Signs that your Dryer Vent is Clogged

Modern front load tumble dryer, picture taken by Rick Harpenau (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dryer vents are seemingly innocent parts of our home that can hide a dangerous secret. If not regularly cleaned out, the lint that accumulates in the dryer vent can result in a dryer fire. While the safety aspect is the most important, a blocked dryer vent causes a slew of other problems. It wastes energy, which increases your energy bills, and can take a toll on the dryer, causing it to fail prematurely. But how do you know when your dryer vent needs to be cleaned? The following telltale signs will alert you before a catastrophe happens, as well as save you time and money.

• Clothes Take Longer to Dry
  A clogged dryer vent makes it more difficult for the laundry to dry in the timeframe that you’re used to. You may even have to run multiple cycles just to dry one load of laundry. This is typically the first sign that a dryer vent needs tending. When the vent is blocked with lint, the moist and hot air that the dryer is designed to vent will get stuck inside the dryer making it harder for the machine to work properly.
• Dryer and Clothing are Extremely Hot
  It’s not uncommon for the outside of the dryer and the clothing inside to be hot. But when the dryer and the clothing are too hot to touch, that’s a big sign that the machine isn’t venting properly, which generally means the vent and dryer ducts are blocked.
• You Smell Something Burning
  If you notice a smell like something is burning when your dryer is running, it’s probably lint. This lint can build up in the lint trap, exhaust tube, and drum casing. And when it starts to get hot, the chances of it catching fire increases. You really want to take care of your clogged dryer vents before the problem gets to this point.

Call the Professionals
While it’s fairly easy to clean out the dryer vent yourself, the dryer vent ducts are a bit more difficult and should be inspected by a professional dryer vent cleaning Pasadena MD company. In fact, most experts recommend having your dryer vent ducts inspected and cleaned annually.

A Visit to the City

There are many great cities in the world with a wealth of different experiences to offer. Paris is known as the City of Lights and it offers a range of art and cultural attractions. London offers great theater and a sense of Victorian charm, while Rome has centuries of art to take in, along with incredible food. New York City, however, is a place that has something extra to offer visitors of all kinds. New York is a vibrant and vital place that offers a huge range of art, culture, and architecture to take in, along with amazing entertainment and a special kind of verve that’s unique to this amazing American city.

Entertainment in New York

Many people come to New York to take in the amazing entertainment that’s unique to this city. A quick review of Broadway play reviews shows the range of choices tourists can choose from when they visit Manhattan. The Broadway stage offers amazing dramas headlined by major stars, as well as incredible musicals like the recent revival of “Hello, Dolly!”

The Vital New York Cabaret Scene

For those who enjoy seeing entertainment on a more intimate scale, the New York cabaret scene is also a great attraction. These shows take place in smaller venues, and they offer a chance to see great singers and comedians up close. These shows also offer food and drink to go with the show, which adds to the fun.

Galleries Galore

For those who love visual art, New York has a wealth of amazing museums to visit, including The Whitney Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. There are also many galleries in areas like Soho and Greenwich Village, and a visit to these areas makes for a great afternoon in the city.

Without a doubt New York is one of the great cities in the world, so be sure to add it to your list of must-see places to visit.

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All that and no mention of the M&Ms Store! I've been to New York City once - on a weekend trip with the high school band - so our focus was a bit different. We toured Radio City Music Hall where we met one of the Rockettes, visited a museum, toured Carnegie Hall, roamed 5th Avenue, and took the ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty Island. Overall it was a fun, if exhausting, trip. Maybe it's time for another trip? I would really love to see a Broadway show. Or two.

Let's Fight Hunger Together

I was looking through my ibotta app (for once before I go to the store) to see if there are any good rebates available. There's one for Gold Peak tea that looked good, and that's where I read that Gold Peak is partnering with Feeding America to help provide meals for people in need. Simply text GIVE to 26739 - and they will donate $1 to Feeding America.

And, you can text every day through the end of June, which means your texts can add up to a lot of donations.  Message and data rates may apply, but if your phone plan is anything like ours, you've probably got unlimited text messages available, so why not use some of them for good? I'm thinking of setting a reminder on my phone so I don't forget to text every day...

For more information and to see how you can support your local food bank - the 10 food banks with the most support will each get $1000 - visit https://www.goldpeakbeverages.com/give/

Protect Yourself with Horse Trainer Insurance

If you train horses, you face a unique risk that other professions do not have. If you employ trainers, you need to think about the kind of insurance coverage they need that may not be covered under general liability. Because trainers deal with frightened and sometimes aggressive animals, it can be easy for them to incur injury. And because horses are so large, they can inflict a large amount of damage with little effort. Even being shoved to the side and into the wall can result in cracked ribs or broken bones.

Horse trainer insurance protects yourself and your employees against these kinds of injuries and ensures your employees are protected from harm. Not only does it cover medical costs, but insurance will also cover any legal defense costs and settlement costs you may face if sued by an injured party.

In some cases, training insurance policies will also protect against potential lawsuits and injury caused to customers riding on the back of a horse. New riders often get scared and can fall from horseback. While this doesn't seem like a huge risk of injury, horses seat high off the ground—and landing on the neck or the head can result in serious injury even from a short fall.

Purchasing insurance to protect yourself and your employees is about more than meeting any legal obligation you may have. It provides a sense of stability and peace of mind that can be invaluable when running a business. If you work with horses, you don't want to think about the damage they may cause, but you can't let your love for the creatures cloud your judgement. Prepare for any eventuality and you will be better equipped to handle whatever situation may arise. Look into the insurance options available to you and choose the best fit for your needs.

Are You Ready for Some Free AudioBooks?

Less than a week to go before you can start downloading some free audiobooks!

SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens. Returning April 26, 2018, SYNC will give away two complete audiobook downloads a week - pairs of high-interest titles, based on weekly themes. Sign up for email or text alerts and be first to know when new titles are available to download at www.audiobooksync.com.

Download Details

• Downloads are in MP3 format and are Mac and Windows compatible.
• Downloads will operate through the OverDrive app.
• Most listening devices are supported.
• Each SYNC audiobook is available for download for a period of 7 days (only), but it never expires so it's yours to keep.

Text syncya to 25827 to receive text alerts about all the featured titles, and be sure to go ahead and get OverDrive too so you'll be ready to start downloading and listening.  The first two books will be available this coming Thursday.

Also note: your local library probably offers books - ebooks and audiobooks - with Overdrive too. So be sure to check that out. (or should I say those?)

Three Ways to End the Frustration of House Hunting

Whether you are looking for a first time home, need to relocate for a job, or simply want something different from what you currently have, house hunting can be a frustrating job. You may know exactly what you want in a new house, but actually finding it at a price you can afford is another thing altogether.

Here are three approaches that can help ease a bit of the frustration in the search for your dream home:

1. Find a Trusted Realtor
   The best thing you can do when house hunting is to find a realtor you can trust. A good realtor will listen to your needs and show you houses they feel will best suit you. As you tour houses they should be listening to what you like or don’t like in order to zero in on the perfect home for your family.
    
2. Pre-Fab Homes
   If there is simply nothing available that suits your needs, you can always consider a pre-fabricated home. These houses come in a variety of floor plans, and you can often customize the details like carpeting, cabinetry, and wall finishes. Once you have decided exactly what features you want, the house is constructed off site and relocated to your property where the final construction takes place.
    
3. Build it Yourself
   One sure fire way to know you are getting exactly what you want in a house is to have one custom built. (We've done it twice) St. Augustine home builders like Collins Builders will work with you to come up with a floor plan that fits your individual wants and needs.

If you can find a reliable realtor that will help you find exactly what you need, you will be all set. Otherwise, move on to the idea of a pre-fab house or a custom built home. These are excellent options when you simply cannot find what you are looking for on the open market. No matter which of these approaches works for you, you will soon be living happily ever after in the house of your dreams.

Well, That Was Stupid

I think I've lost my shopping mojo.

Stupidly I got sucked into an ad on Facebook - not that they're all bad; I got some really good deals right around Thanksgiving. I saw this video for a very cool looking notebook that is reusable - up to 500 times. And, the pages can be easily scanned and saved online. Or so they say; I guess we'll see.

I clicked the link where they told me the notebook wasn't available anywhere else, was 75% off, and almost sold out - and I stupidly fell for it. Normally I look and research and read reviews, but this time I just went ahead and grabbed one. It wasn't until later that night when I actually got on my computer instead of my phone and started looking for more information. That's when I found the exact same notebook on eBay, for much less. But I figured that was OK because all those were coming from China, and I'd have to wait longer to get it. Jason loves drawing and can quickly fill up a notebook, and since he (and his mom and sister) are coming to visit over spring break, I figured it would be nicer to get it sooner so we can play with it together. So, I didn't try to cancel the order. (not sure I could have anyway)

Then I got notification my order had shipped.  It took a couple days to actually get any info on the tracking, but when the information finally updated I found out that the notebook I ordered is coming from China. Seriously? The site says they ship from the US, unless the stock runs out, and then they may ship from their warehouse in Asia. So, since they told me the notebook I was ordering was in stock (though there were only a few left), it appeared that they were actually in stock and should have been coming from the States. Nope. So now I don't know if it will be here in time for me and Jason to try it out together...

Of course, I could always order one from Amazon (yes, they have them too), pay less, and get it here in two days. But then, I don't want to spend even more before I've even had a chance to try it out.

Oh, and speaking of Amazon - I got a delivery from Amazon today. Except I didn't order anything from Amazon. Nope - I ordered some pens for this new notebook. From eBay. They were lots cheaper than the pens offered on the site - even with that use-within-48-hours special 15% off discount code they sent me after I ordered the notebook. Why do stores do that? A discount code after I just bought something from you does me absolutely no good. So, I ordered the pens after I got the shipment notification for the notebook - but before I realized it was coming all the way from China. Two days later I have pens - shipped straight from Amazon. That's right, they're cheaper on Amazon. Apparently, this seller takes orders for things he or she can get cheaper on Amazon and then has Amazon ship them directly to the buyer - pocketing the price difference. It's a dollar or two, but if you 'sell' enough things I'm sure it adds up.

Have you ever heard of such a thing? Not something that had ever occurred to me, anyway. And apparently, it didn't occur to me to check Amazon for these pens. Yep, I'm losing it.

Hopefully, Jason and I will enjoy the notebook. Eventually...

Three Tips for Busy Parents Planning a Date Night

It can be hard to find time to be with your spouse when you have kids, but that time is so important. Take the time to plan a fun date night with your significant other. Your relationship will thank you, and your kids will have better parents because of it.

Keep It Simple

You don't have to spend a fortune, get dressed up in fancy clothes, or go to a special event to have a great date night. In fact, all of those things can distract from the quality time you want to spend with your partner. Instead, choose a date night activity that will be relaxing and will allow you to chat and reconnect with your partner. One easy choice is a local restaurant or bar where you can talk, eat, and drink. For example, you can find a pub La Grange IL like Kenny's Pub, sit back, relax, and have a great time with the one you love, all without dressing up or traveling far away.

Find a Sitter That You Trust

Nothing ruins a date night faster than worrying about your kids the whole time that you're gone. Stop worrying and find a babysitter that you can truly trust when it's time to go out. A family member could be ideal, but be sure not to take them for granted. Offer to pay them for their services or to do something to help them out. If you know other young parents, perhaps you can arrange a babysitting exchange where you and your spouse watch their kids when they go out, and they watch your kids when you go out. Or, you may have more luck by looking at a professional service to find a sitter that you know is qualified. Any sitter should have training in CPR and should know what to do in case of an emergency. Try to stick with the same sitter once you find one that you like.

Practice Regularly

It can be hard for parents when they first go out on a date night. The easiest solution to this is to start early and make it a habit. Once you start having fun, you will probably want to make it a regular feature in your life. Consider adding weekly (or at least monthly) dates to your routine and your marriage will surely benefit. Plus, you'll get to have fun as a couple!

Wellness 101: How To Get Healthy In 2018

In today's world, many people are beginning to realize that a lack of mental and physical health can and does lead to substandard living. If you're opposed to mediocre living on any level and want more for your life, it's time to recognize that you have the power and intelligence to make the lifestyle changes necessary to cultivate a healthy lifestyle. Below you'll find three techniques that can help you begin your journey to wellness:

1. Focus On Your Food.
   If you're serious about making wellness your permanent reality, it's important to begin focusing on your food. The typical American diet is full of foods that cause weight gain, detract from your vitality, hamper immunity, and generate numerous other problems. Our "foods" are synthetic, chemical-laden, and highly processed. The first step to better health is to adopt a countercultural approach which involves forsaking the junk food and increasing your consumption of nutrient-dense foods like high protein lean meats, complex carbs, and plenty of vegetables and fruits.  Having a delicious green smoothie for breakfast every morning is a good way to get started. Focus on eating more and more of the good foods, and you won't have room for the bad stuff.
   
2. Avoid Sedentary Living.
   In addition to focusing on your food, make sure that you avoid sedentary living at all costs. Taking this step is important because a lack of physical activity can generate a wide range of unwanted outcomes like weight gain, compromised immunity, and mood instability. On the other hand, regular exercise can promote a wide range of great outcomes like sustained happiness, mental clarity, weight loss, and clearer skin. There are many forms of physical activity that you can engage in to start attaining these life-giving benefits. Some of them include high-intensity interval training (HIIT), jumping rope, and pilates, but you can start slowly and build up to the higher intensity exercises. Build activity into your daily life - park at the far end (or middle) of the parking lot and walk to the store; take the stairs instead of the elevator; etc. These exercise videos from BeFit are also a great option.
   
3. Help Your Children Develop Healthy Habits.
   One final strategy you can employ to get healthy in 2018 is focusing on your children's level of wellness. Caring for others is known to promote mental well-being., which is good for you, and helping your children to develop healthy habits while they're young is good for them in the present and long-term. It's better (and easier) to stay healthy than have to reclaim good health after losing it. Also note that when the people around you are healthy, you're much more likely to maintain the high levels of physical and mental well-being that promote happiness and vitality. In the event that you're looking for an ABA therapy Sarasota FL company, know that the professionals of Engage Behavioral Health can assist you.
   

Conclusion:

Three health strategies that you can implement to cultivate a lifestyle of wellness include focusing on your food, avoiding sedentary living, and helping your children develop healthy habits. Implementing these strategies consistently will likely enable you to lead the lifestyle of wellness that makes you a more productive, positive person!

Share the Magic of Storytelling

Love this Dark Tower series by Stephen King

What if getting books into the hands of kids in need was as easy as taking a picture and sharing it to social media?

It is!

For every 'shelfie' - a picture of you with your favorite book or in front of a bookshelf - posted to Twitter or Instagram this month with the hashtag #magicofstorytelling, Disney will donate one book to a child in need.

Simple as that.

There are a few other ways to donate, too. But this one is lots of fun.

Show me your shelfies!