Month: October 2016

Categories
Apartment complex Moving Rental apartments

Is Student Housing Getting You Down? When It’s Time to Move Off Campus

Housing rentals

Are you ready for your next big move? Every year, more than 35 million American relocate to a new city: it could be for work, to pursue a new relationship, or just to find a positive change of pace. Most of us move during the summer months, and we can expect to move at least 12 times throughout the course of our lives. Moving can feel stressful: more high end rental units are offering moving help to their clients. If you are moving soon, there are a few things that you should bear in mind before your moving day.

If you are a college student who is moving into off campus housing for the first time, try to get back onto campus a few days before the school year starts. You may have to make several trips to home furniture stores to decorate your home. You may also have to schedule meetings with cable or gas company representatives to have your utilities turned on. If you wait until classes have started up, you may find yourself dashing back home in a mad rush, only to find out that your electric company doesn’t have any appointments available for another week. You don’t want to have to do homework by candlelight, so try to get back on campus two or three days before you have to start classes.

Many companies that offer high end rental units want to rent to college students, but they also want to make sure that their student renters are quiet and focus on school work more than parties. Most towns have noise ordinances, and if you are hosting a small gathering that goes past midnight, you may want to turn the stereo down a few notches. Take the time to meet with your neighbors when you move in: high end rental units often have on-site locations where people can meet up and hang out. You should look for a rental that has a pool, onsite washing machines, off street parking, and a meeting room or clubhouse that residents can use to watch movies and get to know each other. They may also have room that you can use to study, just in case you need a little break from your roomies for a few hours. Look for places that have onsite exercise equipment for residents: exercise can help you stay healthy and focused at school.

Socialization is a large part of the college experience, and if you’re moving off campus for the first time, you will probably have a few roommates. Sit down at the beginning of the semester and talk about how you want to divide up the household chores, food shopping, and bills. Walk around your apartment and see if you can find any small repairs or defects that need to be addressed: if you don’t let your rental company know at the outset of the semester, they may charge you for damages. Take pictures with your phone of any repairs so you can show your rental company what they need to look for when they come to make repairs.

In general, high end rental units want to attract college students who are tired of student housing. If you are making the switch to off-campus living, you should know that you can never have too many blankets or too many towels. You should always look for rental spaces that offer surveillance and safety patrols, and you have the right to go to your management team if you have any complaints. Staying up late and bonding with your roommates is one of the best parts of having your own apartment, and as long as you take turns doing the dishes, you should have a stellar school year. College is a time for personal growth and new friendships, and you may be surprised to find that you feel as close to your college roomies as you do to your friends from high school.

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Couples counseling quesitons Family counselor Premarital counseling topics

Why Should I Seek Out Counseling For Parents To Help My Relationship?

Premarital counseling phoenix

One of the most difficult aspects of marriage is remaining happy and stable over the years. It seems like anything can throw a healthy relationship into disarray these days, from a suddenly lost job to unexpected infidelity. Counseling for parents is a must for couples who have children and don’t want to lose their family dynamic during the most crucial years of their life. This can include marriage advice, couples counseling topics and even ongoing exercises to restore what was lost and encourage a healthy family unit once more.

Marriage

Counseling for parents has only become more and more relevant as marriage rates have declined. Research has estimated anywhere from 40% to 50% of all first marriages ending in divorce, with another 60% of second marriages ending. A happy marriage is considered one of the most important life objectives for nearly 93% of Americans according to a recent survey, with more and more people seeking out the benefits of counseling for parents to preserve their union.

Divorce

While marriage has been on the decline, divorce rates have been on the rise. It’s estimated there is one divorce approximately every 36 seconds in the United States — that amounts to nearly 2,400 divorces per day, 16,000 per week and a whopping 875,000 per year. Fluctuating social norms and economic expectations are just a few of the reasons that have been attributed to this growing trend and the figures aren’t expected to dip anytime soon. The average woman takes three years to remarry after a divorce, while men generally take more time to move on at three and a half years.

Mental Health

Mental wellness is a necessity to maintain a happy and satisfied family unit. Statistics reported back in 2014 showed one in six parents experiencing some form of mental health concern over the year, with single parents being twice as likely to have a mental health issue compared to their married counterparts. This is due to a variety of different factors, ranging from poverty to increased stress to genetic inheritance. Common mental illnesses include depression, anxiety and panic disorder, all of which can be debilitating if not properly addressed and treated by professional therapists.

Child Custody

One of the most difficult aspects of divorce is the issue of child custody. As such, counseling for parents often focuses on the subject of maintaining a union to encourage the emotional and mental wellness of children. More than one million children are involved in divorce proceedings on a yearly basis — studies have shown children of divorced parents are more likely to have trouble in school in the future than those with married parents. Family counseling techniques have been proven to assist in salvaging marriages and, in turn, helping the children involved lead a more stable lifestyle.

When To See A Couples Counselor

If you’re not sure if you need to seek out counseling for parents, it’s highly recommended if you notice a few warning signs in your relationship. This can include, but is not limited to, infidelity, constant irritability, a lack of communication and emotional distancing. Turning to a licensed marriage and family therapist will have you spending 20% to 40% less than you would had you turned to a psychiatrist. Studies have shown 75% of couples who received therapy having done far better in their relationship than couples who had not attended sessions. A seasoned professional will assist you with the ins and outs of maintaining a happy relationship, offering you support and a more objective eye than you would receive on your own.

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Ibogaine for depression Ibogaine research history Methadone addiction treatment

4 Intervention Mistakes to Avoid

Drug treatment

Interventions aren?t as easy as they sound. Oftentimes, the addict does not even realize that they have a problem in the first place. To convince them to accept your help and seek treatment, it will take a lot of time and a lot of patience. Unfortunately, not all families have the knowledge and clarity of mind that it takes to stage a successful intervention. Here are four common mistakes to avoid:

  1. Failing to make a plan

    You can?t just throw an intervention together like a half-baked surprise party. In some cases, this could be the only shot you get, so you need to be fully prepared. To avoid chaos and failure, get the participants (minus the addict) together and plan an agenda. Decide who will speak first and always have a speech prepared. This also means having a solution mapped out so that you can offer your loved one treatment options. Do some research and learn about the different alcohol and drug treatment programs suitable for your loved one.

  2. Choosing the wrong time and place

    Make sure you have enough time to get through the entire intervention undisturbed. Choose a time when you know the addict will be free and will have no good excuse to leave. Everyone else involved should be able to stay until the end as well in order to demonstrate their full support to the person in need of help. When it comes to location, finding a quiet and private place is essential. You may conduct the intervention in your home, but never approach this conversation in a public place or someplace where the addict may feel uncomfortable.

  3. Letting the addict negotiate

    Let them talk, but do not accept any negotiations. Do not let them talk you down to a ?better deal,? saying that they will drink less or never take drugs when the kids are around. This is unacceptable. The aim of the intervention is not to limit their drug use, but to help them conquer their addiction altogether. The intervention is only successful when the addict agrees to enter a treatment program.

  4. Letting emotions take over

    You care about this person and you want to see them get better. Because you care, it is easy to let your emotions get the best of you; however, this is one of the worst things you can do during an intervention. Under no circumstances should you yell or raise your voice. If the addict feels attacked, they will be much less willing to listen and accept your help. Remind them that you love them unconditionally and plan to support them through this tough time.

Alcohol addiction, oxycodone addiction, cocaine addiction ? none of these conditions will ever go away on their own. Drug abuse must be addressed and addicts must go through a treatment program in order to get better and live the life they deserve.

Categories
Basement cracks and leaks Crawl space leaks Fixing basement leaks

Benefits of Repairing a Cracked Foundation

Sump pump repair

Cracks in the foundation of your home may not seem like a big concern, but they can lead to much bigger problems. Any crack that is one-fourth of an inch wide or wider found in the foundation, blocks, bricks, or steps can cause serious damage to the overall foundation.

Cracks allow water and moisture in to the foundation, which weakens the overall structure. It can also lead to water and dampness in the basement or lower level of the home. The more moisture that gets into the foundation, the more damage it can cause.

There are a number of ways to prevent damage to your home before you find yourself repairing a cracked foundation. First thing you can do is keep all organic material away from the outer wall of your foundation. This includes plants, soil, and fallen leaves. Having these pressed against the foundation will present constant moisture which can soften the surface and lead to cracks.

All plants should be a minimum of two feet away from the foundation. This will also keep their roots from trying to dig into the foundation. Bedding should also not be placed right up to the foundation.

It is also important to make sure the ground leading up to the foundation is not slopped downward. You do not want water flowing towards your house?s foundation while it is raining, you want it flowing away from your foundation. This will lead to the need for foundation repair.

If you do get water in your home during a hard rain or storm, it is important to get it cleaned and dried as quickly as possible. There are companies you can bring in that will ensure all the moisture is sucked out to prevent the development of mold along the inside of your foundation.

For homes with basements, sump pumps can do a lot towards protecting the basement from flooding. Make sure sump pumps are replaced at least every 15 years. Over 98% of homes with basements experience some type of water damage. Even the smallest of basement water leaks can cause serious damage, which is why it is so important not to let things go.

Repairing a cracked foundation is essential. Basement waterproofing can help to protect the basement by addressing the interior walls. Basement cracks and leaks can also be repaired, but waiting for it to rain and get wet is not the time. Repairing a cracked foundation needs to happen before there is a serious problem and when the basement floors and walls are still dry.

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Fussy eaters toddlers Terrible twos

Is Your Child Prone to Tantrums? Why Baby Sign Language Can Soothe Their Anger

Food for picky toddlers

Are you a new parent of an infant who is dreading the terrible twos and wondering how to deal with toddler screaming tantrums? Surprisingly, the key to cutting down on toddler tantrums may lie in communication: health experts consistently report that part of toddlers’ frustration is their lack of spoken language. They want the cookie but cannot get the cookie because they do not know the word: thence spring the tears and tantrums. What baby experts know about toddlers and communication is that introducing your infants and young toddlers to baby sign language could help minimize their frustration.

More than 100 years ago, a linguist named William Dwight Whitney found that hearing children who were born to Deaf parents were signing simple sentences by the age of six months. Some children do communicate earlier than 18 months, but hearing children of Deaf parents routinely began communicating — through sign language — at a markedly earlier age. At the time, growing up with Deaf parents was seen as a social handicap, but Whitney noted that the children’s performance in school “made their hearing peers look slow.”

Whitney also saw that hearing children of Deaf parents were not only signing earlier than their peers, but speaking earlier as well. This is a counterintuitive finding because children of Deaf parents are not exposed to the same amount of speech at home, but Whitney’s studies showed that children of Deaf parents spoke earlier than their peers. He hypothesized that sign language could be taught to hearing infants and toddlers, but his insights were not taken seriously and his findings languished for more than a century.

What educators know now is that baby sign language can work to circumvent the terrible twos. Picky toddler eaters, for example, are common, but what if your child could tell you when they wanted more food? What if your child’s terrible twos behavior was largely based on frustration and anger that they were being asked — or made — to eat food that they did not really care for? One of the first signs that babies are taught in the infant sign language curriculum is the word “more.” Babies who like the food that they are given can make the sign “more” and let their parents know that they’re on the right track. Do you want more or are you finished? Toddler screaming tantrums may be a thing of the past.

Other useful signs are “sleep,” “happy,” and “finish.” You can teach your infant several signs, and you may be surprised when they form their first sentence in sign language — an average of eight to nine months before they utter their first spoken words or sentences. The surprising thing about infant sign is that babies and young toddlers have a lot to say. Toddler screaming tantrums are one thing that you can work to eliminate with baby sign language. Are you fluent in another language? There is Russian sign language, Chinese sign language, and French sign language – any foreign language that you speak is sure to have a signed counterpart. The grammar and vocabulary may differ from American Sign Language, but it’s your choice.

It might be a good idea to teach your infant or toddler American Sign Language, often referred to as ASL, because when they get older they will be able to communicate more easily with their Deaf peers. Toddlers and tantrums may seem to go hand in hand, but allowing young children the opportunity to communicate and to make their wishes known could stop a lot of toddler screaming tantrums before they even start. Raising children can be so difficult that parents wish they could have their own, grown-up tantrums, but taking a few minutes to teach your infant some sign language could have positive consequences for both of you. Help phase out toddler screaming tantrums with a course in sign language: toddlers may respond in ways that surprise you both.

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Cocaine crack addiction treatment Ibogaine clinic Ibogaine treatment for opiate addiction

The Best Drug Treatment Program You Don’t Know About

Ibogaine continuing care

It would come as no shock to you to learn that there is a very serious drug problem in the United States. In virtually every part of the country, from the east coast to the west and the plain states to the mountains, drugs are destroying the lives of people young and old.

Excluding tobacco, there are over 20 million people in the US over the age of 12 who are struggling with a very serious addiction. While there are many different types of drugs that people are getting their hands on and becoming addicted to, alcohol and prescription drugs seem to be the ones that plague every type of person. Alcohol addiction and Adderall addiction are problems many people are facing. Young, old, rich or poor, addiction is a battle that is extremely difficult to fight, let alone win.

In 2011 alone, there were over 5 million visits to the emergency room that were drug related. These numbers didn’t fade in the years that followed, either. In 2104, more than 47,000 people died from overdoses around the country. With these numbers on the rise, one wonders where to turn for decent drug treatment programs. The landscape might seem to be very dire, but there is hope on the horizon. That help is showing itself in the form of an Ibogaine treatment program.

Ibogaine therapy is the distribution of ibogaine to patients suffering from addiction. Ibogaine is an isolated active alkaloid from the root bark of the West African shrub Tabernanthe Iboga. For thousands of years, it has been used for spiritual development and even as a rite of passage for young people crossing into adulthood.

In the late 1960s, it was discovered that Ibogaine’s properties could be used in the complete stoppage of opiate withdrawal. In an Ibogaine treatment program, it is very effective as an addiction interrupter for many different substances. An Ibogaine treatment program is very effective in treating people who struggle with addiction to heroin, methadone, methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol, and even nicotine.

Ibogaine alleviates physical withdrawal symptoms of opiate detoxification by resetting and refreshing the opiate receptor sites. It is not entirely know how this is actually done, but many tests over the past 40 years have confirmed how well it does work. As soon as this reset occurs, there is no need for further application of the substance in the Ibogaine treatment program. The brain’s chemistry is essentially recalculated, leaving the body free of the toxic trouble of the drugs and able to heal. The body does not have a memory of the addiction and the brain functions addiction free.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to alcohol, prescription drugs, or any other live-destroying drug, you are likely already looking around for the best treatment program available. As you search, look for a treatment program that includes the use of Ibogaine.

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Apartment cleaning Cleaning service st. petersburg House cleaning services clearwater

Four Tips for Hiring a Dependable Cleaning Service

Apartment cleaning

Are you looking for a dependable house cleaning service? When you spend most of your life at work, you just want to come home and relax in a clean house at the end of the day. This isn’t possible if you have to spend your nights and weekends cleaning just to get it halfway decent. Using a dependable house cleaning service is a great way to get ahead of the mess, so that you can enjoy your time off with a clear mind and clean home.


However, finding a maid service you trust is not always easy. Not everyone who cleans homes is a dependable house cleaning service. You don’t want to waste your time and money on cleaning services that don’t get the job done. Or worse damage your home or make you vulnerable to theft. In order to find a dependable house cleaning service who you can trust, follow the steps that we’ve outlined below:


Four Tips for Hiring a Maid Service

  1. Shop around until you find the right experienced maid service for your needs.

    When you decide to buy a car, you probably drive at least two or three just to make sure you buy the best one. Take the same approach when searching for the right cleaning service. Talk to at least two or three services before choosing one that you are most comfortable inside your home, cleaning your possessions.


    Make sure to ask about pricing policies (some services charge by the time spent cleaning, some charge by the square footage of the house or the number of rooms, some charge by the number of employees needed to get the job done). Calculate approximately what the entire job will cost for each service you are considering, to make sure you are comparing prices apples-to-apples.

    You should also ask questions like what background checks are done on the staff, to ensure they can be trusted in your home with your belongings. Will you have the same staff every time, or different? There are pros and cons to having a dedicated staff; it just matters which you prefer.


  2. Only use cleaning services that are licensed, insured, and bonded.

    This is a non-negotiable. You should only use a service that is licensed, as it gives them accountability; if they do something wrong, they stand to lose their license. If you use a one-off home cleaner who has no accreditation, there is nothing other than your satisfaction to ensure they do a good job.


    Only using a cleaning service that is insured is important because it protects you if an employee is injured in your home. Let’s say someone falls off a ladder while cleaning your windows. If the cleaning service is insured, the insurance policy will pay any medical costs. If not, you’ll be stuck filing a claim with your homeowners insurance, which will drive up your coverage costs. Or worse, you’ll have to pay the medical costs yourself.


    Being bonded protects your property. Let’s say an employee does damage to your property and then hightails it out of there. The bond on the cleaning service will cover the cost of the damage. Also, in order to keep the bond, the cleaning service has incentive to make sure they do not damage your property while cleaning your home.


  3. Be detail-oriented with your instructions.

    Even the best home cleaning services are not telepathic. You stand the best chance of getting the best quality cleaning if you clearly define what you’re looking for. Before you even sign up for a cleaning service, make a list of the areas that you want to make sure are thoroughly cleaned; this gives the cleaning staff a guide to ensure your satisfaction.


  4. Get your bill upfront.
    Sometimes the number you are quoted over the phone doesn’t include hidden fees. To avoid sticker shock, make sure that the bill is handed to you before you allow the cleaning service to do the work. If you approve of what you will be paying for, they can go ahead and do the work, and you will pay it after the work is done. We generally advise against paying for the service before it is completed, as it doesn’t give you any leverage in case the work was not acceptable.

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Buprenorphine addiction Cocaine addiction treatment Ibogaine detox

Be Free From Addiction–Choose Ibogaine Therapy

Ibogaine treatment intake process

It is no secret that millions of people in the United States and abroad suffer from various types of addiction. Were you aware, though, that over 20 million people aged 12 and older–and in the United States alone–are addicted to substances other than tobacco?

Some Recent Data on Addiction

Adults with addictions usually began using illicit drugs, as well as smoking and drinking, before they turned 18. This is true of over 90% of individuals who currently experience one or more addictions.

According to 2014 data, over 130 million people in the United States regularly drink alcohol. While not everyone who consumes alcohol on a regular basis has an addiction, there are 2.6 million people who are, and to illicit drugs as well.

Furthermore, dual-diagnoses are common, as 6.8 million mentally ill individuals are also addicted to other substances. Using these other substances in order to alleviate symptoms is often referred to as self-medicating.

Overdoses and Deaths

in 2011, more than five million people went to the emergency room due to a drug-related issue. In 2014, drug overdoses caused over 47,000 deaths.

The Effects of Driving Under the Influence

While common sense and the law dictates that no one should get behind the wheel of a car when intoxicated or under the influence of other substances, this occurs on a regular basis. In 2011, for example, 9.4 million individuals claimed that they drove while under the influence of an illicit drug. Furthermore, in 2014, 29,230 car accidents resulted in deaths.

Ibogaine Therapy as a Potential Solution

According to the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance, Ibogaine can provide relief from opioid withdrawal symptoms up to 98%. It can also reduce cravings for alcohol as well as stimulants. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that Ibogaine can interrupt substance abuse disorders along with providing other benefits.

Ibogaine has also been found to be useful for treating depression and other psychological issues. In addition, Ibogaine therapy has been found to provide benefits for those suffering with neurological issues.

What is Ibogaine?

In traditional West Africa communities, Ibogaine has been used for centuries for healing purposes and as part of various rituals. Ibogaine is a psychoactive substance found in plants referred to as Iboga.

Ibogaine Addiction Treatment

When used for opiate addiction, Ibogaine therapy can provide significant relief for post-acute withdrawal syndrome. You will want to make sure that the clinic you go to uses a 99.6% pharmaceutical-grade Ibogaine rather than the less-expensive semi-synthetic Ibogaine.

An Ibogaine treatment facility can provide assistance and relief for the following substance addictions:

    Alcohol
    Adderall
    Buprenophine
    Cocaine
    Methadone
    Methamphetamine
    Oxycodone
    Oxycontin

Contact an ibogaine Addiction Treatment Facility

If you or someone you love wants to be free from addiction, contact an Ibogaine treatment center to find out more about how their program can be of assistance.

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Buprenorphine addiction Detox Ibogaine addiction treatment

How to Help an Addicted Loved One Recognize Their Problem

Methamphetamine addiction

When someone has any kind of addiction from alcohol addiction to cocaine addiction, the drug alters the way they see themselves. The brain can’t properly see itself for who it has become because of the alterations made to the brain. Trying to help someone get into an addiction treatment program when they don’t think that they are addicted is very difficult. It is not, however, impossible. Here are a few ways that you can help your loved one get into a treatment program even if they are not willing.

Know what addiction is.
It’s important to understand what addiction is before you start trying to convince someone they have it. If you come at them, blaming them for their addiction and insisting they stop, you will never win them over. You have to understand that addiction is a disease. Once you can start seeing it as a brain disease that causes the person to continue to seek out drugs despite negative consequences, then you will be able to show the support, patience and love that the addict needs in order to get better.

Take care of yourself.
You need to make sure that you are meeting your own needs. You should look for a support group for family and friends of addicts. Knowing that you are not alone in your struggles can be very liberating and helpful. You can all even share ideas and let each other know what has helped. If you aren’t comfortable with something like that, then you should think about talking to a therapist. It is important that you at least talk to someone. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else.

Set boundaries and stick to them.
You may have a hard time doing this because you love your struggling friend or family member. However, you have to stop putting the addict’s feelings and needs before your own. Not only will doing this allow you to be able to take control of your own life and continuing living despite the circumstances but it might force the addict to face the reality and consequences of what he or she is doing. If they can see that they are pushing their loved ones away, it might be a wake up call. You also should not lend money or pay bills if the addict is going to be using and do not allow them to come around you or your family when they are on something.

Have an intervention.
Interventions can be very effective if they are done correctly. An intervention could get a hold of the addict’s attention and help them see what is going on and how their destructive behaviors are affecting them and others. Make sure you properly research how to stage a good intervention otherwise the addict may walk out and you won’t even get to the treatment program part. Discussing alcohol addiction treatment or whatever they are addicted to can be a sensitive subject.

Set realistic expectations.
You may do all this and your addict may get angry and resentful and completely reject you. They may shut you out themselves and end up sinking lower. Or, they might even get into a treatment program and complete it but still end up addicted again once they get out. The truth is, according to statistics, your loved one, sadly, may end up going back to their old ways. While no one hopes for this to happen, you have to realize that it’s a possibility.

Don’t lose hope.
Despite statistics, experience and the rest of it, your loved one will never be free if you do not hope for them. There may be times where they cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel and will want to give up. You need to give them something to hope for. Encouraging them and being there for them will go a long way for an addict. Especially once they get out of treatment, they will need their loved ones around them a lot. The more that they can remember that they have to live for, the higher their chances of making it will be.

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Charlotte nc florist Florist charlotte Flowers

Did You Get Fresh Flowers? Keep Them Looking Great Longer with These 7 Tips

Local florist charlotte nc

if you are like most people, you like getting fresh flowers. You know when you order flowers for someone fresh flowers from the local florist, we know they will like the gift. People in the United States spend about $26.6 billion every year on floral arrangements and products. We buy most of our flowers for ourselves. It has been estimated that at least 63% of flower purchases are not gifts. And people often think buying flowers for Valentine’s Day is all about pleasing girlfriends but men like to get flowers as gifts, too. At least 36% of wives buy their husbands flowers, according to the American Society of Florists.

When we get a floral arrangement from the flower delivery company, everyone wants to know what they can do to keep those flowers looking great. Here are some tips from the local florist for keeping them looking pretty longer.

1. Start with a clean vase. You do not need anything special. Take some basic soap and water. If you can get the water hot to at kill any fungi or bacteria that can be bad for your flowers and make them age faster.

2. Fill the vase with warm water. If you can get the water to be about 110 degrees, your flowers will last longer. If you can get water that has been degassed, that is your best bet. Otherwise, let the water sit for a few minutes, this allows air to escape and creates a better environment for your floral arrangement.

3. Feed your flowers. There are several things you feed your flowers with. They include:

  • Add the packet of flower food that came with the flowers. It has bleach to fight off microbes, citric acid to promote water uptake, and sugar to keep your flowers looking fresh.
  • Give your flowers some apple cider vinegar and sugar. Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to two tablespoons of sugar and add this to the water in your vase say people from the local florist.
  • Give your flowers some booze. Mix a few drops of alcohol like vodka and one teaspoon of sugar into the water. The alcohol helps inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi and the sugar and alcohol provide some nourishment.
  • Give your flowers some aspirin. Before you add your flowers to a vase, you should crush up a tablet of aspirin and add that to the water. This will keep the flowers looking fresh longer.

Note: You should change the water every few days. You will have to add more of the alcohol, packet from the local florist, aspirin or apple cider vinegar.

4. Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle. By cutting the stems this way, you provide more surface area for the water to use to get to the xylem of the flower. This also helps keep the number of air bubbles that can block up the stem to a minimum. This allows the water to get where it is needed and not get blocked up by the bubbles.

5. Spray with hairspray. Hold the spray about 12 inches from the flowers and spray the undersides of the petals and leaves. This is a great way to keep the flowers looking very fresh and pretty for a longer period of time.

6. Do not keep fruit near your flowers. When you get a delivery from the local florist, do not put them near your fruit bowl. The people at Charlotte flower shops tell their customers that as fruit ripens, they give off ethylene. This will shorten the lifespan of any floral arrangements.

7. Put your flowers in a cool space in your home. You do not want to keep your flowers near your heater, fireplace or in the sun. When you leave for work in the morning, you can even put them in the fridge, just remember to keep them away from any fruit that you have in there.

As beautiful as floral arrangements are, and they do really brighten up any home, they do not last forever. That may be one of their selling points. With these seven tips, you can keep your flowers looking really great for at least a few extra days.

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