Sharing is Caring, Especially When It Comes to Cleaning

Ideas for an Easy Valentines Day

Valentines Day Ideas | Flat Rate Carpet BlogAre you bored of the same old Valentines Day routines? Do something special this year with these sweet and simple Valentines Day ideas.

Forget the stress of finding a sitter, making a reservation and running out the door to spend the evening in a crowded restaurant. Instead, opt for a romantic dinner at home. Many restaurants offer gourmet take out meals so nobody has to worry about cooking and cleaning, both serious mood killers. Make the night special by decorating the dining room like an Italian bistro, or having a relaxing picnic on the living room rug. This romantic and stress free evening will give new couples time to get to know each other better, and longer lasting couples time to rekindle and reconnect.

For the adventurous types, why not go and see a professional burlesque show? These risque and artful shows will definitely get you and your date in the mood. Just make sure it’s something you know you’ll both enjoy.

Does every Valentines Day turn into a disaster? This year try a stress free night at home. So many couples worry about what to do on this special day that they lose sight of the point, a celebration of the person you love. If it’s been ages since the two of you sat down and spent quality time together, then skip the big act and just hang out at home.

This Valentines Day step out of the boring routine and do something fun.

The History of the Thanksgiving Presidential Turkey Pardon

Turkey Pardon | Flat Rate Carpet BlogEvery year, right before Thanksgiving, the President of the United States participates in a ceremony in which he gives one lucky turkey a presidential pardon. This lucky turkey gets to live another year, but where did this tradition come from?

Ever since 1947, the National Turkey Federation and the Poultry and Egg National Board have given a Thanksgiving gift of a turkey to the President of the United States. Other than President Kennedy, every President before 1989 ate the turkey at their Thanksgiving feast.

Although the first President in modern history to pardon a Thanksgiving turkey was President H.W. Bush, there are rumors of presidential turkey pardons that go all the way back to Abraham Lincoln pardoning his son’s pet turkey.

Pardoned turkeys do more than live another year. These famous turkeys go on to live on farms or at parks. In both 2005 and 2006 the pardoned turkeys got to go to Disneyland in California to be the honorary grand marshals in the Disneyland Thanksgiving Parade. Since 2010 all pardoned turkeys have been sent to Virginia, to live out their lives at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate.

This Wednesday, President Barak Obama will be pardoning one lucky bird, in a tradition that’s fast become one of America’s favorite Thanksgiving traditions.

How You Can Help Others

With so many people in need from the aftermath of Sandy, it’s hard to know how to get started helping others. Many people want to help out by donating items, but don’t know what

people need, or how to get it to them. Anything you can do to help those in need is important and valuable, but here are some of the best items to donate to help get you started:

Canned foods and clean water are in the highest demand right now. Since many people still don’t have power to cook food, canned foods are easier to prepare than dry goods like rice or pastas. Make sure to donate non-perishable and non-damaged items only.

Many food banks, soup kitchens and other organizations can purchase large amounts of food at extremely low costs. Giving money can sometimes be uncomfortable as you can’t always be sure if you’re gift is really helping people. Locating reputable food banks and local religious organizations make it easier to give worry free financial donations.

It’s literally freezing outside, and many people are cold. Warm blankets and clothing are very much in need. Contact your local soup kitchen, shelters and religious organizations to find out where you can bring warm clothing for donation.

Donations are pouring into New York and New Jersey from all around America, but getting the needed items to the people that need them is still difficult. To give a truly amazing gift to others and to yourself, donate some of your time. Volunteering to drive supplies, organize, or help out at a soup kitchen is an amazing way to give back to your community.

By pulling together and helping our neighbors, we can make this storm a thing of the past.

Decorating Your House With Area Rugs

There are many ways to prepare your home for the winter. We trade in tank tops for sweaters, and brink out warmer blankets, but what about the floor? No one wants to wake up in the morning and have their feet frozen! Keep your feet cozy and warm this winter with an area rug.

Area Rugs | Flat Rate Carpet BlogArea rugs range in variety from extravagant, antique oriental rugs, to simple and inexpensive. Adding an area rug into your home for the winter will make any room warm and cozy. Area rugs also add color to an otherwise plain room, and complete the look of a room.

Fine and oriental rugs are not only cozy additions, but are often so beautiful that they become the centerpiece of the room. In the colder months area rugs also help to insulate a room, keeping it warm and cozy for guests and residents.

Most of the time we see rugs displayed in the living room, but they make wonderful additions to other rooms as well. Often kitchen floors are tile, which is easy to clean but it very cold in the fall and winter. If your home is free of messy eaters a fine rug in the kitchen is pleasing to the eye and the foot.

Microfiber area rugs are now readily available. These soft, mat like rugs are easily washed in the machine at home, and are perfect for the kitchen. Get a few, smaller, microfiber rugs for areas of the kitchen where you prepare food and see what an amazing difference it makes. If you spill something on the rug just pop it in the wash!

Simpler, inexpensive rugs make lovely additions to kid’s rooms or playrooms. They are easier to clean than carpeting because they can be taken away and thoroughly cleaned by professional cleaners. Even if you have carpeting in the house, it’s a good idea to get an inexpensive area rug to protect the permanent carpeting from crayons, markers, playdough and other non carpet friendly toys.

Warm up your home with a lovely, winter area rug.

Fun Facts for Labor Day

Fruit | Flat Rate Carpet BlogLabor Day is celebrated every year on the first Monday of September. We usually think of Labor Day as one last excuse to throw a huge barbecue before fall weather takes over, but it’s much more than that.

Labor Day has been an official American holiday since 1894. The Labor Movement, which started the holiday, was important in installing many of the working conditions that we take for granted today. When the Labor Movement started most Americans still worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, and most Americans started working as early as six years old!

Now working conditions in the United States are some of the best world wide, and our children are busy learning and not working in factories. As a celebration of American worker’s and industry, it seems fitting that Labor day coincides with the start of the school year, and the end of summer.
Next week America will end the summer season with backyard barbecues, fireworks, parades and parties. It’s a great, patriotic way to celebrate the American worker.