth masks can be reused and, while they may seem thicker than the disposable masks, I feel that they are so much more breathable. I also am a huge fan of the paisley pattern on mine! Check it out:

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Normally, I would go for the plain black mask that I chose for Johnny but the bright orange and yellow on mine just made me happy. In fact, I didn’t even mind putting it on when I ran into the store. Summit DD provided me with a lot of pattern options from polka dots and paisley to rainbow and regular, solid colors. Each of my clients enjoyed picking out their favorite and I enjoyed knowing that they had an extra way to keep them safe.

Are face masks the most fun thing to wear? No! Especially if you wear glasses, lol. But, my new cloth mask certainly makes, what I feel is an obligation, a whole lot easier. ❤

What pattern is on your face mask? Do you prefer cloth or disposable masks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun15

Happy Birthday To Me Haul: Work Fam Edition

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Happy Birthday To Me Haul: Work Fam Edition

Hello! June seventh was my twenty-sixth birthday and, in true Lil Red fashion, it has been drawn out a few days with individual hang outs with friends and family. I also end up celebrating with the families who I work with and have ended up becoming a part of in the past three years of doing my job. One of my client’s families always ends up super spoiling me and I received the following this past week:

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As soon as I walked into work on Monday, “Happy Birthday” was sung and gifts were handed to me at an alarming rate. Each one I opened seemed to be more lovely than the next and “this is way too generous” was the catchphrase of the opening session. This was matched by each member of my work family assuring me that “you’re worth it” every single time.

Becoming a member of three different families wasn’t exactly what I was setting out to do when I began providing care for people with special needs. But, sometimes things just happen like that and, now, celebrations seem to happen constantly. Whether it be a holiday or a member of my “pseudo family’s” birthday, I am always a part of it and it feels good!

There is truly nothing better than walking into work Monday through Friday and stepping into a family environment. It has also been such a godsend during all of the craziness of COVID to have so many extra people to talk to! Work families are so important and I am so thankful for all of mine. ❤

Do you consider the people at your job a family? Are you an unofficial member of someone else’s fam? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah