Mommy Has to Work

Zim’s Max-Freeze

November 6, 2013 By Anne

So I guess not quite two years ago when we were moving I must have done something to my shoulder. After the move I noticed some pain and after a few months went to the doctor. I know I’m a procrastinater. I received a shot of cortisone then another a month or so later along with physical therapy. Then when it came back a cortisone shot into the muscle done in an out patient setting at the hospital. Now the pain is pretty much gone but I still get some soreness in that shoulder. The doctor said is most likely related and gave me some excereises to do and mentioned adding heat or ice for comfort.

I was happy to be sent some products to review. Zim’s sent me a Max-Freeze Roll On and Gel as well as their Crack Cream. I love the Roll On! My hubby just rolls it around and I get an instant cooling on my shoulder that seems to last a few hours.

Zim’s is made from natural based ingredients like aloe, arnica, Vitamin E and tea tree oil. And none of these harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates or synthetic fragrances. It’s nice to know how natural it is.

I find I use it after yoga or running the vacuum. Activities that require more shoulder use.

If you suffer from muscle pain like I do check them out!

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!

Halloween, What a Busy Day!

November 5, 2013 By Anne

First there was the school parade, then class party. Later that night – trick or treating!

Anne

Creating a Winter Wonderland in your Garden

November 5, 2013 By Anne

It’s that time of year again. The leaves are falling from the trees, the days are getting shorter and the temperature is dropping. Soon, snow will be falling from the sky. Here in New Jersey, people are gearing up to create a Winter Wonderland in their gardens.

Irrigation

If you are planning to have real trees as a fixture in your winter wonderland, you will want to make sure that you have irrigated your lawn. There are many different options when it comes down to maintaining your lawn, for example, some people choose to outsource these responsibilities to lawn care professionals such as https://www.lawncare.net/service-areas/massachusetts/ however, ultimately the choice is up to you.

Irrigating your lawn will protect your trees from frost during the cold months. This also benefits your lawn and plants in the summer months. Artificial plants and trees are also good additions to your winter garden, especially if low maintenance is important.

Pine Trees

Pine trees, both real and artificial, can be staple additions. If you choose to go with real pine trees, it could take a while for them to grow large enough to have a good impact on your garden. Artificial pine trees also do the trick. The will look just as nice, and you don’t have to wait a few years for them to grow. Whether you opt for real pine or artificial, make sure to hang lights on your trees as this will add the perfect ambience to your winter garden.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere you want to create in your garden is important. You want to create a warm, friendly feel. Having elements and decorations that are cheerful will certainly create a festive mood. Ensure that your garden is clutter-free if you are looking for a sense of elegance by clearing up any debris that has formed from the fall. You may want to consider getting a leaf blower cordless to help you with ensuring you garden is primed and ready for your Wonderland.

Lights

Lights strung up on your house or across your yard can be a perfect addition to your winter wonderland theme. You can use traditionally colored lights or opt for the bright LED variety. Icicle lights are also a great accent that can make your yard look stunningly frosted. All types of lights can be put up on the trees in your yard, your house or even your fence. Don’t be afraid to get creative but also be safe if climbing trees and ladders is involved!

Decorations

Decorations add a perfect flare to your yard. Reindeer, snowmen and wreaths on the door are perfect for your winter wonderland theme. You could also add some garlands around your fence for a festive feel. Having a bench or a small table with chairs can also be a nice touch. These will also be practical for sitting outside if you’re lucky enough for the weather to be nice.

If you dream of having a winter wonderland in your garden, these ideas will help you get started. Make sure you start your planning well before the snow has hit. Trying to set up a beautiful garden in the cold and snow won’t be as enjoyable and may be dangerous as the weather can cause hazards such as ice. Once your garden is set up, you can sit back, relax and just let the festivities begin.

Photo credit: StarrGazr / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Anne

Why Buy It – When You Can Win It!! #win #giveaways

November 4, 2013 By Anne

Enter to win and then link up your giveaways here….

Cheezy Middles Gift Pack/$25GC

Anne

House of Horrors: Things to Look Out for When Viewing a Property

November 4, 2013 By Anne

This is a guest post.

You’ve decided to purchase a new home, you’ve found one that you really love and are considering putting in an offer. However, before you take those next steps, it’s important to consider every aspect besides style, price and square footage. It’s easy to let emotion get in the way of a house purchase, especially if on the surface a property looks to be exactly what you want or if you are desperate to leave your current situation. Keep the following things in mind when viewing a property to ensure you know exactly what you’re choosing to take on.

Get a home inspection

An expert opinion on what work needs to be done and how much it might cost is extremely valuable to have prior to buying a new place. Know what all the defects are, especially ones that involve its foundations, like the dangers of cracks in your wall, of rotating garage walls or even gaps around the windows. If you decide to make an offer, this information can help you negotiate the best price as you will know exactly how much money needs to be put into it to make it structurally sound.

Visit on a few different days and times

At weekends, traffic patterns or neighborhood parking may be a completely different experience than weekdays. That church or school across the street may seem great now, but at certain times of the day or week, the high number of people flocking to your street may become irritating. Coming by and checking a place out on several different days and times allows for a more accurate understanding of the house and its immediate environment.

Get to know the neighbors

If the opportunity presents itself, approach the neighbors and ask how they like living in the area. See if you can determine the percentage of owners to renters. People treat buildings they own different than ones they rent, so this is good information to know.

Ask to see the monthly bills

During the summer you may not notice drafty windows that could cause a hefty heating bill in the winter months. All the beautiful sunlit rooms may draw you in as a buyer in summer but the reality of heating costs if the winters
are cold may either deter you from putting in a bid or raise the point that you may need to replace them at some point in the near future.

Go for a drive and explore the area

Check out the surrounding neighborhood. If there’s late-night bar around the corner, a landfill nearby or the property is in alignment with the flight patterns of a nearby airport, these are things you need to know about to help you decide if you can live with the noise, smells or traffic long term. If a nearby block has some abandoned buildings, know this could impact your home value if you resell and they are still vacant.

Ask for detailed records on home improvements

If they are available, records on previous home projects will let you know what previously damaged areas were, what has been done to fix them and the costs involved. Pay attention to the costs. If they seem too low, chances are inexpensive materials were used or corners were cut so you may have this same problem in the near future if it wasn’t done right the first time.