Category: Culture

Spring is a time when we can finally start to spend some more time outside. Winter is behind us, and so too is the cold weather that kept us inside for many months. To make the most of the Spring weather, and the Summer weather that follows, it’s a good idea to spend some time fixing up your yard. This will give you a place where you can relax or entertain guests. Luckily, fixing up your yard isn’t too difficult – here are 5 tips you can use to get started.

Do Some Regular Maintenance

For starters, you’ll want to do some basic maintenance tasks around the yard. This could include maintaining your lawn, trimming back some bushes, pressure washing your home, or clearing away any debris that accumulated during the Winter season. Just like you need to occasionally clean up the inside of your home, the same goes for the outside. By performing these maintenance tasks now, you’ll make it easier to take on some of the bigger projects mentioned below. You may even find that once it’s clean, your yard doesn’t really need that much more work to make it suitable for guests.

Start a Garden

A great way to fix up the outside of your home is by starting a garden. Gardens not only improve the atmosphere around your home, but they provide a touch of color, and depending on what you grow, you could even enjoy a nice meal because of it. Take some time to explore your yard and see if there is a place where you could start a garden. If there is, the next thing you’ll want to think about is what you want to grow.

One option is to grow some colorful flowers, or you could grow some fruits and vegetables. Each plant has its own requirements in terms of soil, sunlight and water, so you’ll want to research the type of plants that would be best for your area and yard. Starting a garden requires a bit of work, but once everything grows, you’ll be glad you undertook this project.

Add in a Patio

The next tip is to have a place in your yard where you can entertain guests or just relax on your own. For this, a patio is a great option. A patio is a flat service in your yard, usually made up of stone or bricks. It gives you a nice, sturdy surface on which to place a BBQ grill, a table and chair, a fire pit, and more. To add in a patio, you can either learn how to do it yourself, or call in a professional landscaper. Which method you choose will largely depend on your own skill level, how big of a patio you want, and how much work you’re willing to put in. Building a patio is a big job, but it’s certainly possible to do on your own.

Upgrade Your Furniture

While you’re fixing up your yard, now is a great time to think about the furniture that you have out there. If the furniture you’re currently using is old, beaten up, or worn down, it might be time for something new. You deserve great-looking, comfortable furniture on which you and guests can relax.

To upgrade your furniture, you have a few options. You could head over to a local furniture store and see what they have available. Another option is to check out local garage sales and see if you get lucky. You could also browse for patio furniture online and have it shipped to your home. If you’re not sure where to start, try doing a simple search online. For example, if you live near Spring, TX, you could search for “patio furniture Spring TX” and you’d likely find plenty of options.

Add in a Water Feature

Finally, a great way to fix up any yard is with a water feature. A water feature could be something small like a fountain, or you could go big and install a large pond. Water features add a relaxing element to your yard and help make the entire area look better. Just like with a patio, you can either do this yourself, or work with a professional landscaper if you want something big. For examples of outdoor water features, you can check out these ideas.

Start Working on Your Yard Today

When the warm weather arrives, you want to be able to enjoy it. By taking the time now to plan out your yard improvements, and then getting started on them, you’ll have a great place to spend your time this Spring. Hopefully this guide was able to offer you some ideas, and you’ll have that yard you’ve always wanted before long.

While it might not seem like it to the outside world, being a service member in the military is no easy feat. Long separations from their families, frequent moves, strict and inconsistent training schedules, and stressful missions are just some of the few ways to describe the hard life of a service member. Unfortunately, the demanding career of a military service member affects not only him/her but the entire immediate family as they have to deal every day with the emotional torture of not knowing what lays ahead in the future of their loved one. Nevertheless, the excellent benefits that they enjoy make life much easier. If you are new to the military, here is how your status could help your family.

Access To Excellent Health Care Plans

As a service member, your military status benefits your family big time when it comes to healthcare. This is because your immediate loved ones usually get access to the incredible healthcare plans provided by the military such as Tricare prime, Tricare standard, and extra. With Tricare prime, whenever your loved one falls ill, they get free medical care at a military treatment facility, or they could pay a small amount at other health care facilities. As for Tricare standard, your immediate family members have the advantage of seeking treatment from a diverse selection of healthcare providers authorized by the military and they only pay a yearly deductible of 20%. On the other hand, Tricare extra gives them access to an even more extensive selection of healthcare providers which includes dental and eye care in which they only pay 15% of the total charges.

Great Education grants

Apart from access to quality healthcare, your military status also benefits your family massively when it comes to education. There are various family educational assistance programs and grants for military families who make it possible for your loved ones to get access to high-quality education without spending a fortune. For instance, if your spouse wishes to, they may pursue their degree without having to pay much as the military will offer them a grant of up to $4000 to facilitate their education.

Great discounts on goods and services

With the skyrocketing living standards, purchasing household items such as groceries can prove to be quite expensive. However, families of military members don’t have to worry about such costs as they usually boast access to the military’s commissaries and stores. Thanks to this, they can, therefore, purchase the much-needed household items at discounted prices which makes life even more comfortable for them. Additionally, they don’t have to pay hefty amounts to enjoy recreational activities as they have access to the base’s recreational facilities such as movie theaters and libraries, not forgetting the 30 days paid vacation that they enjoy each year.

Also as a way of thanking them for their service, most private organizations and businesses offer significant discounts to military families which make life even more comfortable and cheaper.

Housing allowance

When you are on active duty, your loved ones usually get to enjoy basic allowance for housing based on where you are stationed. This allowance often covers 97% of the total housing cost which makes things even more smooth sailing for you and your family members, especially when you consider the rising costs of housing in the real estate market.Even though there are many other benefits that your loved ones enjoy thanks to your military status, the above are enough proof that your service to the army is highly appreciated.

Using these great people as examples shows us how serving others really improves the world, and if you are ever interested in helping out, check out different places for Donation Pickup.

Flower garlands are back in the mainstream again for 2019. Whether fresh or dried, these colorful and aromatic decorations blend in well with almost any kind of decor and in almost every room — from living room to kitchen to bathroom. And nothing says “Welcome” better than a flower garland hanging on the front door.

Artificial silk flower garlands are readily available at almost any big box store. They’re inexpensive and will last almost indefinitely, as long as they don’t get wet. Or you can buy the silk flowers in individual bunches and weave them together yourself.

But making your own flower garland is a much more satisfying way to bring some life and color into your home.

A wire wreath or garland skeleton is available at any hobby store. Around it you can weave a variety of flowers into an individual and unique decoration. To dry your own flowers just place them on some parchment paper, spray with glycerin, and place directly on the oven rack at 200 degrees for ten minutes. Color and aroma will not be diminished.

If you want fresh flowers, first place them in a baggie with a cotton wad soaked in alcohol. Seal for an hour. This will kill any buggy stowaways.

Unfortunately, most of us are deprived of rest regularly. It is not surprising as we have become a 24/7 society, and sleep deprivation is a very common consequence of the modern lifestyle. The need for sleep is often ignored although it is vital to our lives. A quite common mistake that many people all over the world make is that they tend to sacrifice sleep so that they have more free time to do other things, no matter if they are important or not. People often tend to stay awake until late at night to work on important projects in order to meet unreasonable deadlines, which is significant. However, many people also don’t go to sleep until late hours so that they can spend more time watching the television or playing video games. Something like this is a bad idea, especially for those who need to get up early in the morning. No matter the reason for rest deprivation, it is a much better option to learn how to organize your time better than to sacrifice sleep. The lack of sleep can affect our health and well-being in numerous ways. Some of the health risks of the lack of rest include:

Increased Blood Pressure

The more sleep we get during the night, the less likely it is that we will develop high blood pressure. Sleep deprivation has a negative impact on our blood pressure levels as it is associated with high levels of chemicals that cause inflammation, which puts more strain on our heart and makes it work harder. As a result, our blood pressure and heart rate are increased. There is probably no need to mention that high blood pressure can be very dangerous as, if it is chronic, it contributes to the development of various health issues, some of which can have quite severe consequences. As you can see, if you want to stay healthy, you need to make sleep your top priority.

Affected Fertility

The number of couples having troubles conceiving is increasing, and one of the reasons to blame is the lack of rest. In today’s modern world this problem is more common than in the past. The lack of sleep has an adverse impact on the secretion of reproductive hormones. If we are deprived of sleep on a regular basis, it can contribute to fertility issues.

Higher Risk of Obesity

The lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain. When we lack rest, we are more tempted by unhealthy foods. We also tend to overeat in order to make up for the lack of energy, which puts us at risk of gaining weight. When you combine it with the lack of physical activity, you can expect to gain weight over time. When we don’t get enough shut-eye at night, we usually feel very tired the next day, and exercising is simply not on our list of priorities since we lack energy. In the long-term, all of these things can cause obesity.

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Enough Sleep?

If you are struggling to meet your sleep goals, you should stop using electronic devices at least one or two hours before going to bed as the blue light that they emit can disrupt your sleep cycles. You should also make sure that your bedroom is comfortable, quiet, and dark. It is not easy to drift off to dreamland if you have to put up with noise. It can also be quite difficult to fall asleep if you are uncomfortable, which is often the case when people sleep on old mattresses. In these situations, you should get a new and comfortable mattress made from breathable materials. Not only you will sleep comfortably throughout the night, but you also won’t have to put up with waking up in sweat. Luckily, many high-quality mattresses are available at affordable prices, and you can get additional discount thanks to mattress coupons. If you still have troubles falling asleep, you should avoid caffeinated beverages and heavy meals at least a couple of hours before going to bed.

A motorcycle is a valuable asset to own and as a passionate rider, you are concerned with every little detail surrounding it. You want the bike to be at the peak of its performance and you’ll do all it takes to make sure that it looks good and rides well.

Part of these efforts is choosing the right accessories for it. There are plenty of these available in the market and it can be a bit frustrating deciding which accessories to prioritize and get first. But not to worry, we have a priority accessory list for you.

Here are the top 3 accessories every motorcyclist needs:

1. A Windshield

This is a must-have accessory for your bike. You should consider getting one with an appropriate width and height that fits well, one that will protect you from the sharp wind when you ride on long trips.

Before settling on purchasing a particular windshield that interests you, it’s important that you consult with the seller and get a system check to ensure that the accessory is compatible with your bike model.

Go for an easy-on-the-eyes windshield which is easy to install, take off, and adjust on your bike, one that you can modify to fit your desired preference. The windshield should provide clear visibility.

2. LED Light

Lighting is important in your motorcycle for proper illumination when riding in the night. There are powerful LED lights that you can purchase, plug into your bike and immediately start using them with no hustles whatsoever.

Choose an LED light that delivers superior performance at any given time whether day or night, one that is resistant to vibrations and shock, and one whose projector is cased in a strong aluminum housing for maximum performance.

An effective LED light should project bright light patterns on both low and high beams. This will guarantee you that the light it produces will properly permeate through the darkness in the night. Check also for compatibility with your motorcycle. Run a compatibility check with the seller and confirm that the specs of the light properly align with those of your bike before making a purchase.

3. A Bluetooth Helmet

Riding your motorcycle demands that your full attention is on the road. There is no room for distractions as this would result in an accident. One of the major sources of distraction that riders have is communicating with each other when riding their motorcycles.

Using a mobile phone is quite tricky and hazardous. It will be such a difficult task to juggle between holding the phone and controlling the bike. This is why you need to get a Bluetooth helmet.

With it, you can connect wirelessly with your fellow riders and communicate with them effortlessly. You can pair up your helmet Bluetooth device with that of your fellow riders. The signal on these Bluetooth helmets is quite strong which allows for clear communication.

The power requirement is minimal meaning that the batteries will serve you long enough before they completely drain out. You can have this helmet on and use it on long distance rides.

You definitely need to get one of these Bluetooth helmets. To help you choose the right one that fits your preferences, here’s a review of the best bluetooth helmet options you can purchase. Check them out today.

While for many people cookies take on a special meaning for the Holidays — with special intricate recipes handed down from one generation to the next and served up year after year for family and friends on the best ceramic plates with a cup of eggnog on the side — it’s good to remember that cookies are a great snack any time of the year. A cookie and a glass of ice cold milk is the ultimate comfort food. And the simpler and tastier the recipe, the better!

It’s possible to achieve homemade goodness in cookies, that taste like they’re made from scratch, with box mixes. They just need a little tweaking.

For instance, follow the mixing instructions on a box of devil’s food cake mix, and after it’s been beaten add a small jar of maraschino cherries; then using parchment paper on a cookie sheet, drop tablespoons of batter until the sheet if full and pop into a 350 degree oven for twenty-five minutes. What comes out are soft and moist — and the combo of dark chocolate and cherry is delicious.

Or, for something deceptively elegant, open a roll of buttermilk biscuit dough and put on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Then with a teaspoon hollow out the center of each biscuit and spoon in some mincemeat pie filling. Drizzle honey over each biscuit. Pop in a 400 degree oven for ten minutes — and out comes mini buttery English hot cross buns that are to die for.

There are hundreds of recipe variations like this — all that’s needed is a few extra ingredients and a lot of imagination.

Checkers games have been a personal favorite of mine since I was growing up. However, with so much going on in everyday life, it can be hard to find time to sit down and play a checkers game with a friend. With 2018 coming to an end, I decided to find the best checkers games I could play on my phone, so I can play a quick game even when I’m on the go. After spending some time on Google, I found a handy list of the best checkers games.

Best 10 Games For Playing Checkers

I played a couple of the games, selected my top 3 favorites and reviewed them.

Checkers Elite for playing online

My first choice is Checkers Elite. I had a great time playing this game, especially because you can choose from a variety of checkers game modes, including American, Russian and even Brazilian checkers! I also liked that you can play checkers online with people from all over the world and participate in tournaments to compete for the top prize. I also liked that you can customize the design of your checkers board and play in both 2D and 3D modes. Lastly, I also found the challenges to be a lot of fun, as they bring in an exciting twist to the game.  I even found myself playing a few extra games just to complete some of the challenges!

The only drawback I found is that you only get a limited amount of time to make your move when playing a game. But it is understandable, considering that you are playing online against other players, so it doesn’t make sense to keep them waiting indefinitely. If you want to take your time with each game, I recommend you try out any of my other picks.

Checkers for simple and elegant gameplay

My second pick is Checkers. I found this to be a great choice if all you want is to play a simple game of checkers. The developers really did a great job, as I found that the games runs smoothly and takes up very little space on my phone. I also like that you can play any game style you want by choosing from 10 different checkers rules. I was particularly impressed by the graphics, as I found them to be very realistic. I also liked the variety of checkers themes. I found them be very elegant, with my personal favorite being the Gold theme!

I did find the computer opponents to be quite challenging. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as I particularly enjoyed the challenge and extra push of upping my game. Thankfully, you can easily tone down the difficulty by picking from 10 different levels. So far, I have found level 6 to be perfect from playing a quick game on-the-go, and level 7 when I want to sit down and try my hand at a slightly harder game.

Checkers Free for customizable difficulty levels

My third choice is Checkers Free. Whether it is your first-time playing checkers, or you are a checkers expert I’m sure you will love this game, as you can easily set your own difficulty level and start playing with just a few taps. I found the interface to be super intuitive and easy to use. I also liked that you can choose to play against a computer opponent or a friend too! Another plus I found, is the fact that you can undo a move if you tapped the wrong tile by mistake.

The only thing I was a fan of is that you do see ads in-between games. However, I found them to be short and easy to click out of. I also found it to be a small price to pay considering that all the gaming features are available for free.

Conclusion

So, these are my top 3 favorite checkers games. My favorite was Checkers Elite, but I really enjoyed playing the other picks too! With the challenging computer opponents and online tournaments, I’m sure you will be entertained for hours. Whether you want to play online against your friends, or simply want to play a quick game of checkers on-the-go, I’m certain you will love any of these games. Have fun playing checkers!