2020 Holiday Gift Guide for Health and Wellness Lovers

     

      Share self care this holiday season with our health and wellness gift guide.

TouchPoints-

The ultimate gift of a stress-free holiday with TouchPoints, groundbreaking wearable devices that use gently haptic micro-vibrations and can reduce stress by more than 70% in 30 seconds, have been shown to increase deep sleep by 50 minutes, according to a recent study. TouchPoints’ patent-pending BLAST (bi-lateral alternating simulation-tactile) technology is scientifically proven to alter the body’s “fight or flight” response caused by stress to the "calm and logical" parasympathetic nervous system to increase your state of calm, improve your sleep, and increase your focus and performance. In seconds, you gain control over your stress, thinking clearly and experiencing balance and calm. This process creates long-lasting new behavior patterns, lessening the effect of the onset of stress over time. The devices, worn on the wrist, clipped to clothing, or held, emit vibrations that disengage your stress response which can impact your performance and health. It’s life-changing. Starting from $159.99, available for adults and children. TheTouchPointSolution.com.

Cornbag Warmers-

Corn Bag Warmers are re-usable microwave heating pads that you are certain to fall in love with!!

They are used for everything from staying warm during the cold winter months to helping relieve frustrating aches and pains. The company has been in business since 2001 and has thousands of happy customers.

Customers report that they use them for all sorts of things from arthritis, fibromyalgia, help during cancer treatment, using as dog warmers, migraines, menstrual cramps, blepharitis, knee pain, earaches and many others.

Their Cornbag Warmers are hand made in Oklahoma and they have over 100 beautiful patterns to choose from.

One thing that makes them different is their outer cover is removable, so if you spill something on it, you can remove the cover and wash it in the washing machine.

Order one today for yourself or as a gift to see how wonderful they really are!

** Be sure to watch this spot for more gift ideas-

Improving Your Small Business Productivity Using Time Tracking

 

Running a small business presents challenges. One of which is that there never seems to be enough hours in the day. No matter how hard you try; you rarely get your to-do list done. As a result, there is always something urgent that needs doing. This leaves you working under constant pressure.

Fortunately, there are things that you can do to solve this problem. Top of the list is investing in some time tracking software for small businesses. Used in the right way it is amazing how trans-formative this simple tool can be. It really can enable you to work more efficiently. It can also be great for seeing how effectively employees are using their working hours and where things might be too time consuming.

The knock-on effect of which is the fact that you can work faster so can slice through your to-do list. That relieves quite a bit of the pressure and gives you the time and breathing space to pay more attention to your customers. Here is a quick overview of how to get the most out of it.

Buy a good package

Start by buying a good time management software package. It is worth paying a little extra to get useful features like the ability to activate the timer in your browser. Or to receive a reminder alarm if you do not have the software running for more than 5 minutes.

Initially track absolutely everything

To start with, you want to aim to track every minute of your working day. This sounds tedious and difficult. But, in reality, once you have listed out the tasks you do every day or every week/month, it is easy. All you have to do is to remember to hit the button when you switch tasks.

Garbage in garbage out

But you need to be honest about what you are doing. If you go online to answer business emails, then get distracted and switch to reading your Twitter feed this must be taken into account. Go back into that entry and edit it. Estimate how long you were distracted for and log it. You will be amazed by how often your focus drifts away or is pulled away, from the task at hand. Seeing it in black and white will pull you up short. It is a highly effective way to motivate yourself to change your bad habits and become more focused.

Use the information and take positive action.

5 Tips to Reduce Your Legal Costs During a Divorce

Divorce is never pleasant. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out as planned, and not all marriages end with a happily ever after.

Divorce proceedings can get expensive, and you might end up paying more to split from your partner than it cost to get hitched in the first place. If you’ve reached a point of no return, there are ways you and your ex can save on the split.

Here are our top tips on how to reduce costs during divorce proceedings.

If it Can Be Amicable

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If you don’t need to involve lawyers, don’t. Mediation is a much more affordable option, and if the decision to end the marriage is mutual, it might be the better route to take.

With this type of proceeding, you’ll be communicating directly with each other, deciding how to split assets. If you can determine who gets what yourselves, you don’t need to pay a legal team to figure it out for you.

Additionally, the cost of hiring a mediator is much lower than getting a legal professional.

If it Can’t Be Amicable

Sometimes an amicable split just isn’t possible. In that case, weigh your options carefully. If things need to go to court, bills are going to stack up. Make sure you’re prepared for what that entails and that it’s worth the fight.

Therapy vs. Legal Advice

According to Diamond and Diamond Lawyers, you should be getting personalized service from your attorney. However, that doesn’t make them your new best friend. It might be tempting to spill your innermost feelings and regrets to your attorney but try to avoid getting that personal.

Remember, this is your lawyer and not your therapist. A qualified psychiatrist will charge you a lot less per session than your legal advisor will, so bare your heart to the right professional.

Associates and Paralegals

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You don’t necessarily need a partner to represent your case. Instead, ask if there’s an associate that can help you; they charge less but are still capable of handling your divorce.

You can also request that paralegals assist with the research, or hire one yourself. If you involve these individuals in the process, you’ll save quite a bit on fees.

Organize Financial Records

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The most significant part of a divorce is sorting out the finances. The less time your legal team needs to spend figuring out your financial records, the more you save.

If you can keep detailed, accurate, and organized documents, you can cut down on the time it takes your attorney to understand your finances. That, in turn, saves you money on legal fees.

To Summarize

There’s no way to prepare for a divorce, with or without a prenup. Aside from the emotional impact, there’s various assets, finances, and legal fees to consider.

If you and your partner can split amicably, opt for mediation rather than a legal process. If going to court is unavoidable, try to save by hiring associates or paralegals. Organize your financial documents before approaching your lawyer to save on time. Finally, remember that your attorney is there for legal advice, not therapy.

By remembering these five tips, you can cut down on your divorce costs.

How to Save Money When Buying a Home

Are you thinking about purchasing a home? If so, you may feel overwhelmed with all the costs involved. 

How can you get the best deal possible? There are several ways you can save money during the process of buying a home.

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Work with a Real Estate Lawyer

This suggestion may sound strange since legal services cost money. However, a real estate attorney can save you much more than they charge, believe those at Diamond & Diamond.

A lawyer who specializes in this area can help you save in the following ways:

• Analyzing contracts that may have clauses allowing builders to increase prices 

• Organizing documents and communication necessary for you to get a rebate on property or land transfer taxes

• Protecting your rights during the process of purchasing a home

Save Money for a Down Payment

It’s ideal to start setting money aside for a down payment long before you plan to purchase. Having 20% of the value of the home in savings can help you pay less at the time you buy.

Why does a down payment of this size save you money? It helps you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can cost up to one percent of the loan amount.

Try saving $50 or $100 per month. If you can set aside more than that, you’ll get there even faster.

Consider a Less Expensive Home 

The lower your intended home’s price, the easier it is to reach your goal of a 20% down payment. In addition to reducing PMI, you’ll enjoy lower monthly payments and incur less interest.

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Look for the Best Mortgage Rate

Shop around for the most favorable mortgage rates. If you have time, check five different firms to compare what they offer.

A shorter-term loan may incur less interest, but you’ll have higher monthly payments. Exploring the options available allows you to make an informed decision. A lower rate can save you thousands of dollars.

Inspect the Property Thoroughly

Pay close attention during the home review. Ask the inspector about any questions or concerns, and read their report thoroughly afterward.

You can also make your own observations. Check for any broken or unusable appliances. If you find a defect, request a credit from the seller, so everything is working when you move in.

Get Opinions from Others

When you start loving a house, you may begin to overlook flaws that might later become expensive. To avoid this, ask friends and family to examine the property with you.

Be as objective as possible, and listen to any concerns they may have. They can help you identify and resolve any problems before you move in. In this way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises in the future.

Summing It Up

There are many ways you can save when purchasing a home. Working with a real estate lawyer can ensure you avoid hidden costs. Set funds aside for a down payment, and consider a less expensive property.

It’s critical to shop around for the best mortgage rates. Make sure you inspect the house thoroughly and get opinions from friends and family. Doing all these things can ensure you save as much money as possible when buying a home.

Keeping Jake Out of the Elements

After 5 years of going south for the winter, Covid has put the brakes on that for us - well at least till things turn around. But for now, we are stuck in a Winter Wonderland.. and not something any of us particularly like. Not so bad when the weather is warmer but it can very cold here in northern Saskatchewan. 

Jakey, our 9 year old Yorkie does not like rain or snow... but he has to go out when it's bathroom time, so I had Gerry make him a lean to just outside the front door. This way, if its too cold or windy, at least he has a shelter to run out, do his business and come right back in...

Snow Day!

We had schools and businesses shut down after over a foot of snow was dumped on us yesterday evening.

There was just so much snow! Gerry really over did himself today with shoveling 

and vows he is going to get himself a snowblower very soon!

DIY Dryer Fix

My dryer stopped working today in the middle of a load of clothes. 

Gerry called the one repair place in town that looks after dryers but they said it could be up to a week's wait as they are busy. 

Between him and our daughter they figured what it could be wrong with some UTube videos.

Gerry went into Plan "B" mode and decided to head to the dump to see if there was a dryer out there that he could snag some parts from. He got lucky- there was one there pretty much like ours, and grabbed some parts from it. Came home, did a quick swap out and got it right! Dryer is working again and we probably saved over $100 with part and labor- easily!

Ten Ways to Have a Royal Wedding on a Commoner’s Budget

I have officiated at hundreds of weddings across the US and witnessed weddings around the world. The bride is always the Princess, and the groom is always Prince Charming; but after the fairy tale ball, few of us can draw on the royal treasury to pay the real bills. Here are a few suggestions to add enchantment without expense. 1.Location Don’t have Westminster Abby available? Consider the wonderful spaces that are a part of our urban landscape. My own son used the Eli Whitney Museum, a 19th century factory space. The antiques and high ceilings were designed to be a cathedral of invention. I officiated at an industrial loft in New York City with sweeping views of Manhattan. The lights of New York with their excitement and glamour became a sparkling fairy garden as evening arrived. A local historic house, concert hall, or meeting space will often rent for far less than a hotel or catering site and give a unique and stylish environment that will make extra decoration unnecessary. 2. Wedding Cake Princess Diana had a wedding cake that was six feet tall, but you don’t have to follow suit. The crowned heads of Europe aren’t coming, just your cousins and uncles and aunts. Still, it’s so easy to add up friends and family to top one hundred. The average three-tiered wedding cake for a party that size costs upwards of $600. That is a lot of money for a tradition that started with a loaf of bread! In ancient times, a cake or loaf of bread (the staff of life) was broken over the bride’s head to ensure fertility. In Renaissance times, refined sugar was a rare commodity. White sugar icing was put on the cake as a sign of affluence and prosperity. In Victorian times, the tiered cake became popular along with baking techniques to support the weight of multiple tiers. Keep the wedding cake; change the construction. I have always appreciated the surprise of cup cake and cream puff cakes, carrot and spice cakes, and homemade cakes, which offer a reminiscence of the days when weddings really happened in the front parlor. Even an elegant cake from a high-end baker need not be a tower. One of the prettiest cakes I’ve seen was a simple two-layer circle with a bouquet arrangement in its center. This couple used a sheath of wheat bound with ribbons recalling the origins of the cake tradition. 3. Flowers I was in Udaipur when the Minister of Aviation was marrying his daughter to a Bollywood star. Each night a different palace was strewn with banks of fresh cut flowers. The next day, the wilted stems were thrown into the trash. Whether on a Maharajah’s or a beggar’s budget, why throw money away? Flowers make a wedding seem like paradise. The ritual of a ceremony make us stop and look at the wonder that life is always renewing, and humanity is always starting again; but a garden is more than flowers. The rich tradition of the green man is found worldwide and includes in its fertility images fruits and vegetables of many kinds. Vines, grasses and leaves as well flowers can be used to create a decorative story of the life force that is celebrated at a wedding. Your wedding bower can be trees of life that will be replanted in your home garden as a living reminder of your love. A trip to your local garden store can provide pots of flowering bushes to frame your procession, and centerpieces can be bowls of annuals, perennials, and herbs to be taken home as favors. 4.Entertainment Ever see a picture of the Queen shaking hands after a command performance? We think of artistic commissions as the province of the rich and powerful, but a modest budget can often hire a wonderful musician or dancer from a local college to create an accent for your wedding vows. I have been delighted at a wedding with processional and recessional fanfares created by local brass players. I vividly remember a dance company from a local school making a wedding night special with a performance of the tango. I have used remarkable singers who are studying opera to sing for a ceremony and, then, to do a tribute performance during dinner. There are so many talented people in our communities who are delighted to have their work valued; give them the royal commission. 5.Food Tweak the royal feast! Salmon and steak are expensive wedding stereotypes. The whole world is your kingdom. Consider Chinese dumplings, Indian Dosa, Central American arapas and tamales, Middle Eastern meat and spinach pies. If you are working with a caterer, look at what they offer as an appetizer and consider if something might become a main course. Short ribs and fried chicken can be a lot more satisfying than typical banquet fare. Be true to yourself and recognize that the occasion is about love, and the wedding feast prepared with love will far outshine a standardized meal whose ingredients came from a restaurant supply company. 6. Favors Be as beneficent as a Queen. Instead of spending extra cash on favors, think about a donation to charity. Give each guest a pack of seeds and donate to a nature conservancy. Make your place cards from photos of children and donate to a scholarship fund. Share the richness of your wedding feast by donating to a homeless shelter. Give everyone a pink bracelet to fight breast cancer. Recognize the blessing of family and friends by helping a needy cause. 7. Printing If the royal castle had a computer, I bet the Queen would have sent an mp3 instead of a messenger. The format of wedding announcements and place cards dates from nineteenth century etiquette and technology. Be modern. Have fun. With computer programs, CDs, DVDs, and printers, you can create personal and imaginative wedding invitations at home. You can even send a trumpet fanfare! The cost of a guest book is between $50 and $100. Instead, print your wedding vows with a couple photo and mount this page on the cover of an album. Send blank pages from the album along with your invitations. Ask your guests to decorate each page with a personalized wish or blessing for you on your wedding day. When your guests arrive at the wedding, they can place their wishes into your album, making an extraordinary memento to cherish for the rest of your lives. 8. Dress Queen Victoria created the fashion for the modern wedding gown. She wore white because she wore English cloth, and Victorian fashion considered white an extravagance since it needed more maintenance. I realize that there is a gender gap when it comes to wedding costumes. The groom and his party rent. The women buy. I advocate gender equality. Check out the wedding gown exchange sites that you can find on the Internet. You can buy and resell wedding gowns. Adjust your thinking. Not only may you get a spectacular dress, but you will also be part of a sisterhood, sharing this special garment and its blessings with other woman. If you must have a once in a lifetime dress, go ahead. Just be aware that upon entering a bridal salon, you pay a premium amount for a dress. Don’t get stuck in the past. Go to a fine department store and see what fashions they have to offer. You may just find something in white. 9.Transportation The limo that takes you to the ceremony echoes the royal coach, but this is only a European tradition. In India, the wedding party collects the bride at her home and escorts her through the streets to the ceremony. Following this South Asian custom, consider a wedding parade using your own vehicles. If you must spend the money on transportation, consider adding style to your choice. For the same money or less, the bride can arrive in a horse and carriage festooned with garlands. I have even seen one wedding party arrive on Harleys! Even consider the limo service to wedding in Corpus Christi. Your day- have fun with it! 10.Officiant Whether you have The Bishop of Canterbury or a civil celebrant officiate, the words that you say to each other are the heart of the wedding. Make your ceremony about words, not flowers, food, cars, or dresses. Your ceremony can be as simple as two people holding hands and saying, “I love you.” Take time to find someone who will help you create the words that truly reflect this moment when your life will change -- and I becomes WE. Gerald Fierst is a civil celebrant who writes and officiates at weddings and life rituals. His book The Heart of the Wedding will be released in early 2011. Read more about the book at http://www.theheartofthewedding.com/ and more about Fierst at http://www.geraldfierst.com/. The Heart of the Wedding illuminates the ritual of marriage through cross-cultural history, folktale, true-life stories, and ritual, all infused with practical advice and wisdom. In a world where couples -- and the ceremonies they choose -- come in many varieties, this book celebrates the new America, respecting tradition while finding a contemporary voice to say “I do.”

Yes- He Installs Carpet!

 

When your a DIYer, you do it all! 

Gerry just installed new carpet for us.

Sold what we had in here, and just giving it a new look.

Now he's up to starting some painting in the porch. We have two more rooms left in our home that are left to go from beige to grey.

Jake Says He Loves Crumps’ Naturals

We have a 9 year old Yorkie named Jake.

We also like to be thrifty- at times- but, we don't skimp with inferior dog treats and food for him.

We believe in feeding him quality food.

We read labels and select products with natural ingredients- which also includes no additives or artificial preservatives.

The less ingredients in a product for him, the better.

I recently came across the brand Crumps Naturals- Canadian made- at our local Canadian Tire, and decided to give them a try for Jake.

I liked what I saw.

Jakey loves them- his favorite of the 3 we did try is the Beef Tendersticks- and he seriously cannot just eat one!

Crumps’ Naturals started with an emphasis on single-ingredient healthy dog treats, and the product line has since grown to include training treats, dental treats, cat treats and more.

Established in 2006 by a husband and wife duo in a garage in Caledon, Ontario Canada The company started in Margot & Joe Crump’s garage in Caledon and has since grown into a trusted brand in the pet food industry.

So, if your looking for a tried and tested dog treat for your dog- or your cat- Jake will tell you he loves Crumps and I'm sure we will be trying more of their flavors soon.