Are You Still Busy during the "Shelter in Place" Order?

Every now and then I'll interact with someone who thinks I have a lot of free time on my hands now that we are "stuck inside" due to the shelter-in-place guidelines which are in place all over the country and the world. (We are actually NOT inside all the time; we are outside quite a bit because why move to 8 acres of land with a pond and stay inside in the springtime?)

At the beginning of this whole thing, I put a lot of things on hold to make sure I was checking up on the virus numbers and checking in on the press conferences by the governors on both sides of the state line, checking in on my own city's Facebook page and county's website. I realized some things were starting to suffer and it was taking its toll on me and how I lived my life and how I was steering the lives of my children.

Why Your Kids Should Go on Adventures

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Almost all kids books centre around an adventure. The main character almost always goes on a journey of discovery that leads them through difficult times but ultimately shows them how strong and capable they really are. Moana ventures past the reef to save her island, PAW Patrol is all about solving problems and Dora the Explorer goes on all kinds of missions. 

But modern children hardly ever go outside and go on adventures of their own. Parents seem to be so afraid of children hurting themselves or getting into trouble, they don’t see all the benefits of allowing children to fend for themselves. 

The truth is that your kids are unlikely to get themselves into the kind of trouble that requires you to have personal injury lawyers on speed dial!

Go Camping

Camping is a great way to instil a sense of adventure in your kids. Showing them how to put up a tent and build a fire to cook outside is lots of fun and will give your kids life skills too. Cooking over a campfire takes some practice so just make sure that any meat you cook is definitely done before you start eating. 

Exploring the surroundings together will help to familiarise your kids with the area but you might also like to encourage them to explore on their own. Try going for walks together in the morning and then allowing them to play alone in the afternoon while you relax. Just make sure that they don’t venture too far away and they know how to get back! 

Take a Road Trip

A road trip is a great opportunity for trying new things together and having fun. From water parks to beach trips, trying new foods and plotting your route on a map, there are plenty of chances for your kids to get involved. 

Involving your kids in decision making along the way doesn’t mean that you have to say yes to everything but listening to their suggestions will give them a sense of responsibility and empowerment.

Let Them Explore at Home

Adventures don’t always have to be wild and far away. Letting your kids go out and about on their own - for example, going to a nearby park or calling for a friend - will also give them a sense of greater responsibility. To give you and your kids peace of mind, there are a few things you should think about first. 

To start with, you need to be comfortable with where your kids want to go. Try going out together and letting them take the lead. Along the way show them where it is and isn’t safe for them to play. To start with, you might limit their range to within view of your house. Putting a time limit on playing out is also a good idea. Always be clear at what time you expect them to be back. If your child is mature enough, you might also like to give them a cheap cell phone so they are always contactable and they can call you any time. 

Tips for Becoming A Better Shooter

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                    When shooting a firearm, you should shoot with accuracy. No matter why you are shooting, you want to have the best performance possible. Here are three things that can affect your accuracy.

Ammunition

The ammunition you decide to use will affect the performance of your gun. The case that the bullet is wrapped in determines how the bullet is ejected from the gun, and how quickly it will cycle through to the next one. The amount of powder that is packed into the cartridge will also make the gun fire differently. The more powder in the gun, the farther the bullet will travel. Though each gun shoots in a different way, you need to find the right ammo that suits your gun.

Accessories

If you are able to add aftermarket sights, lasers or grips to your gun, these can help the performance of it. There are many Glock 19 upgrades that can be added to stabilize the weapon while shooting. Such things as a new trigger or barrel can be a step up from stock parts and those may be the difference you need while shooting. 

Body Position

The way you conduct your body movements is important for you to shoot the best you can. The gun can be perfectly sighted in, but if you are not breathing or standing right, it can throw everything off. The way you inhale and exhale during the shot will help steady the sights on the target. Your stance should give a good foundation so it can absorb the recoil while shooting. Keeping a steady hand and lining up the sights on the target will ultimately determine where the bullet will go.

When learning how to shoot with accuracy, it is important to focus on your fundamentals. Having good equipment and practicing often will help you become the best shooter possible.

               

Top Tips For Handling Neighbors Who Are a Nuisance

When you are living around other people, you expect a reasonable level of peace. It’s a bonus if your neighbors are the kind of people to offer to invite you to a cookout or who would clear snow from your yard in the winter. Unfortunately, if you are living nearby to those who are quite happy to make life difficult, it can really put a downer on the perfect home you’ve bought. There’s nothing worse than the awkward silences, cross words and averted eyes when you are going into and leaving your home. 

The problem is that confrontation can make a situation worse and not knowing how to handle it can be a problem. Whether the issue is with overly loud music played at unreasonable hours or a dog locked into the house that won’t stop barking all day long, resentment can build to dangerous levels. In some situations, it’s easy to divert the anger and resentment and resolve the whole issue with a conversation. In others, it’s not so easy and requires the help and advice of Takajian & Sitkoff to help to mediate the discussion and keep things civil. No one has to love their neighbors, but a level of calm civility that will enable you to live side by side without any tension building up. So, how do you deal with neighbors that make you feel uncomfortable?

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• Firstly, it can help to understand what your rights are. Some people have irritating behaviour, but is the behavior dangerous and becoming a genuine issue affecting your life or the life of your family? If it is, then there is a problem that may be bordering on illegal. Playing children who are screeching throughout the day may be annoying, but that’s not illegal. However, extremely loud music or noise disturbances that go long into the night may well be bordering on criminal behavior.
• Next, the most sensible thing to do is to have a calm conversation with your neighbor. Are they deaf and can’t hear how loud they’re being? Are they aware of their behavior being annoying? A conversation can get across your point of being disturbed without any animosity. It may be a simple case that they are unaware of the situation. You don’t have to march around there; waiting for a passing opportunity equals no pressure.
• If you don’t feel you can approach your neighbor, write them a letter instead. It doesn’t have to be formal, but it does need to be polite. It also gives you the chance to avoid a face to face confrontation. 
• If all these lines of communication don’t work, you can take the conversation in front of a mediator and manage the dispute that way. It’s essential to seek legal advice here, especially if you feel the situation won’t change. You don’t have to live anywhere you feel uncomfortable, but you equally shouldn’t have to move away because of their behavior. 

Living in peace is the goal here, so start with the tips above and go from there.

3 House Hunting Tips to Help You Find the Home of Your Dreams

Looking around for a new house can sometimes feel like an overwhelming experience. Maybe you have a ton of homes you absolutely love. Or, maybe you haven’t been able to find any that appeal to you. 

Whatever the case, the right house is out there and it’s important to keep the faith. Once you’ve put your own home up for sale and you’ve tried to boost its curb appeal to help it sell quickly, you’ll find that you’re likely more motivated to seek out the perfect house for your future. 

So, what can you do to make house hunting easier, or to make sure you’re choosing the right home for yourself and your family? 

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1. Know Where You Want to Live

Location, location, location. It’s one of the biggest factors when you’re making a move. You might find the house of your dreams, but if it’s in a location that doesn’t appeal to you, it’s just not going to work. 

When you’re considering the right location, think about the school district (if you have kids), how far of a commute it will be from your job, and whether you actually like the neighborhood itself. Remember, you’re not going to spend every waking moment inside your house. You’re going to go out into the neighborhood, go to school events, go shopping nearby, etc. Making sure you like the area is a huge factor you’ll need to consider. 

2. Create a Check-List of “Must Haves” 

It’s okay to be picky when you’re buying a new home. In 2019, there were 673,000 homes sold in the U.S., which is over 12% more than the year before. The trend keeps going upward, so sellers know that buyers are interested and they’re going to want to do whatever it takes to make their home appealing to you. 

So, don’t settle for something less than what you really want. Chances are, you’ll start your search online. It’s easy to fall in love with houses when you’re looking at them on a phone or computer screen. But, make a checklist of the things you want your new house to have, and see which places fit those criteria. If they seem to check off the boxes online, you can do a walk-thru in person and continue to compare what the home really has to the list of things you want. 

3. Work With a Realtor

Some people hesitate when it comes to working with realtors, but they really are extremely helpful when you’re looking for a new place to live. Not only do realtors know a lot about houses, but they can also take show you some hidden gems and tell you things about the history of a house that may not be posted in its listing or description. 

A realtor, like William Pitt of Sotheby’s International Realty, can give you guidance on what to look for in a house. You can show them your checklist, and they should be able to tell you quickly whether or not a certain home is right for you. 

This is supposed to be an exciting time, and your dream home could be just around the corner. Don’t let the idea of moving start to overwhelm you. Instead, keep these three tips in mind as you hunt for your future home, and enjoy the journey!

3 Easy Ways to Give Your Kitchen a Farmhouse Feel

Upgrading your home doesn’t have to break the bank or even take a lot of effort. You don’t have to be a contractor, handyman, have a lot of experience in “home repair,” or know all the best Flooring Liquidators. What you do have to have is a little bit of creativity!

The farmhouse/cottage trend isn’t going anywhere any time soon. It’s a great way to blend classic and modern styles, make your home feel cozy, and even boost the value of your home if you ever plan on selling it. 

So, if you’re not necessarily the “fixer-upper” type but you want to make some farmhouse upgrades to your kitchen space, what can you do? Let’s look at three hacks that can completely change the look of your kitchen. 

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1. Ceiling Tiles

Have you ever been in an old building that’s been restored to its original glory? Many places used to have intricate ceiling tiles that would bring texture, warmth, and an interesting element of design. By adding ceiling tiles to your kitchen, you can provide that same warmth and antique look with just a weekend of work! 

Choose cream-colored or white tiles for a more neutral look. Or, go bold with a bronze look to offset a neutral wall color. You can then accent that bronze color around the rest of the kitchen with something like a copper kettle on the stove, etc. 

2. Add Antiques

You can add a rustic, farmhouse touch to almost any kitchen simply by decorating it in a different way. Adding an antique or “distressed” piece here and there is a great way to bring the theme together without having to know anything about design, repair, etc. 

Hit up some local antique shops or thrift stores for anything that might spark your interest. Once you find one piece, you can look for others that would go with it. Get creative with your shopping. Don’t be afraid to mix-and-match items. Quirky is good in a country kitchen!

3. Make it Smell Like Home

Scent is a powerful thing. The things we smell can remind us of certain places, people, or even very specific events. One great trick for making your kitchen feel more “homey” is to make it smell more like home!

What does that mean? 

Well, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you imagine a country kitchen? Aside from the way it looks, it’s hard to think about farm living and not consider all of the delicious food. From freshly-baked loaves of bread, cookies, and pies, to the smell of a crackling fire that could be coming in from the next room, scents that are inviting and make people feel warm can change the entire atmosphere of your kitchen without having to do anything more than lighting a candle. 

You see, you don’t have to make major changes to your kitchen to create a farmhouse vibe. With just a little bit of creativity, you can build the atmosphere of a country kitchen where you’ll love spending your time each day. 

Tips for Hosting a Successful Social Evening

There’s nothing better than inviting people around for a fun evening at your house. While there will always be bars and restaurants and so on to attend, there’s just something that’s more intimate about inviting your loved ones into your home. But of course, while it’s nice to have them around, it’s not as if you can just get them into your home and hope that you stumble upon a night of fun. Simply being together will give you fun for some time, but a whole night? That’ll require more. Below, we take a look at a few ways how you can host a successful social evening with friends and family.

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Create the Space

We’re used to our homes being spaces where we cook, relax, watch television, and so on. They’re spaces designed with our needs in mind. But that won’t be of much help when you’re hosting people. Then, it’s best to have a designated social space for everyone to enjoy. If the seating in your living all currently point towards the television, then make some changes! There are layouts that are more conducive to conversation. Alternatively, you can look at the open-plan kitchen layout, which is especially good for social evenings.

Grab the Supplies

You can’t have a great night with friends without a few supplies! Of course, the type of supplies you have will depend on the type of evening you’re hosting. You won’t need quite as many snacks if you’re going to be serving dinner, for example. It’s always a good idea to keep some snacks in the pantry so that you’re always ready to host. For drinks, opt for a selection, including beers, wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks. That way, everyone will be happy!

A Warm Welcome

The best social evenings are the ones where people feel welcome from the first moment they walk through the door. So be sure to give people a warm welcome when they arrive! Some people are more forthright with their needs when they’re in other people’s homes, but many people hold back. Be sure to offer them a drink, take their coats, and let them know that they can do whatever they need to feel comfortable. It’s the best way to ensure that you get the most out of your social evening, rather than having to wait for everyone to feel comfortable before the fun begins.

Games and Fun

You’ll spend some time talking and catching up, but at some stage, it’s best to introduce more guided activities. One of the best and most fun games to play is charades. Divide the group into two, and use a random word generator to select the word. You’ll find that everyone gets into the spirit of the game!

Easy Logistics 

Finally, you can make your night a resounding success by taking care of the logistics, such as how people will get home. Order taxis for a specific time, or give people the option to spend the night in your spare room. 

10 Reasons to Try Fishing

Some people went fishing with their parents or friends when they were kids. They begged to be taken along on fishing trips and loved more than learning the skills from their parents or grandparents. These fishing trips were a treat, a chance to hang out with the grownups. But, most of us never did. If your parents didn’t fish, it might not be something that you ever thought about. 

Unfortunately, fishing is one of those hobbies that often gets passed down through families. If you went fishing with your parents, you might now fish as a hobby or even take your own children out to catch fish. If not, it might not be something that you’ve ever done, or even thought about. You might have no desire to even try. You should rethink this, however. Fishing can be an enjoyable hobby which has many advantages. Here’s a look at ten of them. 

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It’s Relaxing

Modern life is so busy and stressful. Fishing is the opposite. Most hobby fishers will tell you that the fishing is more important than the catching as they enjoy relaxing time out on their own. 

Fishing is a Great Way to See More of the World

Once you’ve got necessary supplies from Tailored Tackle, you can fish anywhere. Anglers don’t tend to stick to one spot (although they might have favorites), instead, they move around. They fish rivers and lakes near home and travel further afield. They might even try ice and sea fishing, or take their hobby to different countries. Fishing is an excellent hobby if you are looking for an excuse to see more of the world. 

It Can Be Good Exercise

Fishing is probably more exercise than you’d imagine. Lifting heavy fish challenges your muscles, and even sitting holding a rod pushes your body in a way that it’s not used to. You’ll have to walk to get to your spot, and if you get a big bite, there might even be some cardio work bringing it in. 

You’ll Get More Fresh Air

Fresh air has so many health benefits and a days fishing is a great way to get more of it than you usually do. 

Fishing Can Be a Great Bonding Activity

Fishing can be solo, but it doesn’t have to be. Going out with a friend or family member is a great way to spend quality time together away from all other distractions. 

Increased Patience

If you are the kind of person that needs results quickly, fishing might be a challenge, but it can be good for you. Fishing forces you to be patient, which is a skill we could all use in day to day life. 

It Could Make You a Better Person

Spending time out in nature is good for you. It makes you realize how small you are and become more appreciative of the world around you. 

Increased Vitamin D

Being outside more doesn’t just give you access to unlimited fresh air; it can also increase your vitamin D intake. 

Fishing Boosts Your Concentration

Our concentration spans are worse than ever. We’re so used to the world moving quickly. Fishing is slow. It can improve your concentration and help you to focus in other areas of life. 

Time for a Digital Detox

Getting away from your phone for a few hours is never a bad thing and fishing forces you to do it.