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.

Is There a Bed Bug-Proof Mattress?

Bed bugs are so small that they are often not noticed until after you’ve been bitten. The problem is that even after you realize you have an issue, they can be extremely hard to get rid of. You need the assistance of an experienced exterminator.

How Bed Bugs Operate

Bed bugs eat your blood. They are generally dormant during the day and sneak out at night. They don’t actually bite as they have a syringe-like extension that sinks into your skin. It will be full up within 10 minutes and you probably won’t even wake up!

The good news is that bed bugs don’t carry disease. But, the saliva they leave behind on the surface of your skin will irritate. Not only will you have red marks on your body, but you’re also likely to experience itching.

If you have a bed bug issue then you’re going to need to click here and speak to the professionals. Because they are so small and hide in any nook and cranny, they can be difficult to eliminate.

The Bed Bug Proof Mattress

As always, the best way to deal with the problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This can be difficult with bed bugs as they can be transported between houses without being noticed. They are surprisingly tough and can withstand cold and heat, although only to a point.

That’s why you should consider the bedbug-proof mattress, which really does exist!

A bedbug-proof mattress will probably be made out of memory foam, layered to create the desired thickness. But, what is really important is that the mattress is encased in a protective layer. This will need to be tested to ensure that bed bugs cannot get through it, effectively depriving them of their main hiding spot.

The right protective layer will also prevent spills from getting into the mattress.

Not all mattresses are protected in this way, you’ll want to check their specs to decide if your chosen mattress is bedbug-proof.

The Mattress Is Only Part of The Problem

While a bedbug-proof mattress is useful in the fight against bed bugs it is important to note that this is only one of their hiding spots. It is still possible for them to hide between your mattress and your bed frame or on any of the soft furnishings in your home.

They can even live in the edging of any chair in your room. You may be surprised by how far they can move at night. They may be small but they’ll cross your room and get to your bed when they need to.

To protect against bed bugs you’ll need to be vigilant and clean your bedroom, and the rest of your house regularly. It’s also worth being mindful of bed bugs when staying in hotels or at friends’ houses.

If possible, bag your clothes up and wash them straight away, this will help to stop them being introduced to your home and bedroom.

Eternal Summer: Ways Furnishing Your Garden, Yard or Patio Can Extend the Season

This post is in partnership with Responsival.

For many of us, gardens are a real passion and much more than just a space around your house.

When it comes to trying to extend your season and enjoying outdoor living for as long as possible, here is a look at some ways to achieve that aim, one of those ways is by adding a in new things.

Plenty of options

When you are looking at ways to compliment your garden space with furnishings and an entertaining space that you can share with family and friends, it makes sense to consider all of your options before finally deciding what you are going to spend your money on. Do you need to clean up your patio space? Do you need to have a tree removed? Check out https://www.thelocaltreeexperts.com. What do you need to do to make it the perfect outdoor space for you?

Not all garden furniture is the same. That is not just from the obvious perspective that it doesn’t look the same and there are numerous different styles to choose from, but also what it is made from is another important aspect to consider.

Key considerations

There are a few key considerations that are worth running through so that you end up making the right choice not just in terms of looks, but with everything else that matters too.

One of your first considerations is to decide how you are going to be using your garden furniture. If you are looking for something that you are mainly just going to be relaxing in or need some furniture that will cope with a fair amount of entertaining, this can dictate what type of furniture you end up buying.

Some furniture is more suited to specific purposes than others, so if you are going to be doing a lot of entertaining for instance, the weight and size of your furniture will matter, if you want it to cope admirably with plenty of traffic.

Also make sure you measure the space where the furniture is going to be used. You don’t want to buy your furniture and then discover it is too big for the intended area or it doesn’t give you enough room to move around comfortably.

Another key consideration is storage. If you want to be able to put your furniture away for the winter, you might want to choose a set that stacks away neatly, or at least ensure that you can get a good set of covers, to protect your investment through the cold months of the year.

Choice of material

You might be attracted to a certain style and look when choosing your furniture, but should you choose a wooden set over a rattan for example?

A traditional wood finish certainly looks attractive and many homeowners like to think that they are investing in and not just buying wooden furniture. While there is no doubting the attractive features of wooden garden furniture, it is worth taking a moment to consider whether it might be a bit heavy for you to move around easily and more pertinently, whether you are happy to engage in a bit of annual staining of the wood to keep it in top shape.

Rattan, in comparison, is easy to clean and low maintenance, although you should check whether the furniture offers an anti-rust solution if it has steel frames. The same comments apply to metal furniture in general, although you can help to protect it by covering the items when they are not in use.

Flat-weave rattan garden furniture is considered to be pretty versatile and does tend to look good in a variety of different settings. You could go for a round weave rattan if you are looking for a more traditional look and are prepared to pay a bit more for something that should not just look but also feel, a bit more luxurious.

Options with wooden furniture

Although there is the maintenance of wooden furniture to consider, you do get a number of decent options when you choose this type of furniture.

With wooden garden furniture, you have the luxury of allow the elements to age the furniture more naturally and give it more than a hint of timeless elegance. You could also decide to paint it at some point to fit in with a color scheme that helps it blend in with the rest of the garden decor.

Whether you want to dine out al fresco on a regular basis or enjoy the chance to unwind and enjoy a good book in the comfort and tranquility of your garden space, there is a furniture solution available.

Jonathan Saunders is a garden designer who is keen to help everyone live more of their life outdoors. His articles provide ideas and inspiration for making the most of your outdoor space.

Common Supermarket Accidents

From the moment we wake up, our minds start to plan and map out the running order of our day. The morning routine is first up, and as ‘regular’ as we may think our clockwork mornings are, something always goes wrong. Then, there’s the commute, where we get to discover the new and interesting ways that our fellow commuters have dreamt up overnight to infuriate and bemuse us. Our minds play tricks on us about what awaits when we arrive at work, but it’s never as bad as we think. Lastly, when the working part of the day is done, there’s the trip to the supermarket on the way home.

At no point, however, do we imagine in our wildest dreams that at some point during our day we will be injured in an accident that wasn’t our fault. Least of all, we seldom think of the supermarket as a place where our safety may be at risk (see lawyers who sue Walmart if you have been affected). Supermarkets are nothing new to us. We’ve been visiting them all of our lives. The milk and bread are kept at the back to make us walk through all the other aisles in an attempt to make us buy more stuff, and no matter which queue you choose, it’s always the slowest moving queue in history. We get it. We’re comfortable with supermarkets.

But things can go wrong. Today, we’re going to look at some of the more common accidents that happen in supermarkets.

Spills and slippages

There are a few things going on here. First, supermarket floors are not carpeted. Not only would that be initially too expensive, but the carpet would get worn out and need to be replaced. Especially in winter. That’s why the supermarket floors are hard surfaces. Spillages on hard surfaces can be difficult to see if the surface is patterned, meaning shoppers who spill things are unlikely to think they have caused a hazard. Next, we must factor in the staff, who are generally underpaid and overworked and therefore probably not as vigilant to spillages as we’d like. Mix all these things together, and spillages become the main safety concern for anyone entering a supermarket.

Tripping on loose packaging/cables

The next main safety concern for supermarket shoppers is tripping over the packaging or cables used to bring bulk stock onto the shop floor. Items are not brought out from storage to restock shelves one by one. They are brought out on pallets or in boxes, often with plastic wrapping or cable ties wrapped around the shipment to keep it all together. It is this packaging that gets loose and causes trips.

Keep an eye for shiny spills and loose packaging, or you could end up with a visit to your local hospital.

Dental Solutions to Fix Your Smile

We all want a picture-perfect smile. Unfortunately, not everyone is fortunate enough to be born with one. Crowded or crooked teeth affect a substantial amount of the population. The good news is that there are dental options available to align crooked teeth and enhance anyone’s smile. For years, traditional braces have been one of the options used to correct crooked teeth. Over the years, new types of braces have been introduced. These new types of braces can be more comfortable and offer other benefits not available with traditional braces.

Consider Getting Braces as Early as You Can:

Both adults and kids can benefit from early dental treatment. Recognizing problems, like crowded or crooked teeth, early can keep future dental problems at bay. If you are looking for a local dentist, you’ll likely have a large number of options. It is important to choose the right dentist for your family. 

Some practices, like Peak Family Dental Care in Flagstaff, AZ, offer customized treatments tailored specifically for you. Looking for a dentist that will work closely with you and consider your specific circumstances will maximize your chances of achieving the smile you’ve always wanted.

Comparison of The Different Types of Braces:

Traditional braces: These are made from high-grade stainless steel. Metal brackets are attached to each tooth and linked by a thin arch wire.

Pros: ● Traditional braces are sturdy and not prone to cracks● Effective for even complicated dental cases● Inexpensive​

Cons:● Highly visible from afar● You will be required to refrain from consuming hard foods● Harder to maintain and clean

Invisalign:

Invisalign is a popular option that makes it possible to straighten teeth without the use of metal. These plastic aligners are transparent which makes it almost invisible. They can be custom-made to fit your teeth and have to be changed onceevery two weeks.  

Pros:● Totally discreet; you don’t have to worry about people noticing your braces● No food restrictions as you can remove them while you eat● Less discomfort

Cons:● If you fail to wear it for the prescribed duration, the treatment won’t be effective. ● Not suitable for severe dental problems

ClearCorrect aligners:

These clear aligners are another discreet option and are thinner than Invisalign. Made from BPA-free plastic material, they are very comfortable and are almost invisible just like Invisalign. 

Pros:● More discreet than Invisalign● No dietary restriction as you can remove them while you eat● Easy cleaning and maintenance

Cons:● Less sturdy than invisalign● Doesn’t work for severe dental problems

Lingual braces:

They use similar components as traditional braces but the brackets and metal wires are attached on the inner side of the teeth leaving them totally invisible for others’ view. It is easy on the mouth when compared to traditional braces.

Pros:● Discreet● Effective in treating a wide range of dental problems

Cons:● It takes quite some time for your tongue to get accustomed to the braces.● Quite expensive

Consult with your dentist about which types of braces will be best for you. Your dentist will be able to assess your teeth and suggest a suitable option for you.

What to look for in a personal injury lawyer. A victim’s guide

So, you’ve been in an accident and you’re laid up with some terrible injuries and you don’t know when you’ll be able to work again. Maybe you’ve been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you’ve been injured at work, or you’ve slipped and fallen in a public place. 

Your head is probably filled with concerns and bursting with questions about what happens next and how you’re going to look after your family if you can’t work and pay the bills. If this sounds like your situation, then it might be time to hire a personal injury lawyer. Click the link for a PI lawyer who is based in Chicago.

A personal injury lawyer will look at your case and determine whether or not it should go ahead. A successful personal injury claim would result in compensation that would potentially cover your medical bills and pay you for other damages you have filed for. 

But, how do you choose a personal injury lawyer? And what should you look out for? Read on to find out more. 

They’re totally transparent about fees

Money is an important thing for you right now. After all, you’re probably off work and worrying about your medical bills and future treatments. When you speak with a personal injury lawyer, they should be completely transparent and open about their fees and their charges. There should be no nasty surprises for you when you receive an invoice and your lawyer should never try to hide or dismiss any queries overpayment. 

They’re local

A local lawyer is usually a much better option for someone considering a personal injury case. Local knowledge and familiarity with local courthouses, laws and even judges can make a positive difference to your case. You’ll even have the option of popping into their office and seeing them face to face, something which will help build a rapport and a professional relationship between you.

They’re familiar with cases like yours

There are many different kinds of personal injury cases. From medical malpractice to car crashes, even dog bites and industrial disease claims. So, finding a lawyer who works on cases like yours makes sense. 

They treat your case with respect

A personal injury lawyer should be able to understand and respect your feelings. You’ve been through something traumatic so they should be able to relate to and appreciate your current state of mind. Your lawyer will also be able to use this understanding to add weight to your claim.