Articles

5 Tips to Buying Good Mountain Bike Lighting

June 13, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Mountain bike riding is a fun and involved activity. Whether you plan to do cross-country riding, dirt jumping, freeride, trail riding, classic mountain biking or even downhill riding, you need to have the right gear and equipment. Mountain bike lights are part and parcel of these vital necessities, unless you don’t mind potentially dangerous rides when mountain biking at night.

Mountain bike lights come in a wide range of varieties, depending on the place that you wish to go riding and the spot you want lighting mounted. When buying lights, you also need to keep in mind that you need people behind and ahead to see you. Also, proper mountain bike lighting allows you to efficiently maneuver those high-incline climbs. It’s important to assess your needs before you make your purchase. To make your shopping experience a breeze, here are 5 tips to buying good mountain bike lighting.

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My Favourite Mom Essentials for Children’s Summer Sports

June 7, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

In our house, May and June is sports season. And I have to say that it’s one of my favourite times of the year! Even though the month is incredibly busy, there’s something so energizing about watching my boys play their favourite warm-weather sports as the baby plays on a blanket in front of me.

But to make sure the whole family has a good time during our various sports activities, being prepared is a must! As soon as Zackary’s baseball games and Benjamin’s flag football season kick off, I prepare a bag of essentials to help ensure that we’re ready for anything during a game.

Have kids in summer sports too? These are the items that I love to have at every game!

Refillable Water Bottles

While it goes without saying that I make sure my sports-playing boys have a water bottle filled and ready to go, I also pack two extra bottles just in case. Sometimes, the day is so hot that I need a little refreshment too! And sometimes, my boys will play an especially hard game and finish off their own bottles early on. No matter what the reason, I’m always happier having extra water available.

Pocket First Aid Kit

My boys don’t get many bumps or scrapes, but I still want to be prepared if they (or other kids on the team) need a bandage or an ice pack. As soon as sports season starts, I take my travel first aid kit and move it into the back of my car so that it’s ready if anyone on my boys’ teams need it. It’s amazing how much a simple bandage can help a child feel better and get back in the game.

Insect Repellant

While I love the warmer weather, I don’t love the insects that make their appearance when the snow is gone! Mosquitos are the main annoyance here in Saskatchewan, and they’re already plentiful this year. Keeping my favourite insect repellant in my sports bag ensures that I can watch a game in comfort, and my boys can play without distraction.

And for times when I’m a little too slow applying insect repellant, I keep a Benadryl Itch Stick ready in my bag. This convenient stick contains a topical antihistamine/analgesic and a skin protectant to help relieve itching due to bug bites and stings. It’s a quick and easy way to soothe any bites so my boys can focus on their game, and I can focus on cheering them on!

Children’s Benadryl Allergy Medication

Both my boys suffer from mild to moderate seasonal allergies. And since I have the same issue, I know how distracting it can be trying to focus on even a simple task while battling itchy eyes, a stuffy nose and sneezing. That’s why I always make sure that I pop a box of Children’s Benadryl Chewables into my bag, just in case one of them starts to show the signs of a reaction.

I recently learned that everyone has a limit in the amount of allergy triggers their body can handle. Too much pollen, dust, animal dander and other allergens can surpass a person’s natural threshold and cause a reaction. That explained to me why there seems to be no rhyme or reason to my boys’ reactions. But by keeping Benadryl ready in my bag, I’m prepared for that sudden “crossing of the threshold,” even if it only happens once or twice a sports season!

Blankets

The weather in May and June is notoriously unpredictable in Saskatchewan and sometimes the nicest day can turn frigid by the time the sun starts to go down. That means that I’ve been caught shivering in shorts and a t-shirt more times than I care to remember!

So now, I always keep a couple of blankets ready to pull out when needed, whether I’m laying one out for the baby to sit or wrapping up in one to stay warm after a sudden drop in temperature. I also fold up an extra sweater for everyone in the family and leave them all in the car just in case we need even more warmth.

Wet Wipes

From cleaning up dirty hands after a big play, to letting me freshen up after discovering a port-a-potty is out of toilet paper, a travel pack of wet wipes is a multi-use workhorse that always comes in handy. I choose a variety for sensitive skin, so that everyone from my husband to my baby can use them when needed. (And at nine months old, my baby needs them pretty often!)

Next week, my oldest son has his first baseball tournament, which means we’ll be spending most of the weekend at the ball diamond. I’ll be doing a double-check of my sports bag to help ensure I have everything I need for a fun-filled sporting event and replenishing any items that are running low.

Since Zackary is one of the starting pitchers this year, Children’s Benadryl Chewables are especially important for me to have ready. I know he would be so upset if he wasn’t able to pitch properly because he was dealing with an unexpected allergic reaction.

There are plenty of other items that I find come in handy as well, from snacks for my baby to extra money for the concession to camping chairs that let us avoid uncomfortable bleachers. But these six items are the ones that I find myself using again and again.

If you have kids in organized sports, check out your own bag of essentials and see if you might want to add a few of these. When it comes to kids, I usually find that you can never pack too much, or be too prepared!

5 Tips to Deciphering the Validity of a Trusted Review

June 5, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Today, more and more people are turning to online stores for their shopping and other purchases. Instead of visiting department stores and merchandise outlets, shoppers now choose to just browse and scroll from the comfort of their own homes. I love being able to shop in my pajamas!

And with everything from clothes, appliances, televisions and furniture, up to more luxurious purchases like car accessories, gadgets and smartphones available online, shopping has never been easier. Aside from the convenience online shopping provides, the prices are also often cheaper compared to a physical store’s price. Best of all, the selection is almost always better as well, since the items available don’t have to be physically stocked in-store!

But the one thing that online shopping doesn’t offer is the ability to actually check out a product firsthand. When it comes to expensive items, being able to see, feel, touch and sometimes hear the product can make all the difference when it comes to taking the plunge on a big-ticket item. The best online deal can still cause hesitation if a shopper is worried about product quality. [Read more…]

My Open Letter to the Daughter I Gave Away

May 20, 2018 by Kathryn 9 Comments

Darling Daughter,

It’s hard for me to believe that you turned eighteen just a few months ago. It seems like just yesterday that I was eighteen myself, and navigating the difficult journey that took me from child to adult. I remember how confusing the teenage years can be. How they can make you question yourself, wonder what your future holds, dwell on every little misstep you take.

I know that you’ve had a childhood filled with joy and security, but I worry that you might also be feeling a little more lost than other teenagers right now, and possibly wondering how you came to have the parents and the life that you do.

I know your parents explained to you that you were adopted as soon as you were old enough to understand what that meant. I’m sure they also told you that they love you fully and completely and every bit as much as any parents love their child. I hope you were able to understand how true their words were, and how much of a blessing you were to their lives.

But I know that there’s one question you’ll probably ask eventually, if you haven’t already, and it’s one that your parents can’t answer. The question is, “why?” Why did your “real” mother, the woman that gave birth to you, give you away to somebody else? I don’t know if you’ve ever voiced that question, but I’m sure it’s haunted your thoughts at times.

Since the day I gave birth to you, I couldn’t help but notice how many television shows and movies showcased emotional, touching renditions of an adopted child meeting her birth mother for the first time. That question, the why, was always the first one asked. And the answers, always the same, had me scoffing in disgust every time.

“I was young. I didn’t know how to take care of a baby. I didn’t have anyone to help me. I was all alone.” These are true statements for many women that make the choice I made, and a lot of them were true for me, but I can assure you that none are the reason a mother gives her baby away.

The answer to that “why,” the answer I believe is almost every birth mother’s answer to the question, is this: I cared more about what was best for you than I did about what was best for me. I had to decide between giving you the most promising life and future I possibly could…or keeping you with me. And I loved you so much that I was willing to lose a piece of my heart for a lifetime, if it meant that you would have a life of happiness and prosperity and opportunity.

In this age of social media, I’ve been able to learn a bit more about you than you might know. I’ve seen ample proof over the years that the decision I made was the right one. I knew it when your parents sent me some of their favourite photos from your first few years of life, and I know it now, having seen you as a smiling and confident teenager. I’m sure your life will continue to be full of opportunity and I’m sure that you’ll accomplish anything you set your mind to.

But through it all, if you ever start to wonder, if you ever start to worry, if you ever start to feel like you aren’t good enough…remember this. Every single day since you were born, I have loved you. And for every single day to come in the future, I will keep loving you.

Letting somebody else take you out of my arms was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I would do it again a thousand times to ensure your happiness. And you will always have the piece of my heart that I gave you the day you were born. From the beginning, and for always, I would do anything for you.

Love Always,

Your Mother

Steps and Ideas for Your DIY Deck Build

May 19, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Spring has finally arrived in Saskatchewan and I couldn’t be happier! But with a brand-new house on six acres of ungroomed prairie, I also couldn’t be busier! My husband and I have a list of the different jobs we want to complete this spring and summer, and we’ve already started tackling it.

deck-and-baby — Baby Cormac watching his new deck come together!

One of our biggest priorities was adding a back deck to our house. We were both a little nervous about it since neither of us had ever built a deck before. But with a lot of research and some help from family, we were able to complete our dream deck in just three days!

Planning a deck build of your own? Here’s the step-by-step process that helped take our deck from dream to reality:

Try Deck Designing Software

There are a few handy deck designing tools available online, and I had fun testing them out to create my perfect deck. Of course, every free tool wants to sell you something, so you may need to create a free account or register for a mailing list to get access. But it can be worth it to create a detailed, professional version of your dream deck.

Personally, I used the deck designing software from Decks.com to create my blueprint. It allowed me to download a blueprint and a complete list of materials, all with just a few minutes of time online! I decided on a large deck with angled corners and two sets of stairs.

Check with Your Building Inspector

While deck designing software is great, the blueprints are generally set to the highest possible building code standards. While that certainly means a deck will be built well, it can also mean it costs more than it needs to. When we checked in with our building inspector, we learned that instead of using the ten foundation posts that were on our blueprints, we could instead use only five and still have a solid deck.

deck-blocking — By putting these blocks in between our joists, we were able to eliminate five of our foundation piles!

Our inspector also gave us some tips on making sure that the length of our deck was properly supported, as well as some online resources that would help ensure we had all the information we needed to build a strong and long-lasting deck. The building permit cost $125 but being able to eliminate five foundation piles saved us $1000!

Consider Your Foundation

There are many different foundation options for a deck, from simple concrete pads to huge steel posts. The most common method of supporting a deck is usually digging a hole and then filling it with concrete. For our deck, we decided to spend a little more and use screw piles. Because Saskatchewan gets so cold in the winter, the longer metal supports stay below the frost line to prevent the deck from heaving.

deck-helical-pile-foundation — Helical, or screw piles, are long metal posts that are drilled into the ground to provide a solid foundation. In a province with extreme cold, they ensure the deck will stay in place without heaving.

The height of the deck also plays a part in choosing a foundation. A higher deck is especially sturdy when screw piles are used. A low deck may need no more than a concrete pad. And in warmer climates where frost doesn’t sink as deeply into the ground, a concrete post may be ideal. Whatever you choose, consider cost, durability and the work involved before making your choice.

Start the Build

With the foundation in place, the building can begin! A deck consists of layers, and our deck was comprised of sturdy six-by-six posts on top of our screw piles, a 3-ply 2×10 beam on top of the posts and then 2×10 joists on top of the beam. Joists are basically just supports for the deck and the boards that will go on top. And assembling the various layers is easy, but does take lots of measuring, cutting and securing!

deck-layers — The many layers of a deck! Foundation, post, three-ply beam and joists. On top of all this, the deck boards will be nailed into place.

When all the layers are in place, the deck boards can be screwed into the joists. The job is easy, but time consuming. And protecting my hands from splinters was a must! While my husband and father preferred their work gloves, I use my Dig It Long Cuff High 5 Gloves for DIY work like this. They feature unique cushioned fingertips to help protect my nails while I work. And I love how they’re fitted to my hands!

dig-it-gloves-and-deck — Screwing down deck boards with my Dig It gloves! They help protect my hands from splinters and keep my nails in shape thanks to padded fingertips.

Choosing a decking material is another important consideration. While composite deck boards are longer lasting, the low price of pressure treated lumber is a big plus. We chose brown pressure treated lumber for our deck boards. It did splinter a bit here and there when putting in screws, so I just sanded lightly over all the screws to help keep little feet safe.

Railings and Stairs

With our deck built and looking beautiful, we had only two more things to add: the railings and the stairs. Since the deck and our yard are so large, we wanted a set of stairs on either side of the deck. We decided to spend some extra money putting in white metal railings, to save ourselves any maintenance in the future. We’re now waiting for the railing to arrive, and I can’t wait to put it into place!

diy-deck-railing — Metal railing was a splurge, but we wanted to match our front deck and keep our maintenance to a minimum.

We decided to make the stairs five feet wide, using two 2×6 deck boards per stair for a nice, sturdy step. One of the biggest challenges we faced was finding the right height of angled stair stringers for our steps. It took us three tries to get it right! Then it was simply a matter of screwing the boards into place on each metal stair stringer to create our steps, then attaching those steps to the deck.

dig-it-gloves-and-glasses — I love how my gloves and glasses combine fashion and function! The tortoise-shell frames of these safety glasses are divine.

I am so excited to have our back deck completed and can’t wait to get our barbecue and patio set in place as soon as the railings are up. And throughout the building process, my Dig It Long Cuff High 5 Gloves and Eye Dig It Safety Sunglasses ensured that I was building as safely as possible. Whether a screw flew away from me when I was putting in deck boards, or I was lifting a splintered piece of wood, my hands and eyes were protected.

If you’re planning some DIY building this spring, make sure to grab your own pair of Dig It gloves and safety glasses. They’re fashionable, functional and will help you create the backyard oasis of your dreams. Whether you’re building a big back deck like ours or just laying down some paving stones in a favourite nook, Dig It products are the perfect accessory to your project!

Tips and Items to Help Baby Explore the House Safely

May 10, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Media Brand Ambassador Program with Philips Avent and I received Compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

It’s hard for me to believe that almost a year has gone by since I first held my brand new baby boy in my arms. Cormac is now nine months old and as he approaches his first birthday, he’s becoming more and more of a handful!

I don’t want to stop my baby from exploring the world around him, but I do want to make sure he’s safe as he explores. So, over the last few weeks, I’ve been making some changes so that Cormac’s home is a place that helps him learn without putting him in danger. These are a few of the items and techniques I’ve put on my baby proofing checklist so far. [Read more…]

MegaFood Baby & Me Supplements Help Keep Moms and Babies Healthy-Giveaway

May 3, 2018 by Kathryn 13 Comments

When I was pregnant with Cormac, I got a little bit obsessed with proper nutrition. I took both a prenatal vitamin and an Omega-3 supplement. I also tried to eat as healthily as possible, though it wasn’t easy considering my huge cravings for sugar!

The hardest thing about taking my vitamins was how they upset my stomach. I was often nauseous for about half an hour afterwards, even though I was eating a meal at the same time. So, I was very excited to learn about MegaFood Baby & Me supplements. Not only are they packed with all the nutrition pregnant and breastfeeding women need, they’re also designed to be less likely to cause nausea the way some other supplements do!

So, what makes the Baby & Me products different? The secret is whole foods. The supplements are all made with whole food products (like Vitamin C from oranges and Vitamin A from carrots), which means that they’re less likely to lead to an upset stomach since they are digested in a way that’s similar to the body processing real food. [Read more…]

Create Your Dream Yard with 4 Simple Landscaping Tips

May 1, 2018 by Kathryn 5 Comments

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of TruGreen. The opinions and text are all mine.

In November of last year, my husband and I moved into our newly built custom dream house with our three boys. The house is stunning, and I still wake up every morning in awe of how perfectly it turned out. But the real appeal of the spot is the six acres of rolling prairie it sits on.

Since we moved into the house so late in the fall, we didn’t have a chance to do much landscaping. So, I can’t wait to get outside and do some landscaping this year! We have shelterbelt trees on the way, lilacs and berry bushes for borders, summer bulbs to plant and a deck to build.

With so much to do, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about everything I want in our yard, and how to get it. And I’ve also discovered some landscaping tips for anyone planning their own backyard makeover! Whether you’re doing a minor refresh or a full overhaul, keep these four tips in mind to help you along.

1) Plan (and Draw) It Out

Start the process by making a list of all the elements you want for your yard. For our family, that was a large garden, fruit trees, a fire pit, a place for the kids to play and ample deck seating for entertaining. Next, draw out a rough sketch of the yard and start planning where you’d like each element to be. (Make sure to include any existing features in your drawing!)

I used a very simple drawing to start making plans for our yard and since it was a new build, the only obstacles I had were the septic tank and mound. I planned the rest of the yard by walking over the space frequently, noticing where the dips and rolls in the land were. Then I positioned the different areas to work with the flow of the land in the best way possible.

2) Decide On a Focal Point

When I was researching landscaping ideas, one concept kept reappearing again and again: every yard should have a focal point. Its purpose is to draw a person’s eye to the yard, so that they will then notice and admire the rest of the surrounding landscape.

This was a hard concept for me, because with so much land around us, I feel like our house is the focal point. So, I’ll be accenting that with two Scots pine trees placed on either side of the house and some flowers in front of the deck. For smaller yards, a pretty bench or a birdbath also make beautiful focal points.

3) Learn Your Trees

If you’re new to gardening, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of trees, shrubs and even grass seed varieties you have to choose from. And choosing too quickly could be a mistake if you’re not sure about what the plants are like in their maturity. In front of my previous house, for example, was a large Cottonwood Poplar that showered me with sticky seed pods and cottony seeds for most of the spring and summer months.

Before you spend your hard-earned money, make sure you know how large your trees and shrubs will grow, how much maintenance they will require and what kind of growing pattern they have. There are trees that spread like weeds and trees that look beautiful but need heavy care to stay healthy. Make sure the ones you choose will suit your landscape and your gardening time!

4) Plan Your Maintenance

Depending on whether you love gardening and working outdoors or prefer spending your time lounging on the deck to scrounging in the dirt, planning your yard to suit your commitment level is a must. There are some great low-maintenance choices available for people that want to minimize yard work, from eco-friendly grass varieties that require less mowing to stylish rock gardens that provide zero-maintenance beauty.

And if you know you won’t have time to protect trees from insects or spray for weeds, considering hiring a helping hand! TruGreen lawn and yard services offers comprehensive packages for lawn and tree maintenance that includes fertilizing, weed control, insect control, overseeding and more! Get a quote to see how affordable maintaining your dream yard can be.

Once your dream yard has come to fruition, it’s time to have fun with a few pretty and easy finishing touches! Check out the infographic below for some easy ways to upgrade your back yard and patio. Then have fun making your yard an oasis that the whole family will love.