Category: Life

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Gifts for loved ones

When it comes to buying gifts for my loved ones, I am always looking for sales on good gifts. Sure you can rely on online Black Friday deals, but they are only once a year. I much prefer finding my sales on a daily or weekly basis. I have a budget and I do my best to stay on it. Sales are the best way to save money when you have a family. My family budget is not static, but I do try to keep it within certain limits. The kids helps as much as children can, by conserving on that kiddie stuff, but it doesn’t always do the job.

As frustrating as it can be to create a budget and stick to it, we do our best. It always helps to have the children involved in the budgeting and saving. There are many ways to achieve this. Coupons are one of the best ways to save money. You can find coupons for just about any product out there. Weather you are buying diapers or formula, it doesn’t matter. If you work together on your budget you can actually have a better marriage. Money is the one thing that every couple argues over. It is actually the easiest thing to overcome.

Once you have decided on what kind of lifestyle you want to have, you can agree on how to save your money. There are green lifestyles, as well as the I am not involved kind of lifestyles. No matter what you are into, you can save money.

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Ball with the kids

We had a great day today. We decided to get out of the house while we can before winter gets here, and go to the park. There is a couple of baseball diamonds there and we played ball with the kids for hours. The little guy got to go play for a little while on the playground as well. We did lose one ball over the back fence. As we were in the back field that butted up to the woods, we had to go search for it and found a ton of baseballs as well as a couple of softballs. Some had apparently been there for a long time and were about ruined, but the kids were happy to find them anyway. They will play with them with the dog and that way he won’t get their good baseballs and tear them up. It was a great day.

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Community Service Clubs VA

My good friend has become involved in a community service club va recently, and she has been on an emotional roller-coaster ride ever since. It would seem that even though the club she joined told her that they needed certain types of help, and said that they knew that they needed to change, and asked her for help, when she provided that help, and produced what they needed, they quickly realized how inept they must look and became quite jealous over the success of my friend’s efforts!

So they started to treat her very badly, and she went and complained to one of the “higher muckity-mucks” of the club, who quickly made arrangements to try to get her promoted to a position out of that club, so she could help MORE clubs with her efforts than just that one club.

She has been promoted to a better position, and although she still has to deal with the original club, and their disagreeable antics, the other clubs in the Community Service VA organization have been quite complimentary about all of the hard work and efforts that she has been doing to help the clubs with their goals.

She even recently learned how to convert a power-point presentation and turn it into a video and upload it to YouTube, all to promote the Community Service Club VA!

Everyone in the organization that saw the video commented on how much they liked it, although the actual club it is promoting didn’t do so much as to grunt an acknowledgement!

So much for Goodwill!

But most of the rest of the 24 clubs in her District seem to like her, so most of the time she is feeling appreciated, and that is a good thing.

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Take care of your teeth

Your health is the most important thing you have. Ensuring your continued good health can be directly related to your teeth. We are taught very early to brush our teeth, our schools even advocate good dental hygiene as we are growing up, but did you know that your teeth can tell your doctor a lot about your health? A doctor can look into your mouth and see if you have one of several diseases from what he sees.

  • Tooth loss can tell your doctor that you have osteoporosis or bone loss or even kidney disease .
  • Pale gums can indicate that your are anemic or have low iron in your blood.
  • Loss of tooth enamel can indicate an eating disorder, such as bulimia.
  • Thrush (typically found in babies) can indicate in an adult that they might have HIV or Diabetes.
  • Gum disease could very well tell your doctor that you have rheumatoid arthritis. Or in pregnant women could indicate that they will have a premature birth for their baby.

This of course is not always the case but it is one way the doctor can gauge your health, with just a peek into your mouth. In order to keep your teeth healthier, you might want to use a softer toothbrush to start. It will help keep you from accidentally brushing away your tooth enamel. Chewing sugar free gum and brushing with baking soda will help keep your teeth healthy since they get rid of that pesky plaque and stains. Don’t forget to floss daily either. This will help keep the areas between your teeth clean, and keep your gums healthy in the process.

Did you know that brushing your teeth can help keep you from getting sick? Plaque is a bacteria and bacterial infections can give you pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. Brushing will also ensure a healthier pregnancy and help keep a woman from having a baby with low birth weight. Brushing your teeth after you eat will also help with weight loss since everything usually tastes awful afterwards and you are less likely to snack.

Gum disease has a direct correlation to how well you think. According to the American Dental Association “People with gum disease have more risk of having lower cognitive function than people with normal cognitive function” For men, brushing their teeth religiously can improve their sex life, or at least keep it from disintegrating. Oral bacteria can cause ED, otherwise known as erectile dysfunction, by narrowing the blood vessels that are needed for the organ to grow.

We all want our teeth to be healthy, white and have that winning smile, and sometimes even though we brush religiously we still need help from dentists like Dr David Morrow Orthodontist to straighten them to achieve it. But the end results are worth every visit and whatever we must go through. So don’t be scared to visit your dentist or orthodontist and make sure you have the good health and awesome smile that you want to have.

 

 

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Motorcycle run for a good cause

Motorcycle run for an elementary school is such a great cause. People used to look down on bikers for so long, but the one thing that they could never say, is that bikers don’t care about their community. Every year all over the country, these wonderful people have motorcycle runs that benefit children in many different areas. Most times it is a toy run for Christmas toys for underprivileged children, but sometimes they do them for other things like raising funds for schools. I think it is awesome that they put forth not only their time organizing such events, but their money as well.

Of course they get to do the one thing they love the most and that is ride their motorcycles on a nice long drive. Usually there is a concert of local talent at the park or area where the ride ends. You can usually buy various items fro local vendors as well. The vendors even donate a large portion of their sales to the charity to help raise as much as possible. I have been to a few of these.

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Maintain your septic system to avoid problems

In the small town of Seaford Delaware, there is a lot of rural areas. Many people have septic systems rather than city sewage. For those who do, it is important to know how to keep your septic system up and know the signs of trouble you may encounter. There are four ” Red Flags” that you should be aware of that could spell trouble for your system.

  • If you haven’t had your septic tank cleaned or inspected in two to three years, you could have a problem and be unaware of it.
  • If you have standing water or mushy areas in your yard, then your drain field is not draining properly
  • Backed up or slow toilets are a clear sign that you probably need to have the tank drained
  • That “nasty” smell you cannot identify is probably your septic overflowing or backing up.

If you haven’t had your septic inspected, or have noticed any of these problem areas, then you need to look up seaford septic tank cleaning and take care of this right away. There are many companies to choose from, and you can get estimates over the phone most of the time. Occasionally, they will want to look and then let you know what you are dealing with.

There are ways to keep your tank in good “health” with a few simple products that will keep it from clogging or backing up. You can start with the simplest product available. A product with bacteria or yeast is safe for your system and will help keep if clear longer. Do NOT use chemical additives as they can damage your tank and/or your lines, this goes as well for chemical clog removers. Hot water or a drain snake are the best things to use to clear a clog from your pipes.

There are two different kinds of filters that can help keep your tank in good health. One is a filter that attaches to the drain line of your washing machine. This will help keep lint from getting into the septic tank and clogging it up. The filter should be cleaned at regular intervals. You can also put a filter on the exit side of the tank. This will keep solid material from getting into your drain field. You can also use a different kind of bleach, called oxygen bleach to help keep food and dirt from getting into your tank. All of these products are available at your local Seaford stores.

There are certain jobs that you should not attempt to tackle on your own as you well know. You don’t attempt to fix electrical problems, especially those anywhere near the main breaker box. You don’t take on major plumbing problems and you should NEVER try to repair or clean your septic tank yourself. The gases inside a septic tank are highly toxic and can kill you very quickly. A professional should always be consulted for any septic system work that needs to be done. Regular maintenance and inspections will keep your system healthy so you won’t have any problems arise.

 

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Landscaping is the final touch

You have decorated or remodeled the interior of your house, spruced up the exterior of it, but still have one thing left to do to be truly satisfied. Landscaping your yard to make it a showplace of it’s own and compliment the house as well. It takes a lot of research to figure out just exactly will look good in your yard with the given space you have to work with. Some people know exactly what they want, while others haven’t a clue. Make sure to clean up your yard of all the stuff that needs storage first. You might want to invest in a garden shed for this if you don’t already have one. You yard will look much better without all that clutter and leave you with the space to do your landscaping.

Choices

Figure out where you want your paths and the general layout. Keep in mind that this may change slightly as you do the landscaping as well. Choose your plants and flowers with an eye towards color all year long, not just for the spring time. Many plants and trees bloom a various times of the year and if you choose the right ones, you will have lots of color in your yard year round. If you plant in groups so that it looks more natural, you will have a much better looking yard. Nature is the best blueprint you can use.

Flowers

Buy flowers that will bloom each year and not have to be replaced like perennials, certain shrubs and vines. There are also bulbs that you can plant in the fall, that will come up at spring time and you will have a sudden burst of color. Iris, tulip and daffodil bulbs can be planted in the fall and have this effect. You may want to choose flowers that will attract hummingbirds or butterfly’s. Morning glory’s, Bee balm, and verbena will attract both hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard and garden.

Trees

Trees can be a great addition to your yard and also double to shade the house during those summer months. Fruit producing trees, such as Apple Trees, Cherry Trees and such are always a plus. They look great and give you fruit as well. Flowering trees like the Magnolia and Dogwood trees are undeniably beautiful, your spring and summer yard will have blooming trees that seem to last and last. Evergreen trees that never lose their color are great for winter color.

Rocks and Pots

You can add to your landscaping, with large pots and rocks or boulders. Large pots (not small ones) are as important as what goes in them. They can be pricey but are a good investment and will look amazing. Rocks are best found in your area. Most times you won’t even have to pay for them if you ask around to see where you might locate construction sites. You can also go to a quarry and buy them cheaper then you can from your local hardware store.

 

 

 

 

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Movie night tonight

Movie night is definitely tonight, but we are watching old movies that we haven’t seen in a very long time. The Matrix entire series is on OnDemand, so we decided to watch them all. I doubt we get through all of them tonight, but we are going to try. I forgot just how good these movies are. They have apocalyptic scenario, coupled with high tech and lots of shooting and action. They are almost perfect. The only thing missing is outer space. Obviously, you can tell that we like action and scifi type movies.

I am already thinking about the next series of movies I want to watch on our next movie night. Series movies are the best. I don’t care if it is The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or the Pirates of the Caribbean. They are all amazing partly because they don’t just end. Not for a long while in any case. Waiting for the next one to come out was a little annoying, but totally worth it in the end. The Avenger, Thor and Iron Man series are definitely awesome as well and I am glad that they are continuing, the next one of those I have to see is the new Thor. It looks like it will be even better than the first one.

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Real Estate is more than selling houses.

Real estate is about more than just selling houses. It is about community and a better life for everyone who lives within it. Being a real estate agent takes dedication to that community, not just making money. As agents, we live within the communities where we work and building it up is as important for our own families as it is for those who have less than we do. It is an investment in our town, our neighbors and our families.

New agents must make a name for themselves and there are ways to do that and help people at the same time. Joining clubs and organizations can not only help build your business, but will also help build your reputation as a community leader. If you only join to help you make money though, people will be able to tell, so you have to mean it. Join something that actually means something to you.

Here is a list of organizations for those agents who wish to help out.

  • Boys and Girls club
  • Boy Scouts or Girl scouts
  • Coaching team sports
  • Historical society
  • Board of Realtors
  • Local politics
  • American Legion
  • American Veterans
  • Red Cross
  • Crisis centers
  • Knights of Columbus
  • Volunteer for hospitals, fire stations, food banks, Food kitchens or even toy and food drives

All of these and many more are great ways to give back to your community and make connections at the same time.  ZMG Construction is a perfect example of giving back to the community. They are involved in several organizations, like AMI Kids, which helps troubled youths, as well as the Boy Scouts of America. From Crime Stoppers to CECO, an education center for disabled children, ZMG leads by example. It is precisely this kind of giving back that makes for a really good company. Some of these organizations can be a lot of fun and everyone needs a little bit of fun in their lives. Enjoy the experience and make new friends.

Helping your community to be more sustainable is also a great way to give back. After all, you live there too and want to make sure that it is preserved for future generations. You can suggest ways for your clients to “green their home” and make it more attractive to buyers. Upgrading outdated appliances is a great way to start, as well as “heat as you go” water heating system. If they are going to replace a floor before selling, suggest that they use bamboo for a wood floor. Bamboo is much more sustainable than regular wood as it grows much faster than trees.

No matter what way you decide to join in, make a difference. People will notice that and your business will see the difference as well with more referrals. You will feel good about what you are doing and be successful at the same time. Your reputation will grow and people will know that you have roots in your community as well as a deep feeling of responsibility for it.

 

 

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Healthcare is an important part of our economy

Healthcare is one of the most important parts of our economy. No matter where you live, the healthcare industry employs more people than any other industry. Likewise, when it comes to technology, the healthcare industry is at the head of the class. Medical technology helps in many different ways, from CAT scans, ultrasounds and MRI’s that diagnose problems inside the body or monitor a child before it is born, to the computers that keep our information and data organized. This technology allows us easier access in almost every possible way. Improving healthcare around the world has become a global focus. Information technology is on the forefront of that care. Sharing data from country to country and city to city to keep our citizens safe from disease and epidemics as well as normal healthcare.

The electronic medical records software is imperative for doctors and nurses to keep our records and monitor our progress. Without this software, we would still have to deal with lost or misplaced files that could mean a serious loss of time and test results. Today when you go to the doctor, you rarely ever see a paper file. There are laptops in every room, or the nurses carry I Pads to keep track of all your records and results. The new software and technology helps to cut down their time spent inputting data. This allows them to complete their jobs quicker and allow for the doctors to see more patients. Considering the rapidly growing population, it is imperative that time saving technologies be learned and used to the best advantage. Believe it or not, it also saves the environment as well, since they only print out what is absolutely necessary to give to you, thereby saving trees from being cut down unnecessarily.

As new technology is invented and implemented, sometimes we get to try new things. The new Google Glass is one such technology that looks to be very promising. This technology could help nurses and doctors to get information the very second it is uploaded and available. For instance; If a doctor in a emergency room or operation room is in need of certain test results and has the Google Glass, he/she can immediately access the results the minute the they are available. This could help to save a persons life, especially in an ER where finding out a persons blood type before giving them blood could mean life or death for that patient.

Not all areas of the medical fields are thrilled with the new gadgets that come out. They can be very resistant to “change”, especially in the older generations, but time has already proven that the more we go forward, the better off mankind is as a whole. The old adage that it is hard to teach on old dog new tricks simply doesn’t apply any longer. In a world of new and rapidly growing technology, it is a keep up mentality. While this may make it necessary for continuing education, the advantages are clear.