Family

Working from Home

Working from Home is a great way to supplement your income while staying at home raising kids. While I was never lucky enough to be able to do it when our daughter was little, in the last several years I’ve been successful at working from home. But it’s not all great, grand and glorious. Here are some great ways you can work from Home. 

Start a blog. But don’t expect it to make money overnight. It took me several months before I turned a “profit”. Your first step in starting a blog is to buy a domain name.  Keep your name short and sweet and to the point.  Teacher2blogger is easy but SMSLwithheidi (while I still like it, it is a mouth full when you are telling a public relations company your name. Makingofamom is also a good name because just by looking at her name, you know her website will be about parenting!  My first website address was: savemorespendlesswithheidi, followed by number 2 smslwithheidihg.blogspot.com, then finally I wised up and bought my own domain as well as moved to a WordPress site.   That was the smartest thing ever!!

Your second step is to buy hosting for your website as well. Because you want to be able to make money, you will need to be a self-hosted website.  It is honestly easier than it sounds, I promise!!

Next up, is designing your site which I suggest hiring out.  I’ve been doing websites for four years and I still don’t know “enough” to do it myself.  Now when you have all of that done you will be well on your way to a great looking site! Then we can move to the next step. Which will be writing content and eventually making money. 

While website owning is something that is a labor of love sometimes you need to make what I like to call “fast money”. While it’s not always fast, have more than one stream of income is always important. So here are a few jobs you can consider. 

Work a phone job There are lots of big companies that hire people just like you to do customer service at home. Some companies offer benefits, flexible scheduling and the ability to set your own schedule. Just be careful to do your homework, to make sure they are a reputable company. 

Virtual Assistant- This is one of the more popular work at home jobs for mom, which is fabulous. If you want to start your own virtual assistant business (message me, I have lots of experience), but I suggest starting out with places like Fiverr and Fancy Hands. If that isn’t something you want to do, and you have a way with words I suggest writing articles for bloggers like myself. 

Don’t want to answer to the time clock? Then writing might be just the thing for you you. Start writing articles in your spare time, while the kids are napping, or after they have gone to bed. I can easily sell articles to several people I know, if I take the time to write them properly. Plus, if you are a great writer, you can make some serious money selling articles that you can write in your spare time.  

If you are a creator who loves to create crafts, then Etsy or Facebook Marketplace might just be your next career. Just be sure you are getting enough out of your finished projects to pay yourself as well as the cost of your supplies. 

Sign up to sell products such as Pampered Chef, ThirtyOne or Scentsy. Just remember you will have to host parties and those are often times a lot of work. Which is why when it’s time to start a new business adventure I like to set down and do some brainstorming and check out sites like Top Consulting Firms for even more ideas on how to make money from home. 

This post is in partnership with Catholic Central, however, as always opinions are 100% my own.

Love The Universal Language

Growing up you don’t realize how functional or dysfunctional your home life is, but when you realize later in life your childhood wasn’t always like someone else’s you have to come to terms with it. While the story off all of that is a lot longer than I have time today, there was always something I could count on. Love.

You read that right, I was one of the lucky ones that would always know that love was and had an endless supply of it from several family members. While not everyone is lucky enough to have that, I had several family members that showed what love is by their actions. Growing up I knew my grandparents were in “love” just by the way they looked at each other, and no matter what they were doing. And you know what, I never once seen them fight, so either they never fought or it was always out of my line of sight. Nana and Papa have both been gone for several years, but each day I try to remember that showing my loved ones that they are loved. Showing your love isn’t always about the material things in life, but how you talk to your family and friends as well as how you treat them daily. See that love?? That’s true love and everyone around them way just as happy and in LOVE!

Month of Love?

Did you know that February is commonly known as the month of love? We celebrate the life of Saint Valentine who is the patron of love, young people and happy marriage. While we are Empty Nesters we still take the time to celebrate Valentine’s Day with our daughter, but this year it will have to be a little different. We usually spend the evening in and have surf n turf prepared at home to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Want some new ideas to help you celebrate St. Valentine’s at home?

10 Tips to Rock St. Valentine’s at home contains simple things you can do at home to show appreciation to the one you love without having to spend every penny in your savings account! It also includes some cool facts about the “whys” and history behind some of the most time-honored Saint Valentine’s Day traditions!

This year our daughter and her family are living in Cheyenne, Wyoming and we are sending a fun gift their way. Baby “Tater” as we call him on the blog is getting a fun Valentine’s Day Themed book, and Liz is receiving a Princess Rose Dome that includes a Red Rose LED Glass Dome elegant table lamp, a gold-tone “Love” bangle bracelet and a wooden perfume card. While Austin is getting a gift certificate for their “night in” from a local restaurant called Sanford’s Grub & Pub. I believe it will be the perfect Valentine’s Day Present and one they will enjoy for years to come. While they show each other just how much the Love one another and of course little Tater too!

About Catholic Central

You have questions about the Catholic faith and what it means to be Catholic. We have answers. Using a team of witty writers, appealing hosts, and even some learned theologians, we’ve created shareable, snackable videos that teach the timeless truths and deep history of the Church with humor and heart. Produced in the Family Theater Productions studios on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, CATHOLIC CENTRAL entertains, enlightens and inspires.

Want to learn more about Catholic Central? Visit their website and their YouTube Page! But before you go be sure to check out the #CatholicCentral & #SaintValentinesDay Giveaway below.

Enter for your chance to win this giveaway for the Saint Valentine’s Day Kit!

Giveaway Details

The St. Valentine Love Kit includes:

1 – Red Rose LED Glass Dome elegant table lamp.

1 – Gold tone “Love” bangle bracelet

1 – Perfume card

Giveaway open to the US only and 18+ years or older

Dates will be 02/12/19-2/20/18 (at midnight CST)

Enter on the rafflecopter below!
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Disclosure: The opinions expressed are my own and may differ from yours. Life with Heidi is not responsible for prize shipment For questions concerning this giveaway or to host your own giveaway please contact [email protected].

Disclosure: We reserve the right to make revisions, to cancel, or suspend this contest for any reason. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to the US 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. Life with Heidi (and any other blog participating) is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not.

How Much Does It Cost To Reinstate Your License In CA? 

It may come to you as a surprise that an estimated 10% of people driving around do not actually have valid driver’s licenses, and are driving illegally. These 10% of drivers includes, of course, people who have had their licenses suspended due to one reason or the other. 

California reports also show that in the State of California, between 2006 and 2013, the DMV recorded 4.2 million license suspensions for unpaid court fines alone; this high number is even without adding the drivers who get their licenses revoked/suspended for a myriad of other reasons. 

People who drive on suspended licenses actually fail to remember that they are- in that moment- not eligible drivers for the road, and are putting themselves and other road users at high risk because, the law has found them guilty of being an unsafe driver. 

Reasons for a Driver’s License Suspension in California 

The DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) in the State of California can punish a driver with a license suspension for a number of driving violations. The most common reasons drivers get a driver’s license suspension in California are, 

• Failure to pay court fines 
• Driving under the influence (DUI) 
• Failure to appear in court 
• Failure to meet up with child support obligations 
• Repeating the same traffic violations 
• Vehicular accident convictions (Hit and run charges) 
• Lack of an auto insurance 
• Evading the police 

Some of the more serious offenses will lead to an immediate suspension, some of those offenses can be found in the California DMV Driver Handbook, here. 

A Suspended License 

 A court or the DMV will review a person’s case, and once they find the driver at fault, he/she will have their license suspended. Driving privileges allocated to that driver with their license will also be withdrawn for the specified period of suspension. Breaking the suspension in any way – driving another vehicle during the period of suspension- will lead to even more serious charges pressed against you, and possibly an extended period of suspension. 

Reinstating your California License

Although the road to getting your driver’s license reinstated is not filled with roses, it is actually an accomplishable task, and what most drivers will need during this quest is patience and some more patience in reserve. The ways drivers can reinstate their license is varying, mostly depending on the reasons that the license got suspended in the first place. If your ever get your license suspended, a driver license lawyer can help you get the driving right back. 

Some of the regular steps involved in reinstatement include; 

• Visiting your local DMV with all necessary documents 
• Completing and adhering to all suspensions, mandated programs or any jail time
• Proof of insurance 
• Paying the specified reinstatement fee 
• Paying all applicable court fees 

How much does it Cost to reinstate your License in California 

The amount of the fees varies according to the violation that surrounds a license suspension. The exact amount a driver will need to pay mostly depends on the Department of Motor Vehicles and the reason for a driver’s license suspension. The charges you need to pay for reinstating your licence after getting a Los Angeles traffic ticket are given below: 

• $20 for a Driver License restriction 
• $55 for a reissue fee 
• $100 Preliminary Alcohol Screening 
• $100 Admin Per Se 
• $24 drug suspension 

It is important to remember that being able to operate a vehicle in California does not guarantee that you are deemed fit to drive on the roads of California. To keep your license, you must pay heed to all of the driving rules set by the state to ensure your safety, and the safety of other road users. 

5 Valentine’s Gifts That Clearly Say “I Love You”

When it comes to showing your significant other that you love them, there’s no more pertinent holiday to do so than Valentine’s Day. If you love someone, you’re expected to treat them extra-special on Valentine’s Day, and pull out all the stops to show your love. This includes a special date night, words of affirmation, and romantic gifts. Depending on how serious your relationship is, you might get a Valentine’s gift that’s either lavish and luxurious, or a traditional display of classic romance. Either way, the romantic gesture will always be appreciated. There are many gift ideas out there for Valentine’s Day, but in this list we are going to focus on very romantic gifts that send a message to someone that they are very loved. Rather than gifts that are sexy or funny, these gift ideas are all about displaying feelings of true love. Below are 5 Valentine’s gifts that definitely send the message “I love you”:

1. Gold Rose

A natural rose dipped in a coating of 24-karat gold is what’s called an Eternity Rose, and it’s one of the most romantic gifts you can get for someone you love. The 24-karat gold coating preserves the rose for eternity, and it is a natural rose preserved in its ideal state of bloom. It turns into a solid gold rose, and since roses are iconic symbols of love, it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. Since this gift is incredibly unique, your partner will truly appreciate the thought that went behind it and they will be genuinely surprised when they open a box to see a pure gold rose.

2. Flowers and Chocolate

A box of chocolates with a bouquet of red roses is the most classic and traditional Valentine’s Day gift. Many people appreciate a traditional display of classic romance such as the charming gesture of chocolates and flowers. You can get a heart-shaped box of chocolates, or get decadent gourmet chocolates such as Royce chocolates. Show how well you know your partner by carefully choosing flavors you know they love. If they can see that you carefully selected flavors for them, it shows that you didn’t thoughtlessly buy any old box of chocolates. Combine these sweet treats with a bouquet of flowers, and you’re a bona fide romantic. 

3. Diamond Earrings

A diamond is forever, and diamonds symbolize a strong and lasting love. If you really want to do something extra-special and lavish, surprise your partner with sparkly diamonds. Find an affordable retailer that sources ethical diamonds, and arrange a meeting. Many boutique diamond retailers will ask you what your budget is and work with you to find something special that fits your budget. A gift like this is above-and-beyond what they’d expect to receive, and if your love for them is above-and-beyond, it’s perfect.

4. Heart Locket 

Jewelry is always a romantic gift, especially if it’s heart-shaped for Valentine’s Day. A heart-shaped locket, for example, is a lovely gift because you can thoughtfully choose a heart locket with a unique design and put a photo of your two lovebirds inside of it. It would be very special to put a photo of the two of you inside the locket and present this adorable gift on Valentine’s Day. Plenty of jewelry stores sell heart-shaped jewelry and lockets, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that you love. Get the piece you’ve chosen engraved and make it an extra-special, customized Valentine’s Day gift.

5. “Reasons Why I Love You” Book

An extremely thoughtful and unique gift that shows exactly how much you careis a personalized “Reasons Why I Love You” book. You can get this made by printing special photos of the two of you, creating a scrapbook, buying some craft materials, and making your own book. You can also opt for a professionally created book where you submit your photos and words you’d like to share, and leave it in a professional company’s hands to get the book made in hard cover. Simply come up with 10 reasons why you love your partner, with photos that symbolize each reason, and put it all together in a book. Your partner will probably start crying when they open this gift because it’s that loving and thoughtful.

Caring for the Ones that Love Us The Most

Life has a way of changing on you and no matter what you do you’re not always prepared for the next step. 

Today we are going to be talking about being Empty Nesters and planning our next stage in life which will be Caretakers. We have already lost one of our four parents, which was really tough. But, the older we get, the more we see that there are things we can do to prepare for the next chapter in our lives. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Anthem and its affiliated health plans, such as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, however, as always, opinions are 100% my own.

Plan ahead by ensuring that someone can access your parents’ banking records, that payments are being made, that the Will is in place, and so forth. Check the Insurance Policies including Life Insurance policies. Make sure that the person on these documents is living, capable, and responsible enough to manage their affairs. 

Update records as needed to ensure someone has access to them once the elderly person is unable to care for themselves. Elderly loved ones need to be of sound mind when making big decisions and without being coerced. 

Encourage healthy living and of course staying active. 

We as Empty Nesters are spending more time eating better and exercising a few days a week in an effort to stay healthier, longer. Encourage your parents to do the same thing and do weekly challenges to watch how you both progress. This not only allows you to be around for your family members longer, but it allows you to be able to enjoy the older people in your family even longer. Plus, you get to enjoy those baby cuddles when grandbabies come along!

Check out Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield when looking for affordable Medicare coverage for your loved ones. It offers everything needed at an affordable price that is easy on the budget. Hospital, Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription insurance are all available through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri.

Some of the reasons to choose Anthem include providing high-quality medical care coverage and other supports that takes pressure off of the individual making those choices. Here in Missouri, they have a Medicare Advantage Essential Extra offering.  This new package of benefits provides wellness services that allow seniors to live fuller, healthier lives.

As family members age, they are often times lonely and younger generations aren’t always available to visit. With Anthem, they can choose to have healthy food delivered to their home after returning to from the hospital allowing them to maintain their independence when cooking might not be possible. Or maybe they would prefer to visit their friends at an adult day care center to help reduce loneliness. They also have the option of going to their doctor or pharmacy without having to get behind the wheel because Anthem gives access to health-related transportation. While it might not be the answer for every person, it helps for them to stay active and minds engaged, while implementing simpler healthcare solutions.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, however, as always opinions are 100% my own.

4 Summer Camp Packing Tips Every Parent Should Follow

Summer is a time of many things, running through the grass with no shoes on, getting to do activities with the family, and long days that seem to go on forever. For many kids, it’s also the time when they head off to summer camp for a few weeks. For parents, it’s a time when they have to think carefully about what they will pack for their kids to take to that summer camp with them. With that in mind, read on below for a few summer camp packing tips every parent should know and follow.

Label Everything

We repeat, LABEL EVERYTHING! Whether it’s a suitcase, a lunchbox, or their favorite toy, you are going to want to label everything with something like these LeeLee labels for camp, to ensure that your kid’s things, stay your kid’s things. It’s easy to misplace things at camp and you want someone to be able to find it and turn it in. It’s also highly possible that other little campers could have the same things as your camper so it’s best to label them, so there is no confusion if their stuff gets mixed in together.

Help Them to Personalize

Most kids take their trunk along with them when they head out to summer camp. However, many kids are also a little nervous about leaving home, especially if this is their first time being away from home overnight. Make it a little easier for them, and a whole lot more fun by allowing them to personalize their trunk, in a way that reflects their personality. You can make this a fun afternoon event for the two of you as well, for some bonding time before they head off on their own adventure.

Pack What’s Needed the Least at the Bottom of Their Trunk

Everyone knows the way that kids unpack, everything all in a hodgepodge and laying everywhere. If it’s something that they need, they will upend their entire trunk to get to it, leaving everything else lying in the floor. If you pack what they might not need, such as a sweatshirt and pants, at the bottom, then everything needed will be at the top and you stand half a chance of their stuff staying neat for a couple of days, at least, and that’s the best you can hope for.

Don’t Forget the Extras

One thing you don’t want to forget is the extras. If your child has a certain stuffed animal they sleep with, make sure to pack that first, so there is no chance they will leave home without it. Packing things such as games, books, and writing supplies, so they can write you every day is a great idea as well. After all, though they will be busy, there will be some downtime and rainy days to account for.

These are just a few of the best tips for packing your child’s things to head off to summer camp. Just these few tips can make all the difference in organization and a happy experience.

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Five Tips for Starting a Difficult Conversation with a Family Member

Most people try and avoid tough conversations, especially when it comes to having them with family members. It’s much easier to smooth things over and act like nothing happened than it is to ruffle feathers. Not only are tough conversations uncomfortable, they can also create rifts in the family, which many family members try hard to avoid.

Although you may feel like you’re doing the right thing in the moment, afterwards, you’re likely to feel rotten because you didn’t say how you really felt.

The truth is, you shouldn’t run away from family problems. You should face them head-on, and doing that is much easier when you follow the tips on this list.

Get Support Ahead of Time

Knowing you have to have a difficult conversation is scary. It’s not a good idea to go into it alone. Instead, you should look for support ahead of time.

For example, if you’re dealing with a family member who has a drinking problem, you should go to an Al-Anon meeting, even if going to your first meeting makes you nervous. You’ll feel much better going into the conversation knowing there are people who support you.

Getting support might mean working through your issues with a therapist ahead of time, and it can mean asking other family members to be present during the conversation. No matter what kind of support you get, you’ll be glad you did when you finally sit down to talk.

Write Down What You Want to Say

You may spend hours mentally preparing for a difficult conversation, but as soon as it starts, everything you wanted to say goes out the window. Instead of relying on your memory to work in a stressful situation, write down what you want to say ahead of time.

For example, writing out a list can help you because:

• You can organize what you want to say
• It’s quick to write and quick to read
• It gives you flexibility in the moment

Lists are great, but you also have the option of reading a letter if you think it will make you feel better when it’s time to have that conversation.

Know How You’re Going to Open the Conversation

Just because you know what you want to say doesn’t mean you know how you’re going to start saying it! The one thing you should have memorized is exactly how you are going to start the conversation. That’s because it’s often the most difficult part of the process.

When deciding what you want to say, plan to start the conversation with curiosity and openness. Using statements that focus on how you feel can be very helpful as well. The last thing you want to do is make your family member feel like they’re being attacked.

Using a question can be a great way to start the conversation too. Make an observation about a behavior you’ve noticed and ask them how they’re doing. They may just start the conversation for you.

Set the Stage

Where you have the conversation is just as important as how you’re going to start the conversation. You want to make sure you create a non-threatening, relaxing environment.

Avoid having the conversation in a public place. If the other person is used to coming to your home, look for ways to make it more relaxing when they come over.

If the conversation is particularly difficult, you may want to consider a neutral space. That way, neither party feels like they have an advantage.

Take the Role of a Journalist or a Researcher

It can be very difficult not to let your emotions get the best of you when you’re having a difficult conversation with a family member. It can be helpful to imagine yourself as a journalist or a researcher.

Journalists have many strengths, but one is being impartial. They ask questions and listen to the answers, without allowing their feelings to get in the way. Imagine yourself in this position and you will find it easier to remove yourself from the situation. In addition, if you’re able to be impartial throughout the conversation, the family member you’re speaking to will be more likely to ask you for your help.

Just because having a difficult conversation is hard doesn’t mean it isn’t worth having. Prepare ahead of time with the tips on this list. You’ll feel more comfortable before the conversation begins, and you can increase your chances of having a successful conversation.

How to Build a Garden Playhouse for Your Kids

One of the greatest ways that parents can keep the house somewhat tidy and organized is to give the kids a designated area to play and have fun. And what better place for that to happen than in the yard, taking all their mess, toys, and noise with them? Of course, telling the kids to go play outside may not be particularly thrilling for them, that is unless you create a space that they want to spend time in – which is where a garden playhouse can make sense.

A garden playhouse is not only a cool and attractive addition for the backyard, it gives the kids somewhere safe, fun, and cozy to hang out. Here, we will take a look at some tips that will help you build the perfect garden playhouse for your kids that they won’t ever want to leave.

Choose a Solid Structure that Doesn’t Require Much Maintenance

The first thing you want to think about is the structure itself. Obviously, you want something solid that will hold up to the elements, but it’s also likely that you don’t want to pick a material that will require constant maintenance and attention from you. This is where a steel building can make sense and tick off all the “must-have” boxes.

All you have to do is take a look at the options available through Armstrong Steel and use their steel building calculator to get a quote, and your vision can really start to form. You can order a custom building that meets your size requirements and any specifics you may have, such as the number of windows and the placement of the door. Once you erect the building, the maintenance is next to non-existent and because it’s steel, you know it will hold up well.

Do You Want Climate Control and Electricity in the Playhouse?

Next, you need to think about just how modernized this playhouse will be. Do you basically just want to put up the playhouse and leave it open to the elements, or are you thinking about something more permanent like what the steel structure would offer?

Do you want it to be climate controlled and have lighting? If that’s the case, you’ll need to have an electrician come out and set it up. By doing this, you can install a fan, a small kid-safe space heater, and lights.

Ensure the Flooring is Comfortable and Easy to Clean

You will also want to think about the flooring. Just leaving a steel or plywood floor isn’t exactly comfortable for the kids when they are in there playing. Instead, you can think of various options keeping the emphasis on comfort and the ability to clean it with ease. Durability and cost will also likely be a factor.

Give Them Plenty of Storage

Finally, you want to think about storage. Without enough storage, the playhouse is just going to end up looking like a dumping zone for toys. You can use a variety of storage options such as shelving, bins, multi-purpose furniture, etc. You want to be sure that every item has a place.

Each of these steps will help you to build the perfect garden playhouse for the kids.