Fernwood Shooting Range in Ohio

Our plan of going back to shooting range in Fernwood Ohio did not materialize since both hubby and I got sick with Covid.  Hopefully though we could go back there again sometime in Spring or Summer next year.  These photos were taken earlier this year when we took our kids  to practice shooting.  It's been a while since we did it so we had to refresh our know how in safety handling a gun for protection.

 

With crazy things happening in this world everyday, it doesn't hurt to properly know how to use a gun to protect yourself just in case that time comes.  Our son used to get scared but now that he's older he understand the need to learn.  I'm glad my husband is a military veteran, he taught me and the kids how to shoot different guns.  I still need a lot of practice to improve my aim but hopefully, I don't ever encounter a situation where I need to shoot someone.  Like I said, it is important to properly educate yourself,  especially the kids, the proper way of using a weapon for protection.

5 Tips For First Time Home Buyers

 Do you want to buy a new home? Purchasing a new house is exciting, but it can also be challenging. To make the process fun and rewarding, 

Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

Follow These Top Tips:

Have Your Mortgage Approved First

When buying a new home, the most important thing is to have finance in place before you actually go shopping for one. Make sure that you have searched for Mortgage Quotes, checked all the requirements, and that your lender approves your mortgage application before you start looking at places and selecting one. 

Once you know how much money you will get from lenders, it will determine how big of a property you can afford. However, keep in mind that smaller properties tend to appreciate more quickly than larger ones as they are harder to find, and demand tends to raise prices.

Figure Out What You Need In A Home

Before you start looking for your perfect new home, it is important to know exactly what you are after. This means listing all the essential things and deciding which of them could be less important for you. For example, think about space (rooms, size), location (neighborhood) or proximity to work (commute time), amenities (shopping facilities), etc. 

Also, make sure to figure out how much maintenance you can do yourself and if there will be any room left for changes in the future - like maybe building an extension later on. Ask yourself questions like: "How many rooms do I really need?", "Do I want to keep a garden?"

Set A Budget

Buying a new home can be expensive, so it is important to set a budget and stick to it. This means knowing how much you want to spend on the purchase itself and on renovations, furnishing, moving costs, and other associated expenses. 

It is very easy to get carried away when house hunting, but remember that you don't want to be in debt for years after you've moved in. Instead, try to find a property within your budget and save up for any extras.

Don't Rush Into Anything

It's natural to want to find the perfect home as soon as possible, but it's also very important to take your time when house hunting. Rushing into the first home you see could be a mistake. 

Instead, take time to look at potential properties and consider which one is best for you. For example, try staying overnight in the area where the property is located before making a decision - this will give you an accurate idea about what daily life there would be like for you.

Find A Trusted Agent

When buying a new home, it is very helpful to have the assistance of a trusted real estate agent. They will help you find your perfect property and advise how much you should pay for it. In addition, if they are experienced in the local market, they can provide invaluable knowledge about nearby amenities, schools, and anything relevant when looking at properties. 

Once you've found an agent you like working with, make sure to ask them if there are any other fees - some agents charge extra for their services while others do not. In addition, read reviews from previous clients to get an idea of what to expect.

Hickman Chapel: Whig Corner Baptist Church

 As we were driving back after being turned away from Falling Water, we saw this old but beautiful  church.  On the other side of it was a field full of sun flowers so we decided to stop there and looked around.  It looked like this church is a historical as it was built in 1901.  There was an information there which I took picture of (below).

Nature is the best when it comes to relieving stress.  

See how beautiful that field is?  The sunflowers are beaming with blooms.  I bet, birds just love to hang out in that field.

Let me just reiterate how short I am getting everyday especially when I am standing beside my kids lol.

This guy right here is the best when it comes to road trips.  I love staying home during weekends and just relax but they love to drive around to nearby places every time which I don't really mind as long as I don't have dysmenorrhea or migraine, I am always up to the adventures as well.  

Anyway, I am slowly getting the chance to write about the things that we did that I never gotten ever since my desktop computer crashed.  Hubby decided to get me an early birthday gift so I could slowly get back to my writing routine.

This year, hubby and I will be married for 18 years.  I can't believe we've been married for that long.  It still vivid in my mind when we were just planning to get married.  It was exciting and yet the most stressful moment because we were far apart.  He was in Guam and I was still in the Philippines.  We lived apart for two years but I'm glad we overcame that hurdle of long distance relationship curse.  We persevered and conquered it.  Whenever I looked at our kids now, I'm always grateful that God helped us made it through the rough times.

I thought I took a picture of the church but I'm wrong, there was not a single photo of it in my camera so I copied this one  from Falling Water website so you could see it too.  My husband said maybe I did took a picture but the ghosts prevented it since there is a cemetery at the back of the chapel (lol).

Check out the first part of our Ohiopyle little adventure.

OhioPyle State Park : Failing to See Falling Water

We went and checked the Ohiopyle back in October of 2020 just to break the monotonous lifestyle that Covid forced upon  in all of us.  We did not plan to do anything except to see how it is.  My husband's friend at work has been talking about this park so we wanted to see how it is.  

Ohiopyle State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on 19,052 acres in Dunbar, Henry Clay and Stewart Townships, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The focal point of the park is the more than 14 miles of the Youghiogheny River Gorge that passes through the park. Just like West Virginia's New River Gorge, the Youghiogheny River Gorge  provides fun adventures for  the best whitewater boating. Ohiopyle State Park is bisected by Pennsylvania Route 381 south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. According to the  article I've read, the park was  opened to the public in 1965 but was not officially dedicated until 1971.

We were surprised to see that there were so many people out there despite the scare of pandemic.  I guess, they were just like us who were tired of being cooped up in the house

On our way there, we  stopped at this scenic stop overlooking the beautiful part of Pennsylvania.

My son mentioned about the Falling Water that they are leaning in Social Studies so we wanted to check it out.  Unfortunately, due to Covid, they were only accommodating guests that booked ahead so we didn't get to see the  Fallingwater, a place that is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of American architecture.   

 Frank Lloyd Wright house is sort of off the beaten path in rural Pennsylvania, just outside of Mill Run, and a bit southeast of Pittsburgh. We thought we could drove by and see the location but we were turned away because we did not have a reservation.

Anyway, this is what we missed.  It would have been nice to see it. image source

Going on a spontaneous road trip is always fun as we can see some beautiful farm animals such as horses and cows.  Ohio and PA are our favorite route for that.

We wanted to check out this bridge where there were a lot of people walking but the parking area was so full that we just decided to just leave since it was getting late anyway.  When the restriction of this pandemic is over, we might go back there and do some activities.

I am praying that all of these pandemic restrictions will soon be over and also I hope that they won't require the vaccine for traveling.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I really don't want to be vaccinated for something that isn't proven to be safe.

Ohiopyle has some really neat displays such as this one along the  park.

I am not sure what building establishment is this one but the display outside is beautiful.

I have never played in a casino but I have been inside one when we went to Vegas.

We passed by a big flea market area on our way home.  

Pennsylvania is a beautiful state but I find it to be very busy compared to Ohio when we we go on a road trip there.  To me, it feels relaxing to drive around Ohio but in PA, I feel like we are always on a busy highway.

Anyway, I am hoping that we could go back in Ohiopyle someday and do some activities.  I would like to go on a hike.  As I stated earlier, it was a nice break even for just a short period of time.  If you want to check the place out, it is located in 1491 Mill Run Rd, Mill Run, PA 15464.

Vacation Plans For All The Family This Summer

Looking forward to family vacations again this year is probably something that you have missed dearly during most of 2020. But now you can start thinking about ways to spend time with your kids in the summer months. So here are some ideas for inspiration. 

Go Camping

If you and your family are the adventurous type you could go for a camping trip. You could teach your kids to fish and start up a fire, which are useful, basic skills to acquire. It enables you to all spend time relaxing in a natural picturesque environment. They might even enjoy time away from their screens for a change. The fresh air and tranquility could be just what you need if you are used to living a hectic life in a city area which is bustling and full of noise. 

Resort Vacation 

If you have been able to save up cash this past year, then why not treat yourself and the rest of the family to a lovely resort vacation where you can stay in a swish hotel with all the necessary amenities. You could find somewhere that incorporates children’s activities so they do not get bored. That way if you want to spend a few hours relaxing by the pool with your other half you can.  

At least with a hotel providing all the necessary services you need, if you find that you have a problem with the air conditioning in your room, they can always arrange for an emergency ac repair. Which will certainly be necessary if the weather is sweltering hot. 

Cruise Ship

If you want to explore other exotic cities whilst relaxing on the comfort of a large cruise ship then perhaps this sort of vacation is ideal. There would be an abundance of activities to keep you all busy such as swimming pools, cinemas, live music, comedians, dancing and of course plenty of dining options each day. You would not need to worry about someone driving, so could both sit back and relax. 

Road Trip

Pack your bags and head for a fun road trip to a part of the country you haven’t explored yet. There are so many wonderful sights to see in the US that you can never run out of options. If you have a camper van too it will allow you the flexibility to stop and set up in a nice, quiet, scenic area so you can have something to eat and rest. 

Activity Based Vacation

Again you do not even need to leave the country to find an all inclusive resort which is based around fun and challenging group based activities. You could find a resort that enables your kids to try out water skiing, rock climbing, horseback riding, kayaking and bike rides. This type of vacation is ideal if you are quite an active family and like the challenge and experience of trying out new things together.