Mommy Has to Work

Managing a Mother’s Home Office

January 9, 2018 By Anne

Managing a Mother’s Home Office

You may be part of a growing segment of the workforce. You may be a working Mom who maintains a home office. In the alternative, you may be a working Mom who is in the process of setting up a home office.

With this in mind, if you are working mother who is or will be utilizing a home office, there at some vital strategies that you need to employ to effectively manage your residential workspace. By employing these strategies, you will be in the best position to effectively work from home and to be on top of your game as a mother as well.

Create a Definitive Office Schedule

When it comes to being a mother and effectively managing a home office, you cannot be haphazard about scheduling. In other words, you need to create a fairly specific schedule of your office hours.

The ideal course to take when it comes to scheduling your office hours is to do it on a weekly basis. If you do it daily, you will lack necessary stability and predictability. If you do it monthly, you will lose a good deal of the freedom that you deserve to be able to take advantage of by working from home.

A weekly schedule provides appropriate structure to your professional needs, goals, and objectives. A weekly schedule also permits you the ability to plan appropriately in advance those things that are necessary to address the needs of your kids while you are working.

In addition, a weekly schedule provides your children with a better understanding of when you will be at work. They will have a better appreciating as to when you will not be as readily available to them during the course of an upcoming week. This level of predictability is helpful for children. It enhances their comfort level and overall sense of security when they can rely on your own plans more than just a day at a time.

Establish Clear Office Boundaries

Another vital strategy that you need to employ as a working mother using a home office is to establish clear boundaries in regard to the workspace. You need make certain that other people in your home fully understand that your home office is for work. You should discourage family activities from being undertaken in your home office.

On the other side of the coin, you should endeavor to contain your work-related activities to the confines of your home office. You serve your professional interests, your personal interests, and the interests of your family, including your children, by clearing segregating work activities from family and personal ones.

There is also an important tax-related reason for employing this tactic. You are able to write off a pro rata portion of your rent or mortgage payment from your taxes as a bona fide business expenses based on the square footage of your home office. You must keep in mind that you are capable of taking this deduction only if you truly use the space as a home office and not for other purposes.

Carve Out Specific Time for the Kids During the Workday

Kids are kids. Even though you are diligent in preparing a solid weekly schedule, when you work from home, they will want to see you during the course of any given workday. Therefore, you should build time into each workday to spend time with your kids. For example, perhaps you can have lunch with your kids. You can schedule specific time to spend with them directly after they come home from school.

There are a myriad of options available to you when it comes to scheduling specific time during the workday with your kids. The key is making those times a part of your overall work schedule and not something that you do in a haphazard, not very thoughtful manner.

Plan Activities for the Kids Away from the Residence During Some Work Hours

You can enhance your productivity in your home office if you plan at least some activities away from the residence during your work hours. School naturally will take a bit older children away from home for part of the day. You still need to consider activities away from home for younger children and during those times of the year when school is not in session.

Familiarize yourself with programs and activities that are age-appropriate for your children. Consider including your extended family, particularly grandparents, in participating in activities for your kids away from home from time to time during your scheduled work hours.

Jessica Kane is a writer for Handicapped Pets, your most trusted source for dog wheelchairs and harnesses.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Green Roofs and Commercial Buildings

January 2, 2018 By Anne

Green Roofs and Commercial Buildings

Green roofs, which are also known as rooftop gardens, are becoming ever more common in this day and age. Green roofs are extensions of existing roofs on both residential and commercial buildings

Green roofs on commercial and residential structures provide an array of different types of benefits. In a growing number of municipalities, a requirement exists for the inclusion of green roofs on certain types of commercial buildings. If you are contemplating a green roof for your business, whether because of a requirement in your community or because it is your voluntary decision, there are some factors regarding rooftop gardens that you need to bear in mind.

Basic Components of Green Roof or Roof Garden

At the heart of a roof garden system is layers that form the foundation of a green roof. A key to the system is to ensure that it is fully waterproof and does not allow seepage into the building.

The typical rooftop garden has between six to seven layers. Beginning from the bottom and moving upward, a green roof “foundation” begins with a high quality waterproof membrane. On top of the membrane is a root repellant system followed by what sometimes is considered an optional layer of insulation.

Next, a green roof is layered with a drainage layer followed by a filter cloth for fine soils. The next lawyer is a lightweight growing medium or type of soil substrate. Finally, at the top, a green roof is completed with plants of different types.

In most cases, an additional step is taken to assist with drainage, fire control, and access to permit roof maintenance. This usually consists of a shallow layer of gravel, or pebbles, that is placed around the outside perimeter of the rooftop garden.

Essential Benefits of a Green Roof

As noted previously, there is an array of different types of benefits associated with a green roof. One of the key benefits associated with a green roof is a reduction in heat loss and in energy consumption during colder months of the year. In warmer months, a green roof can assist in reducing the cooling load on a commercial building.

A broader benefit of a green roof is that it can lower urban air temperatures. For this to be accomplished, there must be a concentration of green roofs in metropolitan area. This is one of the reasons why some municipalities are making green roofs a requirement for certain types of commercial structures.

A green roof also assists in reducing storm water runoff. It also provides increased sound insulation. The installation of a green roof improves a building’s LEED rating. A roof garden also increases the lifespan of a roof.

Types of Green Roofs

There are two primary types of green roofs in place in this day and age. These are intensive and extensive. The primary underlying differences between these two types of green roofs are accessibility and required maintenance.

Intensive green roofs are designed for human interaction. These types of green roofs have easy access and more elaborate landscapes. These roofs include things like small trees, shrubs, fountains, and walking paths for human enjoyment. As a result, these types of green roofs require more in their construction and maintenance.

Extensive green roofs are designed to be self-sustaining and require minimal maintenance. These types of roofs are not designed to human interaction. Extensive green roofs also feature different types of vegetation. These types of roofs feature vegetation like self-seeding sedums, certain types of grasses, mosses, and meadow flowers which require very little irrigation and maintenance of any type.

Scaffolding and Creating a Green Roof

In order to fully install a green roof, and tend to perimeter matters, scaffolding oftentimes is utilized. Scaffolding can be an invaluable piece of equipment in the creation of a green roof.

The key to making the best use of scaffolding in creating a green roof is to make sure all safety considerations are met. This includes properly assembling and placing the scaffolding in the first instance, making sure people are properly trained on use of a scaffold, and ensuring that materials used on a scaffold are secured appropriately.

Cost of a Green Roof

The cost associated with a green roof depends on a variety of factors, including whether an intensive or extensive derivation will be selected and the location of the building on which a rooftop garden will be created. With that noted, there are now professionals with experience in installing green roofs in many major municipalities. These pros can provide estimates on the cost of installing a green roof on a commercial structure.

Jessica Kane writes for Advance Online, a leading provider of web-based OSHA. DOT. and HAZWOPER training.

Why you should consider a Green Roof

Going green for your home or business is vital. It helps protect our forests! Only 11 percent of the world’s forests are certified, and certified products contain non-certified and recycled materials that are generally considered low-risk. Non-certified forests can also be managed responsibly, but must be verified by various forest management programs to ensure that they meet minimum sustainability requirements. Chief among them is the Forest Protection Council (FPC). Producers and suppliers recognize that responsibly managed forest products actually have exceptional environmental benefits and are an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the company’s commitment to sustainability. Buying materials from responsibly managed forests means supporting forest owners large and small. This behavior also increases biodiversity, creates clean air and water, supports renewable resources, and reduces the effects of climate change. You can read about the Katingan Mentaya Project for example to learn more.

Today, the US and Canada have the world’s strictest forest sustainability regulations and sustainable forestry sector practices. These countries are also among the largest producers of forest products in the world. While ensuring that forests are as productive, environmental protection and outcomes that are important to people are continually ensured. These two countries have the most certified forests. These countries have third-party certified forests, accounting for almost half of the world’s certified forests. This way, you can be sure that your conscious ‘green efforts’ will go a long way to contributing to helping the forests. And it can all start with your green roof.

Anne

Scaffold Safety Protocols for a Commercial Building Project

January 2, 2018 By Marijean

Scaffold Safety Protocols for a Commercial Building Project

Many commercial property rehabilitation, renovation, and remodeling projects require the use of scaffolding. On the one hand, scaffolding represents one of the most widely used pieces of equipment in commercial construction projects. On the other hand, a considerable number of business owners, and associated contractors, neglect to implement suitable safety protocols when it comes to using scaffolding on a commercial building project of some type.

There are some very definite safety standards and protocols that must be followed when it comes to using scaffolding on a commercial building rehabilitation, renovation, or remodeling project. For additional information on the safety protocols discussed here, a business owner or contractor can access resources via the website maintained by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA.

Proper Scaffold Assembly

One of the most common types of accident associated with scaffolding involves the failure of planks or support structures. More often than not, these injury-causing scaffolding failures occur because the scaffold was not properly assembled in the first instance, or was assembled using poor-quality products. Domestic hex nut manufacturers, like Dyson Corp, have grown to become leading manufacturers of critical fasteners for use in the construction industry. It is vital that good quality products like these are used, and used correctly, to prevent accidents in the workplace.

More than a few business owners, and a surprising number of less experienced contractors, presume that assembling a scaffold is a minor task. In fact, by its very nature, a scaffold consists of numerous pieces and parts. The failure to properly connect even a seemingly minor component of a scaffold can have dire consequences in the form of planking, or a similar type of, failure.

Scaffold assembly should not be something either a business owner or contract should garner experience through “on the job training.” Rather, in the absence of specific scaffold assembly training, and prior experience, a business owner best ensures appropriate safety standards through the use of scaffolding by outsourcing assembly.

Securing Sides and Edges

Another common danger zone potentially associated with scaffolding is unprotected sides and edges. Time and again, those involved in a commercial construction endeavor of some nature intentionally limit suitable guards and railings designed to secure and protect the sides and edges of scaffolding. The primary rationale for minimizing this type of side and edge securement is because of the belief that it interferes with efficient completion of tasks associated with the placement of the scaffolding in the first instance.

The failure to utilize appropriate securement associated with sides and edges jeopardizes the safety and wellbeing of workers. Beyond scaffold plank failure, falls represent another of the common types of accidents associated with scaffolding at commercial construction sites.

In addition, improperly secured sides and edges presents a hazard to third parties as well. The lack of suitable side and edge securement enhances the risk that equipment and materials will fall from a scaffold and injure a third party. The risk particularly can be significant when scaffolding is part of a remodeling or renovation project at a commercial property, a business in operation during the project. Customers or clients entering and exiting the premises are put at risk when scaffold sides and edges are not properly secured.

Proper Scaffold Use Training

In addition to ensuring that the physical securement and safety needs of scaffolding fully is satisfied, anyone involved a commercial building project necessitating the utilization of a scaffold must be thoroughly trained. Training must not be undertaken in a haphazard manner. Rather, a business owner or contractor should access a professional training course or protocol. For example, scaffolding use and safety training materials and resources are available via OSHA, at no charge.

Appropriate Liability Insurance

When scaffolding will be utilized on a commercial building project of some type, both the owner and contractor need to make certain that appropriate liability insurance is in place. The owner of a business or commercial property cannot slough off the necessity of maintaining suitable liability insurance that covers the utilization of and risks presented by the use of scaffolding. The legal reality is that the business or commercial property owner could be determined to share responsibility for losses, damages, or injuries sustained as the result of some sort of scaffolding mishap, even when a contractor is undertaken the actual work on a project.

Before commencing any type of project at a commercial building, the property or business owner should consult with an insurance professional. Typically, a commercial property or business owner will already have a connection with an insurance agent or broker that can examine existing coverages to ensure that proper protection is in place. If some sort of policy adjustment must be made to cover the utilization of scaffolding on the premises, the associated cost is far less than what a commercial property or business owner would face in the event of a scaffold accident without suitable coverage.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Scaffold Store, the favorite and trusted scaffold supplier of the largest contractors.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

A Pinball Machine Adds Pizazz to Your Home

January 2, 2018 By Anne

A Pinball Machine Adds Pizazz to Your Home

If you are like many people you look for unique items that can add a touch of pizazz to your home. One item that you may not have focused on is a pinball machine. On the other hand, you may be a pinball machine enthusiast. In either case, the reality is that a pinball machine can add a unique touch to your residence.

When it comes to a pinball machine for your home, you actually have far more options available to you than you might realize. The pinball machine has been a piece of gaming art that has been around for generations.

Pre-modern Genesis of Pinball

Pinball can trace its origins to pre-modern times. The inspiration for pinball stems from certain games played outside on lawns. These include such as bocce and bowling games.

Croquet, golf and paille-maille eventually developed from bocce and bowling as far as outside games are concerned. On the other hand, bocce and bowling resulted in indoor games as well. These include billiards, shuffleboard, and eventually pinball.

Pinball in the Late 18th Century

During extended reign of France’s King Louis the XIV, from 1643–1715, the spring launcher was developed which made the type of pinball machine we see even today possible. Indeed, the design and operation of the pinball machines designed throughout the 18th century are really no different from those crafted in the 20th century. The only meaningful difference is the use of electricity to brighten and intensify the pinball play.

If you are a true connoisseur of historic pieces for your home, whether that be furniture or games, a pinball-like machine from the 18th century would be an amazing addition to your residence. Yes, these types of machines can still be found. You are likely to have to invest some money in brining this type of piece into your home, as is the case for home furnishings from this era as well. However, by making this type of investment, you will add an amazing piece to your home.

Pinball in the 1930s

Pinball garnered a burst of additional attention in the 1930s. Perhaps the Great Depression made these entertaining games desirably. Although pinball machines in this decade started to require a coin to operate, they nonetheless provided reasonably affordable entertainment for cash-strapped Americans and others the world over.

Pinball machines became popular in drugstores during the 30s, which attracted young people to the game. In addition, the 30s represented the time period that pinball machines gained a foothold in bars and taverns, something which has carried forward to this day.

A pinball machine from this era would also be an amazing addition to a residence. Machines from this era are more widely available than those from previous time periods. One of the reasons there is a decent number of machines build in the 1930s available today is because so many of them were manufactured during the Depression era.

There are two primary types of pinball machines available today from the 1930s. These include manual machines, those that lack electricity. However, there are also electrified versions of the machine, which appeared for the first time in 1933. This is also the year that active bumper paddles were introduced to the machine.

Pinball in the 1970s

Another peak in attention paid to pinball machined came in the 1970s. As a result, this is another epoch in the life of the game in which machines are available for use in your residence today.

The pinball machines of the 1970s included solid-state electronics and digital displays. This opened up a whole new look and feel to these games. Associated background music oftentimes was added to accompany the more traditional bells and whistles.

The 1970s represented that last time period in which there was a burst in enthusiasm for more traditional pinball machined. By the 1980s, video games began making inroads and offerings like the “real world” pinball machine ended up taking a backseat to these other offerings.

Where to Find Pinball Machines

You have a variety of resources from which you can find pinball machines. You might be able to do something as approach a long-standing tavern, even in your own neighborhood. A surprising number of these establishments have pinball machines tucked away in storage areas, unused and gathering dust.

Auctions, estate sales, and antique stores represent other venues from which pinball machines can be found. Of course, as is the case with nearly everything in this day and age, the internet is a resource for pinball machines of all types.

Jessica Kane is a writer for The Pinball Company, the best online source for new, used, and refurbished pinball machines, arcade cabinets, and more!

Anne

The Legal Consequences of a Drunk Driving Accident

January 2, 2018 By Anne

The Legal Consequences of a Drunk Driving Accident

Motorists generally are familiar with the criminal sanctions associated with being arrested for driving under the influence. The penalties imposed in most states for DUI are significant and can have lasting consequences.

What many individuals may not be as aware of are the serious civil consequences a person can face if he or she causes an accident while driving a car under the influence. By this it is meant that an individual that causes a DUI related accident can face significant consequences in a lawsuit. Find more Tempe DUI & DWI Lawyers in Arizona if you have been charged with a DUI, or look for one in your area. The right lawyer can make all the difference.

Compensation in a DUI Accident Case

The compensation awarded in a DUI accident case depend upon the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the accident, coupled with the nature and extent of injuries sustained by the victim or victims of the accident. With that noted, the types of losses for which compensation can be awarded in a drunk driving accident case include:

medical bills and expenses
pain and suffering
emotional distress and mental anguish
permanent disability
lost income
property damage or loss

Keep in mind that when a person pursues a claim for injuries, damages, and losses associated with a drunk driving accident, that individual is entitled to compensation not only for existing losses or losses incurred to date. An individual injured in a drunk driving accident is also entitled to financial recovery for losses that are reasonably foreseeable in the future.

A person injured in a drunk driving accident is likely to require medical care and treatment into the future. He or she may endure chronic pain, a situation that may even extend for the remainder of the individual’s life. An injured person may not be able to return to work anytime soon. Indeed, he or she may end up in a situation that he or she can’t return to the line of employment enjoyed before the accident. All of these situations represent examples of losses for which a person injured in a drunk driving accident may seek compensation.

Punitive or exemplary damages may also become an issue in a drunk driving accident lawsuit. Punitive or exemplary damages represent additional compensation awarded in a drunk driving lawsuit if the conduct of the person that caused the accident is deemed to be particularly egregious or reckless. (That oftentimes is the case when intoxicated driving is the root cause of an automobile accident.)

Who is Responsible for a Drunk Driving Accident?

Obviously, an intoxicated driver who causes an accident is a responsible party. However, the last in many states in the United States is in a state of flux. For example, businesses like bars and restaurants historically were protected from being sued of a patron left an established intoxicated and caused a drunk driving accident. These statutes were collective known as dram shop laws.

In a growing number of jurisdictions, these protective laws are giving was to statutes and rulings in appellate court cases that are permitting an injured person the ability to not only sue a drunk driver but also a retail establishment that served the driver alcoholic beverages, in certain situations.

Establishing Responsibility if a DUI Accident Case

In order to hold a person or business responsible for losses caused by an intoxicated driver, beyond the driver itself, four elements must be satisfied. First, there must be a duty of care. In other words, the laws of a state must establish a duty or responsibility on the part of a retail liquor establishment to not serve alcohol to an intoxicated customer.

Second, there must be a breach of that duty. A breach occurs if an employee of a retail liquor establishment continued to serve an intoxicated person, knowing that individual to be drunk.

Third, the conduct of the establishment must be the proximate cause of the resulting accident and associated injuries. Overserving a patron alcohol must be the legal and actual cause of the accident and injuries. The bar or restaurant employee must have been able to reasonably foresee an automobile accident as a reasonably possible consequence of overserving alcohol to a patron.

Finally, the person pursuing a drunk driving car accident lawsuit must have sustained actual injuries, damages, or losses. These losses cannot be merely something completely speculative. A person who escaped such an accident without actual losses cannot make a claim based on a contention that something or another might arise as some future point in time.

Legal Assistance

When confronted with the prospect of being sued by a person injured in a drunk driving accident, legal assistance is advised. Legal rights are best protected through professional representation by an experienced attorney.

Jessica Kane writes for TIPS Alcohol Training, offering TIPS responsible alcohol service training online for both on and off premise needs.