Preparing For The Family Vacation In Style

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Family vacations can feel fantastic to attend and to look forward to, but not always to prepare. Of course, selecting a location is a wonderful thing, but budgeting, preparing, and planning your routes can often feel like busywork. However, we all know it’s a necessary evil, much as losing at least an hour a day to our commute to and from work can be one. 

Preparing for the family vacation in style can help you ahead of time is rarely something you can avoid, lest you pay over the odds to have every single small circumstance sorted for you. But none of us enjoy that kind of inquiry, so we look to see just what might benefit us, now and in the future. 

A great idea is to consider how you might spend time with your family through the preparation. This way, the excitement can grow even further as you all look to equip yourselves for that you might need. Not only this, but as you’re likely to start that process even earlier, you might feel more comfortable in how things will turn out. Let’s see what that might look like:

Prepare The Vehicle

The most common means of taking a family vacation is to drive to the destination. Of course, this is not necessarily always the case, but it’s so common that it should be considered the default standard. This means that preparing your vehicle for a long-haul drive should be an essential part of your daily efforts. Preparing your vehicle could and should be part of that. For example, using Thule products to help you attack your bicycles to your car should be an appropriate means of securing personal effects safety to the storage connections there. This also goes for if you wish to use a top-box to hold your luggage and reduce the space taken up in the car. Also, consider how you store items within. Give your children enough leg room, perhaps find them entertainment such as a DVD screen for playing movies, and ensure your tire pressure, your brake fluid and oil are all topped off. When you plan this out on top of your route, driving to your destination will be a joy, not a horrible chore.

Give Yourself A Structure

It can often be hard for families to make the most of the day, because not only will people wish to see disparate things, but it can sometimes be hard to motivate the troops up and out by a certain time. This is where giving yourself a structure can be a great idea. Heading to the pool, visiting the local culture, enjoying beautiful food can all be completed on-time and loosely within a guiding path should you consider your routes ahead of time.

Consider All Needs

Consider the appropriateness of the vacation before you select it. Consider how members of your family might interact with the environment. For example, if you have young children and the elderly, a much more relaxed experience on a beach could be the best idea, rather than hiking around a beautiful yet hilly medieval town. Consider all needs ahead of time, and then when there you’ll be able to ensure everyone can have an equal amount of fun.

With these tips, you’ll be sure to prepare for the family vacation in style.

Keeping The Car Clean With Little Kids

Where kids go, mess tends to follow. This is something all parents realize sooner rather than later. When you take the little ones in the car, therefore, this can cause a lot of trouble. Unlike the home, a vehicle is an incredibly small space. This means that even a small amount of junk or dirt can leave it looking a mess. It can also make your family and anyone else who travel in your car quite uncomfortable. With that in mind, here are five ways to keep your car clean, even with kids.

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1. Keep A Trash Container

Rather than leaving trash to float about your car, you should give it somewhere to go. Some people choose to use a grocery bag, others a cereal box, and some buy trash bins specifically for their vehicles. You could give each of your kids their own trash container or use one for the whole car. Either way, you should empty it at the gas station every time you fill up the tank. 

2. Leave Food At Home

Kids are easily motivated and distracted by food. This is why many parents use food to treat their kids and cheer them up. The only problem with this is that food can be messy. Your little one could drop their food on the seat and stain it or make the car smell. For this reason, you should consider banning food from the car and only allow water, as this makes very little mess.

3. Protect Seats And Floors

If you can’t or won’t ban food from the car, then consider investing in protections instead. Seat covers and floor mats will both help to prevent stains, as well as any other damage. They can also both be removed, which means that it’s much easier to clean them than the floors and seats themselves. You could also put shades on the windows to keep fingers off the glass. 

4. Limit What’s Allowed In

When you start letting your little ones bring things into the car, it’s very difficult getting them to stop. Because of this, you should set rules on what is allowed in your vehicle. You might let one blanket and a few books in, for example, but say no to pillows and toys. Whatever you allow into your car, make sure that your little ones take it back out again when you get home. 

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5. Create A Cleaning Schedule

Unless you have a plan, you will put car cleaning off until its a huge task, and you just don’t want to do it. This is why you should create a schedule for your cleaning tasks. Some jobs, like wiping down the dashboard and removing toys, can be done daily, while others, like vacuuming, can be done weekly. Splitting up the job like this makes it a lot less daunting. 

Children are messy creatures, but that doesn’t mean that your car should turn into a tip. With the advice above, you should be able to keep your vehicle relatively clean. 

15 Fabulous Ways to Smarten Up and Soothe Your Living Space

As a proud homeowner there is nothing quite like updating your lovely living space from time to time. Your home should be a place where you feel completely at ease and relaxed after a busy day at work. Whether you are putting your feet up on the comfortable sofa or taking a long, hot bubbly bath, your home needs to be your serene sanctuary of calm. When it comes to home improvements there are a number of different updates you could make around your home. If your goal is to make it smarter and more soothing, the following sprinkles of inspiration should bring you one step closer to having the dreamy dwelling you have always wished for.

1. The Power of Plants

Never underestimate the power of plants when it comes to transforming your living space. Not only can plants make you feel calmer, but they add a smart vibe to your home. Consider an indoor wall garden to bring a pop of color to the interior of your house. These succulent walls are much more unique that regular potted house plants and they will make your space much more interesting and appealing. Plants inside the home also make the air much cleaner, which can help to reduce pollution.

2. Outdoor Overhaul

The outside of your home can often become neglected during the cooler months, but now the sun is starting to shine it might be time for a little makeover. Plant a pretty flower bed and add some growth treatment to your grass; this will make your garden pop with beautiful bright shades. You might also want to invest in some new garden furniture to complement your newly styled backyard. From comfy sofas to loungy hammocks, you can choose your furniture based on your personal tastes.

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3. Soothing Scents

Choosing a signature scent for your home is an excellent way to boost the sophistication levels right away. Finding an amazing aroma that makes you feel soothed and relaxed is essential for every homeowner. Whether you use an array of scented candles around your abode or you invest in beautiful incense sticks that exude your ideal aroma, there are so many ways to inject a signature smell into your smart and sophisticated living space.

4. Cool Kitchen Additions

Your kitchen is probably one of the most heavily used rooms in the home, so you need to make sure it is practical and smart. Whether you use it to host dinner parties or you enjoy some alone time with your coffee in the morning, you could make some much needed changes to make it work better for you. You might want to invest in a new smoothie maker or add a vase of fresh flowers to the countertop. These small additions will make your kitchen feel more like home right away.

5. Wonderful Workspace

Working from home is never easy when you are living in a cluttered and messy environment, so now might be the time to give it a much needed overhaul. Whether you work in a separate office space or you simply have a desk in the corner of your dining room, there are many ways to make it feel more productive. Declutter your workspace and make sure your seat is comfortable too, as this will effective your motivation levels.

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6. Amazing Artwork

Even if you’re not too hot on the artwork scene, you can easily grab some inspiration online. Adding artwork to your home is one of the best ways to smarten it up in an instant. You don’t have to spend a fortune on artwork either; your local home store will have an array of artwork to choose from, so why not head there and get some wonderful wall art today?

7. Digital Detox

Even though technology is at the forefront of everybody’s mind at the moment, it is important that your home isn’t overburdened. Although home assistant systems are funky and large smart TVs are attractive, it doesn’t always help your mindset. Make at least one room in your home completely digital free and see how that makes you feel. You might love the idea of escaping to a quiet corner that has no screens or methods of communication once in a while!

8. Happy Hobbies

Your home should be the perfect place for you to carry out or practice your hobbies. For example, if you love arts and crafts you should create a dedicated space in your home for this type of activity. Discover whatever type of activity is soothing to you and make a point of incorporating it into your home in some way. If baking is your thing you might want to step up your kitchen utensils and stock up on some essentials in your cupboards for your next creation!

9. Noise Control

Although this might be out of your control sometimes, it is important to make your home a place of peace, quiet and calm. If you have kids or roommates you might want to set some ground rules so that you know you can always feel relaxed when you step through the front door.

10. Neutral Shades

When your home is made up of mostly neutral colors, it is definitely the best remedy for a calming environment. If you are constantly staring at bright and bold tones, you might find it quite difficult to relax. Similarly, it is much more difficult to accessorize when you don’t have a blank canvas to work with. Repaint certain rooms in your home and you will soon find a way improving the soothing atmosphere around you.

11. Cozy Comforts

Cute and cozy comforts make your home feel like yours instant. There will always be an area in your home that makes you feel completely at ease from the moment you walk in the room, so you definitely need more of this in your life. Whether you love looking at a certain piece of artwork or a specific smell relaxes you, these small home comforts will make the world of difference when you add them into your home.

12. Clever Deep Cleaning

Is there any feeling better than seeing the results of a deep clean at home? When you spend the time spring cleaning every inch of your house, it can feel extremely rewarding. Don’t forget to do the less obvious places too, such as the top of cupboards and closets; these are always areas that are missed. Try to use natural cleaning products wherever possible as this will help you to keep the air fresh and clean, rather than polluted with toxins from strong substances.

13. Beautiful Blinds

If you want to improve the privacy throughout your home new blinds and curtains are an excellent way to do this. Blind and curtains don’t just have to act as a practical use in your home, they can also be super chic and stylish. Although you might not think they add much to a room, they can really enhance your windows or doors if they are a feature in your home. Head to your local home store and order some made to measure blinds for a chic new addition to your home décor.

14. Blissful Bedroom Touches

Your bedroom should always be one of the most relaxing places in your home. If you don’t feel an instant sense of calm the moment you walk through the door, you are definitely doing something wrong in there! There are many ways that you can make your bedroom more calming from scented candles to luxurious sheets. One of the best things you can do in your bedroom is to remove as many distractions as possible. If you often struggle with your sleeping pattern, you might find that adjusting the temperature, changing your duvet or adding a blackout blind might help too.

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15. Savvy Space

There is nothing like having a good old clear out when you feel claustrophobic in your home; even if you have a large living space you might not be making the most of it right now. Think about how you could rearrange the furniture and make more use of the corner and nooks inside your home. You might be surprised at how much space you have when you have a little declutter and rearrange throughout your home.

So get stuck into this fun filled home improvement project and you will be on your way to having a chic, sophisticated and soothing home environment. You will soon be one step closer to living in the amazing abode you have always dreamed of. With just a few simple and smart updates your house can be transformed from basic to beautiful in just a matter of minutes! Keep your own personal style in mind at all times and don’t be afraid to stick to the interior designs you love. Your home should be so personal to you, so the most important thing is to be relaxed and comfortable. As soon as you have made these changes you will notice a huge improvement in your overall mood; when your home is clean, clear and smart your mind will be too!

Upgrade Your Car With These Practical Additions

You use your car every day, so it makes sense to try and make it as practical as possible. On its own, it’s probably only capable of taking you from A to B, and then to C, D, and E as you act as a taxi driver for your kids. 

But, with just a few little additions, you can upgrade your car into a more practical beast. Now, you can do a whole bunch of things that will benefit both you and your family. 

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Get a bike rack

Bike racks are very practical as they let you use your car as a way of transporting your bikes from place to place. If you’ve ever gone anywhere with your kids, then you know how valuable this is. They always want to bring their bikes, which is impossible if you don’t have a good bike rack. But, now that you’ve armed your car with a great rack, you can take their bikes wherever you want. So, no more screaming kids on a family day out!

Attach a towbar

A towbar gives your car the ability to, well, tow things behind it! While this might not seem all that beneficial, it’s surprisingly useful. Top-quality towbars will be strong enough to pull another vehicle behind you, which gives you an excuse to buy a caravan for your family holidays! On a more realistic level, a towbar lets you pull small trailers behind you - which can be very handy if you’re doing something like clearing out your home and need a way of transporting all the rubbish. Regardless of how you use it, it will definitely add a new level of practicality to your car.

Get a USB charger

This is such a simple addition that makes your car so much more useful. It’s everyone’s worst nightmare; you’re driving for a long time, and your phone runs out of battery. You don’t have a portable charger, so you’re resigned to your phone dying. But, if you add a USB charger to your car, it gives you the ability to plug your phone in and boost the battery. There are ones that fit in the cigarette lighter and can charge multiple devices; super practical.

A digital assistant

You know those things like the Amazon Echo that have been growing in popularity the last year or so? Things like that are basically digital assistants that provide you with all the information you request. Mainly, you use them in the home, and they can be pretty useful. But, you can also get them for your car as well. By adding one to your vehicle, it makes it way more intelligent. Essentially, you’re driving with a co-pilot all the time! If you need directions, you can ask the assistant. If you need to accept calls, you can do it via the assistant - and so on. It allows you to do things you previously couldn’t, so your car is more practical. 

Add any of these things to your family car if you want to give it a bit of an upgrade. They’re all relatively low-cost, and they definitely make your car better. 

Tips To Train Your Puppy

One of the most joyous, loving, loyal additions to any family unit is a dog, and puppies are just the cutest darn’ thing in the world. However, your new bundle of joy needs love, play, your attention and most importantly training. One of our best friends and housemate for many years has great experience at training rescue dogs and puppies, and his mantra for a long-time happy dog is ‘A happy dog is an obedient dog’. 

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Training through play

Dogs love to play, it’s their favourite thing to do. Be it fetching a ball or stick, tug-of-war on a rope, jumping for a toy, rolling over or, something more productive in terms of training, even learning to sit and stay - if you can make the training task you are trying to achieve become a game, your dog will enjoy this activity and learn from it. Play is a treat for a dog in itself, so if you can use play as a treat rather than using treats to get your dog training through play, then you’ll have a healthy and obedient dog in no time.

House training

Dogs need to learn where it is allowed for them to go and do their business and where it is not allowed for them to do this. This really is the trial and error part of dog training, as they’ll never learn they can not wee or poop on your lovely carpet or floor until you tell them otherwise. Many owners will pick their dogs up during the act and physically move them to the garden or pet toilet area until they learn this is the place to do it. Others will tell off their dog at the scene of the crime, so they learn that this is not ok. In both of these well-known approaches, it is key that you praise your dog when they are weeing or pooing in the right place! 

Another house training to consider is where you want your dog to be allowed to go or not go in your home. This is completely down to you as the owner, but don’t just rely on gates or objects blocking their paths to these areas - you must teach them where they can and can’t go.

But, admittedly, sometimes the teaching or house training process can be very frustrating. Particularly in the early training stages, your dog may still end up pooping in your yard or anywhere around your property. Don't give up. Instead, continue to train them, or better still, hire a dog training expert to do that for you. Another expert you can consider hiring is someone to scoop the poop from your yard. Yes, professionals are devoted to that task, and you can find them on many online platforms, such as https://scooptroop.com/. 

Dog obedience school

As well as your owning training methods, and the tips above, you should also go to a dog trainer or a dog obedience school. Here you will get professional help from trainers with years of experience behind them, in all forms of training and will all types of dogs. What’s great also is that this is a place your dog can meet and play with other dogs in a controlled safe space, but do make sure they don’t pick up any bad behavior from fellow dogs.

Training your dog takes time, care, strategy and your unwavering love and attention - but with these tips, you can make the most out of training your dog and reap the rewards which are a happy dog and happy family!

Making the Most of Your Backyard Space

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If you are looking for a favorite spot to relax on summer evenings, look no further than your own backyard. All it takes is a bit of planning to create your own bit of heaven at home.

Layout and Building

Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a postage-stamp sized patio, it can best be utilized by a bit of planning and organizing. Basically, you need a place to sit, a place for food and a bit of shelter. Install some kind of flooring, whether you use brick, concrete pavers, plank decking or poured concrete. A shelter is a good idea if you can swing it. Build a wooden pergola, add a sunshade or even use a patio umbrella to protect from the sun and rain.

Furnishing

You can choose something as simple as a couple of chairs or as elaborate as a wood, iron or wicker seating group complete with an outdoor dining table. It all depends on the area you have available and the kind of use it will receive. Look at the variety of patio furniture Kennesaw GA has available for choices you will love. Choose colors and finishes that will complement your home and yard.

Amenities

Depending on the type of space you have and the usage your new patio will get, you may want to install anything from a small hibachi for grilling to a fire pit to a full outdoor kitchen. A wet bar may suit some people. Provide a way to serve food for parties or evenings with the family. Opening a pass-thru window from the kitchen may be a space-saving option.

However you serve it up, a patio can increase the usability and enjoyment of your home. A few additions can create a comfortable space to entertain and enjoy time with your family. 

Build A Garden Pond In These Simple Steps

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Now that the winter is finally gone for good and the weather is warmer, it is time for many of us to turn our attention away from the house and towards the garden. As soon as the temperature starts to rise we are gifted with sprouts, colours and blooms from the garden and this can be a wonderful thing. Today we are taking a look at a fun project that you can try in the garden this year to add a fun feature and also to pull in some wildlife to the space: a pond. 

Mark it out 

The first step for creating a cute little pond in the back garden this year is the mark out where you want the pond to be, what size it will be and what shape it will be. It will all depend on your personal preference whether you make a small pond or a large one, and you can always take some inspiration from people online as to the design and the shape of the pond you want to make. The best way for you to mark out the space is with some string and this will ensure that you stay within your boundaries while you plan it out. 

Above or below?

One of the things you will want to consider is whether you are going to build a trench for the pond or whether you are going to build it raised from the ground up. This is something you need to think carefully about because a raised pod will take a lot more work for you to create. As long as you are happy with putting the time into it, a stone raised pond can look stunning in any garden. Have a think too about the depth of water, make sure to buy Grundfos CR pumps to keep the water clean, and keep the water fairly shallow if you want a wildlife focused feature.

Add liner 

Once you are happy with the depth and size of the pond it is time to add the liner. Liner will prevent the water from seeping into the soil below and it will ensure that the pond stays full and stable. You can buy liner from any garden center and even the most basic one will be ideal. 

Add water 

Now that the pond is ready, it’s time to add the water. If you have any bog plants which you want to install in the pond, make sure that you know whether they should go in before or after the water as it can vary depending on the type of plant you use. 

Add wildlife

Now the fun part! If a family member has a pond, see if you can ask for some frog spawn. As well as this you can buy fish for the pond, pond snails to keep the water clean, and other small creatures. There’s no need to go overboard because over time animals will find their home here. 

Be Prepared for your Medical Imaging Appointment

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Medical imaging is an important diagnostic tool that is improving all the time. It can be intimidating, though, especially if you're not sure what to expect. Whether you're having a simple CT scan, an ultrasound, or digital x-ray imaging, there are a few things you can do to be ready before your imaging appointment.

Talk to Your Doctor

Make sure to get a clear idea of what's going to happen and why. When your doctor tells you you need to have imaging done, ask what they're looking for, and how they will be looking for it. The answer might be complicated, and might involve other options; there are an increasing variety of digital imaging technologies, and more being invented all the time. If you're still having trouble understanding, go to the internet. There are other people out there who've had this procedure done for the same reason. 

Talk to Your Imaging Techs

You might be encouraged to make your appointment online, or you might not even be required to make an appointment, but don't be afraid to call and ask a real live person for clarity. You might need to do some prep work; drinking or fasting or avoiding certain foods. Make sure to get a checklist of what you need to do in order to be ready for your appointment. And of course you want to be absolutely certain your insurance will cover this procedure, and how much you will be expected to pay. Have your insurance information at the ready when you make the appointment.

Be Patient

Answers very likely won't be instantaneous, no matter how much you wish they were. The techs on the day probably won't be able to interpret your results, and you'll have to talk to your doctor again before you know what your results really mean. Imaging technology isn't a magic bullet, it's a complex and subtle tool in getting you the diagnosis that will help you get healthy. 

Equipment Every Modern Police Department Needs

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In today’s ever-evolving world of policing, departments constantly have to upgrade their procedures and equipment. Providing your department’s officers with up-to-date equipment allows them to feel more secure on an already stressful job.

Police Shields

Ballistic shields protect officers during riots and SWAT raids. As these scenarios unfortunately become more frequent, departments across the globe have adopted police shields to better outfit personnel. Even civilian members of the public can find a reliable ballistic shield for sale to provide personal protection.

Protective Vests

Weapons pose a direct threat to the lives of officers if in the wrong hands, making protective vests a must for any department. Vests primarily come in two forms. Ballistic-resistant vests protect vital organs of the torso against firearm ammunition. Stab-resistant vests, utilized primarily by correctional officers, protect against knives and other types of melee weapons. Some protective vests can combine both features to safeguard officers from a variety of threats.

Body Cameras

More and more departments nationwide are adopting officer-worn body cameras to not only convey transparency and accountability to the public but also to document evidence easier than relying on testimony alone. Body cameras can also allow department heads to provide better feedback on officer actions.

Equipment To Aid in Arrests

A wide range of equipment exists to protect officers as they make arrests — all without drawing a firearm. Tasers, stun guns and pepper spray can safely immobilize suspects without violent force. For car chases, placing physical barriers or road spikes on pavement can slow down or stop a pursued vehicle before it endangers the lives of pedestrians and other drivers.

As threats to officers continue to increase each year, police departments must adapt to evolving ideas of fighting crime. By investing wisely in equipment upgrades, you can ensure your men and women in blue continue to serve their communities to the highest of standards in safety and ethics.

Reasons to See the Dentist

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Many things can become neglected in a person’s life. Car maintenance is a big one. People neglect to get their oil change, forget to rotate their tires or don’t check their brakes. Health is another area people neglect things. They ignore a constant pain they develop or skip their annual health screening. One of the most common areas, however, that people neglect is their dental health. Many people in the country haven’t been to a dentist in years. Here are three reasons to see a dentist.

Routine Check-Up

While routine check-ups may seem like something you can skip, they are very important. By seeing a dentist regularly, you can ensure your teeth and gums stay in good health. Also, you can stay ahead of any problems that develop. Unfortunately, many people skip their routine check-ups and then wonder why they have teeth problems years down the road. It’s helpful to know that a company like Park Slope family dentistry can take care of you before your dental problems get out of hand.

Tooth Pain

Another sign that it’s time to see a dentist if you have chronic tooth pain. Do you have a tooth that you avoid chewing on because of the excruciating pain it causes? Are there teeth that hurt whenever they are exposed to hot or cold foods and drinks? These are signs of a problem in the tooth. It could be as simple as a cavity that needs to be filled or it could be something more serious. If you’re dealing with tooth pain, see your dentist right away.

Swollen Gums

Another indicator that it is time to visit your dentist is if you have swollen gums. Swollen gums can be a sign of infection in your teeth or gums. This might be an easy fix or could require something like a root canal. It’s a good idea to check it out before the problem becomes more serious.

Tooth problems are no fun. Be sure to see your dentist regularly and visit them if any problems develop.