Soledadsuites’s Weblog
Just another WordPress.com weblogEnsure Home Safety Even When You Are on Vacation
Home invasions can be an extremely unnerving experience. Coming back to a home that has been turned upside down can cause a fair amount of anxiety and even depression. Though burglaries can happen during the daytime while you are at work, home invasions are more likely when you are on a vacation. This is mainly because many people do not think ahead about home safety or plan with regards to the things that they need to ensure before they leave for the long vacation.
The first thing to do whether or not you are going on a vacation in the near future is to burglar-proof your house. This would mean a home security system, an alarm and a surveillance camera to see who is visiting your house in your absence. Installing new gizmos like a home security device and an alarm does not mean that you should not take certain preventive measure to ensure that your house is not the prime target of burglar while you are away. The idea is to create a perception that there are still people in the house and that it is not empty. You can do this by ensuring minor aspects of the home situation before you leave for the vacation.
- Ensure that you have informed the postal department and keep the mail on hold. A letter box on the street that has not been cleared for days is a sure shot sign of the fact that there is no one in the house. Even if you have a slot in your door where the mail is drooped, make sure that you cancel the mail and keep it on hold. This is mainly because people can look in though the window and see piled up mail.
- Cancel your newspaper and milkman for a few days. Newspapers and milk bottles are similar to mail and can pile up in front of your house. Non removal of these each day at the regular time is again a sign that no one is in the house.
- Home defense also includes aspects like attaching a timer to some of your lights and the television perhaps. If you have seen the movie ‘Home Alone’, you would know how an illusion can be created by using lights and proper sound by turning on the television based on a timer. Make sure that some lights in the house are always burning. The timer needs to be sophisticated so that it can be programmed properly to switch on and switch off the devices based on the programming.
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Travelling With Your Cat – Keeping Your Globe-Trotting Kitty Safe and Comfortable
Having travelled with my pets many times, I only recommend doing it whenever it is totally necessary. Cats are creatures of habit and like being in their own familiar surroundings. Some cats like travel more than others, but in general it takes them out of their comfort zone. Here are some ways to make the experience as least traumatic for kitty as possible, while keeping him safe at the same time.
Travelling by Car
Before leaving home, compile a few important supplies to make travelling successful for you and your cat. Make sure kitty has a collar with an ID tag on it, so if for any reason he is separated from you, he can be returned home later. My cats are microchipped by my vet, but I still put collars on them when I travel. Keep a leash with you, in case you need it while travelling, but don’t attach it to your cat’s collar until you get him out of the crate. Have a pet travel crate or carrier to keep kitty in while in the car. This is important because if you let your cat walk around the cabin of the car as you drive, not only will he be a distraction to you but he can get between your feet and possibly cause an accident. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
I recommend a pet crate as big as you can fit into your car, with a pillow or oversized cat bed inside to give kitty something to feel like taking a nap in. Sprinkle the bed with catnip just to make it even more attractive to him, for good measure. If the trip is long, he will tire and finally get some sleep at some point. Have a crate fan (found on Ebay or pet stores) to keep him cool if you are travelling in a very warm climate. Even if you have air conditioning in the car, the cool air may not travel to the back of the car cabin, so a crate fan is a good idea when driving in heat, no matter what. If there is room in the crate, a cardboard box is a good idea, as well. Cats love boxes, having one will give kitty something to hide in when feeling uptight.
Have travel feeders for food and water. If you don’t buy them, have a small lidded food bowl and water dish to give your cat when stopping at a rest stop. During trips, at least supply water every hour or so, so your kitty doesn’t get dehydrated. A smallish litter box is a must, too, for long trips. Cover the cage on all sides except the one facing you, with a blanket. This will keep your cat from becoming frightened or over-stimulated by all the passing cars and other unfamiliar sights outside the windows around him.
While travelling in the car, talk to your cat, to soothe him. Your voice will help him to feel more secure. If the trip is short, I put the cat carrier on the front seat next to me, so my cat can see me, and talk to him as I drive. Ok, the other drivers may think I’ve lost it and am talking to myself, oh well. I want my cat to feel less vulnerable and it works. One of my cats has learned to love riding in the car. He now enjoys seeing the cars go by and meows at the people he sees at the stoplights. Beau is the minority in the family, the other cats run for cover when I get the cat travel crate out.
Staying at a hotel is a breeze once your cat gets used to it. When I get to my room, I place the cat litter box in the bathroom, and the food dishes in the kitchen or dinette area. Then, I show my cats where everything is, leaving their pet crate open on the floor in the corner, in case one of them wants to go rest in there. They now head straight for the middle of the bed or on the pillows. They’re no dummies, they know the most comfortable places to sleep at. I take a pillow or two of my own, and that way I can share the bed with the cats and there’s enough pillows for everyone.
Travelling by Airplane
I have only flown by plane with one of my cats, and it was an experience. Our trip was to Mexico, where we stayed for two years. Before flying there, I had my vet check over Blackie to make sure he was healthy,and document it for airport officials. Each pet needs a certificate of health from the vet in order to enter and leave a foreign country. It is also proof that your pet was not acquired overseas, that it is yours and came with you from your home country. Without it, he is any cat off the street, in a foreign country, to authorities. Keep these documents in a safe place when travelling, because you will need them. Without proper documentation, customs officials can ask for quarantine, and you don’t want that. Going and coming to the United States, customs officials thoroughly looked over the documents. I had to get a new certificate of health from a Mexican vet before coming to the US, since I’d been in the country for so long. Do not let officials keep those documents, let them look only.
One airport checker tried to scare me by saying if I didn’t pay him extra money, then he wouldn’t allow my documents, and my cat couldn’t go on the plane. The flight was about to leave soon, so he knew he had me at a disadvantage. I didn’t pay and quickly contacted security, and we got through. Don’t fall for bribes. His parting shot at me was, “You’ll never get your pet into the US”. I did, without a problem. He was only trying to scare me since I didn’t fall for his little scam. Otherwise, officials acted properly, it may not happen to you when travelling in a foreign country, but it bears mentioning.
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Cat Travel Tips From the Experts
If you decide to take your cat with you on a cross country trip or away for a long weekend, you need to be prepared. Before you pack him up and go, think about his needs. Does he like to travel in the car? Does he get stressed out in new situations, or does he adapt quickly to new places?
Evaluate your cat’s personality and decide if it is best for him to travel with you. Also, consider where you will be staying because some hotels and motels do not allow pets.
Before you leave the house, make sure that your cat is wearing his collar ID tags, and check that the carrier is securely closed and locked. When traveling, stick to his regular schedule as closely as possible. He will not become anxious or stressed if dinner time and playtime still occur at their usual times.
Set aside time each day to play with him and to give him extra attention. The more feels at home while traveling, the more relaxed he will be. You will also need to make sure you bring along everything that he will need while away from home.
The night before you leave, pack his carrier and cat beds, toys, a scratching post, a litter box, litter and scoop, food and a brush.
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How to Plan a Stress-Free Vacation
Planning a vacation can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be: being well prepared can make a big difference, and a little forethought can go a long way. Follow these simple tips to plan a great trip on your terms.
Plan ahead
The overwhelming number of vacation possibilities available in the United States alone can make planning a vacation stressful in and of itself. One way to narrow down your options is to first decide on an overall tone or goal for your trip. Looking for relaxation? Consider renting a cottage by the lake or near the shore. Feeling adventurous? Try a camping and white-water rafting trip. Interested in fun and education? Check out the battlefields of Colonial Williamsburg or head to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Another way to narrow your search is to decide how far you’re willing to travel, and work back from there. If you hate flying, plan a trip that’s within driving distance. Remember, with careful planning, the route you take to get where you’re going might just be half the fun.
Simplify, simplify
Traveling a great distance is no guarantee of a successful vacation. When planning your trip, remember that vacations are about relaxing and enjoying the company of your travel companions after all, you’re more likely to create memorable moments if you plan your trip around the people involved, not particular places or activities.
Two words: off season
If your vacation budget is tight, keep in mind that many top vacation spots offer discounted rates outside of peak travel dates. Typically, the off season runs from September through March once the temperature starts to rise, so do the rates. But you don’t have to completely rearrange your travel schedule to get a better rate even making minor adjustments, like traveling mid-week as opposed to on the weekend, can help reduce travel costs.
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Travel Packing Tips
I’m sure most, if not all of us has been on a vacation or even a short trip before. And I’m pretty sure most of us racked our brains hard just to figure what to and what not to bring. Trust me, I’ve had this scenario plenty of times, and if your bag isn’t exactly big, you’ll have an even bigger challenge on your hands. This article will cover some of the vacation packing tips, and knowing this will be extremely helpful to packing your luggage for your next vacation. You can save most the effort and most certainly plenty of time.
Firstly, let’s just focus on the essentials. Additional clothes, toiletries, any small electronic support items (such as hand phone chargers) are just some of the basic items you should keep note of. But other than that, try not to bring other things, such as laptops if you’re not going to use them often and if the facilities already have computers that are available for use. The extra weight is only going to be a burden to you.
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Travel Packing Tips
The following are travel packing tips based on experience. I have gone to other countries for a month or more with nothing but a carry-on bag that weighed ten pounds. In fact, my number one travel tip is to go light whenever you can. The simplify of traveling light makes almost any trip more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, going with only carry-on luggage is getting more difficult due to the newest rules about what you can actually carry on a plane. If you do want to keep it to just one bag that goes with you on the plane, check the latest regulations and leave behind anything that isn’t allowed. It doesn’t add that much expense to a trip to just buy these things at your destination.
In fact, buying things as you go is a great way to simplify packing. Why bring twenty things just in case you need them, and then have to lug them around for the sake of the six you actually use? If it is a vacation in particular, why not plan just a little extra expense, and buy necessities as you travel? Many have found that this is more practical and relaxing than over-planning a trip and over-weighting the luggage.
Some Other Travel Packing Tips
- Jewelry and other valuables are usually not covered by the luggage insurance the airline provides. Pack these items in your carry-on bag.
- Silk shirts can be rolled carefully so they will wrinkle less in soft-sided luggage.
- To conserve space, buy low-bulk items for travel. A down coat, for example, will compress to a fourth of the size of other coats, and keep you just as warm.
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Vacation Time – Take It – You Need It (And Your Company Will Survive Without You)
“Vacation is time off to remind employees that the business can get along without them.” Earl Wilson. The implications behind this quote are discussed as well as the importance of taking a vacation to relieve stress and enhance well-being.
This quote tackles an interesting issue for many employees. It suggests that employees are just not that important or worthy to the company. As such, it can leave a person feeling quite despondent. However, by accepting the quote, a person can take their vacation without guilt or believing the company will fall apart as they are not there for two whole weeks.
Some people may find it hard to accept such a quote, believing it does not apply to them. You may have met people reluctant to take their vacations as they believe the company will not survive without them. Or if they do take the vacation, they keep their phone on so they can be contacted at any time. Some people may also leave their vacation early to go into work.
Yet, if we take the quote to be true, why should any person behave in this way? The truth is you really are not indispensable and a business really can get by without you, whilst you take your vacation. Even world leaders take a vacation and the world still functions during that time. Your company may well and truly value you and perhaps you really are important to them. In fact you must be, else there would not be a role for you there in the first place. This is not in doubt. What is in doubt is the belief that a company would crumble without you. Yes, you can be valued, however you are not indispensable.
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Packing For Vacation Can Be a Fine Art
With more and more airlines charging fees for checking luggage, it’s more important than ever to pack efficiently when going on vacation. Trying to get as much carry-on bang for your buck is a growing trend, as is simply packing only what you need. If you’re flying 150 miles to grandma’s house, that may be pretty easy to do. If you’re leaving on a weeklong Caribbean vacation, it may be a little harder to be as efficient as you need to be-and as ruthless as you need to be. That’s right, being a little ruthless when deciding what to bring on a long vacation can be a very good thing. Bringing things that you’re going to use is important; bringing things that you think you might use and you want to bring “just in case” isn’t so good. Going through those hard decisions while packing makes all the difference in the world.
Another thing you can do to make sure you’re packing as efficiently as possible is to think long and hard about what it is you’ll be doing on your vacation. That sounds simple enough, but there are people all the time that book family vacation packages and bring all sorts of beach gear. The problem is they’re 50 miles inland and might rent a car to drive to the ocean one day. Is that really a good reason to lug all your swimming suits, flip flops, sunscreen, and beach balls in your suitcase? Wouldn’t that gear be better left at home?
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Flying with Family? Air Travel Tips
Planning a family vacation that will take you far from home? If you are, then it is quite likely that, much like millions of others, you will be booking a flight for your jaunt. And why not? After all, air travel is the quickest and, even with today’s restrictions, most convenient, cost-effective, and safe way to get where you need to go. Air travel with the whole family, especially with younger children, needs to be well planned, though, to make it an enjoyable rather than horrifying experience. From the entertainment of the kids to planning the minimum amount of interruptions or delays, a bit more thought needs to be involved.
Kids love airplanes, so if the children are older, they should be easily entertained by the experience of flight. However, smaller children, with more needs and much shorter attention spans, may require some craftiness on the part of the parent. First and foremost, anything that you think you may want to have on hand while onboard needs to be compliant with current rules and regulations of both the individual airline and the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). Information can be found on the web, and it is generally quite current, so checking the restrictions the day before or even the day of travel can assure you that you will be allowed to board with your carry-on items. This will include toys for the kids, food items to soothe them or generally keep them sated, and so forth.
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Tips on How to Pack Efficiently for Your Trip
When preparing for a trip, many people over pack their luggage because they are afraid to leave something behind. It is true that you want to be fully equipped, but you don’t want to pack so much that it is hard to carry around your luggage or become overwhelmed with the size or amount you have in hand. Over-anticipating what you need can be just as frustrating as leaving something at home because you will have to transport everything you bring up and down stairs or elevators and back and forth to the car or airport.
Consider how many days you are going to travel, and then pack accordingly. For example, you don’t need two sets of clothes for each day. Take exactly the number of outfits you anticipate actually using, and then add one more just in case. Most of what you need will fit into one suitcase unless you are traveling for a lengthy period time. You can also carry one smaller bag when your means of travel is an airplane. You can place essentials in it needed during the flight.
Determine what you will need on the trip when it comes to clothing, shoes, and coats. If, for example, you exercise every day, then you will want to bring along your sneakers; but limit it to one pair. The same can be said with coats. It is wise to come prepared, but do you really need a different coat for each outfit? By investigating the climate before you depart, you can discover exactly what you need for each day and plan accordingly.
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