Like The Idea Of Living On A Boat? Read This!

It’s no secret that most people prefer to live on land in a house or apartment. A few people might even live in an RV as they relish the idea of taking their home on wheels to different parts of the country.

Of course, some folks want to take that to another level and live on a boat. You might not realize it, but there are plenty of people that call a boat their home! If you like the sound of that, here’s what you need to know about living your life on the water:

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Choosing the right houseboat

The houseboat experience starts by choosing the right one to meet your needs best. You need to think carefully about the size you need and where you’re likely to navigate your houseboat in the future.

For example, some houseboats might be too wide to navigate down narrow bodies of water. And small houseboats might not meet your needs if you’re planning to live in one with your family.

Keeping oily waste out of the water

One thing you’ll learn about owning and operating a houseboat - or any boat - is how they can sometimes leak oil. As you know, large boats like houseboats have engines in them (typically diesel engines).

And if you’re a car owner, you’ll know that engines sometimes leak oil due to damage or wear and tear. The last thing you want to happen is for leaking oil to end up making its way into the water beneath you for obvious reasons.

The good news is you can prevent that from happening in two ways:

• The first is with regular engine maintenance and ensuring you replace any damaged seals or gaskets. You may wish to have a mechanic maintain your engine if you’re not mechanically minded.

• The other way is by having an oil-water separator fitted. Visit www.owstech.com to see some examples of how they work and websites like Vetus for marine-grade products.

Fees and charges

You’ll need to pay some fees and charges for your houseboat as you would for a regular house on land. For instance, you may need to pay marina fees when you moor your houseboat by private land.

And depending on where you are in the world, you may also need to pay fees for keeping your houseboat in certain areas. It’s worth researching those costs before you buy your houseboat so you can factor in those expenses.

Power and water

Last but not least, you’ll need to consider how to get electricity and clean water for your houseboat. Marinas generally have electrical hookups for power, but there’s nothing stopping you from generating your own power.

Take a look at www.all-about-houseboats.com for some information on solar power and houseboats. As for clean water, again some marinas provide hose connections to supply water to your boat.

Conclusion

Moving into a houseboat is an exciting prospect for people from all walks of life! The beauty of such an abode is you can literally ‘move home’ anywhere in the world! Just be sure to conduct plenty of prior research before you buy a houseboat.

Good luck!

Keeping Your Carpets Clean (For the Kids!)

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay 

If you have kids, you either have already or will at some point have to deal with spills and stains on your carpets. It’s an inevitable part of parenthood.

You of course aren’t holding it against your kids, who, bless their hearts, don’t have fully developed motor functions. It does, however, pose an immediate dilemma when it happens and it can cause some stress.

Hardwood or tile floors can make cleaning spills easier, but we know how expensive those options can be. Carpet is a more inexpensive option that many young parents choose (or at least choose not to replace). It has the added plus of being soft and cozy for your kids to play on.

Spills are an obvious impetus for cleaning your carpets. You of course don’t want a big red juice stain in the middle of the room.

What’s less obvious is how much dirt and dust gets trapped inside your carpets and builds up over time. That dust and dirt can be shaken up by your kids as they crawl, walk, or run over your carpeted floors. Dust goes into the air, and without you even realizing it, you and your family are breathing in all kinds of nasty particles.

There are some obvious ways to protect your carpet (and your family) from this kind of build-up. Vacuuming regularly is a must that will keep your air healthy and your carpets looking fresh.

Still, even vacuuming regularly won't suck out all of the dirt and particles that inevitably build up. Eventually this will cause the textile material of your carpet to become matted. Imagine what would happen to your hair if you didn't wash it for a year! That's effectively the same that would happen to your carpet. Instead of soft and plush, your carpet will develop a rougher texture and will begin to look worn and flattened.

The longer you go without a cleaning, the more of this damage becomes harder to undo. That's why it is said that cleaning will extend the life of your carpet. If you do it regularly, you will prevent your carpet fibers from becoming too damaged and dirty.

As a general rule, you should make sure to have a professional carpet cleaning done at least once a year in addition to regular vacuuming.

Your kids, who are often the ones spending the most time of all the family on or close to your carpet, will thank you for a softer, cozier surface and you can have peace of mind that they have a healthier environment to play in.

What Everyone Can Do To Keep Their Bodies In Good Shape As They Grow Old

 

https://unsplash.com/photos/L5Lt0e7Kjxc 

Aging is, of course, inevitable. We’re always going to be getting a little older and a little weaker. Even when we’re growing our muscles and getting stronger, we’re doing so with the knowledge that it’s all temporary. We’re in a constant battle with time and the time will always win, so we need to make sure that we make the absolute most of the body we have. When you reach the latter stages of life, things do become a little slower and a lot more difficult. 

They become infinitely more difficult if you accept your fate easily and give up. If you try your hardest and do what you can to keep yourself in good nick, then your later years will be a lot easier to deal with. Here are just a few things you can do to keep your body in good condition as you reach a much later stage of life:

How To Cope With Loss- Navigating The Grieving Process

 The sad reality is that all of us will experience loss in our lives. Grieving can be an extremely difficult process. There is no rulebook or instructional manual to follow, but hopefully, you will find these tips helpful if you’re trying to cope with the loss of a loved one. 

Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-alone-anxious-black-and-white-568027/

Help and support

It’s incredibly hard to come to terms with loss and to start looking forward, especially if you try and muddle through on your own. You might not feel like you want to talk to anybody for a while, but knowing people are there can be hugely reassuring. You should never feel pressured to open up or make calls to friends and family, but sometimes, having a shoulder to cry on, a friendly and familiar voice on the end of the line or even somebody to sit and watch TV with you in the evening can be comforting. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people who are checking in and getting in touch if you want to chat, or you feel like you need some company. People are there to help and support you, and they’ll understand if one day you need space, and the next you don’t want to be on your own. 

Practical advice

Losing somebody is not just an emotional upheaval. There are also lots of practicalities to deal with, including planning a funeral. It can be overwhelming to find yourself in a situation where you need to make calls to banks or law firms or suddenly choose poems or songs for a funeral when you’re grieving. The important thing to remember is that others are there to help. You can seek expert advice to help you with legal and financial issues, and it’s also beneficial to choose a funeral home like Miller Funeral Home that provides support. When you’re distressed, and you feel like you have a hundred jobs to do, having friendly faces there to help can make all the difference. If you don’t know of any funeral homes in your area, it’s a good idea to ask neighbors or friends for recommendations and to take the time to meet representatives. 

Time

Many of us live our lives at a hundred miles per hour, and we feel pressure to keep up momentum and hit deadlines on a continual basis. Losing somebody is traumatic, and it will impact every aspect of your life. It is so important to take your time to heal and recover, and to understand that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to grieving. Some people might want to be busy, but for others, the thought of even getting out of bed may be daunting. Allow yourself to feel, and don’t suppress your emotions. It is highly likely that you will go through ups and downs and experience moments when grief will hit you like a train that seems to come from nowhere. Don’t apply too much pressure to yourself to get back to ‘normal,’ but don’t feel guilty if you enjoy going out for a coffee with a friend or you want to go back to work. Everybody is different and there is no time limit on grief. Take each day as it comes, and recognize when you need to slow down, look after yourself and seek help and support from others. 

Losing somebody is one of the most traumatic experiences we go through as human beings. If you’re navigating the grieving process, reach out to others, seek advice and don’t feel pressure to conform to a time-frame.  

Four Reasons To Be Strict With Medical Appointments

 When it comes to your health, it’s very important that you stay on top of your health checks. We only live the one time, and none of us really know just how much time we have on earth to enjoy it! With that being said, here are four reasons to be strict with medical appointments.

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They Can Help Spot Problems Early

Medical check-ups can be really help to spot problems early on before they get any worse. If you’re going to them once a year at least, then you’re going to have that peace of mind that you’re being active in going regularly enough. It’s medical professionals like TBI Imaging Associates who rely on patients spotting those symptoms so that they can help find out what’s wrong. It’s good to be paying attention to your body and what might not seem right. We’re all aware of when we feel a little bit off, and this could be a clear sign that’s something’s wrong. It’s better to be safe than sorry and to get it checked out as soon as it happens. Catching problems early could really make a difference, especially when it comes to those life-threatening medical conditions and illnesses.

Life’s Too Short To Feel Anything Other Than Your Usual Self

Life is full of adventures and fun, but when you’re not feeling well, it can really dampen those occasions. It’s important that you’re going for medical health checks regularly so that you can continue to live life fully. There’s nothing fun about having to sit through a concert with a banging headache or trying to enjoy a social gathering with back pain. Regardless of what it is you’re suffering from, pain should be a temporary thing. Life is too short to feel anything different other than your normal self, and that’s why it’s good to keep an eye on how you feel.

Work & Social Life Can Get Busy

Work and social life can become a busy hub of activity for many of us. Whether we love our jobs and work overtime or we spend all our spare moments with friends and family, those hours in the day can soon get taken up. However, it’s important you’re making time for your medical appointments regardless. It’s also essential that you’re going to your medical appointments when they’re scheduled in and that you’re not putting them off. With the increase in population, just getting an appointment can be difficult. Therefore, it’s good to stick to your schedule, especially with busy social and work calendars.

Encourages Others

We tend to look to one another for support and advice. That’s why it’s good to go to medical appointments as it helps encourages others who may avoid them. You should be a role model to any children you may have, family members, work colleagues and friends. Set an example and encourage others to take priority over their health.

Medical checks are essential, so use these tips to ensure you’re getting the help and support you need.