How to be a Great Babysitter

As a teenager I babysat for a lot of people- I truly enjoyed it. When someone hires you to babysit they are paying you to be them while they are out of the house. 

Here are some tips to become a great babysitter

1) Clean the dishes- wash those dishes, dry those dishes, load the dishwasher. Do not leave those dishes and left overs sitting there 

2) Fold the laundry- that momma needs to come home and have this done for her 

3) Pray with those kids- say their prayers before bed

4) Talk to those kids- ask them if they have any concerns that you can help them talk thru- this is not to take the place of the parent but just to let them know they have a friend in you 

5) Keep the household rules in place- don't let the kids change everything because the parents are not home. 

It is a great job, one that you will always remember and so will the kids- The first kids I ever babysit are all married now but when I go home, I visit them, I still get hugs and we reminisce about the fun we had. 

How to Enjoy Your Garden Without the Hard Work

If your garden is not quite everything you want it to be in terms of the ease of maintenance it offers, it’s easy to just let it go to ruin. But when that happens, your garden becomes less usable and you simply won’t want to spend time in it. To avoid all that, you need to create a garden without any of the hard work that’s usually associated with maintaining a garden. Here are the best steps to take.

Create a Paved Living Area

Having a paved area in your garden could be just what your outdoor space needs. It’ll create a living area that can be used for dining or simply for relaxing by adding a nice sofa. The fact that this entire space will be paved over means that there will be very little in the way of maintenance for you to take care of and that’s probably what you’re looking for.

Plant Your Flowers and Plants in Contained Boxes

If you want to have plants and flowers in your garden but you don’t want them to grow wildly in flower beds, you should plant them in contained boxes instead. This makes sense because they’re much easier to maintain and take care of when they’re in raised boxes. It even means that you don’t need to bend down very far when it comes to weeding and other basic tasks.

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Have an Artificial Lawn Laid

If the lawn is one of your biggest headaches right now but you don’t like the idea of paving over it entirely, one option is to have quality artificial grass laid in its place. That way, you still get the visual appeal of a carefully maintained lawn but you don’t have to worry at all about mowing it and keeping it in good shape, which is a task not many people enjoy much at all.

Plant Evergreens for Lower Maintenance

There are some types of plants that are much easier to maintain than others. So if you want to make your garden easier to deal with going forward, you should make sure you choose ones that are not going to make your life more difficult than it needs to be. The best way to go about it is to plant evergreens because they’re very low maintenance.

Keep Things Minimalist

Finally, you should adopt an overall philosophy of minimalism when it comes to planning your garden and making changes to it. There’s no need to overcomplicate things because that’s how your garden becomes difficult to maintain and take care of. If you make the wrong choices, you’ll only make more problems for yourself than you need to.

Everyone wants to enjoy their garden, but most people don’t have the time, energy or expertise to make it look incredible in the way they imagine. But if you follow the guidance above, that might not be the case. It’s more than possible to create a stunning and enjoyable low maintenance garden.

Grow a Beautiful Garden

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A stunning garden can enhance your entire property and give you a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy throughout the year. Of course, there are no strict guidelines when it comes to what constitutes an exquisite garden, so you have free reign to combine your favorite landscaping styles and create a unique idyll for you, your friends and family to enjoy. 

Although your garden should be as unique as you are, there are some universal tips that can help you to cultivate a spectacular outdoor space. To learn more, find out how to grow a beautiful garden and what you need to do to get started now:

1. Use an experienced landscaper

Designing a garden is no easy task, particularly if you don’t have much experience. By using a reputable firm, such as Calloway's Landscape Design Services, you can access professional expertise when you design your custom outdoor environment. What’s more, many landscape design services also offer practical services too or are able to recommend companies that can carry out the work for you. If you want to transform your garden but don’t have the time, ability or equipment to get it down, working with professional landscapers and gardeners will ensure you get the garden of your dreams in record time. 

2. Do your research

It can be tricky to sit and think of must-have features you want in your garden or to conjure up the types of plants you prefer. By researching gardens before you behind the design process, you can get a better idea of what you want your own space to look like.

As well as looking online for inspiration, be sure to look at other people’s front gardens in your area. It’s likely they’ll have the same type of soil as you, so you’ll get a good idea of what grows well in your particular area. If you find something you love, don’t be afraid to ask the property owner if you can snap a picture of their garden. Most gardeners are only too keen to share their tips, so it’s likely they’ll be thrilled that you asked them. Alternatively, you can make use of AI landscape design tool. By tapping into the knowledge of artificial intelligence, you can be assured that you never go out of inspiration while creating an appealing garden.

3. Create a focal point

A breathtaking garden always has a focal point, so be sure to factor this into your plans when you’re designing your new outdoor space. You may want a much-loved old tree to be the centerpiece of your yard or you may prefer a man-made feature, like a fire pit or outdoor kitchen, to be what catches people’s attention. 

As well as choosing what you want to act as the focal point, consider where it’s going to be placed too. The natural center of your garden may not actually be the area that’s most visible, so view your garden from numerous different angles before you decide where to place your main features. 

Designing a Garden from Scratch

If you’re moving into a new property or if you’re having your existing garden totally rebuilt, you have the opportunity to start from scratch. Although this gives you the freedom to completely transform the outdoor space, it may mean you struggle to find ideas to get started with. If in doubt, spend your time undertaking research and jot down the styles, plants, and features you like the most. As you build up a list of must-have garden adornments, you’ll find it easier to determine exactly how you want your garden to look and what you want to be in it. 

The Braless Revolution: Over 1/3 of Women Are Ditching Bras As They Work From Home

In a time when there isn’t much that we can control, the freedom to ditch your bra is one simple joy women can hold onto. The ability to work from home braless in pajamas or loungewear is a perk that helps offset WFH inconveniences. Maybe you miss your coworkers, but at least you can skip your commute and work braless and even commando every day. At this point, many of us might have forgotten what wearing bras or jeans even feels like. 

Ladies have been sounding off on social media since March about their newfound happiness about abandoning their bras. They don’t miss underwire bras or restricting work attire one bit. Some women have even comically wondered aloud if they’ll ever decide to wear a real bra again after this quarantine. 

Unsurprisingly, the New York Post reported wireless bra sales increased by 40% due to the quarantine. Styles that prioritize comfort are booming. After all, being freed from the constraints of the traditional underwire bra is undeniably liberating. However, it’s key to note that any cheap, ill-fitting bra is sure to make you hate wearing it... not all bras are created equal.

It’s been months since the lockdown began, and it seems comfort is still king in the age of isolation. Are bras really out of the question? Where do you stand when it comes to your wardrobe while working from home during quarantine? Maybe you’re one of those put-together gals proclaiming the benefits of changing into “real clothes” every morning to psych yourself up for a hard day of work. 

Well, a recent survey of over 1,000 American women to see how they feel about working from home braless revealed the latest thoughts on this topic. With over one third of women admitting to their WFH bralessness, it looks like there are plenty of folks who are still making the most of their bra-optional at-home work situation. If you’re like 35% of the women surveyed, you’ll agree that bras are pretty pointless nowadays. 

At the end of the day, are bras really to blame? Whether we like to admit it or not, our uncomfortable bras are usually our own fault. We probably haven’t been fitted properly in years (or ever.) It’s almost always the style, material, quality, or fit that’s the problem. You’ll never hear a woman complain about wearing a comfy wireless bra designed for lounging around. In fact, some bustier ladies always opt for at least some light support over being totally braless. 

No one cares what you’re wearing these days, so go ahead and soak in the joy of a braless life. In uncertain and scary times, it’s important to take a step back and appreciate simple things that bring humor or happiness into our lives. It’s nice to take a break and focus on life’s little pleasures, like the liberating feeling of bralessness. 

Who knows, maybe you’ll be forever changed by the experience of ditching your bra indefinitely. Maybe you’ll quickly revert to old habits once you’re attending events and running around in public again. Either way, relish in the temporary freedom while you can.

3 Floral Themed Breakfast Boards for a Stay-At-Home Mother’s Day

 

We all know that this year’s Mother’s Day won’t feel exactly like years past, however, there are still so many ways to celebrate Mom while staying home. From at-home crafts to DIY spa treatments, there are so many options for making Mom her own little slice of paradise this Mother’s Day! One way is leveling up the beloved breakfast in bed or Mother’s Day brunch tradition! Since your family will be staying home, it only makes sense to “wow” in the kitchen by going all out with a beautiful breakfast presentation!

Whether Mom’s style is glam, minimal or she loves all things spring, we’ve got you covered with all the breakfast and decor inspiration. This year’s trend that we are loving is the breakfast board display that can either be turned sweet, savory, or both! 

That’s right we are talking about every mother’s favorite Galentine’s or happy hour treat — the charcuterie board! Add a twist to the culinary classic by swapping out meat and cheese for your favorite breakfast items! Once you’ve added your favorite bites onto a wooden, ceramic, or metal tray add some floral elements to your board like daisies, roses, or whatever Mom’s favorite flower is! For inspiration, FTD has created 3 floral themed breakfast board mood boards spanning from minimal to all-out glam. Whatever fits your mom’s style, create a breakfast board as unique as her! Keep reading to learn how to style your Mother’s Day breakfast board. 

For the Super Mom

For the do-it-all mom we love, this breakfast board is equipped with a blend of decadent donuts for an easy (and kid-friendly) Mother’s Day board. All you have to do is make a quick trip to a bakery for the freshest donuts! Add a mix of donuts to a cutting board or plate and finish the look with daisies and greenery as a garnish. This sweet display will show her you care and takes no time at all!

For the Mom Who Deserves a Stay-Cation

To treat Mom to a stay-at-home vacay, this breakfast board is meant to bring her lots of rejuvenation. Pick out a cutting board or plate and combine your yummiest brunch items (think eggs, bacon, or whatever you have in your fridge!). Add your gorgeous board to a serving tray and don’t forget a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers to accompany her meal!

For the Girliest of Moms 

For a Mother’s Day filled with glamour, this breakfast board is for the girliest of moms! This show-stopping board is meant to get Mom in the holiday spirit and should be equipped with pink roses, festive tableware, and heart-shaped pancakes!

Whatever your plans for Mother’s Day are, make sure to include some quality time with Mom to show her how much she means to you. If you’re not able to see each other during this time, make sure to give her a call, send her a gift, or deliver her flowers. Whatever you do, make sure to treat her and make her smile! Happy Mother’s Day!

 

May 4th, 2002

18 years

18 years ago we stood to gather and pledged our lives to each other, it has not always been easy but it has always been worth it

You were my reason back then, my reason now, my reason every day. You strengthen my weaknesses, bring focus to my dreams. No matter where life leads me, I know that as long as you are there, that is where I am meant to be.

I love you. You have brought such joy to my life. Thank you for loving me as I am and taking me into your heart.

 I promise to walk by your side forever and to love, help, and encourage you in all that you do.

I will take the time to talk to you, to listen to you, and to care for you. Through all the changes of our lives, I will be there for you always as strength in need, a comfort in sorrow, a counselor in difficulty, and a companion in joy. 

Everything I am and everything I have is yours now and forever more. This is my promise to you.