Getting The Most Out Of Your Vintage Car

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

As the owner of a classic car, it’s probably exciting enough for you to simply own the car of your dreams. But there are responsibilities with a vintage vehicle that don’t apply to owners of modern cars. There’s a certain level of upkeep required to keep a classic car in top shape, so you need to know what you’re doing if you want to keep your prized possession looking shiny and running smoothly for a long time. Here’s some advice on getting the most out of your vintage car.



Restore it to its former glory.

The first way to get the most out of your vintage car is to restore it to its former glory. If the seller already did that for you then you’re lucky and you can skip to the next step. If your classic vehicle is looking a little worse for wear, however, then you might need to make some improvements. The bodywork is a good place to start. You want your vehicle to look bold and shiny from the outside. A fresh coat of paint and some polish will help to restore your car’s external image. As for the interior, you might want to restitch and clean the seating. This is about comfort as well as the aesthetic.

Make some upgrades.

Being a classic vehicle, your new car (or old car, depending on how you look at it) is probably missing some of the gadgets and features that come with newer models of vehicles. If you’re going to use your vintage car fairly regularly then you might want to make some upgrades so as to keep it level with modern cars on the road. You should consider getting
some tech installed to improve your vintage vehicle. You could even get technology to improve the fuel economy of your car (you’d be spending money to save money in the long-term). You should consider getting a modern sound system installed too. Being able to play CDs or even connect to your phone via Bluetooth will help to bring your vintage car into the twenty-first century (but it’ll still be a twentieth-century car in terms of its aesthetic).


Maintain it well.

Maintaining your vintage car is, arguably, the most important aspect of getting the most out of it. Your vehicle has already lived a long life, so you need to take care of it if you want it to live a much longer life. Storing it well is a good place to start. You need to not only keep your vintage car in a garage so that it’s sheltered from the elements but also make sure that your garage is dry. Moisture in the air can lead to rust and weathering of your car. Perhaps you might want to get a dehumidifier for the garage. Make sure you also disconnect the battery if you’re not going to use the car frequently. This will ensure that it doesn’t go flat.

Another important aspect of maintenance is keeping the car roadworthy. Storing it well is part of this, but you also need to make sure you check over everything before you drive your car. Cleaning your vehicle plays a big part in this. You should get some professional
car wax so that you can be sure to keep your vehicle’s bodywork sleek and spotless. You should also check the oil level and tyre pressure regularly to make sure that your car is fit to be on the road. This applies to any sort of car, obviously, but it’s more important for vintage vehicles. If your car has been in the garage for a few weeks or months then you need to give it a check to make sure that everything is operating as it should be. Even when you’re not driving your car, it’s important to check on it every now and then. If you notice any signs of rust or corrosion then you should apply lubricant to prevent it from spreading.

Drive it well (and often).

Believe it or not, you should use your classic car as often as possible. With vintage possessions, there’s often a mentality that they should be left untouched so as to preserve them. This might be true for an antique furnishing, but it’s not the case for an antique car. Cars were built to be used. When they’re left unused, they start to wither away. If you want to avoid the risk of breakdowns or other faults with your car then you should take it for
a drive as often as possible (every few weeks or so). This will keep the engine working properly and avoid issues with brakes sticking or hydraulics failing.











Careers That Do Good For Others While Doing Good For Your Bank Balance

Some things are more important than money. But that doesn’t stop us from dedicating years of our life to working jobs we hate simply because we’re well remunerated for our efforts. If you’ve been working a job for some time and have grown to hate it more and more with every passing day, yet have become dependent on the income it provides, that can be a hard merry-go-round to hop off of. You yearn for a job that’s a little more fulfilling. A job that enables you to help your fellow human beings and make a positive difference in other people’s lives. The good news is that you don’t need to necessarily take a huge pay dip to pursue a career that doesn’t make you want to scoop your own eyes out with a melon baller. You may need to be a little more diligent as you manage your finances while training or learning but you’ll reap the reward of a long and satisfying career that offers the opportunities for progression you simply aren’t getting where you are now.




If you can bring yourself to take a leap of faith and step off the carousel, you could find an emotionally and financially rewarding career, no matter where you are in your professional journey, in the following…

Social work

If you achieved a bachelor's degree in any field but it didn’t bring you the sense of fulfilment you were hoping for there’s never a bad time to start studying for an
online master of social work degree. Going into the profession at master’s level will not only empower you with advanced knowledge but it will potentially give you a leading edge in job applications. If you want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable people who need you the most, a career in social work can be yours with just 2 and a half years of part time online study.

Teaching

There’s no greater privilege than being able to empower young minds and imbue them with the knowledge and skills that they’ll need to forge successful futures for themselves as adults. If you can dedicate some of your free mornings to spending some time volunteering in schools or even helping out with extra curricular activities, this can stand you in good stead for securing a place on a teaching course. The teaching profession values entrants from all walks of life with career experience in unrelated fields rather than young graduates fresh out of university. Your life experience and knowledge of the world of work can help you to better inform young people and encourage them to make better life choices.

Law enforcement

There are few more edifying ways of making a difference in your community than by becoming a law enforcement professional. Not only does the police service offer great pay at entry level, it also allows you to specialize in a huge range of specialisms and practices. Law enforcement is a rich tapestry that encompasses many disciplines. As you progress in your skills and career, you could find yourself commanding a
very impressive wage. Wherever your skills may lie, you will likely find stimulation and challenge while being well compensated financially and knowing that you’re making your community a better place.

Wanting to make the world better shouldn’t place a ceiling on your earning potential!
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Books I Recommend You Read [July]

Monday, July 30, 2018

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I've been so busy but still managed to read a few great books. Check them out!


Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
This book was great because each character gets a part to tell their side of the story.  It's about a woman whose daughter goes missing and whose remains are eventually found.  After a couple of years, she meets a man that she gets a strange vibe from.  When more details are explain in the book about the connection between the daughter she lost and the tutor she had, things start to come together in a really twisted way.  Then the man she meets has a very disturbing connection to her past and her daughter.  I loved this book!



My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand
This is a great teen read!  It's about Jane Eyre starting a new life where she meets a teacher and then he turns up dead.  But did she do it?  Alexander, an investigator into the supernatural is trying to solve this ghost hunt.  I couldn't put this book down until I finished!



Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris

This was an awesome thrilling read told through multiple points of view and that jumps to the present and the past.  It's about Finn, whose girlfriend Layla disappeared years ago.  He eventually finds love with Layla's sister Ellen but suddenly little signs and hints that seem to be from Layla are popping up all over the place and he's beginning to wonder if Layla's still around.  Meanwhile Ellen is fearful that if Layla is indeed alive, she will lose Finn.  This book was so hard to put down!





If We Had Known by Elisa Juska
This was a really good read about a young gunman that wreaks havoc on a town and how it affects his former teacher, her daughter, fellow classmates, and the community as a whole.   It's a realistic look at the toll any tragedy can take.



Providence by Caroline Kepnes 
 This story is told through three peoples points of view. Jon is abducted as a teen but reappears years later. This is about how dark his experience made him and the toll it took on his former crush and best friend Chloe. Meanwhile a detective is trying to uncover what really happened, a great thriller !


Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky
Mackenzie Cooper took her eyes off the road for just a moment but the resulting collision was enough to rob her not only of her beloved daughter but ultimately of her marriage, family, and friends―and thanks to the nonstop media coverage, even her privacy. Now she lives in Vermont under the name Maggie Reid, in a small house with her cats and dog. She’s thankful for the new friends she’s made―though she can’t risk telling them too much.  Her only goal is to stay under the radar and make it through her remaining probation. But she isn’t the only one in this peaceful town with secrets. When a friend’s teenage son is thrust into the national spotlight, accused of hacking a powerful man’s Twitter account, Maggie is torn between pulling away and protecting herself―or stepping into the glare to be at their side. As the stunning truth behind their case is slowly revealed, Maggie’s own carefully constructed story begins to unravel as well. She knows all too well that what we need from each other in this difficult world is comfort. But to provide it, sometimes we need to travel far outside our comfort zones.
To quote what was on Amazon, this is a story of the relationships we find ourselves in―mothers and daughters, spouses and siblings, true companions and fair-weather friends―and what kind of sacrifices we are or aren’t willing to make to sustain them through good times and bad.



All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin
This was an amazing and realistic story about a series of events involving inappropriate photos and social media. One girl gets photographed in a compromising way after a party and in the close knit community and school everyone’s trying to figure out if Finch is to blame, and if he is it can put his entire future at risk. Finch says it’s someone else to blame but is it really? As the truth comes out people start banding together in unexpected ways to get through it. This was a very touching story. 


Three Days Missing by Kimberly Belle
Young boy goes away to camp for a week and goes missing. The story is told from his mother and the fellow classmates mother’s point of view. It turns out the other mother son was the one that was supposed to be taken, or at least that’s how it seems. So who took Ethan eth Young boy goes away to camp for a week and goes missing. The story is told from his mother and the fellow classmates mother‘s point of view. Turns out the other mother son was the one that was supposed to be taken, or at least that’s how it seems. So who took Ethan and why? And where is he? 

Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton
THIS BOOK!!!  My god it went somewhere I totally didn't think it would.  Basically Louise meets Lavinia.   She wants Lavinia's ex.   Lavinia dies at the hands of Louise and Louise goes out of her way to make it seem like Lavinia's still alive by posting as her on social media.  Meanwhile plenty of people come along that Louise has to keep the act up for.  Holy crap I was on the edge of my seat the whole time reading this book. A MUST READ! 




Her Pretty Face - Robyn Harding
The story is told in past and present about a woman who isn’t really her true identity in the town she now lives in. Are people onto her? Or are those people hiding something as well?



Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent
When a woman ends up dead, her sister is determined to figure out what happened to her.  As the years pass by, a woman responsible for it tries to pin it on her son as he develops a relationship with the dead woman's sister.   So many twists and so much betrayal. 


Mine by J.L. Butler
This is a book about a woman who is a divorce attorney and falls for her client whose soon to be ex wife goes missing.  As she tries to figure out what really happened she has to be smart and cautious about who she trusts because at times it seems like NO ONE is trustworthy.  This book kept me on the edge of my seat as I tried to figure out who was really responsible.


Seriously this was a great month of reading for me!











Our Garage Floor Makeover

Friday, July 27, 2018

Remember how earlier this week I showed off our basement floor makeover? Well, Baker Epoxy Coatings did it again with our garage!







Enjoy the before and afters!


BEFORE





AFTER









BEFORE
 AFTER
 BEFORE

AFTER


 BEFORE



AFTER




We had so many issues with water getting in and holes in the floor it was just horrible. I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL GARAGE NOW!!!!










Cars & Coffee at Faulkner Alfa Romeo Maserati of Mechanicsburg [RECAP]

Thursday, July 26, 2018



Over the weekend I attended a car event with the hubs and since he's into cars he's always attending all kinds of events in the Harrisburg area.   This time it was Cars & Coffee at Faulkner Alfa Romeo Maserati of Mechanicsburg. 




At this type of event, guests are invited to bring their car and share their enthusiasm for cars with other enthusiasts over coffee and breakfast.  The Facebook invite even said that test drives in Maseratis and Alfa Romeos would be offered for those interested!





Food was provided by Helena's Chocolate Café & Creperie in Carlisle.











It was really cool to see all the nice cars that the dealership had as well as the cars driven by all of the attendees.







The lot is very well maintained and the staff were super friendly to all of us in attendance.  There were all types of cars there for the event which was really neat to see and the breakfast spread was delicious!































So yea, I casually enjoyed macarons while shopping for a new car (Yea, right!) and taking pictures as if I knew what I was doing.




If you guys happen to be in the market for a nice car, definitely check out Faulkner Alfa Romeo Maserati of Mechanicsburg!










Thinking Of Being An Uber Driver In Your Spare Time? Some Things You Should Know First...



We live in the age of the side hustle. Whether it’s the monetization of a hobby, an inventive way of earning a little extra cash in our spare time or a full blown stab at entrepreneurship that may well become a full time career someday, the humble side hustle is many things to many people. We also live in an era of wage repression where the economy is always against us, pushing the cost of living just a little more out of our reach with every year that passes. In this climate, it’s little wonder that people seek to empower themselves in the gig economy by making a little money in their free time whether it’s by delivering food on their bikes, renting out their spare room on AirBnB or using their driving skills to make a living as an Uber driver.




Becoming an uber driver is an appealing prospect for many who love their cars, love driving and find it therapeutic. But before you sign yourself up, think long and hard about the following caveats...

Is your car up to the task?


The DMV has specific guidelines when it comes to which cars can and can’t be used as Ubers. But even beyond that you should think about the practicalities of using your personal vehicle for passenger transport. Your diesel truck might be a trusty steed and a great companion on the freeway but it’s a recipe for disaster for short urban sprints. Over time, soot deposits will gather in your Diesel Particulate Filter and if you don’t get the opportunity to purge it, your filter could block which could be disastrous for your vehicle. A team of skilled diesel truck mechanics will be able to fix it for you, but it will result in more expense and time off the road. Ever wondered why so many Uber cars are hybrids? It’s because they’re best suited to the kinds of short, slow paced driving that is required of most Ubers.

Moreover your car needs to be immaculate and nice smelling at all times lest you get negative reviews. And if someone throws up in it… It’s your problem!

Driver fatigue is real

If you’re going to be driving passengers on top of at least 8 hours a day working your full time job, it’s vital that you take steps to guard against driver fatigue. You don’t have to reach the point where you fall asleep at the wheel, even a momentary lapse in judgment can lead to an incident that could damage your car and your reputation or even worse result in injury or loss of life. It’s not just enough to chug a strong coffee before you start your shift either. Your initial caffeine jolt will be replaced by feelings of sluggishness. Caffeine is metabolized quickly, and blocks the receptors for the neurotransmitter adenosine making you feel sleepy. In order to stay alert stay well fed and well hydrated.

You’re not allowed to have bad days

In order to make Uber driving lucrative, you’ll need to be cheerful and personable to get good tips which can make the difference between a good day and a great day. Bad day at your day job? Argument with your spouse? Feeling under the weather? None of these things can be allowed to affect your performance on your second job… And that’s easier said than done.

Finally, all that sitting isn’t good for your health. Ensure that you take breaks frequently to ensure that your side hustle doesn’t damage your wellbeing.










Essential Summer Advice For Dog Moms

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

The summer is a wonderful time for many reasons. It gives us an excuse to gather friends and neighbors for barbecues and garden parties. It entices us to step outside and partake in the subtle majesty of nature, walking amidst its subtle perfumes and humble yet beautiful designs. It gives us the chance to enjoy long, bright days and balmy royal blue colored nights spent with the people we love most in the whole world. For dog Moms, however, it also allows us the opportunity to spend the season making memories (like these- look at them, they’re having the time of their lives) with our canine progeny. It’s the time for endless walks with them in nature’s bounty, long evenings spent playing with them in the garden and games of fetch by the beach.




But for nascent dog Moms, summer can also bring with it unfamiliar responsibilities. If this is your first summer with your furry friends, be sure to take these special precautions…

Get car smart

You’ll more than likely want to bring your dog for an adventure in a local park or even an area of outstanding natural beauty on a late July weekend, but if you’re travelling with a dog in a car, it’s essential that you do it right. If your dog doesn’t get much car time, or if you’ve just bought an excitable pup, they may prove a distraction which limits your hazard perception. While you can visit
www.DaveAbels.com/car-accidents.html to hold the guilty party to account if it wasn’t your fault, prevention is always the best cure. As tempting as it may be to let your furry friend hang their head out the window a dog crate is a far safer option. If you’re travelling long distance be sure to give them plenty of breaks to go to the bathroom and have a much needed drink of water. And needless to say you should never leave your dog alone in a hot car.

Don’t assume that your dog can swim
For many dogs, swimming is intuitive, but if you’re taking your dog to the beach for the first time, don’t be surprised if they express reservations about setting foot (or paw) in the water. If you want to take your dog paddling or canoeing, it’s a good idea to invest in a canine life jacket. Even if your dog is a strong swimmer these are still a good investment. After all, wet dogs, especially shaggy ones, can be pretty heavy and a life jacket can make hauling them out of the water a whole lot easier.

Cool kit for cool canines

If you’re taking your dog on a grand adventure such as a camping trip, it’s vital that you take steps to protect them from the summer heat. All that fur can really make your dog hot under the collar on a summer day so it’s worth checking out some of the clever devices available to help them keep their cool. Like the
Kool collar which is filled with ice cubes which gradually melt, bringing coolness to the areas where dogs need it most. Or the Jurgo Core Cooling vest which is an unobtrusive yet effective way for all dogs to stay cool in the summer heat.

Now get out there and start making some memories with your fuzzy friends!












Our Basement Floor Makeover



So we are having a lot of work done around our house lately and I'm so excited to show you our new basement floor thanks to Baker Epoxy Coatings of Mechanicsburg!

If you don't know what epoxy coating is it's basically a way to protect your floor and make it look amazing.  On Day one they ground the floor down, on day 2 they put the base coat on and applied flake, and on day 3 that put the top coat on.

Don't Ruin Your Body!

Monday, July 23, 2018



You only get one body, so you best make the most of it! If you think about all the little mistakes that you might have made over the years with your body, we guarantee that you can think of a few too many. But, that’s not to say that the decisions you made when you were younger are going to be doing the damage now. It’s the decisions you’re making right at this very minute that could be damaging your body. The numerous habits that you have are what can put your body under pressure, but a few simple changes can sort it all. We think we know a few ways that you might be damaging your body, and how we think you can turn it all around.



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Turning Your Teeth Bad

Do you ever have those dreams where all of your teeth just seem to be falling out, and you’re doing anything you can to stop it, but all you seem to be doing is pulling them out more? Well, imagine that happening in real life. Obviously it won’t be as dramatic as suddenly having a mouth full of teeth falling out in seconds, but it will happen over the course of a few years if you’re not careful. Things like drinking fizzy drinks, coffee with a bit of sugar in, smoking, and drinking alcohol are all going to damage your teeth. If you know you’re bad for any of these, it might be time to stop, and even time to think about what treatments you might need done. From some teeth whitening, to fillings, if you’ve abused the sugar and alcohol over the years, you’ll need it. If you want to know a full range of treatments available,
visit this site today! The best thing for your teeth is getting into a routine of flossing once a day, brushing twice, and using mouthwash. This combination will keep your teeth fresh, but it won’t stop your damage. Reduce the number of fizzing drinks that you have to an absolute minimum, and you should be ok!

Damaging Your Organs

Our organs are what keep us alive after all, so we might as well try to preserve them. The best way to do so is to keep to a healthy diet, with the odd indulge once a week. We know you can’t be healthy all the time, but you can at least try! A healthy diet consists of protein, fats, carbs, and vitamins. You need a little bit of fat, so don’t think that because we’ve listed it, you can go and eat all the chocolate in the world. It has to be healthy fats, and it has to be minimal. Sources such as omega-3 are good for this! As for exercise, get into the habit of going for a walk, around 30 minutes, every day. See what difference it makes to your
energy levels, and even your weight if you combine it with healthy eating. You don’t have to be in the gym every day to make a difference!









Dating For Divorcees Made Easy



Getting back into the world of dating after being married for quite a few years can be a very daunting experience indeed. Firstly, you might find it nerve wracking just putting yourself out there and trying to meet new people. That’s not all, though, as many divorces find that the world of dating has changed massively since back in the day when they were first doing it. After all, when most divorcees were originally dating as teenagers, there was no such thing as social media and online dating! So, there will be a lot for divorcees to learn before they dip their toes back into this modern world.


Are you recently divorced and ready to start meeting new people? Here are some great tips that will make it a lot easier and less nerve wracking for you.


Wait Until You Are Truly Ready
First of all, before you launch yourself into dating, you need to ensure that you are 100% healed after your divorce. When relationships break up, it can also be emotionally difficult, especially if it means the end of a marriage. This could be made even more difficult if you shared children and need to sort out custody. You will certainly experience some major heartbreak and will need to take plenty of time to come to terms with being single and working through all of your emotions and feelings. If you start dating before you are truly over your ex, you will find that dating will be very stressful and could end up dragging up some of your negative emotions. So, wait until you are truly healed, and then dating won’t be such a painful experience for you, and you will also be a lot less likely to make some bad decisions.


Think About What You Want From A Partner

Next, once you are sure you’re ready for dating, it is super important that you consider the qualities and characteristics that you want from a partner. The best way to figure this out is to write two lists - one that contains things you want in a new partner and then another that contains things you don’t want. For instance, if you are quite sporty and love keeping fit in your spare time, you might also want a partner who shares these pastimes. Your list should also contain personality traits, such as honest and easy going. Even though the things on your list shouldn’t be completely set in stone, it’s good to have them for guidance once you do start meeting new people.





Try Online Dating

Even though this may not have existed the first time around you were dating, it’s still a good idea to try some online dating. This isn’t something that is considered odd anymore - everyone who is single will have tried it at some point or another! There are different platforms designed for online dating, and it might take a bit of experimenting to find out which one you prefer. There are the ones you can use as apps on your smartphone,
such as Tinder and Bumble, although these are usually aimed at young people. These are also associated more with hookups rather than long-term relationships. Don’t worry, though, not all of online dating is aimed at young people looking for their next hookup. Sites including Match often attract older daters who are looking to create some more serious connections. Once you are online, you can use these good conversation starters to get chatting. It’s a good idea to sign up for a couple of different dating sites or apps, so that you can get a taste of the kinds of platforms that are out there.
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Let Go Of Your Expectations

Once you are ready to start arranging some dates with the people who you connect with online or in real life, you need to make sure you let go of your expectations. After all, your next relationship isn’t going to play out like a Hollywood romance, so there is no point expecting to meet Hugh Grant or George Clooney while you are swiping through profiles on Tinder! In fact, it’s best to forget
about romantic movies completely and get rid of all your dating expectations. If you keep your expectations way too high, you will never be happy with anyone who takes you out on a date, no matter how lovely and compatible they may be.

Do Things That You Enjoy

Not too keen to start off with online dating? That’s fine, some people really don’t get on with it at all and would much prefer to meet someone in real life. The best way to ensure that happens is to start doing things that you enjoy, such as hobbies and activities. Then you just need to join clubs or societies to meet like-minded people. You never know, the love of your life might be waiting for you at one of these clubs! For instance, if you love keeping fit, you might want to start taking your running seriously and
join a club. No matter what kind of hobbies you are into, I’m sure there will be a local club to join. By improving your social life in this way, you’ll be able to make more meaningful connections with the people you meet.


Look Out For Warning Signs

Make sure you take things very slow when you start to date again. That way, you can get to know someone completely, and will be less inclined to fall for someone who isn’t being completely honest with you. Unfortunately, lots of older people are regularly targeted on online dating websites by scammers
and con artists. So, you need to make sure that you know all of the warning signs that you need to look out for.

Be Patient

One very last point to make - you need to be patient when you start dating again. A new relationship won’t happen overnight, so be sure to take your time meeting new people so you have the chance to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right!




Good luck entering the world of dating once again!