4 Ways to Reduce Allergy Symptoms

Need some relief from the sneezing, nasal congestion, and watery eyes?  Try these 4 ways to reduce you allergy symptoms.

1.  Keep Windows Shut

By keeping your windows and doors shut you can seal out a lot of pollen from your home.  Less pollen equals less allergies.

2.  Dry your clothes in a dryer

Again, keeping things pollen free is key, so if your clothes are covered in pollen you’re in for a rough day.  Use a dryer to dry your clothes instead of drying them outside on a clothesline.

3.  Avoid Being Outdoors in the Mornings

Pollen counts are usually higher in the morning, so stay inside to avoid symptoms flaring.

4.  Clean the Air in Your Home

Yes keeping your windows and doors shut can help keep pollen out, but some will inevitably sneak in.  Plus, what about all the pollen that is in your home already?  There are “air cleaning” filters available for your furnace and air conditioning system that will actually pull pollen out of the air in your home.

Courtesy of Hollands One Hour

Ten Simple & Inexpensive Design Tricks

1. One can change up any room with a simple color change.  PAINTING a room with a new color makes the space feel new   Take a risk!

2. What more fun is there than picking out a NEW AREA RUG for either over your carpet or hardwood floors.  It doesn’t have to be expensive.   Remember your floor can be your “fifth” wall.  And a great place to pull accent colors

3. You can bring new life to your sofa, by adding new ACCENT PILLOWS.  Be creative and have fun!

4. Adding a FABRIC to your windows gives character and interest not only to your windows but your entire room.

5. Re-visit your ACCESSORIES.  And if this is not the time to purchase any, just simply trade out accessories from other rooms of your home.  Even placing a photo album or a book on your coffee table adds a new dimension.

6. Adding a POT with some GREENERY or just decorative sticks adds softness and a eco-friendly feeling to any room.

7. REARRANGING THE FURNITURE  in a room makes you feel that you are in an entirely new space.

8. Creating a FAMLY PHOTO WALL adds a personal touch and can be the start of interesting conversations with your friends and family.

9. NEW LIGHTING or LAMPS can add ambiance warm up a  helps a dark area

10. Adding a NEW THROW,  tossed over a chair or sofa, brings new colors and texture, while giving your room a cozy and warm feeling.

Content Courtesy of Carpet Town

Top Ten Gas/Fuel Savings Tips for your Auto

1. Avoid Going High Speeds

As your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.

2. Do Not Accelerate Rapidly or Brake Hard
By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.

3. Always Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.

4.Use A/C Sparingly
When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.

5. Keep Windows Closed
Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.

6. Service Vehicle Regularly
Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.

7. Use Cruise Control When Possible
Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.

8. Avoid Carrying Heavy Loads
Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.

9. Avoid Long Idles
If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.

10. Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle
When buying a new vehicle examine the vehicle's rated fuel efficiency. Usually choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.