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3 picture books that make for the perfect back-to-school readThe lovely holidays have ended, and it is time to return to school. Mixed emotions with high levels of excitement and the sad feeling of having to let go of those super fun summer holidays the range is endless. It is indubitably true that the first few days at school set the stage for the year that is to come. A great way to ease kids out of vacation mode into the class is through various fun back-to-school activities. What better than to add some back-to-school picture books to the lineup. Reading aloud from picture books is a great way to facilitate discussion among kids and encourage them to feel comfortable while sharing their experiences. Moreover, it is a great way to establish the values within the class and create a strong identity. Here are some back-to-school picture books that will make for a memorable start to the year. The Name Jar - The Name Jar, written by Yangsook Choi is a beautifully written book that follows the life of a young Korean girl. The little girl goes to an American school and is confused on her first day as she cannot decide on whether she must or must not choose a new name that is easier to pronounce. With lovely and marvelous illustrations, it is sure to get students hooked on as a great back-to-school book. The valuable story revolves around the idea of fitting in while being true to one's identity. You're Finally Here - A book by Melanie Watt, You're Finally Here is the perfect back-to-school book. It is a great book for teachers to show their students how much they anticipated their arrival at school and the how excited they are. It traces the activities of the bunny through several different emotions and will help students realize the beautiful moment of returning to school. If You Take a Mouse to School - A silly and fun story, If You Take a Mouse to School is bound to be loved by kids. Written by Laura Numeroff, it is a fabulous way to pave through a systematic teaching sequence. The quirky mouse undertakes several activities at school. From wanting to have the lunch box to needing a note and pencil, the possibilities make for an amusing read. The list of the above back-to-school books is a great way to soothe the worries of kids as they begin school. Happy reading!
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Factors that affect electricity ratesElectricity rates usually reflect the cost to finance, maintain, build, and operate power plants and electricity grids. Every one of us pays our electricity bills on a monthly basis and seldom notice the tariffs and electricity rates until we see a skyrocketing amount in the bill summary. The first thing that we need to be aware of is that there are different electricity rates for different states in our country. There are other factors present that influence and decide electricity rates. A few of them have been listed below: Industrialization An industrialized city indicates towards it having higher electricity rates. This is based on the simple demand–supply phenomenon which can cause a considerable increase in the electricity rates. Mode of generation This factor mainly helps determines electricity rates. For instance, electricity generated from wind is costlier as compared to hydroelectricity. This is because harvesting electricity using wind requires complex machinery which comes with an upfront cost. Maintaining the machinery will also require skilled labor. This, however, is not true in the case of solar energy as it requires minimum labor. Electricity generated using solar energy does not have a complex setup which indicates towards the lower upfront cost. Hence, using alternative solutions can help you reduce electricity costs. Demographics The gross domestic product of a state or region also determines the range of electricity rates. The way the population grows economically also effects electricity pricing. Simply put, areas with wealthier people might have higher electricity rates. Weather patterns This is one of the most important factors that help decide the electricity rates of a state. People living in areas with extreme weather conditions experience an average of a 20 percent spike in the electricity rates when compared with ones living in moderate climate conditions. Type of customers The electricity rates are higher for residential and commercial consumers. This is because it is costly to distribute electricity to them. Industries receive electricity at less expensive rates because they receive it at a higher voltage which makes it more efficient. The average price of electricity rates in the country this year is roughly 12 cents/kWh whereas for industries it is 6 cents/kWh. Regulations Some states have regulated electricity prices and this is determined using public services and utility commissions; however, there are some states that use a combination of other unregulated prices for generators. Such states also use different prices based on the nature of transmission and service providers.
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Keep Your Wooden Floor Clean With The Best Products
Beautifully polished and luminous wooden floors definitely add depth and personality to any home. However, it is quite difficult to maintain the same glory after few days. Therefore, it is important to learn how to clean wooden floor to protect and sustain the beauty of your huge investment on flooring. Below is a list of the best cleaning products that will surely help you keep your wooden floor clean and sparkling.
Orange Glo Hardwood Floor Everyday Cleaner
To keep the floor looking shiny and new at all times, use the Orange Glo Hardwood Floor Everyday Cleaner. It is a water-based product which does not contain any toxic and is often easy to clean. Simply spray cleaner and wipe it off, that's all and the rest will be taken care by the cleaner. It's a multi-utility product that can be used to clean any type of wooden surfaces. Apart from being a good cleaner, it also scented with a fragrance of orange essence. Priced at $12.09 online, this one is quite a deal. This wood floor cleaner is one of the most recommended products that are safe to use on a daily routine.If you have a baby at home, this wood floor cleaner could be the best choice for your home.
Bona Hardwood Floor Care System
Have children who manhandle your property? This could be your solution. The product is well known as an NBA’s official wooden floor cleaner and is even one of the best wood floor cleaning products in the country. Bona Hardwood Floor Care System is recommended for its professional cleaning and maintenance. Being one of the ultimate choices for housekeeping as it removes stains and makes the cleaning process much quicker. The floor cleaner is available on online stores at an approximate price of $30.45. It is available in a triggering bottle, therefore, making it very easy to use while cleaning. Once the floor has been cleaned with Bona Hardwood Floor Care System it dries up quickly without leaving any residues.Pledge FloorCare Wood Squirt & Mop
Pledge FloorCare Wood Squirt & Mop is well known for its tough duty and fast cleaning. It can easily clean large surfaces with ease. Online retailers provide the product at a reasonable price of $8.75.
The tough stain cleaner makes cleaning easy for a wooden flooring with a large area. Just squeeze it on the floor and then spread it with a mob or a sponge to witness the stain-free wood floor. Scented with the essence of the citrus, this cleaning product works best for the wooden floor. Additionally, it can be used to clean any type of stains or residue on furniture as well.Shark Sonic Duo Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaner
A multi-purpose solution, this one can easily clean tiles, wooden floor or even carpets. No other cleaners can beat route Shark Sonic as it gives 1,000 scrubs per minute. At present, the cleaner is priced at $179.99 and is easily available in e-commerce websites. Designed with two ultimate scrubbing heads, the 7-in-1 cleaning solution can even clean dirt on hard surfaces. It is a pack of everything that cleans, polishes and even washes the floor, thereby giving a new look. By using the Hard Floor Cleaner and Shark Sonic Duo Carpet, one can make the most complicated task of cleaning to become much easier. One of the best wood floor cleaning products, this is a great buy.Hoover TwinTank Steam Mop
This one is yet another multi-purpose and best-selling product to make floor cleaning much easy. It is formulated in such a way that it kills even minute harmful germs and bacteria thereby giving a bacteria-free floor. The duel tank system incorporated in it allows the users to clean every corner of the floor. This best cleaning product for wood flooring gives a professional cleaning experience. It has non-toxic ingredients and its mechanism is designed to clean the wood floor efficiently. -
John Deere Lawn Tractors – What they are and their TypesAnyone with a lawn, particularly a big lawn, would know the challenges that come with it. The constant clearing and cleaning are quite tough. Gone are the days when you have to manually do everything spending hours. With the help of the right type of equipment, you can save your energy and precious time. When thinking of lawn tractors, John Deere is one of the trusted names. John Deere is a well-established American manufacturer of different instruments and machinery items. It specializes in many areas including lawn, garden, turfs, and ground care. The company ranked 105th position in America’s Fortune 500 list in 2017. It was ranked 407th in the world ranking. For lawn care, John Deere provides you with all types of lawn equipment. These include utility vehicles, attachments, tractors, and tools.
What exactly is a lawn tractor?
A lawn tractor makes your task of clearing out your lawn very simple. It takes away the physical labor that you must put in. In short, it does almost all the work. The maneuvering of the tractor is your only job. This makes lawn clearing efficient and quick. John Deere tractors are currently being used by many households for quick and thorough clearing of their property.Types of lawn tractors by John Deere
John Deere provides you with five different types of lawn tractors for you to mow your lawn. You can choose a tractor depending on the size of your lawn, the obstacles present and the type of terrain.100 Series
This is an affordable range of lawn tractors. They are easy to use. For instance, you can change the oil without breaking a sweat. They are comfortable to use. There are eight models in this series, and come with a warranty of 2 years or 120 hours.S240 Series
These lawn tractors are able to mow your lawn more speedily than a 100 series tractor. It comes in two variants. The first tractor comes with a 42-inch deck and the other comes with a 48-inch deck. They both have a powerful engine and let you operate with simplicity. Their hood is rust- and dent-proof.X300 Select Series
This series of lawn tractors are more precise than earlier models. They come with a power steering so that you are completely in control. It gives you better comfort and you can maneuver better. Some models come with 4-wheel steering. They come with a warranty of 4 years or 300 hours.X500 Select Series
This lawn tractor series is bigger and more powerful when it comes to its performance. It works well on any type of terrain. People who want a tractor for heavy duty can choose a tractor from this series. The tractor runs smoothly. They come with a warranty of 4 years or 500 hours.X700 Signature Series
This series of lawn tractors is the best John Deere has to offer. All tractors come with 4 wheel steering and diesel engines. They give the best trimming yet and can do loads of other lawn tasks. These include filling, blading and mowing. They come with a warranty of 4 years or 700 hours. Why choose John Deere when selecting a lawn tractor? John Deere gives you the most useful lawn tractors. Since its first lawn tractor, the company has produced some of the best and long-lasting lawn tractors ever. They give you a demo if you wish to. They also enable you to build your own too. You can buy your lawn equipment online or you can contact a dealer near you. These options are convenient and provide you with a way of getting your machinery without much time consumption. You can clear up your lawn like never before with the least amount of time! -
Difference in terminology between an SUV and a compact SUVThe very terminology of compact SUV vs. a regular full sized SUV is confusing to a lot of people as they do not see any major differences in the face of the two types. Understanding the difference is essential to choose out the right fit according to a buyer’s taste and budget. The essential difference between the two is much uncomplicated as it lies in their platform. Compact SUVs, or “crossovers” as they are infamously termed, have a single-body frame. This means that the crossovers are based on simple car platforms wherein the body and the frame are integrated into a single unit. On the contrast, SUV’s are built on the chassis of a truck as a result of which the body is mounted on a frame. This would mean that the body and the frame are two distinct pieces that are built differently and then put into a single unit for further construction. Although this definition is standard for any car manufacturer, there is a gray area to the whole construction of an SUV and a crossover. This is because there are unibody SUVs in the market and it is distinctly hard to tell based on a body always. A typical example would be that the Ford Explorer, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, or the Toyota Highlander are not usually called an SUV in the market in layman’s terms because they all have a single body unit. This is the major reason for the two distinct terms being used interchangeably in the market arena. Buyers have the misconception that SUVs were just large vehicles that were ugly and sturdy but not fuel efficient. This negative endorsement led the auto-manufacturers to revive the SUVs by terming the new fuel efficient cars with elegant designs being called crossovers, thereby promoting the truth of how their typical SUV has had an extensive makeover for customer satisfaction. The result of this process led to the birth of crossovers had power-packed performance, a rugged and chiseled elegant look, and functioned to some degree like the pickup trucks or full-sized SUVs.
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Must-try no-cook appetizersWho would want to spend hours in the kitchen prepping when there's a list of no-cook appetizers to go with! All you need is a handful of ready ingredients, a few minutes, some creativity, and you are good to go! Check out five easy no-cook appetizer recipe ideas for your next get together. Salad-style appetizers Have you ever thought of turning a classic salad into a finger food? Why not! Chop your favorite vegetables into fine pieces and add some creamy sauce to get a smooth texture. Place this mixture into lettuce leaves and top them with cheese shavings. Try preparing handheld appetizers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese slices dipped in olive oil, and some basil leaves. Voila! Different salad dressing and turning them into party-ready appetizers in no time is a great option for every occasion. Blending flavors to create easy bites Last-minute calls for preparing appetizers can be daunting. You might have guests waiting in your living room and you're left with a handful of vegetables, fruits and some slices of dry-cured ham. Sound worrying, right? But it is not. These ingredients along with some condiments are perfect for preparing a no-cook dish that is not only tasty but also quick and easy. Mix and match the sweetness of fruits with the saltiness of sliced ham to create a plateful of simple yet magical flavors. Salmon it is! Talking about appetizers and who would want to miss out on salmon. Take the bread of your choice and spread some spicy mayonnaise to add a twist of taste to its creaminess. There's not much to do though; just place a few smoked salmon on each bread and create a stylish dish in a few minutes. You can either go for canned salmon or smoke one at home, it does taste appetizing. Don't keep the shrimp away Easy and quick appetizer recipes might not just be with simple ingredients. You can also prepare a no-cook shrimp dish and amaze your friends and family. Add grapefruit or lemon zest to the shrimp and give it a nice toss with some olive oil. To enjoy the savory flavors of this quick and easy appetizer, make sure to refrigerate for about 5 to 10 minutes before you serve it. Cheese balls with a surprise Cheese balls are never out of style. So, instead of going the conventional way, why not try prepare with nuts and dates. Add the sweet flavors of dates and crunchiness of walnuts with that of creamy cheese balls.