Yes, I Was

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The sun has set on the first day of the new year. 

I look back on the year that passed. I pause and reminisce about the nice things, and the not so nice things. I have been blessed to have a fairly good 2017. I stayed relatively healthy, except for a bad cold around Christmas-time. I had great opportunities to earn and keep my finances afloat. 

I went back re-read my article, "My Word For the Year." I wanted to know if I did fulfill it and if I gave meaning to my chosen word, which was "BE."

After looking back on the events that happened this past year, I can confidently say that yes, I WAS. 

I WAS steadfast in my beliefs and bravely spoke my mind.

I WAS patient and I persevered until I achieved my goals.

I WAS depressed at times, but survived in the Grace of God. 

I WAS tired but grateful for the fruits of my labor.

I WAS loving and thankful for the love I received in return.

I WAS worried and fearful but I kept my faith.

I WAS blessed with friends who offered help even if I never expected them to.

I WAS always happy to have my family with me.

A year ago, I promised myself that I will BE.

Today, I am thankful that I WAS. 

Can You Make Your Already Incredible Home Even Better With These Little Beauties?

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When you’ve worked really hard in life to create a home that you love, you may feel as if it's perfect. But, in interiors as much as in life, perfect is never really real. It’s something that you often aim for, but fail to reach. Because your tastes and preferences are going to be quick to change. So, if you do start to think that your home just isn’t quite there, you should be able to change things around really quickly with the right kind of touches. While you may think that you have everything covered at first, you may not have. So we’re now going to take a look at the little beauties that will help you to improve your pretty much perfect home.

Add In An Entertaining Space

We’re going to kick off with something big. Because the things that you’re missing won’t always be a textile here or a photo frame there. Sometimes, it’s the elephant in the room - or even an actual room itself. If your home doesn’t have an entertaining space, then you’re definitely going to want to consider adding one on. Whether it’s an addition to the kitchen, or the transformation of a dining space, you should find that if you can add a room that is perfect to entertain in, your home will feel like a completely different place.

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Focus On Atmosphere

Next, you’re definitely going to want to add in some atmosphere where you can. Because if your home just isn’t feeling right, then it may be the case that you just haven’t been able to work in the right atmospheric touches so far. So, why not click here to uncover diffusers that you can work in to add scent. But don’t stop there, you may also want to work on more atmospheric lighting or even some soothing or moving sounds too.

Smarten Up Your Storage

When you were creating the look for your home, did you tend to focus on just that - the look - above all else? Because if you neglected the practical aspects a bit, you may find that things just aren’t looking for feeling right. So, this is where you’re going to want to rework some smart storage solutions into the space. You should then find that everything feels so much more organized and put together.

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Work In A Statement Piece

Maybe it’s a certain room that just doesn’t feel complete, or a few? When that’s the case, you should definitely look to add in a statement piece. Whether it’s an antique or something custom, you could find that showcasing something extra special in your favorite room just really adds a little something else.

Wow With Your Garden

Finally, you may also want to turn your attentions to the outside. Because when your inside is looking great, you need the garden to shine too. Perhaps a water feature or a very striking seating area is all you need to ensure that your garden looks gorgeous.

What Truly Defines 'Cool?'

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‘Cool’ is a word that has stood the test of time. People have been saying it for decades, arguably since the beginning of the 20th century. It is the one word that has persisted to mean ‘relevant, capable, impressive and competent.’ Those four words previously listed are still only attempts at listing the word ‘cool.’ This word takes up its entire category. There have been many trends which have come to refer to cool, such as ‘sick, fresh, funky,’ but all of these often live and die in the presence of ‘cool.’ 

The word ‘cool’ is universal. Even those who are lacking in English capabilities are able to identify what it means, because it’s such a pinnacle of our speech. This article is dedicated to analyzing ‘cool,’ what it means, and how to emulate it.

Cool Is Present

Cool always stays with the times. It never dies, and is spanned the world over. Surfers in Australia use the word cool, as do miners in Scotland. It’s an ever-present, ever utilized word, and it often refers to something being wholesome and present. ‘Present’ is perhaps one of the best ways to describe the word, because it’s always relevant. Someone who dresses shabbily in and and it dated clothing would be considered less cool than someone who shops for Billabong clothing online. Cool isn’t simply dictated by the quality of the threads you wear, although that can certainly help. Cool is more of a present, ever updating attitude, which is why it never goes out of fashion. It’s always here, and it’s always important.

Cool Doesn’t Care About Being Cool

Caring about being cool is the least cool thing you can do. This sounds quite funny, but it makes sense. We all know when someone is trying to be the focal point of the party, or we know when someone is playing disingenuous social moves in order to impress us. This idea of cool is faulty. Cool is really being down to earth, honest and filled with integrity. If cool was a person, they’d feel fully embarrassed by being labelled as ‘cool.’ This is how it preserves itself, and how the word continually stays relevant in common parlance.

To further back up this point, consider the actual real definition of the word. To be cool is to be chilled, as in temperature wise. This could be likened to emotion such as neglected to get ‘heated’ about something, but instead seeing things from a level, relaxed, patient perspective. Cool is not averse to passion, but only in the right instances.

This is why dressing in an understated way is so important. Highlighting the main focal points of your outfit such as a great watch or a nice piece of jewellery is tasteful and cool, because it’s not TRYING to show you how impressive it is. Someone wearing too much Jewellery or wacky colors can be seen as a little too complex. It looks as if you’re trying to hard. We’re not making any judgements on how people dress here, but simply how the word cool operates. That being said:

Cool Is Highly Personal

What is cool to you might not be cool to another person. The intricacies of a complex classical fugue might be considered the height of excellence to one person, while another might simply feel that the swift lyricism and strong beats of some modern hip-hop to be the coolest expression on the planet. ‘Cool’ switches in importance from culture to culture, and from person to person. This is what keeps ‘cool’ varied, and justified in its coolness. 

That’s why it’s important to pay cool no mind. Simply work on yourself, your appearance, your health, your career and you’ll find that cool comes to you. Think of it like a butterfly. If you try to catch it, it will get further away from you than ever. However, if you focus on other things and pursue them, cool will float and rest on your shoulder.

In Conclusion

The word ‘cool’ is many things to many people. It’s likely that after reading this article, the word ‘cool’ seems strange to read, hear and say. We’d like to take the opportunity to say that if you treat your family well, you earn your living and you’re happy meeting the challenges of life (even if it’s very hard,) then you are cool even if you don’t feel it. Now go out into this world with this knowledge, and achieve everything you’ve hoped to!

Sometimes, Too Much of One Thing Is a Good Thing When It Comes to Home Styles

A lot of the time we are led to believe that too much one particular thing when it comes to home styles and interior design is off-putting. Too often we are told to find balance in our homes by using different materials, colour schemes and styles in order to create a room that is cohesive and not too impactful. Now, there’s nothing wrong with doing this, but there’s also nothing wrong with doing the alternative, either: opting heavily for one particular style.

To see some of the styles that will come to life in your home if you rely on them heavily, make sure to read on.

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Leather

Whether you believe this or not, leather looks great when there is an abundance of it. Especially in the living room, when there is a lot of leather in there, from sofas to foot stools, you will instantly create an air of Regency within the room. So, the next time you're looking for a new sofa to slump on in your living room, make sure to head here and find yourself a black leather Maxime Sofa or a chestnut brown leather Salvatore Sofa, and when you next need a footstool don't be afraid to purchase one that has that classic Chesterfield look about it. Seriously, your living room will benefit!

Wood

Wood in abundance might not sound like a good idea, but it is. It is because it’s something different and different is always good, right?

When it comes to choosing what kind of wood you will be adorning your home in, and what particular areas of your home you will be adorning, make sure to consider timber cladding in your hallway. You should do so because when you clad your walls in timber you will make the space instantly look and feel bigger, and this is a great illusion to create for people who walk into your home and hallway for the first time. And them, once you’ve timbered your walls, don’t be afraid to add to the Regency/high-end style you've created in your living room by having crown moulding fitted around and about it.

Minimalism

By embracing a lot of minimalist styles in your home you will instantly boost its style tenfold, that’s just a fact. Specifically, if your bedroom is adorned in an abundance of definitely minimalist styles the room will instantly look more spacious and more trendy. And, this kind of style can come in all sorts of formats at all sorts of costs, so there will always be a style for you no matter how much money and effort you want to spend on the venture. You could go all out and suspend tables from your ceiling, or you could simply get rid of everything you do not need in the room to free up a load of space within the room.

If your home is broken, then maybe it’s time you fixed it? And, if you were to take heed of the advice above and then put it into practice, you would be well on your way to doing so.

Warm Winter Living Room Design Ideas

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Would you like to renovate your living room this winter and ensure it’s as cozy as possible for your family? Do you need some inspiration and ideas when it comes to creating your plan? Then you’ve come to the right place today. There are some excellent tips and suggestions on this page that any homeowner can use to ensure they’re snug and comfortable this winter. While you don’t have to use any of the recommendations below, they should serve to point you in the right direction. Most people have a couple of weeks off work during the holiday season, and so now is the best time to start work!

Thick and luxurious curtains 

Nothing says “class” like some thick luxury curtains made from some of the best materials on the market. All the final decisions are down to you, but you can always search online for specialist suppliers if you want the best outcomes. Ideally, you want curtains made from fabrics like silk, velvet, and satin. Those who know how to use sewing machines might think about creating something original. There are lots of websites that supply patterns that you can follow if you don’t have much experience in making those products. The goal is to get something thick enough to ensure your home retains heat, but stylish enough that your friends and holiday guests feel jealous. 

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Handmade rugs and carpets

You’re going to need something to keep your feet warm this winter, and that is especially important if you have wooden floors in your home. Adding some carpets or handmade rugs is a wise move because it will insulate your space and ensure you don’t lose too much heat. Also, you will never have to place your feet on the cold floor again. Some of the best handmade rugs you can purchase come from countries like Iran. For the best savings, it makes sense to check listings on online auction websites like eBay. However, there are lots of dedicated suppliers out there if you don’t mind paying the going rate. Just bear in mind that handmade rugs are expensive. 

A real wood fireplace

When it comes to creating a cozy atmosphere in your living room this winter, adding a real wood fireplace is a fantastic step. You might have to pay professionals to increase the size of your current fire so you can fit a wood-burning product into the living room. However, that shouldn’t break the bank if you shop around. There are also lots of options when it comes to the type of fireplace you select. Just head over to relevant sites and take a look at some of the designs those companies keep in stock. In most instances, you won’t have to spend more than around $600 to get something that works well and meets your criteria.

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Modern chandeliers 

You need to think about your approach to lighting if you want the best results from your home design job. Depending on the size of your living room; you might think about adding a stylish modern chandelier. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars and get something made from the world’s rarest crystal according to Lamps Plus. Instead, you should look for something new and affordable that will help to create a luxurious aesthetic. Modern chandeliers come in a range of different shapes and sizes, and they use various materials. So, you’re almost guaranteed to find something that tickles your taste buds. Just be careful when it comes to hanging the chandelier in your living room. Some items are somewhat bulky, and you don’t want to cause any damage to your home. 

Smart dimmer switches 

While these products don’t add anything to the design of your living room, they do help you to ensure the area remains as comfortable and cozy as possible. Experts from Sudden Link say people who use smart dimmers in their home will require a decent internet connection as most of the devices are controllable via your smartphone. However, there are some items out there that use remote controls, and so you just need to make the selection based on your requirements. Once you have those dimmers in your living room, you can determine how much light you want in the space. When you want to cuddle up on the sofa and watch a movie, just open your smartphone and turn the lights down without having to move from your position.

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Upmarket furniture 

Changing the furniture in your living room is an excellent idea if you want to create an upmarket theme that will blow your winter guests away. There are many specialist furniture makers and shops out there where you can get unique items that people can’t find elsewhere. So, you should think about visiting those places and taking a look at the products they hold in stock. You might also use online auction websites to buy furniture from old manor houses or something similar. The possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination. Some people even like the idea of getting some used items and upcycling them to extend their life. That is a brilliant move if you want to do your bit to protect the planet and you have a reasonable level of creativity. You might want to get:

• Armchairs
• Sofas
• Coffee tables
• Side tables
• A mantlepiece 
• A drinks cabinet 

Now you know about some of the best ways to create a warm winter living room this holiday season; nothing should stand in the way of your success. It’s just a case of conducting some research, coming up with some ideas, and then setting your plans in motion. As mentioned at the beginning of this post; now is the best time to get started because you can get everything done while you take some time off work for the holidays. If you need extra inspiration; search Google for “luxurious living rooms.” Then, take a look at some of the image results. You are sure to find something that makes you feel excited. When that happens, you just need to replicate the elements of the concept you admire. 

Giving Your Princess A Ball Of Her Own

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When it comes to her 10th, 16th, 18th, or 21st birthday, most parents will want to give their daughter something extra special. In a lot of cases, this will come in the form of grand gifts, signifying their passage onto the next stage of life. Of course, though, this time in their life isn’t just about presents. Along with this, they are also building some very important memories, and you have a great chance to shape the way they play out. So, to help you out with this, this post will be exploring the elements you need to get your girl’s ball off the ground.

The Venue: The location for your event will be one of the most important aspects of this project. Most little princesses will be too good to spend their birthday at home, and this will mean finding somewhere more suitable for their high standards. A castle, hall, or other grand building can be perfect. To do this correctly, though, you'll need to figure out the theme that your party will be following, too.

The Event Theme: The theme for your party will be very dependent on the person you’re throwing it for. For example, if you have a daughter with a love for reading, a book-themed birthday could be perfect for them. Most kids will make it very easy to tell what they do and don’t enjoy. Using this knowledge, you should be able to come up with a theme which not only inspires joy but also captures what your princess loves the most.

The Food & Drinks: With an event in mind and the location booked, you’ll be ready to start tackling the food and drinks for the party. Like the theme, this should be based on what your daughter likes the most, but you also have to consider the other kids at the event. In most cases, it will be best to arrange a range of options, enabling everyone to choose what they’d like before they RSVP.

The People & Invites: Making sure that people are at your kid’s birthday will take a little bit more planning. You will need to compile a list of the friends you child has, taking special efforts to include children who have invited your kid to their own special days. Normal paper won’t be enough for a day like this, and some embossed cards or fancy digital invites can be used to make it more exciting. When you’re doing this, you have to be very careful not to overbook the event your organizing.

As the last area to consider, a lot of people will struggle to have fun at their kid’s birthday event. Of course, though, this doesn’t matter, as this day for is for your daughter, and not for you. Keeping this in mind will make it a lot easier to create the perfect event for your little one. Along with this, you should make sure that they are able to get as much input into this part of their life as possible.

Treasure Those Special Moments

There’s those moments in your life that you’ll wish could last forever. There’s memories to come as well that you’ll hope will last a lifetime, especially if you have children. There’s just so much going on around the world and in people’s lives that it would be a shame not to capture it all. It doesn’t matter what it is, it could be a holiday, your child's first steps, your wedding day. They’re all special. Luckily for you, there’s ways to make sure these special moments do last a lifetime, and this article is here to make sure you’re capturing them all in the best way possible.

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Relive Them

Sometimes memories are that powerful and good that you just have to relive them. For this article in particular we’re talking about holidays. We’ve all been on that one holiday that was so perfect. The hotel was amazing, the food was great, the weather was lovely. Just everything seemed to go so right about that one holiday, leaving you with the major blues when you get back. But what’s stopping you from booking another holiday just like your dream one? There’s plenty of years left in your life to go and explore other parts of the world, so just for one year you might as well go for somewhere you know you’re going to have a good time. Often, the best holiday’s were before you had children, so if you want to make it extra special you can bring them along and relive your favourite time with your favourite people.

Make A DVD

This is one of the best ways of making sure you have your fondest memories with your forever. Plus, you can make enough copies to send round to family members. Everyone loves to see a good baby video, especially your parents, so giving them a disk full of them is going to be their dream come true, as well as yours. People tend to do this for weddings as well. That is one of the most magical days of your life, and for some people who couldn’t make it, the DVD makes up for the action they missed. Companies such as Nationwide Disc offer deals that allow you to replicate your fondest memories as many times as you want. For occasions such as wedding’s, this is one of the best ways of making sure everyone, as well as you, can enjoy the special day forever. It isn’t that expensive either!

Scrapbook

One of the cutest ways of remembering those memories forever. If you’re one of those people who saves everything and puts it in a draw, then filling up a scrapbook is the perfect idea for you. You can print pictures and stick on the memorabilia you have collected over time. If you’re doing one that involves things you do with your children, it is the perfect gift to pass on to them when they become old enough!

Make Your Modern Home Feel More Rustic

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Want to add some country house character to your urban home? There are lots of ways to renovate your property to make it more rustic. Here are just a few ideas to consider.

Strip back the carpets

A simple way of making your home more rustic could simply be to strip the carpets away and show off the wooden floor below. Wooden flooring is easy to clean and is essential for adding that natural feel. Make sure that this wood is properly sealed to stop it from staining and getting damaged.  If you don’t like the floorboards below it’s possible to add some drop-fit wooden flooring over the top – this is cheap and easy to fit oneself.

Add some stone

Another earthy material found in many country homes is stone. There are lots of ways of adding stone textures to your home from granite countertops to ceramic flooring. Stone can sometimes be expensive – particularly the likes of marble and granite. There are lots of faux-stone materials on the market that can look the part, whilst costing much less. It’s worth looking into the properties of different types of stone as some are more resistant to scratching and stains.

Still, using stone to make your modern home feel more rustic requires some maintenance. After all, natural elements get very dirty and start to look unclean and messy. Rustic is one thing, yet you must strike a balance between neat and charming. After all, a contemporary vibe is just as crucial as a rustic feel. Disinfecting solutions are perfect for the job since they’re efficient and easy to use. A quick spray of the fluid and a wipe down with a cloth and the stone will gleam while retaining its rugged properties. 

Contrast tech with wood

Gadgets and electronic items could be taking away from the rustic feel that you’re after. Find ways of offsetting these with earthy materials like timber. Wooden TV stands can be great for contrasting modern televisions. You could even consider wood panelled gadgets such as wooden speakers and wooden radios.

Consider a wood panelled wall

Wood panelling can also be used on walls. This can help to create a cosy log cabin feel. You may not want to cover all the wall with wood panels, however a single feature could look pretty in a living room or dining room.

Add comfort with fur

For making your home more cosy, try using more fur. Shaggy rugs and throws can be great additions to a living room or bedroom. You don’t have to use real fur – there are lots of artificial fur substitutes on the market that are just as snug in texture. Fur can be difficult to clean so bear this in mind.

Use DIY storage methods

Try using alternative storage methods for hiding clutter. Wicker baskets can be a great rustic storage solution for storing shoes or DVDs or clothes. Mason jars meanwhile can be used as storage containers for wooden spoons and spatulas in the kitchen or be used to hold sugar or teabags. You may be able to think up an improvised storage solution yourself.

Light some candles

Candles can be a great earthy alternative to electric lighting, ideal for the evenings. Consider placing a few candles around the house on mantelpieces and tables. You can even place candles in lanterns and hang them around the house. If you’re using scented candles, try to use natural smells that reinforce the rustic feel.

Geeky Gift Ideas

It’s the time of year where you have to begin thinking about the ones you love, and what they might want for Christmas. There’s so many ideas that you’ll have for so many different people. But we all have that one person in our life that we really struggle to buy for. Fortunately for you, there’s things that you can put on everyone’s Christmas gift list, technology. Everyone loves some form of tech, and luckily for you there’s enough new tech being created all year round, so you won’t have to search far for the perfect gift. If you’re still thinking about what tech you can get people, here is some ideas that everyone will love.

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Gaming

A lot of people out there really love gaming. It’s fun, and there’s just such a variety for everyone out there. If you’re struggling for one gift idea, a console or a game for a previously owned console. A great new console out at the minute is the Nintendo Switch. It was only released a few months ago, but it has already captured the hearts of families all of the world. It is a portable playing system you can either play alone or two player. Two remotes attach to the board that holds the game. It is so much fun for bringing the whole family together, it is definitely something anyone would love as a gift, but especially your younger children.

There’s also online and app gaming that some gamers really love. It is another way of getting immersed into the world of gaming, but in a more competitive nature. There are some great massive multiplayer online role playing games that hook people all around the world. If you know you have a geeky gamer in your life, treat them to something like the new Final Fantasy game. You can pay for it to play on the internet, which offers a more responsive gaming experience, or you can get Final Fantasy 15 on mobile  so they can play it on the go. It’s a game that they can really get into, there’s quests to complete and friends to be made. It’s a game for a true gamer who appreciates online role playing games. If you know someone like this, it’s definitely worth getting for them.

Virtual Reality

This sort of comes under gaming, but there’s a bit more to virtual reality than just that. Yes, it is mainly for gaming at the minute. Big gaming giants such as Playstation have brought out their own version of it, but none of the other gaming platforms have as of yet. It’s the perfect gift to just wow someone. If you buy the playstation one, you can get tonnes of games with it. It’ll really make them feel like they’re being immersed in the game. But, as we said, it isn’t all about gaming. You can watch films on there, or just make it so that you’re in amongst nature. One time they could be walking through Lapland, the next the Amazon rainforest. That feeling of leaving reality is perfect for anyone.

Speakers

Everyone loves a bit of music, so speakers are pretty much the perfect gift for anyone. This year has seen some really cool sound systems be produced, at a cost that isn’t really that expensive. Make sure you know the person well though. Are they the type that’s going to online want it in the house? If this is the case you can go bigger and better. Or are they someone who would probably like to take it on the move? Maybe the travel a lot etc. If that’s the case then there’s so many portable speakers built by high end companies that offer some crisp and clear sound. Or, going back to someone who might only stay at home, you could look into the Google home, or Amazon Echo. They’re two new systems that have been developed this year. They also aid daily life as well as being a speaker. They can make notes, set alarms, and even be connected up to parts of the house if you have the means to do so. Just one little command and they can turn the lights off as well as many other cool things. They speaker system side of it is also really clear, definitely worth a buy.

Those were just a few geeky gift ideas that’s bound to make a few different people in your life very happy. With Christmas only around the corner, it’s time to get that Christmas shopping on the go.

Household Horrors You'll Want To Avoid This Winter!

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The winter can be a wonderful time of year. It's the time when everyone starts to feel festive, and you're finally able to bust out those gloriously ugly Christmas jumpers that you've been waiting to wear all year. Of course, that doesn't mean that winter is going to be all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, you're much more likely to end up with thunder and rain clouds! The changes in the seasons can take their toll on both you and your home. In order to make sure that life doesn't get any harder than it needs to, here are a few household disasters that you're going to want to avoid this winter.

Blocked drains

Blocked drains are an issue all year round but when you're dealing with the cold is can become even more of an issue. It can prevent you from being able to do the washing up, take a shower or bath, or do just about anything involving running water. It can be tough to prevent a blocked drain, though being careful about what you allow to go down the sink is a good start. Luckily, if you need to unblock a drain, there are always people that you can call on. If it seems like there's any kind of blockage in your drains then make sure that you call someone right away to deal with, don't just ignore it and hope that it'll go away.    

Burst pipes

A burst pipe is one of the most unpleasant and shocking things that you can end up dealing with at home during the winter. What tends to happen is that the water in the pipes freezes causing it to expand which puts a great deal of pressure on the pipes. Then, when the ice thaws the lack of pressure causes, even more, weakness in the pipe unlike eventually it breaks entirely and you're left with a flood all over your kitchen floor. The best way to deal with this is to make sure that you're constantly keeping the water in the pipes moving. That way you can prevent them from freezing in the first place.

Broken heating

Keeping warm is likely to be pretty might on your list of priorities during the winter. Which is why it can be such a frustrating turn of events when you come to turn your heating on, and nothing happens. Since you probably won't have used your heating at all during the warmer months, you're likely to be none the wiser if it's broken. That's why it's such a good idea to test your heating periodically, even during the summer, just to make sure that you're fully prepared for the colder months to arrive.

Of course, if you do end up dealing with any of these things, make sure that you get them dealt with right away. Leaving them is just going to end up making them worse, and the last thing you want is for things to start to add up one on top of the other. These kinds of disasters can be scary and stressful, but you shouldn't let them beat you down. Dealing with them right away is going to make it that much easier to get back to living your life the way that you want and making the most of the winter.