A year to heal

 One year ago I lost a job and I felt like I would never be hired any where again ... march 7, due to covid I got let go as my job wasnt going to be there after covid, come to find out I was lied to, the job is still there but now I see how it was a blessing in disguise because 4 months after I got hired at a job where I am 100% happy, I am appreciated and this job has given me my life back.

After that job I actually realized how horrible I was treated. I was verbally abused daily... I was called useless, was even told I wasnt worth the ink it took to sign my pay cheque..

 Since this I have had severe panic and anxiety attacks that I am being treated for.

Why am I telling you this you ask? I want you to know that you should not ever stay in a job where you are not appreciated and treated as a human being, you are worth so much more and even if it takes years to find it, you will and I am living proof of it.

I actually for the first time in my life love my job, I love going to work, my boss lady is the best of friends with me, we get along so well, the owner has been so kind and he actually says " good job Terri", shows his appreciation.  I take a day off and I miss work, maybe I am crazy but It is true, I love my job and so thankful. 

 

5 Must-Have Items for Any New Bathroom Remodeling Project

Your bathroom is one of the most commonly used parts of your home. The problem with many bathrooms is they can become ‘dated’ and eventually no longer fit for purpose. And if you buy a new house, for example, the decor might not be to your taste.

Whatever your reason, if you’re planning to update your bathroom, you may already have some ideas in mind of what you want in it. But if you’re stuck for inspiration, here are some must-have examples that you should seriously consider for your bathroom upgrade:

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1. LED Lighting

There’s no denying that LED lighting is the future. It offers enormous benefits over older lighting technologies, the main one being ultra-low energy consumption. Now’s a great time to rip out your old fluorescent lighting and upgrade to LED technology!

This is not a job that you should take on by yourself. You should search for a professional electrician oakleigh, or an area near you, and hire an expert to do the job for you. 

A common upgrade to any bathroom is LED downlighting. Opt for “cool white” LEDs to ensure your bathroom is bright, especially at night or during cloudy days with low natural outside light flooding through the window.

2. Underfloor Heating

Another essential upgrade for any bathroom is underfloor heating, and it’s something either you or your bathroom remodeling company can easily install. Underfloor heating ensures your bathroom is warm even on a cold winter’s morning.

What’s more, underfloor heating also removes the need for separate wall-hung heaters or radiators. You can have underfloor heating with tiled, wooden, or carpeted bathroom flooring, and you can easily adjust the temperature to suit your needs.

3. Thermostatic Shower

There’s nothing wrong with having a bath each day. But if you prefer showers over baths, you want to know you’ve got a dependable shower system that won’t scald or freeze you when someone in your home uses a faucet or toilet!

That’s why it makes sense to have a thermostatic shower fitted during your bathroom remodeling. Thermostatic showers let you set the temperature and water pressure with precision, and they work well in bathrooms of all sizes.

4. Heated Towel Warmer Rails

Once you’ve finished your bath or shower, the first thing you’ll do is reach out for a towel to dry yourself off. Of course, it’s not a pleasant experience if you grab a wet or damp towel, and that’s why your new bathroom should have heated towel warmer rails.

The great advantage of heated towel warmer rails is they’re available in various shapes, sizes, and styles to suit your bathroom size and design.

5. Backlit Mirror

Mirrors are commonplace in bathrooms, as most people use them when they get dressed, shave, or apply makeup. The trouble is, some people don’t put much thought into the mirrors they select for their bathroom remodels.

The best decision you could make is to install an LED-backlit mirror. It provides a crisp and clean ring of light around your mirror, and it means you don’t need the main bathroom lights on.

You should also consider applying a mirror defogger to your glass. In a nutshell, a mirror defogger is a thin film with an adhesive backing that prevents the mirror from steaming up during a hot bath or shower.

6 Ways To Prepare Your Home for Winter

Every homeowner has to face the harsh reality of the changing seasons. The cold season is incredibly stressful since it can mean a power outage, an overworked furnace, or burst pipes, especially when there is heavy snowfall. 

Fortunately, there are a few precautions that you can take to prepare your home for winter and reduce the occurrence of these inconveniences. They include the following.

1. Check Your Air Conditioning and Heating Systems

Most air conditioning and heating systems typically last for over 12 years. However, their longevity generally depends on how they are maintained. Before the onset of winter, it is essential to take time to make minor adjustments, such as changing your filters or enlisting an Air Duct Cleaning service to ensure the removal of any built-up debris that may impinge the HVAC system's efficiency. 

It would also help if you got your systems inspected by a professional HVAC contractor. They check the systems and ensure they are functional. You should also consider more affordable heating options to save on bills in winter. For instance, you can have a local propane distributor install a propane furnace in your home to keep you warm in the winter. 

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2.Insulate Pipes

Exposed pipes that run across unheated areas such as the basement, walls or crawl spaces can be a potential hazard in winter. The water in the pipes can freeze when temperatures are very low and eventually burst. 

That is why it is important to insulate them to prevent such occurrences. Fortunately, the insulation process is a simple one. You can get the insulation material from the hardware and cut it to fit the pipe's length. You can then secure it with some duct tape if necessary. 

3.Check Trees Around Your Home

Any tree branches growing over power lines, garages, driveways, and your roof have the potential to cause substantial damage in the case of a storm. It is, therefore, essential to spot them and have them cut down before winter begins. 

Ensure that you also deal with any branches rubbing together because they can break easily during a storm. Look out for signs of dead limbs and cut them down as well.

4.Insulate Your Windows

A significant amount of the heat lost from your home finds its way out through windows and doors. Ensuring that there are no air leaks from your doors and windows in the winter can save a significant amount from your heating bill. 

Seal around the edges and cracks that develop around the windows using waterproof caulking to keep the heat where it belongs. 

5. Clean the Gutters

Any debris or leaves clogging the gutters can freeze into a big icy mass and damage the roof.  You can help prevent this by cleaning the gutters to let water flow freely to the drain. When climbing up to the roof, ensure that you are comfortable on the ladder or get friends or family members to support you. A leaf blower can help speed up this process, but you may still have to use your hands to finish up the job. If you haven't currently got a leaf blower, you might want to read this Worx WG546 Turbine Cordless Leaf Blower Review with the intention of purchasing one, as it will certainly make your life easier. It is also a great tool to have for leaves scattered across the yard. If you feel like you are not up to the task of climbing up a ladder to the roof, you can always find a handyman that offers the service.

6. Replace old electrical wiring

If you have an older home and haven't updated the electrics in a while, this may be something you wish to consider doing. Bad weather can cause an old electric panel to short circuit, leaving your home without power and potentially adding to an already stressful situation if the weather really hits your home. 

Should you feel like you need to upgrade your panel, you should look for a local electrical company such as Poss Electric (posselectric.com/electrical-repair/), who knows what they are doing when it comes to panel repair. You will want to get this in place before the weather starts to turn so that you can be confident that your wiring won't cause you any problems. Qualified electricians will put you at ease and get your electrics sorted in no time. 

 Your home should be a cozy haven that you enjoy, even during the harsh winter conditions. Applying the above tips can help you to achieve that. 

5 Things You Should Regularly Check On Your Car

Checking your car regularly is the only way to ensure its on-road safety. Namely, whether you have control of your vehicle and how it acts under different road conditions will be determined by the state of its tires, its oil and your car’s overall condition. Also, maintenance will directly affect your household budget because it will let you choose whether you want to pay smaller sums regularly or be forced to make a massive investment to get your c koar back in order. All in all, here are the top five things you should regularly check on your car.

1. Tires

   

   
   

This part is quite intuitive, seeing as how your car tires get flat, worn out and need to be replaced depending on the season. Moreover, they don’t get worn out evenly, which is why you might want to rotate them even before they’re due for a replacement. There are many reasons why this is so important. First, tires are essential for the safety of your car and the control that you have on the road. Second, tires affect driving satisfaction, seeing as how on-road friction is something you can definitely sense. Lastly, tires may also affect your fuel economy.

2. Oil

   

   
   

When discussing things that need to be checked on your car on a regular basis, oil is right after the tires. Keep in mind that this is a bit tricky. Some people are able to do it themselves, but thankfully you can take it to an oil change shop like SmogMart if you are one of those who doesn't feel comfortable doing it yourself. On the one hand, there are rules that you should replace car oil past a certain mileage (5,000–7,500 miles), however, over time, your oil might lose some of its properties. Also, synthetic oil lasts more than 15,000 miles without needing change. Furthermore, the viscosity of the oil in question may be important for the exterior temperature. So, pay attention to your oil and check it rather than let yourself be guided by numbers.

3. General car inspection

   

   
   

Another thing you should pay attention to is the general inspection of your vehicle. Why is this so relevant? Well, there are some parts of the car which don’t give signs of damage. When not fastened, some parts will rattle but other forms of malfunction may be more dangerous to diagnose. When this happens, you need to be ready to make a repair. In order to save money and avoid the likelihood of getting scammed by a mechanic, you might want to buy auto parts online. For instance, if you’re driving a Ford, you should look for online suppliers of Ford parts that deliver in your region.

4. Wiper fluid

   

   
   

Depending on the local climate occurrences, chances are that you might have to turn on your wipers quite often. You need to check your fluid levels every 5,000–7,000 miles. This is approximately the same distance after which you would check your car’s oil, which gives you a chance to be more systemic. In order to schedule this appropriately, thus doing yourself a great favor, you should check all your car fluids at the same time.

5. Antifreeze or coolant

   

   
   

Your car will act differently based on the season. What you need to do is create conditions in which your vehicle can always give you its best. In some scenarios, this comes down to pouring antifreeze or coolant. This will help your car work even under extreme situations. Both antifreeze and coolant can be bought at virtually every gas station but it’s not a bad idea to have a reserve in your garage/trunk, just in case.

Taking care of your car may determine your own on-road safety, as well as the safety of your family. Since you’re a part of the traffic, it may also help keep others safe. Other than that, it also determines the cost of your car’s maintenance because negligence will end up costing you more in the long run. Lastly, the key points to focus on are your tires, car fluids (of various sorts) and taking your car to regular maintenance. A combination of DIY effort and a professional inspection is the best way to handle this.