The Year of Shit and Shift: Escaping, Surviving, and Searching for Peace

 This year was nothing short of chaos—a year of shit and shift.

We left, unprepared, from the place we called home for 14 years. We carried nothing but a few clothes and some important documents. It was a decision made overnight—an escape from my sister’s abusive partner. He never raised a hand on us, but his words? They cut deeper than any wound. For five long years, we endured the slow poison of his cruelty.

But in May, we finally said enough. We took a leap of faith and walked away, leaving him—and the weight of his torment—behind. It wasn’t easy. We always wanted to help him, to heal what was broken. But our very presence, especially my sister’s, became his trigger.

So we chose ourselves. We chose peace.

Peace?

It doesn’t feel like peace. We’re still haunted by the past. Our lives feel like a complete mess—living in a new place, unsure of what tomorrow will bring. It feels like we’re back to square one. I even went back to a job I once swore I’d never return to. We’re financially drained, and the goals I once held so tightly seem to have slipped through my fingers.

I find myself no longer wanting to make goals at all. No matter how hard I try to climb out of this rut, something always seems to pull me back down. I feel like I was placed in this world just to play small, to feel small.

I even question God: “Is this really my path? Is this all You want for me? Just this? I know I can do better than this.”

But His plan feels so unclear. Fourteen long years in Canada, and yet, here I am—stuck, feeling worse than ever.

Or maybe…it’s me. Maybe I’ve stopped seeing the small blessings that are still here. Despite everything, I still have work. I’m still standing. We’ve survived what I once thought would destroy us.

What if the change I’ve been waiting for isn’t out there, but within me? Maybe I need to change my mindset, let go of the impossible standards I keep holding myself to, and start appreciating the life I have now. Maybe gratitude is the first step—the step that could finally lead me back to the goals I thought I’d lost.

I want to blog... blog... and blog

A weird title indeed. But I just want to write not worrying about the number of words that I will write, the content that supposed to serve a purpose to my readers, or worrying if I will ever earn money from my blog.

I just want to write expressing my thoughts. That's what I truly miss about blogging.... hence, here I am for a very long time, writing a blog post that I honestly do not know how to end.

Or maybe I'll stop here.....

But wait...

I realized that I am more excited about writing this way rather than writing a very well planned blog post. I am more of me!

And I guess I'll make it habit of coming back here again and do one blog post a day to express my thoughts that have been inside my brain and in my heart that has been crying, yearning to reveal what is in the deepest core of my being.

The hiatus ended and so I welcome myself back to blogging.

Transitioning to a Healthier Lifestyle

There’s currently a big focus on health-conscious living. Healthy living is not so much a trend as it is a lifestyle change with positive benefits. Transitioning to a healthier lifestyle often involves changing some of the habits you have that don’t support healthy living. There are several ways you can make the transition go more smoothly.

Adopting Healthy Eating Habits

If you have a habit of skipping meals, eating junk food for a quick snack or making unhealthy food choices at mealtime, you should set aside some time to explore alternatives to your unhealthy habits. One alternative is adjusting your schedule so that you don’t have to skip meals. This might mean setting your clock earlier so you can eat breakfast or actually taking a lunch break instead of working through lunch. Doing some research to find healthy snack options, nutritional meal plans and easy, healthy recipes can get you into the habit of eating healthy.

Support System

Making a lifestyle change is easier when you have a support system to help you. Family and friends that are already living a health-conscious lifestyle can be an excellent resource for you. Food gift baskets are a great way to thank your family and friends for their support. Sending baskets created with healthy eating in mind shows them you’re on board with making healthy choices.

Lifestyle Changes

You may have to break a habit of being too sedentary. Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle. Once again, it helps to have a partner or join a group to keep you motivated. Getting a sufficient amount of sleep is also a key element of healthy living. To achieve this you may want to learn some meditation techniques that can help you relax before going to bed. Switching to eco-friendly products offers health benefits that coincide with your new lifestyle.

Transitioning to a healthy lifestyle can be beneficial to your physical, mental and emotional health. You can begin by taking small steps that will lead to bigger changes and ultimately to a total lifestyle transition.

4 Signs that Your Refrigerator Need Some Fixing

Your refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in your kitchen, and it's fairly reliable most of the time. Unfortunately, no appliance can be completely maintenance-free. You will need to contact a company such as Sub Zero refrigerator maintenance to fix issues with your refrigerator from time to time. Here are some signs that your refrigerator will need some fixing.

You Notice Excessive Condensation 

Seeing some moisture on your leftovers when you open your refrigerator is pretty normal, but you shouldn't be seeing pools of water on your refrigerator shelves or on dishes. Refrigerators are supposed to be airtight, which means no moisture should be getting in. If you see too many pools of condensation on things that weren't freshly cooked or moist to begin with, you probably have an issue with your refrigerator that needs to be addressed.

Your Refrigerator Feels Too Warm 

Most refrigerators now have adjustable temperature settings, so a fridge that is too warm might just need to have this adjusted. If you do make the proper adjustments and you still notice that things aren't as cold as they should be, call someone for maintenance as soon as possible before your food starts to spoil. Any refrigerator warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit is too warm.

Your Refrigerator is Over Ten Years Old 

 A refrigerator can last for a long time if it is properly maintained. Unfortunately, maintenance and repairs on a refrigerator that is this old can drain your bank account very quickly. If you've had your refrigerator longer than a decade, call a repair service to at least take a look at it. If it gets to the point where the repair bill would be larger than the cost of a new refrigerator, skip the maintenance and purchase a new model.

Your Food Doesn't Keep As Long As It Once Did 

Finally, your refrigerator might need some maintenance and repairs if your food doesn't last as long as it once did. No perishable food will last forever in a refrigerator, but it should still have a decent shelf life if you keep it sealed and stored properly. Food spoiling quickly in your refrigerator could indicate a problem with your temperature or the seal on your door, but you should contact a repair professional to take a look at your unit before you have to throw out more of your food.

How to Take Care of Your HVAC System

We all enjoy the benefits that a well-functioning HVAC system provides us with. However, these systems aren't maintenance free, although we may think they are. Fortunately, your HVAC system doesn't require a lot of care. However, it does require consistent care. The care associated with your HVAC system is minimal. A few simple actions performed monthly and seasonally should be all you need to keep your system running well.

Change Your Filters

Your HVAC system will perform best when your air filters are clear and free from excess dust and debris. The recommended change schedule depends on a few factors. These factors all center around you and the details of your lifestyle. If you have pets, you filter should be changed every 60 days. If you or other family members have allergies the change schedule should be adjusted to accommodate that. The general recommendation for allergies and more than one pet is every 20-45 days. However, if you don't have pets or allergies you should change your filter every 90 days.

Keep Your Outdoor Unit Clean

Your outdoor unit can become cluttered with sticks, leaves, dirt, and other debris. As time passes, the foliage builds up and create problems for the fan as well as other parts of the unit. Check your outside unit periodically to make sure it's free and clear of excess twigs and leaves. This will ensure that nothing is impeding the operation of the fan or other moving parts.

Service Your HVAC System Annually

Although the care and recommended maintenance you perform on your system help it to run well, you still need the service of a professional HVAC technician. An HVAC technician can provide an in-depth look at your system and inspect the interior parts of your unit. This is beneficial because this type of service allows the tech to spot potential problems and remedy them before they become out of hand. Plus, a technician will check coolant levels and inspect the coils, as well as a whole host of other things. There is no shortage of hvac jobs in hampton roads. You will find that many companies have plenty of competent technicians capable of maintaining your HVAC system.

It's important that you follow the suggested maintenance and care guidelines for your HVAC system. This will ensure that it continues to run well. You should also make a habit of checking on the outdoor unit from time to time. A yearly service check is also recommended. All the small measures you take to keep your system running well will ensure that it performs well.

Tips on Home Remodeling

Buying a home can involve a few emotional bargains. Often a family buys a home because of the neighborhood, the local schools, or for square footage large enough and affordable enough to accommodate every family member. With all of these considerations, the actual feeling of having a “dream home,” with all the bells and whistles (and fabulous views) that entails, can prove elusive.  All of this is why some homeowners opt for renovating their home with the help of a remodeling contractor, in order to finally get the details they want in their home, without sacrificing a great neighborhood.

Financing a Remodel

Yes, a remodel can cost money, but many homeowners make it work by taking out a home equity line of credit. This can be a smart use of funds if the loan comes in at a low interest rate, as a good remodel can add to the value of a home if it is done well. Many buyers will pay more for a home with an upgraded kitchen or bathroom and a master bedroom with a view, so a remodel can definitely bring in extra bang for the buck if it is planned well.

Planning The Remodel

It’s wise to bring in an experienced contractor to oversee a remodeling job, to ensure that it is well planned with a smart budget in mind. A good contractor will work closely with the homeowner to ensure that every detail is planned and okayed in advance, so there are no surprises once construction begins.

Finding a Contractor

In years past, finding a contractor could be complicated for anyone not involved in the construction business. Today however, there are many online sites dedicated to listing contractors, along with references and samples of pat projects. All of this means that today finding a good contractor is easier than ever.

Homeowners can review listings of local contractors until they find a good candidate, and from there a free phone consultation can be arranged. If they seem a great fit for the job, papers can be drawn up and the real work can begin.

Why go through life wishing for a dream house, when you can make it happen yourself, along with some expert help.

Public Adjusters are a Huge Asset to Claimants

Recently, my basement flooded during a substantial rain storm. I was fortunate to have the foresight to protect my valuables. Though, the structure still suffered significant damage. A flooded basement should be cleaned out promptly to prevent mold buildup. I had what I thought was ample flood insurance coverage So, I gave my insurance company a call.

My insurer sent out an adjuster to look at my basement. He surveyed the situation. I was surprised when I got my settlement offer, and not in a good way. It was far below my expectations. I had neighbors with fewer issues who got a larger settlement. This was confusing since the insurance company sent an adjuster who is a professional at assessing the damage.

Who's on my side?

After that, I was suspicious. I did some research and found out a couple of things about flood insurance. The person I dealt with was an independent adjuster who worked directly for the insurance company. This made me feel alone in my insurance claim process. You would expect your insurance company to help you as best as they can. It is a business, though, so they gave me a lowball offer.

Someone has my back 

During my research, I found out about public claims adjusters. They're the alternative to independents. Public adjusters provide the claimant with a lot of benefits. This primarily lies in representing the claimant, not the insurance company. Thanks to this, the claimant knows they're getting the best deal possible.

Cost 

I was apprehensive about the cost of a public adjuster, but the one I chose through United States Adjusters only charged me a percentage of my settlement. The sum he achieved was so much higher than my original offer he actually ended up paying for himself and more. It was a win-win scenario.

How did he do it?

I asked how he got such a better deal than I could get. His reasoning was simple. He had worked in the insurance industry for years before switching to becoming a public adjuster. He understands all the tricks of the trade insurance companies use. There's no way I could've gotten myself this kind of settlement without spending countless hours on research.

If you ever have home damage and have to file a claim, I definitely recommend hiring a public claims adjuster. They almost always get a better settlement. My new basement is the proof.