Projects We Tackled In 2019

This past year seems to have gone by so quickly and makes me take time to reflect on things that we accomplished in our household, as well as plan for the upcoming new year. We decided on buying a lot less stuff in 2019, and donated a lot of things that were no longer serving us in a positive way. We made a list of household projects that we wanted to get done, and thankfully we were able to check off those boxes!

Photo by Camille Brodard on Unsplash

We started out with some plumbing repairs which we still have another part to complete. Thankfully we replaced our ancient water heater with a brand new one and got some re-piping done. The plumbing job then led to a bathroom remodel in our hallway bath. We experienced some mishaps during the process, but it’s done and we are planning on the downstairs bathroom remodel. We will take all of the lessons we learned from the first one into the second project.

Rocco is enjoying our cozy new carpet

Another big project that we got done was having our upstairs carpeting replaced. We did our research at a local place that was highly recommended and we couldn’t be happier! It was so nice entertaining over the Thanksgiving holiday with a refreshed-looking home. I really think we will get a new dining room set early next year to replace our 15-year-old set. I was reading an article earlier this year that talked about having a custom table made or refurbished, and then purchasing chairs for your dining table. That might not be a bad idea since our actual table isn’t in bad condition. The chairs aren’t the most comfortable to sit on for extended periods of time. It might look nice if we got our table professionally refinished. Then we can spend our time looking for chairs that will suit our taste and needs.

Speaking of dining room, we got a quote for new flooring for the kitchen and dining areas. We just have to come up with what type and finish of flooring we want to go with. I am leaning towards the higher quality vinyl that looks like hardwoods. We have old vinyl now and the thing I like about it is that it’s easy to clean, and if you accidentally drop a cup or plate, it doesn't always break like it would on a hard tile floor. Decisions, decisions.

A couple more things that we also got done was getting our landing replaced at our front door. The wooden planks were getting rickety, so we had them all ripped out and replaced. We just have to get the wood stained once the weather gets warmer. For now we have to look at a two-toned deck, but that's okay. I also got a brand new washing machine to replace my 23-year-old one. Yes, we had it for 23 YEARS! Although my new machine is pretty and modern, I actually miss how the old school type works. Go figure!

I think that we will focus on one new project per quarter as our budget allows. Planning everything out ahead of time has really made it so much easier to get the projects set up and completed. We were super lucky to find good people who offer reasonable prices. Hopefully they will be able to get us on their schedule. Do you have any big home renovations or projects planned for the new year?

Ways To Unplug And Go Outdoors

The world is more connected than ever before, for better or worse. Although the Internet and improved telecommunications technology allow us to be in contact with almost anyone around the globe immediately, this can be useful and harmful. A recent study revealed that Americans spend up to 10 hours a day staring at screens watching television and surfing the Internet. While there are loads of benefits that come with our current dependence on technology, it also puts us in danger of missing some helpful experiences.

Even if we’re watching our DVRs from a park bench or scrolling through social media feeds poolside, we miss something when we make technology the primary focus of our lives. Too much screen usage means we’re most prone to sitting for too long, and probably indoors. There’s something to be said about the benefits of fresh air and sunlight, not to mention good old-fashioned exercise. That’s why it’s important to remember to unplug ourselves from technology often and get some face time with the real world.

Photo by Devon Janse van Rensburg on Unsplash

The perks of unplugging are numerous, especially if you spend that time outdoors. Studies have found that frequent exposure to social media can intensify feelings of depression and anxiety, not to mention the health issues that arise when we waste too much time sitting and consuming electronic media. Spending all your time indoors gawking at your screens also opens you to a lot of recycled air and artificial lighting, neither of which benefits you in terms of health.

Going outside and staying active, even if it’s simply relaxing in a nature preserve drawing a landscape, can do you a lot of good. You don’t have to become a rough outdoorsy type to get the benefits of the outdoors, either. There are plenty of simple ways you can unplug from technology and benefit from the outdoors. For example, you can take a walk throughout your local park or around your neighborhood. You can take up landscape painting or nature photography to utilize your artistic side while taking in some fresh air. Fishing and bird watching also are great ways to take up a hobby that doesn’t demand being plugged into a wall outlet. Or, taking a boat out onto the water can be relaxing as well as exhilarating.

Putting some limitations on your technology use also can lead to meaningful perks. You could think about trading in your smartphone for a simpler cellphone that is unable to connect to email or the Internet. You might consider putting a limit on your screen time the same way you would restrict your calorie intake on a diet. Reading a book instead of staring at your phone during your commute also can work wonders for your mood as a way to unplug.

As pleasant as it is that we’re all connected these days, it’s also necessary to remember to unplug. If you’re looking for ways to de-stress, the checklist accompanying this post can provide you with some basic tips. Use the unplugging checklist, and you may see some benefits right away in terms of your mood and well-being.

Ways To Unplug & Go Outdoors from Duck Bay Lodge

Best Places in Canada for Skiing

As USA Today notes, Whistler Blackcomb is visited by more skiers and boarders than any other resort in North America. If you want to enjoy easy access to some of the world's best slopes, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better place to purchase a vacation home or permanent residence among the Whistler homes for sale.

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This huge resort offers everything from beginner to expert terrain across nearly 8,200 acres with over 200 marked trails, bowl, and glade zones. There are three dozen lifts, including a 10-passenger gondola that has the greatest capacity of any lift on the continent bringing 4,000 skiers from the bottom to the top of Blackcomb every hour. Plus, the resort's village is like its own city, with an outdoor skating rink, tube park, and cinema along with countless dining and shopping options.

Sunshine Village, Banff National Park

Banff National Park hosts three ski resorts along the continental divide, with Sunshine Village Canada's highest elevation resort resulting in some of the highest above-the-treeline terrains in the country. Expect spectacular vistas of the dramatic Rocky Mountains in every direction along with challenging, rugged slopes for experts like Delirium Dive, voted as one of the most extreme runs in the world by CNN Travel. It even requires avalanche gear and a buddy. If you aren't up for that much of a heart-pounding thrill, among the 3,300 acres of ski terrain there's everything from groomed cruisers to big bowls too.

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

Mont Tremblant is easily accessible for epic skiing, located 80 miles north of Montreal. Especially picturesque with its storybook feel, it's often compared to Europe's ski towns with a unique Quebecois culture. The walkable village hosts a wide range of international eateries and one of the most vibrant après-ski scenes in the region. But it isn't just about the scenery and after-skiing fun - this is eastern Canada's premier resort with 665 acres of skiable terrain across four mountains with over 2,000 feet of vertical drop. It boasts the province's steepest run with a pitch of 42 degrees providing something for the experts too.

For those that want to switch things up every once in a while, Mont Tremblant also offers ice climbing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding.

Sun Peaks Resort, British Columbia

Sun Peaks, Canada's second-largest resort, is a town of its own, 45 minutes from Kamloops in the British Columbia interior. It has three mountains that are linked, spanning nearly 4,300 acres of diverse terrain - all without the crowds that you'll find in the more popular resorts. There's truly something for everyone from beginners to the advanced, plus the grooming is impeccable. After a day out on the slopes, you'll find a long list of dining options to feed your appetite, from cheap eats to upscale restaurants serving seafood and steaks.

Picking The Best Camera For Your 2020 Adventures

Gone are the days when only bloggers and photographers used good cameras and the rest of us relied on our mobile phones. Nowadays, everyone can be found browsing the cameras for sale to capture those special memories.

We all want the same thing: the best camera possible, with the most up to date equipment that will deliver sharp, stunning images. It is that simple. Photography is enjoying a moment thanks to social media and the rise of photoshoots for every occasion from a new baby to marking an engagement.

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So, here are a few tips if you are looking for a good quality camera to record those important memories. Whether you have a big occasion, such as a big family birthday or a wedding next year, a holiday, or you simply want to capture more candid moments amongst your family, here is what to look for in your photography equipment:

First, decide which type of camera you want

Cameras come in so many different forms and sizes. The main thing to consider is what type of photos you are aiming for and how much effort you want to put in to get them.

For example, are you prepared to switch lenses to change the focus and try out different effects? Do you want to learn photography skills along the way? Or, are you hoping for a more simple point and shoot type of camera?

From DSLR cameras to film cameras, instant and mirrorless cameras, there is a wide variety on offer. So, your first task is to research what each of them is and then decide what suits you.

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Think about what you will be using it for

Each family is different. Some like to relax by getting outdoors doing high octane sports and taking adrenaline-pumping action holidays. However, others prefer to stay cozy indoors watching Disney movies and playing board games!

Think about the situations you will be using the camera most of the time and therefore, what you will need from it. For example, you might benefit from an action camera that can get dynamic shots of all of your adventures, if you’re the sporty type.

Consider your budget

Rather than thinking about getting the most expensive camera in the shop because it will make you a better photographer, instead, think about what you want. Look at which features each camera has compared the next one, then think about whether you will use them.

If you are planning to take up photography as a bit of a hobby and learn more about the features as you go, you can see it as an investment buy. It makes it worth looking at cameras with more versatility. However, if you want something simple to use that just has an edge overusing your phone, then you probably don’t need to spend that much on it.

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Weight and fit

Probably the most underrated feature to consider is how much your camera weighs and whether it fits in your hand. If it is heavy and cumbersome, you are less likely to use it, no matter how fancy bells and whistles it is.

However, you will be more inclined to carry it around with you - either at home or on holiday - if it is easier to transport and hold in your hands, while exploring a new place. Therefore, it is worth checking out the dimensions and weight before you buy.

Fact or Fiction: Can Headphones Damage Your Hearing?

Our ears are very complex and yet so unassuming. But when they are not working, you may wonder if there was anything you could have done differently to better impact your quality of hearing. One frequently asked question regarding hearing loss or preventing hearing loss is, can headphones damage hearing? The short answer is yes, but maybe not for the reasons you may think. If you think your hearing has been impacted or damaged by unhealthy listening habits, check out these ITE and BTE hearing devices.

Photo by Wills M from Pexels

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Our ears are designed to handle the sounds of our world, conversations, traffic, animals and natural phenomenon. But sounds that are too loud can damage our hearing. These high volume sounds can last only seconds or can be repeated or prolonged and have the same effect on our hearing. When the delicate structures in the inner ear are damaged, NIHL can be the result.

People of all ages can suffer from NIHL. But those who have jobs or partake in recreational activities that expose them to loud noises are more at risk than others. Those who encounter frequent gunshots, like shooting range employees and hunters, some types of musicians and construction workers are just some people who are at a higher risk of developing NIHL. But protective ear wear can help to reduce the likelihood.

What is Too Loud?

Sound is measured in units called decibels. Sounds that are 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA) or below are generally at safe levels and are unlikely to cause hearing problems. But sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. This means that the louder a sound is, less exposure is necessary to do damage or cause NIHL. Your distance from the sound’s origin will also play a role in the impact it has on your hearing. Here are some common sounds we encounter and their volume in decibels.

• Talking 60-70 dBA
• Movie Theaters 74-104 dBA
• Motorcycles and Motorsport Vehicles 80-110 dBA
• Headphones at Max Volume and Concerts 94-110 dBA
• Sirens 110-129 dBA 

  

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How Hearing Works

Hearing is an amazing and involved process that happens in nanoseconds. First, sound goes into the ear canal and vibrates the eardrum which vibrates three tiny bones. Then, the vibrations become fluid vibrations in the cochlea, causing hair cells to move and open stereocilia so that chemicals can turn those fluid vibrations into the electrical signals our brains translate into sounds we recognize and understand.

Once hair cells are damaged, they cannot be repaired. This damage is what causes NIHL. So, if your headphones are routinely at maximum volume, with prolonged use you can damage your hearing. Because all headphones aren’t created equal, you would need to check the maximum decibel output for your particular make and model.

If you are concerned with hearing loss and how it relates to your headphones or loud noises in general, it is a good idea not to keep your headphone volume up too loud or engage in extremely loud activities too often.