My Life In Pictures December 13 - December 20

December 13 - Gorgeous sunset in the winter. My daughter too this photo with my phone using her mirror. I love it!

December 14 - Lake views

December 15 - My cousin (dad's first cousin) sent me this mask out of the blue. If I ever met her I was way young and barely remember. She may have been at my mom's funeral I have no idea but it was so sweet of her to know just from social media that I am an Elf fan!

December 16 - I finally ordered curtains for my living room/dining room. They are so pretty. I never had "curtains". We always just bought some cheap thing from Walmart but I have always wanted to just never found something I loved. These make me feel so grown up. At 54 curtains are what made me feel grown up? I've got issues.

December 17 - I decided to get gifts for the assistants who spend time with me in the classroom. They were fun to make. There are a few assistants who are with me periodically so I made them a candy gift. I wasn't sure if they were good enough to give as gifts as everything was from the Dollar Tree but after asking a few outsiders who told me that they wouldn't know the gifts were only $5.00 each I decided to go with it. My regular assistant got gifts cards, socks, a cup, and ornaments (5 days of Christmas). I gave her something every day we were there that week.

December 18 - One of my class parents was so nice to give me this cookie! It was so pretty I didn't want to eat it but I DID! 

December 19 - One of the best parts of December is the movies. I love watching Christmas movies with my daughter.  I say my daughter because my son usually is playing some Xbox game in his room instead of hanging with us.  SO while Handsome didn't have with us, Our Jinxy did!

December 20 - I did a little baking this year. Nothing special but they were from scratch.

My Life In Pictures - Dec 1 - Dec 12th

So much to catch up on. Why do things get away from me these things. We are in May and I am still working on last year.

December 1 - At work waiting on kids. This is my morning. I get to work. Take my temp, get a new mask and wait for kids to come into the building where I take their temp, log the temp and time they arrived and bring them to their classroom since parents are no longer allowed in the building. 

December 2 - I never get tired of looking at the sky! 

December 3 - I am in love with my Christmas decorated mantle. 

December 4 - Luna is a perfect Christmas decoration. Could she just stay right there?

December 5 - It's the most wonderful time of the year.

December 6 & 7  - I took photos of my classes family Christmas gifts. They came out so cute. I used Dollar Tree items to create a snowglobe with each child inside of it. I don't have permission to show them sooo.

December 8 - I made the cutest magnets of my class. Each child's pic on a 3 piece Jenga piece which was glued together and glittered. They came out so cute! I wish I could show them. Next time I will do one of my own kids so I can show them off.

December 9 - This pink winter sky is gorgeous. 

December 10 - My class loves painting. They were making wreaths. I wanted to do a 12 days of Christmas so that for 12 days they went home with something for their families. It was no small feat, I can tell you.

December 11 - Nothing!

December 12 - My living room made me so happy this year. 

Improvements That Will Add Value To Your House

Home improvements that are done well will add value to your home. Useful, professionally added touches and installations will increase how much your home is worth. Of course, there are some home improvements that cost lots to do and do not really add too much value, but generally cosmetic upgrades and fixture face-lifts will add value to your house both now and in the future. 

New Bathroom Or Shower room

Bathrooms and shower rooms get a lot of use, and they are a key area to any house. An outdated suite, broken fixtures and fittings and mucky tiles will all affect a house’s value. Bathrooms need to be clean and they need to be well fitted.Often bathrooms end up looking awful because the DIY route was taken and a professional plumber was not involved. Not using good quality fixings and fittings, and not having properly installed items will make your bathroom look cheap and tacky.

Updated Kitchen

If you have the budget, a full kitchen remodel would add thousands to the value of your home, but if you do not want to spend too much or you do not have the funds readily available, then it is good to know that you can update your kitchen space on even the most modest of budgets. New countertops, fresh paintwork and new cupboard doors will lift how your kitchen looks and feels. When a kitchen feels clean, homely and fresh value is added.

Double Glazed Windows

Single glazed windows are cold and drafty as are old-style double-glazed windows. How windows look can drastically affect a houses value. Fresh, clean UPVC windows that are easy to maintain will lift any type of house. New double-glazed windows are energy efficient and they are more secure, they also improve how a house looks and boosts its curb appeal.

Deciding Which Improvements To Undertake

Most improvements will add value to your house, however not all improvements are affordable and quick to undertake. How much you want to spend and what you want to do all depends on why you want to add value to your house. For example, if you are wanting to sell your house, you will want to invest in bathrooms and kitchens, whereas if you are wanting to stay in your home for the foreseeable future you will want to add improvements that last such as a new roof, new windows and possibly even a full electrical rewire.

Getting Costs And Pricings

Unless you are a DIY pro then it is advisable to get the help and assistance of suitably trained and qualified trades people. Good work costs more money than shoddy work, and it will last longer too. To ensure you get good value for money when hiring trades people and contractors it is important that you get at least three separate quotes. Getting more than one quote will allow you to compare costs and will ensure that you can add value to your home within a price that suits you. Failing to compare prices and costs could leave you out of pocket and paying more than you need to.

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How to Be Prepared for Big Changes to Your Family Life

 

Life cannot be predicted, and that’s why it’s so important to have an idea of what to do no matter what happens. With various plans to fall back on, you will be able to prepare for even the biggest changes to your family life no matter what happens. When you are able to do this, you will be able to keep your entire family’s wellbeing and mental health safe, ensuring that even big changes don’t disrupt them too much. Read on for an idea of what to do in some of the most significant changes that can happen to family life. 

 

A New Baby 

Perhaps the most usual – although still very disruptive and different – event that can happen within a family is a new baby. Introducing a new family member is a huge decision, and if this is something you choose to do, it’s wise to ensure that everyone is entirely prepared for it. This is even more important if this is your first child because if you already have children, you’ll know what to expect, at least in general terms (of course, every child is different, so the second or third children won’t be carbon copies of the first). Those children, however, may not know what to expect. So the most important thing is to explain that you will love them just as much as you do now, even with a new baby to take care of. 

 

Try to research what you will need with plenty of time ahead of you so that you feel much more prepared; rushing to put everything in place will only cause you stress, which is bad for your health, the health of the baby, and happy relationships. 

 

The Death of a Relative 

Talking about death with your family is never easy, especially when it relates to a loved one. However, it will happen – you will lose people – and knowing how to broach the subject with children is crucial. They need to be able to understand what is happening, especially if they were close to the person who died. 

 

One way that this can be done is to look at age-appropriate books and videos. Don’t worry that this means you are shirking your responsibilities; if the material has been created specifically to help in this situation, there is no reason not to use it, especially as it will make the conversation easier to have. 

 

Divorce 

Divorce, no matter how necessary it might be and no matter if it’s the right choice, is always going to be a major disruptive element in any family. The divorce process is not an easy one to go through even if all parties are in agreement, and if there are disputes, then it is even harder. A good divorce lawyer will certainly be able to help, and ensuring that your children know that nothing about the divorce is their fault is paramount. 

 

Children will often be confused and feel guilty even though there is no reason to feel that way. This is why you should be able to sit with your spouse and explain the process wherever possible. If children see their parents in a united front, even if they are splitting up, it will be much easier for them.

4 Ways to Prevent and Relieve Stress

Stress is a natural part of life and we all experience stress from time to time. This might be caused by work deadlines, relationship issues, or stressful life events like divorce or illness. Some stress is normal, but prolonged stress can have a serious long-term effect on your physical and mental health. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to reduce stress in your daily life. Here are four ways to prevent and relieve stress: 

1. Schedule daily downtime

Scheduling downtime is one of the best things you can do to reduce stress and improve your emotional health. The amount of leisure time you need to be happy will depend on several factors such as your stress levels, your work, and your schedule. However, most people are happiest when they have between four and five hours of downtime each day, according to a survey by Ladders. This might seem like a lot, but most people can easily create this much leisure time. For instance, if you get home from work at 6pm and go to bed at 10pm, then you will have four hours to relax and unwind. You can also enjoy downtime in the mornings or on your lunch break. Use downtime to do hobbies and activities that you enjoy such as watching television, reading, cooking, or socializing with friends. 

2. Know the signs of burnout 

Burnout is when a person experiences physical and emotional exhaustion and it is often caused by intense or prolonged stress. Many people have days when they feel overwhelmed, but burnout is different to normal stress. You must recognize the signs of burnout and act quickly to protect your mental health. Here are some physical and emotional signs of burnout:

● Feeling exhausted and drained all the time. 

● Low immunity level leading to regular infections and illnesses. 

● Losing motivation in work, relationships, and daily activities.

● Isolating yourself from others and feeling alone. 

● Feeling like a failure and having a negative outlook on life. 

● Using drugs, food, or alcohol to cope with negative emotions. 

3. Try herbal stress remedies 

There is a wide variety of herbal remedies that can potentially help relieve feelings of stress. For instance, CBD oil may reduce stress and relieve the symptoms of mental disorders like anxiety and depression. However, there is not enough evidence to suggest that CBD can effectively treat these health issues. You can visit a reputable site like itgelcbd.co.uk to browse the latest range of CBD products being sold. Some other herbal supplements that may help to relieve stress include chamomile, lavender, and valerian.

4. Get enough sleep 

Sleep plays a vital role in your health and it is closely connected to your mood. Failing to get enough quality sleep will make you more susceptible to stress and harm your physical and mental health over time. Get into a regular sleep pattern and go to bed at the same time every night. If you find it difficult to get to sleep, then avoid technology in the evenings and create a relaxing bedtime routine.

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My Life In Pictures Nov 21 - 30

November 21 - My little classroom tree. I got it and all the decorations for it at Dollar Tree. While it literally looks like the $4.00 I spent on it. 2 trees, garland and lights; my class called it a Christmas tree immediately and loved it! They were so excited. 

November 22 - I saved a copy of my son's Instagram pic and couldn't agree more. Our kids NEED to get back to school. Enough already. 

November 23 - Just my girl and I hanging out and LUNA decides to make herself comfortable. Never really happens to anyone else in the family. Luna comes to me at night when I first get in the bed but only stays about 25% of the time with her usually playing coy and leaving. 

November 24 - Thanksgiving! 

November 25 -  NADA

November 26 -  JINXY!

November 27 - Some Thanksgiving food! This looks amazing right now.

November 28 - My girl helping her daddy with Christmas decorations. Her brother was playing a video game as usual. OH well, at least one of them helps.

November 29 - The mantel looks amazing. I love it although next year there will be a TV above it so no room for anything, I am enjoying this.

November 30 - My assistant did these really cute Santa hands with the class. Aren't they they cutest?

My Life In Pictures - Nov 11 - Nov 20

Nov 11 - So very busy these days. Here I am waiting in the car for the kids to come out of school. Basically my life. Working, cleaning, school work, blog work and my kids. Life is exhausting but it makes me feel alive.

Nov 12 - One of my favorite things to do is come up with a curriculum for my class.  This was for ocean. I covered cardboard in aluminum foil. Gave the kids paint and let them finger paint the ocean. They then glued fish on however they wanted and as many as they wanted. It was a favorite art project for them because they got to use their hands. 

November 13 - Lulu's Garden was a review consisting of succulents inside a pretty container. We loved it so much I ended up giving one to my sister-in-laws for Christmas. 

November 14 - My Daughter and her Stormy. Stormy is such a good girl. We love her and her sweet little face.

November 15 - Stormy and her cute little Cheerio mouth. She likes to hang out in her basket near us and eat her lettuce and hay. Oh and poop  A LOT.

November 16 - JINXY! 

November 17 & 18 - NADA

November 19 - Such a beautiful sky! My view from work. 

 

November 20 - My work face! This is what the kids see. Hopefully my eyes are always smiling because they cannot see my face these days. 

You Were Made For Me by Jenna Guillaume - Book Review

 

The 411:

Overall a very enjoyable book. I absolutely love this premise. Based on Weird Science the movie from the 80s, two friends (Katie and Libby) somehow create the perfect fantasy guy for Katie after she realizes she will never get her crush Declan.  Guy magically appears and is everything Katie had asked for. He is devoted to her, smells like springtime, lips taste like cookie dough, and is literally the perfect male specimen.

Some of my favorite parts of the book were where Katie and Libby are doing a voice over as I read  the story of how "Guy" came to be and all their fun, humorous back and forth as well as how innocent Guy is! I mean how could he not be? He was just created. 

I also loved Katie's friend Theo the next door forever friend who is always there for her including now holding her "perfect boyfriend" so she doesn't get caught.

This fun, innocent read for grades 7+ made me laugh and entertained me.  I highly recommend it.

Sometimes You Have To Look Back To Move Forward

 

We have all heard the saying, never look back. Well, I disagree because sometimes looking back allows us to see how far we have come. 

Every once in a while, look back, reflect and give yourself props for how friggin far you've come. 

Sometimes We Just Have To Breathe

Have you ever just wanted to have the whole world stop so you can focus on nothing at all? It's been happening to me a whole lot lately. I just want to sit back and watch the sunrise, listen to some music and talk about nothing! 

That is what I get when I hang with my daughter. Organic conversation that comes from just being in the same space. 

Taking that time to just be allows us to breath and shake off the worries and energies surrounding us that may be bringing us down. The ones that weight heavy on us and make us feel as if we are living in constant stress. We aren't. It may sometimes feel that way but it isn't constant. If we allow ourselves the moment to just sit and listen to the world around us, we will see that nothing is constant, life is always moving. We are NOT stuck. We are fluid and the only thing holding us back is ourselves. 

Take time to grab a coffee or whatever you enjoy, head out to a beautiful space (it could literally be the side of a nice long road) and watch the sun come up.  Radio on, seat warmer on (on this particular day we needed it), windows down and breathe!!

Can You Catapult The Jumping Monkeys Into The Tree? I Need Practice!

 

The 411:

I love unplugged play! It is the best kind of play and I have made an attempt to try to play board games with my kids whenever they asked me even at the youngest of ages. I cannot even begin to tell you have many times I played Guess Who. Now, we spend time playing different board games but this one was so much fun, my daughter asked to play the last time her friend was over. 

It does take some practice but it was so much fun. Basically everyone grabs a catapult one of 4 colors and start slinging your Monkeys into the tree. The first one to get all their monkeys hanging from the tree wins a banana for that round. The winner is the one who has the most bananas. We had a blast although my class was unable to play this game. It takes some hand-eye coordination which is too hard for my 2+ year old toddler class but they did love playing with the monkeys and hanging them from the tree branches which is still great for their fine motor skills. Watch us below. 

Lucky Ducks The Perfect Memory Game For Kids Ages 3 And Up

 

The 411:

This is the perfect matching game for children. It is for 4 players and  ages 3+. There are 4 shapes to choose from. Pick your shape and try to match it as the ducks swim by. There are 3 ducks for each shape.

I took this game to work for my 2+ year old toddler class to try it. They loved it and ask to play with it almost daily. What I love about it is how easy it is for them to understand the concept of grabbing just one of the 4 ducks, turning it over and seeing if it is their color. The hardest part for this age group was placing the ducks back in the pond without knocking all of the ducks up but if you watch the video of my teen and her friend play below, you can see that it isn't always the easiest thing. My toddler class love pressing the button and starting the ducks going around so we have to take turns doing just that too. 

Honestly, this game is fun for all ages. If you want a game to play with your little ones or even for older folks who love playing but have trouble with their cognitive abilities, this is a fun, easy game to teach.  

How to Help Your Parents Make the Most of Their Retirement

 

When your parents retire, they might have all kinds of plans that will help them to really make the most of their time now they’re no longer working. Some of those plans may involve your help, and since your parents have taken care of you your whole life, it’s great to be able to give back. So, if you need to give your parents a helping hand to ensure they enjoy their retirement as much as they can, here are some ideas of what you – and they – can do:

 

Downsizing 

Retirement is the ideal time to downsize your property. When you retire, you will have less money coming in, so the bills that were once easy to pay may start to become an issue. If your parents own their home and they feel it’s time to move, you can help them with the search for something new. Ideally, they will want something smaller because their family will have moved out by the time they come to retire, and they’ll want something that costs less money. They might even be able to sell their current home and use the money to buy a place outright, using the rest of their funds to live off and have a wonderful, stress-free retirement. 

 

Another option is to move into an assisted living community if they require a little extra help. Again, retirement is the perfect time to do it. When considering a senior living apartment, Brightview, assisted living in Baltimore County, suggests you answer the following questions: is the layout designed to provide a safe living environment? Does the kitchen provide the amenities you will need? What kind of technology is offered, including wifi to connect to the internet?

 

Find Classes and Events for Them to Enjoy 

Many people assume retirement is a time for doing nothing at all, but although this might be very enjoyable for a week or two, perhaps even a little longer, in the end, it’s going to get boring. Retirement lasts for many years, and it’s important to be active during that time so that you can keep your brain healthy and your life interesting. 

 

If you are concerned that your parents might start to get bored during their retirement or that they aren’t going to truly make the most of their newly acquired free time, why not search out some great classes, events, and societies for them to get involved with? They might start a new hobby or discover new friends, and it will help them enjoy their retirement as much as possible. 

 

Encourage Them to Take Care of Their Health 

One of the best things you can do for your parents when they retire is to help them take care of their health. It would be disappointing, to say the least, if your parents were to retire and then become sick and be unable to enjoy their free time. 

 

Although you don’t want to nag your parents, it is good if you can help them be as healthy as possible. Offer to take them to and from health appointments and check-ups and show them how they can be active (this may link to the point we made above). When it comes to food, maybe you can cook for them a few times a week to ensure they’re eating healthily or pay for a food subscription service to give them a wide range of healthy foods every day.