>> Jan 18, 2014

Captured while the rain was falling yesterday. I guess this fly decided to rest for a while, dry up the wings till the rain stopped.

^NFWinged

Camera Critters, Saturday's Critters

>> Jan 16, 2014

When it comes to children helping with the household work, there isn't really that much to talk about. As we all know, children are great at doing anything they are the least bit accustomed to. And getting your children acquainted with the art of cleaning will have tremendous effects on both their personality and their will to succeed. For you see cleaning, when done properly, can open up a whole new world of opportunities for the young, still developing mind. In this article we are going to discuss some of those wonderful benefits, and how can you do to help your children further their ambitions.

Cleaning As A Way of Developing Independent Thought

As children grow older, their whole mindset start working toward establishing independence; both from their parents and from society in general. You can further this process by having your children help out with whatever housework you are doing at the moment. Of course you can begin by instructing them, that it is going to be their responsibility to make their own beds; wash their own dishes and take turns taking out the rubbish. You will see that in time, you children will start to seek the adventure of taking care of themselves; no longer depending on their parents for the littlest of things.

image:dailymail.co.uk

Cleaning as a Way of developing better time management skills

Let's be honest; children are terrible at keeping with appointments, following schedules etc.etc. You can help them better themselves, only by introducing the element of cleaning to their lives. And even though your children are busy enough as it is (with school, homework and what have you), I promise you that with a few extra minutes of doing household chores, you can further their time management skills and prepare your kids for a lifetime of meeting, appointments and of course, house work.

Cleaning as a way of developing a sense of responsibility

Children are not very responsible yes, but that is not because they lack the brain capacity or the will. The fact is that we don't present our children with the opportunity to be responsible and show us that they are indeed honest and trustworthy. By having them take care of their own cleaning troubles, you are in fact helping your children at developing an adult-like, responsible behaviour, that is sure to follow them for their rest of their lives.

Cleaning as a Life Challenge

Your children must learn that the world, as it is, does not own them anything and that everything in life, from sports cars, to big three-story mansions, must be fought for by any means necessary. If you want a clean room, a clean kitchen and a clean home, you must do it yourself. Mum and dad won't be always around to be taking care of you, so the sooner you start fending for yourself, the better. Children will pick up on this and in time become truly independent in their actions.

Cleaning as an exercise

Last but not least, let us not forget that cleaning is a psychical activity, and god knows children nowadays are not getting enough of that. Making your kids do housework will not only help them become better adjusted adults, but by doing physical exercises, you are promoting good health and a winning/sporting attitude.

Author Bio: Jessica Conars loves to write about cleaning and parenting. She provides deep cleaning for home but her free time she spends with her kids.

Facts about Laminate Flooring

>> Jan 14, 2014

If you’re planning to build a home or renovate an existing one, you will find yourself spoilt for choices in home designing and décor are plenty. While there are innumerable choices in paints, lighting fixtures, kitchen designs and bathroom fittings, even flooring is something that has enough choices available. The current trend in flooring is laminate. This has its share of advantages and disadvantages when compared to hardwood flooring or the conventional concrete, tile or marble floors. Knowing some facts about laminate flooring can help make the right decision for your home.

· The first important fact about this is that it is a manufactured material. Though it looks like natural wood, it is just designed to be so. It is made of high-density fiberboard with a print that makes it look like wood.

· It comes in easy to fix planks with grooves and just need to be put in place. There is no need to nail or glue it to the surface. This also gives allowance for expansion and contraction with weather changes. Although it sounds easy to fit, it definitely requires some skill yet manageable by people who are game for a bit of do-it-yourself flooring job.

· The material is made resistant to stains and scratches and hence suitable for homes with pets and kids. It can take a fair amount of traffic too and is rather easy to clean and maintain.

· The previous versions of this flooring were highly sensitive to moisture. The slightest exposure to moisture or water leads the layers to swell. But with high quality moisture barriers and better technology in laminate flooring have addressed these concerns drastically.

· The material used is not affected by termites and does not develop moss and mildew even. Hence it is perfectly safe for indoor as well as outdoor use. This is one of the main disadvantages of hardwood floors.

· Another important fact is that it is not much affected by the elements. Hence there is no significant discoloration or damage even when exposed to sunlight. Hardwood floors can fade with wear and tear even indoors and would require periodic polishing and waxing to regain its appearance.

· The other major advantage of this kind of flooring is that it is cost effective. It is much cheaper to install and maintain this kind of floors and comes with a life span of 20 years though a lot depends upon wear and tear as well.

The major drawbacks of this kind of flooring include the fact that repairs and replacements can be difficult. Finding a matching replacement may just be impossible as the design may be out of production. Compared to hardwood flooring, laminate flooring has a lesser lifespan and of course a synthetic feel to it. Another major factor is that since these boards are usually made from formaldehyde derivatives; choose a brand that guarantees safety and health parameters.