Gardenia Bloomed!

My Gardenia bonsai  bloomed a couple of days ago  and I am very happy as it smells sooo good.  I thought that it was going to die a as the leaves started to turn yellow and then eventually fell but I guess it has something to do with the change  of weather from  where it  was  grown and then shipped here in our place.  

There are still flowers coming up  and I am hoping that they would  bloom as well.

Fun Ride

Me and the kids went for a bike ride today. We ended up going home earlier than expected because one of the screws or rivets (not so sure what it's called) on my son's bike had fallen off. We did not get to bike as long as we wanted to but I was a bit glad as it was way too hot for us outside. We forgot to bring some water which is why I am kind of glad that his bike gave up lol.

Anyway, if you are looking for a place where you can buy blind rivets,   you might want to check out Rapid Rivet. I have to wait until my husband comes home from work so he could take a look at his bike. We might need to buy him a new one since he had that since last year and it is getting small for him anyway. Biking is one fun family activity that we love doing during the summertime. I am glad that we could all ride as it gives us a fun, bonding activity as a family.   

The Beauty of Spring

Some garden blooms I snapped  last weekend.  Ants  are jumping for joy because peonies and roses are in full bloom.  

Even though first is threatening the plants, they still radiates  and give us  colors  in the morning.
The Beauty of Spring brings us  cheers!

Bonsai Gardenia from the Soothing Company

I would like to thank,  the Soothing Company  for sending me this beautiful Gardenia bonsai. I have been wanting a bonsai tree of any kind but the price makes me back out. Glad I was given a chance to receive this for FREE in exchange of a fair review.  This gardenia  is four years old and   buds are already coming out.  This is suppose to smell  good  when the flowers open up so let us see.  

 

As I have said, I never owned a bonsai before so I am so glad that there is a brochure  included in the package on how to properly care for it.  My husband asked me how  did  the bonsai got delivered and I showed him how the package is like and he said it's really good that they pack it that way.  We bought plants online before and the packaging isn't good as this.

The Soothing Company not only  has beautiful bonsai trees but they also  has Wall Fountains for the Homes, bean bag chairs, water fountains, fireplaces,  wall art for outdoors and more.  I like their selection of products especially the water fountains.  I would like to have an indoor water fountain if given a chance.  Even a small one will be  good to have, it could sooth me   and ease away  the pain when I  I have migraine attacks.  Anyhow, if you want to check out some of their product selection, please visit any of the links provided in this post.

Disclaimer:  Products mentioned above was received for free.  No monetary compensation was given  in facilitating this review.  

Tips to Save on Air Conditioning

When summer heat starts, the only relief from the heat is to turn on the cool air inside your home. Since air conditioners have become such a large part of our everyday lives, it is difficult to imagine how people lived before the modern convenience, but they managed it. You can save money on your air conditioner use by employing some of the same tips as your ancestors to fight the heat during hot summer weather.

Protect Your Windows

Reducing the amount of heat in your home is as simple as covering your windows. You can cover them with light-blocking curtains for the biggest impact, but any curtain will help keep the heat outside of your home. You can block the light even further by making sturdy foam cut-outs to go inside each window frame and block the light.

Close Your Vents and Promote Airflow

How the air moves through your home will affect how effective the air conditioner is. When possible, try to allow airflow through the entire house by leaving doors open. You can angle the air vents to direct the air to certain areas of the house. Closing some vents close to the air conditioner will help the air reach parts of the house that are further away from the main unit. This will help the cool reach every part of the house effectively.

Use Heat-Producing Appliances Wisely

This is a simple tip that will make a big difference in your home’s comfort level. Hot appliances, like the stove, oven, and clothes dryer, should be avoided when possible. If you want to use them, do it at night, when the temperature is naturally cooler outside. Try line-drying clothes, if possible, to eliminate the dryer heat altogether.

Check for Leaks

If your home leaks, you may be leaking up to 60 percent of the cold air produced by your pair conditioner. This means your unit will have to use 60 percent additional energy to keep your home cool. Hire a HVAC professional to seal the leaks around your home and improve your cooling efficiency.

Keep Your AC Working Correctly

Piggybacking on the leak tip, if your HVAC equipment is not up-to-date and working properly, you are losing money. Each year, have a qualified professional come out and service your air conditioner to ensure it is operating at maximum efficiency. If it is older than 10 years, consider replacing it with a new, energy-efficient model.

Add Additional Insulation

The proper amount of insulation will help reduce your energy costs at any time of year. Many houses do not have as much insulation as recommended. Have someone inspect your insulation and add additional insulation, if needed.

These tips will help you lower your energy consumption during the summer, and consequently, save you money. If you are serious about lowering your energy bills in the summer, there are also a few other tips you can try, such as using your air conditioner a lot less during the day, when possible. Implementing all of these tips will help you reach your energy goals and significantly reduce your energy bills each month.

This is a guest post by Jonathan Mehlig for http://www.newyorkenergyrates.com/electric-companies/.Jonathan usually covers green, frugal living and sustainability topics.

Gardening Again

I have been busy gardening and I have been neglecting to update my blogs.  There are so many things that I want to post but I can't because I have no time.  Aside from gardening, we have been hitting the neighborhood riding our bikes so  we are pretty much out most of the times.

We went to  KMart yesterday and bought some mulch and gardening soil.  I have added a feature at my front lawn.  It took me the whole day to do it that I had such a bad migraine   when I got done.  It was very hot yesterday and my husband said that he never saw me so red before.

Today, my kids and I planted some  corn and other veggies at our  vegetable garden  I hope that the corn would  grow and give them fruit again just like last year.  

How to Prepare Yourself for an Auction

Auction day can be a pretty nerve racking experience, but if you’re prepared things will go much more smoothly. Here are a few simple tips to get you all set for auction day.

Set a Limit

The first thing you should do, and probably the most important, is to set yourself a price limit. It’s possible to get carried away in the auction room so it’s vital that you approach an auction with a clear plan and solid limits.

Once you’re set on a property, find out exactly how much it’s worth. What’s a good price, what would be paying too much, and how much can you afford? No matter how quickly things move at auction you must keep these amounts in mind and stick to them. The last thing you want is to walk away from the auction with a winning bid that’s more than you can afford or more than the house is worth.

Speak to an Agent

During the house-hunting and auction process it’s a great idea to have an agent who can help you with all the finer details of buying a home. From the legal issues to knowing the market to how to conduct yourself at auction, a good agent will have lots of tips, tricks and sage advice.

Have Your Loan Pre-Approved

Seek pre-approval on your home loan so that once you do secure that winning bid at auction you’ve already got the money ready to go so that things can move forward on the purchase straight away.

There’s a change that if you’re home loan hasn't been approved when you enter into contract negotiations the sale may be jeopardized  The last thing you’d want would be to find the perfect property, snap it up at auction for a bargain, only to have your loan held up or even denied once it’s time to sign the contract.

Attend the Open House

Before bidding on a property, you must attend the open house whether you intend to live there, rent it out or sell it on. If you’re going to make it your home, it should feel livable and you should be able to envisage yourself living there and making it your own. Does it have everything you need?

If you’re going to rent it out or sell it on, do you think you can profit from the purchase? Does it possess the qualities that are in demand by renters or buyers? Will it appeal to others?

By attending the open house you get to explore the property inside and out before making the major decision to place a serious bid at auction and you’ll get a much better idea of how much you’ll be bidding too.

Do Your Research

Attend other auctions for similar properties in the area. This will help you familiarize yourself with the auction process and give you an idea about what kind of bids you can expect to be competing with as well as actual settling prices for comparable house and land packages. You should also do plenty of research into the area to make sure the property suits your needs. How’s the commute to work? Are there good schools or day-care facilities in the area? How about hospitals, shops and other amenities that you may need?

Work with your agent to look into sales in the area too, to give you an accurate idea of how much you should be paying at auction. Are property values trending upwards? What kind of rent do comparable properties in the area attract? Find out as much as you can before auction day so you’re making a fully informed decision.

Follow these simple tips and you’ll find that when it comes to auction day you’ll be totally prepared, confident and ready to roll.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Scrapbook With Your Kids

Children love anything to do with craft. Children thrive in an environment filled with cutting up paper, choosing colours, peeling off stickers and using glue sticks. An ideal way to channel this creative interest is to create a scrapbook. This activity can also develop their fine motor skills. Children can, at times, have a short attention span, so this is an ideal activity that can be done for short periods but to which pages can be added as the years progress. Children can then look back on their handiwork and can see how their skills have developed and changed since they first began this project.

Choose a topic

This scrapbook can be a personal book, filled with favorite holidays, friends, pets, sports or special occasions. Another idea is a scrapbook depicting a school timeline, starting off with kindergarten, prep and every year at school. It could even be a scrapbook containing birthday celebrations only, from birth through to the present and adding pages to it each year.

Choose the photos

Once you have chosen a topic, choose the relevant photos. Ideally choose 3-5 photos but explain that they might not all fit onto the page once decorations and embellishments have been chosen.

Choose a color scheme

Choose a few different colors with coordinating embellishments. Let your child choose which colors they would like to use. Do not give them too many to choose from, as this can sometimes be overwhelming.

Choose the scrapbooking tools

Explain the tools that will be used, such as paper trimmer, decorative scissors, tape runner, corner cutters, etc. Explain to them what they can use now and teach them how to use tools safely. If you are scrapbooking with younger children, explain that they will be able to use some of the tools when they are older.

Choose paper

Lightweight paper will be easier for your child to cut, instead of using cardstock. Now you have chosen the photos, choose decorative embellishments, such as stickers, die cut outs or embellishments to enhance the scrapbook pages. Now you are ready to put the scrapbook together! Once your child has made their first scrapbook, they will possibly want to go on and make more. Scrapbooking is a great activity that can be done on a weekly or monthly basis. You can continue where you left off at any stage. Scrapbooks come in all sizes, so smaller ones might be suitable to make a memory of a family holiday or to make a scrapbook to give as a gift. Scrapbooks made by children are eagerly received by family members or special friends as keepsake gifts. When scrapbooking with children, it is important to remember to let them make most of the decisions. This will be a good learning process for them. They may need help cutting larger pieces of paper or cutting complicated shapes. A good idea is to have custom stickers made. While they are choosing which stickers to use, you can be cutting the paper. Children will need to feel involved at each stage of scrapbooking.

Jessica is a stay a home mum and when her kids are at school she loves the art of flower arranging in her spare time. She loves sharing her tips and tricks with other fellow green thumbs and creating arts and craft ideas for her kids.

Tulip

One of the many Spring blooms that I love is tulip but for some reason, I am not fortunate to have them in my garden. I tried!

I took this shot at my FIL's  garden, he has a couple of tulips at his front yard and they are gorgeous!

Praise be to God

I love how the light that came from our window hit the corner of our living room.  Praise be to God for this beautiful light shining through our home!

A Photo a Day # 103

-My challenge to update this blog daily-
originally posted on 4/12/12

Gift Ideas for Father's Day

Now that the  social day for Moms has gone by, the next  one to come is the special day for the Dads.  Do you have  an idea already of what you can get for you husband or Dad?  Here's a Format 4 Watch that you can look at, I am sure that this would be a great  option to give as a give especially to those Dads who love outdoors.   I am still contemplating of what I can get for my choosy  but very loving husband hehehe.  I know that he  just want to shop for  new T-Shirts but I want to give him something special.

Hearty Lucky Bamboo

We went to the store and bought some gardening stuff yesterday. I saw these creative way of growing the lucky bamboos.

A Photo a Day # 96

-My challenge to update this blog daily-
Originally posted on  4/6/12

From (Green) Student to Teacher

Living in Portland, Oregon, I’m surrounded by eco-friendly people. Everyone recycles, everyone thrifts and the thought of not having a low-flush toilet is a little blasphemous. However, I often move overseas for 12-month stretches and I know I’m a little green spoiled in this part of the US. What happens when no one else around you is green?

Get used to feeling pangs of guilt when you watch people put water bottles in the trash or litter without a second thought. You can’t save the world, or even make it totally green. What you can do is use your knowledge and skills to lead by example. If someone asks, share what you know, but avoid preaching.

Set an Example

If no one knows you’re sorting your recycling or driving around in an electric car, you won’t make any impact. Set an example and be open about your green efforts. Be open to conversations, answering questions and, depending on the situation, even offering to go green for someone.

For example, in many countries recycling isn’t picked up and you have to drive a few miles to get to a center. Since you’ll be going there anyway, you can organize a neighborhood recycling system and volunteer to take everyone’s items. Not only will you be improving the eco-friendliness of your neighborhood, you’ll also be raising awareness.

Remember That It is Weird

Photo isn't mine

What seems totally natural to you, like sorting and recycling, can be completely foreign to different people and communities. Just like it takes some time to get used to a plunge pool or new exercise routine, going green isn’t something that people will immediately and wholly accept. It seems like work, it might seem hopeless and you often don’t see immediate results.

It’s important to keep an eye out on what people do naturally that’s eco-friendly and you can learn from. For example, Costa Rica might not have the best recycling programs, but they’re great at completely natural pest control. There are no chemicals used and it’s a very cost-effective system. That’s something you can bring back and practice in your own garden.

Start the Conversation

Every great change starts with great conversations. Don’t be shy about discussing eco-friendly options even with people who aren’t on the same page as you. Most importantly, listen during these talks, both to what they’re saying and not saying. That’s how you learn different perspectives, and you might uncover reasons you don’t know about why a particular community isn’t as green-friendly as they can be.

As Americans, we’re notorious for wanting to change things when we’re overseas. Maybe you don’t want to rock the boat and you just want to blend in. That’s fine, but don’t give up your own green efforts just because you’re doing it solo. Every little piece does matter.

Tie-dyed Rose

I took  pictures of this tie-dyed  rose that the head of the lunch program at the school brought one day.  She said that she bought it at Shop n Save and it is called Tie-Dyed Rose.  I did not have my camera with me so it's a bit blurry, these were taken by my Samsung Galaxy phone.  I just love the color combination.  This is now  the  screen saver  image of my ohone.

Isn't it beautiful?  The ROSE by the way is REAL!

Caring for Pets with Special Needs While You Travel: The House Sitting Solution

Like humans, there are pets with special needs. If you decide to go on vacation, providing the proper care for these pets can be a big challenge. Pets may be either disabled because of sickness or an accident. They may suffer from ailments which require special medication and special diets. Or, they may be old and subject to the usual symptoms of old age.

Dogs may suffer from ailments like anemia, diabetes, respiratory and skin diseases, diseases of the urinary tract, liver, kidney, heart and many other organs. Cats may have epilepsy, asthma, endocrine diseases and leukemia among others. Pets like these will require special care and treatments which need to be addressed when you go away on vacation. The pet may need regular injections or oral medication, cleaning of wounds or bandage changes and regular visits to the vet.

If your pet is old, it may suffer from arthritis and need special diets to keep its weight down and aid digestion. A special exercise routine may also be necessary to help with their blood circulation and slow down their deterioration. More time is needed to care for an aging pet because it can't always do things on its own the way it used to.

Boarding a pet with special needs in the usual pet care center is not always an acceptable option. Establishments of this sort are equipped to take care of healthy pets and attend to the usual needs of feeding and grooming. When special procedures are needed for your pet, they are often not prepared to handle them from a facilities or manpower standpoint. In many cases, pet care centers are reluctant to admit pets with special needs for fear of contaminating the other pets in the establishment. If your veterinarian offers pet boarding services, this is probably a better alternative. However, not many veterinarians do.

One very practical and often inexpensive solution is to engage house sitters who have the know-how and experience to look after a pet while you are on vacation. The house sitter will live in your home, take care of it and look after your pet according to your instructions. The sitter can also work closely with your veterinarian to make sure that all the medications and treatments your pet needs are properly administered.

Pets are creatures of habit and those with special needs, even more so. One big advantage of using house sitters is the pet stays at home in familiar surroundings where it is comfortable and at ease. The house sitter can give your pet undivided attention and can check with you or your veterinarian in case of emergencies or whenever the need arises.

Finding a house sitter with the skill and the patience to look after a pet with special needs may not always be easy. However, there are house sitting websites that have members who are willing to take on the job for a reasonable fee, or even for free if they really love animals. In exchange all they may want is free lodging in a city they've always wanted to visit.

Having a pet with special needs shouldn't necessarily deprive you of your vacation. Finding the right house sitter for your pet will make sure it's properly looked after while you relax and enjoy your time away.

Contributed by Mel Hogan. Mel is an animal lover, blogger and travel writer who works from home. Someone else’s home that is - thanks to house sitting. He currently writes for the house sitting website Mindahome.com.au

Bleeding Heart

Happy Mother's day to all the Moms in the whole world!  This bleeding heart  flower is dedicated for you, for all the sacrifices you make everyday!

I like this Bleeding Heart  plants when they bloom, they  really are gorgeous!   I  don't have one in my garden but I am planning to  plant some this year.  How about you, what do you think of this flower?

Getting Around London for Tourists

Last year, my husband and I decided to take a year out of work so that we could see the world before we wanted to settle down and start a family. We’re from Arizona, and neither of us had ever left the US before. That’s why it was a very easy decision to take a trip around Europe for a few months. We wanted to see Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum...

Our journey started out in London. We flew to London Heathrow and then took our first ever London Underground trip into Central London where we were staying. We were surprised by how cold it was considering we’d barely left the Arizona desert!  Nevertheless, we were both extremely excited to start our exploration, and left our hotel immediately to find out more about the city.

We headed straight for the nearest London Underground station, King’s Cross St Pancras. We were amazed by how many lines seemed to use the same station and by how many people there were, even on a weekday in the middle of the day. The lines are colour coded, making it fairly easy to figure out where to go. Nowhere near as complicated as the New York Metro! We took the Victoria line to Oxford Circus. I’m a bit of a shopaholic and wanted to go on a spending spree to get lots of chic new Europe-wear!

As it turned out, I bought way too much. Nothing would fit in my suitcase, and I was starting to panic. We had lots of other countries to visit and nowhere to store everything. I ended up packaging most of the clothes I’d brought originally and sending a parcel to the US so that I could keep all my new things with me.

Later that week, we decided to go to the West End to see a show. My husband surprised me with a trip from the restaurant in a black London cab. I must warn you: they’re NOT cheap! However, it was fantastic to do something I’d only ever seen before in British films, and it certainly meant we were able to travel in style!

My favourite mode of transport, though, was the Thames clipper boats. We only realised on our last full day that we’d be able to take a boat journey from one side of London to the other, and it was a great way to see all the sights by water without having to pay a fortune for a special boat tour. We were traveling with commuters, so we got a true experience, and it’s definitely something I’d recommend to anyone else who wants to see London a bit differently.

Harriet Cranston is an avid traveller with a great deal of love for the British capital

Ideas are like Rabbits

"Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen."

-John Steinbeck-

A Photo a Day # 104

-My challenge to update this blog daily-

originally posted on 4/13/12

How To Secure Your Home From The Bad Guys

It's no longer a question of "if" you want to secure your home, but more and more people find themselves asking, "how?" There are lots of ways to go about safeguarding your home for your family. Locking the front door is a good place to start. But most burglars can get inside your home through other entrances, like windows or even by breaking down that locked door. When securing your home, it's important to think like the bad guys do. Scope out the entrances to your house that are less secure than others, such as the front windows and the garage. After you have done that, follow these simple rules to secure your home from burglars, criminals, and all other intruders!

Bigger, badder locks

Sure, your front door already has a lock on it. But can it withstand an intruder on a mission to rob your home? Probably not. That's why it's important to invest in a bigger lock on all doors to your home. This goes for the front door, the back door, the side door, the guest house door, the balcony door, and all other doors that lead to the inside of your home. A bigger, badder lock can be found at your local home improvement store.

A more heavy duty garage door

A garage door may seem like it's already pretty heavy duty. But you'd be surprised how easy it is for a burglar to figure out a way inside. Once he's in your garage, the door that leads to the inside of your house is probably unlocked, right? Right. Stop him from even entering your garage by investing in a bigger, safer garage door. If this is too expensive, you can put some bigger locks on your garage door that make it virtually impossible for any unwanted intruders to enter your home.

Big dogs

Never underestimate the power of a big dog guarding a home. Dogs do more than provide an unconditionally loving companion, they also provide a sense of safety. Now, if you have a little chihuahua, it probably won't do much but yap at an intruder. But if you decide to get a great dane or a labrador, you can rest assured that they will protect your home with their life. Even a big dog's bark is enough to scare away the bad guys!

A home alarm

Whether you are looking for a Houston alarm or a New York alarm, there are tons of alarm companies that can accommodate to your specific household. The best thing about alarm companies nowadays is that they are normally wireless. So even if you left the house this morning and accidentally left your front door unlocked, your phone can activate the lock for you.

Screen door locks

Don't forget about your screen doors! With the summer months coming up, lots of people are leaving their front doors open to let some of the cool, spring air fill their homes. It's important to remember to lock these screen doors. An open front or back door is just asking for a burglar to waltz right in and grab the flatscreen from your living room wall. Stop him with some screen door locks!

About the author: Carly is a blogger for Smith Monitoring. She is an expert in all things dealing with home security, homemade puppy treats, and DIY home decor ideas.

Marbles

"If every year is a marble, how many marbles do you have left? How many sunrises, how many opportunities to rise to the full stature of your being?"

-Joy Page-

A Photo a Day # 85

-My challenge to update this blog daily-

originally posted on 3/25/12

How to Build a Perfect Pergola

If you assumed that building a pergola was restricted to those unique individuals with incomparable building skills, then think again. The truth is that even the most amateur renovator or DIYer can build a simple pergola. 

Here’s how...

Step 1. Choose your pergola placement

While this might sound pretty basic, the first thing you’ll need to do is choose where your pergola will be built. Depending on the size and location of your pergola, you may need to seek permission from your local council before you start building. Some pergolas require a building permit, so it’s best to check beforehand to avoid any fines. 

From here, you can measure out the length and width of your pergola and purchase the necessary equipment. A good recommendation for wood is F7 rougher headed treated pine. You’ll also need to pick up pre-mixed concrete, framing brackets, joist hangers, a spirit level and a carpenter’s square. It’s a good idea to wear gloves and eye protection as well. 

Step 2.  Mark the area 

Next, you’ll need to set down stakes and builders string line to mark the area. Define the exterior limits and then use builders string line on diagonally opposite corners to check for consistency in length and symmetry. 

Step 3. Set the posts

The next step will a long process, so be prepared for the wait. To begin with, you’ll need to dig four holes where the posts will be sitting. The hole depth should be 300mm and be 200 x 200mm square. 

Before you consider setting the posts, it’d be a good idea to stain or paint your posts, beams and rafters. This will help weather protect your wood and avoid unnecessary damage in the future.

There are a variety of ways you can set the posts into the hole, but a good guide is to use the pre-mixed concrete to fill one hole at a time. Fill the hole completely and then immediately after you can position the post into the cement and use string line to ensure it is the right height and not crooked. You can also attach temporary bracing to ensure the posts don’t slip or move.

You’ll need to wait about a week for the concrete and posts to set completely. Some sources say just 24-hours is needed for the concrete to set, so check with your supplier when you purchase the cement to avoid any unnecessary waiting.

Step 4. Fasten the beams

Once the posts are set, you can begin to attach the beams. The beams are the wooden panels that surround the pergola and attach to the posts. Most often, the beams are bolted to the inside of the posts for a more attractive and clean look.

Step 5. Attach the rafters

Next, it’s time to attach the rafters. Some builders recommend using treated pine in either 140x35mm or 140x45mm. You should place the rafters approximately 900mm apart, taking into consideration how you’re going to cover the pergola later. If you’ve chosen heavy covering, you’ll want to place the rafters closer together so the material doesn’t sag in between the rafters.

Using your spirit level and carpenter’s square, line up each rafter. You can attach the rafters using joist hangers and framing brackets.

Note: If your pergola is situated close to your home you may want to fit it to your home wall. This process should happen before the rafters are attached.

And voila – you have built a simple, yet effective pergola! You can now cover the roof with your choice of material (if any) and even add a pitched roof and ornamental design. 

Sources:

www.mitre10.com.au

Australian Outdoor Living is a leading home improvement business in Australia. With years of experience, they specialise in outdoor blinds, pergolas, artificial grass and swimming pools. Follow them on Facebook for latest news and monthly competitions.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Photos were taken last weekend when we attended the Festival of Nation at the Community Center in Downtown, Weirton. The trees are  in full bloom which reminds me of Cherry Blossom Festival in South Korea during  Spring season.

So glad that my Burritos posed for me.

Online Shopping

There are times when you feel like you are so down and nothing seems to be going  alright.  Some people who are battling with depression find it very hard to   live everyday without consuming  their energy worrying and feeling lost.  Some takes medicine and some are just  keeping it for themselves.

If you have to buy a Provigil to improve your wakefulness and you do not have a prescription from the doctor, you can buy it at  online pharmacy.  You can check it out by visiting the link I have provided above.  It's nice that there is an online pharmacy where you can buy  your medicine without a prescription from your  doctor.  Online shopping is the most convenient way to buy the things that you need without leaving  the comfort of you home,.  You just have to wait for it to be delivered at your doorstep.

Spring May Flowers

My Irises bloomed already.  I have so many of these at the side of our house.

"Sweet April showers do spring May flowers."

-Thomas Tusser-

A Photo a Day # 100

-My challenge to update this blog daily-
originally posted on 4/9/2012

Western Peace

One of the many Asian countries that I would love to visit someday is China. I want to learn and experience their culture and other neat traditions. China reminds me of the theology teacher that I have had in college, she went to China and spent  so many years as a volunteer teacher.  She told me that she liked it there.  Just to be able to see the Great Wall of China would be a dream come true.  I can even settle for just  one day xian tours where I could experience an amazing  interaction with the local people.  That would be real nice!

Changan is the capital of Shaanxi province in Western China.  Changan means Eternal Peace  while Xi'An, the nickname of the former  means Western Peace.  Just looking at the  photo above and  the meaning of the  name of the place, it  is quite intriguing and very interesting.  It must be very peaceful to explore the place.  Museums, temples, and the panoramic views  are just some of the exhilarating things to see and experience in Xi'An.  Check it out!

This post is brought to you by our friends at Terracota Warrior Tours but  all opinions are 100% mine.

Posterity

"A man doesn't plant a tree for himself. He plants it for posterity."

-Alexander Smith-

A Photo a Day # 97

-My challenge to update this blog daily-
originally posted on 4/7/12

Spring Flower

One of the Spring flowers in my garden.  Not sure what this flower is called.  You might identify it for me if you know the name, thanks!

A Photo a Day # 99

-My challenge to update this blog daily-

Originally posted on 4/8/12

Family Name History

The article on the big frame is the origin/history of my husband's last name.  He ordered this  when he was still in Guam and we framed it.  This is what you see when you enter our foyer. 

A Photo a Day # 94

-My challenge to update this blog daily-
Originally posted on 4/3/12

5 Ways of Keeping Your Home Safe & Secure

Keeping a home safe and secure is one of the most important issues for a homeowner. Not only do most homeowners have precious possessions to protect, they also need to protect their family and the home itself. Luckily, there are many options for home security available, and the intelligent homeowner will use as many as possible.

1. Security Systems

The foremost way to keep a home safe and secure is by installing a reliable security system. Security systems can either be installed by a monitoring company or by the homeowner themselves. If a security system is installed by the homeowner, they may either find a system that consists of an alarm only, or a more expensive system that alerts them if the alarm is tripped. Many security systems also check for the presence of fire and flooding.

2. Fire Alarms

Fire alarms are absolutely essential to a safe and secure home. Fire alarms come in many varieties, from the simple and traditional smoke detector to dual method smoke detectors that can better detect all types of fire. Fire alarms are not only important to protect the homeowner's family from a fire that could catch them off guard, or to protect the homeowner's possessions from a fire that happens when the family is out, but also to make sure that insurance will cover any fire damage that does occur.

3. Remote Monitoring

Many security systems and household systems alike can be monitored remotely through computers or cellphone access. These systems offer simple remote applications that can be used for anything from setting the homeowner's security system from work or making sure that all the lights are turned off. Remote monitoring can also include security cameras that can allow the homeowner to check on their home visually to see if anything strange is going on.

4. Privacy Fencing

Privacy fencing can not only help in keeping a home secure, it can also help with nosy neighbours or the household pets. Privacy fencing is usually a tall fence that does not enable anyone to see over it. This also makes sure that people passing by cannot see into windows or see anything valuable that they might want to steal. Privacy fencing is a great option for anyone who wants to protect their home because it can be very difficult to get over and most will not make the effort.

5. Secured Garage

When securing their home, many homeowners forget to properly secure the garage. Most garages allow entry into the home, and most homes do not have a very secure door between the main living quarters and the garage. A properly secured garage door is extremely important, as is keeping it closed and locked whenever the family is out or asleep. An open garage door is as dangerous to a homeowner as an open front door, which means that the proper habits need to be formed among the whole family. Additionally, you should make sure that any windows in the garage have window security screens to prevent intruders from gaining easy access. 

Anthony is a home security specialist from Australia who has helped thousands of families secure their homes and gain valuable piece of mind.