Stay at Home Wife and Mother

Home and Family from a SAHWM's Perspective

A Perfect Match: Christmas and Hallmark

If there is one traditional holiday gift option that is ideal for Christmas, it is Hallmark. Hallmark has always featured items that add just the right touch of charm to any Christmas tree or holiday décor. With items representing enchanting Disney characters and inspirational religious figures, Hallmark is at the top of anyone’s list for delightful holiday gifts. In addition, while Hallmark is certainly known for exquisite decorative figurines and items for every holiday and celebration, its Christmas season items are especially memorable.

The Jim Shore Heartwood Creek Collection

One of the most popular contemporary artisans to lend their talents to Hallmark holiday decorations is Jim Shore. Jim Shore has designed a number of beautiful items including several lovely Disney characters and a stunning nine-piece nativity scene. His Heartwood Creek collection contains fabulous Jim Shore figurines apropos for even the most valued figurine collections. They are equally ideal for a child’s bedroom as well as for a grand display enclosed in glass.

The Heartwood Creek collection also includes a delightful selection of fun items for Thanksgiving and Halloween that includes a turkey, a pumpkin, and an array of bewitching, spooky characters. The discriminating collector will discover a whimsical selection of little charmers for seasonal décor or for that treasured heirloom collection under glass. Jim’s Heartwood Creek collection also features a stirring patriotic figurine celebrating America.

Jim Shore’s collection features a fetching assortment of Disney characters in his Jim Shore’s Disney Traditions group, including Tigger, Pooh, Ariel, Peter Pan, and of course Mickey and Minnie in that charming collection.

Hallmark Has Always Stood for Quality and Integrity

The tradition of Hallmark cards and decorative collectibles goes back for decades in traditional brick and mortar stores. Online, websites like coppinsgifts.com and others proudly bear the Hallmark standards of quality and integrity. The Hallmark brand has introduced an enormous number of collectibles over the years ranging from animal figurines, to Disney classic characters, to cultural icons like Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

The Heartwood Creek Collection from Jim Shore maintains the quality standards that Hallmark demands and collectors expect. For any holiday or celebration, or for individuals who are creating an heirloom collection, you cannot top the beauty and charm of Hallmark’s Heartwood Creek Collection by Jim Shore.

5 Ways to Reduce Your Air-Conditioning Bills

As your air conditioner keeps running, your bank account keeps drying up. According to the United States Department of Energy, air conditioning and heating your home can take a huge chunk of your monthly utility bill. Here is expert advice on how you can cut down these costs.

1. Improve plantings around your house

A huge percentage of the heat that accumulates inside your house emanates directly from the sun shining directly through your windows, or on top of the roof and heating your house directly. Planting more leafy trees around the exterior of your house will prevent direct sunlight from reaching the home. Even for the cost of buying a tree from the nursery, trees are still the best value.

2. Clothe your windows

Mesh-like window screens or solar screens stop up to 70 percent of the sun’s energy before it gets into your house. Window screens are effective, especially on the windows facing west and the east. Another option is window films. They are transparent, metallized sheet material that reflects heat before it can pass through the glass. However, your windows must be shut for window films to work. However, solar screens do the double work of keeping the sun and insects out even when the windows are open.

3. Flip a switch

When you are at home, lower your thermostat settings to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. However, set it to a higher temperature at night or when you are not at home. By raising the temperature setting on the thermostat when you are away, you can save between 5 to 15 percent of your total bills. Moreover, if your HVAC unit is faulty, contact an AC repair Tampa expert for help.

4. Fan it

You do not need to invest in fancy fans. The point is to circulate air inside your house. If possible, place the fans on the upper level, and open windows on the lower window of your house. If you live in a one-story house, close the windows nearest to the fan, and open those farther away from the fan, preferably on the windward side of your home.

5. Chill in the basement

Take time to camp out in your basement. In your eco-cooled basement, all you may need is a couch or futon, television, and cold drink. However, do not open the basement windows when the outdoor air is very humid. Warm, moist air can condense on cool surfaces like the basement walls, thus, increasing the humidity of your home.

Air conditioning can add up to a huge chunk of money on utility bills. Obviously, you want to avoid this. So, ensure that you plant enough trees around your house and put window screens on your windows. Also, remember to set the thermostat to a higher temperature when you are away from home.

Benefits of a Large Shower Base

showerIf you are unable to step over a tub to take a shower, you might find that you benefit from extra large shower pans that can be placed in almost any bathroom. These are ideal for those who have a wheelchair or another type of walking aid so that they can take the aid inside the shower. This can help the person stand while washing. The large base is also ideal for those who have a chair in the shower. The person can sit on the chair while bathing instead of standing, especially if the person does not have the strength to stand in the shower. Large shower bases are sometimes seen in nursing facilities and hospitals to make it easy for patients to take a shower while receiving healthcare.

Large shower bases can also be installed in the home. They can be installed for older family members who are still living at home and need a little assistance while taking a shower or need the extra space. It can help to prevent falls that might occur in the shower, as there is more room for the person to stand.

When looking for a shower base, there are a few things that you should know so that you get the best one possible for either yourself or a loved one. Some showers can be custom designed. You can get the color of the shower base that you want that will blend with the rest of the bathroom. The doors that lead to the shower base can be made of glass or another material that is easy to open. The larger shower base is one that is easy to clean. This can be helpful if you do not have a lot of time to spend cleaning the home or if your family member is not able to clean. Some shower bases are flush with the floor with just a small ledge that is stepped over. There are also shower bases that are a little higher off the floor, making it a little easier for the water to drain. This can also keep water from getting onto the floor of the bathroom.

The Best Way to Hang Your Curtains

Are your curtains too long or too short? Are your curtain rods too low, too wide, or too narrow? Are your curtain panels not wide enough? How will you even know the difference?

I came across this image on the best way to hang your curtains from a self-titled blog written by stylist, author and T.V. host, Emily Henderson (stylebyemilyhenderson.com). Here, she compared two examples, showing both the good and the bad.best-way-hang-curtains

According to Emily, poorly hung curtains cheapens everything else in the room. Among the biggest problems are having curtain rods to hung too low, curtains not being long enough or not being wide enough, and curtain panels not being wide enough.

In her blog post (you may click the image above to read the article), she also showed eighteen of her favorite ready made curtains below $50. I wonder if PremierTableLinens.com Spandex Hanging Panels made the list. What do you think?

My Daughter’s Drawing of Me

Last Mother’s Day, I had the privilege to be one of the honorees in my daughter’s classroom. Their teacher organized a program where moms were the special guests of honor. The children pampered us by serving us with food and drinks and entertained us with a poem presentation. There was even a photo booth where we can have our pictures taken.

In one part of the program, there’s a “Guess the Mom” portion. The kids drew their moms and the teacher described these moms based on their answers in a prior interview that she conducted. Here’s my daughter’s drawing of me. At 5 years old, I am so proud of her talent when it comes to drawing. It doesn’t matter whether she uses the pencil, coloring pen, or other pens like the one shown in the link here, her creativity and talent shine.

This is Georyl's drawing of me. #Georyl #MothersDay

A photo posted by Sheryl (@techieshe) on

What can you say about Georyl’s drawing? I hope you like it, too!

Flood Zone Mapping Experts Can Help Get Your Property Out Of SFHA Designation

floodHaving your home or property designated as a Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Area can be financially devastating, but a qualified flood mapping mitigation service can help.

FEMA defines a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as an area with a special flood or erosion hazard, as shown on a FEMA flood hazard boundary map. FEMA’s Flood Hazard Mapping Program is a crucial part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and is the basis of the NFIP regulations and insurance requirements.

Properties that are mapped in an SFHA are subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including the mandate to have costly FEMA-provided insurance. These properties may also see dramatic drops in property values, in part because the cost of insurance may equal or even exceed local real estate taxes. In addition, building options may be severely restricted by local ordinances that prohibit substantial improvements to SFHA mapped properties.

In 2013, FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping updates resulted in many properties being inadvertently mapped in Special Flood Hazard Areas, creating enormous financial hardships for the property owners. The only recourse for the property owner is to seek a change in designation by submitting a request to FEMA for a Letter of Map Change (LOMC). A successful LOMA request can alleviate the financial burden of SFHA designation by reducing or eliminating the need for flood insurance, increasing property values, removing the restrictions on property improvements, and potentially resulting in a refund of insurance overpayments made during the period when the property was incorrectly mapped.

Any property owner can request an LOMC, but the process can be both complex and time consuming. If you believe your property has been incorrectly mapped, the first step toward a successful LOMC request is to consult a reputable firm such as Flood Zone Mitigations that specializes in dealing with flood mapping mitigation and issues and arrange for a property designation review.

Working with an expert flood zone mitigation firm gives you a distinct advantage and can substantially increase the odds of a successful LOMC request. The firm will review various documents specific to your property, including your deed, property map, and Elevation Certificate, and determine the accuracy of its placement on the latest FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. If the current designation is inaccurate, the firm will work with you through the entire LOMC request process to give you the best chance of success.

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes Once and For All

Mosquito

Mosquito [Image from Pixabay.com]

Are you tired of coating yourself and your family members with a thick layer of mosquito repellent every time you go outside? Mosquitoes often seek out some type of water source in your yard and they will keep coming back as long as there is some standing water near your home. While using spray repellents offer short-term help, some people cannot use those products because they experience skin irritations, and others find that the repellents do not work effectively for them. There are ways you can completely eradicate your home and lawn from these blood-sucking insects.

Natural Remedies

Many people reach for natural remedies to deal with mosquitoes. This can include cinnamon oil, catnip oil or even soybean oil. The problem with using these oils is that you will still have to coat yourself and you will still need to use these products every time you go outside. Others recommend using and eating garlic, and some even recommend you add garlic powder to your pets’ water dishes. The only real natural remedy to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your house is the removal of any standing water or water sources that might attract those bugs.

Protecting the Barrier

Get rid of the mosquitoes flying around your house with barrier protection. Exterminators and insect control specialists offer products that they or you can spray on the ground to create a barrier between your lawn and the insects wreaking havoc on you. These barriers are an effective way to stop bugs from entering your lawn after seeking out water near neighboring homes. Some exterminators even offer barrier sprays that use natural ingredients. The downside is that you typically need to apply the solution every few days for maximum effectiveness.

Using a Misting System

If you have so many mosquitoes outside your home that you hate even going outside to get in your car, you might consider buying a misting system. A misting system consists of multiple sprayers that sit around your lawn and connect back to a central system. The sprayers release a small amount of liquid on a regular basis that repels and kills those mosquitoes. You can purchase misting systems from online and offline companies like mosquitosquad.com and from some local exterminators. A misting system and barrier protection provide all the help you need to eradicate the mosquitoes taking over your lawn.