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And My Word of the Year For 2019 Is…

As I get older, I've become much more comfortable with easing into a new year rather than kicking things off the second the clock strikes midnight. There's something about that first week of January, where my mind is clear and the past year is behind me, that makes it the perfect time for me to thoughtfully and intentionally set out my goals. Along with that comes my favorite part of the new year: Choosing my word.

For those who may not be familiar with the practice, the idea is to decide on a word that sets the tone for the year ahead. My favorite words are those that can have more than one meaning – but that doesn't always work out. Most importantly, it should align or even help boost the focus on your goals or resolutions.

Last year, my word was simplify. It was a word that helped me make decisions about adding more to my plate (or rather, not adding more to my plate), purging extra stuff in my life (literally and figuratively) and simply getting back into a routine after back to back years of big projects (hello, kitchen remodel and wedding!).

And while it was certainly a relief to focus on a lot of mini updates around the house, getting settled into our new studio, and having more downtime, by the end of the year I felt a little… well, directionless. Words can be funny like that.

When choosing my word for this year, I started by listing not only words that currently resonate with me, but also the goals I want to achieve. From there, it became fairly clear the overall direction that things were going in. Here was my list of finalists for 2019: Act, Expand, Refine, Focus, Explore, Motivate, Energize, Push.

It's not hard to spot the trend here, right?! But before I tell you what my word is, I want to give you a little perspective on where it's coming from.

When I moved in with my husband a few years ago, for the first time in my adult life I felt stability. And I fought it. I loved being independent. I could make my own decisions about where to invest my time and money, and always had the option to dream as big as I wanted to without worrying about repercussions because they would only affect me. Looking back now, I think I fought it because I was scared of what would happen if I relaxed a little bit. Slowed down that hustle.

And then last year – it happened. I flipped. I embraced the idea of not having to constantly work so hard. I also had to find more time in my schedule for things like making dinner at a scheduled time. Picking my step-daughter up for her drum lessons. I found time to work out (yay!) and take naps with my dog on the sofa (oh, the luxury!).

But, somewhere in my quest to Simplify and find balance in life, I maaaay have tipped the scales too far in the opposite direction. Settling into a more manageable workload made me wary of taking on more challenging opportunities. Partially because after living through a kitchen remodel and planning a wedding, I was terrified of screwing with our routine and creating a more stressful environment in the house again. And partially because I was so exhausted by my newfound wife and step-mom duties that mentally and creatively I just couldn't motivate myself.

For someone who thrives on challenge and change in every other aspect of life, it was quite the shock to end up here. In my version of lazy. But I was kind of enjoying it. Until I wasn't.

In the latter part of last year, I started to feel really stuck. I couldn't make decisions. I didn't know what I wanted, but I definitely wasn't happy. I was going through the motions. I might even say, I was mildly depressed. Of course I had moments of delight and creativity, but overall I was not in a good place. And it took these last few weeks of finally having enough downtime, sleep and introspection to figure out why.

Giving myself more flexible time last year both helped me and hurt me.

That sentence is an an entire essay in itself, but here's what it boils down to: When I'm feeling fulfilled creatively through work, then I'm happier all around. And that fulfillment comes through collaborating on exciting partnerships, challenging myself with new ideas or projects, and having measurable goals. Last year, there wasn't much of this, and without it I simply lost direction and motivation.

Let me be clear about something though: some of that downtime was very needed and did result in better habits. I don't see last year as a failure or even a waste of time. I may have swung my 'balance' pendulum a bit too far in the opposite direction for a little while, but I'm hoping that means I can take the lessons learned from being on both sides of that pendulum and really nail it when it comes to finding my happy medium in 2019. After all, isn't that what life is all about? We learn, we grow, we do better.

So, back to that word.

After concluding that I'm definitely a gal who thrives under pressure, but also having learned from the past that I can't go following every idea or my business, my word for 2019 is…. Focus.

I think we can all agree that life can get insanely distracting. I find myself very easily getting sucked into mindless social media scrolling, or bouncing from one task to another without feeling like I'm actually getting anything done. Feeling overwhelmed is a pretty common emotion for me, but the very act of using the word Focus in the past 10 days has already helped me to become more disciplined.

I'm actively creating structure around my time that's boosting my productivity immensely, and laying this foundation is going to come in quite handy when attempting to achieve some of the larger goals I've laid out for myself this year. (Which I will be posting about next week!)

Do you pick a word for yourself every year? I'd love to hear what it is!

The post And My Word of the Year For 2019 Is… appeared first on coco kelley.

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Planning Your Yard for the New Year

You've probably heard the saying “new year, new you”, but have you thought about the saying “new year, new yard”? The new year is a great time to take on new projects and to better yourself and space around you. Here are some steps for planning your new yard:

Gather Some Ideas

The first step to planning your new yard is to get a good idea of what you want for your space. You can do this by looking around for inspiration. Start with your friends and family; has anyone you know done any lawn makeovers recently? Was there anything specific that you liked or wanted to include in your space? You can also go online to look for inspiration. Look at websites, like Pinterest, and galleries of landscaping companies to pick ideas that you want to include in your space. It is a good idea to keep a compilation of your thoughts and photos or links to things that you may want to add. The more organized you are with this part of the process, the better off you will be when it comes to executing your landscaping.

Evaluate Your Wants and Needs

There are certain things that need to be included in your landscape- space for pets and children to play, adequate lighting, safe walkways, etc. There are also things that you want to be included in your space such as pools, water features, and gazebos. Write a list of all of your needs and a list of all of your reasonable wants, and start planning on what you can reasonably fit into your space. It is important to be practical and to understand that not everything will fit into your yard. You will need to prioritize what you think will most benefit you, your yard, and your family. Once you have a concrete list of what you do and do not want to be included, you can start planning.

Look into Local Landscapers

Once you have an idea of what you want for your yard and the different aspects that you want to include, it is time to look for a good landscaper. To do this, it is important to ask around for recommendations and to read online reviews. Reviews are a great way to get honest feedback and first-hand experiences about what people were happy and unhappy with in regards to their landscaping experience. Make sure to look for photos of past projects and to seek out workers with good reputations and beautiful work. The better the company you work with, the better overall experience you will have with creating a new yard for the new year.

Build a Timeline

Now that you have your ideas, your wants, your needs, and a trusted landscaper to work with, it is time to create a realistic timeline. Some landscaping projects are going to take longer than others. For instance, a pool installation will take much more time than adding some new foliage. Plan your timeline accordingly. If you want to enjoy your brand new patio for the summertime, make sure that you are making the plans to build it in the early months of spring. Having a timeline established will ensure that you get the absolute most out of your backyard remodel.

Fill Out Our Vision Planner

When you know what you want and when you want it, the next step is to fill out our Vision Planner. Your Vision Planner will help us to understand the details of your project and will help us get an idea of the total price of your remodel. The vision planner tool is thorough and effective and will help us to get on the same page as you so that we can begin your landscape transformation. You can fill out the Vision Planner here.

The new year is a time of new beginnings, and your yard should be no exception. 2019 is the year to get the landscape of your dreams, and we are here to help make that happen. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions about our services, please do not hesitate to call us at (440) 543-0500.

The post Planning Your Yard for the New Year appeared first on Cleveland Landscaping and Snow Removal.

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Develop Your Landscaping Plan

It's cold outside, and most of our landscapes are quiet and at rest at this time of year. But like many,, you probably always have landscaping plans in your head. Winter is the perfect time to do some dreaming and planning and put those thoughts on paper. It's also a great time to start making plans with your landscaping company. Well-thought  landscaping plans can help achieve successful results and save money.

How Can I Put Together a Landscaping Plan?

Start with a list. Write down the features you currently have in your outdoor space and landscape. Then write down the additional things you want; anything from a patio to a pool, a storage shed or a playground, or simply adding some plants.

Map it out. Think about the layout of your property and where different features might go. Sketch out a rough plan, leaving room for suggestions from your landscaping company.  The University of Missouri offers some great suggestions for making a plan, including separating public areas like the front of your house from private areas for family activities and service areas like trash cans and storage sheds. Think about where things should go in relation to your house; asking how each area would effectively function. Then draw your landscape as is and overlay the features you'd like to see. It's an exciting process.

Here are just a few features to consider as you sketch your map:

Plantings

Walkways

Patios and entertainment spaces

Privacy features and shade trees

Vegetable and flower gardens

Sheds and outbuildings

Pools, pergolas and pavilions

Fire pits and grilling areas

Outdoor lighting

  Think long-term. When you talk with your landscaping professionals, share your long-term goals and ideas even if you can't make them happen right away. This helps us develop your property in a more holistic way. For example, if you think you might want outdoor lighting down the road, it's best to go ahead and add conduits for electrical lines  now. Saving you from tearing up hardscapes or plantings later just to install the lighting. Once your landscaper has the big picture, they can help you break things down into bite-sized chunks and move forward step by step, as your budget allows.

Find The Right Partner. As you consider your long-term landscaping goals, be sure to find a partner who is ready to work with you to make your ideas become a reality. You want a company that will listen to your goals, desires and concepts while at the same time bringing their extensive professional experience into play. It's important to find a partner who can look at the big picture but also make things happen in the short-term by helping you prioritize and work out a schedule.

Think About a Budget and Payment Plan.  At Epling, we encourage clients to think big, but we also understand the role that budgeting plays when designing a landscape. We work with clients whose budgets vary, from wanting to get it all done at once and fast track multiple projects to those who need to take things one step at a time, phasing the project. Our experienced staff will help you find the approach that works best for you.

  Create Your Landscape Plan with Epling

At Epling, helping clients plan and achieve their goals for their outdoor space is one of our favorite parts of the job. From beating back the jungle and getting on a routine lawn care schedule to decorative plantings for a perfect entryway to attractive, family-friendly patios and play areas, our team can help you take your landscape from a dream to a reality on the schedule that works best for you.

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Protect your family from the dangers of radon gas

For many, buying a home is a dream come true. However, if you've been through the process, you know it's not an easy task. You must figure out how much you can afford, get pre-approved, make an offer, and get a home inspection.

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The Benefits of Maintaining a Clean, Tidy Home During Winter

Maintain a tidy home this winter with help from Misty Clean!

As the old saying goes, “a clean home is a happy home,” and there is plenty of truth behind that. Creating a happy home environment is just one of the many benefits you can achieve by keeping a tidy and clean home. There are many physical, health, mental, and emotional benefits you can expect to see as a result of having a clean house. Here are a few examples of benefits you will notice by living in a beautiful, clean home.  

Prevents Spreading of Germs

One of the biggest reasons you should keep a clean home is because it helps prevent germs from spreading. There are many areas in your home that are big, germ-ridden spots that you need to keep clean and sanitized. Your kitchen, in particular, is one area that is especially germ-ridden and should be thoroughly cleaned every time you use it. Additionally, you should frequently be washing your sheets, especially the pillow sheets. To maintain a clean home from germs, you should also be sanitizing your remote controls and other electronics frequently since those are other spots that bacteria tend to concentrate at.

Relieve Stress and Fatigue

When you do not have a clean home, it places a great toll on you. A messy home can easily stress you out because the mess is a constant reminder of work that you have to do, which can tire you out simply by looking at it. An unclean home can also make it more difficult to locate items quickly, which will only add to your stress. Having a clean home can easily solve these issues, but when you have limited time, it can be hard to find time to clean which only further stresses you out. This is why you should consider hiring a professional cleaning service to give you a clean home, freeing up your time and relieving you of a great deal of stress and fatigue.

Create Lasting Impressions

You will also want to make sure you have a clean home so that you will be able to make a good and lasting impression on people who visit you. By having a clean home, you are making a more relaxed environment that people will be able to enjoy when they come over. By creating a clean home, people will find it appealing and inviting and will want to come back over whenever you extend an invitation.

Call Misty Clean Today for a Professional Cleaning!

Every home is unique, and every homeowner requires different cleaning services than the next. It's important to hire a professional cleaning company that can customize their services to your needs, rather than paying for services you don't need. Whether you need to the master bath deep cleaned or you're looking for the entire home to be sanitized, Misty Clean can help.

If you're ready to get your home Misty Clean, give us a call at (410) 255-4111 or visit us online. For more cleaning tips and tricks, follow us on Facebook, Google+, and Pinterest.

The post The Benefits of Maintaining a Clean, Tidy Home During Winter appeared first on Misty Clean.

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How To Keep Your Business Pest Free

Owning or managing a business is challenging enough without having to worry about pest control. And with strict regulations around commercial pest control, hiring a professional who specializes in commercial properties is your best option. To help maintain a pest free business and reduce the chance of pests, read the pest prevention tips listed below.

1. Cleaning

If your establishment includes perishable items and or a kitchen, deep cleaning once a month is not enough to keep pests and rodents away. Depending on your business, kitchens should be heavily cleaned on a weekly basis or even daily if applicable. Also, practice a First in First Out approach to storage to ensure that storage rooms are kept clean and there are no perishable items attracting pests

2. Check Shipments

When shipments come to your facility, double check pallets and boxes for signs of pests and rodents. These signs can include holes in boxes, or pest droppings. Noticing these signs is essential to avoid a pest infestation.

3. Keep doors closed

Although it may be tempting for convenience, keep entryways to your business closed as much as possible, so pests and rodents have a smaller probability of entering your facility. Especially during the colder months, pests are trying to find warmth, and your business can be very inviting to them.

4. Hire Viking Pest Control

It is crucial to hire a company that specializes in commercial properties, due to the specialization needed for pest control. Viking Pest offers SMART Technology that links wirelessly, providing 24/7 monitoring and communication giving us full control of the installation. If you like to learn more about SMART Technology or see how SMART Technology can help keep your business, follow this link: https://www.vikingpest.com/smart/ or call Viking Pest at 1-800-618-BUGS

The post How To Keep Your Business Pest Free appeared first on Viking Pest Control.

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Friday favorites

Hello! I am sharing this house again for Friday favorites because it is one of my all time favorite homes!

3 beauty products I am loving lately.

This is a makeup remover and cleanser all in one. It's inexpensive, comes in cute packaging, and leaves your skin feeling super smooth.

And you will never go back to another shampoo and conditioner after trying this and this. Trust me, it's soooooo good. 

If you are looking for a dark statement chandelier, look no further. This one is so stylish and has so much depth to it. A real statement piece for under $1,000. 

Pottery Barn's annual white sale is going on now, where you can save 20% on bedding, sheets, towels, and more. Plus free shipping with code FREESHIP.

Their Christmas items have also been marked down even further, so get a jump on next year with some of their cute holiday items! I particularly love these-

This rug is a surprisingly good price for what you get. I love it in Sarah's home.

Wishing everyone a very happy weekend!

xoxo

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How To Keep Your Business Pest Free

Owning or managing a business is challenging enough without having to worry about pest control. And with strict regulations around commercial pest control, hiring a professional who specializes in commercial properties is your best option. To help maintain a pest free business and reduce the chance of pests, read the pest prevention tips listed below.

1. Cleaning

If your establishment includes perishable items and or a kitchen, deep cleaning once a month is not enough to keep pests and rodents away. Depending on your business, kitchens should be heavily cleaned on a weekly basis or even daily if applicable. Also, practice a First in First Out approach to storage to ensure that storage rooms are kept clean and there are no perishable items attracting pests

2. Check Shipments

When shipments come to your facility, double check pallets and boxes for signs of pests and rodents. These signs can include holes in boxes, or pest droppings. Noticing these signs is essential to avoid a pest infestation.

3. Keep doors closed

Although it may be tempting for convenience, keep entryways to your business closed as much as possible, so pests and rodents have a smaller probability of entering your facility. Especially during the colder months, pests are trying to find warmth, and your business can be very inviting to them.

4. Hire Viking Pest Control

It is crucial to hire a company that specializes in commercial properties, due to the specialization needed for pest control. Viking Pest offers SMART Technology that links wirelessly, providing 24/7 monitoring and communication giving us full control of the installation. If you like to learn more about SMART Technology or see how SMART Technology can help keep your business, follow this link: https://www.vikingpest.com/smart/ or call Viking Pest at 1-800-618-BUGS

The post How To Keep Your Business Pest Free appeared first on Viking Pest Control.

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Survey: Gen-Xers & Older Millennials Believe Stocks are a Better Investment than Real Estate

35-44 year olds were hit hardest by the housing bust just as they reached prime first-time homebuying age

Less than half of homebuyers and sellers between the ages of 35 and 44 believe that real estate is a better long-term investment than the stock market, according to a survey Redfin commissioned in December of more than 2,600 people nationwide who bought or sold a home in the last year, attempted to do so, or have plans to buy or sell soon.

Buyers who reached the median first-time homebuyer age of 31 years old between 2008 and 2012 during the Great Recession and housing market collapse are now 38 to 42 years old. Redfin's survey results show that this was the only age group that has less confidence in real estate as an investment than the stock market. Just 48 percent of homebuyers and sellers in this age group believe that real estate is a better long-term investment than the stock market.

“The oldest Millennials and youngest Gen-Xers entered their late twenties or early thirties during the housing crash, which explains why they are more skeptical about investing in real-estate,” said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. “This generation experienced a major setback during the housing bust, which hit just as they were most likely to be getting married, starting a family, and becoming a first time homeowner. Looking into the future, we expect to see homeownership increase as Millennials enter prime home-buying age. This is because Millennials have a more favorable opinion of real estate as an investment than Gen-Xers, and Millennials are a larger group than Gen-Xers.”

In every other age group, buyers and sellers who believe that real estate is a better long-term investment outnumbered those who believe the stock market is better.

This finding is surprising given that it comes from a survey of people specifically buying or selling homes, which is a group that presumably would be biased toward real estate to begin with. Younger Baby Boomers, respondents aged 55 to 64, were the most optimistic about real estate as an investment. Previous Redfin surveys of homebuyers and sellers have not asked this specific question, so we do not yet have any data on whether this has changed over time.

Methodology

Redfin contracted Qualtrics to field a study between November 2 and December 10, 2018 of 2,647 people from the general population who indicated they had bought or sold a home in the past year, tried to buy or sell a home in the past year or plan to do so this year.

This report focused included data from the 1,784 people who answered the question: “Which do you believe is the better investment for those who do not plan to move their money in the long term, the stock market or real estate?” People who answered either “Real estate is the slightly better investment” or “Real estate is the better investment by far” were grouped together, and those who answered “The stock market is the slightly better investment” or “The stock market is the better investment by far” were grouped together.

The survey had respondents from all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

For more information about the survey and its findings, contact Redfin Journalist Services at press@redfin.com.

The post Survey: Gen-Xers & Older Millennials Believe Stocks are a Better Investment than Real Estate appeared first on Redfin Real-Time.

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Selecting the Perfect Appliance Suite for Your Kitchen

Ashley Thurman of Cherished Bliss transforms her kitchen with a new GE stainless steel appliance suite! With the help of The Home Depot, Ashley was able to transform her kitchen into a culinary dream.

  The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. It's where you start your day with either a cup of coffee or a wholesome meal. Maybe it's where everyone gathers before they run out to door to start their day, but everyone uses the kitchen. It's what keeps the family going. When designing a kitchen there are many things to consider before finalizing your decisions! Let's talk about one of the biggest hurdles to get past in a new kitchen – the appliances.

I poured through The Home Depot's Website for hours reading reviews and looking at different styles, colors, and trying to find the perfect combination of reliability, function, and appearance. I landed on the GE Cafe Series with a ZLINE Vent Hood. Let's dive into why I chose these specific appliances, and how to choose what works for your family!

Decide on a Style

I like to begin big searches like this by looking for the style that matches my design. I open multiple tabs on my computer (or you can use the compare option on The Home Depot's Website) and choose all the different styles I'm drawn too. My overall design is a Rustic Industrial Style and I knew I wanted my appliances to lean towards industrial. I absolutely fell in love with the GE Cafe Series and their robust handles that offer a professional style. If you aren't looking for an industrial style then you might look for appliances with softer edges and a more traditional look. If you're trying to find a style to fit your kitchen I always look at the handles, knobs, and edges. Since appliances are just appliances, you have to really look at the small details to find a style that fits you and your kitchen!

Consider all Appliances in a Series

Once you have narrowed it down to a few appliance series you can start to dig into their spec sheets. My list of wants included a slide in range, a counter depth french door fridge, a quiet dishwasher, and a powerful vent hood. These were a must for me. There were lots of little things that I preferred, but weren't deal breakers. I used these parameters to narrow down my favorite series. From there I started considering all the details for each appliances.

Choosing a Refrigerator

Begin looking at the appliance that is most important to you. For me it's the refrigerator. I wanted french doors with a bottom freezer. I've had many fridges over the years and this is my favorite set up. I also wanted an ice and water dispenser that's easy for my kids to use. The fact that the GE Cafe Series Refrigerator offers a Keurig and hot water dispenser was a HUGE bonus. My daughter loves to drink hot tea in the afternoon. You can also use an app on your phone to schedule the hot water. This refrigerator offers a precise fill setting that is perfect for anyone who loves to bake or the kids who love to help!

Choosing a Range

  If the kitchen is the heart of the home then the range is the heart of the kitchen. This is where all those Pinterest recipes come to life! It's where you will bake birthday cakes and holiday meals. The GE Cafe Series Range has two options for a gas range, a single oven and a double oven. I'm partial to the double oven because it allows you to bake two different things at once, and easily preheat the smaller oven for faster results. It's such a great feature for all those family holidays! And just like the refrigerator this stove has wifi capabilities, just ask Alexa to preheat the oven when you've run out of hands!

Choosing a Dishwasher

The dishwasher is the workhorse of the kitchen. It cleans up all our messes and keeps the kitchen moving. With this GE Cafe Series Dishwasher I don't have to worry about my silverware coming out completely clean because of it's silverware specific deep clean jets that remove any stuck on food. In addition to the silverware jets there are bottle jets which are perfect for your re-useable water bottles! And with an adjustable upper rack this dishwasher hit all my points and then some!

Choosing a Vent Hood

The vent hood is a place that I feel like if you want to move away from a specific series, that is totally acceptable. For me it was just the aesthetics of the vent hood. This ZLINE vent hood offered the look I wanted with the controls on the inside. I've toyed with the idea of building something around the vent hood, but for now I wanted it to be exposed so I wanted to make sure I found a vent hood the left me with options. I knew I wanted my vent hood to vent outside so that was my number one must have in regards to the hood. This 4 speed fan control offers great versatility no matter what meal you're cooking to help keep your kitchen clean.

We actually decided not to put a microwave directly in our kitchen, but rather in our pantry. Since I didn't want a microwave above our stove and I wasn't willing to sacrifice countertop space that's where it ended up.

  I hope this helps when you're shopping for your next set of appliances. Just remember, decide on a style that matches your kitchen and make a list of your must haves. Once you've narrowed it down, dig through the specs of each appliance until you find exactly what you're looking for!

The post Selecting the Perfect Appliance Suite for Your Kitchen appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

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Your mission today: send $50 to that elusive goal of yours!

Your mission today: send $50 to that elusive goal of yours!

I was asked the other day what my biggest lesson learned in 2018 was, and the answer to that was a pretty simple one:

I learned that I was doing a lot more THINKING than I was DOING.

With my goals, with my ideas, with small stupid things that would have only taken 20 minutes to test, etc. I was in my head over analyzing every little thought and paying more attention to the “what ifs” than the *realities*, until one day I finally had my epiphany.

So in the spirit of this, I challenge you to take out $50 from your account right now, and then apply it directly to a goal of yours that's been driving you crazy. Whether in thought, or inaction!

Maybe it's finally tackling that accumulated debt over the years, or making the move to invest in your first stock or business or index fund, or maybe it's simply adding enough to that emergency fund to fully prepare you for that zombie apocalypse!

Whatever the goal, I encourage you to take that First Step and make it happen right now once and for all. No more pussyfooting around!!

(That's right – I said pussyfooting!)

$50 might be a lot, but I can almost guarantee that you'll survive just fine without it. And if it'll absolutely break you, then send in $49 or $48 instead ;) It's more about finally doing something about your goals and getting the ball rolling than the money itself.

If your goal requires spending more *time* on something than money, then I give you full permission to tackle that in its place instead! Go get that first budget or credit report going, or spend that 15 minutes to save 15% on your car insurance, or finally call your mom back who's long overdue a “hello” and a “thanks” from you, because you know – SHE BROUGHT YOU INTO THIS WORLD!! (And can take you back out! Or at least that's what my mom likes to threaten with… ;))

If you've been waiting for that “some day,” it's finally here.

Make it happen and then report back!

****** Another thing I was asked about? What my favorite *books* from 2018 were… Here they are, courtesy of fellow reader Jarret who got me to spill ;) –> Atomic Habits by James Clear (a perfect companion to today's post!), and The Year of Less by Cait Flanders – great for curating your life, but also about learning her deepest darkest secrets that she never revealed on her blog!

  ******** [For more $$$ nuggets, head over to Budgets Are Sexy!]

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My honeymoon in India

I always talk about living my version of a Rich Life, and I'm so excited that I get to share a small window into that with you in the form of my six-week honeymoon. There were multiple stops.

My wife Cass and I got to share an experience of a lifetime with our parents in Rome, Italy. Then…

We'd always dreamed about going on a safari. And now?

This was a really special part of the trip for me. I always knew that I'd take my wife here on a honeymoon (even before I met Cass). It's where I went with my parents to visit when I was a kid, and it's where I learned about seeing a different part of the world, a totally different culture, about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. I couldn't wait for Cass to experience it with me - and for us both to see a different side of India that we'd never seen before.

We started in Amritsar. As I walked around, I noticed families and friends standing around and catching up. I loved how warm it all felt. It reminded me of my family visits to our Sikh temple every Sunday when I was a kid. A couple of interesting things I'd like to share with you about Indian culture:

A “langar” is a free meal that every Sikh gurdwara serves to anyone - no matter what religion they follow - everywhere in the world.

Here in the langar hall, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and gender - rich, poor, men, and women - sit together and eat the same food that is served for free by volunteers. About 50,000 people eat here on an average day - 100,000 on a busier day! On my visit to the langar hall, we got to take a peek in the kitchen where I've never been before:

Cass had the chance to help make roti as well.

By the way, they actually have a roti-making machine that makes 6,000 rotis per hour (!), but people still make them by hand because they want to volunteer. It's as simple as that.

What an amazing testament to the power of community service.

This experience made me realize that I had been eating this food all my life and am just now getting to appreciate them in a whole new light.

This was an amazing part of our Rich Life - to be able to share culture and food and religion together.

And that was just the first day!

Now … allow me to introduce you to my new favorite hotel in the whole world.

Fun fact: Many top hotels in India were actual palaces that kings once lived in. This one is different: it was intentionally created to be a hotel.

WOW. Plus, something amazing happened when we checked into our room the first night…

I love it. At every hotel we are getting the royal treatment because they know we're on our honeymoon, so they send us champagne and gifts, and put us in a secluded part of the hotel - amazing attention to detail.

On my Instagram stories, I showed some of the behind-the-scenes amenities at these hotels. I used to skip the things they offered because it was too expensive, they were ripping me off, I could do it myself … etc. I ended up not doing them at all. Now, if I know there's something I want to do and they'll create an unforgettable experience, I do them - even if they cost a little more.

Put another way, I had someone write me and ask, “How do I find deals on a luxury trip like this?” My answer: If you're taking a luxury trip, you're not looking for a deal.

And of course, let's not overlook all the amazing food I had here. Here are a few of the specialty Indian dishes I want to share with you:

The way you eat golgappa is to take one of the crunchy fried balls, fill it up with the chutney, and eat it - it's sweet and spicy at the same time. Most non-Indians haven't tried this, but you'll love it.

And one of my favorites…

So good that I was getting delirious! If you watch my stories, I could barely talk.

I mentioned we wanted to balance luxury and local culture. One of the things we did in Udaipur was visit a local woman's home for a Rajasthani cooking class (we call her Auntie out of respect, though we're not related).

Rajasthan is a northern Indian state that borders Pakistan. Because of the climate and for historical reasons, Rajasthani food was often traditionally made so it could last for days and eaten without heating.

We sat with this Auntie for hours and had a chance to hear about her life - how she arranged a marriage with her daughter, how life in Udaipur is different from Delhi (where I'm used to), how they eat. It gave us an awesome insight into her day-to-day life.

One thing I want to show you is the crowds in India. Your first reaction might be overwhelm or chaos. My take: If you look closely, there is charm in the chaos and throngs of people.

During my time here in India, I showed you a juxtaposition of having absolute luxury against bustling local street culture. Why?

You can decide what your Rich Life is. If you want to stay in a luxury hotel, you can. If you want to eat street food, you can. If you want to do BOTH, you can.

I want to show you that a Rich Life can be multi-dimensional and complex … because it's YOURS. YOU get to define what your Rich Life looks like.

If you enjoyed this, I'll be posting the last of my Honeymoon Diaries in Thailand next. You can also follow along in real time on Instagram (@ramit).

One of my goals is to show you how I live my Rich Life - and to encourage you to decide what your Rich Life is. Maybe it's a long honeymoon, or working from home, or starting a business. You decide.

Let me know what you think by posting a comment below or DM'ing me on Instagram (@ramit).

My honeymoon in India is a post from: I Will Teach You To Be Rich.

[aimeewickland-blog]

How to Use a Garage More Effectively for Holiday Decoration Storage

With the holiday season winding down, it's time to start thinking about your post-holiday season pack-up.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be draining, which makes it easier to take a few shortcuts by packing things away quickly and storing them anywhere.

Sure, that gets the job done quicker now, but it only makes the task of finding and unpacking all of your disorganized holiday decorations more time-consuming later.

Have a smart holiday decoration storage plan

By putting a little extra thought into how and where your holiday decorations will be stored, you can save yourself from some future headaches.

Garages are ideal for a lot of your holiday decoration storage needs, whether you're storing decorations for Christmas, Halloween, birthday parties, or holidays like the Fourth of July or Canada Day.

The garage has to be used the right way when storing your holiday decorations, however, in order the maintain the functionality of the space.

Use overhead racks for your holiday decoration storage

For the most effective use of your garage as a holiday decoration storage space, add some overhead storage racks.

Ceiling-mounted overhead racks take advantage of the vertical storage space in your garage's upper reaches that is typically underutilized.

In addition to maximizing your garage's storage space, overhead racks are also ideal for storing bulky items and things that are infrequently used…which describes unneeded holiday decorations pretty much perfectly!

Everything from storage bins filled with tree ornaments to artificial Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands to holiday lights to holiday lawn inflatables can be stashed up high.

Your daily routine can even run a little smoother simply by using this out-of-the-way storage space for your holiday decorations. There won't be bulky storage bins taking up valuable garage floor space, which makes parking more difficult.

And less floor clutter means extra space for keeping tools, sports equipment, and other items you use regularly more efficiently stored and easier to access.

Overhead racks that use the underutilized storage space in your garage's ceiling area keep your floor clutter-free.

Use plastic storage bins

Whether you're storing your holiday decorations in the garage or elsewhere in your home, always use plastic storage bins and containers instead of cardboard boxes.

Plastic storage bins are sturdier, stack easier and more safely, are easier to move around, and provide superior moisture protection compared to cardboard boxes. They're also not a fire hazard.

Some people prefer using clear plastic storage bins because it helps them to identify stored items quickly. That may sound practical, but it's probably a better idea to use non-clear, solid color containers with labels.

Holiday ornaments and lights, especially ones you're keeping for many years, can lose their color faster if they're exposed to too much light when stored.

Fabric bags specifically made for storing holiday decorations should be stored indoors if possible, due to the higher moisture levels garages commonly have.

Avoid storing these holiday decorations in the garage

While the garage is a perfect spot for many of your holiday decoration storage requirements, it's not the best storage area for certain items unless it's climate-controlled.

The extreme temperature fluctuations and excess moisture found in many garage environments makes them less than ideal for storing these holiday decorations:

fabric-based festive decorations and adornments (examples: tablecloths, Christmas stockings and hats, tree skirts)

candles (store them somewhere cool)

very delicate glass, crystal, and antique ornaments

food-based decorations

If you absolutely have to keep some fabric-based decorative items stored in the garage for any reason, make sure they're sealed tight in a plastic container. Wrapping items in acid-free paper or using silica packets to absorb moisture can help preserve the storage bin's contents.

Another reason to avoid storing fabric-based and food-based decorations in the garage is that they can attract pests.

Label your holiday decoration storage items

Try to keep all your stored holiday decorations together in order to make everything easier to find.

Many organization experts recommend using color-coded storage containers or container lids to simplify things (such as green for Christmas decorations or orange for Halloween decorations).

And even if you're being diligent and using color-coded containers, always be sure that everything is labelled.

Labelled containers eliminate the time-consuming guesswork that inevitably occurs when it's time to unpack your decorations and find what you need when decorating your home next holiday season.

Storing an artificial Christmas tree in the garage

Because of its bulkiness, an artificial Christmas tree's go-to storage spot in most homes will probably be the garage.

Don't leave an artificial Christmas tree uncovered in the garage because it'll naturally gather a lot of dust over the course of a year. Why add an artificial tree cleaning to your busy holiday to-do list 11 months (or so) from now?

When storing an artificial Christmas tree in the garage, definitely ditch the cardboard box it came in and invest in a proper plastic tree storage bin. Look for a container with wheels so it's easier to transport.

Tree storage bags are also popular, although they're less suited for a garage environment. Also note that white artificial trees or trees with those snow dusting treatments are prone to yellowing and shorter lifespans if temperature and humidity storage conditions aren't optimal.

While this garage is clean and organized, that poor artificial Christmas tree could really use a proper storage container.

Additional holiday decoration storage tips

When preparing your holiday decorations for storage, here are a few final tips you might find useful:

use bubble wrap or decoration storage containers (avoid wrapping decorations in newspaper, as the ink rubs off)

prevent string light tangles by using string light reels or even wrapping them around discarded wrapping paper tubes

declutter holiday decorations you haven't used for a few years (donate any items that are still in good condition)

make a list of what broken holiday decorations need to be replaced for next year

Get organized to start the new year

If you have a New Year's resolution that includes tidying up your home, start by storing your holiday decorations in an organized manner and somewhere that's out of your way.

We can help you create more storage space for your holiday decorations and anything else you need to store in the garage, in addition to making the space look much nicer.

Schedule a free in-home design consultation with Garage Living today.

Please share this post if you found it useful.

See also:

7 Garage Overhead Storage Tips That Help You Use Your Space Wisely

7 Awesome Automotive Gift Ideas for the Holidays

7 Proven Garage Improvement Strategies to Utilize in 2018

The post How to Use a Garage More Effectively for Holiday Decoration Storage appeared first on Garage Living Blog.

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Eleven tips for enjoying the holidays with your family

Holiday traditions often make the holiday season the favorite time of year for many people. Those traditions include:

Picking out the perfect Christmas tree;

Participating in secret gift exchanges;

Baking cookies; and

Travelling to visit family.

[aimeewickland-blog]

How to Keep Pests Out of Firewood

Nothing can beat relaxing at home in front of a warm crackling fire as the frost of winter sets in. While enjoying the vibrant fire from the comfort of your home, the last thing you want to deal with is a pest invasion. Firewood, either chopped or bought, can contain pests and these pests will enjoy the warmth of your home and start invading.

See Below for 3 Tips to Keep Pests Out of Firewood.

Keep Firewood Off Of The Ground

It is important to keep firewood dry because insects are attracted to wet wood. Keeping your firewood elevated off the ground will help keep the wood dry. There are structures specifically made for storing firewood that you can purchase, or you can concoct your own storage with extra lumber or cinder blocks.

2. Keep Firewood Dry

As stated above, insects are attracted to wet firewood so protecting your wood from moisture is key to a pest free home during the winter. Covering the wood with a tarp will protect the firewood from natural elements and keep it dry.

3.  Store Firewood Away from Your Home

It may be tempting to store extra firewood inside to avoid having to go out in the cold air, but the longer firewood is stored inside and not being used, the higher chances of pests escaping from the wood and roaming your home. The farther away your stockpile is from your home, the harder it will be for pests to come inside.

If pests still manage to find their way into your home this winter, call Viking Pest Control at 1-800-618-BUGS, and we will make sure that you can enjoy your fire in a pest-free home.

The post How to Keep Pests Out of Firewood appeared first on Viking Pest Control.

[aimeewickland-blog]

Prepare like a Pro – 4 Winter Landscaping Tips

As the temperatures continue to fall, daylight hours get shorter, and the final leaves begin to fall off the trees. One might think this marks the end to another season in the landscape.  In one aspect, this is correct; the growing season is over.  But, there is still much you should do to the landscape to prepare it for the stresses of Winter.  Here's 4 Winter landscaping tips from a pro.

Winter Landscaping Tip #1 – Dormant Season Pruning

Pruning of your trees and shrubs during the growing season, in most cases, is a must.  To keep the plant clean and shaped, cut back some of the new growth that comes out as it grows.

Once the plant goes dormant however, one would think that there is no need to prune anymore.  That is not the case!  When there are no longer any leaves on the trees and shrubs, you can easily see up into the plants.  This inspection may reveal a very thick and densely branched tree or shrub.  In most cases, this is not an ideal growth habit for the plant.  Thinning to reduce that density of the branches will help the overall health of the tree or shrub.

Another benefit that dormant season pruning has for you is that the debris that you create from the pruning is substantially less because there are no leaves to worry about.  In some cases, this translates to a lower cost to have a professional do the job.  Less debris means less for them to haul away.

Winter Landscaping Tip #2 – Perennial Cut Back

Another type of plant that benefits from pruning are perennials.  As freezing temperatures hit, most Spring, Summer and Fall blooming perennials begin to store their energy for the Winter down in their root system.  The result is a brown plant on top.  You could leave these ugly, brown remnants of the perennial in your landscape, but that isn't very visually appealing.  Also, having a lot of dead foliage in your garden provides great places for rodents to hide and feed on the root system of your plants.  The best thing to do is to cut back the foliage remnants of your perennials.  Your final result will be plants cut to a few inches above ground level.

Winter Landscaping Tip #3 – Fertilization of Trees and Shrubs

Giving your trees and shrubs the proper nutrition is vital to the success of their growth and structure.  With a low amount of nutrition in the soil, many plants will struggle to stay healthy.  Plants will lack the proper color foliage and have limited blooms.   Additionally, having a stressed tree or shrubs increases the chance of disease or insect infestations.  There are two main type of fertilization that can be done in the Fall that help the landscape.  A liquid fertilization can be performed around the drip line of a tree or shrub and instantly puts the nutrients into the soil.  A granular fertilization is also placed around the drip line of the tree or shrub and the product will slowly dissolve into the soil.

Either option is a good choice for the Fall.  The vital nutrients that are in the fertilizers will remain in the soil until the Spring time.  This means these nutrients are ready be there to be taken up once the plant emerges from Winter.  Fertilization can be done in the Spring time for trees and shrubs too, but it can take some time in order for nutrients to be absorbed.  So, having the greatest impact starting the Spring season off would be a Fall fertilization.

Winter Landscaping Tip #4 – Fall Planting

Once you have gone through your landscape pruning your trees and shrubs, cutting back your perennials, and fertilized the beds, you may begin to starting thinking about what next Spring could bring and what you could do now to fill in a few areas that just seem to be missing something.  A good thing to do in the fall is planting of perennials, trees and shrubs.

A large benefit of planting in the fall is the reduced amount of watering you will need to do.  When you plant something in the spring or early summer, the foliage and root system are actively growing.  This means a large amount of water to keep them going.  When you plant in the Fall, perennials, trees and shrubs are just about dormant.  Because the ground stays moist with more frequent rainfalls it takes the watering labor away from you.

Also, when planting in the Fall make sure to provide your new and existing plants with a good layer of mulch to help insulate the soil.  This practice helps reduce the chance of heaving from the alternating freezing and thawing of the ground.

  Being outside in late Fall weather may not always be pleasant, but making sure your trees and shrubs are protected from the potential damages of the Winter are necessary.  Making sure you tackle each of these steps above will help to ensure that your landscape is properly protected this Winter.  If you'd like a free consultation about Winter landscaping, please Contact Us.

The post Prepare like a Pro – 4 Winter Landscaping Tips appeared first on Tomlinson Bomberger.

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Poinsettia Care after Christmas

If you purchased or were gifted a poinsettia this holiday season you may be wondering how to care for it after Christmas. Most people will keep their poinsettia until the flowers die off a few weeks into the New Year and then throw them away.  Did you know that you can actually keep your poinsettia alive all year long and force it to bloom the next Christmas? It is possible if you learn how to properly care for it. Check out these tips for poinsettia care after Christmas.

Poinsettia Care after Christmas

Poinsettia Care after Christmas

Quick Poinsettia Care Tips:

Put the poinsettia in a well-lit area away from drafts and heat vents.

Water the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week.

Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain before putting it back where it was.

Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family. Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima. Poinsettias received their name in the United States in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who introduced the plant into the country in 1828. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. He sent cuttings of the plant he had discovered in Southern Mexico to his home in Charleston, South Carolina.

Want to learn more about houseplants? Check out the ultimate houseplant guide

Poinsettias are not frost-tolerant. They will grow outdoors in temperate coastal climates, such as Southern California beach communities. In the ground, they can reach 10 feet tall.  In nature, poinsettias are perennial flowering shrubs that were once considered weeds.

The showy colored parts of poinsettias that most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves). The yellow flowers, or cyathia, are in the center of the colorful bracts. The plant drops its bracts and leaves soon after those flowers shed their pollen. For the longest-lasting poinsettias, choose plants with little or no yellow pollen showing. 

Are Poinsettias Poisonous?

Despite rumors to the contrary, poinsettias are not poisonous. I always tell  people this and they always argue with me because they think they are poisonous.

A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50-pound child would have to eat more than a pound-and-a-quarter of poinsettia leaves (500 to 600 leaves) to have any side effects. The most common side effects that have been reported are upset stomach and vomiting. Apparently the leaves taste awful (not that I've tried them) so it's highly unlikely that kids or even pets would be able to eat that many! But be aware that the leaves can still be a choking hazard for children and pets.

Poinsettia Fun Facts:

Poinsettias contribute over $250 million to the U.S. economy at the retail level.

California is the top U.S. Poinsettia-producing state.

Poinsettias are the best selling potted plant in the United States and Canada.

Poinsettias are the most popular Christmas plant. Most Poinsettias are sold within a six-week period leading up to that holiday, representing some $60 million worth.

You can keep your poinsettia alive after Christmas and make it bloom next year!

  How Long do Poinsettias Last after Christmas?

A quality plant in the right location that is well-cared for can stay in bloom for up to six months. But that is unusual. Most poinsettias will last for 4 to 6 weeks before the bracts (flowers) begin to fall off.

Outdoors, these cheerful tropical plants can be cultivated year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11.

You may also like: 10 Best Herbs to Grow Year Round

In cooler climates, poinsettias need to be kept indoors, as freezing temperatures will kill the plant. Poinsettias are known to be temperamental plants. Dropped leaves are common, but with proper care, poinsettias with fallen foliage will recover their health.

How do you Keep Poinsettias Alive after Christmas?

Poinsettias like lots of direct light. Place your plants near a southern, eastern or western window and keep the soil moist while they are still in bloom. Don't let them sit in water. Instead, gently remove the plant from its container, soak it well and place it back in the pot.

Check out how to keep your plants alive while you are on vacation:

  How do you get a Poinsettia to Re-bloom?

Turning Poinsettias Red Again

 Restoring a healthy green poinsettia plant from last year back to its original red color is no problem if you follow a few simple rules. Poinsettias need total darkness, for 14 hours each day, starting about eight weeks before you want to display them.

The colors of the bracts are created through “photoperiodism“, meaning that they require darkness  to change color. On the other hand, once Poinsettias finish that process, the plants require abundant light during the day for the brightest color.

From October 1 to December 1, (or for at least 40 days) a poinsettia will need a strict light / dark regimen to produce color. Provide 13 to 16 hours of complete and uninterrupted darkness daily. I recommend sticking it in a closet or cabinet where it is totally dark and forgetting about it until December. Then, bring it out of the closet and use a grow light to give it sunlight for 12 hours a day until the leaves are red.

Poinsettia Care after Christmas

In your home, put the poinsettia in a well-lit area away from drafts and heat vents. Water the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week. Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain, before putting it back where it was.

What is the Best Fertilizer for Poinsettias?

After the holidays, keep poinsettia plants in a warm, brightly lit area. Cut off the flowers once they begin to fade and either add a pelleted slow release fertilizer to the soil or fertilize plants twice a month with a water soluble fertilizer or compost tea.

Poinsettia plant food:

buy it now

Have you managed to make your poinsettia re-bloom? Let me know your best tips for poinsettia care after Christmas in the comments!

The post Poinsettia Care after Christmas appeared first on Crafty Little Gnome.