Three Diagnostic Questions to Help You Describe Your Hearing Loss

Whether you’re just started to notice changes in your hearing, or you’ve been dealing with hearing loss for a while, it’s helpful to know how to describe your condition to your medical professional. These questions will help you describe your hearing loss for an accurate diagnosis.

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How severe is your hearing loss?

This straightforward question is commonly asked by audiologists, but (for obvious reasons) can be quite difficult to answer. How are you supposed to know how severe your hearing loss is? You can only hear what you can hear! Audiologists will frequently use descriptors on a spectrum from mild to profound, with a large grey area in between. In general, if you’ve experienced mild hearing loss a conversation will be easily heard if there is not much other noise in the room and you are sat quite near to the person you are talking to. However, if there is music or other noise going on in the background, you may not hear so easily. Severe or profound hearing loss means you’re unlikely to catch what anyone is saying regardless of background noise.

What types of sounds are audible to you?

The most common form of hearing loss is known as high frequency hearing loss. The fancy name for the condition is presbyacusis. Elderly people often suffer from this. The effect for the sufferer is to make speech sound muffled and difficult to comprehend. While you may hear the words being said, you may not necessarily understand the meaning of the statement. Low-frequency hearing loss is the other side of the coin. It’s also possible to experience a loss of all frequencies in roughly equal proportions. You may find that you are especially sensitive to loud noise. Each different arrangement of frequencies that you can or cannot hear will affect your ability to understand speech and follow conversations. An audiologist may use words like sensory, conductive, or mixed, to evaluate your hearing ability and gesture towards which area of your ear has sustained damage. 

What’s that ringing sound I can hear?

Ironically, one of the most common symptoms of hearing loss is a ringing sound in the ear that does not come from an environmental source. The sound is internal. What is even stranger is that you are the only person who can hear it. A doctor may be able to diagnose the condition (tinnitus) but it will be purely based on your report, as they will not be able to hear anything themselves. Tinnitus can be debilitating at first, but once you learn skills to help you navigate your anxiety, the condition can be easily managed. Seek out professional help from your GP or an Audiology clinic in your local area. Mindfulness meditation practices have also been shown to be effective for tinnitus relief, as they help relieve anxiety.

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Unlike visible disabilities that cause reduced mobility, hearing loss is an invisible disability that is often left undiagnosed. This can make it difficult for you or your loved one to adjust to the limitations. Why the delay in diagnosis? Because if you are suffering from hearing loss, the chances are that you’re the last to know. If you would like to better understand your hearing loss, or the hearing loss being experienced by your loved one, these questions will help you get to grips with this difficult issue.

Dealing With Hearing Loss? These Tips Will Help

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One of the unfortunate aspects of getting older is the possibility of losing our hearing. Unfortunately, there is no way of telling whether you will be affected or not, although there are a few ways you can minimize your risk. For instance, you can limit your exposure to loud music and noise. Even if you do all you can to prevent this risk, there is still a chance that you might be slightly affected by deafness in the future.

If you do end up with even the smallest amount of hearing loss, it can still be very frustrating and will no doubt have an impact on your life. Thankfully, there are ways you can manage it. Read on to find out more.

Speak To Your Doctor

One of the first things that you need to do is speak to your doctor. You should let them know about your experience so that they can give you a hearing test. They might need to refer you to a hearing specialist depending on how bad things seem to be. This test will then show whether in fact you are suffering from any loss in hearing. If that is the case, your doctor should be able to advise you on the best course of action.

Find A Reliable Hearing Aid

It could also be worth investing in a hearing aid. Again, this is something that you can discuss with your doctor and they might even be able to recommend you a specific kind that can help with your specific type of hearing loss. It might be worth looking for one that uses all of the latest Bluetooth technology as you will really benefit from all of its extra connectivity. For instance, you would be able to connect it to your TV so that you can hear your favorite movies and programs a lot clearer!

Let Your Friends And Relatives Know

It is also important that you are open to your relatives and close friends about your hearing loss. They might have even noticed it themselves! Once you tell them, then they will certainly do their bit to help you understand and hear them a lot more clearly in various situations. If they themselves suffer from hearing loss, they might even be able to give you a few tips that they use.

Use Some Alerting Devices Around The Home

One thing that a lot of people have trouble hearing when they are slightly death is whenever someone is knocking on their door. Thankfully, there are a few alerting devices you can use that will flash a light as well as play a louder knocking sound. You will also be able to buy fire and carbon monoxide alarms that will flash a blinking light when they go off as well. It’s important to find these kinds of device, especially as your hearing worsens, so that you are always alerted to all kinds of household situations.

As you can see, your hearing loss doesn’t have to impact your life too much!

3 Things To Remember As You Drive On The Roads

For anyone of any age, driving on the public roads is something that you need to be very careful about. It is clear to anyone that it is the kind of thing which can be very dangerous, and which you need to put a lot of focus into if it is to go right, and the more that you can approach it in that way, the better off you will be. The truth is that driving can be made a lot simpler by ensuring that you approach it in a certain way, and that is what we are going to take a look at in this article. Here are three things that it is worth remembering as you drive on the roads, to ensure that you enjoy it more and that you are as safe as can be.

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Accident Protocol

It is important that you have a good sense of what you would need to do in the case of some kind of accident. If you fail to understand this as fully or properly as you can, then it might mean that you struggle to survive an accident as fully as you would probably hope to. There are certain things you should always do after an accident. One of the first is to make sure that nobody else is hurt. If they are, call an ambulance. You probably also want to call the police if it is that serious. You are then going to want to call Hadley Law Firm, or whoever else might be representing you, as well as your insurance provider. Knowing the protocol will actually mean that you have more confidence as you drive around, so this is hugely important to think about from time to time.

Confidence Is Everything

When you are driving, you will find that being able to have a lot of confidence is absolutely always going to help you drive better. Those who drive with confidence tend to have fewer crashes, and they tend to enjoy the process more as well, which is no bad thing in itself. If you are not currently all that confident, then you can improve this by simply getting a lot more practice in. you can do that through merely driving normally, or you can consider taking further lessons than strictly necessary in order to develop your driving skills. However you do it, developing your confidence is going to help a lot when you are driving.

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Slow & Steady

Remember that driving is one of the most dangerous things you will ever do. That attitude is the right one, as it ensures that you are going to take seriously the power of the vehicle you are behind, and that you will therefore be more likely to take it easy. Taking it slow and steady is going to ensure that you drive with much greater purpose, and that you are much less likely to be involved in any accidents, so this is definitely something that you will want to make sure you are doing from the start.

Taking a Pet-Stop: Make Sure You Have More Quality Pet Time

Owning a pet is a big responsibility these days, but it can also be one of the most important things in life. More and more households these days are introducing pets into the family home, and this is really improving things for them. As such, it is important for you to make sure you are doing what is right for your animal, and this generally involves spending time with your furry friend.

Pet owners need to make sure they take time out of the stresses of daily life to make time for their pets. However, this is something that can be more difficult to achieve than you might think, and this is certainly something to consider. These are some of the best ideas to make use of when you come to make more quality time for your pet.

Get Out of the House

One of the best places to start with this is getting out of the home. An animal like a dog doesn’t do well being cooped up all day, so you need to get out and take them for a walk. This is a great way of keeping active, and it keeps you healthy and active at the same time. Having a happy and healthy pet is something that makes a big difference to their life and yours. And these are some of the best ways you can achieve this right now. 

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Bring Your Pet on Vacation

Of course, it depends on where you choose to go, but it could well be the case that you will be able to take your pet on vacation with you. This would be ideal if you are going somewhere that allows you to be outdoors a lot. You might need to check about things like pet-friendly hotels, and what the deal is if you are looking to fly. There is accepted etiquette for vacationing with pets, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with this so that you can get the best possible outcome. 

Regular Check-Ups

Another thing to keep in mind is that you need to take care of the health of your pet, specifically, when it comes to their physical well-being. And this means taking them for regular check-ups at the veterinarian and ensuring you keep on top of any health problems. Pets can live long and healthy lives provided they are well looked after and taken care of, and this is something you should be doing on a regular basis as a pet owner. The more regularly you visit the vet, the easier it is to keep on top of problems and identify health issues when they arise.  

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As you can see, there are a lot of things that you can do that are going to help you improve the time you have together with your animal. Taking the steps to do this effectively is so important, and you have to be sure you are doing what is right for them. This sometimes means getting a little more creative with stuff, and you need to make sure you put your animal first as much as you can.

Helping a Loved One to Adjust to Life with Reduced Mobility

As we get older, our bodies change. We can’t always do the things that we used to be able to. We tire more easily, our joints don’t work as well as they once did and our muscles start to weaken. If we’re lucky, it’s nothing more than a gradual and natural part of ageing. But, for some people, it’s more than this. The changes aren’t always gradual, and for some, they begin to present much sooner than is the norm. When this happens, life can become harder, and day to day tasks can’t be completed as easily as they once were. 

If you have a loved one who has suddenly found their mobility reduced, or is finding life more painful than it used to be, they might be feeling very helpless as everything becomes more difficult. But, they might not be ready to move into care or an assisted living facility. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you can do to help them adjust and live in their own home, as comfortably as possible. 

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Make Changes Around the Home

Reduced mobility doesn’t mean that your loved one is no longer capable of living alone. Nor does it mean that they need full-time help, or that they are going to have to stop doing things for themselves. In most cases, there are plenty of changes that you can help them to make around the house, that will make life easier and more comfortable. Some of these changes are big things like having wheelchair ramps installed. Others are much smaller, like moving the things that they use daily on to lower shelves that are easy to reach. 

Help Them In Public Spaces

One of the challenges that people with limited mobility can face is interacting with the public and infrastructure in public spaces. As a loved one, you should do your best to anticipate this and help them learn to navigate both these challenges. Society has come a long way in accommodating people with limited mobility, such as a disabled parking permit allowing you to park close to amenities. Access ramps and lifts are also widely available. The key to success here is to teach your loved ones how to spot the infrastructure built to help them.

Explore Their Options

There are always options. Changes at home should certainly be the first step, but that might not be the only change that they want to make. Look into home help with them, as well as exercise classes, therapy and physio. But, remember, you are there to help them learn more about these options, not to take over or make the decisions. 

Let Them Talk

When facing reduced mobility, or a sudden change to health, it’s not just the physical changes that can be hard to adjust to. They might be feeling lonely, scared and upset. What they might need more than anything else is someone to talk to and share their emotions with. Be that person if they need you to be. 

Help them to Find New Hobbies

A great way to help them to adjust to what life has thrown at them is finding ways to show them that this isn’t the end. They can still have a wonderful quality of life. They can still find new hobbies, make new friends and even find things that they are good at. They might just need a little push to find these things and someone to hold their hand as they explore new interests and hobbies. Take a look online for groups and activities in your local area and even look for support groups nearby.

Care Options for Your Aging Loved Ones

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As your parents grow older, it’s important to make plans for the type of care they may need over the coming years. There are many options to consider as you make this monumental decision, and it’s important to have a plan in place before the need arises. As you prepare for this next phase of life, here are the most common scenarios and the key factors you should take into consideration.

Retirement and Nursing Homes

Sending an aging parent or loved one to a new environment may seem overwhelming, but these highly specialized centers may be the best option, especially if someone is in need of frequent medical care or attention. Many offer treatments for the elderly, including memory care Denver, physical therapy and 24-hour medical staff. Some facilities are also designed to make life as normal and enjoyable for residents as possible, including amenities like movie theaters, salons and cafeterias set up like restaurants.

Most nursing homes are wholesome facilities, where the elderly are treated with respect and taken care of. However, there have been incidents where they have been abused in some nursing homes. If this ever happens to your loved one you can hire a nursing home abuse lawyer to help you.

Professional Home Care

If your parent prefers to stay in their current home but requires frequent medical evaluation and help with everyday tasks, hiring a professional home caregiver may be your best option. This service usually comes with a much lower price tag than moving to a retirement or nursing home, but still allows the client to receive the specialized care they need. Caregivers can help run errands, administer medications and prepare healthy meals.

Personal Family Care

If you have a close relationship with your aging loved one and the time to help, caring for them yourself may be an option. Be sure that your schedule truly allows you to provide the care and attention they will need. You'll also need to consider proximity and make sure someone can get to them within just a few minutes in the event of an emergency. Though it can be stressful, some do find it very rewarding.

Whatever you choose, make sure to be realistic about your parent's needs and desires. With a good plan in place, you can rest easy knowing your loved one will have the care they require.

Repairing vs. Replacing Your AC

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Summertime is in full swing, and that means your air conditioner is probably going full throttle — that is, unless it's not working correctly. Before you start searching "AC repair near me" though, it is important to consider whether you truly need repair, or whether your home would benefit from an entirely new unit.

 How Old Is Your Air Conditioner?

The first thing you should consider when working through the "repair vs. replace" debate is the gave of your HVAC unit. Of course, there is no steadfast age that makes a unit too old to repair, which is why some experts use a dollar amount instead. To determine if your air conditioner is too old to repair, consider its age as well as how much the repair cost is. Multiply them, and if the number is more than $5,000, consider replacement instead. For example, a 10-year-old unit that is going to cost $500 to repair will equal to exactly $5,000, so it may be best to replace it instead. However, a 5-year-old unit at $350 will only multiply to $1,750, so it is fine to repair.

Is Your Current Unit Energy-Efficient?

Energy efficiency matters as well. Even if your HVAC unit is technically repairable, it could still be costing you hundreds of dollars each year if it lacks any energy efficiency. Energy Star recommends purchasing an energy-efficient unit if your current unit is 10 years old or older, and even HVAC technicians recommend replacement after 15 years. The average lifespan of a unit is 14 years, so if yours is on the brink of old age, now is the time to purchase something more efficient.

Whether you decide to hire someone to repair your current unit or replace it with a brand new, energy-efficient model, it is important to hire technicians who are licensed, certified, and insured. This not only saves you money but ensures the safety of you and your property since HVAC work requires being around dangerous electrical or gas components.

LeBlanc Hotel and Resort: Great Choice for a Family Staycation

My sister celebrated her 50th birthday by booking a staycation for the entire family at a hotel in the outskirts of the city.

We checked in at the LeBlanc Hotel and Resort, USA. Nope, not United States of America, but "Upper Side of Antipolo." It took us about an hour to drive from our home in Quezon City to get to the place.

The hotel is nestled in the hills of Antipolo, Rizal. We arrived there at around 3 pm and waited for 20 minutes in the car until we were ushered in. Upon entering, I noticed the hotel was clean and the staff was friendly. 

We stayed in twin deluxe rooms on the 3rd floor. It was rather small, but it was clean and the beds were really comfy. It had a mid-size TV, a small desk/dresser, a closet with a safe, and toilet and bath with a hot/cold shower enclosure.

The floor to ceiling window of the rooms offered a great view of the pool.  Once we were settled in our rooms, the kids started changing into their swim wear and could not wait to get into the pool. I can't blame them. Summers in the Philippines can be brutally hot and humid.

The hotel's pool is not big, but the size was ample enough for the kids to swim and play, and for adults to just soak the heat away. The poolside staff was readily available to provide towels, and take your orders for food or refreshments from the Bistro.

We had dinner at The Bistro, located on the ground floor of the hotel. The dining area was nice and clean. The food was okay. Our tummies were happy.

This hotel also has function rooms for events and corporate meetings, and a rooftop area for weddings or private parties.

To summarize, the LeBlanc Hotel is a perfect family getaway not too far from home. Great for weekend staycations to celebrate special occasions. It is also a nice hotel to book a stay if you simply want to unplug and unwind.

How to Choose a Valve Lock System

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When it’s time to perform maintenance or repairs on a pressurized valve, it’s necessary to shut off whatever material is in inside. Valve locks perform this critical role, one which can prevent potentially harmful accidents. But before you install one, it’s important to know that valve locks are not one-size-fits-all. There are several different types which are engineered for specific valves.

It’s more likely than not that your valve is one of the three most common: Ball valves, butterfly valves, or gate valves. Here’s how their corresponding valve lock systems work:

Ball Valve Locks

Ball valve lock systems combine an outside handle with an interior ball to control flow through the valve. You simply shift the handle to the off position to do so. They typically range from one half to eight inches in diameter and will work on a wide variety of pipes, including ones constructed of stainless steel, brass, bronze, chrome, titanium, PVC, CPVC and others.

Butterfly Valve Locks

Butterfly valves themselves are discs positioned in the center of a pipe. When given a quarter turn, they control flow. They are generally cheaper than ball valves because of their lighter weight. Butterfly valve locks, like ball valve locks, can be used on different sizes of pipes, but have a more limited range of 2.5 to 4 inches in diameter.

Gate Valve Locks

Gate valve locks work by blocking access to valve handles. They are thermoplastic covers in the shape of half circles. After they’re installed, a padlock or hasp can be used to secure them in place. Gate valve locks are mostly used with larger pipe diameters (from 2" to the largest pipelines).

Valve lock systems have a wide range of applications: manufacturing, mining, utilities, municipal service, and oil and gas. But before choosing one, always make sure it is the right fit for the valve you need to shut off.

Understanding Court-Ordered Anger Management Courses

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It is difficult to admit that you have a problem with anger. Many people don't recognize issues with their reactions and actions toward others, and even some of those that do, deny such a problem exists either out of shame or embarrassment. However, when these feelings escalate to the point of court appeals and mandates, then perhaps it is time to recollect and engage with the process that has led to such a result. Therefore, if ordered to seek counseling or anger management classes, seize it as an opportunity for self-renewal and reflection, and try to use the tools taught there to have greater control and improved relationships.

Mandatory Classes

While a judge will probably specify a certain number of hours for the court ordered anger management classes, know that you can continue going if the lessons are helping. Most classes are in person and require signatures from the instructors to prove your enrollment and participation. However, a judge or an order may allow for online courses in certain situations, which may ease some anxiety. The class type mandated typically depends on the severity of the accusation or assault. Anger that results in violence and injury usually requires a more intensive in-person program, whereas an emotional outburst that did not result in serious injury or harm may only require a certificate of completion from an online provider.  

Course Lessons

While the online and in-person courses vary in length and design, anger management classes teach a variation of the same topics: emotional and physical signs and triggers. Some emotional signs you are getting angry are feeling internal tension like you can't say what you want or that you want to yell. Physical symptoms of anger may appear through a clenched jaw, tightness in your back, poor sleep or a racing heartbeat. While courses spend some time exploring signs and symptoms of anger, they typically dive deeper into discovering your emotional stressors or triggers to help you combat them.

You may not want to take court-ordered classes. However, consider them an opportunity to heal. Find approved anger-management classes and start your recovery. 

Understanding Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

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For individuals to successfully navigate through society, sound finances play a significant role. With many people unable to support themselves with savings or investments, remaining current with any outstanding debts is essential. However, there will always be extenuating circumstances which arise in life and require unplanned expenditures. If these types of situations occur frequently, you will likely have to consider filing for bankruptcy. Making this type of decision is undoubtedly nerve-racking, but there are quite a few options for you to take. Bankruptcies happen across the country, and this is undoubtedly the case for Orlando, FL. If you live in this area and are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, consult with a chapter 13 lawyer Orlando Fl.

Determining Eligibility for Chapter 13

With there being so many types of bankruptcy to claim, it is essential to understand which form applies to you. If you are interested in filing chapter 13, then your unsecured debts must be lower than $349,725 to proceed with this filing. There are also laws about secured debts, also which a chapter 13 lawyer would be able to explain in detail. A court of law will also determine your eligibility based on any recent filings made under your legal name. If 180 days have not passed since a recent filing was cut short due to negligence, you would not be eligible for chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Understanding the Process

There is a lot of documentation that a bankruptcy court will require for this process to move along. Most people do not have a schedule of assets and liabilities on-hand for personal property and the accompanying valuations. All of this information must be accurate to the best of your ability, and an attorney can assist with this process. Filing for bankruptcy is not easy, but seeking legal counsel can help aid in this burdensome task.

Tips for Planning a College Spring Festival

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Although college is a learning environment, it is also a place of community. With that, comes a need for socialization. Why not celebrate springtime? The sun is finally shining, providing some much-desired vitamin D. Kick off the season with a good old-fashioned festival. Young adults, after all, need enjoyment just like little kids, and (let's face it) college is not just about academics. It's also about having fun. Here are a few tips to make the most of the event.

Get Help

Planning a large scale event takes time and coordination. Consider hiring a college event planner. This could relieve some of the pressure, and it might offer some discounts from vendors. This person brings experience to the table that might present some new ideas and exciting concepts. Also, don't take it all on yourself. Ask campus organizations to sign up and work on a committee or sponsor booths. Let them get creative with activities appropriate for the campus and student body. Getting others involved provides a personal investment and pride. It might also make your job a little bit easier.

Think Variety

Remember that people have different interests so you'll want to provide options. For example, festivals usually include silly booths and inflatables. Select a range of activities. Some a little tame, and some more adventurous. Music keeps events lively, so consider a DJ or a band. Don't worry so much about genre. Just ensure it's upbeat. Lastly, don't forget the food. Festivals have your traditional fare: cotton candy and popcorn. Rent some machines to have large quantities. Think of offering those for free as a perk to those who attend. With food trucks readily available, arrange for some to provide additional choices. You'll save set up and time by using their menu and supplies.

Enjoy the day. Many people want to return to those carefree childhood days. A spring festival offers a chance to relive the fun and memories.

What’s Likely To Influence Your Attitude To The Road?

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Do you even really know what influences your attitude when you’re on the road? Do you know how to stay in control on the road? Let’s take a look at some of the things that may influence your attitude when you’re on the road.

Your Mood

First of all, one of the biggest influences that may significantly influence your attitude to the road and driving in general, is your own mood! If you’re in a bad or negative frame of mind, it can make you perform differently, and react different on the road. And so you need to bear that in mind and aim to control it.

Other People

Now, another thing that can often largely influence how you are on the road, is other people! It’s not always your own attitude or outlook on that day. Sometimes, the actions of others can really influence you. But if you want to make sure that you’re able to stay safe on the road, stay sane, and also avoid confrontation too, you have to be weary of those.

The Facts

Finally, something that you may not know much about, is the facts of the road. And here, we’re talking more about the negative side of things, as unfortunately there are lots of traffic collisions as you can see in the infographic below. Sometimes, when you know more about the statistics surrounding road issues, alcohol, drugs, and fatigue, you’ll often be much more wary of your own actions on the road.

Infographic Design By Canada car accident statistics

Home Tech Innovations Which Are Worth The Spend

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Technology and homes go hand in hand, and the latest solutions are so smart they can do everything from keeping your home tidier and more secure to saving you money on the household bills, enhancing your lifestyle and increasing the value of your property. All we need now is a flying car in the driveway and we really will have arrived in the future we were promised as kids. Of course, as with all home gadgets, there are some which are a great idea and others which aren't worth the spend. Here's a run down of the latest tech additions it could be worthwhile investing in… 

A Smart Doorbell

Knowing who is at the front door before you answer - whether you're home or not - is incredibly useful. Not only can you keep tabs on that delivery that arrives when you pop out, but you can also avoid that sales call you didn't want to be in for. Plus, you can ensure better security for your property when you go away. Smart doorbells from companies like Nest feature a HD video stream using your home WiFi so you can check exactly who is there. There's also an in-built microphone and speaker so that you can communicate with any visitors - even if you're far away from home. 

A Soothing Soak

If you're into relaxing in the bathtub with a glass of wine after a long, hard day, then you may want to get on board with the new wave of technology coming to a bathroom near you. The Archer VibrAcoustic bath harnesses the power of technology to make that bathing experience even better. Housing a Bluetooth speaker and made of acoustic materials, the idea is that you can play your favorite relaxing Spotify playlist while you soak in the tub and feel every note in three dimension with music waves rippling through the water. As well as accessing your own music library, the bath has several soothing pre-programmed mixes to add something a little extra to your bath! 

An Entertaining Experience

If you're in the mood to treat yourself, and add value to your home, Home Theater Installation could be a path to consider. Movie aficionados will relish being able to dodge the queues at the cinema, re-watch the classics at their leisure or even do proper justice to those epic Netflix picks with a big screen and surround sound. With custom smart technology, you could queue up that movie, dim the lights and have a chilled beer waiting all by the time you pull up in the drive. 

No More Mowing

If you have a lawn in your garden, then you'll know what a pain it is to maintain around this time of year, when it seems to grow faster than you can cut it! Bring the power of robots to the job with the Worx automatic lawn mower. Similar to the famous Roomba vacuuming robot, this little guy has a clever shock sensor system which can detect and mow around obstacles and automatically returns to it's base if the battery gets low to recharge or it senses rain. Everyone's least favorite chore just got a hell of a lot easier. 

A Letter To The Unknown Japanese Soldier Who Killed My Grandfather

Dear Unknown Japanese Soldier,

I know, it has been about 75 years since that day. Long time, huh? Well, I don't know if you are still alive, but I just wanted to let you know about a few things.

You were the one who shot and killed my grandfather. A man I never had the chance to meet. Were you also the one who pushed his body into that deep well along with countless other men and women you massacred? 

Did you know that the man you killed had a pregnant wife at home and 4 young daughters all under the age of 10 who were too young to understand why there was a war?

Did you know that my grandfather had a very good singing voice and was the lead singer in the church choir?

What did he do to hurt you? All those men and women you rounded up in the town plaza, giving them false hopes of peace and free rice? And what did you do? You mercilessly gunned them all down. Why?

My grandfather worked hard to raise his daughters, hoping to give them a bright future. With your bullet, you put an end to his dreams.

My poor grandfather did not live long enough to even see his youngest daughter. You robbed my mother and my aunts the chance to grow up with a father to guide and protect them. 

Don't you have a father yourself? How much hate did you have in your heart when you did this? I cannot understand your lust of bloodshed. What made you so evil? I want to know. But it is too late now. Way too late to know the truth.

We only have one photo of my grandfather. 

ONE. 

In the photo, he was tall, dark complexioned, with black wavy hair and beautiful deep set eyes. I wish I met him. I wish I got to know him. But all I have is that one photo. And his name, Casiano. 

He missed seeing his 5 daughters graduate from college. He missed walking them down the aisle when they got married. He missed getting to know all his 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren (plus one great-greatgrandson)

My grandfather's 13 out of a total of 18 great grandchildren.
(13 girls and 5 boys. Missing 3 other girls and 2 other boys not in the photo)

We can no longer change the past. The war is now etched in my country's history. I can only pray that that would be the last war, and the last foreign invasion that would come to our shores. 

So to you, Unknown Japanese Soldier, I hope you were given the time to repent for the atrocities you committed. I hope you at least felt sorry for all that you did. 

And despite all the hurt you caused my grandmother, my mother and my aunts, I want you to know... 

I forgive you.

Four Tricks For A Luxury Kitchen Redesign

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The kitchen truly is the hub of the house - it's where people tend to congregate and socialise, where we entertain our friends, visit with our family and talk to our children. So it's little wonder that making an investment into this room can enhance your life and make your property much more saleable. If you're looking to achieve an elegant redesign that look luxurious, the trick is to combine practical innovations with beautiful finishes to get that high-end appearance. These tips will show you some of the best ways to get the look… 

Let There Be Light

Immaculate lighting design for your kitchen is something that often gets overlooked, or only addressed as an afterthought, when it's actually quite fundamental. A kitchen is a unique space because it demands a mix of functional, task lighting and more relaxed mood enhancing lights for dining and entertaining. Your lighting scheme could include a mix of LED spotlights in the main body of the kitchen, a hanging pendant light over an island unit or peninsula, and then downlighters or a dramatic cluster light over the dining area - you could even add a dimmer switch for ultimate mood lighting control. 

Get Classy With Countertops

If your mission is to give your kitchen that high end look, then one area where you don't want to cut corners is on beautiful quality countertops and splashbacks. Installing something like Quartz Countertops gives a sleek and durable finish that instantly makes your kitchen look upscale. If you're trying to make the case for a luxury look on a budget, then it's better to spend more on the countertops and try to make savings on the units of the kitchen and the appliances by sourcing them separately online rather than purchasing at inflated kitchen showroom prices. 

Luxe Up The Details

Steering away from basic handles in favour of something more unique and luxurious can really make your kitchen standout. Unusual finishes such as brass, copper or leather can totally elevate a more basic design and make it look expensive. You can also add to the look by choosing sockets, switches and taps in more stand-out materials - this can add a lot of sophistication to the look of the room in a subtle way. Don't discount the impact a beautiful extractor hood can have as well - they are highly functional items but they can also be very decorative and add to the overall look in their way. 

Create A Standout Feature 

Every elevated design features a talking point which makes a lasting impact, so think about what would make sense for your home. If you're a wine lover, a beautiful alcove filled with honeycomb wine holders can make an arresting sight. If you have small kids, painting a wall with chalkboard paint and allowing them to make colourful scribbles - or noting down quotes that make you smile or even your shopping list - injects a little personality into proceedings. For others it could be beautifully designed furniture or a standout piece of art. Just make sure there is one element that draws focus in the mix. 

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!