Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day and the day that we should all honor our soldiers. Those who fought for our freedoms and lost their lives doing so. And for all those who are still on foreign shores as well as all those brave veterans who served this wonderful country. We thank you. Memorial Day also has great meaning to all of us who have lost loved ones, to honor their memory and pay homage to them as well. Personally we spent a few hours traveling to several cemeteries with plants and flowers which make us feel it's the least we can do for our loved ones. Memorial day means many things to many people and it gives us all food for thought.

Conserving Energy & Water

This year more than any other we have been trying to conserve on our energy bill. After getting hit with a $300. electric bill last month, we have been looking for ways to cut some of our energy bills.
Here are just a few ways to consider to cut energy costs as well as still being comfortable during the hot summer. Turning up the air conditioner to 72 degrees instead of 68 or 70 degrees will cut down on the electric and will be just as comfortable and cool enough to enjoy. While showering turn the water off while you shampoo and condition your hair. When brushing your teeth shut the water off. This can save many gallons of water monthly. We should always try to find little ways to cut energy costs because they add up. It helps us individually as well as it helps the planet.

Caring for Your Furry Friends

Anyone who knows us know that we have two furry members of our family. Our Golden Retriever Cooper and our Yellow Tiger Cat Frankie. They are our little loves. It is true when people say that pets give unconditional love. When life deals you some unhappiness, there is nothing like hugging and holding your pets. It helps. It has been a proven fact that pets can actually be good for people with high blood pressure and depression. They have a great calming effect on our lives.
This weeks blog is about caring for your best friends. We have been sad to find out that a dog is considered a senior at the age of 7, which Cooper just turned on April 29th. We make sure that both our pets go to the vet at least twice a year and have all their shots. Even though Cooper was immunized for Lyme disease we were shocked to find out he had it. We were devastated but the vet told us there are so many dogs and other animals with it. Even the dog ticks are carriers as well as deer ticks. We had to give him a months worth of antibiotics and now we make sure he has his Front Line on as well as checking him over every time he goes out. Frankie is lucky because he is an indoor cat and doesn't have the same access to ticks and bugs as Coop does. All we have to watch Frankie for is the occasional times when he is cranky with Cooper.
We just can't express enough to be vigilant with both your pets and yourselves because ticks with Lyme disease can be very serious and sometimes fatal to you and your pets.

Generosity

This weeks blog is about generosity. We find that giving of yourself is so very enriching. There are many ways of giving or helping and it doesn't have to be monetary. It can be giving a person in need a helping hand. It can be as simple as when some of us grow vegetables in our garden, to share the bounty with an elderly neighbor or take some surplus to the food bank. You can even take time to stop in with a cake or some cut flowers for a shut in who would be thrilled to have a visit with a caring person. We have always enjoyed making up gift bags for the senior center and for the meals on wheels folks. We would fill them with fun items for the holidays, such as flags for the 4th of July or an ornament for Christmas time. It gives us a great feeling when we would get thank you notes from the seniors.
If you can give some time to help a person in need such as Habitat for Humanity or just mow the over grown lawn of someone who needs a little help with their yard. Also run an errand to the store for someone who just isn't feeling well enough to do it themselves.
To sum it up, just give a little of yourself and enjoy the feeling that it brings to help your fellow man. Especially this day in age it makes you feel so good. We are also proud contributors to the Children's Miracle Network and the Susan G. Komen Sell for The Cure, but if you can't contribute monetarily (we know times are tough right now) just giving a helping hand can make all the difference to someone. You would be surprised.