Signs | Mommy Ramblings

House Signs

When talking about home improvements, signage is not something that pops into most people’s heads. People rarely think about how putting up signs around the home as being a way to keep everyone safe, make life easier or improve their décor. But, as you will see when you read on signs can definitely do all of that.

Signs that make life easier for you

Putting up no parking signs is an effective way to stop people from parking in front of your driveway. It is frustrating, to say the least, to arrive home with a car full of shopping only to discover you cannot park next to your house. Trudging backward and forwards carrying bags because you have had to park a street away is frustrating.

No dumping signs can also make your life easier. When people see them they are far less likely to dump their junk at the edge of your property. It only takes one person to do it for others to quickly follow suit. In just a few weeks, you can end up with a big pile of rubbish that you have to get rid of. So a no dumping sign is a good investment.

Signs that help to make your home more secure

Signage can also be used to keep everyone in your home safer. Here are a few examples:

CCTV signs

If you have CCTV advertising that fact using signage is an excellent idea. When interviewed, ex-house breakers said that the number one thing that made them target another property was the presence of CCTV.

House Signs

Neighborhood watch signage

Also on the list of things that move would be thieves on was neighborhood watch. They tell would be vandals, scammers and would be housebreakers that they are in an area where people are alert and ready to deal with any trouble.

It may also be worth putting up no loitering, beware of the dog and no trespassing signs. Which you use is up to you. But, you only need to put up one or two to have the desired effect.

Check the regulations first

Before putting these types of signs up you need to check what the rules are, in your area. In some states, if someone ignores a no loitering sign you can call the police, in others this is not the case.

House Signs

Hazard warning signs

If you have a pool putting up a no running sign will greatly reduce the chances of someone slipping and falling. Putting up a mind your head sign above a low doorway will remind everyone to duck when walking through it. In time, family members will duck automatically, but visitors won’t necessarily notice that a doorway is low enough without you pointing it out to them a sign.

Using signs to decorate your home

It is also possible to use street signs to decorate your home. A couple of stop signs are a slightly different way to decorate the wall of a den, garage or entertainment room.

Customized signs

A lot of signage companies will print you a customized sign. It could be something fun and lighthearted. Or, you could design your own hazard or warning sign. For example, “shut the door to keep the dog in”. To do this, you may need a graphics package. There are several free versions available to download.

House Signs

This is a collaborative guest post, the views and ideas expressed do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.

I wrote something 2 days ago on Facebook that received many comments and resonated with many people. I thought I would share it here today, for all the motherless on Mother’s Day.

The Cardinals’ Kiss

10 years ago on Mother’s Day, I lost my mother, my best friend, and life was forever changed. 364 days later, I lost my father. It was the end of an era. Yesterday, on the anniversary of my Dad’s passing, I saw a male and female cardinal who were nesting in our yard.

The male cardinal kept flying over to where I was sitting on the porch, and would sing sweetly, the female sang too as she stayed clearly in my view. They would at times, both fly back to a bush in the front yard and perch there.

I saw them throughout the day, and it was comforting to me. I am certain it was a sign that their spirit is still here. I am so grateful for signs like this. My two youngest children never had the chance to meet their grandparents, which is so sad to me. Last spring, I told my youngest son, Luke, that the Swallowtail butterflies that always come in a pair every spring and summer, remind me of them.

When the Swallowtails stay on the lilacs, my mother’s favorite flower or when I see them circling around my two youngest children as they play, I know it is a sign they are here. Well, Luke came in the house all excited shortly after that and said, “Mommy, I saw your mother in the garden.” He meant the butterfly, a preschooler’s take on it. It made me smile.

The other sign, is the pair of eagles on our lake, we never had eagles, until the summer after my father passed away. Now, we have a pair of bald eagles living here. Some may say I am crazy, and it is my own wishful thinking, but it pulls me from the darkest moments. Those moments, where I have thoughts that maybe “this” is all there is, maybe Heaven and eternal life is something many have to believe because the truth of “that” and the fact we would never see our loved ones again, is too painful to comprehend.

When I see these signs, it pulls me out of that thinking, it gives me hope and faith that there is so much more to “this.” I love and miss you every day Mom and Dad, please keep sending signs to let me know you are near and watching over us. I need them more than you know.

After I wrote this status, I went outside and saw the most amazing thing just as I was going back inside. I know the picture below is not the best, but I am so glad I was able to capture the moment. The male and female cardinal flew to a branch off my porch near my front door as I was going back inside, and they kissed.

When I went out early that afternoon, I sat on the porch and the male cardinal flew right across my field of vision to land in a bush directly across the yard from where I was sitting. He looked at me, and twisted his head in all sorts of ways. and then sang his beautiful song. He just stayed there singing and looking at me.

I was blown away by these moments, and so very grateful. I hope that all of the motherless have a moment like that, one so profound it lets you know her spirit is around you. I hope it gives you comfort and peace on a day that makes you remember more than ever, just how much you have lost. I wish you all of you a happy Mother’s Day, and most of all, I hope you see signs!