How to Decorate Easter Eggs

Happy Easter!

Here is a short video with beautiful and unique ideas to decorate your eggs and make a beautiful piece of art. These eggs will make a perfect edible centerpiece for your turkey dinner with friends and family.

Enjoy and have fun!

 

 

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7 Simple Steps to a Healthy Lifestyle

 

1. Eat a balanced nutritious diet - Variety is the key to a healthy diet. Including lots of different whole grains, fruits and vegetables in your meals and snacks will go a long way toward better health. If you're a meat and potatoes lover, make sure you choose leaner cuts of meat or even fish or chicken. Cook with less oil and add smaller amounts of butter or margarine as you prepare your meals. Lastly, cut back on sugary foods that make no real nutritional contribution to your diet.

2. Exercise regularly - You don't have to go for an all-out training program to begin to get more exercise. Just get moving. Examine your day and walk whenever you can. Take to the stairs. Add a brisk walk at lunch or after work. Get the bike out, dust it off and go have some fun. If a regimented program is more to your liking, go for it.

3. Get plenty of rest - It is generally recommended that at least seven and a half hours of sound sleep are needed each night. In the 2003 paper, "Proposal for a National Australia Sleep Health Agenda," The Boston Consulting Group notes, "Almost 90 per cent of Australians suffer from a sleep disorder at some time or times in their lives, with 30 per cent suffering a severe sleep disorder." Some factors that may affect healthy sleep habits are irregular bedtimes, lack of daily exercise and eating or drinking just before going to bed.

4. Eliminate unhealthy habits - Smoking, excess alcohol and recreational drug use—all have significant negative impacts on your health and well-being. Getting rid of these unhealthy lifestyle choices will be a big step in your quest for a healthier you.

5. Take time for yourself - Outside of your new exercise regime and taking better care of yourself through a healthy diet and getting more sleep, you have to set aside time just for yourself. This doesn’t mean for you and the kids or for you and your husband, this is strictly alone time. This will help relieve stress and take care of your emotional well-being. Just relax and watch a movie, keep a journal, draw or paint. Anything you can think of that you will enjoy and is relaxing, means you’ve got the right idea. Even small changes to diet, exercise and sleep habits and the elimination of unhealthy bad habits can return big benefits to your health, how you feel when you wake up each morning to face the world, and when you go to fill out your life insurance application.

 

6. Don't Yo-yo diet! - Do not yo-yo diet. Yo-yo dieting is bad for you and even if they sound healthy, once you stop that diet you can pile on the weight in just a couple of days! Stay away from slimfast, soup diets and diets which you have to eat or drink contents from a packet.

 

7. Drink Water!

 

 

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What Makes a Good Neighbour?

You may have to live next to them for quite a while, so why not build a friendship with your neighbors? Here are 10 simple things you can do to be a good neighbor:

 

1.     Care for their property.  This makes the neighborhood a pleasant place to come home to, while helping maintain or improve property values.  The house next door does not have to be a palace, but it sure is nice when it’s reasonably neat and clean.  Good neighbors don’t allow their yard to grow into an eyesore or safety hazard, with junk lying about or garbage that attracts rats.   

2.     Are Friendly.  They smile and wave when they see you.   They welcome new neighbors, maybe with a plate of cookies or a recommendation on a good place to grocery shop.  They offer kids candy on Halloween.  Maybe they host a block party. 

3.     Respect the privacy of others and don’t trespass.  They extend friendship, while recognizing that some may accept it, and some may not.  The fact is that some folks like to keep to themselves, and that is their right. Unless there is mutual agreement, they don’t go over on their neighbor’s property without an invitation.  They don’t engage in “light trespass” either, by leaving a bright light on all night outside your bedroom window.

4.     Are Helpful.  If someone has a new baby or a death in the family, or a vehicle is stuck in the mud, they lend a helping hand.  They are also willing to lend a cup of sugar or a tool you need for a special project.  (Of course it’s also important for the recipient to promptly return all loaned items in good repair.)

5.     Watch out for each other.  They are aware, without spying.  If they notice suspicious activity or something amiss, they call or check it out.

6.     Keep the peace.  Noise can be incredibly irritating.  Common complaints include loud music, blaring TVs, revving up a chainsaw or motorcycle early on a Sunday morning, driving an ATV in circles for hours on end, and dogs that bark incessantly.  

7.     Give you a heads up if they are going to make an unavoidable racket (e.g. during construction), and try to limit the impact.  If they are planning to make a change that could affect you (like planting trees that could obscure your view) they talk with you about it first, offering the possibility of agreeing to a compromise.

8.     Don’t drive too fast, endangering the lives of children and pets. 

9.     Manage themselves, and their own children and pets.  They don’t engage in wild parties that extend into the wee hours, or screaming fights.  Their children are well behaved.  Their animals stay in their own yard. 

10.  Volunteer when they can.  This can range from periodically picking up litter to getting involved in local organizations that help improve the quality of life in the community.

 

 

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MOLD

 "Mold is Gold" has become the battle cry of some of Americas' lawyers.

There have been high profile cases where people have claimed that molds have destroyed their health as well as their home.

This article is not about who is right and who is wrong.

It is about presenting some facts and how you can avoid problems.

Here , there and everywhere

It is found outdoors and indoors.

It doesn't really become a problem inside until there is a water problem, such as a plumbing leak, rainwater leak or very high indoor humidity levels.

It needs water and food to grow.

Typical foods are cardboard, dust, paper, wood, dust mites, some paints, pastes and adhesives.  

How your health is affected

According to a New York City Health Department fact sheet, most types of mold that are routinely encountered are not hazardous to healthy individuals.

Too much exposure may cause or worsen conditions such as asthma, hay fever or other allergens.

Common symptoms of over-exposure are cough, congestion, runny nose, eye irritation and aggravation of asthma.

Depending on the amount of exposure and a persons' vulnerability, more serious health effects such as fever, breathing problems, nausea and skin rashes can occur.

Newborns, the elderly and those with poor immune symptoms can be affected severely.

Some symptoms associated with mold exposure may be caused by many other illnesses.

How much is too much?

No one really knows at this time.

Until science gets better, common sense should dictate that you should not live in a moldy house!

Testing

There are some experts who say testing for molds does little good.

They state that there are no standards that address acceptable or unacceptable levels.

A good rule is, "if you can smell it or see it, then you have it".

Cleaning

If you suspect you have mold you don't have to panic.

You can call a mold remediation expert to test and investigate for you.

Avoidance

Remember, Water is the culprit!

* Be sure to repair plumbing leaks immediately

* Keep rain gutters clean and operable

* If you insulate your basement, do not use fiberglass or cellulose on the walls, use rigid semi-permeable insulation

* Use a ventilator for your bathroom or kitchen that is piped to the outside, not into the attic

* Do not store boxes or clothes too close to an outside wall (especially in cold climates)

 

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Well Inspection Checklist

If your thinking about purchasing a house that uses a well to obtain water an inspection should be done before the house is purchased.  Below is a checklist to follow in order to ensure that the house you’re your interested in has a well that functions properly.

 

 

	Well record — Obtain a copy of the well record from the owner or the Ministry of the Environment. This should include: location of well, date of well drilling, depth and diameter of well, static water level, pumping water level, recommended pumping rate and the recommended pump setting.
	Location — A well should be located at least 15 m (50 ft.) from any source of contamination if the casing is watertight to a depth of 6 m (20 ft.); otherwise, the separation distance should be at least 30 m (100 ft.). Sources of contamination include: septic systems, manure storages, fuel storages, agricultural fields (manure or fertilizer runoff), and roads (salt runoff). Wells should be located at least 15 m (50 ft.) from a body of water (see Figure 3).
	Well cap — The cap should be at least 0.3 m (12 in.) above the ground. The well cap and seal should be securely in place and watertight. A locking cap would give some added security against tampering. Well caps are on drilled wells and well covers are on dug wells. Both types should be inspected.
	Well casing — No cracks or settling of the casing should be visible. The ground should slope away from the casing.
	Drainage — Surface water should drain away from the well and water should not pond around the well casing.
	Well pump — The well pump and distribution piping should be in good condition.
	Grass buffer — A permanent grass buffer of a minimum 4 m (12 ft.) width should be maintained around the well head. Fertilizers and pesticides should not be applied to the grass buffer.
	Abandoned wells — All abandoned wells on a property must be decommissioned (plugged) by a licensed well contractor. Ask the owner if there are any abandoned wells on the property and if they have been properly decommissioned.
	Inside the house — Check for sand or grit in the faucet strainer which indicates a corroded well screen. Verify that the pressure tank reads between 250 to 400 kPa (40 and 60 psi). Ensure that the check valve (or foot valve) is able to sustain the system pressure by drawing no water for 30 minutes to an hour and monitoring the pressure. The pressure should not drop nor should the pump start up during this dormant period.

 

 

 

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Tips to prevent mortgage fraud

To verify income

 

1.	Make sure that the employer listed on the application actually exists. Based on the income confirmation letter, use the reverse directories on www.canada411.ca or myTELUS where you enter the phone number or address to find the company.
2.	Call the employer's payroll or human resources department and verify the information contained in the income confirmation letter.
3.	Google or MapQuest the company to make sure the address is appropriate for the type of business.
4.	Check on Careerowl.ca to ensure that the earnings claimed are reasonable for the profession or region.

 

To verify the down payment

 

5.	Make sure that the full source of funds for the down payment is documented.
6.	Beware of the down payment being the deposit with the offer: verify that the borrowers had the funds in their position and that the funds were not borrowed.
7.	Where the down payment source is a gift, the donor's name, address and phone number should be provided in the gift letter, together with indication of their relationship to the borrower (immediate family only).
8.	Do not accept internet downloads of bank statements.
9.	Watch out for math errors on bank, investment, and RRSP statements. Mistakes are a red flag that the statements may not be legitimate.
10.	Ensure the void cheque cross references to the account number, bank and branch. Verify that the branch of the financial institution actually exists.

 

To verify the MLS listing

 

11.	Use mls.ca to verify that the property has been listed on the real estate board's system.
12.	Ensure all fields are complete on MLS (realtor name, firm, phone number, contract date, expiry, etc).
13.	Review the offer to purchase and ensure you have all schedules.
14.	Know your real estate market. Does the sale price seem reasonable to the area?
15.	Does the vendor's surname match the purchaser's? If this is a non-arm's length purchase, was the deposit paid to the relative?
16.	If it's a private sale, obtain information about the property by completing the private sale checklist. See the form within CAAMP's Origination Standards for Fraud Avoidance.

 

Other things to watch for

 

17.	Are chattels involved? Deduct these from the purchase price (nominal values are usually acceptable).
18.	Are there purchase incentives? If there are bonuses for purchasing such as a car, appliances or furniture, treat these as chattels and deduct their value from the purchase price.
19.	Watch for special conditions. For example, is there work to be completed before closing? Are there kickbacks or rebates to be made after completion?
20.	Have you seen more than one file per year with the same vendor, purchaser or address? Is the purchaser acquiring a portfolio of rental properties?
21.	Watch out for the combination of a quick closing with a conflict of interest (non arm's length, double ended or dual agency). This is a tell tale sign of a fraud file.

 

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Home Security Checklist

If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community. One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering, or burglary. Below is a checklist to ensure the safety of your home. If you answer “no” to any of the following questions, further action may be required.

 

 

Surroundings
	Yes	No
Does your neighbourhood have a sense of community and pride? Do neighbours look out for and care for one another?
Are the house and the grounds visible from the street and by neighbours?
Is the perimeter of your property marked to discourage trespassers?
Are entranceways illuminated at night? Are the bulbs for these lights protected?

 

 

 

Exterior
	Yes	No
Is shrubbery well-located and maintained, allowing unrestricted views of exterior entrances and windows? Are entrances and windows free of other obstructions?
Are exterior doors and frames sturdily built? Could they withstand being kicked, or otherwise broken down?
Are inner locks inaccessible in the event glass in or near the exterior door is broken?
Is the door hardware (for example, locks, latches, handles, hinges, strike plates) durable and securely installed? Are hinge pins protected or located where they can’t be removed from the outside?
Does the front door have a viewer that lets you see who is at the door before you open it?
Are patio doors “grounded” in their tracks? Is the locking mechanism effective?
Is the garage door kept locked? Are tools and ladders kept where they cannot be accessed by a burglar/thief?
Are basement and ground-floor windows equipped with adequate locks? Are windows of good quality, within solid frames and sashes?
Are second-storey windows that might be reached (for example, from the garage roof, TV tower, ladder or overhanging tree limb) properly secured?
If you were away, would the house still look occupied? If yes, what would make you think so?

 

 

 

Interior
	Yes	No
Are all interior doors leading to the exterior (for example, basement, garage, solarium) routinely locked?
Are valuables marked for identification, insured and securely stored? Are valuable items kept in a bank vault or a security box?
Do you take reasonable security precautions when leaving the house for the day? for a vacation? to go to the corner store?
Do family members and neighbours know what security precautions you have taken? Do they have good security habits so when they may be asked to look after your home, your know your home is secure?
Do you know your neighbours and their phone numbers?
Is the phone number for the local police department clearly posted at every telephone?
Could security be improved by installing a suitable alarm?

 

 

 

 

 

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