Keep Your Car Running Smoothly With These Top Maintenance Tips

Owning a car is one of the best things for your family. A car makes things easier for school runs and practical purposes. Doing the weekly shop will be a lot easier when you don’t have to worry about getting it all home! Even with all these benefits, owning a car can be expensive. On top of insurance and tax, there are the unexpected costs that creep up when things go wrong. Keeping on top of car repair can save you from having to face extortionate costs later down the line. Here are some things every car owner should be aware of.

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TIRES

Your tires need checking regularly. You depend on them for getting anywhere, so don’t let your tests slide! You will need to test the air pressure in your tires at least every few weeks. If you notice the pressure has dropped, fill your tires at one of the many available air pumps. If the problem persists, look at the condition of the tires to see if there is any wear. Driving on bumpy roads and pebble drives can lead to tire damage. Keep on top of the problem to avoid the situation getting serious. Tires aren’t cheap. Replacing them as and when they need it will save you having to pay out a lump sum to get them all done. Keep your spare tire in top condition, too, so that it’s always there as a backup!

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ENGINE TROUBLE

All drivers dread that moment where something goes wrong with the engine. If you notice a strange sound when you start the car, it might be that something has gone wrong. Do a little research to familiarize yourself with car engines. That way, you should be able to determine what the problem is. Sometimes, it’ll be something small. Knowing the basics will ensure you can solve minor issues on your own. If it’s something more serious, don’t hesitate to contact a mechanic.

ACCIDENTS

Even the best drivers are at risk of an accident. It’s not just your driving you have to depend on. Other drivers being careless is just as likely to make you crash. Staying aware when driving will help you avoid accidents. You’ll be able to react to the drivers around you. Avoid drinking anything before you drive, too. You may think you’re okay to have one drink, but it’s often not worth the risk. Don’t find yourself seeking representation for your DUI case. Avoid the risk altogether!

BRAKE PROBLEMS

Brake problems are one of the most serious thing that can happen to any car. If brakes malfunction, it could lead to an accident and serious injury. Taking proper care of your brakes is the best way to avoid issues arising. Test your brakes to ensure they’re working. Flush your brake fluid at least every two years to ensure it’s effective. Check, too, that your brake lights are in working order. Neglecting your brakes could lead to a major accident. Don’t take the risk with your family!

Anavita Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizing Cream Review

So I am about TWO YEARS late on this review. Wow. I apologize for that, to the company that provided the product for me and to my readers of this blog ...

Here is the original post about how I was going to get this great anti-wrinkle cream to try out. I encourage you to check it out because it lists all the benefits of this great product.

I love that it doesn't take much at all and it really covers well. It's thick and goes on smoothly. It smells amazing! It's not greasy at all, which is wonderful since other products cause my mascara to smudge when I use them around my eyes. Speaking of my eyes, I think my eyes look pretty great for someone who just turned 45 over the summer!*

*I have to admit I only use it around my eyes and still have the original container of it, although it's almost time to purchase another!

Here is how to buy it and, at $29.95 for an anti-wrinkle cream that will last a while, that's a great deal.

Merry Christmas Eve 2016 from the McLoughlins!

My sweet girls waiting for Santa before Mass

My handsome boys waiting for Santa before Mass

Checking out the nativity scene

My precious family! It was really cool because my boys were altar servers and the rest of us were asked to take up the gifts so it was a really special night. I love Christmas Mass!

Don't you love the dresses on the girls?! Those are from my mom, their Tutu!

This is the tree BEFORE Santa comes ... presents to my kids from each other, to and from my husband for each other, for my kids from my aunts and grandma and a huge box of something for the dog!

Tracking Santa at www.noradsanta.org

Are You Ready For Marriage? Things You Should Consider

Getting married and living a life together should be far simpler than it seems to be. You meet someone, you date and enjoy one another's company, and you fall in love. You build a life together, one of you pops the question and then BAM you get married, have kids and live happily ever after. But, these days there are other factors to consider and sometimes a marriage is far different from a wedding and just enjoying the big day. Marriage is about longevity and commitment, like the marital vows state, for better or for worse and through sickness and in health. Are you ready for marriage? I thought I would share with you some things to consider before answering that question.

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Have you met the one?

I don’t think anyone intends to get married for it to end in divorce, but we can sometimes have our judgment clouded when it comes to making this decision. But I think most people would agree that when you have found that one person, your soulmate, you just know it’s for real. No one can explain the feeling, you may have thought you have felt it before, but when it’s true you are 100% sure that you have met the one. For now, it’s just a guessing game, but the question to ask yourself if you are wondering whether this is it, what does your heart tell you?

Things to discuss before making that commitment

These days it’s much more than just listening to your heart, though, there are important conversations that need to be had to ensure you are both on the same page. You need to discuss the future and whether you have the same family plans? Whether your parenting aspirations are the same and how things might differ in the future. You need to discuss your finances and be honest if you have had financial trouble in the past or owe any debt. Perhaps you know what buttons not to press in the middle of an argument, or when you need to be waving the white flag to make peace.

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Getting engaged, elaborate or simple?

Now comes the crunch question, getting engaged. Do you expect an occasion filled with romance and elegance? Or do you prefer a simple question and surroundings? Perhaps you want tradition and your partner to seek your hand in marriage once permission has been granted from parents. Even getting down on one knee and presenting a ring. Discuss this, and even look at options from yellow gold engagement rings to potential engagement locations. Do you want to capture the moment, or save it as a private memory? Or do you just want to leave this up to your partner or take matters into your own hands? We can’t sit through life waiting for things to happen.

Getting engaged doesn’t mean a wedding is imminent

Let’s be honest, marriage isn’t about the wedding. Of course, it’s a lovely way to celebrate your commitment to one another, but it isn’t the be all and end all. Marriage is about commitment to your future together, and many years of being a partnership. If you are ready for forever with this person, then maybe you are ready for marriage.

Definite Proof You Need Some Help With Your Health Issues

It is the nature of being human that we don't always have good mental or physical health. But some people seem to see their own problems as moral failings, rather than conditions that can be dealt with. That is why they don't ask for help when they need it. But there are actually a lot of physical and mental issue that can be improved by getting some help with your health. Read on to find out more.

You feel tired all the time

Feeling tired all the time is a sign that you may need some help with your health. In fact, it can be a symptom of various different health issues. These can include depression, a bad diet, or even having an underlying condition such as pernicious anemia. This is when the stomach cannot absorb the iron that the bodies need, therefore the sufferer becomes very anemic and tired.

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If you feel tired all the time, first look at the health changes you can make in your life, do you need to get more exercise or quit smoking? Could you switch to a diet that is more nutrient dense, and contains less sugar, which is only good for a quick boost of energy? Of course, always a good idea to go to the doctors to get assessed. This will help identify any mental health issues or underlying problems that could be causing this symptom, and will help you get back to full strength again.

You rely on certain substances to get you through the day

Another sign that you could be struggling and that you need some help with your health is if you use the certain things to get you through day to day. We are talking in terms of addition here. So you will struggle to get through the day without using that certain substance. It can be things like alcohol, cigarettes or even food.

So what can you do to get help if you feel that addiction is a problem?  Well, you can choose to deal with the problem on your own. But that might be the hardest option with the lowest success rate.

Or you can speak to your doctors to see what medication and counseling they can offer to help you get your addiction under control. There are even resident centers for things like alcohol rehab. This involves going to stay in the center, where they have trained professionals on hand to help you through the withdrawal stages.

This can be a particularly good idea for people that have a very entrenched problem. As it can take them out of their day to day situation, so removing common stresses and temptation that could endanger their recovery.

You cry very easily

If you find yourself crying very easily, it might be a sign of a health problem. It may be that you are tired and stressed. Or, it could be a sign of an oncoming depression. It could also be that you are dealing with things that are too overwhelming and that you need some help from a trained professional to deal with them. Lastly, it may be a hormonal issue, especially in women,  so it always worth going to the doctors to get your hormone levels checked as well.

Many people are resistant to seeing a professional if they are feeling unhappy, but actually, it is one of the best things that you can do. Not only do they provide an objective ear to hear your story. But they can also provide you with coping strategies that will improve how you deal with the issues in your life. This can help to make you happier and more stable, which in turn will raise the quality of the life that you have.

You have a chronic issue

Another classic sign that you need some help with your health is that you are having a chronic problem. A chronic issue is something that has been present for some time. It may fluctuate slightly in severity but don't really get significantly better.

There are all sorts of chronic issues including skin complaints like eczema and bowel trouble like IBS. As well as emotional issues like anxiety.

Chronic issues by their nature cannot be cured, but they can be managed to such a point that they have minimal impact if your day to day life. To get them to this point you will need to recruit the help of your doctor and other medical professional. So don't be shy in asking for some help with your condition.