Free Printable 2019 Goals Planner

 

 

In the past, I’ve always enjoyed this time of year for blogging.  It is a great time to look back at the past year and talk about goals and projects for the coming year.

Since the baby was born, my blogging hasn’t been very consistent, so as I consider my plans for next year, I’ve been coming up with ideas to get more things done and to get my blog back on track with a regular posting schedule, and I’ve been coming up with ways to make get focused in all areas of my life, including my businesses online.

 

A couple of years ago, I created this year in focus printables set for 2017, and this year I decided to revamp the files for 2019.  The set includes a “year in focus” page, where you can write your Word for 2019 and all of your top goals for the year.

Additionally there is a page for each month where you can list top goals, events, and projects.  There’s also some additional note pages in the set.

Download your Free 2019 Goals Planner.

4 Things To Know When Replacing A Water Heater

Upgrading your hot water heater is a solution that comes to the mind of homeowners when planning to upgrade their facilities. The reason for this is that a facility with a constant supply of hot water is easier to rent or lease out. Hiring an affordable technician will help you to have this job done in a few days. As a homeowner, you must make up your mind and choose between tankless vs. tank water heaters. This article looks at some of the things you need to know when you decide to replace the existing water heater.

  1. Heating Hard Water Results In Sediments

When you heat hard water, sediments build and get deposited at the bottom of your tank. After some time, the sediments reduce the efficiency of the heaters. These sediments insulate the water from the heating source. This is why it takes longer times to have the water heat up. It implies that the heater will take longer to warm any given amount of water. It results in higher bills and will lead to the mechanical failure of a water heater. With time, continued use of the heater damages water tank because of too much heat. But this could be avoided if you choose to install a tankless water heater.

  1. It Is Necessary To Inspect the Anode Rod Regularly

The rod is normally made of aluminum or magnesium. Its job is to ensure that the tank does not corrode or rust. When you start experiencing water heater flushes, have the rod screws inspected. If the inspection establishes that the anode is corroded consider replacing it immediately. If it does not damage the anode it many ruin the tank. It may need that you replace the water heater immediately. Luckily, all these troubles could be avoided if you install a tankless water heater.

  1. Installing a Tankless Water Heater Is Better

Although installing a tank water heater is cheaper, it may not give you an unlimited supply of water. Also, you end up paying more on electricity. This is not the case with the tankless water heater. It is expensive to install but it is the best if your facility has unlimited demand for hot water. The tankless water heater is cheaper compared to any other water heater. It allows you to only pay for the hot water you use. The tank has an efficiency rate of more than 80 %. Note that a tankless water heater requires less space. It is the most ideal when you have an unlimited number of guests at your facility.

  1. Signs That Your Water Heater Needs To Be Replaced.

Most homeowners may not tell when to replace their water heater. But it is as simple as 1, 2, and 3. When the water heater is taking too long to heat the water, it means that it is inefficient and must be replaced. Secondly, when the existing water heater has served you for more than 8 years, it must be replaced. Also, when you notice that the heater is not able to provide enough water, upgrading it may be necessary

Of course, there are hundreds of facts you need to know when replacing a water heater. But knowing the right time to do so is important.

12 Favorite Posts from 2018

It’s that time of year! Time to look back on our year and see how things went as we prepare for the next year. I always like to look back and then share some of my favorite posts for the year. This year has been very busy for me at home, and I haven’t done nearly as much writing as I normally have in past years, but I still managed to find 12 posts that I thought were worth sharing again for this year end post!  We have a few recipes, cleaning posts, health, fashion, and even a pet post.  I hope you enjoy!

(Please find the link for each post underneath the featured photo.)

Grilled Hot Wings + 6 Tips to Make Your Summer Cookout a Success

College Football Spirit with Dr Pepper® + DIY Photo Booth Tutorial

12 Tips and Must-Haves for Postpartum Care

5 Tips to Keeping Your Home in Tip-Top Shape for Your Family (and Your Cat)

Chicken Florentine Pasta

Panasonic HomeHawk Front Door Home Monitoring Camera Review and Giveaway

6 Baby Must-Haves for Cold and Flu Season

Fashion Reivew from prAna

Mama’s New Helper: DEEBOT OZMO 610 – Robot Vacuum Review

Homemade Dill Pickles

Cleaning Up with Rejuvenate® Click n Clean™ Multi-Surface Spray Mop System

Christmas Pajamas for the Family Review

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on my 12 picks!  And if have a similar post, I’d love for you to share it with me!

Innovative Ways for Households to Use Less Water Next Year

With more and more parts of the world struggling with water shortage, minimizing water wastage is now more important than ever. Even if you are living in a region where there’s a steady supply of clean water. Reducing water use and abuse come with many benefits; it will reduce the water bill and help protect our natural ecosystems from further damage. Here are some time-tested tips that will help you reduce water wastage at home.

Plant Drought-Tolerant Grass

According to a recent report from Oregon State University, landscapes accounts for one-third of the water used in households. But did you know that homeowners can enjoy beautiful gardens without wasting water? All they have to do is invest in drought-tolerant grass seed like Bermuda, Buffalograss, and Zoysia. Browse Nature’s Seed grass seed for sale to find the right fit for your lawn. These and other drought-tolerant grass types use less water and tolerate harsh weather conditions. They also develop long and healthy root systems than other types of grass.

Wash Only Full Loads

Your washing machine uses approximately 12,000 gallons of water whether it is washing one pair of jeans or a full-sized load of laundry. You can save lots of water doing your weekly laundry routine by washing only full loads. Also, replace your washers with Energy Star–certified machines. These washers, according to the EPA, use 40% less water than regular washers.

Turn Off Bathroom Faucets

Did you know that more than 63% of water consumption happens in the bathroom and that old bathroom faucets run at about 10 gallons of water a minute? Shocking, right? If you are serious about water conservation, you need to reduce water wastage in your bathroom. Start by breaking bad bathroom habits. Instead of running the water while brushing or shaving, turn off the tap until you’re ready to rinse. If you are using older bathroom faucets, replace them with modern units that use less water. You can also replace your shower head with a smart shower system. This will help you cut your water usage by around 40%.

Don’t Rinse Dirty Dishes

Scrape dirty dishes instead of rinsing them before loading. You’ll save up to 10 gallons of load and your dishes will still be spick and span. Still using old dishwashers? If so, it’s time to replace them with modern dishwashers. Modern washers are more efficient and will help save water. For those dishes that must be washed by hand, plug in the sink and fill it with just enough water to clean the dishes.

Take Your Car to an Eco-Friendly Car Wash

Don’t wash your car at home. Take it to a car eco-friendly car wash instead. These car cleaners have invested in car washing systems that allow them to recycle the water.

Fix Dripping Taps

If there are dripping taps call in a professional to help you fix them. Otherwise, you could end up wasting thousands of liters of water per year, depending on the number of dripping faucets throughout the house. Also, make sure the professional checks and fixes all the leaks in your system. Remember to only work with technicians who are qualified and certified.

Water is a very valuable resource. Save it! The tips highlighted above can help you use less water at home. Don’t worry if you can’t implement all of them. Just pick a few things to start with, and do more as you go.

How to Find Inspiration for a Kitchen Remodel

One of the greatest transitions over the past two decades has been the evolution in the use of the modern kitchen. A kitchen used to be a space of pure functionality. It was strictly for cooking and eating meals that didn’t call for a more formal gathering in the dining room.

These days the kitchen serves as a central hub of the entire house, even rivaling the living room. As the concept of an open kitchen becomes more and more popular, people are spending more time in the kitchen. For example, pre-proportioned meal delivery services have made the ideal spot for a date night or to spend quality time with the kids. Due to the increase in time spent in the kitchen, it is often one of the first priorities when it comes to redesigning a particular room in the home.

However, for most of us, the workday doesn’t end at the stroke of five. Most of us work a second shift that consists of activities like hitting the gym, cooking the family dinner, networking events, or helping the kids with their homework. If you have the desire and budget to remodel your kitchen, the next major step will be actually finding the time to get concrete inspiration to launch the project. It’s often easy to get overwhelmed by the millions of home décor blogs and inspiration image boards online. Below are a few tips to gain inspiration in a more organized fashion:

Utilize the World of Real Estate

Many people often forget about the wealth of inspiration that can be found from looking at real-life kitchens that can be found when you search home listings online. View expertly crafted Mountain View cabinets and efficiently designed floor plans in Malibu, then adjust your search parameters for zip codes along the east coast and so on.  This is an untapped wealth of real-world kitchen inspiration out there waiting to be seen.

Don’t Rule Out Print Inspiration Sources

Many people forget about the print media sources when looking for inspiration for a kitchen remodel. However, there are many concrete benefits to picking up a few home décor magazines that you may have overlooked. First, print magazines are a great source of inspiration because they offer the most modern and popular trends at any given time. Due to the cost of printing magazines, only the absolute elite design inspiration pieces make it into any décor magazine’s most current issue.

Another huge benefit of drawing inspiration from interior design magazines is that it helps you stay focused. You can easily mark pages and physically cut out inspiration pieces. It can be incredibly unhelpful to dig down the rabbit hole of hundreds of blogs, Pinterest boards, and décor websites. Hours later you can find yourself not only overwhelmed but having reviewed thousands upon thousands of photos with nothing concrete to show for it. Print sources can help you keep focus.

Using Digital to Accessorize

The world of digital décor websites like ours is very helpful for seeking kitchen remodel inspiration. Online sources are great to uncover new ideas for accessories, backsplash, and accent pieces. Today’s kitchens are also becoming more and more connected. From the simple addition of a TV to Bluetooth capabilities to the integration of smart home technology, online publications reveal all the latest bells and whistles which are possible thanks to improvements in tech and the implementation of the Internet of Things. You can gain inspiration by seeing how today’s most modern homeowner is integrating technology into their kitchen.

Given the increasing emphasis placed on kitchens these days, it’s no wonder you’re driven to make changes to improve the one in your house. As you can see, there are a number of ways to get inspired for a kitchen remodel, so give them a try before getting started.

Friday Favorites Linky Party – Week 457

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet HomeTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Lisa at Condo BluesTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small ThingsPin

Penny at Penny’s PassionTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas SkyTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

Jennifer at Busy Being JenniferTwitter | FB | Pin | Inst

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week’s favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week’s linky party! [Read more…]

Tree Hut + Walmart $250 Giveaway

Disclosure: I received free products for sharing the information in this post. Affiliate links are included.

I LOVE trying organic beauty products.  I recently sampled some products from Tree Hut, and they are amazing.  First off, they smell good enough to eat! And secondly they have a great variety of products from sugar scrubs to lotions and body butters.  And they have many amazing scents and formulas to fit your unique tastes.  They also have high quality products at an affordable price!

I received the above products, and I’m looking forward to trying other scents like their Coconut Lime.  They also have products containing charcoal and hymalayan salt, which I’d love to try!

Be sure to check your local Walmart or Amazon for their products.

 

Giveaway! Want to win a $250 Walmart Card plus Tree Hut Sugar Scrubs?  It’s easy!  Just Follow TREEHUT on Instagram.  Then click the link in their profile.  It will take you to a place where you can enter your email, and you’ll be entered. Very Simple!  The giveaway is open through December 28.

7 Things to Consider When Choosing Multivitamins

 Multivitamins are important to your health. You should take them because they give you the nutrients and minerals that your body lacks. Multivitamins and supplements should serve as a backup to your healthy diet.

They shouldn’t replace your diet. Not all multivitamins are considered the same. Some brands are better for you than others. How do you know which ones to choose? You should read the labels and see if the product fits your age and nutritional needs.  . Check out SmartyPants Vitamins. They focus on the nutrients that some people have a hard time getting from their food. Here is more information to help you choose the right vitamin. It is worth noting, however, that while supplementing with vitamins is important, most people often get to get rid of toxins from their food and environment. Also, there are now many detoxing products on the market to help with removing toxins from the body, such as the Advanced TRS Detox spray, so these are worth looking into!

Avoid Megadoses

Don’t look for more than 100 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamins and minerals. One exception is vitamin D, which has a daily value of 400 IU. Most people should take vitamin D and may require a higher dose. Avoiding megadoses can help with other vitamins like vitamin A, which only requires a daily value of 200 IU.

Look for vitamins that don’t go above 3,000 IU of vitamin A. Beta-carotene shouldn’t exceed 60 percent of the daily value. Smokers shouldn’t take this vitamin since it can increase their risk of lung cancer.

Avoid Formulas that Contain Calcium and Iron

Some nutrients like calcium and iron should be taken separately as a supplement. Calcium may interfere with iron’s absorption, which isn’t great if you’re taking it for health reasons. Choose a multivitamin that contains just one of these minerals. Then take a separate supplement that contains the other mineral.

Look for Other Active Forms of Nutrients

Some name brand multivitamins contain nutrients and minerals that have been converted into active versions. Vitamin B6 may be taken as pyridoxine or pyridoxine 5-phosphate, an active form known as P-5-P. Another example of an active nutrient is riboflavin-5-phosphate for vitamin B2. Active minerals and nutrients absorb better. It also skips a step for your body, would have to take care of the nutrient to perform its job.

Avoid Synthetic Folic Acid

Some people have a genetic mutation that prevents them from getting the nutrients they need. This defect often goes undetected, it’s always better to take folate rather than folic acid. This mineral is often listed as folacin, folate, or 5-MTHF. Folate is often found in leafy green and orange foods such as asparagus, avocado, broccoli, citrus foods, legumes, lentils, and mushrooms.

Choose Multivitamins with a Vitamin E Complex

Check the label of your multivitamins to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin E. The vitamin E should be mixed with tocopherols, which means you’re taking a vitamin E complex, not one kind of vitamin E. A vitamin E complex contains alpha, beta delta, and gamma.

A mixed tocopherols vitamin should contain all of these minerals. Most over-the-counter vitamins only contain alpha-tocopherol, which only contains one type of vitamin E. Studies have shown that other forms of vitamin E are just as important for your health.

Stay Away from Additives and Fillers

Make sure that your vitamins don’t contain additives and fillers. Look out for any ingredients, flavors, or coloring used to enhance the taste and to make them more visually appealing. Certain vitamin brands add these components to extend the product’s shelf life and to make them less expensive to produce. It’s highly recommended to purchase natural vitamins and supplements, especially from brands that come from whole food sources.

Choose a Multivitamin Targeted to Your Gender or Age Vitamins for men and seniors don’t contain iron, which is a plus since those groups don’t need as much iron as women do. Too much iron can lead to organ damage in individuals with hemochromatosis, a disorder that causes iron buildup. Senior vitamins may contain more vitamin D than others on the market. Women’s vitamins may contain more calcium, but it’s still not enough to meet the daily requirement. And, for the growing members of your family, the Best Teen Vitamins will contain the nutrients they need to continue to grow and develop healthy bodies.

If you’re unsure what nutrients and multivitamins to take, get the help of a holistic medicine specialist. You can also ask your physician or holistic health care provider for more information. Some people who don’t get all of their vitamins and minerals may benefit more from a healthy, balanced diet.

Receiving your nutrients from supplements is not the same as receiving them through the foods you eat. That’s because whole foods and plant foods contain phytochemicals that can interact with each other in ways that supplements can’t. The wider the food variety, the more nutrients you get. Sometimes it’s best to get most of your nutrients and minerals from whole foods rather than multivitamins and supplements. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables at every meal.

The Different Ladies Boot Styles Explained

 While most women can distinguish between sandals, tennis shoes, and boots, a lot of people won’t be able to distinguish between the various styles of boots out there. They may not know that there are actually several boot styles, much less the pros and cons of each and the times when one style is better than the other. Here are the different ladies boot styles explained.

Fashion Boots

Fashion boots are made to look good. They may keep your legs warm, but they aren’t winter boots or snow boots. A classic example of this category would be sexy knee-high boots or This means fashion boots are the wrong choice if you’re walking on slick ice or slogging through a wintery mix. However, you can break out the fashion boots when the cool, dry weather forces you to stow away your summer sandals. Another great option for summer boots could be huarache. If you are looking to buy huaraches online then make sure that these boots are from a trusted brand. Also, you could find the high boots with cutouts that let your skin breathe, so you can wear them in the summer.

Knee-high boots are both slimming and sexy. Just realise that you should only wear them with relatively skinny jeans, tights or bare skin since trying to stuff yourself or your clothes into them makes it all look bad.

Rain Boots

Rain boots are at their core very practical. However, they don’t have to be boring black or yellow waders, as you may have had as a little girl. You can find stylish rain boots you’d be thrilled to be seen in on a rainy day. And you might want to break them out while washing the car or working in the muddy garden so that you protect your feet from the water and mud.

Classic Riding Boots

Classic riding boots like ariat boots were designed for riding horses. However, they’re so ubiquitous you can literally wear them anywhere. You can wear them in casual environments and dressy ones. For example, you can wear them with skinny jeans for a minimalist outfit or with a dress and tights at the office.

The best styles are brown or black. A zipper or other detailing makes them stand out from the crowd. A well-made pair of classic riding boots can stand daily wear and tear for years, whereas fashion boots may fall apart after a year of heavy use.

Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots are somewhat different from traditional riding boots. They’re a great fashion statement, and they’re more versatile than many people think. They’re a natural pairing with tucked-in jeans. You can wear them with leggings. You can wear cowboy boots under flared boot cut jeans, skirts, and dresses. You can find exotic leather cowboy boots and flamboyant embellishments if you want the boots to stand out.

Chelsea Boots

Chelsea boots are notable for being both comfortable and stylish. They’re another type of boot you can wear anywhere, and you see them everywhere, too.

Chelsea boots are typically made out of contrasting pieces of leather. They can stretch to fit your foot and ankle, so they truly fit you. While they’re a somewhat modern style of boot, they are classic enough to wear to work or on a night out.

Heeled Booties

Heeled booties are low cut boots with a chunky heel. They are versatile, and you can find them in many different styles. You could have a dozen different colors and styles of heeled booties in your closet, with no two the same.

These boots are generally far better to walk in than fashion boots, thanks to that chunky heel. They look dressier than flats, too. You can combine them with shorts to make your legs look longer. Or you could wear them with a dress to get the benefits of high heels without putting on a balancing act or worrying about breaking the heel. Heeled boots usually come with a low heel, but you can choose the heel thickness that suits your comfort level. One of the best choices in this area is the Dune boots for women. Dune offer boots in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes, so you should have no issues finding a great heeled boot that will fit your personal style.

Moto Boots

Moto boots are another type of boot that started out as practical and became associated with a look. In the case of moto boots, they’re considered daring and powerful.

Most moto boots are made from leather. However, you can find stylish moto boots with rhinestones, sequins, and metal accents. The best points in favor of moto boots are how these boots protect your feet from mud, a sprained ankle, and sharp items you might step on. Moto boots also keep your feet dry in the rain and warm in the winter. An interesting trend of late has been the rise of moto boots with cutouts that let you show skin in the summer.

Conclusion

Boots started out as practical, protective footwear. They’ve evolved to fit everyone and every occasion. Take your time to identify the right type of boots for you, then choose from the wide range of options on the market today.

Friday Favorites – Week 456

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet HomeTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Lisa at Condo BluesTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small ThingsPin

Penny at Penny’s PassionTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas SkyTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

Jennifer at Busy Being JenniferTwitter | FB | Pin | Inst

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week’s favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week’s linky party! [Read more…]