Choosing A Boarding Kennel For Your Dog

Are you planning on going away on vacation for the holidays? Perhaps you have an upcoming business trip? No matter why you are planning on leaving your hometown, if you have any pets, you will need to ensure they are looked after while you are away. Generally, you have two options at your disposal, either pet sitting or pet boarding. Read on to discover why the latter is advised, as well as some tips on choosing the best pet boarding kennel.



https://pixabay.com/en/doberman-dog-animal-world-animal-1334497/

What are the benefits of pet boarding?
Nowadays, the images that we once conjured up of depressing boarding facilities with steel cages are long gone. In fact, a lot of people describe boarding kennels as ‘pet hotels’ – they’re that plush. The people who work there love animals and have a large degree of training while the facilities they offer are impressive, including pet grooming and even pet training services. You are offered real value for money when you go down this route.  Just be sure to check reviews and ratings.

If you were to pay for a live-in sitter at your home, you would spend a fortune. You could, of course, ask a friend to take on the task of pet sitting, but, do you really want to ask someone to take on this type of commitment? The last thing you want to do is cause a strain on your friendship, which can easily happen if you feel they have not done a good job of looking after your animals. Or they could decide it was too much to ask of someone, especially if they do not really care for animals. Finally, safety is pretty much guaranteed when choosing pet boarding, as dog kennels place a strong emphasis on securing their premises. You will undoubtedly experience greater peace of mind when you go for this option.

Choosing a pet boarding kennel
There are many different companies providing dog boarding services. However, you need to choose with care, as you will, of course, want to ensure your dog is well looked after.

First and foremost, you need to begin by ensuring the pet boarding company has a considerable degree of experience and that all of the staff are qualified and trained. You may want to make sure they have experience with your breed of dog specifically. As you can see from this Shiba Inu guide, dogs have different needs and requirements, so choosing an experienced company is essential. You don’t want to take a chance when it comes to the welfare of your dog.

Take a look at the kennels yourself to make sure you are satisfied with what is provided. You will instantly get a feel as to whether these are the type of people you want looking after your dog. Are they animal lovers? Do they appear to treat their role as a job or something they love? Are the kennels clean? Do the dogs stay kenneled at all times, or do they get time out in a larger run?

Price is obviously important, but it should never be the determining factor. Consider all other factors first and then let price be the final deciding factor.

Aside from this, you need to ensure that the accommodation is safe and secure, and the setting should be comfortable too, with adequate heating, light, and ventilation. You should discover whether they could cope with any special requirements, for example, grooming. If you have more than one dog, you may want to make sure they can stay together at the boarding kennels you select.

If you consider all of the points that have been mentioned in this post, you should have no trouble finding the best company providing dog boarding services. So, you can go away on vacation and have the peace of mind that your dog is in safe hands.

Preparing For Christmas To Avoid The January Low

Christmas is depicted in the popular culture as a season of festivities and happiness. We all share the idyllic image of a snowy Christmas day and depending on where you live in the country, you might indeed have your wish of a white Christmas granted –, a cozy cup of hot cocoa, and a relaxing day with the family. For most households, despite the stress that precedes Christmas, American families do their best to enjoy the holiday together and in the best of spirits.

And then comes January. Did you know that according to doctors, January is the month of the year when you’re the most likely to struggle with seasonal affective disorders? Indeed, once the Christmas high is over, it’s not uncommon to experience a period of depression, health issues, and financial stress. However, while it’s a frequent occurrence, it is by no means an inevitable situation. On the contrary, you can take preventive measures now to avoid the traditional January hit. 

Can you manage Christmas? 

No Overspending, Turn Your Unwanted Items Into Money
Every year, many American households overspend for their Christmas celebrations. At the beginning of 2018, American families recorded on average over $1,000 of Christmas debt, which some have still have not managed to repay. You can’t afford to stretch your budget to such excess every year. Consequently, you need to be careful to manage your budget effectively ahead of the shopping season. First of all, if you happen to have unwanted gift cards, you can take a look at this guide https://budgetboost.co/trade-and-exchange-gift-cards-for-cash-online/ and find out how to exchange your card for cash. Additionally, now is the perfect time to declutter the house, you can sell unwanted and unused items to help increase your Christmas budget. You’ll be surprised to know that even vintage clothes from the previous years can sell at a good price on online platforms such as eBay and Facebook marketplace.

Christmas Is Not About Putting on Weight
You are what you eat. Nothing new here, but this statement is especially true when it comes to Christmas. The festive season is a season of indulgence, with delicious treats and excessive meals. However, you risk slowing down your metabolism if you’re not careful. Even during the Christmas period, you need to pay attention to your diet, http://www.atthefenceonline.com/2016/01/watching-what-you-eat-is-important.html. A balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables can help you to stay healthy throughout the winter. Of course, it’s impossible not to indulge a little. However, do make sure to keep your sugar consumption low and avoid unhealthy snacks. The advantage is that you can start the year without the typical resolution of losing weight!

Don’t Allow Stress to Ruin the Holiday
Last, but not least, it’s important not to let stress accumulate over the holidays. Indeed, Christmas can be extremely stressful for families, especially if you’re trying to accommodate everyone. You can learn breathing techniques from yoga to help you to relax during the yearly family reunion. Ultimately, when you’re hosting, there are one million things you need to think of at any given time. Knowing how to keep your cool can prevent any anxious backlash in the post-Christmas period.



A bullet journal can help you to organize Christmas

From stress to overspending, you need to employ Christmas management skills this year to make the most of the festive period and recharge your batteries before the start of the new year.

Cozy Phones Make a Wonderful Gift!

Hey neighbors!!

My family really loves Cozy Phones.  They are the best headphones I have found for children, and one of my older daughters uses her Wired Contoured set for jogging and when she goes on the Southern Gospel cruise with her sisters each year.  She actually wears them to take a quick nap in the room while her sisters are getting prepared for the afternoon.

Cozy Phones are actually headband headphones.  They are so comfortable and easy to wear.  There are many reason we like Cozy Phones, so I am going to create a little list here.
1.  They are comfortable.
2. Easy for children to wear. (Not hard plastic on their ears.)
3. You can adjust the speakers in the children's headbands.
4. You can remove the speakers and wash the headband. (Follow instructions)
5. You can sleep in them. (My older daughter has.)
6. They stay in place.
7. Kid's headphones are limited to 85 decibels.
8. Perfect for travel.
9. Cozy Phones work with most devices.
10. Cozy Phones has a Bluetooth Headband!

I am sure there are many more good reasons to purchase Cozy Phones.  I believe these are some of the best headphones available for children.  No more trying to get a comfortable fit with ear buds, no more headphones banging into car seats, no more headphones slipping off.  The other really neat thing about Cozy Phones for children is that they come in the most adorable characters ever!! They have Frogs, Cats, Bunnies and more.  Not to mention they also have Paw Patrol characters.  Check out the Marshall Cozy Phones we received.

Now, I also have to mention the Bluetooth Contour Series.  I just know these will replace my daughter's previous wired set.  She loves to listen to music as she goes to sleep, and these make it even more convenient. The contour shape will help them stay in place even while sleeping.  They come with a USB cord for charging.  They have a mesh lining to help you stay cool.  You can choose from Black, Gray, or Violet.  My daughter of course will love the violet.

Oh, another benefit is their cords do not tangle easily.  I am sure you have all at some point in time struggled to untangle headphone cords.  So, yes, I highly recommend Cozy Phones, the headband headphones.

Visit the Cozy Phones website and then take a minute to follow them on their social media.
Facebook - HERE
Instagram - HERE

Thanks for stopping by!! See you soon!

Beloved Devotional for Young Women

Hey neighbors!!

If you are looking for an extra gift or stocking stuffer for the young lady in your life, consider Beloved 365 Devotions for Young Women.  This devotional is written by Lindsay A. Franklin and is published by Zondervan.   This is a hardback book with a beautiful cover design.  There is a ribbon to mark your place.

The 365 devotions, are numbered, not dated (Jan.1), so you can begin the book anytime of the year.  Each devotional has a scripture, and a paragraph or two of thoughts to encourage and inspire you in your walk with the Lord.  It covers present day pressures and changes that young women are facing today.  Below the actual devotion you will find 4 lines on which to place your own thoughts.

Make sure you take a moment to enter the giveaway!

Disclosure:Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Instant Glam Styling Head Dolls

Hey neighbors!!

Do you have a young hairdresser or designer in your home?  If so, Instant Glam Styling Head Dolls would be the perfect holiday gift.  I learned about these dolls at ChiTAG and really enjoyed talking to the creator.  She started designing these dolls for her nieces to play with years ago and just recently decided to go ahead and market the doll.  Her two nieces were also there and explained how much fun they had playing with them.

These dolls are basically the neck up and then you have the arms from about the elbow to the fingertips set on a platform.  The arms move slightly.  The hair on the head can be removed and replaced with the hairpieces included, or you can purchase extra hair swatches to use.  When you remove the doll's hair, you will see the special system for attaching other hair pieces.  The dolls come in different ethnicities as well as the hair pieces come in a variety of styles and colors.  And of course you can always add clips and barrettes.  Each doll comes with a comb.

The dolls presently have a $49.99 Introductory Price.  The hair pieces are $19.99-$21.99.  From Instant Glam Dolls:
Our Instant Glam Dolls feature interchangeable hair and a patented Fastening Head Surface System that allows you to attach and release hair strips on to the doll’s head, changing your doll’s style in seconds!

I am sure any young girl would love to have one of these dolls for her holiday gift!! Be sure to follow Instant Glam on their social media.
Facebook: HERE

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Are Any Clicformers Under Your Tree?

Hey neighbors!!

Have any of you seen the Clicformers from Magformers?  We received two sets of Clicformers and they are so much fun!!  You don't need extra tools or skill to build with this toy.  They do come with a small tool to pop them apart if necessary, but most of the ones I used easily snapped together and apart.

Our first set is the Clicformers Speedwheel set which has 34 pieces.  Obviously there are four large wheels included as awell as two clear pieces to use as a windshield.  There are 22 of the building blocks.  This set is designed for the capabilities of a child ages 4-12.  Girls will enjoy the opportunity to build with Clicformers too.  We used this set to build the little vehicle pictured below.  MSRP- $29.99

The second Clicformers set is the Truck Set with 28 pieces. This set has 4 smaller wheels.  Depending on the stocking size, this might make a good stocking stuffer.  MSRP- $9.99

You can of course mix and match these sets, to build even larger projects.  Each set has a small booklet of ideas to get you started, but definitely allow your child to explore their own creations.  And they snap together to store.

Be sure to visit the Magformers website to learn more, and then follow them on their social media.
Facebook: HERE
Twitter: HERE
Instagram: HERE

Thanks for stopping by today!! Be sure to check out the rest of the Holiday Gift Guide!

Brain Blox for the Holidays!

Hey neighbors!

Boys and girls will both love receiving a set of Brain Blox! This is a box filled with, yep, you guessed it!  Wooden planks!  The set we received has 200 of these 100 percent natural, New Zealand pine, planks of wood.  They are extremely smooth, chemical free and non toxic. Brain Blox will help your child be creative, problem solve and even teaches math, physics and engineering concepts.  Help your child get some hands-on time with a toy that allows them to think.  Give them the gift of screen free play time.

I love that the set comes with a small folded booklet with ideas to create that tells you how many planks you need for each project.  Of course the best fun will come from just exploring your own ideas while building and creating.  We built the table and benches above.

This set of Brain Blox comes with a bright, red, drawstring backpack to carry your wooden blocks in.  Convenient for taking them on trips or to grandma's house for the holidays!

Follow Brain Blox on their social media:
Facebook: HERE
Instagram: HERE

Brain Blox is participating in a giveaway!  Be sure to enter and tell others about this fun giveaway. The winner will receive the 200 piece set.

Medieval Times Schaumburg Castle

Neighbors!!

I have a fun place to share with you!! Medieval Times of Schaumburg is a great place to visit.  We went while we were in Chicago for the Chicago Toy and Game Fair.  My husband and one of my daughters was able to go to this dinner show as well.

The minute you enter the castle, you enter a realm of knights, a princess, and some of the most amazing horses ever.  If you decide to go, plan to arrive a little early, so you can see the shops, the horses and perhaps visit the dungeon.  Everyone receives a crown to cheer on their knight, but you can upgrade your ticket to purchase extra benefits.

After the knighting ceremony and announcements you will enter the great hall, surrounding the arena.  Serfs and wenches will see you to your seating and shortly thereafter the show will begin.  While the outstanding performance is going on, you will be fed a delicious meal.  You do have to eat with your hands, but it is all fun.

Now, the meal is fantastic, but the show is the highlight!  Lights will dim, a mist arises and the show begins.  This is a new show from the ones we have seen in the past, but it is just as good and will hold your attention.  As you cheer on your knight throughout the show you will see gorgeous horses perform, knights jousting and competeing as well as seeing a falcon preparing to hunt.

Medieval Times is definitely worth putting on your schedule, and what an enjoyable way to spend time with your family and friends over the holidays.  So if you are in Chicago, or one of the other cities where a Medieval Times is located, try to put them on your schedule.  Thank you Medieval Times for the memorable evening my husband, daughter and I were able to share.  Looking forward to visiting again in the future.

Milk + Sass for the Holidays!!

Hi Neighbors!!

Look at this really useful item from Milk + Sass!  I received their Macaron for Hair Detangling hairbrush.  It comes in a convenient little compact, that also includes a mirror.  Along with the brush, we received the Sugar Twists.  I am just going to tell you here, that I love both products!!

The Macaron Hairbrush is designed like a compact.  You pull it apart and one side is the hairbrush, and the other contains a mirror.  This is really nice, if like me, you carry your brush in your purse.  I get so tired of pulling out my brush along with fifteen other items that have been tangled in the bristles.  The Macaron brush keeps this from happening.  It is so handy to have the mirror too!  The brush fits nicely in the hand, which makes brushing your hair so easy.  The compact size also makes it perfect for traveling.  This compact brush comes in an assortment of colors too!!

The Sugar Twists are for pulling your hair back into a ponytail.  The unique curlicue shape of these hair ties keeps your hair in place, without being so tight, that they cause breakage.  On a side note, my daughter tried some store brand hair ties sort of like these, and they pulled her hair out.  Not so with the Sugar Twists.  I tried these in my own hair and they came out quickly and without pulling the hair.

Either one of these products, or both, would make a great stocking stuffer.  Also, you could fill a gift basket and include some other hair care products.  Be sure to visit the Milk + Sass website and then follow them on their social media.
Facebook: HERE
Twitter: HERE
Instagram: HERE

The great news is, Milk + Sass has agreed to host a giveaway for one Macaron Brush, winner's choice of color!!  Be sure to enter and share this giveaway!