Saturday, December 21, 2019

Four Ways to Deal with Illness as a Parent


Everyone gets ill – but when you have little ones to look after, it can be even more traumatic, when you’re trying to look after yourself at the same time. This can be even more of an issue if you’re a single parent and don’t have backup to help you out with all of your daily errands and keep an eye on the kids while you take some time out.

Whether you suffer from a chronic illness or are worried about getting poorly as a parent, here are four ways you can deal with the issue in the best way possible:

1. Supervise from your bed

Although you may want to keep going as normal and watch the kids at all times, it’s essential that you give yourself the chance to recover. Don’t feel guilty about supervising from your bed; your body deserves the chance to rest. The more rest you get, the quicker you’ll start to feel better.

Preferably, it would be great for the kids to spend time quietly playing by themselves, so you can switch off. In order to achieve this, leave out toys, games and arts and crafts, as well as set the TV to their favorite channel to keep them occupied while you rest.

2. Ask for help if you need it

If you have family and friends offering to help out when you’re too ill to do anything, don’t turn down their assistance in fear you’re going to cause them trouble. Their offer is genuine and will give you the chance to have some much-needed recovery time. Whether you need a nap or can’t quite face picking the kids up from school, don’t be afraid to reach out to those around you.

It would be a good idea to offer help to others around you before you get ill, so others are much more likely to return the favor, should the same happen to you.

3. Rest IV therapy

If you’re not in a position to call in back-up when you get ill and have to simply get on with things without any help, you may be feeling extremely stressed about how you’re going to cope if you get poorly. Luckily, there are ways that you can get instant relief from your symptoms from techniques such as Reset IV hydration therapy. This solution involves a medical professional inserting a small tube into your vein containing a saline solution and other additives to replace lost fluids and electrolytes that are causing you to feel under the weather. 
This simple yet effective method should allow you to get back on your feet in no time at all.

4. Keep the cupboards full

If the cupboards are empty and you’re worrying that a hectic trip to the grocery store will zap your last bit of energy, make sure you purchase enough food for the next few days so you don’t have to leave the house – or better still, do an online order. This means that you can cut down on your daily errands when the time comes and won’t have to worry that your to-do list is mounting up.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

How to Create a Modernist Family Home

Modernism is all about finding the styles that make your home look and feel like it’s of-this-year – bringing with it a raft of exciting, novel and emerging features that’ll enable your family to live in the most modern and luxury interior possible. Here, you’ll learn how to achieve the modernist aesthetic for your home, combining design and style principles with the modern technology that will make your home dazzle with the promise of a new decade – the 2020s. Read on to discover how your family home can ooze modernist splendor with some smart and agile additions.


Overall Style

There’s something sleek and simple about a modernist home that shouldn’t be underestimated. When you think of modern fittings and furnishings, there’s no doubt you’ll be thinking of a move away from the wood-and-stone interiors of older buildings, and a move towards new and more effective materials, shaped into designs that are optimized for both your comfort and for the new-look feel they’ll inject into your home.

When considering just how to make your home twinkle and sparkle with modernist touches in 2020, you’ll want to change many features to build a more cohesive style. You may choose to replace yellow-glow lights with whiter light, and heavy curtains with blinds. You will want to look at new, modern appliances instead of old, inefficient ones. What’s more, you’ll look to whites, grays, and pastels instead of darker colors to paint your walls.

Delightful Furnishings

Modern furnishings should be added to modernist interiors in order to achieve the aesthetic you’ve set out to onboard into your home. This can be as simple as heading to the local furniture warehouse – though you may well be disappointed with the selection that’s available there. It’s better to shop online by searching for a contemporary table, where you’ll be able to host guests in style at dinner and for drinks – helping your family home stand out as a picture of opulence and style in the minds of your visitors to your home.

Adding Technology

Modernism is not just about style – it’s also about the technology that’s being released from Silicon Valley and elsewhere in the cutting-edge technological revolution taking place around the world. It’s in the very look of these items – like Google Home or Amazon Alexa – that can help your home feel modern, with sleek, futuristic designs combined with an altogether impressive technological upgrade to your family home. The same can be said for:
  • Modern speaker systems that you can control from your smartphone or tablet
  • Control over your heating and lights through an app, saving you trips to the thermostat
  • Smart controls over everything from your front door to the blinds in your home
  • Smart appliances – like washing machines – and showers or baths that help monitor your use and order new products when you need them

All of this technology looks great and feels great to use – and can seriously help you save cash and serve your family’s needs at exactly the same time.

Achieve your modernist family home with the three key tips outlined above.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Rylie's Freshman Homecoming Dance 2019

Details of her outfit can be found here 
Our daughter had her very first  homecoming dance on September 20th at the Pepsi Cola Roadhouse in Burgettstown, PA.  She was anxious and  excited at the same time but glad she had a really nice experience.
Her close friend Anthony A. was her date.  They have known each other since kindergarten and  we're glad that they are still going in the same school in high school.  
 The Arnold family came to our house and picked up our little darling.   First experience  is always memorable.  We, as parents tend to make  our children's every FIRSTs as memorable as possible, at least is like that for me and my husband.  I am glad we shared the same with the Arnold's.  Anthony is their youngest son so this is a very important event for  them as well.
 I can't believe they have grown so much in 8 years!  I can still remember  each of them talking so innocently in kindergarten.
 Sending our children to a private and catholic school is a bit costly but it's worth it.  Faith is a big part of our family's foundation and we're so glad that our children can  have it integrated in their education as well.  
 We found great friends that we consider  family in school and for us, it's a blessing.
 They gathered at the Mascio home before heading out to the  venue of the event.
 You can see the  excitement in their happy faces, that to me is priceless.  
I am sure that the kids got tired of smiling but I am sure, they will appreciate the pictures when  they are all adult and  looked back on how this happy comments are captured on film for them to see in their future.  

Thursday, October 10, 2019

WV History Bowl Championship

The day leading to the  championship for the History Bowl competition was a stressful one for our daughter.  She really wanted to  do good so she was stressing out and was working hard to  pack her brain with so much information.  
 We went  a day early  at Charleston so that  she could at least relax before the    day of the final competition.  We encouraged her to  have a good night sleep but I can tell that she did not sleep that long.  I know I couldn't sleep myself as well thinking about it, I was nervous for her.
 Nevertheless, she was optimistic and hoping for the best.  This is the morning of the  competition.  We woke up early and had breakfast at the hotel and got ready to go to the venue.
 I thought we arrived early but it seems like everybody was there already lol.  While waiting for the  competition to start, we had a lot of time to  spend for taking photos and  review some more.
 I can tell that even though they were prepared, they were still anxious.
 We sat by the corner and  reviewed their materials.
 I am not sure if it's the nerve that kicking in but our daughter can't remember  some of the  information that she knew before  this day.
 Since  the kids did not have a coach, the moms served as their coaches.
 This was taken during the first elimination round.  They won and advanced to to the next round.  They scored 38 while the other school scored 20.
 The school principal was there cheering them on also.
Below is the video of the first elimination round which was  set for ten minutes.  I was  so nervous that this video is so shaky lol.


They finished 9th place out of 24 teams so it wasn't a bad result.   Taking our son with us and watching the event  inspired him.  He said he wants to do it too when he's in 8th grade so we saved all of our daughter's study material.  All we have to do is update the political info next time if there are changes.  Our daughter said she would be will to help  coach.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

6 Tips for Making Your House Healthy and Safe

Every parent wants to raise their children in a safe, happy, and healthy environment. However, your home could be filled with potential safety risks or hazards, which could pose a threat to your kids’ well-being.

While your home should be a haven away from harm, small problems could lead to a big health issue for both you and your little ones.

To ensure you create a secure environment for your children each day, make sure to read these six top tips for making your house both healthy and safe.

1.  Test Your Water Temperature

The last thing you will want is to scald your baby or toddler during bath-time. While 140 degrees F might be fine for an adult, it could burn a child in as little as five seconds. For this reason, you must ensure your water heater is set to no more than 120 degrees F, and you should always test the temperature before you place your child into a tub. If you are unsure how to control your water heater or suspect there could be a fault with the temperature, you should go online and search for “best plumbers near me” to have a professional review and repair the system.

2.  Protect All Electrical Outlets

Children are inquisitive by nature. As a result, they might be tempted to play with an electrical outlet. Rather than allowing them to place their fingers into an open socket, you should install plastic caps onto all unused outlets to protect your kids at all times. You also should keep electrical items out of your child’s reach, such as curling irons, hair dryers, space heaters, and radios, especially when they are in the bathroom.

3. Install a Smoke Detector

The thought of a fire breaking out in your property probably chills you to the bone. For this reason, you must install a dependable smoke detector on every floor, especially outside sleeping areas, which will notify the whole family in the event of a fire.

You also need to check that the smoke detectors are in working order at least once per month, and you must replace the batteries once per year, even if they are seemingly working. It will provide you with peace of mind that you will have enough time to evacuate your family and ring a fire department should the worst happen.

4. Install Safety Gates on Your Staircase

If you are raising young children, it is wise to install safety gates at both the top and bottom of your staircase. Kids might be tempted to walk or crawl up or down the stairs when your back is turned, but the gates can prevent them from gaining access and can, in turn, prevent an accident within the home. It is a must-do if your children are starting to walk or crawl.

5.  Monitor Carbon Monoxide Levels

Carbon monoxide (CO) can have serious and fatal health repercussions if left unrecognized. If you have low to moderate CO levels within the home, it is possible you or a loved one could develop flu-like symptoms, but you will unlikely develop a fever.

For this reason, you must install a carbon monoxide alarm outside your loved ones’ bedrooms, which can prevent poisoning. You also should have your heating system inspected at least once per year, and you should contact a plumber or the gas company if you suspect a leak.

6. Lock Away Cleaning Products and Medicines

Young children often don’t think twice about putting an item into their mouth, as they will not know what is unsafe or tastes bad. As a result, they will be more than happy to add makeup, cleaning products, and medicines into their mouth, if they can. To prevent them from consuming the hazardous items, you should lock away all potentially dangerous items your children might be tempted to consume.

You also should purchase cleaning agents and medicines with child-resistant tops and install a safety latch onto all low cabinets and drawers your kids could access. Don’t forget to hide away any small objects your kids could potentially swallow, such as marbles, jewelry, safety pins, coins, and small toy parts.

Conclusion

While it can be difficult to monitor your children every second of every day, there are actions you can take to increase their safety within the home. It is a wise idea to walk throughout the home to identify potential health hazards and to follow the above tips to create a safe and healthy environment for your nearest and dearest.

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Fourteen #Katorse #Catorce


Our daughter turned 14 years old last month.  Time really do flies!  I am grateful that I'd become a mother of this one special and loving little lady.  She's a  hard worker and really do her best in anything that she  try to do.  She gets frustrated when she can't do something right, the way that she wants it to but in the process she is learning that not everything in life will go as planned.  As early as possible, we try to explain to our kids that life is full of surprises so it is always best to think the different possibilities  when doing things.

The photos below were taken last year during her 13th birthday.  When I look at these pictures, I can't believe how a year makes a big difference.  Physically, she was still so little last year but this year, she is  almost as tall as me.  Well, I am short so she would probably be taller than me.  She still have few years to grow.  
These photos were taken at Theodore M. Berry International Park in Cleveland Ohio.  We spent her birthday  on a road trip last year and it was a blast.  
We didn't get to travel this year on her birthday but she understands why.  
She still have a baby face last year but as she turned 14, she's looking more mature and a bit grown up.
I miss the times when I can still tell her to pose for me so I can take a picture of her.  It's been hard nowadays  to take a picture of her lol.  I guess, it is part of being a teen, being awkward with a lot of things.
What I love about our daughter is that, she still talks to us.  Both of our kids does not go to bed without going to our room and say good nights and "I love you."  I am glad that they are "too cool" to hug us and do silly things in front of us.  There are times when she had moments of attitude but it ain't so bad.  We always talk about it and resolve  each issue she faces.
As parents, it is very important that we listen to every little things  they say.  It is our attention that they do need at this critical stage of their adolescence.  A lot of teens these days rebel because they want attention.  
"Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don't give up hope. Be open to criticism and keep learning. Surround yourself with happy, warm and genuine people." - Tena Desae
"Work hard for what you want because it won't come to you without a fight. You have to be strong and courageous and know that you can do anything you put your mind to. If somebody puts you down or criticizes you, just keep on believing in yourself and turn it into something positive.
- Leah LaBelle
"Don't forget to tell yourself positive things daily! You must love yourself internally to glow externally." -  Hannah Bronfman
"It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts." -  Robert H. Schuller
"Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfillment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them." - Jack Canfield
"You just keep a positive attitude no matter what comes in your way - challenges, roadblocks - don't let it faze you, and you can overcome anything. " - Rose Namajunas
"You have to enjoy life. Always be surrounded by people that you like, people who have a nice conversation. There are so many positive things to think about." - Sophia Loren
"It's easy to get negative because you get beat down. 
You go through a few disappointments and it's easy to stay in that negative frame of mind. Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is a whole cliche, but your attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life." -  Joel Osteen
"Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. 
Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. 
Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up." -  Allen Klein
Dearest Anak,

As you continue to grow, I hope that you can find those  positive quotes handy when you are having a hard time.  Always remember that we are always here for you.  Always  keep the faith in you and the work ethic that you already have.  We believe that you can do whatever you put your mind into. Continue to work hard in achieving your goals. 

 We love  and believe in you! 

Mom, Dad, and EJ

Youth Leadership Graduation

Each year, Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Youth Leadership for sophomore students different schools in Weirton and nearby counties...

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