7.31.2018

Is It Better to Buy or Lease a Ram Truck



If you’re market for a new truck, you have likely considered the Ram pickup. This durable truck features a powerful engine, a variety of cutting-edge features, and exceptional safety technologies.

The decision to buy or lease a Ram should be based on your particular lifestyle needs, preferences, and budget. While buying may make sense for one person, leasing may be the wise option for someone else.

If you’d like to save money over the long term and drive frequently, buying may be right for you. In addition, if you like to modify your vehicles to reflect your personal style and would like the flexibility of selling your truck whenever you wish, buying is the way to go.

Keep in mind that if you do go the buying route, you’ll need a higher down payment and your monthly payments will be higher. The good news is that once your Ram is paid off, it’s yours and you can keep driving it or trade it in for another vehicle.

If the idea of lower monthly payments and a little to no down payment sounds appealing to you, leasing may be for you. Leasing is also a smart decision if you get bored of vehicles quickly and would like to drive something new every two to three years. Additionally, leasing comes with lower repair costs since a leased Ram is covered under a factory warranty.

To take the Ram out for a spin and learn more about the difference of leasing and buying, visit Performance Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram.

How Often Should My Child Visit the Dentist



If you’re a parent, you may be wondering how often you should take your child to visit the dentist. It’s best to begin taking your child to the dentist before they turn 1 or right after their first tooth emerges.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, after you’ve taken your child to their initial dentist appointment, you should schedule an appointment every six months. These two yearly dentist visits allow a pediatric dentist to evaluate new developments in your child’s mouth and advise you as well as your child on how to properly care for teeth and gums.

If your child is particularly prone to tooth decay or shows early signs of orthodontic problems, a pediatric dentist may suggest additional visits. By taking your child to the dentist on a regular basis, you can allow them to become familiar with a dentist and comfortable in the environment.

Since pediatric dentists make it a top priority to keep detailed records of each child’s oral health and jaw development, they can anticipate future issues and perform certain treatments to stop them in their tracks. In addition, a pediatric dentist can take x-rays of your child’s teeth and detect tiny cavities, which can lead to larger cavities, tooth decay, and periodontal disease if they are left untreated.

You can also use a pediatric dentist as a resource any time you have a question or concern about your child’s oral health or development. If you’re searching for a fun, friendly, and experienced pediatric dentist, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at Lane & Associates.

Amazing Hair Growth Foods To Eat Daily

Having hair that is strong and glossy is a dream for many people, yet hard for many of us to achieve. And many of us think that it is all down to the hair products that we use that will have an impact on our hair and on our scalp. But in reality, that is only part of it. What you should really be doing is looking at what you are eating, as that does have an impact on the health and shine of your hair, as well as your scalp.

So before you start looking up the causes of dandruff to help your scalp, have a look at what you are eating; could that be what is causing it? Here are some of the best foods that you should be consuming to have a healthy looking scalp, as well as healthy and glossy hair.


Eggs

Eggs are an amazing source of protein, and we need plenty of protein for our hair and our scalps. You can get protein in other ways, but eggs are one of the best sources of natural protein that can be consumed quickly. They are easy to prepare too, right?

Spinach

Leafy greens in general are great for the health of your hair, but spinach is the superfood for hair. Spinach is full of iron, which is an essential mineral for our hair. If you are deficient in iron, then it can lead to hair loss, amongst other things. So strengthen your locks with plenty of spinach or other leafy green vegetables.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are tasty, but they are full of vitamin C, which is a great vitamin for our overall health. But did you know that it plays a part in how healthy your hair and scalp are too? Vitamin C helps iron to be absorbed into the body, as well as helping with the production of collagen to help keep hair strong. A lemon or lime squeezed into a glass of water each day could be just enough.

Nuts and Seeds

We all know that nuts and seeds have some essential fatty acids in them, as they contain what is often called ‘good fat’. But the fatty acids that they contain really help to nourish hair and help to make it thicker. The interesting thing about the fatty acids is that they can only come from your diet, as they aren’t made in the body. So that is why, if you’re not allergic, nuts and seeds should be part of your diet each day.

Avocado

Avocado is also another superfood for good fats, but it is also a great food that contains plenty of vitamin E. Vitamin E is used to help improve the circulation of your blood, which can help your hair follicles, so great for both hair and scalp. Avocado can be eaten, of course, but it can also work on your hair has a natural hair mask too; it really is an amazing superfood for your hair and scalp.

Brooke's Birthday


on Sunday July 29 my baby turned 15. How is that possible, I do not even know. 

We had a pot luck at church as there were a couple other people with birthdays, then some people came over to celebrate our girl.  It was pretty low key... we grilled burgers, had chips, chilli, spicy dip all of her favourite things, then we had cake and played games.  

It was just what she wanted.
 






7.28.2018

15!

Dear Brooke,

15 years ago you entered this world early and quick and our lives have never been the same, they have been BETTER!!

You make us laugh, you make us cry ( in a good way), you work hard - honor roll student. 

It sounds so trite to say the last 5475 days have been blinked away, but it most definitely feels as though they have.  I blinked and she was born.  I blinked and she could walk.  I turned around to cook dinner and she was talking.  I stopped for 15 minutes and she could sing, play piano and is bilingual. 

 
Of course, what I’m neglecting here, are the million hugs and “I love you, Mommys”.  Each one of those is etched into my soul and though they are fleeting – they are the most special because they mean she feels loved, she feels cared for and respected.

I have tried and failed no less than a dozen times this week to write down how I feel about my daughter, Brooke.  This is what I finally have to say…..

My Sweet Girl,

When you were born, I was so taken by your dark hair and those blue eyes, I couldn’t bear to look away.  I forced myself to let other people hold you, if only to spread the joy that seeped from your pores. 

I believe with all of my heart that the second half of my life began the day you were born. I didn’t stop being Terri, but adding Mom, Mother, Mommy to my world is a gift I wouldn’t change for anything. Being the example you need in the world and embracing you as one of my greatest teachers is a role I treasure.


Some Lessons I have learned from you:  

Laughter is the Best Medicine: Of course your smile lights up the room, but it is your laughter, your spunk, the sense of humor you get from your daddy….good heavens – your goofy faces (also a gift from your daddy) that can take a mood from dreary  to delightful. You have a knack for knowing when to make people laugh – and you have taught me when to let go and giggle.

It is Ok to Say No: It is not uncommon for me to say ‘yes’ so often that my schedule and work load are overwhelming. You, on the other hand, say ‘no’ when you are tired, ‘no’ when you don’t want to play, ‘no, thank you’ if you are not hungry. You are not impolite, but you – simply by being you – are a example of what it means to set boundaries in life.


Different is Divine: You love your freckles. You love having braces. You loved having your glasses. You have never once hesitated to embrace anything that might make you a little ‘different’ from the kids around you and I love it. Not only do you recognize differences in yourself as strengths and embrace them as qualities that make you unique, you feel the same about qualities like these in others. That is special and important for everyone I know to remember.

When I look into your eyes, I see possibilities.  You truly believe ANYTHING can happen. 

And that is magic….

The kind of magic I will bottle and do my best to sprinkle over you as you sleep each and every night. You can’t put a price on that kind of faith in the world.
 
You are this beautiful soul.  From you I have learned patience, I have experienced family, and I have evolved.  I am a better person for having you in my life.



Happy, Happy Birthday Baby Girl…..wishing you a million days that reflect the possibilities you see.

Nummers, Durlie, Brookie Boo,Brooke – you are so very loved.
Thank you for holding my hand as we navigate this mother-daughter journey together.

Thank you for allowing me grace when I make mistakes, for teaching me the true definition of patience, for guiding me through motherhood and being part of the heartbeat of our family.

7.27.2018

Simple Methods Of Living Within Your Means


Living within your means is more than possible, but it can sometimes feel a little annoying. We often feel limited by it, and this is why many people often use credit cards in order to secure high purchases, but could end up in debt or suffering the consequences later on. You may want to live within your means for many reasons. You may be starting up a family and have decided to take your finances super seriously from now on. You may be trying to resolve past debts. You might simply want to reassess your behavior, and live with more humility and less worry.

There are methods of living within your means that you can begin to practice today. Consider them here:

Practical Planning

Those who craft a budget and view it often are the most likely to stick to one. It’s likely that your financial situation is complex to the point where keeping it all in your head is simply a bad move. In order to either begin paying off debts, in order to save more at the end of the month, or even simply meet your payments on time, you will need day to day scheduling and planning of both your incomes, outcomes and financial duties that you need to take care of. Without this, you can become lost, and the consequences begin to stack up.

Care About Your Credit Score

Your credit score dictates everything, from how comfortable a household lettings agency are to help you secure a place of your choosing, to what forms of long term loans or financial options you have. It’s important to know how to improve this, and you can start by knowing how to increase credit score immediately without delay. This score often refreshes every five to seven years, so even negative impacts in the past can be rectified if you’re willing to be patient and practice quality financial planning. Who knows, with the appropriate use of rectifying this issue, you could potentially secure some enviable credit options in the future.

Consider Your Property

It’s important to consider your property. For those living within their means, they might take alternate routes to purchasing new goods. It might be you aim to repair clothing instead of buying it brand new, or at least find it online in a second hand store, or a practical resellers. It might be that you try to keep a rule, in that only items with value to you and those that have been used within 6 months should remain, otherwise you may sell them for a profit. Even for those with affluence, looking for the best deals, the most for their money and practicing general frugality when it comes to finding new items can absolutely help their bottom line to an extreme degree.

With these simple tips, living within your means will be a daily ease, as opposed to an annoyance to be taken care of when issues seem to rear their heads.

Decluttering at the Speed of Lfie Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff




I. Love. This. Book. It was easy and quick to read and kept my attention throughout the book. That is important to me as I can be easily distracted. The hard thing about sticking to reading this book is that it will make you want to get up and go declutter!

I just learned of Dana K. White four months ago. I quickly related to everything that she said. I felt like I finally found someone who really understands me! I’m not the horrible person I had been believing I was. I just didn’t know how to manage my stuff! I have felt like a failure when it comes to housekeeping my entire life. I am 58 years old. My stinking thinking is now changing and I feel hopeful!



Dana does have a sense of humor but in this book you will also see a serious and compassionate side. I appreciated that as much as the humor.


Thank you, Dana, for the opportunity to read this book and for the encouragement that you give to so many!! I’m so glad I found you!

Review of KJV, Minister's Bible, Imitation Leather



When Thomas Nelson offered to send me a copy of the KJV Minister’s Bible for review, I jumped at the chance thinking how nice it would be to pass it along to a young man recently called to preach. So I review this particular book not as someone accustomed to the pulpit but as a shopper for such a man.

The text is printed in Thomas Nelson’s KJV Typeface which was specifically designed for these Bibles. There is nothing but the scripture, no pronunciation guides, no cross-references and not a word of commentary. As I said before, that seems good from a streamlining perspective and I imagine it is designed with the intent that the man of God would be studying with other books at hand and then carrying only this to deliver his message. As for readability, it maybe seems a little bit small and compressed to me.

A convenient thumb-tab allows you to open the Bible easily to a real treasure: the complete Nelson’s Ministers Manual has been inserted between the Old and New Testaments, making this one of the most “minister-ready” Bibles I’ve ever come across. Two study guides are included: 30 Days With Jesus, and a One-Year Reading plan. The eight pages of full-color maps are helpful, as well.

I review for BookLook Bloggers

Understanding your ear health

The bears are in many ways one of the most misunderstood parts of the body. In any case, they are often forgotten about until it is too late and something goes wrong, and then when that happens it often means that the wider health of the individual is in trouble as well. If you want to take care of yourself in general, and your ears specifically, then it helps to be aware of some of the basic facts about ear health so that you know what you should be doing. In this article, we will go through some of the things you should bear in mind if you want to understand your ear health and look after them as well as possible.

Know The Signs

First things first it’s a good idea to make sure that you know the signs of an ear problem. There are varied, so the better you know them the more likely it is that you can get to the bottom of it as soon as possible. Hearing loss you might think is fairly obvious, but actually it can happen so gradually that it is also mot indetectable. The clues then are when people are complaining about having to speak louder for you, or that you are having to ask them to speak up a lot of the time. That coulds mean it’s time for a hearing check. Sometimes it is due to a temporary situation, such as an ear infection, which can be resolved and cleared up with a round of antibiotics. But it’s always best to make doubly sure so that you can be sure of what is going on - so going to the doctor is always the way to go here.


There Are Solutions

It’s important to remember too that there are always solutions to be had, no matter how bad the situation might be. As long as you are aware of this, it will stop you from having to worry about whether or not it is going to get particularly bad, so it’s definitely something to think about. In the worst case scenario you can till always get a hearing aid, so you know that there is alway going to be something that can be done about it. However, even then you need to make sure that you are properly looking after your hearing aid, and that you are fully prepared for your initial hearing aid fitting, as it is not as though they are entirely free of problem altogether.

Protection

Finally, remember that the best way to stop there being any problem is to protect your ears in the first place. Protecting your ears is as simple as keeping away from loud noises for a long time, or ensuring that you wear some protection if you go into a situation with loud noise. As long as you protect your ears properly, there is no reason that you will have to worry about hearing loss unless due to something temporary, as we have already discussed.

7 Ways to Turn Your Home into a Zen Paradise



Whether you’re a fan of eastern philosophies or simply in need of some tranquillity in your life, a Zen-inspired design will enable you to turn your home into a peaceful paradise. Focusing on natural materials, simplicity and moderation, this style will accentuate your space through a careful use of elements that are meant to inspire you with serenity and mindfulness.

Create an open atmosphere

If you want to create a peaceful ambience in your home, you should make sure that it has a smooth flow of energy. A simple way to achieve this is to open up your space and give it an airy vibe. According to Feng Shui principles, you should remove clutter from your home as it can create an overbearing atmosphere and make you feel anxious. You should be mindful of your home and how you use your space, giving each item a unique purpose to your space. Removing clutter will make your home seem more spacious and positive. Clean air is also important for a great flow of Feng Shui energy, so you should open up your windows often and use non-toxic products for better air quality. 

Illuminate with soft lighting

In a Zen-inspired home, natural light is of the utmost importance for designing a pleasant, peaceful ambience. Not only will it accentuate your home’s features and fill it with a soft glow, but it will also make you feel happier and more energised. Thus, you should always use an opportunity to invite sunlight to your home. As for artificial lighting, you should avoid fluorescent and direct lights and use softer ones that will help you create a subtle atmosphere.

Add cosiness with natural fabrics

Introducing different fabrics to your space can create a feeling of comfort while also creating a layered look. When choosing fabrics, you should focus on light, natural materials, such as wool, organic cotton and linen. These can be used for your bed covers, light curtains, decorative pillows and lovely bedsheets. As for rugs and carpets, floors in Zen-inspired homes are generally left bare, letting their textured appeal come into focus. However, you can still use rugs made of natural materials, such as rattan, jute, sisal and hemp. They will keep your feet warm and cosy, and give your space an organic touch. 

Go with simple furniture

Japanese aesthetics is rather simple and subtle, yet infinitely appealing. Such principles are also present in Zen-inspired homes. Thus, when furnishing your space, you should go with pieces with clean, simple lines with a subtle design. There’s no need for fussiness and ornamentation because the simplicity of such pieces is what gives them their elegant appeal. For instance, simple upholstered couches can be a beautiful addition to Zen-inspired living rooms. They can take the centre stage, but still create understated appeal. If you go with such an upholstered piece, its subtle texture will add to the cosiness of your Zen living room without creating an exaggerated look.

Pay attention to your bedroom

The bedroom is a sanctuary within your sanctuary. It should feature a calming design that will inspire you to relax and get in touch with your inner self. If you believe that it needs an update, you should take some time to revamp it and introduce a sense of novelty. You can apply a fresh coat of paint, introduce new sheets or energise it with greenery. Your bedroom should have your personal touch while still maintaining a balanced atmosphere. Of course, the bed will be the focal point of your room, so make sure that it stands out. Embellishing it with lovely throw pillows and cosy blankets will make you feel comfortable at any time. 

Paint your home earthy

Nature plays a crucial role in Zen-inspired homes, serving as the main source of inspiration and peacefulness. Thus, it’s not surprising that its hues are the most popular choice for a Zen-inspired colour scheme. Earthy shades will help you invite peaceful harmony to your haven. Beige, brown, green, white and touches of brick red are all possible choices for your home’s palette. While pale shades should be used for the backdrop, darker and stronger hues are reserved for furniture and accent details. Of course, warm wood tones and grey stone shades are the most dominant ones in a Zen-inspired home as these two materials are used generously. Greens are introduced both through details and plants, inviting an energising natural vibe to a space.

Dress up your windows in style

Dressing up your windows will provide your sanctuary with privacy and style. However, since Zen homes need plenty of light, you should use functional solutions that will allow it to permeate your space. Light, gauzy curtains are a popular option that will help you create a deep, layered look. You can also use lovely bamboo blinds that will style up your space and fill it with a Japanese-inspired vibe.
Designing a Zen-inspired sanctuary will not only fill it with an authentically appealing atmosphere, but it will also provide you with an opportunity to bring serenity to your life. 



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