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.
marriage

So, You’re Getting Divorced. What Next?

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Modern statistics show that anywhere from 40 to 50% of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. Why this is the case could fill entire books (and has), but the fact of the reality is that for many reasons, divorce is less of a worst-case scenario and more of something that everyone should consider as a possibility when entering marriage. Even if a divorce catches you off-guard, there are still things that you can do to minimize the blow and work through the process so you both can get on with your lives. The best approach is two-fold: putting together as much preparation as possible for the divorce process while adopting a healthy mindset that will see you through.

Preparation

The legal process of divorce begins when a petition is filed by one spouse with the court formally asking for divorce, even if both spouses agree. Sometimes, temporary orders will accompany this to handle immediate issues like custody or child support during the divorce process. There are several things you can do at this stage in order to get things in order.

One of the first things you should do, particularly if children or joint assets like a business you built together are present, is seek out a good lawyer. Not just any lawyer, even if they are skilled, will do. For example, Denver Family Lawyers would be intimately acquainted with some of the specificities of divorce law in not just the city, but all of Colorado. For example, Colorado no longer uses the term “custody” to define and determine how parents allocate parental responsibility and time with the minor child or children. Knowing how this affects your situation may make the difference between a smooth and rough transition into post-divorce life. As a result, when you need to find legal help, find a divorce lawyer who’s skillset matches your situation. Just as people with families will need help from a family lawyer, those who are dividing a business will want a small business lawyer.

In some cases, if the assets in question are relatively small or you and your spouse are amicable enough to negotiate in good faith, you may be able to forgo a formal court case. In this case, what you would use is a divorce mediator. This is a neutral third party who will help you facilitate your decisions during the divorce. This is not a substitute for your divorce lawyer, so always start with getting good legal help.

In some cases, if the divorce is going to get nasty, you may want to do some preparation of establishing a financial paper trail for yourself. Get a full disclosure of all financial records and accounts in order to paint as large and accurate a picture as possible of your finances before going to court.

Mindset

Despite the number of people that go through divorces each year in this country, numbers are of little comfort to people once the process starts, whether it is a long time coming or a surprise. However, once the die is cast, the onus is on both you and your spouse to approach the split in a healthy way.

One of the best things you can do during the divorce process is not be afraid to lean on those close to you for financial support. It can be tempting to want to hide, and every now and again, you will want to. But falling back into this too much can be painful and damaging. 

Another thing to do is something that you likely hear often, allowing yourself to grieve. Whether this is a long-term case of you growing apart or a marriage that failed quickly, accept the fact that there are different stages of grieving, and no set order. Allowing this to happen and accepting that it is not permanent will give you much-needed perspective emotionally, and even provide added clarity for the legal portion of divorce. Do not be afraid to start seeing a mental health professional for added guidance and help in this area, starting therapy of any kind can be very helpful to get you through these situations.

When we talk about mindsets and divorce, generally the first thing that comes to mind are toxic mindsets, spouses trying to financially cripple each other or worse, using children as a weapon or bargaining chip. The biggest commonality here is the need to “win,” the worst thing you can have on your mind during the divorce process. Don’t think of this as a contest so much as a transition, in order to get the best outcome possible for everyone involved: you, your wallet, and your family.

 

florida

Family Friendly Travel in Jacksonville

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A successful family vacation needs the right destination and some good planning. Jacksonville, Florida, is a great spot for families because it appeals to people of all ages, interests, and abilities. There are miles of beautiful beaches, waterways, and parks to explore; many water sports, outdoor activities, and museums to enjoy; and plenty of places to shop and dine.

Here are a few tips to make Jacksonville even more family friendly.

When to Visit Jacksonville

Image via Flickr by Michael Curi

 

A sunny climate and average high temperatures of 79.9 degrees F and lows of 55.9 degrees F make Jacksonville an ideal place for outdoor activities, especially water-related ones. When planning the timing and activities of your trip, remember that temperatures during summer months rise into the 90s. Small children and grandparents may prefer to visit Jacksonville in cooler months. If your group plans to spend most of the time at the beach, the heat of summer might be what you want.

How to Get to Jacksonville

The most stressful part of a vacation is often just getting there. Make car time fun with games like car bingo or an audiobook, and part-way through the trip surprise the kids with something new to do. Plenty of snacks and frequent roadside stops will help keep everyone happy.

If you prefer not to drive, Jacksonville is accessible by plane or train. Upon arrival, it’s easy to rent a car or take a shuttle to your hotel. Walk, bike, or take the sky train, a bus, or a water taxi to the places you want to visit.

Where to Stay in Jacksonville

Jacksonville has both budget and luxury hotels, but price is not the only thing to consider when selecting family friendly accommodations:

l Do you need adjoining rooms or a suite? 

l Would a complimentary breakfast make mornings easier? 

l Is free wireless service important to you? 

l Do you want a hotel right on the beach or with a pool? 

Once you decide what’s important, be sure to reserve your hotel before your trip.

Family Fun in Jacksonville

Besides the beach, there are many ways for families to have fun in Jacksonville. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

With the option to rent strollers, wheelchairs, and motorized scooters, everyone can enjoy a trip to the zoo!

Kono Skate Park and Adventure Landing

Active families with adventurous tweens and teens can skateboard at Kono Skate Park or enjoy laser tag, mini golf, and go-cart fun at Adventure Landing.

MOCA Jacksonville

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has interactive programming for families and is an interesting place to visit when you’d rather be indoors. 

Take plenty of photos during your vacation. Encourage children of all ages to keep a diary or create a scrapbook as a way to help them remember the trip when they are older.

For a family friendly vacation, plan to visit Jacksonville, Florida, and follow these tips. You will treasure your memories of this fun trip for many years to come.

 

For the Home

Don’t Spill the Beans: Easy Care Tips for Comfy Sack-Like Furnishings

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Bean bags are a wonderful piece of furniture for your home. Not only do they come in a variety of different colors and designs but they’re also versatile, can be easily moved and are incredibly comfortable! However, as with any piece of furniture, they can become grubby or stained over time, which is why it’s important that you clean them effectively, using the right method for the type of bean bag that you have.

So, if you’re wanting to add a unique design piece with a bean bag chair (you can get some ideas from Comfy Sacks), here are some top cleaning tips that will enable you to keep it in pristine condition:  

Bean Bags with Washable Covers

If you buy a bean bag that has a washable cover, this will be incredibly easy to keep clean. All you’ll need to do is take the cover off to clean it, pulling out the filler or pouring it into a safe container if it’s loose. Using warm or cool water and detergent (always check the manufacturer guidelines first to see what they recommend), wash the bean bag in your machine. Then, place on your washing line to dry, or machine dry – again, using a temperature that’s in-keeping with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Once dry, you can place the cover back over the filling and it’ll look as good as new again!

Bean Bags with Vinyl Covers

If your bean bag has a vinyl cover, you won’t need to wash this in a machine as you’ll hopefully be able to clean any marks off using warm, soapy water and a clean cloth. However, if there are some more stubborn stains, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the stains off with, using the same soapy water to clean it with. Using a clean cloth, dry the cover before placing it back in situ.

Bean Bags with Suede Covers

Suede covers require a little more maintenance and you will need to regularly clean these to keep them in tip-top condition. For dried stains, use a damp terry cloth or suede eraser to rub them off before using circular motions and a metal suede brush to raise the nap whilst still cleaning the suede. It’s also a good idea to use a protective spray that’s specifically designed for suede as this will help you to remove any future stains with ease.

Bean Bags with Plush Covers

You’ll need to use a damp cloth on a plush bean bag to remove any stains before wiping the rest of the bag to get rid of any dust that’s accumulated in the long fibers. If you find that there’s quite a lot of dust on the fabric, a vacuum cleaner will be able to lift most of this off before you wipe it with a damp cloth. Before you put it back in place, smooth any clumps and bring the nap back by brushing the fabric using a plastic bristle hairbrush.

Bean Bags with Velour or Velvet Covers

A damp cloth will be required for these types of fabrics too but if the stains are more stubborn you may also require a mild soapy solution to get them off. Using your damp cloth and circular motions, keep rubbing the area until the stain’s gone before letting the velvet fabric dry naturally.

Bean Bags with Leather Covers

Leather bean bags will need cleaning regularly and a clean towel is ideal for doing this. Then, once a month, wipe the leather with a damp cloth to give it a thorough clean. If you find that there are more stubborn spots of dirt on your bean bag, get a mild soapy solution and dip a cloth into this to scrub off the stains using a circular motion. It’s also worth applying leather conditioner to the fabric every 3 to 6 months.

Bean Bags that are Outside

If you’ve bought bean bags that are suitable for use outside, there are a number of additional things you’ll need to do to preserve the life of your comfy sack. Try to reduce the amount of time it’s sat in the sun for as this will help to preserve the fabric and its color; don’t sit on it if you’re sweaty as this can damage the cover, especially if it isn’t cleaned off straightaway; and store it away at night or when you’re not using it to avoid any vermin / pests from getting at it and to keep it out of the damp. 

 

Family Fun, Travel, travel ideas, washington

3 Tips for Visiting SeaTac

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SeaTac, short for Seattle-Tacoma, is a town that encompasses the airport of the same name. On the north end, it starts at South 128th Street and extends all the way south to just past South 216th Street and is bordered by different cities on the east and west sides. It may not be the largest city in the Seattle area, but it is home to interesting destinations that include everything from a botanical garden to restaurants that serve fresh-caught seafood and pour local draft beer. There’s plenty to do in this area that goes beyond the airport!

Check Out the Natural Beauty of Washington State

Image via Flickr by davidwilson1949

Angle Lake is a recreational park situated on a small lake. It’s got a spray park for the family to enjoy, a boat launch and fishing pier, playground equipment, and a recreation area among other features. Got a little bit of time before heading to your next destination? Make sure to stop at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens. The gardens aren’t that large, but they’re well-curated and full of beautiful plants, displays, and pathways. Plus it’s close to the airport, which makes it a great place to stop for a refresher.

Find a Place to Lay Your Head

As you would expect, SeaTac has plenty of hotels, and a majority of them are located near the airport. Prices vary from just under $100 a night to just over $200. You’ll have an easy time finding a room whether it’s at the Cedarbrook Lodge with its landscape of wetlands or the Best Western Seattle. Many of these hotels offer an airport shuttle, but not all. Make sure to double check with the website when you decide on which hotel to book. You want to make sure you can make your flight with the least amount of effort.

Grab a Bite to Eat

One of the best-rated places to eat is found in the SeaTac airport. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese has a parent storefront in Pike Place, but if you don’t have time to get over there, you can get something delicious, fresh, and hot to take with you at the airport. Got some time but don’t want fancy? Ulysses Restaurant and Lounge in nearby Tukwila is the place for you. It’s traditional diner food that’s made fresh with quality ingredients. Wash your meal down with a local draft beer for the ultimate in satisfaction. Near the airport is Mecca Mediterranean Cuisine, another diner-style place with a Middle Eastern flavor. Here, you’ll find everything from chicken and waffles to shish kebabs. Food is always served with a smile to complete your dining experience.

This is a small sampling of the things you can partake of when you’re in SeaTac, whether you’re killing time on a layover or are in town for a short trip. Find yourself an out-of-the-way diner to experience food that you can’t find elsewhere, or take a trip to a lookout spot for Mt. Ranier. You’ll find that it’s a pleasant place to visit.

 

Food

The Best Foods that You Have to Sample When You’re in LA

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One of the best things about travel is trying all the new and delicious food. When you’re on a trip, it’s sometimes OK to throw the diet and healthy eating out of the window for a day or two. And LA is no exception. You can find some of best food in the United States in this city and it’s a great place for foodies around the world. There are lots of beautiful hotels and amazing luxurious homes in Los Angeles to make your trip perfect. This article describes some of the must-try foods in LA.

Cheese Pastries:

You can try cheese pastries in pretty much every city around the world, but the ones in Los Angeles are probably some of the most delicious. The puffy pastry has a cheesy inside that almost melts as you take the first bite. This is quite popular with the locals and you can find them in most bakeries around the city.

The French Dip Sandwich:

The French Dip Sandwich is one of the must-try foods in all of LA. Meat, onions, and cheese are placed between two bread rolls and toasted to perfection. The first bite is always the best as the cheese melts and mixes with the onions and meat. Locals often line up for quite a while to get one of these sandwiches for lunch. You can find them on some of the food trucks.

Popcorn Bacon:

This dish is pretty much exactly how it sounds. Small chunks of bacon are fried inside a popcorn shell, which makes for a delicious snack. You can find some of the best in the world in Los Angeles and it’s quite often served as a snack or as a side.

Specialty Donuts:

Everyone loves donuts, especially the residents in the City of Angels. You can find shops on almost every street selling anything from those with custard fillings all the way up to gourmet donuts. The prices are affordable and you should pick up at least a few to try whilst you’re on your trip. Most tourists find that these are some of the most delicious they have ever tried.

The Spanish Godfather Sandwich:

If you like sandwiches, this is the perfect snack for you to try in Los Angeles. The Spanish Godfather is a reasonably sized meal with ham, tomatoes and cheese that you can find in a few smaller restaurants around downtown. The locals love this, especially when it comes slightly toasted.

Steamed Buns:

Steamed buns are similar to dumplings with a meat or vegetable filling. There are so many different types and varieties based on the way that they’re cooked and the insides. One of the best places to try the steamed buns is from the food trucks. Search online for where the find where to get them.

The Dodger Dog:

The Dodger Dog is a huge hot dog that you can buy at the Dodger’s Stadium when the team plays. This is delicious and a favorite of many spectators. If you want to get an insight into the local culture, there’s nothing better than heading down to see a game and sampling this dog.

Macarons:

If you want to try some of the tastiest macarons, then Los Angeles is a great place to find them. A few bakeries offer gourmet macarons that have a deliciously smooth and soft center with some having pretty patterns in the icing on top. This is a must-try snack or dessert when you’re in Los Angeles.

The Chili Dog:

This is another iconic dish that you can find in Los Angeles, which is a long hot dog with a generous portion of chili spread over the top. Food trucks are a great place to find this meal and it makes for a perfect lunch. Just be aware that the portion usually isn’t very big and it may not completely fill you up.

Tacos:

A trip to Los Angeles wouldn’t be complete without trying the tacos from the food trucks. You can find any type you want from shrimp to sweet potato at an affordable price with a reasonable portion. The locals love to snack on tacos and you can find it at pretty much all times of the day. Ask someone at your hotel to recommend the best place to buy tacos in Los Angeles as it may not be easy to find the answer online.

Burgers:

It’s a well-known fact that Americans like to eat burgers. Some are gigantic and have several layers of patties, cheese, and bacon. Others are smaller and prepared for their exquisite taste over quantity. You can find a mixture of each of these in Los Angeles that are sold in restaurants or from one of the food trucks. Again, it may be better to seek the advice of a local to get the location of the best burgers in the city.

The Ten Pound Pancake:

The Ten Pound Pancake is a huge pancake that you can find in downtown LA. Expect a big portion and to struggle to finish this delicious treat. But, it’s worth trying it just for the experience.

The Takeaway Message:

You can find some of the best food when you’re in Los Angeles ranging from tasty sandwiches to delicious desserts. Be sure to try the French Dip Sandwich and a few of the specialty donuts when you’re here. Don’t worry about the extra carbs and calories, you’re on vacation and you’re allowed to have a few days of indulgence! Love to taste these delectible treats and want to learn how to make them? Check out Culinary Lab and their programs for aspiring pastry chefs and bakers who want to learn modern techniques and pursue a career in a professional kitchen or bakery.