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.
Totally Random

Top 5 Reasons Women End a Relationship

Okay, there you are in your mind everything is fine. After all, you’ve been in a committed relationship with the same woman for nearly a whole year now. For you, that’s a record. Imagine your shock, your incredulous jaw-dropping surprise when the woman that was fast becoming the love of your life suddenly serves you with the bone-chilling words, “we need to talk.”

 

For any guy who has heard those words uttered at him before, you know full well what that means. It is the entree for splitsville. So, there you are  sad, confused, and alone. What could have possibly brought you to this point? Everything seemed so honkey-dorey just a few hours before,  how the hell could this happen? Surely your new scent of cologne couldn’t have had precipitated this whole calamity or could it?

 

Of course, it wasn’t your cologne. Women end relationships for a variety of reasons. Some have merit, others do not. In other words, sometimes you’re to blame and other times you are just an innocent pawn. To help spare you, our brethren, from the heart-crushing pain that comes when that woman who you gladly sacrificed your video game playing time to spend time watching romantic comedies on Netflix with her, we prepared the following list. It consists of the top five reasons women end a relationship. This way, maybe you will not be caught off-guard next time.

Okay, if you need to grab some tissues to wipe the tears from your eyes because of the “high pollen count” in the air, do it now. We wouldn’t want you to miss out on any portion of the list.

1.  Long Distance Romance

A long-distance romance will always have a few points racked up against it from the start. No matter how advanced our technology, video calls, and texting are no substitute for face to face (and body to body) contact. It is difficult to keep the flames of passion burning hot when you are not able to see each other in person for long periods of time.It is not uncommon for a woman, no matter how much potential she saw in you earlier, to be wooed by another man who is geographically closer to her. The “friend” from work, the dashing young stud that she casually met while ordering coffee , yes, these encounters with others which would otherwise be but mere distractions never to be acted upon, suddenly become more appealing. For some women, this is a conscious decision. After all, you’re hundreds of miles away and he is just feet or inches away. For others, it is more subconscious. This other man begins to slowly seep into her heart. Before she knows it she has feelings for him and well, you know what happens next.

2.  She’s Just Unfaithful

Men are stereotypically labeled as being the “dogs.” The ones who are always on the prowl for some action on the side. Well, guess what? While some men are that way, some women are too. Otherwise adult hookup sites would have a hard time balancing their ratios.

Don’t worry, we will not devolve into becoming a lurid article bad-mouthing women. Hey, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right? However, if you notice that your girlfriend is frequently finding the slightest excuse to be away from you. If you notice a sudden increase in messages or calls that she receives which she does her best to actively or passively hide from you , then you might have a chronic cheater on your hands. Chances are that sooner, rather than later, she will cross you completely and dump you.Is that right? The purist of answers would be, “no.” However, should you of had seen it coming? The answer there is, “yes.” It is usually best to avoid entering into a serious relationship with such a woman right off the bat.

3.  Friends and Family Know “Best”

In your circles, you are top notch. You make a decent income, you have a promising future ahead of you, some even consider you to be good-looking. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, you may rub your girlfriend’s mother, father, siblings or friends the wrong way.

Regardless of what they use as the foundation for their dislike of you, the dislike exists and it is profound. For most women, such negative comments about the man they are dating , even when it comes from those so close to her are cast aside. For a few, however, they take these comments way too much to heart. They either begin to allow themselves to be convinced by the unsubstantiated criticism that her inner circle has of you, or worse even though she knows it to be untrue, she sides with her family to avoid disharmony. In other words, it’s her family over you, dude.

4.  Going in Different Directions

It is not uncommon for a man to think everything is going fine in a relationship when in fact a storm has been brewing for quite a while. As a matter of fact, diverging life paths is the most common reason given by a woman when ending a relationship amicably.

We would like to believe that most of the time this is based on fact. The both of you may be heading in different directions professionally, you may have different goals in life, your ideologies may be too distant to be bridged, etc. However, other times it is just used as a blanket “catch-all” excuse to end a relationship. Usually, because she has found someone else, has gotten bored with you, or just wants time to herself.

5.  It’s Your Bad, Dude

If you committed one of the deadly sins of dating. Especially if it involved cheating, constantly lying or uncontrolled anger issues then you should not be surprised if she leaves you. To be honest, under those circumstances, she deserves better and you deserve what you get.

In the End, It’s Not the End of the World

Getting dumped is not the end of the world. It is never pleasant, but it should always be seen as an opportunity for a fresh start. While at first those words may sound like pure bulsh*t, you know that they are true. Even so, it is not a bad idea to be aware of why women end relationships. Not so much to “predict” your next breakup. Hell, who plans a “next breakup,” right? Instead, see it as a proactive way to spot potential problems and points of friction early. Some relationships are worth salvaging but require action as early as possible on your part.

 

Home Improvement

You’ve Bought a House! What to Buy Now to Protect Your Investment

Congratulations! You’ve just made what’s likely to be the biggest purchase of your life: a new home. Now that the keys are in hand, you’re probably itching to go on a shopping spree, buying new window treatments, furniture and decorative items for your new abode.

But before you go crazy in the aisles of HomeGoods and Bed Bath & Beyond, you should devote some of your budget to purchases that will protect your investment. These aren’t the flashiest or most fun purchases you will ever make, but they will definitely help you sleep better at night knowing your home is safe and secure – and that if anything does go wrong, you can more easily fix it.

A Home Warranty

When you purchased your home, the sellers may have included a home warranty as part of the purchase price. Essentially, a home warranty is similar to an insurance plan, but rather than covering your home, it covers appliances and systems within the home. With a home warranty, when a covered appliance – such as refrigerator, stove, hot water heater, air conditioner or pool pump – breaks down, the warranty will cover the cost of a repair or replacement. All you are responsible for is a service fee, which in most cases is significantly less than what you would pay on your own.

The cost of a home warranty typically depends on the service plan you select and how much you want to pay for service calls. In addition, a home warranty is only going to cover problems created by normal wear and tear. In other words, if the ice maker in your refrigerator goes on the fritz, that would be covered. If the door comes off of its hinges because your little one took a “ride” on it, that’s not covered.

New Locks and Keys

Even if you completely trust the former owners of your home and are certain they would never try to come back into the property, you can’t be certain that there aren’t keys to your new place out there in the hands of strangers. Therefore, one of the first things you should do when you move in is replace the locks and have new keys made for all the doors into the home. If any doors use codes – like a garage door opener – change those codes right away. This way, only your family and people that you trust can get into your home.

New Batteries for Smoke Detectors

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that smoke alarm batteries be changed at least once a year (preferably twice) and smoke alarms themselves be replaced every 10 years. Unless the previous owners are absolutely certain of the date of the last battery change, it’s best to just start with a fresh set. You can check the expiration date of the smoke detector itself by taking it off the wall and checking the date of manufacture. If it’s within the last 10 years, you can put it back up and wait to replace it.

Some of the newer “smart” models of smoke detectors have longer-lasting batteries as well as apps that allow you to test them and stay on top of maintenance. If you are buying a home with one of these devices, be sure you get access to the necessary app so you can manage it yourself.

New Air Filters

Again, unless it was specifically stated as part of the contract or the previous homeowner told you that the filters in the furnace and air conditioning have been recently changed, you’re probably going to have to do this task yourself. It’s a simple one, and it can save a lot of energy and improve air flow. Simply check your unit for the dimensions of the filter, remove the old one, and put in a new one, which you can get at any hardware or home improvement store. The whole thing takes only a few minutes.

While you are at it, review the service records to see when the furnace or HVAC system was last serviced. Investing in a professional cleaning and tune-up can save a lot of money and aggravation down the road.

Some of the other investments you may wish to consider, depending on your budget, are new programmable thermostats if they aren’t already there, LED or CFL lightbulbs for light fixtures that still have older-style bulbs and new, energy- efficient appliances to replace older, less-efficient models. These investments may not do much for your home aesthetically, but they will certainly save you money and keep it safe.

Automotive

18 Reasons to Shop at Kindle Auto Plaza

Choosing a dealership to purchase a vehicle from is not an easy task. We often rely on reading reviews, asking friends and family, word or mouth and more. For our friends on the East Coast in New Jersey, we’ve done some of the research for you and have put together this list of reasons on why Kindle Auto Plaza of Cape May Court House, NJ is a great place to shop for your next vehicle.

  1. For the 4th year in a row, Kindle Auto Plaza has earned the DealerRater Customer Satisfaction Award.
  2. 60 Years of customer satisfaction and community engagement.
  3. Over 100 quality pre-owned vehicles to choose from.

  4. Best sales experience. Fast, knowledgeable and friendly. Did I mention knowledgeable. Had car prepped an ready to go by the time I returned. Thanks Denise! – L. Nugent 6/14/2018 

  5. Budget priced pre-owned vehicles to meet ANY need.
  6. Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles
  7. Honest Neighbor Policy

  8. Denise has now sold us 4 cars over the years. We will continue to go back to Kindle and Denise, Service is just great! My husband is so happy in his new F150. -J.McCarry 6/4/18

  9. Largest selection of new & pre-owned vehicles in the area.
  10. Free shuttle service.
  11. Complimentary Kindle Collision Advantage with vehicle purchase.
  12. Full service financing 24 banks and 2 credit unions.
  13. Farmers Insurance Agency on-site.
  14. Kindle Care – pre-paid maintenance plan.
  15. No appointment neccessary fast lube & oil service.
  16. Saturday Service hours 9am-3pm

  17. Great dealer. Great Salesman (Robbie Walker) Good service facilities, and excellent mechanics (John Kiger). Would recommend this dealer to anyone.First time buying from this dealer and wont be my last! -Bob 5/29/18

  18. AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

This is just a sampling of what you can expect from the folks at Kindle Auto Plaza, the customer testimonials don’t lie and you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to pay them a visit on your car hunt!

Travel

10 Places You Must See on Your Visit to Malaysia

(Image Source: Shutterstock)

Malaysia is a jewel that lies at the end of South East Asia. Whether you are looking for peace, serenity, fun or adventure, Malaysia has it all. It is one destination which will not disappoint travelers of any age group. When you visit Malaysia, Petronas towers will be definitely on your list. But there are other places which will make you wonder how much Malaysia has to offer. Here are ten places you must see on your visit to Malaysia.

  1. Langkawi

Located at the Thailand border, Langkawi is a laid back and lazy place which is filled with iconic beaches, boulder dotted sands of Pantai Kok and is a haven for watersports. There are multiple resorts in the coconut groves of Datai Bay.

Simply put, it is the best place for sea, sun and scuba.

  1. Gunung Mulu National Park

The ancient ridges of the National Park never fail to capture the imagination. It is a UNESCO site which represents one of the last enclaves of the untrodden land.

It is not easy to reach here; you will have to take a plane ride down to the asphalt of the Mulu airport or take a 12-hour riverboat between jungles. But it is absolutely worth it!

  1. Cameron Highlands

With a height of more than 1,000 meters above the Malay Peninsula, the hill station known as the Cameron Highlands will take your breath away. It lies across the plateaus of the mighty ‘Main Range’ between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The highlands are dominated by tea villages and cool temperature.

  1. Bako National Park

The Bako National Park is totally worth the visit. If you have come to Malaysia to view its beauty and wild jungles, the landscape of this national park will impress you.

It has chiselled rock stacks and dense forests as well as sheer-cut cliffs by the ocean that dominate the country. There is an array of fauna and many walking trails that cover the entire park.

  1. Beautiful Gardens in Penang

The circular road around the magical island of Penang has the Tropical Spice Garden which is in a secluded spot. It is exceptionally set out and is an ideal place to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city.

  1. Sandakan Memorial Park in Borneo

The Park is a site of infamous Second World War death marches that started from its Japanese POW camp. There is a display of a short video with survivor recordings in the small museum which draws the attention of the visitors.

  1. Lambir Hills National Park

Located near Brunei, the Lambir Hills National Park is flocked by visitors throughout the year. It is one of the smallest in Malaysia, and there is an old rainforest in addition to the gushing waterfalls.

There are wooden bridges as well as winding staircases that cut into the rock and make it an ideal place to walk and explore.

  1. Kuching

If you visit Kuching, it will be your first taste of Borneo and Eastern Malaysia. The 200-year-old city comes with a backstory of the British colonialism and sultanate rule.

It is known for cultural diversity and is close to Bako National Park and Semenggoh orangutan reserve. You will find Chinese markets and Indian kitchens serving your favourite delicacies here.

  1. Little India

Hundreds of shops sell traditional clothes, spices and materials at Little India in Kuala Lumpur. The food is another reason to visit here; there are a number of Indian delights which will leave you asking for more.

  1. Taman Negara National Park

This national park is a jewel which sits at the heart of the Malay Peninsula. It covers more than 4,300 square kilometres and is one of the oldest established woodlands in the world. It has winding rivers and huge swinging rope bridges. It is being raised as the ecotourism mecca, and it is one of the popular hike trails.

Most Importantly

While planning your trip to Malaysia don’t forget to purchase travel insurance online. Having this insurance in place will give you the peace of mind during your vacation. Here are some reasons stating why you must purchase travel insurance online:

  • You may need an emergency medical evacuation during your vacation
  • Your flight may be cancelled
  • You may get sick or injured on your trip
  • Perhaps, your baggage may get delayed or lost, or your passport is lost

In all these situations, your travel insurance online policy will appropriately compensate you for the loss (financially).

You can buy this insurance online with few quick clicks, that too, from the comfort of your home or office. It’s that simple.

 

Malaysia is a vibrant tourist destination that offers an ideal blend of culture, adventure and lip-smacking cuisines. It is also an affordable destination that is easily connected to various cities across the globe.

With perfect weather throughout the year, it is always a good time to visit Malaysia. But before boarding your flight, make sure you have your travel insurance in place!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jewelry

Layer Your Necklaces For The Best Impact

Layering necklaces is definitely popular but achieving the right look you want can be a little tricky. Whether you have tons of necklaces you are stuck for choice or only a few in your collection, you will discover the fundamentals of layering stylishly.

Following these guidelines will enable you to have the effortless look you see in magazines as when you layer, things can get messy if done incorrectly. Firstly, it helps if you have in your collection at least a couple of classic sterling silver necklaces that looks stunning. These will act as your foundation to get layering and start getting creative (within boundaries!).

GUIDE TO LAYERING NECKLACES LIKE A PRO

  1. Always start with the shortest necklace

Starting from the top is the first thing you should do. Find your shortest necklace and put that on first. This might be something as simple as a small choker or a little elegant pendent. Of course, the type of top you are wearing will also dictate how you layer. So, if you are wearing something with a higher neckline, then you perhaps don’t want to use the shortest necklace as the base. The necklace should never conflict with the neckline basically.

  1. Vary the chains

You don’t want things to look too samey so it might be worth buying a variety of chains to keep it interesting. As you start to layer and build on different lengths, having a delicate chain that contrasts with a bolder chain is a nice way to play around with dynamics. You can even go as far as playing with different materials so have one gold and a couple of silver chains in there. The world is your oyster when it comes to coordinating the layers!

  1. Add some personality!

You don’t want to keep it too safe and boring. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and keep things personal by adding some engraved pendants with your initials, unique gemstones and other personal touches. Consider adding a personalized necklace name. The way you start to mix textures and weights within your layering is also a way of expressing your individuality.

  1. Don’t stop

There is really no limit to how much you can layer or how many chains you can add to your look. The more you add, the more chic you can look. You would think adding more would look messy but if you use the techniques in this article you can find it will look uber-sophisticated.

Also, don’t be afraid to mix up what you think wouldn’t go together. It can be a great idea to add unexpected necklaces together to create a stunning finish.

Now you have some great tips behind you, you should have no problem layering necklaces like a pro. Using these tips will help you create the desired effect you want and keep things looking sophisticated.