Hunting this Summer? Get an ATV!

Posted by Mirage on May 3, 2013 in family time | 0 comments

Thinking of summer activities with the family? How about going up the rough terrains, camp and hunt? And here’s an awesome companion for your adventure.

The Yamaha Rhino is one of the most popular side-by-sides on the market. This combination ATV and SUV is at home taking you up and down rough terrain to get to your favorite hunting spot as it is hauling the garbage to the roadside. Even with no additional Yamaha Rhino accessories added to it, it has a lot of features. The two-seater cab has plenty of room for you and your equipment, and the bed can haul around 400 pounds.

The bed is constructed of steel and has side latches for ease of use. The doors have a molded guard to keep the outside from coming into the cab. The 4×4 option will take you over rough ground. With a ground clearance of over a foot, you have a lot of room to maneuver through rocky roads. It is lightweight and comes with rack and pinion steering. The CV joints are protected with heavy duty guards to keep them safe from debris. The drive case is sealed to keep water or dirt out, and if it should get in during extreme conditions, there is an emergency drain. It has a towing capacity of 1,200 pounds. The Rhino 4×4 is designed to take a beating out on the trail while delivering superb handling. It is easily switched from 4WD to 2WD. The fuel tank holds over seven gallons of fuel, and the entire vehicle is lightweight. It is mounted on a lightweight steel frame with double wishbone suspension. It has a wet weight under 1,200 pounds.

Red Carpet-Ready Makeup Done from Your Own Vanity

Posted by Mirage on Apr 11, 2013 in Fashion | 0 comments

For some, being  a stay-at-home mom is a term that sometimes evoke an image of unkempt hair, ragged overall look. But this shouldn’t always be the case. We stay-at-home moms also get our me-times spent on facials, spas and other beauty regimen…provided that there’d be someone we can leave the kids with. At times, we find ourselves trying to put things in our own hands as with any other things, so if we can’t find a babysitter, we always do things our way – at home.

And yes, you do not have to step out any farther than your own vanity table to get that flawless red carpet-ready makeup of an everyday fresh look. Today, airbrushing makeup is available in sets and kits for personal use.  You simply have to pick out the right shades for your skin tone and to learn about the airbrushing techniques, then you can put on that perfectly made up face anytime you want.

kit

The basic airbrush makeup system is composed of the compressor, the airbrush, and the makeup pod.  These are assembled together for use in applying the makeup formulation contained in the makeup pod.  Instead of dabbing sponges on cakes, creams, or pressed powder, this system sprays makeup in a fine mist to give better coverage without a heavy coat of makeup.  The result is a more natural look achieved in a more hygienic makeup application process.   Since no part of the system touches the skin, there is no risk of contaminating your makeup because of your facial oils and dead skin cells.

The types of makeup that can be applied with an airbrush system include the foundation, the blush, the lip color, and the eye shadow.  There are different pods of different shades for these applications.  You can even find highlighters and bronzers in airbrush makeup pods.  Once sprayed onto your skin, these products stay without clumping, caking, streaking, or fading.  Most of these products are water-resistant, so they stay on your skin even when you are sweating or crying.  In as much as it seems to stick like your second skin, removing airbrush makeup at the end of the day is conveniently done by simply washing with mild soap and water.

It is not difficult to learn how to apply airbrush makeup.  Your airbrush makeup system will come with instructions on how to assemble, use, and maintain your equipment.  For more tips and techniques in using airbrush makeup systems, there are videos and online tutorials that you can go through.  There are also workshops that you can attend in professional makeup studios and showrooms.  When you learn how to use your airbrush makeup system, getting that flawless red-carpet ready look will be a cinch.

Bringing Home a New Member of the Family

Posted by Mirage on Feb 27, 2013 in Pets | 1 comment

Having pets has a lot of benefits that the entire family can enjoy. For younger people, dogs can be playmates and exercise buddies. For older people, dogs can provide loyal companionship. Pet dogs can teach everyone how to nurture another living being. Choosing a pet dog should not be all about looks alone. The cute Chihuahua just looks too adorable in that doggie tote and might be difficult for you to resist. But, before going out and getting one for the family, you have to carefully research the breed. You have to know the kind of care she needs and the temperament she has. By doing your research, you can start off on the right foot with the new member of your family.

learning how to have pets

House breaking and training should also be your concern. You need to make sure that your house is safe for your new puppy. There are tips and tricks that you can find on the internet on how to do this properly. To start with, you have to make sure that you set aside an area of your home as your puppy’s resting place. You also have to mark the areas where your puppy will be allowed to roam freely. On her first day, you can already show her to these places. Buying her some accessories is also recommended. At the very least, your puppy should have her own pet cushion, separate feeding bowls for food and water, some chew toys, and a dog training collar.

When it comes to training your puppy, you do not necessarily have to enrol her in obedience school. In fact, it is often recommended that you do the training yourself. You are, after all, the dog’s master. It is important that you establish that you are the leader of the pack from the day you bring your puppy home. Be firm but gentle in the way you train your puppy. Use positive reinforcement by rewarding your puppy for good behavior. Never punish or hurt your puppy. With a few simple tips from online dog training experts, you can successfully teach your puppy how to do a few tricks.

Homeschooling: Is It Right For Our Family?

Posted by Mirage on Feb 8, 2013 in Education, Homeschooling | 1 comment

Making choices about your child’s education is one of the toughest decisions that a parent faces. Parents around the world want to do what is best for their child and their education. As long as homeschooling is an educational option, there will continue to be a debate about what is best. Exploring the climate, schedule, academics, and parental tasks of both homeschooling and traditional classrooms will help you make a decision that is best for your family.

Climate

If there is more than one child in your family, homeschooling would be a multi-age environment. This instills collaboration and teaches leadership skills. There is also a sense of consistency, not only day to day, but also year to year. It is also important to mention that extended time with family could strain those relationships.

Most traditional classrooms are grouped by age, which allows for quality peer interactions and shared experiences. Due to the variety of abilities present within a traditional classroom, students get the opportunity to see diversity and mentor their peers. Classroom management is an issue in the traditional classroom, as more students present the potential for more challenges.

learning at home

Schedule

The homeschooling schedule is flexible, revolves around the family, and includes time for bonding. This flexibility also allows for field trips and vacations. The schedule also allows students to progress as needed. Homeschooling requires a facilitator that is organized and dedicated and a student that works well independently.

The schedule in a traditional classroom is rigid. The time limits for each subject are set by state educational officials and district personnel. Students learn essential time management skills due to this structure.

Academics

The curriculum is in homeschooling is selected and carried out by the facilitator, which is often a parent. Time is available to expand on topics, pursue interests, and receive additional instruction. The facilitator has to be very diligent to present all of the material and not just focus on their student’s strengths. Homeschooling co-ops and support groups exist to help parents make academic decisions. In recent years, people with an instructional design degree have spent time developing technology that enhances instruction, which is particularly helpful to homeschooling facilitators.

The curriculum in a traditional classroom is determined by the state and school district officials. The classroom teachers are then provided materials to implement the curriculum. Extra time needed for topic expansion or additional instruction has to come from somewhere else, like recess, study hall, or after school help sessions. Specially qualified teachers are available to work with gifted and special needs students. The work done by people with an instructional design degree also enhances the education in a traditional classroom.

Parental Tasks

In a homeschooling situation the parent assumes responsibility for lesson planning, facilitating lessons, and progress management. The parent is also financially responsible for all of the materials needed. The parent is the only person responsible for the social and character education of the child. They get to share their values and shelter their child from negative influences.

In a traditional classroom the parent is responsible for collaborating with the teacher, continuing their child’s educational experiences at home, and providing school supplies and materials. While the parent is still responsible for their child’s character education, that component is also taught in school. The traditional classroom increases the opportunities for independence and conflict resolution.

While no situation is perfect, the advancements made by those with an instructional design degree have made it easier for parents to choose the technology and curriculum that fits their educational objectives. It is important to evaluate each environment to determine which is truly best for your family.

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Denielle is responsible for a wide variety of tasks at work. She is always willing to take on extra tasks and does so with a smile. She enjoys spending time with her family as much as possible and loves hosting BBQ’s for everyone to get together. 

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Babysitters On Call: Making Impossible Night Outs Possible

Posted by Mirage on Feb 2, 2013 in Babies, home stories | 0 comments

Date nights with hubby and night outs with friends are rather impossible for stay at home moms (like me) who employ no house help or fulltime nannies. With no one to leave young kids with, night outs are forgone until the kids are fully grown up and can be left at home by themselves (sad sad life).

This doesn’t always have to be the case though as we all know that moms do need a break from their household duties and that spouses do need to have romantic dates to keep their marriage in full bloom. One can always look for a baby sitter to stay with the kids every once in a while. Do consider these things in getting a babysitter on your night outs:

1. Relatives are often the best babysitters. There’s no one more trustworthy than your own parents, aunts, or siblings. If they are within the neighbourhood, leaving your children in their care would ensure that you get to be worry-free on your night out.
2. Ask friends for recommendations. Friends in your circle are bound to have their own reliable babysitters who they trust. Your friends can also provide you an idea of how much babysitters usually charge for their services.
3. Interview the babysitter. No matter how highly recommended a babysitter is, make sure that you do interview her first before entrusting your children in her care. Ask about previous experience, knowledge of emergency procedures, and fees.
4. Check the babysitter’s rapport with your children. Invite the babysitter to stay with the children while you are at home. See how they interact with each other and how the babysitter attends to your children’s needs. Ask your children also how they feel about the babysitter.

Remember to trust your instinct – mothers are known to have great ones. Make sure you are completely comfortable leaving your children with the babysitter you are hiring. If you have a close-knit community, it would be wise also to have parents take turns in babysitting. That way you all get to save on babysitting fees and get to have your date nights.

Once you’ve found a babysitter you can fully trust and rely on, treat her well so she won’t hesitate babysitting for you anytime you need her. After all, a dependable babysitter who’s always on call can make date nights with hubby and night outs with friend possible.