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7 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day 2020 from Home-image

There will be no pool parties, parades or barbecues to attend…celebrations for the Memorial Day holiday won’t look like they have in prior years. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways you can recognize the holiday at home. This year might be the perfect opportunity to remind ourselves of the true meaning of the holiday, and make sure to remember and honor the brave men and women who have lost their lives serving our country.   Send a Flower Tribute to a Fallen Hero Unsplash/J oshua J. Cotten The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation honors those who have served our country. The foundation works with local volunteers to place flowers on the gravesites of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Honor the 4 million veterans interred at National Cemeteries in the US and its territories by making a donation to this foundation and help them in their mission to place a flower tribute at the gravesite of all our fallen heroes.   Watch the National Memorial Day Concert  Twitter/@MemorialDayPBS While the yearly National Memorial Day Concert won’t happen on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol this year, the event will still air at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 24 on PBS . Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise host a special presentation of the star-studded National Memorial Day Concert with new performances and tributes filmed in different locations around the country and iconic stories from past concerts.   Listen to the Stories of Those Who Have Served Unsplash/ Daniel Ioanu StoryCorps is a nonprofit organization that shares oral stories from people all throughout the country from all walks of life. StoryCorps hopes to “remind us of our shared humanity, to strengthen and build the connections between people, to teach the value of listening, and to weave into the fabric of our culture the understanding that everyone’s story matters.”  Through its Military Voices Initiative , StoryCorps is sharing stories from service members, veterans and their families. “In doing so we honor their voices, amplify their experiences, and let them know that we—as a nation—are listening.”   Share a Moment of Silence   Unsplash/Forrest Smith Since 1997, the National Moment of Remembrance has become an American tradition which asks Americans to pause and keep silent for a minute at exactly at 3.00 pm (local time). Many radio stations also play “Taps” in honor of the occasion, but if you can’t find a station playing the bugle call, it’s best to turn the radio off for the moment of silence.   Send Care Items to Military Personnel   Military.com Support Our Troops is a charity through which Americans strengthen the morale and well-being of their current military service members by providing easy ways to make a tangible difference through a variety of meaningful, substantive programs and services.  Support Our Troops ®  Care Packages enhance the morale and well-being of the deployed troops worldwide by shipping care boxes containing items specifically requested by them. Items requested include laundry pods, sunscreen, and movies and music on thumb drives. Make sure you read the rules and no-no items thoroughly before sending items, though!   Get Crafty   Sheknows.com If you have little ones at home, try one of these Memorial Day-inspired crafts . While you’re crafting together, consider using the opportunity to teach your children about the true meaning and origin or the holiday . Teaching your children about the holiday helps ensure that your children will become adults who respect and understand the true meaning of Memorial Day and who will one day teach their own children, so that the lives lost by those serving our country will always be remembered.   Eat Something Yummy   Tasteofhome.com While the most important meaning of Memorial Day is to honor and remember those who have died serving our country, it is also the unofficial start of the summer season. The days are longer, and the weather is warmer, so the day is often marked with backyard barbecues or weekend trips to the beach. This year, most of us will be celebrating from home, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still treat ourselves to some yummy food! Try one of these delicious and beautiful red, white and blue desserts – like berry white ice pops or the traditional blueberry pie. Bring the barbecue to you with this summer orzo pasta salad or these bourbon and brown sugar barbecue ribs . Make sure to top everything off with a delicious summery drink like this watermelon lemonade cocktail ! On this and every Memorial Day, we say “thank you” to our military personnel, veterans and their families for the sacrifices they have made serving our country. The bravery you’ve shown for the land we love will not be forgotten.

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7 Ideas for Celebrating Mother's Day Virtually-image

Mother’s Day will be a bit different this year, but just because we aren’t able to celebrate the moms in our life with a pampering spa visit or brunch at her favorite restaurant doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate them at all! There are many Mother’s Day ideas that allow you to treat your mom without ever leaving the house. While being away from your mom on Mother’s Day is never an ideal situation, we have some suggestions for virtual ways to celebrate that are more personal than you might think. Whether they be thoughtful gift ideas that will make staying at home more enjoyable, or ways the two of you can get together virtually, we hope these ideas will help you and your mom create a memorable and happy Mother’s Day together.   Video Chat with Her Alexander Dummer / Unsplash Nothing will beat getting to see your face on Mother’s Day for mom. There are plenty of tools out there for face-timing your friends and loved ones. If you have siblings who also aren’t able to be with your mom to celebrate, many apps -   like Houseparty - allow for group video chats so you can all be together. She’ll love having everyone together, even if it’s just virtually. Send Her Flowers 1-800-Flowers Flowers are a tried and true Mother’s Day gift. Even if your local florist isn’t delivering, services like 1-800-Flowers still are. If your mom is stuck inside, having a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the house will brighten up a room and her day. Plus, they’ll remind her of you every time she looks at them. Taste Wines with a Certified Sommelier Airbnb Because most of us can’t travel right now, Airbnb is offering  one-of-a-kind  virtual  experiences . For this one, you’ll be connecting over wine from your home with a wine tourism expert from New York City to learn the basics of the systematic approach used for professional tastings. Send Her a Customized Playlist F reestocks / Unsplash Create a custom Spotify playlist for just you and mom! You could be songs from her wedding day, songs she used to sing to you, songs from the first band she saw in concert etc. Another idea is using a song from each year of her life. Create a Customized Puzzle Shutterfly Everyone is into puzzles right now; they have become a staple for getting through social distancing at home. Shutterfly allows you to create a custom puzzle using one of your own personal photos! Mom can either frame it when she’s done or do it again when you can see one another. Use a photo of the two of you together, one of you and your siblings when you were younger, or any other sentimental photo that will make mom smile. Send Her a Spa Day Giftbasket.com Since you can’t take your mom to an actual spa for the day of pampering she deserves, gift her all the items she needs for a spa day at home. This gift basket comes with assortment of fragrant bath products and spa tools including shower gel, body lotion, a hand massager and slippers. Send Her A Delicious Meal   Nerfee Mirandilla / Unsplash Order a nice meal from one of the many restaurants that are still delivering, and have it delivered to mom on her special day! Maybe even take it a step further and set up a video chat so it’s like the two of you are enjoying a meal together. The thoughtful gesture from you, plus not having to cook or do dishes will surely win with mom. How are you celebrating Mother’s Day this year? Let us know in the comments!

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Habits for a Happier Home-image

Home has never been more important than it is right now. Yet, many people feel anxious and unsatisfied with their current environment, reducing their quality of life . Creating a home that promotes daily satisfaction and moments of joy is key to maintaining our mental health right now. The good news is that a restful house could be just a few small changes away. Here are 11 ideas for creating a happier home. Before we get into it, remember that if you have serious concerns about your mental health during quarantine, call your mental health professional right away.   Make Your Bed Do you have to make your bed if you just mess it up again the next night? Though it seems like a waste of time, the simple act of making your bed can increase productivity and boost happiness . Making your bed takes no more than a few minutes and can set you up for success from the minute you wake up. Don’t Let Dishes Pile Up The sight of a mountain of dirty dishes in the sink can be a huge stressor. The best way to avoid the buildup is to rinse a dish as soon as you use it and stick it in the dishwasher. If you don’t have a dishwasher, wash the dishes by hand and set them on a drying rack. It might feel like a chore in the moment, but a clean kitchen is sure to boost your happiness and protect your family from sickness.   Keep Surfaces Clutter Free Too much stuff can be one of the biggest sources of stress for people . Your home should be a peaceful place. One of the easiest ways to keep your home tidy is to get into the habit of keeping surfaces clean. Though it’s tempting to throw your mail and keys on the table, put those things in designated spots and you won’t have to pick them up later.  Return Your Room to Its Normal State One of the best practices to get into is putting a room back to normal before you leave it. After you’ve cooked, put away all the ingredients, empty the sink and wipe down the surfaces. This practice can be difficult to make a habit but the happy feeling you get when you enter a clean room is worth the extra effort. Decorate with Photos Identify the memories that make you happy and display them on your wall. Put up your wedding photos, pictures of your grandparents and your kids’ first day of school shots. When you walk by those photos, you’ll remember how happy that moment was, and it will surely brighten your day. Photo by  Alex Otto  on  Unsplash Add Some Natural Elements House plants are not only beautiful, but they also help reduce toxins in the air , boost your mood and improve productivity. If you don’t want the commitment of a houseplant, try adding a bouquet of sunflowers to your counter for an instant mood boost. Greenery makes an excellent addition to any room. Try incorporating plants in your bedroom for better sleep ! Photo by  Huy Phan  on  Unsplash Make a Zen Space Our homes have become our office, our gm, our movie theater, our restaurants, so having a designated space for unwinding is crucial. The best way to create your personal zen space is to pick a spot that’s comfortable — it could be a small corner or a spare room. Decorate your space with cozy items that make you happy. Set aside time every day to go to your zen space and meditate, practice yoga or read. Photo by  JD Mason  on  Unsplash Show Your Personality It’s empowering to express yourself, and home decor is one of the best ways to do it . Make a list of everything that makes you happy. Look at your list and incorporate those things into your home. Whether it’s paintings of the ocean, tea towels with cat print or the color pink, placing things around your house that reflect your personality will make you happier to live in the space. Let the Light In The brightness and color of light directly affects mood . Blue light can increase productivity, bright light can heighten emotions and natural light can boost happiness. Open the windows, pull back the curtains and let the sunshine in. If you live in a dark space, add lamps and dimmers to boost the brightness and your mood. Choose Mood Boosting Colors The colors in your home can directly affect your mood . The best way to optimize your space for positivity is to choose what specific mood you want to create and use those colors accordingly. Use yellow for an energizing feel, try blue for a calming space and use green for comfort. Photo by  NeONBRAND  on  Unsplash Fill With Fragrance Smell is the sense that is most closely related to memory . Have you ever smelled an old book and been transported back to your elementary school library? Try filling your home with fragrances that remind you of good memories. Filling your home with pleasant fragrances is sure to lift your spirits. Photo by  Mindaugas Norvilas  on  Unsplash   What have you been doing to make your home a happier place during the COVID-19 pandemic? Let us know in the comments!

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Tips for Working from Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic-image

Due to the stay-at-home and social distancing orders, many of us have found ourselves working from home. Working from home can take a lot of discipline and self-motivation as every day is riddled with distractions, from the TV to the sink full of dishes. It’s especially hard if you’ve sharing your space with others who are also working from home or with children for whom school has been cancelled. Navigating this new normal is challenging, so here are some tips to make working from home more productive and efficient. 1. Get Dressed for the Day Photo by  chuttersnap  on  Unsplash It’s enticing to stay in your pajamas all day when you don’t have to go to a physical office. But your brain associates pajamas with sleeping and relaxation, making it tougher for you to get in the right head space for work. Get out of your pajamas, have a shower and get ready as if you are going to the office. This tip is especially important if you might be asked to show up for a impromptu video chat. 2. Put the Phone Away Photo by  William Iven  on  Unsplash We live in an era where breaking news is constantly at our fingertips. With continuous coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to both our productivity and our mental health that we unplug every once in a while. And while we might think we can pop onto social media for just a few minutes of distraction, social media is designed to be addictive . What could start out as 5 minutes on YouTube could easily turn into an hourlong rabbit hole of DIY videos. If you need to have your phone by your side in case of family emergencies and such, try using an app that allows you to block certain websites while you work. 3. Stick with a Routine  Photo by  chuttersnap  on  Unsplash Sticking to a structured schedule not only makes your telecommuting more productive, but it also keeps your work/life balance healthy because it establishes a definite start and end to your day. Experiment with your schedule to see what works best for you . Getting started on work before sunrise might be completely doable for some, while others might find it very hard to focus or perform their best if its too early in the day. 4. Set Up a Dedicated Work Space Photo by  Grovemade  on  Unsplash This can be tricky to maneuver, especially if you live in a studio apartment. Just like getting out of your pajamas helps get you in the right state of mind for work, so does working in the right environment . Chances are, if you work from your couch or dining room table, you will find yourself to be more prone to distractions and accomplish less because of it. If you don't have enough space for a separate office, even just a corner in your house where you can set up a small dedicated work desk will do the trick.   Make sure you have everything you will need during a normal workday before you get started – laptop, charger cable, monitor, pens, printer, etc.   Once you have chosen your designated work space, make sure you set up boundaries with others so they know they are not to disturb you or your space while you are working.  5. Step Outside Photo by  chuttersnap  on  Unsplash Whenever you take breaks, step away from the glowing computer screen and use that time to reconnect with Mother Nature. Stepping outdoors boasts numerous benefits including increased function and stress reduction, making it a perfect way to refresh and recharge. Just make sure you are following the CDC’s guidelines for social distancing and following guidance from local authorities. 6. Ask for What You Need Photo by  Berkeley Communications  on  Unsplash If you’re employed by a company or organization that supports your work-from-home setup, request the equipment you need as soon as you realize you need something new. It’s extremely important to set precedents early that you will ask for what you need to get your job done comfortably, including the right  monitor ,  keyboard ,  mouse , printer ,  software , and so forth. 7. Take it Easy On Yourself Photo by  Victor Garcia  on  Unsplash Be realistic with yourself and your employer. These are not normal circumstances and you likely won’t be able to perform every task the same as you had when you were working from an office. This is especially true if you suddenly find yourself also homeschooling children on top of doing your own work. Make sure you proactively communicate with your employer that you’ve got kids at home and that you can’t guarantee every conversation will be interruption-free. With any luck, you can work flexibly so you can help your kids when they need it and work when they’re occupied. Above all else, figure out what works best for you. These are new and unusual circumstances to which it will take some trial and error to adjust. If you have found something that makes your work-from-home experience more productive, please share with us in the comments! The information presented on or through this Website is made available solely for general information purposes. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such materials by you or any other visitor to this Website, or by anyone who may be informed of any of its contents.  This Website may include content provided by third parties. All statements and/or opinions expressed in these materials, and all articles and responses to questions and other content, other than the content provided by WPM Real Estate Management, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity providing those materials. These materials do not necessarily reflect the opinion of WPM Real Estate Management. We are not responsible, or liable to you or any third party, for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties.  

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What to Do During a Weekend at Home-image

The novel coronavirus pandemic is upending our way of life. To prevent its spread, social distancing has become essential. That means limiting our interaction with people and avoiding groups. But social distancing doesn't mean our weekends are doomed. Here are seven ideas of how to still make the most of your weekends:   Get takeout . A lot of independent restaurants are hurting right now. Many vendors at Cross Street Market are offering delivery options . Just make sure you follow the CDC’s guidelines for protecting yourself by limiting your contact with the delivery driver (though be polite) and washing your hands.   Make that Pinterest recipe! We know you have a board titled “Recipes to try”. Why not give one a go now!? You have all weekend to master and devour it. Photo by  Monika Grabkowska  on  Unsplash     Video chat with friends and family. One of the hardest things about social distancing is that it does just that – it distances us from the people we love the most. Just because you can’t be together in person, doesn’t mean you can’t stay in touch. Video chatting is a great way to lessen some of the isolation you might feel right now.     Photo by  Alexander Dummer  on  Unsplash   Meditate. Spending even just a few minutes in a meditative state can restore your inner calm and peace.   Photo by  Tim Foster  on  Unsplash   Bring out the board games. What better time to get stuck in a never-ending game of Monopoly? Break out some of the other classics – like The Game of Life, Clue, Scrabble, Yahtzee or Checkers. Or maybe even a learn a new card game! Ever play Spoons?   Photo by  Tim Foster  on  Unsplash   File your taxes! If you've been putting off your taxes, do it now and get it over with. Tax Day will be here before you know it and you’ll feel relieved having something checked off your to-do list.     Photo by  Sharon McCutcheon  on  Unsplash   Teach Yourself a New Language – Besides keeping your mind and body occupied during a weekend at home teaching yourself a new language has lots of other benefits ! It improves memory, enhances decision making skills and provides better career choices! Teaching yourself a new language can be tricky, but it’s possible and can be fun, too.

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​Help Your Overnight Guests Feel at Home!-image

Hosting friends or loved ones overnight? A little hospitality can go a long way and may be easier and more rewarding than you anticipated. Let your guests know them know they are welcome from the moment they arrive. Here are some tips on being a thoughtful host and making your guests feel like your home is their home! Before your visitors arrive, write down your Wi-Fi log-in information so you have it handy when they ask for it (and they will ask for it!).   Have plenty of breakfast options ready in the morning - especially the coffee! You’ll want to inquire about any special dietary restrictions ahead of time.   Show them where to get water or soft drinks while staying with you and make sure they know they’re welcome to help themselves! That way they don’t feel like they must ask you every time they need a drink.   Make sure the toilet paper is in plain sight to re-stock. Nothing is more uncomfortable to a guest than having to root around your bathroom for a fresh roll. Make sure you have a clean hand-towel out for drying their hands after washing them as well!   While we’re on the subject of the bathroom, make sure you have additional toiletries such as extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, razors, tissues and feminine products. Though your guests are likely bringing their own, have them on-hand just in case! Set out the hair dryer for them, too!   Show them how to work your television and set the remote in front of it so they don’t have to go hunting for it. There you have it! Six helpful tips for being a thoughtful host to your overnight guests. As soon as your guests arrive, let them know what you've prepared for them and you'll make them feel right at home the minute they walk through the door. Do you have any quick tips on making your guests feel at home? Let us know in the comments!

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