September 14th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Your home may be your castle, but it is not immune from invaders. Few of us like to think about how our lives would be disrupted by natural or manmade events like fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, and earthquake. But taking time from our busy lives to prepare for such disruptions could make the difference between a positive outcome and tragedy.
There’s no lack of disaster-preparedness information online from government agencies such as FEMA, the California Emergency Management Agency, and organizations like the American Red Cross. The advice they have in common: Prepare an emergency plan for your household and practice it.
Because technology makes it easier than ever to know family members’ whereabouts, the plan is simple to implement.
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September 9th, 2015 at 9:30 am
How is it that summer has ended and fall is already here?
For many states, fall is the time of year that the leaves change color and the weather starts to cool down. Here in Southern California, however, we get to continue enjoying our sunshine and beach days well into the fall season, sometimes experiencing even hotter temperatures than during the summer months.
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August 31st, 2015 at 10:00 am
Everyone says they should get rid of their unwanted stuff by holding a yard sale. But not everyone wants to put in the time and effort.
Why not? You’re organized at work. You see the right and wrong things others do at their yard/garage sales. With a little planning and organization, you can hold an appealing sale that will not only help de-clutter your space, but also bring in extra cash so you can buy something new or make improvements to your home!
Technology has made it easier than ever to promote and conduct your sale. Social media, smartphone and tablet apps, and wireless credit-card readers are just some of the ways to bring a sale into the 21st century.
We talked to some yard sale veterans on both sides of the cash box, and searched the web to come up with tips on how to prepare for and conduct a sale. If you try them, or come up with any new approaches for your next sale, share your experiences in the comment section below.
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August 24th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Back to school means back to homework, sports practice, music classes and crazy, hectic routines. As moms (and dads), we know that keeping everyone in order can be challenging, to say the least.
So, what can we do to help you ensure that the kids get their schoolwork done, your grocery shopping list doesn’t get ignored, and that you and the entire family stay sane?
You might have heard of a Family Command Center before, but maybe you never knew you needed one. A Family Command Center will help you get organized and make sure that the whole family is on track for another successful school year.
What are some components of a great Family Command Center?
August 10th, 2015 at 10:00 am
In Southern California, we are no strangers to outdoor living spaces. In fact, we demand them.
If you’re trying to create or spruce up your outdoor living space before summer ends, here are a few characteristics you should think about. Once you’re finished with your backyard makeover, you’ll have the perfect patio where you can relax, entertain, or enjoy Sunday brunch with family and friends.
Incorporate bright colors
Show off your personality. You can have more fun in your outdoor space by adding bold colors or fun patterns. Try to incorporate colors that are already found in your yard or home, and add bright colors to them.
You can also get creative around holidays, adding red, white, and blue paper lanterns for the Fourth of July, or green table settings for St. Patrick’s Day.
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