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10 Ways to Keep Your House Nice and Tidy

10 Ways to Keep Your House Nice and Tidy

By Article Editor on

10 Ways to Keep Your House Nice and Tidy

Have you found that keeping your house nice and tidy is a bit hard? Is it hard to find things that you need? Maybe you’re a little unorganized? It’s fine, a lot of people struggle with this, even people like the renowned Catholic pastor, Father George Rutler, wonders what the best way is to keep their house clean. Here are 10 ways to keep your house nice and tidy:

  • Sweep your linoleum, or tile, floors daily.
  • Vacuum 2-3 times a week.
  • Have a designated spot for everything inside your cabinets.
  • Have a designated spot for everything inside your drawers.
  • Fold your laundry as soon as you take it out of the dryer.
  • Wash laundry before it piles up.
  • Put dishes away after they’ve been cleaned and dried.
  • Don’t just lay things on the counter, and stack other things on top of it.
  • Stay on top of your cleaning.
  • Don’t get stressed or overwhelmed about having to clean and tidy the house up.

I have found that these 10 things are the best way of staying on top of cleaning. You need to sweep daily, just for the simple fact that linoleum and tile floors show everything. It keeps all the crumbs, or other stuff that may be on your floor, to be swept up, and thrown away.

Vacuum your carpet floors at least 2-3 times a week. You don’t have to do this daily, but maybe every other day, or every 3 days. Depends on how much stuff has gotten on to your floors that you know about.

Have a designated spot for everything inside your cabinets and drawers. This means that everything has its own space, and its own spot where it belongs.

When you take your laundry out of the dryer, don’t just throw it in the laundry basket. When you take it out of the dryer you need to go ahead and fold it right then. Don’t put it off for later.

Wash your laundry before it piles up as well. This keeps from there being an overwhelming amount of laundry that needs to be washed, and keeps your loads small. It also means that you will have small loads to fold whenever you take them out of the dryer.

Put dishes away after you have cleaned and dried them. It doesn’t matter if you wash and dry your dishes by hand, or with a dishwasher. Whenever they are done, you should put them away, so they will be up, and out of the way.

Don’t lay, or stack mail, letters, or etc., up on the counters at your house. This keeps your counters from becoming cluttered.
Stay on top of your cleaning, but don’t let it stress or overwhelm you. In order to keep the house tidy and clean it’s a daily process, but don’t let it overwhelm your life. Even Father George Rutler agrees with this. Enjoy having a nice and tidy house, and hopefully these tips will help out.

4 Great Investments to Make in Your Home

4 Great Investments to Make in Your Home

By admin on

Buying a house doesn’t just fulfill a present need for shelter. Buying a home is also an investment in your future.

Whether that means turning it into a place you can comfortably call home for decades to come or adding resale value for when the time comes for you to move, that’s up to you. Either way, here are four tried-and-tried strategies for making the most of your investment.

Weather-Proofing

One of the most important investments any homeowner can make is weather-proofing. Of course, where a property is located can have a big impact on what kind of weather-proofing you’ll need.

If you’re buying Banff homes for sale, for example, you should definitely prepare for harsh winter conditions. If you’re in the market for Florida real estate, meanwhile, means you’ll have to grapple with hard-hitting tropical storms. For the former, make sure your house is well-insulated and that any cracks or gaps are sealed. For the latter, consider adding storm shutters to all the windows.

Green Technology

Between your mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and utilities, owning a home can be very expensive. A good way to reduce your costs in the long run, though, is to install green technology wherever you can.

Sure, it’s good for the environment. But more importantly, it lowers your bills and adds value to the property. Examples of household green tech include energy-efficient light bulbs, water-saving dual flush toilets, and even roof-mounted solar panels.

Additions & Remodels

Home is what you make it, or so the old adage goes. There’s truth to that, of course, and not just in an abstract way. Changing the look and structure of your property means changing its value. The important thing is making sure you’re changing it for the better.

The most reliable method of doing that is by renovating and remodeling interior rooms, especially the bathroom and kitchen. Another trusty method of increasing home value is by building additions, such as a new garage or glass-enclosed sunroom. Smaller alterations worth making include resurfaced floors and repainted walls.

Updated Appliances

Among the best property improvements that a homeowner can make are those which update not only a house’s structure and aesthetics, but its functionality as well.

You may not think of replacing household appliances like your oven, refrigerator, washing machine, dryer, or hot water heater as making an investment in your property, but that’s exactly what you’re doing. Modern iterations of such items tend to be many times more efficient, convenient, and useful than models from even just a couple of years prior.

Gardening Tips for Beginners

Gardening Tips for Beginners

By Article Editor on

Gardening-Tips for beginners.

The foremost tip in this will be the most important. Find the hardiness zone of the local area. It can be found on the USDA website, and many other websites can also help identify local hardiness zones. The hardiness zone is a geographical zone defining certain climate conditions relevant to plant survival and growth. If a plant that thrives on sunshine and humidity finds itself in Alaska, it simply will not grow or survive. That is why it is the first and most important step.

Know what is involved.

Helen Lee Schifter, who thoroughly enjoys gardening, believes that any beginner entering into a new hobby or craft should also start small. When starting with a huge garden the first year, anyone would be overwhelmed. Starting small allows growth in the coming years, after knowing the challenges and obstacles of the first year. There is still plenty to work with and gives way to experiments and experience without spending too much money. Seedlings are a good way to start as starting seeds to a full plant can be an art of itself. Seedling or bedding plants are often the plants seen already sprouting at the garden centers. Just like in the tea ceremony Chado, rushing through is not the right way.

Time to plant.

Once the hardiness zone is identified and a decision has been made on size, it’s now time to decide on what is wanted to plant. Plants and seed packets have information on them about what zone they grow best in, so match that up with the local hardiness zone and they should thrive. Knowing the kind of soil the plants will be planted in is ideal. There is all kinds of local information on soil online. Soil can be improved with bags of gardening or planting soil, whether a gardening bed or pots are being used.

The location of the garden is also key. The garden should have enough sunlight. Most plants and vegetables require at least 6 hours of sun per day. A watering source should be close by. Having to convey water when the plants are thirsty can be a difficult task. With a hose or water supply nearby it can make quick work of watering the plants. A tell-tell sign of thirsty plants is having dry soil approximately one inch down from the top of the soil.

Patience

While practicing all the aforementioned tips a gardener must have patience. Chado, the ancient Japanese tea ceremony, is much like gardening. They are about the journey, not the destination. Helen Lee Schifter, a former wall street trader, once said on the topic of starting her career “My biggest mistake starting out was a sense of impatience”. This can be translated to gardening easily. Schifter has been studying for 8 years and is still seen as a beginner. Likewise, with gardening, it is a skill that developed over time. As a gardener gets more comfortable in his garden, the more they will see improvements.

How To Help Your Teen Driver Stay Safe on the Road

How To Help Your Teen Driver Stay Safe on the Road

By Full Editorial on

So you’ve finally reached the dreaded age where they’re able to learn to drive – you hoped that it would never come, because you just didn’t need another thing to worry about. But it did, and now here we are. The best thing you can do now is make sure you do everything you can to help them stay safe on the road!

There are so many things to worry about with a teenager driving, from wondering if they’ll be able to resist breaking the speed limit to worrying about them driving drunk, to more general worries like crashes, insurance, and helping them pay for gas. Even after passing their test there is a learning curve to driving which it can take a while for a new driver to get their head around. However, helping them get it right straight away when they’re still solidifying their driving habits can help them turn into a great driver for life – so what are some ways you can help them stay safe on the road?

Luckily you can help them learn to be safe in several ways. 

  1. Make use of online simulations

Firstly, there are plenty of online simulations you can get them to practice for all kinds of environments, byt using sites like Zutobi Driver’s ed. Not only can these be useful resources to make sure they’ve remembered their theory and help them revise it, you can also do hazard tests and check your knowledge in many different ways.

  1. Teach them what they need to know

If you;re an experienced driver yourself you can take them driving and point out the difficult spots or dangerous areas. For example, if there’s a local roundabout you know how to navigate in a stress free and safe way, you can take them there and show them what to do. Additionally, if you’re out driving and another driver does something dangerous, make sure you take the time to explain why it was wrong.

  1. Improve their reflexes

Reflexes are incredibly important while driving, and there’s no harm in making sure they’re in tip top condition. This will also be a good way to help with their overall health because you can also just help them invest the time in activities which improve their reflexes such as any sports, which will help their reactions during driving and give them many other benefits.

You’re never going to not worry about your teen driving – but with these helpful tips, you can make sure they know what they’re doing on the road.

What to Expect in Moonlighting: An Oral History by Scott Ryan

What to Expect in Moonlighting: An Oral History by Scott Ryan

By June on

If you’re someone who devours new television shows, are the go-to person for recommendations among your friends, and want to hold your fame, you’ve got to read this. You’re about to earn some serious brownie points by being the first to know all about the 80s iconic show, Moonlighting. Here’s a little chat with pop culture storyteller and television historian Scott Ryan.

Hi Scott, your latest book, “Moonlighting: An Oral History,” still holds its position on the top 50 Television History & Criticism books on Amazon since its release. Congratulations!

How’s the overall response so far? 

It has been incredible. I have been getting emails almost every other day from fans of the series. I always put my email in the back of all my books and say that if you have a kind email to send, send it. I do not have interest in the mean ones. Most bookstores have not been carrying the book, so we need more stores to jump on the eighties bandwagon.

Why did you choose to write about Moonlighting?

 I have always been amazed that no one had ever written a book about it.  I have wanted to write this book for years. Finally, two years ago, Glenn Caron gave me his blessing and I ran with it.

Would you say this book is mainly for those who are fans of the show?

Well, you are asking the author. No author would say his book is for less people. But I honestly believe this book should be read by all television lovers. This will really explain to viewers how hard it is to create a piece of art. And how much harder it is to make a quality piece of art. I have had many interviewers tell me that they never saw an episode of the series, but they loved the book.

What can you share about “Moonlighting: An Oral History” that will resonate with today’s television viewers and potential readers?

I think they will get a look at how Moonlighting changed the way TV was made and produced. It is also a great reminder at how viewers want TV that challenges them. That making average TV should be thought of as the greatest crime. There is a really amazing story in this book. I was lucky to get to tell it.

Can you share some of your fanboy moments from your time meeting and interviewing some of Moonlighting’s cast/crew members? 

Look, I got to watch an episode of Moonlighting with Cybill Shepherd. We watched over zoom together. I will never forget that my entire life. Jay Daniel produced Roseanne, Moonlighting, Cybill and he is now one of my dear friends. I have been blessed to talk to the very  people that inspired me to be a writer. I will never get over how my life and their lives  intersected. This entire process has been a dream for me.

What’s the one thing you learned about Moonlighting that bowled you over?

That the network just let them spend as much money as they wanted. There was no one on set telling them to finish an episode, or cut a scene or anything. They were just left alone because the ratings were so good. I also finally figured out exactly how they filmed Season 4. I have never understood why they didn’t have Cybill and Bruce in scenes together, but they are in every episode. It just didn’t make sense. It took lots of interviews to piece together the filming sequences. But I think readers will love the answer to that question. I am not telling you, though. You’ll have to read the book.

Aside from Moonlighting, what are some of your favorite binge-able shows of all time? 

Well Twin Peaks and thirtysomething have always been my favorite. I also love anything by David E. Kelley. Right now, I love Hacks on HBO, Good Fight on Paramount + and Ted Lasso on Apple +, but my goodness, who can afford to buy all those platforms. Just forget it and read my book.

Ready for some rapid-fire questions? Here we go:

Morning person or a night owl 

Morning person (that kills me to say that now)

Television shows or movies 

TV all the way

Movie theatre or streaming at home

 Streaming, I don’t need to hear a stranger’s comments on the film. I am fine.

Popcorn or Nachos

 Nachos and piled so high they are messy.

Night Court or Family Ties

 WOW. This is an amazing question and a stumper. It is basically even, but I was so in love with Mallory, that FT has to win. But great question.

A preferred writing snack

 Grapes. I know that sounds weird, but I love to stop and start when I am writing. I adore getting up and getting something. So I love for it to be grapes. You write a few paragraphs, then you go to the fridge, get a grape and go back and sit down and then rinse and repeat.

What was the last movie you watched?

 Jackie Brown. Which will give you a hint at what I want my next book to be about. The Movies of Tarantino.

Solving Mysteries in Real-Life and Fiction: T L Bequette

Solving Mysteries in Real-Life and Fiction: T L Bequette

By June on

Hi T L Bequette, congrats on your first novel, “Good Lookin’: A Joe Turner Mystery.” We’re so excited to hear more about you and the book. Let’s get to it.

As a criminal defense attorney, your practice involves defending accused murderers. How did you shift gears and decide to write fiction?

I’ve always loved to write creatively. As an attorney, I have plenty of opportunities to write, but creativity is generally frowned upon. You can’t make up the law, after all. So, when I finally stopped making excuses and started writing, it was a wonderful feeling—like seeing an old friend for the first time in years.

How did Joe Turner start to take shape in your mind? When did you know you had to get the story out there? 

I’ve practiced criminal defense for nearly thirty years, so my job has given me quite a trove of real-life tales that are often crazier than fiction. Also, a significant part of the book follows the exploits of twin boys. As a father of teenage twins, I’ve gained some insight there as well. They would disagree, by the way

Book cover of Good Lookin' by T L Bequette
Available on Amazon

In “Good Lookin’: A Joe Turner Mystery,” how much of it would you say is fiction and how much of it is derived from real life? 

The protagonist, Joe Turner is a criminal defense attorney like me. When faced with defending a client who is actually innocent, he stresses out and drinks too much. Also, a bit like me, I suppose. Joe is also a smartass and very witty—like I would be if I could magically stop conversations and take lots of time to think of great lines.

If you weren’t a criminal defense attorney, would you still write a crime mystery? Do you want to explore other genres?

That’s a great question. I’ve thought about other genres, but I have so much material and stories yet to tell, I think mysteries will keep me busy for a while.

If you have a chance to partner with Netflix, who would you like cast for as Joe Turner? 

Kyle Chandler, I think. He’s likeable.

Besides the real-life observations, where do you draw your inspiration from?

In my genre, Louise Penny is a wonderful writer. Also, you can’t beat John Grisham for storytelling.

Without giving much away, can you think of the one scene that made you go, “Ah, this is perfect!” 

Is it okay to have two? The first involves an abusive bully. Spoiler alert, I suppose, but let’s just say I enjoyed writing the resolution of that part of the story. Also, there is one final twist in the very last line of the book. I think it’s cool.

T. L. Bequette

Here are some rapid-fire questions for you. Answer with the first thought that comes to your mind. Ready? Let’s go. 

Tea or Coffee

Coffee

‘Rear Window’ or ‘L.A. Confidential’

Rear Window

Jazz or Country Music

Country

Prefer writing in the morning or late at night

Early am

Video Game or Movie

Movie

What’s the one thing you learned when writing the book? 

That organization — keeping plot lines and characters straight — is an underrated part of writing.

Tell us one thing about yourself that we likely don’t know. 

I once worked in the largest prune dehydrator in the world.

Ways to Protect the Rainforest

Ways to Protect the Rainforest

By Article Editor on

Be involved in protecting rainforests

There needs to be more thought into awareness of our environmental surroundings, in general. This not only pertains to the environment where we reside but also around the world. With that said, one might point out our moral obligation to protect our global rainforests from potential destruction.

This article is to promote the awareness of the different ways we, like people, can protect such rainforests. While taking steps to protect such rainforests may sound difficult to some, it’s quite simple when it comes down to it.

As we live in a time where social media is more prevalent than ever, Helen Lee Schifter encourages young people to use social media to our advantage. As social media platforms like Twitter and Youtube have the capability of reaching a vast audience, using these platforms to promote rainforest awareness is something everyone can do. Even if such posts, for instance, don’t earn that many watchers, every post counts if more people get involved.

Utilizing the internet is especially important when raising awareness of how we can protect rainforests. We can showcase steps for people to understand in the easiest way possible. One of those steps would be reducing carbon footprint.

For those who may not know, carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide that’s released by fossil fuels. This is why it’s recommended that one take up an alternative route of fuel if possible.

That’s why it’s also important to research on the internet for alternate uses for fuel. There may be something possible for one to take up on that’s beneficial for the environment thanks to a reliable internet source. It can’t be stated enough regarding the importance of how the internet can be helpful in times like this.

In regarding the preservation of rainforests, one can also attempt talking to their local politician in doing something regarding such preservation. This is especially important for those who live not too far from rainforests. There could be more of a chance of such politicians deciding to do something about protecting the environment.

Talking to people and promoting rainforest awareness ties into why it’s important to stay active. Persevering is a requirement when discussing environmental issues, as one shouldn’t give up trying to protect rainforests. Even if there aren’t many results now, it’s important to keep striving for the results that matter.

It can take a long time for any real change to come to fruition. One must be patient in expecting any level of change. One’s patience may influence others to do the exact thing and thus, create a difference by getting more people involved in the process. One can also look to others on what they should do regarding the protection of rainforests. Getting advice from others who are much more informed on the current state of rainforests can also be motivating. An example of this would be someone named Helen Lee Schifter, who’s an editor for Hearst. Helen Lee Schifter herself says we should participate in protecting rainforests by educating ourselves.

Top 5 Most Luxurious Hotels in Europe

Top 5 Most Luxurious Hotels in Europe

By Article Editor on

Top 5 Most Luxurious Hotels in Europe

When a person is looking to travel they are going to need a place to stay. Most people want to stay in a nice hotel. Father George Rutler does more than that. He likes to stay in luxury. These are five of the most luxurious places to stay in Europe. Everyone should stay in at least one of these hotels in their life.

1. Ashford Castle in Ireland

This is nothing like styling in a castle. The castle is surrounded by forests and there is traditional decoration inside. There are chandeliers and there is a counter made from Connemara marble. The castle has a tennis court, golf course, and plenty of scenery to check out.

2. The Ritz in Paris, France

This hotel was renovated in 2012 and got over $440 million in upgrades. This hotel has two glass conservatories with roofs that can be retracted. This will allow guests to enjoy the view in any season. There is the first Chanel Spa in this hotel in honor of designer Coco Chanel. There is also the Hemingway Bar which serves up some of the world’s finest cocktails.

3. Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam

This hotel has a model feel to it and is still one of the tops. There is minimal furniture in the rooms but they have oak flooring. There are Japanese-style baths to soak in or a guest can take a shower in a huge walk-in shower. In the lobby, famous people hang out to enjoy some cocktails. During the afternoon hours, a person can enjoy a relaxing massage than fine at the Taiko which is a famous Asian restaurant located in the hotel.

4. Hotel Cala Di Volpe in Italy

This hotel will offer views of the Italian countryside like nowhere else. It is located in Costa Smeralda which is an island off the coast of Sardinia. There are hundreds of people that come to this hotel especially during the summer months. The hotel is right on the Mediterranean sea which gives it one of the best views in all of Europe. This hotel has only the finest of items for the guests. It is easy for a guest to spend $22,000 a night for a room here.

5. Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc in France

While the name may be long it is worth the trip. With the view of the sea, a person cannot go wrong staying at this hotel. This hotel was made in the 19th century mansion that was known as Cap D Antibes. There are 117 rooms and two villas. They have chandeliers and gilded mirrors. There is plenty of landscape and gardens to see. A person can even play tennis on a clay court. There is a seafront diving door to cool off in or a guest can use the salt water pool.

These are some of the most luxurious hotels in Europe, according to Father George Rutler. While they are top of the line a person should save up and take a dream vacation there if only for a night or two.

Travel Prices Surge

Travel Prices Surge

By Article Editor on

The Price of Travel Surges

I am sure that many of you have noticed by now how much it costs to travel anywhere. The prices have surged, and just absolutely skyrocketed. Even people like Shalom Lamm have noticed the price increase, due to the pandemic being over with.

That’s what this is really about. There’s a very noticeable price increase in hotel rooms and flights, since the pandemic is over with. The pandemic isn’t as bad as it was. People are getting their vaccinations. Life is going back to normal, which means the prices of things like this are going up.

You may be wondering why the prices of hotels and flights would start increasing now that the pandemic is over, but think about it. They didn’t get as much business because of the pandemic, and now that it’s over, and absolutely everyone is travelling, they’re going to raise their prices.

They’re increasing their prices to try making money back for all the money that they lost over the past year. They also know that people are going to pay the prices, because everyone is ready to get out and do things. People are ready to celebrate the pandemic being over, so they are ready to go places, and do things. They know that people will pay it, and obviously people are. This is the price we have to pay for a year of a pandemic, and having to not go do fun things.

These businesses took a hit from this pandemic, maybe worse than most. People were traveling less, which means hotel rooms, and flights, weren’t needed as much, or as often, as they normally were. They wound up losing a lot of their normal business due to the pandemic, and they still had their normal bills to pay to run the business. They have to keep their employees paid, their hotel, or plane, clean, the rooms clean, keep the airport up, and running, fuel for planes, the list is literally endless. They still maintained all of this, while taking in a lot less income that they would have normally been making, thanks to the pandemic hitting. Now that it’s over with, they’re going to want to try making up for that lost money. You would too though, I am sure.

However, even Shalom Lamm knows that this price surge won’t stay here forever. We won’t have to pay these insane extra prices. Hotel rooms and flights will go back to their normal rates before long. They just need time to adjust, and make back some of the money that they lost from the pandemic hitting last year. Businesses were hurt just like us.

We will just have to wait it out, until the high prices adjust, and drop back down. They won’t be high like this for much longer. Let’s let them work on making some of their profit back that they lost out on last year due to the pandemic. They’re helping us out by still running, and giving us a place to stay while we go out of town on vacation since this pandemic is finally over.

Does a Long Coat Make You Appear Shorter

Does a Long Coat Make You Appear Shorter

By Full Editorial on

Your height changes as you age, and at times you might feel happy or sad. Your bones continue to grow during your childhood and adolescence and usually stop by the time you reach your early twenties. Just when you think you will remain the same height for the rest of your life, you hit middle age, and your body starts shrinking slowly at about 2 to 4 centimeters. This leaves many people wondering if a long coat will make them appear shorter. The good news is, you can find the perfect length coat to complement your height, whether you are short or tall.

Does a long coat make a tall person look shorter?

Any oversized clothing can make you appear to look shorter. If you are a tall person who wishes to appear a bit shorter, you can do a few tricks to accomplish this goal. The best tip is to wear a long coat that reaches below your knees and is a bit bulky. You can choose any color or style that suits your personality. Switching up your look with a variety of coats and jackets throughout the year will help you maintain a shorter-looking appearance.

Tips for Looking Shorter

* Here are a few tips to help you choose the right coat for you!

* Avoid short jackets, coats, and parkas.

* Choose long-style coats that are below the knee or longer.

* Choose a fur collar or bulky collar.

* Choose brighter colors instead of black or navy blue.

* Choose oversized puffy coats and jackets.

* Choose coats and jackets with long oversized pockets.

Does a long coat make a short person look shorter?

Long coats make a person appear even shorter. If you are short and want to have a taller appearance, it’s best to choose cropped jackets and short blazer-style coats. It’s also essential to select coats and jackets tailored to your body to create a longer illusion. Consider the following tips when choosing your new coat and jacket.

Tips for Looking Taller

* Choose dark-colored coats that are tailored to your shape.

* Consider small accents and trims such as thin fur.

* Choose vibrant colored coats to show off your personality and make sure they fit your body well.

* Choose coats and jackets that reach your thigh area or waist.

* Choose a vest with a fur-trimmed hood.

* Choose a belted style coat.

Choosing the right coat for you is easier than you think. You will find tons of different styles and lengths that will make you look and feel great. Do your best to follow the tips mentioned above to ensure you are complimenting your assets while at the same time creating a shorter or taller appearance.

Don’t forget to include color in your coat collection because it helps you build a more extensive wardrobe and create a variety of looks. In addition, investing in high-quality coats and jackets enables you to hold onto pieces longer and gives you the opportunity to add to your collection every winter season. Start shopping today!