At Home With Valerie

The new year is here, and with it come the billions of small promises we all make to spark some change in our lives. For some it will be a brand new creative endeavor  For others it will be the abandonment of bad habit. Almost invariably, resolutions center on the formation or destruction of a habit. Habits are like compound interest. If you understand how to harness their power, the returns in the long run are enormous. But how do we support the willpower it requires to start and sustain a new habit? An often overlooked tool in our quest for habit formation is the simple ritual. A ritual is a series of actions or behaviors followed without deviation. Though rituals are most often associated with religious ceremonies or family traditions, there’s increasing scientific evidence to suggest that rituals appear to benefit even people who claim not to believe that rituals work. Rituals have also been shown to alleviate grief after loss and help enhance confide...

Partying until midnight may not be in the cards for you come New Year's Eve if you have small children.  But that doesn't mean you can't have a great time ringing in the New Year!  Kids can get in on the fun, too; you will just have to make your plans for earlier in the evening and modify them a bit for a young audience. A Geography Lesson Wherever you live, choose a location that celebrates New Year's Eve earlier than you.  For people on the West Coast, this can simply mean celebrating along with those on the East Coast.  But if you are in New York and can't wait for the ball to drop, consider celebrating along with the people of Brazil or Portugal instead; they will celebrate the New Year three to four hours before the East Coast of the United States. Take some time to learn about the place you are choosing and ring in the New Year with some fun food and treats from that place.  Your adjusted New Year's party can be educationa...

On December 31 of every year, the world celebrates New Year's Eve.  Resolutions for the coming year, the feeling of a fresh start and the notion that anything is possible are all common as another year approaches.  Because this day is so special to many around the nation, it's often celebrated with a party.  And what party would be complete without the proper decorations?  Here are some ways to make your New Year's Eve celebration fittingly festive: Do You Have The Time? A New Year's Eve celebration would not be complete without a clock.  After all, the evening's events all lead up to one great countdown that rings in the New Year, so make sure that your party features a large clock that's big enough for every guest to see from a distance.  It should have an hour, minute and second hand so that you can host your own countdown to the New Year with everyone present. Ring In The New Year Everywhere Depending on where you are...

As we enjoy the holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the season when family and friends gather, and the big picture in terms of how we're all expected to get along on this increasingly crowded planet of ours. The holidays often put people around the table who may not normally see one another throughout the year. Far flung relatives, cousins, in-laws, and other guests-of-guests may come from all walks of life. Their political, religious, and social viewpoints may differ widely from our own. Yet when we see them during the holidays, we do our best to tolerate differences. Ideally, we look for ways to connect rather than provoke arguments. Tolerance is not always the easiest value to embrace. Now, especially, we can find ourselves thrust into polemic arguments driven by political and media forces which command enormous attention and influence. Social media and a profound lack of face-to-face interaction makes it easier to distance ...

Buying a home can be a long process. The last thing you want after all your time spent searching for homes and getting the best mortgage rate is to have everything go wrong on closing day.  Here are five tips that’ll ensure it goes smoothly. 1. Schedule a date that works best for you: You have every right to request the closing take place at an ideal time for you, and the other parties in the transaction will usually work with you to make it happen.  Whether it’s timing the closing around a pay date or the end of a lease, the first step is finding a date that minimizes stress or conflicts. 2. Clarify your payment: Many title companies do not accept personal checks, so give yourself a few days to get a cashier’s check or set up a wire transfer. 3. Double check insurance: You’ll need to arrange for a title insurance policy for your mortgage and purchase homeowner’s insurance (plus flood or earthquake insurance, depending on the area). Make sure your polic...

Unfortunately our homes don’t always grow with us. What may have initially worked fine for a single person, a young couple’s starter home, or a family with a newborn can quickly become too small as families expand and multiple generations live under one roof. Remodeling and adding to your home is one option for creating more space, but it can be costly, and the size of your property may be prohibitive. That’s when moving to a bigger home becomes the best solution. WHERE DO YOU NEED MORE SPACE? The first thought when upsizing your home is to simply consider square footage, bedrooms, and bathrooms. But it’s important to take a more critical approach to how your space will actually be used. If you have younger children (or possibly more on the way), then focusing on bedrooms and bathrooms makes sense. But if your children are closer to heading off to college or starting their own families, it may be better to prioritize group spaces like the kitchen, dining...

Bringing home a puppy means a guaranteed influx of excitement and cuteness in your home, but it also means you’ll need a lot of patience, commitment, and important supplies.  If you’re thinking about getting a puppy, these items should be at the top of your shopping list. 1. Leash: Your puppy needs exercise, but won’t have the discipline to keep from running off. Puppies are still developing strength, so look for a lightweight leash. 2. Crate: Crate training is a common, effective method for house training your pup, plus a crate provides a safe, comfortable place for your puppy at night.  3. Safe toys: Much like babies, puppies are susceptible to choking hazards, including toys. Make sure any toys you purchase for your puppy are appropriate for its age. 4. Food and water bowls: It may come as a surprise, but you should buy bowls that are chew-proof and designed for canines. Puppies often chew on their bowls and cheap, chewed-up plastic can harbor ha...

People love the holiday season. To keep your holiday decorations enjoyable and safe, keep in mind these safety tips. Candles:  Keep anything flammable away from a lit candle. Place the candles out of the reach of children or pets. Blow out the candles when you need to leave the room or go to bed. Christmas tree:  Water the tree to keep it hydrated. Place the tree away from any heat sources. Make sure the tree is not blocking entryways or foot traffic. Hang fragile Christmas ornaments on higher tree branches away from the reach of children and pets. Turn off lights before going to bed. Electric lights:  Lights will be labeled for either indoor or outdoor use. Throw out lights with worn or torn wires. Replace missing or cracked bulbs. Read labels to make sure you are following acceptable wattage levels and are not overloading the circuits. Outdoor decorations:  Fully secure outdoor holiday decorations so they don’t get blown away or stolen. Put l...

Traditionally December is a time for get-togethers with friends and family, celebrations and travel. It is supposed to be an enjoyable time of year. Yet surprisingly, many people feel stressed during the holiday season. How do you make sure that stress doesn’t get in the way of an otherwise pleasant month? Here are some tips that will help. When entertaining, prepare meals well in advance and keep them warm. That way, you won’t be rushing at the last minute and you’ll be able to relax with your guests. When travelling, expect that things are going to be busy and plan accordingly. If you’re flying, for example, get to the airport early. If you’re driving, give yourself plenty of time to get there and take regular breaks along the way. Keep your to-do list short. Don’t do in December what can easily be put off until January. If you have guests staying over, don’t be an innkeeper. Invite them to helpthemselves to breakfast, snacks, etc. Show...