Next Steps: What To Accomplish in Your 20s, 30s, 40s, and Up

No matter what phase of life you’re in, there’s always that question of what’s next? It is human nature to want to improve ourselves and our circumstances, but there’s no one right way to do that. Progression happens in steps and although this is by no means a rigid checklist, here is a guide to next steps to accomplish that can help you guide your way through life’s unique phases.

Next Steps: What to Accomplish in your…

20s:

• Education – Whether it’s college or a trade, the best time to accomplish your education is in your 20s when you are young and have time to devote to building the foundations of a career. Pinpoint your passion and do what it takes to get there.
• Start saving – Student loans are fairly inevitable in your 20s, especially with education costs rising. But if you can start the a habit of saving now, it will benefit you greatly in the future. Start paying down your debt now so you can play more later.
• Have a few crummy jobs – Wash dishes in the back of a restaurant, get up at the crack of dawn to work at a call center, but it’s a rite of passage in your 20s to work a few crummy jobs so that you know the value of hard work.
• Travel – You’ve probably heard this, but now is the best time to travel, when you don’t have family obligations and a career to complicate things. Now is the time to see at least a few corners of the world! You can travel on a dime if you’re smart…just make a plan and do it!
• Healthy habits now – Oh to have the body of a 20-something-year-old. Up to this point, you haven’t had to watch calories like a hawk or hit the gym every single day. But it’s a’coming. After the 20s, that’s when gravity starts to take effect and things start to sag and bulge. Your 20s is the time to really start healthy habits—your future self will thank you.

30s:

• Learn to cook – Gone are the days of food from boxes. You realize that there are delicious things out there and you can actually cook most of them, if not all. Your 30s are a great time to hone in on those mad culinary skills.
• Focus on relationships – People are important. Spend time making friends with your neighbors and colleagues and strengthen your relationships with your family, friends, and partner. Positive relationships now will enrich the rest of your life.
• Pay off debt – It’s time to wipe out any debt that you accrued in your 20s. If you’ve made saving a priority, now it’s time to live more financially free and tackle debts one at a time, from the smallest up to the biggest.
• Know when to say no – Your 30s is the time when a million different things try to pull you in a million different directions. It feels kind of like walking a dozen different dogs who all want to run in different directions. Know that it’s okay to say no. You just can’t do it all.
• Travel – You may not have the time, but now you probably have the money to really travel. Get your passport and book at least one trip out of the country. If it means getting a sitter, it’s well worth it. (Traveling to Italy was the one thing I will NEVER regret about my 30s!) Experiences are way more valuable than “things.”
• Your health matters – Things you didn’t have to think about in your 20s—like sciatica, muscle soreness, and dipping energy—really start to creep up in your 30s. Take your health seriously. Make healthy eating and regular exercise a daily priority, even if it means ditching that fourth meal.

40s and up:

• Be spontaneous – Try scuba diving or learn a new language. Do karaoke or even take a leap on a movie you’ve never heard of. Now is a great time to live more spontaneously!
• Splurge on something you’ve always wanted – Whether it’s that car you dreamed about in your 20s or that piece of jewelry, you’ve earned it.
• Reconnect with an old friend – Reach out to an old friend who just might become a new-again friend.
• Become an expert at something – At this point in life you’ve dabbled in a lot of things, but now is a great time to become an expert in one.
• See one of the wonders of the world – Visit the Great Pyramid of Giza, see the Temple of Artemis, or travel to Olympia to see the famed Statue of Zeus.
• Forgive an old grievance- It gets burdensome carrying around old grudges. Time to let go and forgive.
• Participate in something you believe in – Find a cause to stand behind and donate time, energy, and resources into making the world a better place.

 

Take these suggestions and run with them. Life is meant to be lived wholly and fully.

The post Next Steps: What To Accomplish in Your 20s, 30s, 40s, and Up appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

My End of Day Routine (Fall Edition) by Rachel Talbott

My End of Day Routine (Fall Edition)
Hey Guys! I'm winding down on fall videos and wanted to share my ideal end of day routine. This is how my family and I wind down if everything goes according to schedule. Hope you enjoy! Soup Recipe: 1 Cup Chopped Carrots 1 Cup Cube Squash 1 Can Diced Tomatoes 1 Cup Elbow Macaroni 32 oz. vegetable stock Handful of Fresh Kale Fresh Herbs Salt and Pepper to Taste Items Mentioned In This Video: Dry Brush: https://bit.ly/2SuNkl4 Exfoliating Shower Glove: https://bit.ly/2ESKO5y Kate Sommerville Retinol Cream: https://bit.ly/2PtTC64 Anti-Aging Serum: https://bit.ly/2JHVcz6 Vanilla Almond Body Yogurt: https://amzn.to/2qiYaOn ♥MY WEBSITE: http://www.racheltalbott.com ♥MY SHOP: http://www.PacificThyme.com/ ♥TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/racheltalbott ♥INSTAGRAM: http://followgram.me/racheltalbott ♥MY PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/racheltalbott/ ♥MUSIC CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/SingingProudAndLoud ♥VLOG CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/RachelTalbott ♥HUBBYS COOKING CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/ByronTalbott ♥FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.talbott ♥MAILING ADDRESS: 18653 Ventura Blvd., #655, Tarzana, CA 91356 * DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are true &my own. I link affiliate links to make it easier for you to find the exact products I mention.....and... I LOVE YOU!!!! =) Thank you for supporting what I do!! ♥♥♥ THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED VIDEO

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7 Steps to Teaching Money Management

There are so many important skills that we, as parents, need to teach our children to prepare them for life beyond the comfort of their parents’ homes. Financial responsibility is a pretty important one! Unless, of course, you plan on paying your child’s bills until he’s forty. Money management is tricky, even for adults. I’ve put together a few steps to basic money management that will help prepare your child for the inevitable onslaught of bills, budgeting, financing, crediting, and banking that is sure to hit her in adulthood.

Intro to Money Management

Needs vs. Wants

Kids have a hard time differentiating between what is important and what is not. The first step to money management is learning to distinguish between needs and wants. He may want a new video game but he may need a soccer ball. This is an easy way to introduce budgeting. When your toddler is demanding another Hatchling you can use this opportunity to explain that, as a parent, there are certain things you need to buy her and a new toy is not necessary.

Making Money

To spend money, you need to make money. Give your children opportunities to earn their own cash. You can use an allowance system, pay by chores, put them in charge of recycling, or reinforce positive behavior. There are so many options so pick which form of money making is best for your family. You don’t need to pay them much, depending on the age a quarter a week can be plenty. Think of this like an investment in your child’s money management future.

Savings, Spending, & Givings

Explain the different ways your child can use his money. Keep it simple (no need to start stock exchanging just yet) with these three choices, whether to save, to spend, or to give her money to a person in need or a charity.

Spending Guide

Act like a guide to spending when it comes to your child’s money decisions. Don’t force him to buy something or restrict her from a certain purchase. Instead, use your own money spending wisdom and tools to help her make the best money management choice she can. Remind him about how the last time he bought a remote control car he never took it out of the box. Or help her look up reviews for that particular video game.

 

Money Mistakes

That being said, if your child is set on making a poor money choice let him. After all, we learn best by failure, right? Allow your child to blow a weeks worth of allowance on hi-chew. You’ll have a great teaching opportunity after the hi-chew high has worn off and his money is gone you.  Turn your child’s money mistakes into unforgettable money management lessons.

Don’t Buy All of it

As parents we naturally gravitate towards the spoiling spectrum. I often have to mentally check myself when I am tempted to give in to my sons please for another pair of goalie gloves. I try to justify such purchases as needs because they serve a meaningful purpose. Instead, I use this as an opportunity to let my son spend his money. If there is something your child wants encourage your child to buy it. By purchasing important items your child can feel a sense of fiscal responsibility and recognize the value of a dollar well spent.

Your child will also be more mindful of the items when she buys it with her own hard earned money. When my child carelessly breaks something (now I say carelessly because I don’t hold him responsible for every accidental infraction) I insist he pays to replace the item. If the item is beyond his budget I will step in to assist or we will work together to create a payment plan.

Teach by Example

Sometimes you’ve got to put your money where your mouth is, or don’t. Let your child see your money management in action. When I take my boys to the store I walk them through my purchasing decisions. I’ll explain why I am spending a big chunk of money on a new computer or why I decided to pass on a cute pair of shoes because they were beyond my price point. Take your kids to the bank and let them see you deposit money or review your bank statement with them so they can find out where your money is and just how much you spend on electricity. Who knows, maybe it will help them to be more mindful when turning off the lights.

While nothing dampens my mood like the thought of my children growing up and leaving my home I strive to prepare them for that inevitable and heart breaking day. How are you teaching your child money management? Is there anything I’m not doing that I should be? I’d love your feedback!

Here are a few more tips and tricks for managing money:

20+ Easy Ways to Save Money and Get Back on Track plus a BONUS TIP!

12-WEEK MONEY SAVING CHALLENGE + TIPS TO SAVE MONEY

25+ Budgeting Tips – keep money in your pocket!

The post 7 Steps to Teaching Money Management appeared first on How Does She.

by Sara Watkins via Home And Garden

Inside the Real Manor from “The Haunting of Hill House”

Here’s a little friendly advice for you. If you’re a scaredy cat like I am, then don’t watch The Haunting of Hill House at night before bed. Ask me how I know this is a bad idea. I wouldn’t have watched it at all if so many of you hadn’t written me about this new […]

The post Inside the Real Manor from “The Haunting of Hill House” appeared first on Hooked on Houses.

by hookedonhouses via Home And Garden

5 Wardrobe Staples Taking You from “Mom Life” to “Hot Date”

***This post on our favorite wardrobe staples has been sponsored by Nordstrom and Shopstyle. All opinions are our own!***

Importance of Date Night!

More often than not, you can find me in comfy loungewear and a top knot as I chase kids around, play taxi, work from home, and maybe (if I’m super lucky) clean toilets. Sometimes it’s difficult to even remember what it was like before children (Not that I’d change a thing)! One thing giving me LIFE, is date night. MY husband I try to go out at LEAST 2 times a month.

It gives me to time to feel like a “real” person and reconnect with him.

I love being able to take wardrobe staples to go from “mom life” to “date night”. You don’t have to spend a million dollars on two totally different wardrobes. If you invest in the correct wardrobe staples, you can easily diversify your look no matter what “hat” you have on that day! One of my favorite places to shop is Nordstrom. Not only do they have some of the best quality clothing and accessories, but they also have, hands down, the best customer service around. If you’ve ever had to return something you’ve bought online, you know what a headache it can be.  Nordstrom makes it SO easy for you to shop. I mean, FREE shipping and FREE returns? Is there anything better?

Did you know you could order things from home TO your local store and then have them waiting for you to try on when you arrive to the store?
That’s called convenience if I’ve ever heard it!

Now, Let’s talk about a few items that can easily transition from day to night and should be in every woman’s wardrobe. 

1. First up, a GREAT white tshirt.

It should be a foundation piece to any wardrobe. This one is a favorite because of the v-neck and light weight material. You can easily layer it, or wear alone. The price tag is budget friendly too! It’s easy to throw on with joggers or dress up under a blazer. I actually own MULTIPLE colors of this shirt! I love it that much.

Speaking of joggers, these grey ones are literally the most comfortable around. The material is SO soft and they’re great for those lazy days at home or even running errands.
I love this comfy weekend look, but watch what happens when I accessorize it up.
Instant chic.
This beanie is such a gorgeous color and that pom pom? Can you even? You’ll be warm and darling all Winter long.

You can find similar beanies HERE.

 

 

2. This Leather Jacket

In my opinion, EVERY woman, no matter her age or shape, should own a leather jacket. This Faux leather jacket is one of my favorites because of it has a little something extra special called a HOOD. Yep, a hooded leather jacket! Who designed this genius-ness? This gives it a more casual feel for those comfy days at home, but still makes it appropriate for a “hot” night on the town. The gold details add such a pop of fun too!

3. A Crossbody purse

Crossbody purses are always a good idea. I love them so much more than a big ol’ bulky purse that constantly falls on my shoulder. This one is especially awesome because it is a tad bigger than most. This means, you can throw a diaper or two in during the day. I found TONS of other options HERE.  The tassels and sleek look also make it totally appropriate for dinner and a movie too (with room to stick in some Junior Mints of course).

 
4. A Pair of (Leopard) Heels

Leopard is the new neutral, and there’s no shame in that game!  I love these. These heels are obviously sexy, but also comfortable and easy to wear. Pair them with a red skirt for the holidays, or my personal favorite, the amazing black jeans. If leopard isn’t your thing, they also come in a bunch of other colors and prints HERE.

5. A SOLID pair of black jeans

I could literally do a whole post dedicated to the awesomeness of these jeans. I own a couple pairs and honestly, I keep going back to them. What sets these black jeans apart from any other pair is the inside of the waistline. In it is a special ELASTIC waistband, that gently molds and lifts. In other words, it smooths your belly and lifts your butt. Plus, they’re SO COMFORTABLE. This Wit and Wisdom Absolution line is amazing, and you will LOVE them once you try them. Promise.

So, there you have it. 5 easy pieces to add some variety to your day to night look! Do you own any of these items yet?

Nordstrom really has such a good variety to fit every situation in life!

The post 5 Wardrobe Staples Taking You from “Mom Life” to “Hot Date” appeared first on How Does She.

by Andrea via Home And Garden

Snow blower Review- SINGLE STAGE VS 2 stage- Tracks or Tires? by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Snow blower Review- SINGLE STAGE VS 2 stage- Tracks or Tires?
The challenge is on- Can the Ariens Guy start my snowblower after its been sitting for 5 months. Plus we review single stage vs 2 stage snowblowers, and if tracks or tires are the best.

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5 Fun Things That Made Me Smile This Week

Man, this has been a week. The “highlight” was going to a massage therapist who specializes in helping people with lower back pain, only to end up in misery than ever before. I’m just now starting to recover. But there are some things that made me smile this week, and I’m going to try to […]

The post 5 Fun Things That Made Me Smile This Week appeared first on Hooked on Houses.

by hookedonhouses via Home And Garden

The Best & Worst Pickup trucks we've owned in 20 years by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

The Best & Worst Pickup trucks we've owned in 20 years
We've had Chevy, GMC and Ford work trucks. One was the worst, one was the best and another was the 2nd worst. Its Time for a change. These are the best and Worst Pickup trucks we've owned in the last 20 years.

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Top ten Mistakes Contractors, landscapers & lawn care companies make -This is the worst one yet. by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Top ten Mistakes Contractors, landscapers & lawn care companies make -This is the worst one yet.
Live Training session where we cover the top ten mistakes that contractors, landscapers & lawn care businesses make over & over. This is the worst one yet and also the MOST COMMON MISTAKE. This holds more companies back-than anything else and it can be changed quickly and easily.

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Creating Kitchen Comfort For Guests

***We teamed up with Walmart and Reward Style to create this sponsored post. All opinions are our own.***

Now that I’m an official grown up (when did that happen!?), I often find myself the host of guests. It’s one of the best things about having a home – bringing all my loved ones together! It always happens more around this time of year too!

I have a friend that is, hands down, the best hostess ever. I work hard to emulate her ability to create a stylish comfort for ALL her guests and have picked up a few tips of hers, and my own, along the way.

The center and heart of the home is always, inevitably, the kitchen.

It’s where the magic happens and I’m excited to team up with Walmart to share a few ideas to create kitchen comfort in YOUR home for your special guests.

Can I just tell you, I was truly SO impressed with Walmart’s home section. They have incredibly stylish products at prices that will fit a variety of budgets. And they have EVERYTHING: side tables, stools, beds, and of course, dish ware.

Shopping By Style

Did you know you can even shop their site by STYLE? Like the farmhouse look? What about a more modern feel? Go here and check it out. It’s awesome! There’s really something to fit every home! Not to mention, many of their products have the option for 2-day shipping, so procrastinators or last minute guests aren’t a problem! That quick shipping is FREE for orders $35+. Talk about a win win.

Now, let’s talk creating kitchen comfort for all those special guests.

1.  Always have cookies.

I learned this trick from a beautiful bed and breakfast in a nearby Idaho mountain town. Every night, they put in a batch of cookies and served warm cookies and ice cold milk to all their guests. We go back every year, thinking about that smell and cozy feeling. Maybe it seems silly, but I promise, throwing a batch of cookies in the oven when guests are coming is always the right answer. It automatically fills your house with the yummiest smell AND nothing says home like a fresh batch of cookies.

I know what you’re thinking, “I’m busy, I don’t have time to whip up cookies.” This is my secret, simple, trick. A few days before hand, make a batch of dough, and keep it frozen in the freezer. I usually whip it up in this batter bowl. That way, even when unexpected guests show up, you can easily throw a dozen in the oven, without much effort. I always put this cookie jar out on the counter. It’s beautiful, and the perfect size.

2.  Put out new kitchen linens

It’s easier to remember new guest towels and clean sheets, but what do your KITCHEN linens look like? Are they stained and encrusted with last night’s spaghetti sauce? Grab a few new packs of towels like THESE, and refresh the eye catching kitchen linens. Also, consider a new runner on your table just for guests. Often, we overlook the random mystery spots from dropped food, and don’t realize we NEED a new runner till the occasion is over. I love this one for the holidays because it’s festive without screaming “IT’S CHRISTMAS/THANKSGIVING/HALLOWEEN”.

3. Have a special set of dishes solely for special occasions.

Remember “mom’s china”? Well, now it’s your turn.

I have a confession: I was still using the melamine dishes I got with a wedding gift card nearly 11 years ago. 5 kids later, these dishes have seen their share of burnt lasagna and slightly crispy scrambled eggs. I was so excited to see that Walmart had teamed up with one of my personal favorites, Ree Drummond (aka Pioneer Woman), to create a whole slew of dishware! These scalloped edge dishes were JUST what I was looking for – incredibly stylish, yet timeless and within my budget. I couldn’t believe how fast and in what great condition they arrived at my door! Seriously, aren’t they gorgeous?

I desperately needed some new tumblers and NOT the bright plastic kinds with bite marks around the rim (If you have kids, you know exactly what I’m talking about…)! These vintage inspired tumblers remind me of something I found in my grandmothers house, but with a clean modern spin! I was also drooling over this set of flatware. Rose Gold. Gold speaks to me.

4. Serve up dinner in beautiful serving ware.

Walmart came to the rescue when I looked for some new serving ware to serve my guests. Homemade rolls are my jam (get it?), and these casserole dishes were perfect for serving the piping hot, yeasty goodness. I love that they’re multi-purpose and make all my hard work look EVEN better. This line of serving dishes would make even BURNT rolls look good! I use these bowls as well. They’re solid, great quality, and obviously darling!

And in case you were looking for an awesome roll recipe to go IN those beautiful serving dishes, please do your guests a favor and try my FAVORITE, go to roll recipe HERE. They never fail.

5. Create some ambiance


I think sometimes I get so caught up in “real” life, aka chasing kids, changing diapers, and trying just to survive, that we forget to take the time to really CREATE an atmosphere for our guests. Light a candle. Turn on some jazz music. MAKE it feel special. These are memories that will last a lifetime so make it count!

Mugs found HERE.

There you have it! A few fun ideas and products that will help you host! Do you like to host guests or prefer someone else hosts? What simple kitchen comfort tips do YOU have? Please comment and let me know!!

The post Creating Kitchen Comfort For Guests appeared first on How Does She.

by Andrea via Home And Garden

Kids have no filter, as many of us have learned the hard way. Just yesterday I was walking down the aisle of a store and heard a little voice yell from the next aisle over, “Mom, can I eat this?”

“No, gross! We don’t eat boogers!”

Although I could laugh then, I thought back to times my own four kids have belted out unfiltered and way too loudly in a public place. Hopefully you can relate.

5 Mortifying Things My Kids Have Yelled in Public

1. Caught in a fib

When my nine-year-old daughter (who is like the moral compass of our family) was out running errands with me, we ran into an acquaintance from church who asked if I would be attending the activity that night.

“Oh, I’m sorry, we have something going on tonight,” I said.

“Mom,” my daughter interjected, “we don’t have anything going on tonight.”

I had to back-pedal the whole way out of the store.

2. Alleged child abuse

My three-year-old is going through a funny phase where he accuses everyone of hitting him. If his brother won’t let him play with a toy, he yells down, “MOM…NIXON HIT ME!” When my husband gets stern with him, he yells, “MOM…DAD HIT ME!”

About a month ago, little buddy and I were at Costco and he asked if he could have the superhero costume on display there. When I replied that no, we were not buying that today, he fervently bellowed, “MOM…STOP HITTING ME!”

3. Oh my gosh…I’m so sorry!

Maybe my kids are too observant. Maybe I haven’t talked to them enough about tact, or perhaps knowing when to say something out loud and when to simply think it in your head is an advanced skill.

When my middle daughter was younger, she had this sweet obsession with babies. She loved seeing babies in public and pointing out pregnant mommies. That turned out to be a huge problem. On several occasions, we’d be at the store or park and Piper would say loudly enough to be overheard, “Mommy, that lady has a baby in her belly.”

None of the ladies had babies in their bellies.

4. Seriously, I’m SO sorry.

You can’t blame kids for their lack of cultural understanding. When we were at a community event and my son saw a group of Muslim women wearing Niqab, my son yelled out, “Look mom…ninjas!”

5. Shoot me now.

I had taken my three-year-old with me into the drug store to grab a few items. While we were checking out, he was grabbing items from the displays nearby. He ran up to me holding a box of Preparation H. “Hey mom…here’s your bum medicine!”

 

If similar situations have left you red in the face, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Just know that we’ve all been on the hot seat a time or two.

The post 5 Mortifying Things My Kids Have Yelled in Public appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

Kevin Costner’s Beautiful Old House from “Dragonfly” For Sale

In the 2002 drama Dragonfly, Kevin Costner played Joe Darrow, a man whose late wife was trying to communicate with him. This was their big, beautiful house, where her spirit kept him awake at night. She left clues for him to follow, like mysterious symbols she marked on the windows. When I watched the movie, […]

The post Kevin Costner’s Beautiful Old House from “Dragonfly” For Sale appeared first on Hooked on Houses.

by hookedonhouses via Home And Garden

Westerns Plows have One major flaw- their cutting edge-which I permanently fixed by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Westerns Plows have One major flaw- their cutting edge-which I permanently fixed
Most of you know I have a love/ Hate relationship with my Western snow plow. I love the PLOW but hate the cr@ppy cutting edges they supply. So I upgraded-big Time. I found a company that supplies the same cutting edges the D.O.T use on their commercial rigs- but to contractors! They also have one that fits my western Plow and its awesome! I think I just fell in love with my new cutting edge. here is the edge I got: http://winterequipment.com/ List of Gear I keep in my truck: My favorite light of all time: https://amzn.to/2pTp13a Insulated pants a must: https://amzn.to/2pTpmCY Heated hoodie: https://amzn.to/2pWNnZP

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Superhero Halloween Costumes

This post is sponsored by Walmart and She Knows Media Ok, let me just say, we had a bit *too* much fun taking these pictures for Halloween. The Superhero Halloween Costumes my kids picked out...

The post Superhero Halloween Costumes appeared first on Smart School House.

by Kelly via Home And Garden

DIY Autumn Spa Treatments & Products by Rachel Talbott

DIY Autumn Spa Treatments & Products
Hey Guys! I wanted to share some quick and easy spa DIY's that are perfect for these autumn months. Hope you enjoy! Autumn Facial Steam: 1 apple peel 2 sprigs of rosemary 1 Tbsp whole cloves 1 tbsp whole cardamon Oats Scrub/Mask: 1 part cups ground oats 1 part apple sauce drizzle of honey Pumpkin Seed Serum 1 part pumpkin seed oil 1 part jojoba oil 1 part carrot seed oil 1-2 drops lavender EO 1-2 drops frankincense EO 1-2 drops geranium EO Autumn Atmosphere Mist: 1-2 oz. water dash of witch hazel 3-4 drops cinnamon EO 3-4 drops frankincense EO 3-4 drops sweet orange EO Pumpkin Pie Latte Candle: soy wax chips dash of pumpkin pie spice dash of nutmeg 3-4 drops clove EO 3-4 drops vanilla EO 3-4 drops sweet orange EO 3-4 drops cinnamon EO ♥MY WEBSITE: http://www.racheltalbott.com ♥MY SHOP: http://www.PacificThyme.com/ ♥TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/racheltalbott ♥INSTAGRAM: http://followgram.me/racheltalbott ♥MY PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/racheltalbott/ ♥MUSIC CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/SingingProudAndLoud ♥VLOG CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/RachelTalbott ♥HUBBYS COOKING CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/ByronTalbott ♥FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.talbott ♥MAILING ADDRESS: 18653 Ventura Blvd., #655, Tarzana, CA 91356 * DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are true &my own. I link affiliate links to make it easier for you to find the exact products I mention.....and... I LOVE YOU!!!! =) Thank you for supporting what I do!! ♥♥♥ THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED VIDEO

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How To Build an Engineered Retaining wall & Avoid Contractors that cut corners by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

How To Build an Engineered Retaining wall & Avoid Contractors that cut corners
Some Contractors cut corners when they are building retaining walls. They try to circumvent the need for engineering by cheating on their designs when installing a retaining wall and they are setting the wall up for early failure. Here is the truth- A Retaining wall will need engineering if its: terraced, holding up a structure or is over 4 feet tall. Plus Check out my Book here: https://amzn.to/2OCCBWU

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HGTV Is Giving Away This Dutch Colonial They Remodeled in Cincinnati

Each year HGTV buys an old house in a different city to renovate and give away. For the HGTV Urban Oasis 2018 sweepstakes they chose this small Dutch Colonial in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dan Faires, who was the build manager for the project, said, “The Dutch Colonial Revival style gave this home so much architectural interest […]

The post HGTV Is Giving Away This Dutch Colonial They Remodeled in Cincinnati appeared first on Hooked on Houses.

by hookedonhouses via Home And Garden

How to run a Payloader. Cab controls & basics for the noob pt 3 by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

How to run a Payloader. Cab controls & basics for the noob pt 3
We continuee our payloader series with in cab controls & basic operations for the beginner. Volvo heavy equipment has sponsored this series to help new people get familiar with the basic operation of heavy machinery. Go here for more info on Volvo loaders: http://bit.ly/2BXI4T2

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Gifts for the Holiday Hostess

Happy Wednesday! In the blink of an eye, we will be in the middle of the holiday rush. Can you believe it? Holiday parties will be on our calendars and our social lives will be...

The post Gifts for the Holiday Hostess appeared first on Smart School House.

by Kelly via Home And Garden

Making the Most of Weekend Family Time

Have you ever felt doom settle around you as Sunday evening rolls around and you realize you have nothing to show for your two days of freedom? I have!

In fact, at the end of the weekend, I sometimes can’t even remember what we did. I remember being busy. I remember periods of laziness. But I can’t remember specifics and I know I didn’t use my precious weekend family time wisely. A few minutes of advanced planning can change all of that!

Consult Your People

The first step to forming a plan is to check in with all of your people. Does your 3rd grader have a science fair project due? Did your husband promise to mow his great aunt’s massive lawn all afternoon? Did your high schooler forget to tell you she’s babysitting the neighbor kids Saturday afternoon?

If you make a plan without all the facts, your best intentions can be quickly torpedoed. You’re not a family dictator as much as a family manager and scheduler. Make sure you hear from everyone before you dive too deep into planning weekend family time.

Calendar Your Weekend

Knowing what you know, sketch out a rough timeline for the weekend. Who needs to be where, when? Only include non-negotiables in this timeline, promises that need to be kept, appointments that can’t or shouldn’t be changed, kids’ sports games.

Hopefully you still have some free time available. If not, and you don’t have time to pursue goals or hobbies, you may need to re-prioritize. For now, set this timeline aside. Get out a piece of paper, divide it in 4, and write “Relationships”, “Productivity”, “Relaxation”, and “Recreation” at the top of each quarter.

Relationship Goals

What relationships do you want to strengthen this weekend? Write the names you want to focus on. Beside each name, write one action you could do to strengthen your relationship. Next to “mom” you might write, “send a family email update.” Next to your teenage daughter’s name, you might write, “Go for a walk and just listen.”

For your spouse, maybe it’s, “Snuggle up and watch a movie after the kids are in bed,” or, “Read a book together.” Try to choose action items that show love in the way your family members feel love. That may sound obvious, but I often try to show love in the ways I feel love and then I’m surprised when my kids or my spouse just aren’t feeling it.

Productivity Goals

This is where you write all the stuff you want to get done this weekend. You can go to town, writing a massive dream list of everything you could imagine accomplishing if time and strength were unlimited. Don’t worry. You’ll be paring these down later. So, go ahead and write down everything, just to get it out of your head.

Relaxation Goals

What could you do this weekend to help you feel relaxed and rejuvenated and ready to start the new week? Is there a book you’ve been meaning to read for pleasure? A yoga class you want to try out? How about an afternoon nap your body has been begging for? Make a list of a few things that will help you feel rested.

Recreation Goals

What things do you enjoy doing but never have time for? This is the list for things like bike rides and craft projects, elaborate dinners (if cooking brings you joy) and pickle ball games. How do you like to play? Write two or three fun things you could do this weekend purely for fun.

Re-Calendar Your Weekend

You should now have a pretty extensive list of actions and activities with which you could fill in the rest of your weekend. Take a look at your initial timeline and identify blocks of free time. Allow plenty of margin around each activity.

For example, if your daughter has a soccer game at the park down the street from 11:00-noon, don’t schedule anything from 10-1 to allow you time to get ready and then decompress afterwards. So, you may have a chunk of free time from 1-4 if your next activity starts at 5.

Go back to your 4-box list of actions and activities and write an approximate time next to each one. Your snuggly movie might take 3 hours. Your bike ride could take 30 minutes. Choose one activity from each category and see where you can fit it in your weekend. Do you have a ton more free time? Add a few more things, in order of those most important to you.

Be Flexible

You may find that some weekends are full of relationship building, while others consist mostly of naps. That’s okay! Just nap on purpose. It is very freeing to think, “What I needed most in the world was rest and I got it!” rather than, “I’m so exhausted but I puttered around all weekend, trying to avoid being lazy and napping, but I was so tired that I accomplished nothing.”

Sometimes what you really need to do is be spontaneous and have a few days of unstructured time. So, consciously think, “I need unstructured time and I’m going to take some this weekend,” and then do it. When you plan in advance, you can own your weekends and it feels great.

One final word of caution – Do NOT schedule every spare minute of your weekend. An overscheduled weekend can be worse than an unstructured one, especially for your kids. Make some goals. Set some priorities. And then do your best.

For more ideas on how to improve family time, check out these great posts:

5 Surprising Things the Happiest Families Have in Common

7 Simple, Magical Ways This Smart Mom Entertains Her Kids Inside

The ONE Thing You Should Do While They’re Young

The post Making the Most of Weekend Family Time appeared first on How Does She.

by Kathryn Thompson via Home And Garden