6 Ways To Document Your Memories

The older you get, the more things you have to remember and the more other memories start to fade. The big things that happen, often stay with you, but the little day to day things that make you smile are sometimes forgotten about. In the moment, you vow to remember it forever, but a few months later it might as well have never happened. There are ways that you can combat this and keep track of memories that you want to remember in the moment, so that you can look back at them in the future and give yourself something to smile at. You could even keep track of the exact age you were when certain events happened so you can reminisce about how far you have come. 

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Journaling

There is no correct way to journal. It is a collection of your thoughts, feelings and events of the day. You can even just write about whatever you want to at that time. You could decide that you are going to write in it at a specific time every day, or carry it around in your bag so that you can add to it whenever you feel like it. There are absolutely no rules! If you want it to look pretty, make it look pretty. If you want to scribble all over the pages, scribble all over the pages. Don’t worry about how everybody else's journal looks, because your journal is a way for you to relax and record things, it isn’t for anybody else to look at. 

If you don’t know how to start, you should aim to write one sentence a day or answer the same few questions and see how it develops from there. You can even set a reminder on your phone so that you remember to journal as it can be challenging to keep up with a habit when you first start to do something. There is no need, however, to feel guilty if you do forget or just don’t want to some days. 

Journaling and writing, in general, is an excellent way to remember things because you write about how you felt at the time, exactly what was going on, and what you could see, taste and smell. It can bring the memories flooding back to you in a way that just looking at a picture will not.

Journaling can not only be a great way to remember things about the everyday, but it can also have many benefits to you. It can help you slow down and take some dedicated me time. It can also help you to work out how you are actually feeling about things and give you time to work through issues and emotions that you need to. It may feel like just writing, but it can have a positive effect on your life. 

Blogging

Blogging is slightly different from journaling because you are posting whatever you write online where anybody can see it. Blogging started off as a sort of online diary that people post to, but has branched out into other things; you can now choose if you want to use your blog for business or keep it personal. You could blog about anything you want, or you could decide to keep it to specific subjects. Maybe you travel a lot and want to keep track by writing about each trip or perhaps you want to document your days out with your kids! 

With a blog, it is easy to include pictures relevant to what you are writing, so when you can look back through your posts, you can look at the photos as well as what you have written. 

If you want to start a blog about your life or your hobbies, it could help you to connect with people who have similar interests to you. It can also be an excellent way to share while doing something that you love.

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Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is a great way to organise all your keepsakes and photos together into one place. In your scrapbook you can put tickets from shows, tickets from traveling to new places and other sentimental bits and pieces. Mixing these with photos from the same day or event will give you a clearer picture of what happened when you are flicking through. You can even write dates and information.

There is no right or wrong way to scrapbook. There are, however, a lot more things that you can buy to help and inspire you with scrapbooking. You can purchase scrapbook albums and a whole load of paper, tags, pocket and labels etc., to help you to come up with different ideas on how to display the items and photos in the book. It might be a good idea to walk around the scrapbooking section of a craft shop to inspire you. 

You can create scrapbooks of one-off special events, or it can be something that you continue to add to throughout the year. However you decide to scrapbook, it is nice to have something tangible that you can flick through to remind you of specific times and events. Photos get kept on our phones or in files on our computers to be forgotten about. By scrapbooking, we make sure that our memories are always to hand.

Posting photos online

This is a way that you can take all those photos that are sitting on your phone and use them. You can post them on websites like Facebook or Instagram or any other social media that you use with information about them. There are challenges that some people do, like posting a photo of their day for a whole year. Posting your photos can be something that you do privately for yourself to keep track of things that have happened, or publically with your friends. 

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Yearly Diary/Planner

Your yearly planner is not just something that can be used to keep track of upcoming appointments and events, but it can also be used as a way to jot down things that have happened during the day. 

If you want to get fit, planners can be a great way to document your fitness journey. When you make progress, you can look back at what you could do when you first started, and compare it to what you can do now and feel proud of yourself. If you have a child, you could write down all the new little things they have learned each day. Children grow up so fast, so it can be hard to remember precisely when they first smiled at you or when their first tooth cut through. You don’t need to go into much detail, but just seeing how much has happened over the year will amaze you. Diaries can come in week view and day view, so you can pick a design that you like with as much space as you think you will need. If you don’t fancy using a diary, you could do the same thing with a calendar.  

Record 1 second of your day

One second may not seem like a long time, but you can get a good feel of your day from that second. This could be a great option if you don’t really like to write or don’t like the thought of uploading photographs to the internet. There are apps that can help you to document the short video and put them into a longer, more manageable video, preventing you from being overloaded by one-second videos saved individually to your phone. Some apps even give you the space to write an entry about what was happening at the time, so you have the option to write a little bit if you want too. If you have children, this could be a great way to document how much they have changed over the course of the year!

Take the time to document your memories

You are continually evolving as a person, and writing something at the time that it happens will capture the most accurate representation of what happened and how you were feeling at that moment. We will never remember anything completely without prompting. Reading something that you wrote a few years ago can feel like you are reading something written by a completely different person. We can witness our growth and see how far we have come. When we have goals that we hit, we often don’t appreciate them enough before we move onto something else, but if you can see how much you wanted something and remember that you managed to achieve it, it can give you the chance to feel proud. 

There are so many ways that you can document your memories that there is sure to be one that works for you. You don’t have to stick to any guidelines, and you can choose who sees them and whether you write, take pictures, videos or save small items, or do a mixture of everything! However you decide to record your memories, one thing is for sure, you will be happy that you did when you come to look back through them in years to come. 

Seven Signs You're Ready for a New House

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If you’ve decorated, and bought new home accessories, or even just returned from a vacation and look around your home and feel a bit, well, meh, then it could be that you’re ready for a change. Even if you hate the packing and organizing process which comes hand-in-hand with moving, where you live can really impact how you feel. Especially if you homeschool your kids, or have a new arrival on the way and are desperately seeking alternate storage solutions, it’s worth looking at the signs below to see if you need a change in your living environment.

Before we dive in, check out these 27 Ultimate Packing Tips for Moving Items into Storage.

Fall Starbucks Dates with My Kids

Yes, these are fall dates even though the weather is cold and it has already snowed here. Ah, but then the next day it might be 60 degrees and you are breaking out the shorts. Welcome to the Midwest!

I'll post these as we go on the dates; we're trying to do one per day for five days. We chose Starbucks since they all love coffee and want to try new flavors. It's a great place to go and chill in the middle of the day, listen to some good music, and chat. Also you can play Pokémon Go every 5 minutes there to get your digital goodies (I do it for Sam!).

Here is a post from 2015 about when we used to do dates.

Up first: the middle child on a Thursday afternoon. She got the toasted white chocolate mocha and I got the egg nog latte. We sat in comfy chairs by the front window and she answered some of my date questions. Then I asked her the Love Languages questions for teens so we could determine her love languages: first was Quality Time and second was Acts of Service. Later that day she did one of her favorite things: went to the eye doctor. She loves picking out new glasses frames each year!

Friday I picked up Sam from a sleepover and we headed out for some lovely coffee and Pokémon Go. He wanted the egg nog latte like I got, but he didn't like it. The barista then made him a Pokémon Go Frappuccino for free because they want to make sure everyone likes their drink. WOW! So I took home the extra latte for the other kids to devour.

 

Sorry about the wonky formatting. You would really think Blogger would get their crap together after 12+ years of me blogging here, but nope. They are pretty much the same as the day I started my blog, unfortunately. If I had the time to learn WordPress, that's where I'd be.

So here is Michael's Saturday date below! We headed out and figured the place would be packed but we found a table no problem. He took the Love Language test but got 8 on THREE different things! He's not into words and he's not into touch, but he likes time, gifts and acts of service. We talked about his work and some other things. It was great to spend time with him (and play Pokémon Go). He got a mocha frap and I got a straight mocha. It was a chocolate kind of day.

Normally we don't do things on Sunday that involve paying money (kind of a fast from spending and a focus on God), but today I made an exception so we could get all the dates done before Daddy got home from Kuwait. Eva and I headed out after church for a nice chat and coffees.

The final date was with Joel, my oldest. We went out on Monday and spent some time together figuring out his personality type as well.

7 Good Reasons To Consider Moving Home

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Moving home can be stressful and costly. However, it could be just what is needed to improve your quality of life in the long run. Here are seven good reasons to consider moving home.

You’ve ran out of space

It’s possible that you may be running out of space in your home. Perhaps your family are growing – you may have had kids or an elderly relative may have moved in with you. Or perhaps you’ve got too many possessions to fit into your home and you don’t want to part with any of them.

Upsizing to a bigger home could be the solution giving you the extra space you need. You do however need to understand that a bigger home could be more expensive (unless you’re able to move to a cheaper area).

Moving home may not always be the answer if you are running out of space. Other solutions that can allow you to stay put include:

·         Building an extension

·         Converting an unused loft, garage or basement into an extra bedroom

·         Decluttering

Your home is too big

On the opposite end of the spectrum, a home that is too big could also be a valid reason to move. If the kids have moved out, you may have lots of empty rooms that could leave your home lacking the cosiness it once had. If you’re getting older and have mobility issues, you may even find that a big home results in too much physical work to get around and maintain.

Downsizing could mean having to part with a lot of possessions. However, a smaller home could feel cosier and be less work to maintain and get around. It could also have the joint benefit of being cheaper to run and if you are currently a homeowner, downsizing could even potentially offer you some leftover equity to spend on other things such as retirement or travelling or business plans.

You can’t afford the bills

Moving could also be necessary if you can’t afford the bills. If you’re renting, the rent possibly be too high causing you struggle from month to month. Alternatively, energy bills could be too high if the property isn’t insulated enough. You could even be struggling to pay for repairs if you own an old property that is seemingly falling apart.

You may be able to move somewhere with cheaper rent simply by downsizing or moving somewhere less popular and urban. Moving to a modern home from an older home meanwhile could cut energy costs and repair bills. Of course, you need to be certain that you can afford the move itself.

There could be ways to stay put and reduce your bills, so look into these first if you otherwise have no reason for moving. For example, if you’re paying high energy bills, you may be able to invest in insulation rather than having to move to a more energy-efficient home.

You can afford somewhere bigger and better

If your income has increased while living at your current property, it’s possible that you may be able to afford somewhere bigger and better. This could allow you to buy a home with more luxury features or a home in a better location.

Many people are attracted to this idea of climbing the property ladder. Just make sure that you’ve considered other ways to spend this extra disposable income first. You may be able to pay to renovate you home and make it grander or you may be able to focus on paying off your mortgage faster so that you have even more disposable income in the future to put towards an even bigger and better house.

You don’t like the location

Another reason to move could be that you don’t like the location of your current home. You may not like your neighbours or you may not like the area in general.

For instance, where you currently live could have bad weather. Maybe it’s too hot and you’d prefer to live somewhere cooler. This is a good reason to move, however you should be certain that you won’t find any new location too cold. Moving in the winter could give you an idea of just how cold your new location can get. You may then be able to make a better judgement of whether it’s worth moving for the weather.

Other reasons you may not like a location could include a high crime rate, a lack of job opportunities, a lack of decent schools, threat of natural disasters, noisy neighbours, too much pollution, lack of scenery or perhaps a lack of family/friendship ties (or possibly a bad ex or toxic family members that you want to get away from).

You need somewhere more family/pet friendly

If you’re thinking of having kids or a pet, you may decide to move in order to find somewhere more child-friendly or pet-friendly. A city apartment may not offer the outdoor space that you need or it may have hazardous balconies.

It’s possible that you may be able to renovate a current home to make it more family-friendly/pet-friendly. Stair-gates and cupboard locks for instance are small improvements that you can make to any home without the need to relocate.

Your home has issues with pests/mold/ghosts that you cannot solve

There could be other ongoing issues that you’ve tried to solve but can’t seem to fully eradicate. Recurring problems with pests like mice or cockroaches could be irritating – especially if you’re scared of them. Mold meanwhile could be dangerous if it keeps appearing and you can’t seem to keep it at bay. You could even be convinced that your home is haunted – perhaps you’ve ever called up paranormal investigators and found no end to the bumps in the night.

Whatever the case, these recurring issues are certainly valid enough for you to consider moving. Just make sure that you have definitely tried solutions and aren’t moving away from an issue that is in fact an easy fix.

Creating a Crafting Room

If you are crafting fanatic, perhaps your idea of a home makeover includes your very own crafting room. A wide-open space where you can cut, sew, glue, or bedazzle to your heart’s content doesn’t have to be something of your dreams. You can create a unique and functional crafting space even on a tight budget. Here are some tips on how to get it done.

1. You will need a sturdy table to give you the work space you need. By installing locking caster wheels on the base of a wooden or metal table, you can give yourself the freedom to move the table around to help accommodate projects better. If you will be sitting for a long time, use a stool rather than a chair at the table. If you want to add height for standing while crafting, add blocks under the legs.


2. Tape or glue a measuring tape to the side of your table to help make sizing easier. You can also use a vinyl stencil to label it directly onto the table.


3. Recycle used boxes around the house for storage. Shoe boxes make perfect crafting supplies boxes, as they come with lids and can fit on most shelving units. Cover them with some cheap fabric to give your room a finished look and make your storage much more appealing.


4. Having a sink in the craft room can be a huge help, but if you aren’t able to install one, there are other options. You can either purchase a camping sink that relies on a storage tank under the setup, or you can use a container with a spout and a five-gallon bucket for the dirty water. This keeps you from tracking a mess throughout the house.


5. Recycle empty soups can for more storage. Using the same fabric as you did for the shoeboxes, you can color coordinate and cover your cans to make them more exciting. By adding corrugated cardboard inserts into the cans, you can separate different sizes or types of paint brushes, markers, or pens.


6. Clear canisters are the best for storing materials like cotton balls, yarn, felt, or ribbon scraps. Be sure to use ones with lids. If you want to create your own yarn or ribbon dispenser, use a wooden dowel inside the cannister and slice a small slit in the lid for the ends of the material to protrude.

You can organize many things by recycling some of the common items around your home. Take a look at what you can repurpose and start designing your new crafting space.

               

Moving Soon? 4 Tips for Making the Process Easier

 The thought of moving can be exciting. You’re off to begin a new adventure in a new home. When it finally comes time to start packing and moving, however, the stress begins to set in. Suddenly, you’re faced with gathering up all of your belongings and getting them to your new residence. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Here are four tips for reducing stress and making your move easier.

Create a Timeline

Insufficient time is one of the biggest stressors of moving. There’s a lot to do and you often think that you don’t have enough time to get it all done. After all, you still have other daily responsibilities. When you know the date of your move, you can create a schedule. Block out some time to take care of different tasks. By giving yourself time, you can help to reduce stress.

Eliminate Clutter

The thought of having to pack everything in your current residence and move it can be overwhelming. No matter how long you’ve lived in your current Tampa residence, things tend to collect. Your home may be cluttered with items that you don’t want to bring with you. Just looking at clutter can be stressful. Take some time to go through your belongings and determine what needs to come, what can be thrown out, and what can be sold or donated. Once the clutter is gone, you can more easily pack your items.

Hire Professional Movers

A great way to reduce stress is to hire movers. Professional moving companies tampa fl can safely transport your personal belongings from your current home to your new one. Movers can take care of the heavy lifting for you, saving you from potential injuries. Many even offer packing services. With professional movers, the stress of having to get your items from one location to the next is eliminated.

Don’t Neglect Yourself

With so much to do, it’s easy to forget about self-care. You might start going to sleep later and getting up earlier just to make sure you get everything done. The less sleep you get (and the more you neglect yourself) the more stressed you may become. To reduce stress, take care of yourself. Take breaks when you need to and make time to rest.

Just because moving can be a stressful experience, that doesn’t mean that it has to be. Giving yourself ample time and planning accordingly can help you to reduce your stress and turn moving into a more pleasant event.

Check out this fantastic resource on How Teachers Can Deal with Stress.     

What Can You Do With Land Around Your Property?

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Have you recently bought or inherited a house which has a lot of land with it? It’s a fantastic situation to be in, but it can be a little daunting. You’ll of course want to make the most of it, in some cases you might even be able to make a decent amount of money from it too. Here are some suggestions if you’re lucky enough to own some land. 

Build property on it

If you own a significant amount of land, one option could be to build another property on it which you could then either sell or rent out. Of course, you will need to go down the relevant routes for this, securing planning permission and so on. But it’s a great option to go down to make the most of any land you have. You could even build a home for your children to live in when they’re older so you’re all nearby, or create a bungalow or granny flat for a retired family member to come and live in later in their life. Building property from scratch isn’t as expensive as you might think, it can be cheaper than buying a house that’s already built as you don’t have to mess around with renovations, rip out old DIY attempts or pay surcharges that finished properties often have on them. 

Lease out the land

If you’re unable to build property on your land (or just don't want to) then you could simply lease out the land instead. This could be utilised by a farmer, an event planner, even a cell tower company- a cell tower attorney will explain this in more detail for you. You can charge a monthly, annual or fee for each use and it’s the perfect way to make some money from land that’s not being used. Be sure to draw up proper legal contracts, making it clear exactly what people are allowed to do (and not do) on the land. For example, you might rent it out as a campsite but ban caravans and RVs if it rips up your turf. You might ban campfires and have rules surrounding barbeques and noise. 

Own animals

If you’re an animal lover then owning land could be the perfect opportunity to own some. It could be horses, alpacas or chickens. You could look into breeding dogs, with plenty of space for kennels and place to run around it could be the ideal environment if you get the right licenses. You could build stables or kennels and then run a business surrounding this. You can be as involved or uninvolved as you like, if you don’t want to run things yourself, you always have the option of hiring someone to do it for you.