All posts by Anne Younger

Anne is a 30-something full-time SAHM mom of 5 ranging from 3 to 17 and grandma of 1 who resides in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay) Wisconsin. She started blogging in 2008 as a way to regain her sanity. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, cheeseburgers and vodka along with spending time with her husband and kids.

Gifting Tips for Around the World

All over the world, we show our love, appreciation, and friendship in a multitude of different ways. However, one of the easiest ways to show someone you care, is to get them a gift that they’ll truly love. This is something that human beings do in virtually every part of the globe. However, the way that we deal with gifting does vary depending on where you are in the world. 

In just about every country, the most important part of successful gifting is making sure that you choose the gift with care and attention. It’s important to put plenty of thought and time into picking something that the other person will love. However, if you’re keen to learn more about presents in other countries, here are some insights. 1. Refusing Gifts is Common in the East

In East Asia, it’s surprisingly common for someone to refuse a gift at least a few times before they’re willing to accept it. If someone in your social circle happens to be from Japan, China, or Singapore, then that person would usually be expected to refuse a gift a few times to avoid seeming as though they’re impatient or greedy. 

If you’re being offered a gift by someone from one of these cultures, be prepared to say “no” politely once or twice before you accept. Additionally, when someone does receive a gift from you from one of these countries, you’re expected to thank them for taking the gift, rather than them thanking you for giving it. 2. Show Care in Asia and the Middle East

In all parts of the world, something as precious as a gift probably deserves a little bit of extra care and protection. However, if you’re in the Middle East, East Asia, or India, then how you handle the gift is very important. In various parts of Asia and the middle east, the left hand is usually seen as unclean so you will need to use your right hand for giving and receiving gifts. 

If two hands are required to accept the gift – try not to worry about this too much. In eastern China, you should always offer or accept gifts with both of your hands, and keep your palms facing up when you do. Don’t be afraid to ask for some advice if you’re not sure about the cultural rules here. 3. Gifts are A Good Thank You

In Russia and Asia, people give gifts as a way of showing gratitude more than simple friendship or love. Russia considers thank-you cards to be impractical and useless, so you’re intended to give a gift to anyone who hosts you for a dinner party or an overnight stay. 

Whatever reason you choose for giving your gift, however, etiquette experts agree that gifts should always be wrapped. The kind of wrapping you do, and the colors you choose may vary depending on where you are, for instance. Gifts are only given to the dead in yellow paper in China, and in South America, black and purple colors are associated with death too. In Japan, it may make more sense to wrap a gift in cloth than paper. 4. Choose the Item Carefully

In more parts of the world than you might think, the kind of item you give as a gift is very important. For instance, in China, giving someone an umbrella means that you want your relationship with them to end. In Hong Kong and China, giving someone a green hat also means that that person’s wife is cheating on them, or that their sister is a prostitute. 

Handkerchiefs, clocks, sandals, and various other items can also be dangerous in China and Hong Kong too. Best to  doyour research before you begin shopping. In a lot of countries, it’s also a terrible idea to give anything sharp as a gift. Scissors and knives generally symbolize the cutting of ties and the end of a relationship. 5. Getting the Numbers Right

Finally, if you’re giving multiple gifts in Asia and Europe, remember that unlucky numbers are often problematic. In Europe, odd numbers are usually the preferred choice for a lot of people, this is common in India too. On the other hand, in East Asia, even numbers are deemed lucky. 

In certain countries, even giving zero gifts might be the right idea. In Yemen, for instance, receiving a gift from anyone but your closest friend is embarrassing. You’ll need to be extra careful that you and your friend are super close before you start wrapping. 

4 Beauty & Wellness Tips for Busy Moms

Experienced moms know that when you feel good about yourself, you tend to look good as well. Indeed, individuals who take the time to focus on their health and wellness often improve their appearance in doing so. Unfortunately, moms don’t have a ton of free time to focus on their own health and style. Indeed, between work, family, and social obligations, moms may only have a few minutes to themselves each day. To that end, today we’ll list four key beauty and wellness tips that all moms should know and follow. Check them out here: 

Speak with Your Doctor

When was the last time you scheduled a checkup appointment with your doctor? If it’s been more than a year since you last spoke with your M.D., it’s time to schedule an appointment ASAP. Remember that doctors will be able to provide you with key bits of health and fitness advice. Plus, they can use sophisticated equipment like 2 ml serological pipettes to diagnose and treat certain medical issues that may be bothering you. When it comes to your health and wellness, your doctor is one of your best allies!

Appreciate YOU

No two people look exactly alike. No two people have the same body type, the same hairstyle, or the same physical appearance. As such, it’s important to remember that in order to look your best, you need to prioritize self-care first and foremost. Don’t make yourself miserable with a lifestyle routine that prevents you from enjoying your favorite things –– no matter how busy you may be. Loving yourself is the first step to unlocking your full personal potential.  

Be Patient

It takes time to develop your own style and to foster new looks. Similarly, it takes time to lose weight, find your ideal diet and exercise routine, and discover self confidence –– and that goes double for busy moms! So don’t get discouraged if it takes you a while to hit your stride. What’s more, it’s important to give yourself time to make big lifestyle changes. It could take a person months to get adjusted to a new environment or exercise routine, for example. 

Keep it Natural

Sunlight. Fresh fruits and vegetables. Herbal skin cream. All of these things are good for your body and your appearance –– and they’re all natural too. Keeping your diet, skincare routine, and exercise regimen natural and simple is a great way to ensure you always feel and look your best. Note, ignore supplements and gimmicks that seem “too good to be true” –– because they probably are!

Conclusion

Staying healthy and happy is key to living your best life and looking your best whenever possible. Thankfully, these basic and effective tips are worth keeping in mind!

Replace, Repair, Renew: How to Give Your Home a Complete Winter Checkup

There are so many things that you routinely get checked every year from teeth to cars, so it makes perfect sense that you submit your home to the same sort of inspection regime in order to keep on top of any repairs or issues that need your attention.

Here is a look at why it’s a good idea to carry out a yearly home inspection, including tips on when is the best time to do it, what sort of things you should be checking, and what action to take to keep your property in good working order.

Before we get into it, you can’t imagine how far a simple sanding can go on some wooden furniture. Get yourself a light and cheap drum sander and you’ll see what we’re talking about. Go to SanderScore for the best reviews around

Before winter takes its toll

Extremes of weather always have the potential to expose any weaknesses in or outside your property, so it always pays to look out for any suspected problems with your systems and appliances throughout the year.

On top of that, it is suggested that you carry out a thorough annual home inspection in the fall, just before winter sends the temperature dial plummeting.

Create a checklist of items that you need to check when carrying out your annual inspection, and then arrange to work methodically through them noting down any maintenance or repairs you will need to get done.

Cracks and leaks

A good starting point would be to walk around the exterior of your home and try to spot any obvious signs of wear and tear.

If you notice any cracks in the concrete on your outside walls or pathways they will need some attention.

Cracks in asphalt and concrete should be repaired for a couple of reasons. Any cracks and chips in your driveways could be a tripping hazard and if they are close to your home they could be letting water in underneath your home.

Cracks in your walls shouldn’t be ignored either as they could be allowing excess water to seep in almost undetected. Also, check that your retaining walls don’t have any areas that are bulging or loose, as this could be a sign that some damage has occurred as a result of persistent heavy rain or snowfall.

Another area to check outside is your siding, to see if you have any staining.

Signs of staining could be an indication that you might have a water problem or it could be telling you that there is an issue with your roofing. Some maintenance tasks are often best left to a professional and if you do need to check out a problem with your roofing, someone like Milestone Xteriors of Mukwonago should be able to assess and resolve any issues.

Windows and doors

Your windows need to be kept clear as they allow excess moisture to escape from the inside of your home.

As part of your annual check, make sure that they are clear of any debris.

Another job on your checklist should be to ensure that any weather-stripping you have used is still in place. Replace any damaged or missing strips so that your home is ready for the winter period ahead.

Other tasks with your windows and doors include checking that locks are working smoothly, repairing or adding some oil where necessary, also, check whether any exterior caulk and sealants are still intact and providing the protection needed from the rain.

It is also a good idea to run your hand around the frame of the windows and doors to feel for any obvious drafts. If you do notice any, apply some weather-stripping to help keep your home warmer and reduce your energy bills.

Perfect plumbing

Burst pipes and leaks are bad news in your home, so put plumbing on your list of priorities when you are doing your inspection.

Look for any obvious signs of leaks in all of your exposed pipes and also keep an eye out for signs of corrosion, which can be identified as an issue when you notice green stains around any brass and copper fittings.

Inspect all the toilets and faucets for any leaks or loose fittings which could eventually allow water to escape.

These are some of the main points you need to check in and around your home when carrying out your annual inspection, and it is well worth doing if you manage to spot a problem before it is allowed to become a potential disaster.

Worrying ways your children could get hurt and how you can prevent it

We can’t wrap our children up in cotton wool, even though most of us would like to! No one wants to think of their child getting hurt, which is why parents will do anything to keep them safe and sound.

Sadly, circumstances are often out of our control and despite the safety measures we put in place, accidents and injuries still happen. If you want to locate a PI lawyer in Texas after an accident involving another family member or yourself, click the link. 

However, if parents learn to recognize and make themselves familiar with the most common types of accidents and scenarios that could leave their children injured, then their little ones could be a bit safer. 

Read on to discover the worrying ways your children could get hurt and how you can prevent it.

Car accidents

As mentioned above, sometimes circumstances are out of our control. And even if you’re a diligent and safe driver, if you’re suddenly faced with someone who is distracted behind the wheel or drunk driving, then your own safety or the safety of your little ones is difficult to control. 

Despite not being able to control who else uses the roads, parents can still influence the outcome of a crash. Ensuring all children are wearing seatbelts and are adequately restrained in properly fitted car seats that are the right size for their age, height and weight, will help reduce the likelihood of catastrophic injuries. Advising your children to not distract the driver whilst they’re in the backseat is also a good idea!

Drowning

As a parent, it’s easy to imagine that it’s incredibly unlikely that your child would drown. After all, if you went to a local pool or the beach, you’d be watching your child, there’d be a lifeguard present and you’d recognize if they were in trouble…sadly, that’s just not always the case.

Whenever supervising your children around water, you need to watch them carefully. Stay off your phone and away from other distracting activities. Recognize the signs of drowning – it may look different to what you think, and be wary of letting your children play where water has collected, including the pond at grandma’s house, the bathtub you’re filling up, and even the toilet! 

Choking

Defective and dangerous toys are often the cause behind childhood choking cases. Defective toys that break apart or those that are a serious choking hazard like marbles and balls should be kept well away from children and babies. 

Keeping your home tidy and keeping track of the toys that your children play with can help. Also, ensure any defective toys are disposed of properly. And brush up on your first aid skills so as a last resort, you can help a choking child.

And finally, injuries at school

If there’s one place that your child should be safe, it’s at school. However, injuries and accidents at school can be quite common – cuts and lacerations, trips and falls, head injuries, choking or even accidental strangulation on play equipment.

It doesn’t bear thinking about, but if you want to ensure your child’s safety at school, reach out to the school for a rundown of their safety procedures. 

7 Tips for Buying a New Car

Having been in the position of buying a car more than once, I feel it is important for others in the position to prepared when it is time to start shopping. These tips are things that I have found to be very helpful on my hunt and that I will put to use again on future hunts.

Tip #1 – Know What You Can Afford

This is a very important tip because it doesn’t pay to look at a car you can’t afford so you are better off knowing what you can afford and steering clear of those you can’t. A car payment should never be more than 20% of your income and by income, I mean take home pay.

Tip #2 – Shop Around Online Before You Go

Having the internet makes it a lot easier to shop for a used car. Not only can you check out a variety of dealerships and auto sales sites but you can compare inventory and prices and make sure you can get a good deal. Make a list of the cars you found online that you would like to check out in person and save yourself some time.

Tip #3 – Read Reviews

If there is a car that you are interested in, be sure to do yourself a favor and read the reviews on that car. Check for any recalls, check consumer reports and do a Google search on that brand and make to see if there is anything else you should know.

Tip #4 – Take it for a Test Drive

Make sure you take it for a test drive and that the vehicle fits all of your current needs and possibly even your future needs.

Tip #5 – Get a History Report

As much as I hate to say it but you can’t always trust that you are getting the truth from your salesperson about a vehicle’s history. By running a history report you will know if the vehicle has ever been involved in an accident, if it has been salvaged, how many previous owners and if the odometer is true.

Tip #6 – Have a Reliable Mechanic Check It Out

I cannot stress this enough!! It is so important to have a reliable mechanic, that you trust check over the vehicle before you agree to purchase it.

Tip #7 – Negotiate Your Best Price

Head in knowing what you can afford and what you are willing to spend. Research competitors and private party sales listings and know how they are pricing and check out the value of the vehicle on Kelley Blue Book. Once you have all of these tools, negotiate with the salesperson and let them know what you have researched and make sure you get the best price you can!

Be sure to visit the great selection of new and used inventory at Kunes Country Ford in Delavan, WI.