Thursday, August 30, 2018

Quality Healthcare Products for Your Dog

Windsor at Frontier Animal Society (May 23, 2014) 09Most families with canine members try to offer their pets the best products to maintain health, wellness, and proper nutrition. It is not always possible to find the quality vet-approved brands locally. Vet Products Direct brings all of the items your dog needs right to your door.

Flea and Tick Control - Knowing that your dog is feeling uncomfortable from flea and tick bites is usually enough to send any owner out to find a solution. You can now get the strongest, most beneficial anti-flea and tick protection available and have it sent directly to your door. Ease your dog's discomfort and avoid health problems like flea and tick-borne illness or anemia.

Safe Deworming Products - It is difficult to always monitor what your dog is ingesting, especially when they spend a good deal of time outdoors. It is common for dogs to develop worms from time to time. You can end a worm infestation by using a safe product that is easy for your dog to take and provides trusted results. Visit Vet Products Direct for dog worming tablets that are sent right to you whenever your dog needs relief.

Total Heartworm Protection - Heartworm is a parasite delivered to your dog through mosquito bites. Your animal will rarely show any signs or symptoms when this parasite attacks. Without treatment, it will grow in the heart and eventually lead to the death of your beloved family member. The treatment for heartworms can prove difficult. The best way to deal with heartworms is to use a true protection product. You can choose from daily or monthly heartworm protection products that are proven safe for your pet.

Today's My Picture Day Eh?Essential Vitamins and Minerals - Much like people, dogs also need to maintain healthy levels of vitamins and minerals that are sometimes lacking in the basic diet. It takes a well-balanced diet and correct levels of vitamins and minerals to develop and maintain a strong immune system. Aging dogs have a harder time absorbing some vitamins and minerals. Adding an extra source daily is a way to help them maintain the levels they need to stay strong, healthy, and illness-free.

Bone and Joint Health - As your dog begins to naturally age and slow down, you might start noticing that they move slower and have a harder time keeping up with an active family. It is critical to introduce bone and joint support supplements to keep them mobile and limber. You will quickly notice the difference in their level of comfort and willingness to get involved in fun activities once again.

Skin, Hair, and Oral Care - If your dog is suffering from dry skin, breakouts, dry hair, and uneven, or patchy growth, you can add supplements to their diet that are focused on improving hair and skin condition. You will even notice stronger, more healthy nails. The healthier the skin stays, the better the hair will look as it grows. You will notice less dry patches on the skin and fuller, softer, less brittle hair. Taking care of your dogs' oral health is also critical to longevity and good health. You can incorporate the use of products that will keep tartar under control and maintain fresh breath.

Muffin StrutsHealthy, Well-Balanced Dog Foods and Treats - The best dog foods are rarely found in the general market, yet many dog owners end up making a hurried purchase of food that has little to no nutritional value. You can find all the healthiest food and treat brands through Vet Products Direct that will keep your dog happy and healthy during every cycle of life.

You finally have a source of great, vet recommended products for all breeds of dogs, at any age and condition. Visit Vet Products Direct for dog worming tablets, flea and tick control, heartworm protection, healthy supplements, and all of the great foods they need to enjoy life to the fullest.

Vet Products Direct also has products for cats, fish, birds, and horses.

Friday, August 17, 2018

Learn English at Summer Camp

Research indicates that children often learn a second language easier than adults. Children raised in bilingual households will often learn two languages concurrently and without conscious effort.  International students enrolling in school here in the United States can learn English at school, but that can be a very difficult and frustrating endeavor. Enrolling in an esl summer camp for international students is a better way to begin learning English and be ready for the school year. Read on to discover the advantages in doing so.

Chinese studentsLearning English can be Difficult

This is, of course, relative. If your first language is a Germanic or a Romance language, learning English may pose a challenge to your child, but it may not be an insurmountable one. Yet, nearly four times as many people in the world speak Chinese—primarily Mandarin—than they do English. It would be far more difficult for a Chinese adult to learn English than a child as Chinese and English are very different languages. The less-related linguistically and culturally the mother language is to English, the better it is to learn it at the source.

Language Immersion

One of the surest ways to learn a new language at any age is to spend an extended period of time in a place in which it is the primary language spoken. Travelers realize quickly that in order to be able to get around, they need to acquire a few stock phrases and have to be able to pronounce them clearly. An ESL summer camp provides a great way to experience this language immersion in a structured way.

Use Summer Free Time

How do your children spend their summer? Do they complain about being bored? Instead of learning a second language in a classroom, let them learn it in a country in which it is spoken. This working vacation also provides an opportunity to learn local history and geography at the same time.

Bilingual citizens often enjoy a distinct advantage socially and financially over monolingual ones. Giving your child fluency in a second language can be one of the most precious gifts they will ever receive. Consider how an esl summer camp for international students can help your child meet their life goals.

(Now I'm wondering if there are camps like this for American students. Perhaps in Mexico? Maybe France, or even Canada? We tend to believe that everyone else should learn our language...  And, honestly, there are plenty of children and adults in this country who could benefit from an English summer camp.)

I Finally Changed It

I've been meaning to change the pictures in my header for ages. I had a picture of Jason as a baby - it was a super cute picture, but he's not a baby anymore. He's 7 years old and starting 2nd grade this year. He can read! And ride a bike with no training wheels. And jump off the diving board into the deep end of the pool. It was definitely time for an update.

And Jason's little sister wasn't on there at all, so now I've got it fixed. Maybe next time it won't take so long...

Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think. Or just look at the pictures I used, because I like them quite a bit.

Amara and me

Cory and me

Jason on one of our walks

Amara and Jason

Tim and Beth

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Caring for an Elderly Loved One with Compassion

Whether it is a parent, grandparent, or other elderly loved one, you want to take care of them in the best way possible. This not only means making sure they are getting the care they need, but also making sure they still feel needed. The following are a few suggestions as to how you can easily accomplish both of these goals.
Jeffrey's grandma with our two grandchildren

Searching for the Best Place to Live
There are many options when it comes to living arrangements. Nursing facilities offer care for those who need extensive attention around the clock while assisted living facilities give residents more independence according to their level of health. Assisted living ranges from small residential style homes that provide one on one care to larger communities where residents live quite independently but know that help is nearby when needed. If your loved one wishes to remain in their own home, or if you have decided to have her live with you in your home, you can go through a home care agency greenwich ct that can help you find in-home care to suit your individual needs.

Making an Elderly Loved One Feel Needed
In order to help an elderly person feel like they are a necessary member of society, you need to put yourself in their shoes. What would make you feel like you were still needed? If your grandma is used to taking care of everyone, let her do as much as she is able, whether it is helping fix meals, doing household chores, or contributing to family functions. Give her chores that are suitable to her level of health. This could be helping prepare vegetables, setting the table, folding laundry, or any other job that can be done easily.  If your loved one is in a nursing facility or assisted living community, remember to call, visit, and take the time to listen.

Once you have found a place for your loved one to live that includes the care they need, you can focus on making them feel like they are still needed. With the proper care, their lives will be comfortable and more enjoyable. Their spirits will be lifted, and they will feel like they are a necessary part of the world around them.

Saturday, August 04, 2018

Make Your Home Your Own

When you become a homeowner, it's one of the most exciting experiences. Finally, you can put down roots and settle down. As a homeowner, you have free rein to customize the home however you want to. If home decorating doesn't come naturally to you, it might feel daunting to walk into an empty house and turn it into a cozy home. You'll want to remember to take it one room at a time. Remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. Your home wasn't built in a day. The decor won't happen in a day. It might take a few months or years to get the house the way you want it.

Here are three changes you can make rather easily that will make a big difference:
Our living room after painting

  1. Paint - Paint is a great way to warm up and freshen a room. If you love to paint and work on large projects, it's not difficult to paint the room yourself. It's important to remember that flat paint tends to be a lot more forgiving in a space. You can choose to paint all four walls in one color, or you can choose to paint one wall in a really bold color and make it a statement wall. You can even choose to paint the ceiling instead.
     
  2. Rugs - Rugs add texture and visual depth to a room. Even if you have carpet on the floors, it's still a good idea to add an area rug. The right area rug can even serve as artwork for the floor because of the various prints and patterns. Try arts and crafts style rugs on hardwood floors for a stunning contrast. On carpeted floors, you can use a bamboo rug. Bamboo rugs add a hard texture which can work well against the softness of plush carpeting.
     
  3. Lighting - It doesn't make sense to be in a dark room. You've got to incorporate light. Since you are a homeowner, you have the opportunity to try permanent options like recessed lighting and chandeliers. If you'd like to choose a quick fix, consider purchasing a floor lamp or a lamp that can stand on a nightstand or side table.
Don't try to completely redo the entire house all at once. Unless you are on one of those home improvement shows on TV, it really doesn't work that way. Live in the house for a bit, figure out what you really like and how you will use your space, and then update. You'll appreciate each new improvement as you do it, and it can be almost like having a new house each time. 

An Afternoon at the Pool

Jason has been visiting. He always stays with us for a couple weeks in the summer, and it's a tradition we plan to keep up as long as possible. I spend a lot of time reading with him or playing UNO. That boy loves to play games!

He also loves to swim, so we spent an afternoon at the pool this week.  I don't usually have anyone to go with, so I'd never been to the pool before. It was really nice, and even better? It was free! And there weren't very many people there at all, so it was almost like having our own pool. (school has started here - so early - so, even though the pool doesn't open now until school is out, I think people are just busy)

It was fun to hang out with Jason in the pool. He even jumped off the diving board! At first, he wasn't sure about doing it. He wanted to, but he was a bit afraid. After he'd done it once, he had no more problems and went off multiple times.

Google made a video from the pictures and video I took. I thought it was fun, so I'm sharing:


A Toy To Delight Both Parents and Toddlers

If your child or another young family member has a birthday coming up, finding a new toy for them is probably on your To-Do list. Toys for children have become remarkably advanced since the days of wooden or tin toys. Many toys are designed to stimulate their young minds and help them grow and develop. However, there are other toys that play an even more important role.

CormacThese toys have one purpose and one purpose only - to release energy. As a parent, you're likely well aware of the seemingly endless amounts of energy that a child can have. At some point, they run you ragged, and then you just want something to keep them occupied and that lets them release some of that energy. Well, there's an old toy that has been improved over the years that will give you a chance to catch your breath while allowing your child to continue to release that energy. Safely.

An Oldie But A Goodie

That toy is the indoor baby swing for toddler. You really can't go wrong with it. After carefully installing the swing in the desired location, your child can bounce or swing to their delight for hours. What's incredible about this particular swing as well is that it not only gives them an outlet for their energy, but it also helps them to build coordination and balance. You may not have realized when swinging as a kid yourself, but you were actually helping yourself to build your core strength and to maintain balance by kicking your legs out and in to make yourself swing.

The swing is geared towards children from six months to three years so it can be a go-to favorite for years to come.

Thursday, August 02, 2018

Update

I mentioned a while back my issue at the grocery store - when the girl at the Service Desk told me I had to buy 2 items to get the sale price. The day after I sent an email to customer service, I got a phone call. The lady I talked to was really nice. No, they haven't changed the sale policy, and I did not have to buy 2 to get the sale price. She said she had already let the store manager there know so they can cover it with their people. Hopefully, it won't be an issue for anyone else in the future.

And, she credited my account with 500 Fuel Points, which is 50¢ off per gallon. Every little bit helps, right? Especially with the cost of gas these days. And I never spend enough to save that much. Occasionally, with the added points from surveys, I get up to 30¢ off per gallon - and we think that's pretty good. This month, with the bonus, we can actually save 70¢ off per gallon.

All I was really asking for was my missing 50¢ - and that the store employees understand how the sales work so they don't give other people the wrong information too. But saving a bit extra on gas is nice, too.