33 minute read
TIPS ON HOW TO GET READY FOR SCHOOL QUICKLY
Longleaf Trail in Estero - Own a beautiful turn-key furnished two-story home in the lovely Longleaf neighborhood in Shadow Wood and skip the line on the golf waiting list, in the process! This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, 2 car garage home features a brick paver lanai, the oversized homesite offers great privacy on each side of home, and so many great features that enhance this Kingfisher floor plan. Enjoy gorgeous lake and preserve views year-round from your heated pool and spa with southern exposure. Offered move in ready allowing you to start living your best life now with no wait for enjoying the Shadow Wood lifestyle. Shadow Wood Country Club offers 54 holes of golf, 9 tennis courts, bocce ball, pickleball, private beach club, fitness & spa, new clubhouse, pro-shop, ladies and men locker room and terrace fireside seating with mile-wide views of the golf course.
Altessa Way in Bonita Springs - You are going to love this spacious and well-maintained 2nd floor Coach home with 2 car attached garage! With over 3,100 square feet of living space, this is the perfect year-round or seasonal home. The generous leasing options make this the ideal investment property as well. Enjoy the great room floor plan offered by the Verona, with a spacious kitchen overlooking the living/dining rooms with a perfect breakfast bar/island separation and the dining nook for informal meals and table games. The master suite features 2 walk-in closets and a spa-inspired bathroom with an oversized soaking tub and large walk-in shower and dual vanities. Jack and Jill split bedrooms provide privacy for guests. Perfectly located central to the sandy beaches of the gulf, shopping and dining in downtown Naples and RSW airport, this amenity-rich, bundled golf community offers you all sorts of opportunities to enjoy the Southwest Florida lifestyle.
FOR LEASE
601 - 65 Port Street East in Port Credit, Mississauga
PERFECT FULLY FURNISHED PENTHOUSE FOR LEASE
This ideal lease is available beginning November 1st. The Regatta is the waterfront building in Port Credit where the trails run along the waterfront just outside its doors and the restaurants, shops and other amenities are plentiful. This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom unit is being offered fully furnished, so it could be an awesome choice if you are new in town or planning a renovation on your home and need a great place to stay.
Simple Ways to Enhance Home Safety
By Meghan Wentland | Updated June 9, 2022 | Text and images on https://www.bobvila.com
QUESTION: I’ve just moved into my first home, and I’ve suddenly realized how much I took for granted about home safety and security when I lived with my family. I am thrilled to be out on my own, and I want to be able to invite my friends and family over safely, but now I’m worried that my home may not be as safe as I think it is. How can I secure my home against potential hazards? ANSWER: First, congratulations on your new home! Moving into your own space is an exciting time, but as you mention, it can also be a time when you suddenly realize what a significant responsibility it is to be fully in charge of a home or an apartment. This is a discovery many people make around other life changes as well—when a baby becomes a toddler and is suddenly on the move, or when an older relative comes to visit or stay—especially as the safety messages of the day seem to change so frequently. Ridding the house of hazards can seem like an impossible task, as it’s hard to know what is a hazard and what is not. Once you know what to look for, however, clearing safety hazards around the home isn’t difficult or particularly expensive, and many of the steps can be achieved quickly. Your home will feel safer in no time.
LOCK DOORS AND WINDOWS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM INTRUDERS
This seems like such a simple step, and yet intruders often gain access to homes through unlocked or open doors and windows, so it bears repeating. The most important step residents can take to secure their homes is to lock the door each and every time they leave or return home— even if they’re just walking over to the neighbor’s yard or running to their own backyard for a few minutes, or running upstairs to grab a forgotten jacket on the way out. The same goes for windows. If the home already has solid, secure door locks, then all this step requires is developing the habit of locking the door regularly. But the quality of the door lock matters; if the door is old, or the lock doesn’t fit tightly in the door frame, or the resident doesn’t know how long it’s been since the lock was replaced, it may be time for a new one. Front door security depends on a strong door, a strong lock, and good lighting. Do the windows in the home rely on a single sliding sash lock? They may also need bolstering or replacement; there are a number of after-market window locks that can be added to existing windows to make them harder to pry open or break. If the windows are older or single-pane, it may be time to replace them to increase the home’s security.
HOME SAFETY OPTIONS Keep floors dry and obstruction-free, and keep hallways and staircases well lit to help prevent accidental falls. Taking a tumble on a kitchen rug can be something to laugh about later when joking with friends about a clumsy accident. But clumsy accidents can easily become dangerous injuries, so it’s best to protect guests and residents from slipping or falling as much as possible and save the jokes for another time. Falls are especially dangerous for adults over the age of 60 and for young children, but anyone can be seriously injured during a hard fall down the stairs or in a bathroom. Consider removing loose throw rugs or adhering them to the floor in such a way that a toe can’t catch on the edge. Rugs are pretty, but they can slide across the floor too easily and take a person down with them, so securing them to the floor can increase safety if they’re a necessity. Cleaning up spills promptly is especially important in bathrooms and kitchens, where hard surfaces are more likely to cause injury during a fall than on carpeted surfaces. While tidying up can be an onerous task, it’s important to clear the debris that can accumulate in entryways, hallways, and staircases each day, as that pile of shoes, mail, or work and school bags can be a tripping hazard. Finally, good lighting—especially on staircases—makes an enormous difference in reducing the likelihood of falls. Staircases need overhead lighting to reduce shadows and missed steps, and most hallways can benefit from low lights or night lights that illuminate when it gets dark. A range of cordless sconces and ground lighting is available to light areas where hardwiring would be difficult.
CONSULT A HOME SECURITY PRO Find trusted technicians in your area and compare multiple project quotes for free. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors regularly to ensure they are in good working order. Smoke alarms buy home residents precious time in the event of a fire; they give the home’s residents extra minutes to get out of the home and call the fire department, potentially reducing injury, loss of life, and damage to the property. There’s a catch, though—smoke detectors only buy this time if the batteries are fresh and the alarms are functioning properly. It’s the homeowner’s or renter’s responsibility to test the alarms monthly and replace the batteries twice a year, even if the alarm hasn’t had cause to sound. The batteries drain just from “sniffing” the air and remaining on guard. Often people choose to replace the batteries when the clocks go forward and backward, and it’s a good idea to use a marker to write the most recent change date on the inside of the smoke alarm cover as a reminder of when the batteries were installed. Carbon monoxide is a hidden danger. The colorless, unscented gas seeps out of damaged furnaces and appliances, heaters, or garages and poisons residents quickly and silently, often while they’re sleeping and thus unaware of early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. These signs can include dizziness, nausea, confusion, and headache. Carbon monoxide detectors look similar to smoke detectors and display the current level of carbon monoxide in the air in the home. When the levels get too high, the alarm will sound, giving residents time to get out of the home, call for assistance, and seek immediate medical attention. Just like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors need to be tested monthly and have their batteries
HOME SAFETY OPTION Monitor the stovetop and oven while cooking to prevent accidental burns. For many cooks, the quick reach over one pot to stir another is a motion that is second nature, but if the cook is wearing loose sleeves, has long hair, or has a towel casually draped over an arm, that quick reach can start a fire that causes injury. Most people think of gas ovens or stoves as the culprits of kitchen fires, but a dish towel in contact with an electric burner can light up just as quickly, and heated oils and foods can burn just as badly as flames. It’s a good plan to take basic precautions such as wearing closely fitted clothing, keeping the area clear, turning pot handles toward the inside, and paying careful attention to the cooking food, as well as using dedicated pot holders or gloves to remove food from the oven. Also, keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen to tackle small fires quickly is an excellent safety precaution - just be sure the home’s residents know how to use it so that key moments aren’t lost reading the directions in a moment of crisis.
KEEP MEDICINE AND OTHER POTENTIALLY POISONOUS SUBSTANCES IN A LOCKABLE CABINET Poison control centers do a brisk business with calls from terrified parents whose children (or pets) have ingested medication that wasn’t intended for them. It’s easy to forget about medicine and poison safety when things get busy, and accidents can happen in a flash when medication or chemicals are left unsecured around the house. Locking medicine cabinets don’t have to be fancy— they can be as simple as a regular medicine cabinet with a lock on the side or tackle-box style to keep in a linen closet—and they may not be foolproof, but they’ll present a much greater obstacle than a childproof cap on a medicine bottle. Household chemicals and paint are best kept in an area that is not accessible to children, also behind a locked door. Finally, keep the phone number for the American Association of Poison Control Centers (1-800222-1222) posted in an accessible location as well as saved in a cell phone, or save Poison Control’s emergency chat function as a shortcut on a laptop or phone so that if an accidental ingestion does occur, help can be summoned immediately.
REMOVE OR TIE UP BLIND CORDS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL STRANGULATION IN CHILDREN AND PETS Most homeowners or renters don’t give a second thought to the cords on the blinds or shades in their home. Chances are the bottom of the cords have become tangled over time as users have grabbed them to raise or lower the blinds. The tangle may be unsightly, but it also presents a strangulation hazard for children or pets who may get their heads or limbs caught in the cords. An average of one child a month dies as a result of this hazard. This safety hazard can be corrected by snipping the cords high above the reach of children if possible, or by removing them entirely and replacing them with cordless blinds or shades.
CREATE A FAMILY ESCAPE PLAN TO FOLLOW IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY In a true emergency, it is much easier to fall back to a planned course of action than it is to try to decide what to do in the moment, when hearts are pounding and adrenaline is surging. All of the home’s residents should work together to create an emergency plan so that it’s the default course of action and no time is wasted. Knowing which exit to use and designating a “meet outside the
home spot” is a good first step, and depending on the region, households may need additional plans for power outages, tornadoes, or floods. Create the plan, and then practice it so that in an emergency the focus will be on enacting it, not panicking.
INSTALL A SMART-HOME SECURITY SYSTEM TO HELP KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE AND SECURE The best home security systems and best apartment security systems use burglar alarms, door and window sensors, cameras, and other technology to help protect the home from potential intruders. As smarthome systems have developed, however, security systems have incorporated the smart-home features into the whole-home automation plan, allowing residents to control many functions from the same app or interface. Of course, the apps associated with a home security system will allow users to arm and disarm their system, and many include a panic button that can be an important part of a home emergency evacuation plan. But the smart-home features incorporated into security systems can add to home safety in other ways by allowing a home’s residents to control hazards through an app. Ever returned home 10 minutes after leaving to check that the front door was locked or called a neighbor from vacation to see if the garage door was closed? Smart door locks and garage door openers allow users to answer those questions by checking an app, and to lock deadbolts or close garage doors with a quick tap. Forgot to turn off the stove before leaving for the day? Another tap can turn off a smart appliance. While away from home, have you suddenly realized it’s hotter than expected and that a beloved pet may overheat? Use the smart-home security app to turn up the AC. And when arriving home later than expected, the option to preset a smart light to turn on at dusk means that the all-important front door lighting will be shining brightly upon the resident’s return. A comprehensive home security system protects a home from intruders (and may garner a discount on homeowners or renters insurance), but it can also make home safety an easier task to tackle.
SENSORY GARDENS
DESIGN TO ENGAGE ALL FIVE SENSES
Written by Ronda Swaney. Text and photos seen in Homes by Design. Photography provided by Tatiana Buzmakova/iStock/Getty Images Plus.
Gardeners often choose plants for how they look—the color or the shape of their flowers and leaves. Gardens focused on appearance alone provide beauty and solace. But engaging all five senses - sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste - makes a garden more enticing and immersive.
SENSORY GARDENS Sensory gardens can make the experience more enjoyable for those with vision or hearing impairment. They are great teaching tools, helping children explore the natural world through all their senses. The benefits of gardening on mental and physical health are well documented for people of all ages. Exposure to sunshine and nature provides a mood boost, and the physical activity of creating and maintaining a garden improves strength, dexterity, and flexibility. A sensory garden can also improve your health through specific senses. Fragrances trigger the limbic system (the part of the brain that helps us process memories and emotions). For example, lavender is said to prompt relaxation, while some studies find that a minty fragrance increases alertness. Sounds can also be soothing; birdsongs, trickling water fountains, or rustling leaves may provide a sense of peace for listeners. Babies touch soft things to soothe themselves; that soothing action can stay with us into adulthood, which makes touching soft, fuzzy plants a calming activity to soothe a busy mind. Lean on the following ideas to construct a more immersive garden and create a feast for the senses.
SIGHT Plants offer the most obvious appeal to sight. Group flowers by color by either pairing all warm or all cool hues, or blending a combination of hues. Mix up foliage as well, contrasting dark-green leaves with variegated, greenish-yellow or even silvery options. Plants aren’t the only sight-related elements that can be added to a garden. A reflecting pool, gazing balls, mirrors, and moon or keyhole gates that frame a view all add interesting visuals.
SMELL Roses, lilies, gardenias, and honeysuckle are top picks for imbuing a garden with fragrance. Add herbs for savory, citrusy, and sweet smells too. Good options include mint, chives, rosemary, thyme, or lemon balm.
SOUND Ornamental grasses rustle gently when blown by the wind. Water features provide soothing
sounds. Pathway paving, such as gravel, river rock, or pea pebbles, crunch when walked on. Insect-attracting plants add the buzz of bees as they pollinate the garden and other surrounding flora. Wind chimes can also be a charming audible addition.
TOUCH Interior design focuses on texture. Velvet, jute, silk, and tweed, for example, each elicit different sensations and feelings when touched. The same is true for plants. The bark of trees provides a rough texture. The leaves of an Artemisia shrub are gentle to the touch. Fountain grass tufts also offer a pleasing texture. Succulents, like hens and chicks, provide a harder and sometimes pricklier surface. Hardscape features, like cedar fencing or galvanized steel planters, add to the mix of textures in the garden. TASTE Herbs, fruits, and vegetables provide the obvious options for appealing to taste in your garden. Edible flowers, such as pansies, roses, violets, and nasturtiums, offer another avenue to explore this sense. Use caution, however. Choose edible varieties and do not treat them with pesticides or other chemicals. Be sure they are washed before consumption.
NEXT STEPS What steps can you take to create your own sensory garden? It may be easier than you think. First, take stock of what you have now. Inventory your garden and note the various senses that your plants, containers, and hardscape appeal to. That list will help identify missing senses you can expand on in your garden. Also consider the pathways through your garden. If your goal is to provide an immersive experience, pathways should lead visitors close to plants that offer a pleasing fragrance or a pleasant touch. As you plan your garden, think through how it will change with the seasons and how you can make it a year-round experience. Choose plants that appeal to senses throughout the year. For example, a crape myrtle tree provides a beautiful sight during summer (its blooming season) and autumn (when many varieties sport leaves that turn deep, rich colors). In winter, the tree bark peels back, providing an interesting surface to touch, while also revealing new colors beneath the surface. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but natural beauty extends beyond what we see. A sensory garden helps deepen your experience of the natural world as you incorporate sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste into your landscaping plans.
FOR SALE
203 - 65 Port Street East, Mississauga
SOPHISTICATED LAKESIDE CHARM!
Rarely available and exceptionally upgraded, this elegant 2 bedroom suite in The Regatta has it all! This well-appointed condo features a spacious 1314 sq ft floor plan, ideal for today’s modern living. The impressive living and dining room space allows for all your entertaining needs, featuring stunning custom cabinetry creating a lovely niche for the built-in electric fireplace and TV, crown moulding, exquisite hardwood floors, track and pot lighting, and walkout to the balcony. The gourmet kitchen includes stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, tile backsplash, undermount lighting, stainless steel double sink, breakfast bar and additional built-in pantry/storage space. The primary bedroom features his and hers closets and a luxurious 4 piece ensuite with marble flooring, built-in floor to ceiling cabinetry, floating vanity and a gorgeous, large glass shower with a fabulous rain shower head and bench. The second bedroom includes a custom built-in desk with cabinetry for additional storage, a murphy bed, and a sliding glass door leading out to the balcony. The additional 4 piece main bathroom has been stylishly updated and is perfect for guests. Convenient in-suite laundry room includes a full-size washer & dryer with undermount storage drawers and shelving for additional storage. The balcony features two separate entrances and is ideal for entertaining, as BBQs are permitted in The Regatta. Just steps to waterfront trails, marinas, restaurants and shops, The Regatta is in one of Port Credit’s most exclusive lakeside communities and offers a truly walkable lifestyle.
BODY WORK - HEALTHY TREATMENT FROM HEAD TO TOE
Written by Blake Miller. Text and photos seen in Homes by Design. Photography provided by Albina Gavrilovic/iStock/Getty Images Plus.
In the last decade, the integration of complementary medicine within conventional medicine has seen an increase as people are looking for more natural approaches to bettering their health. And more than half of Americans say they use alternative medicine treatments in their healthcare and self-care routines. “Complementary medicine is vital to your overall health,” says Bill Daniels, a certified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist (NASM) and certified strength and conditioning coach (CSCS) based in Walnut Creek, California. “If you only rely on western medicine, you are missing a huge piece of the puzzle. By taking the time to practice self-care such as exercise, acupuncture, chiropractic, or whatever other modes work for you, you are allowing your body to recover in ways that medication just can’t do.”
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE Basic Background: “Myofascial release is a body-work technique that uses sustained, gentle-tofirm pressure that allows the fascia—such as the Iliotibial Band (IT) that runs from the pelvic bone to the shin bone—to relax and unwind,” explains Brittany Herzberg, LMBT, a massage therapist in Apex, North Carolina. “The IT Band is the best known example of fascia. That type of tissue weaves all up and down your body. It’s a giant web that holds you together.” And if it becomes too tight, it can pull on your knee or hip, for example, and result in
chronic joint pain. Who Should Try It: “If you battle chronic pain and tension, you may want to see if myofascial release is a good fit,” says Herzberg. “Clients often comment on how they feel calmer because their nervous system is at ease and looser because the fascia isn’t as bound up as it once was. Many of my massage clients who are serious—or even amateur—athletes or desk jockeys who sit at a desk all day long seek out this type of work. They know their bodies are tight in certain areas and have found myofascial release to be an effective body-work tool.”
NERVE FLOSSING Basic Background: Nerve flossing is a technique used to gently mobilize the nerves and therefore improve range of motion and reduce pain in the joints. Who Should Try It: “Nerve flossing is a technique I use both for myself and for clients regularly,” says Daniels. “I use it for people who have pain in joints and muscles but can’t seem to pinpoint what the cause is. What I have found working with people is that the nerve can become impinged by either scar tissue or within a joint and it needs some light tensioning to get it free. I think of it like a hose with a kink. If the water can’t get through well, then you don’t get a great output. Think of it like the signal from the brain can’t travel at full force through the nerve to the muscle.”
REIKI. Basic Background: “Reiki is a Japanese energy channeling modality, which stimulates the flow of energy through the body to restore mental, physical, and emotional wellness,” explains Luke Bonecutter, a spiritual counselor in San Antonio, Texas. “Using crystals, sounds, elemental correspondences, and other channeling techniques, this treatment can help manage chronic pain or stiffness, comfort anxious feelings in the body, balance and realign energy centers, remove mental and emotional blockages, and strengthen the aura.” Who Should Try It: Everyone. “Reiki is recommended both as preventative and reactive treatment to keep the body’s energy balanced, therefore anyone can try and benefit from Reiki,” says Shanise Spruill, certified holistic health practitioner based in Indian Head, Maryland. “Reiki is often used to help reduce persons under stress, high performers, as well as those who suffer from anxiety.”
DETOX YOUR BODY You are what you eat, quite literally, so sometimes we need to flush out the toxins built up from consuming processed foods, gluten, meat, and dairy, which are often the cause of chronic gut health issues. A water detox is a great option to detoxify your gut. “Water detox helps remove toxins from the body,” explains Lea McMahon LPC, EdD, with Symetria Recovery based in Illinois and Texas. “You can add lemon and cucumbers in lukewarm water. This is used by many people to control their weight. But that’s not the only benefit. The release of toxins from the body can improve your immunity and metabolic rate, which keeps you energized throughout the day. That is because you are hydrated.”
THERESA RECOMMENDS
FOOD AND DRINKS
3 Quick Back to School Lunches
As seen on http://tasteofhome.com
Toasted Chicken Salad Sandwiches
INGREDIENTS
Total Preparation Time: 30 minutes Makes 10 servings 4 cups cubed rotisserie chicken 3/4 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped green onions 1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise or avocado oil mayonnaise 2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped 2 tablespoons caper juice 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 20 slices French bread (1/2 inch thick) 3 tablespoons butter, softened 10 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves 1 cup thinly sliced radishes
METHOD
STEP 1: Place chicken in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in celery, green onions, mayonnaise, capers and juice, relish, salt and pepper.
STEP 2: Brush 1 side of each bread slice with butter. In a large skillet, toast bread, buttered side down, in batches, over medium heat until golden brown. To assemble sandwiches, place 10 slices bread with toasted side down. Layer with lettuce, radishes and chicken salad; top with remaining toast slices.
INGREDIENTS
Total Preparation Time: 35 minutes Makes 4 servings 1 tablespoon olive oil 8 ounces lean ground beef (90% lean) 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed 2 whole wheat pita breads (6 inches), cut in half horizontally 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped 1/2 cup fresh baby spinach, thinly sliced 12 Greek pitted olives, thinly sliced 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
METHOD
STEP 1: Preheat oven to 400°. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet; cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, 5-6 minutes; crumble meat; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and rosemary; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 6-9 minutes. STEP 2: Place pita halves, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Top with meat mixture, tomato, spinach and olives. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake until cheeses are melted, 4-6 minutes.
Club Roll Ups
INGREDIENTS
Total Preparation Time: 25 minutes Makes 8 servings 3 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup ranch salad dressing 2 tablespoons ranch salad dressing mix 8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained 1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained 1/4 cup diced canned jalapeno peppers 8 flour tortillas (10 inches), room temperature 8 thin slices deli ham 8 thin slices deli turkey 8 thin slices deli roast beef 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
METHOD
STEP 1: In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, ranch dressing and dressing mix until well blended. In another bowl, combine the bacon, onion, olives, pimientos and jalapenos.
STEP 2: Spread cream cheese mixture over tortillas; layer with ham, turkey and roast beef. Sprinkle with bacon mixture and cheddar cheese; roll up.
12 Tips on How to Get Ready for School Quickly
By Laura Richards | August 1, 2022 | Text and images on https://www.bobvila.com
From preparing backpacks and lunches the night before to banning screens in the morning, try these tips for getting ready and out the door stress-free. Running out the door at the second. Trying to find an errant sock that you know was on the counter a minute ago. Last second trips to the bathroom! This year, school mornings are going to be different… right? Whether you cut everything down to the wire or try to plan as much as possible the night before, it seems like school mornings with kids are almost always harried. No more! From home organization tips to the perfect alarm clock, these 15 tips with help make mornings streamlined and stress-free. For real.
1. Choose clothing the night before There’s nothing worse than hearing the bus in the distance while kids are still scrambling to find their favorite sweatshirt. Get prepared the night before by helping kids pick out every single item of clothing, from their shirt down to their socks and shoes (see No. 3 below) in advance. And make sure to check the weather forecast when doing so!
2. Designate one place for clothes Once you prepare an outfit, have kids put it in a designated spot. That way, when morning hits, kids will know exactly where to go to find their clothes for the day. No more “Where’s my [fill in the blank], Mom?!”
3. Keep shoes organized You can waste heaps of time in the morning by trying to sort through mismatched and disorganized footwear. To avoid this, have a designated shoe bin for each child in the mudroom or hallway closet. You can also have kids keep their shoes with the clothing they will be wearing the next day, so that everything is all in one place.
4. Make sure kids complete homework before bed Don’t fall for every child’s favorite “I’ll do it in the morning” line. Mornings are hectic enough before you add schoolwork into the mix. And no kid does quality work while trying to race out the door. Your best bet for getting things done the night before: Have a designated homework spot.
5. Make lunches the night before This is a no-brainer, but the more you can do the night before, the better. Make sandwiches, fill water bottles, prep snacks and keep everything in the fridge or a designated spot so you, or the kids, can grab them easily and get out the door on time. Not sure what to make? Check out these healthy school lunch ideas.
6. Keep backpacks fully stocked You can also prepare kids’ backpacks the night before. Make sure that homework, school supplies and permissions slips are all safely tucked away. And place backpacks next to the door so kids can grab them quickly on their way out.
7. Organize your own items You can be a good model for kids by making sure that everything is in place on your end. To keep things running smoothly, make sure to organize all the items you and the kids use in the mornings in advance. Do you know where your car keys are? Your phone charger?
8. Have kids shower at night Bathing the night before can save kids a lot of time in the morning. And it lets them sleep more!
9. Set alarms 15 minutes early Having a few extra minutes can ease stress levels for everyone. In fact, it’s always best to allot your family more time than you think you need. 10. Invest in a light alarm Some kids have a really hard time waking up. It might help to get an alarm that uses light along with sound. These alarms mimic the sunrise, which helps ease kids awake.
11. Ban screens in the mornings Kids will be able to get out the door faster if they are free from distractions, like trying to finish one more Youtube video or the end of a cartoon show. In the moment, it may feel like it’s helpful to have everyone sitting down in one place, but in the end, it’ll bite you!
12. Cross-check everything the night before It can’t hurt to double check that everything you and the kids need in the morning is laid out properly, especially if little ones took the initiative to prepare their outfits and supplies themselves. By doing this, you can rest easy knowing that there won’t be any big surprises in the morning.
To express our gratitude to all of our clients that we have served in the community we would like to offer you an apple pie to enjoy with your Thanksgiving dinner!
Please reserve your pie before Monday, October 3rd, 2022 to ensure that we have plenty for everyone.
Summertime, and the Living is Easy!
Theresa and her sister Lisa, on the CN Tower. Carolina and Walter on the town.
Samantha on vacation with Morgan and Jack.
Lindsay having fun playing dress-up with her niece and nephew!
We want to thank you both for the great job you did selling our condo. Your in-depth market knowledge enabled you to see the intrinsic value of the suite which you highlighted with your highly professional staging, professional photos and 3D virtual tour posted on MLS and Realtor.ca to provide maximum exposure. It was highly effective leading to a steady flow of showings to "qualified" buyers and an early sale at virtually full list price. Your expertise was evident throughout the offer process leading to a successful sale within a few short days. We would definitely list with you again and recommend your services to others. Thanks again! - Regards, Blake & Lisa We had the pleasure of working with Theresa and Samantha for the sale of my mother's home. The entire transaction from our initial meeting to the closing was very smooth and personable. They had great ideas for virtual staging and suggestions for improvements that would have the most impact. Theresa was always available to speak to and provided a wonderful advertising campaign, maximizing the number of potential buyers. We were able to sell the home quickly, above the asking price, with multiple offers. All in all, it was an easy and pleasurable process, mostly as a result of their vast experience and professionalism, we highly recommend working with Theresa and Samantha. Thanks again! - Aida and Rula
Selling and buying a home in this crazy, fast-paced market could be extremely stressful, but Lindsay and the Realty Group put our minds completely at ease. Their attention to detail, responsiveness, professionalism, and ability to close the deal was outstanding! They helped us to declutter and got our house looking its best. With all of their support, it sold for more than we had ever imagined, in only 24 hours. We couldn’t be happier! They also helped us find the perfect home to purchase. Covid really made us discover what was most important at this stage of our lives. Being closer to our children and grandchildren and being able to see them whenever we wanted was #1 on the list. With this in mind, we bought a home large enough to live in together. Lindsay and Theresa made this possible. They found us the home that checked off all of the boxes and guided us through the negotiating process and bidding war. The entire experience was wonderful and we would highly recommend Lindsay and The Realty Group. Thank you for making this dream a reality! - Peggy & Graham
Julia and the team were a pleasure to work with. From the start and throughout the entire process, she's shown an unmatched level of professionalism. She's very responsive, knowledgeable and understanding. She's very passionate about what she does and that translates in all of her efforts made. I'd eagerly choose to work with Julia again in the future!" - Zofia
EXPLORE THE EXPANDING WORLD OF REAL ESTATE WITH THERESA BAIRD IN THESE TWO NEW PUBLICATIONS
Home by Design is a magazine that we publish every other month featuring topics and subjects of interest to many of our clients. If you would like to be added to our subscription list please email Theresa directly at: tbaird@tbaird.com
Are you ready to tap into the best-kept secrets of successful home sellers? You can sell any home in any market when you know these secrets. This book reveals the most effective tactics to get the most money out of your home in the shortest amount of time. These strategies have helped sell thousands of homes and now, you can have them all at your fingertips. For your free digital copy go to: https://theresabaird.book.live/ca-biz-card-book
