Journeys Are My Diary

Another year has flown by, and now winter is upon us yet again. It’s time to pull out your chunky knit jumpers and thick socks from the back of your closet and get cozy. While winter clothing is a great way to keep warm during the colder months, surrounding yourself with the right things at home will also help you get into the seasonal spirit, and make staying indoors a lot more appealing. Here are four tips on how you can make your home a cozy haven to hide-away in this winter.

• Check Your Windows

Cold draughts floating through your house is not something you want to deal with at the best of times, but especially not when there are frost and snow on the ground outside. Check your windows to see if the seals need repairing, or if the window needs replacing altogether. If you can feel that there is a draught coming through even though the window is closed, or there is mold or condensation inside the panes of glass, these are all indicators that your windows require some repair work. Avoid letting the cold air in and your heating bills soaring this winter by checking your windows! 

• Buy New Cushions and Throws

Having throws on your couch or a comforter on the bed is a great way to add some extra warmth to your home in winter. They are perfect for snuggling down with a cup of hot cocoa and your favorite book or movie in the evenings, and plump new cushions only add to the coziness. Make sure you buy the softest throws and comforters you can find for some added luxury and comfort.

• Get a Fireplace

This might seem like an extravagant addition to your home, but it is sure to raise the cozy factor through the roof! There is nothing more comforting during the winter months than sitting in a room with a crackling, roaring fire on the go. It could also help you save on heating bills as you won’t need your radiators on when you’ve got a fire going. In addition to this, a fireplace could also help to add value to your property making it a good investment. You can find some wonderful examples of antique-style fireplaces at stonewoods.co.uk, or you can purchase an electric fireplace instead if this is more cost-effective.

• Scented Candles

Scented candles are always pleasant accessories to have at home, and during the winter months, you should look at purchasing ones with seasonal scents. For example, cinnamon and apple to get you into the festive spirit, or pumpkin spice and pecan, even ones that smell like fresh pine trees can help create a winter wonderland in your living room. Not only do they smell great, but the flickering flames will help enhance the atmosphere.

There’s nothing better than settling down in the winter months and enjoying more time indoors. To make your home cozier this winter, use these four tips to help boost the atmosphere and to get you into the festive spirit. 

Is it time for a kitchen makeover? If so, these ideas will help you transform a dated kitchen into an airy and modern space.

• Repaint Your Cabinet Doors

If the cabinets are starting to look their age, you can give your kitchen a new look by repainting the cabinet doors. For a contemporary look, try a black-and-white pattern, or go classic instead with warmer colors that imitate wood. Alternatively, go bold with a striking coat of red paint.

• Choose Colors Wisely

Scout out your local hardware store but don’t buy five cans of paint on a whim. You first need to decide about what you’re going to do about the rest of the room and make sure the shades match. If you plan to change the flooring too, look for hues that will go well together.

• Replace Cabinet Doors

If the cabinets in your kitchen are standard size, consider replacing the cabinet doors with fresh new ones. In most cases, it’s a simple DIY job that requires new hinges and pulls.

• Go for Open Shelves

Another option is to take off the cabinet doors and keep them off. That will leave you with modern open shelves in the kitchen. 

You might want to give the shelves a coat of paint too. Obviously, this is a good time to get rid of clutter and toss anything you’re not using that has been hiding in those cupboards. That way, you have a clean look for the storage area.

• Give the Drawers a New Look

Since you’re changing the cabinets, why not update the drawers too? Buy some extra paint and redo the drawer fronts in the same color as the cabinets or a complementary shade. 

You might also decide to replace the knobs. A small change can go a long way.

• Pick the Right Countertop

Countertops are the trickiest part of the kitchen as they need to be aesthetically-pleasing and functional at the same time. The most popular choice for a beautiful countertop is granite or marble slabs. 

To make sure it’s done right, choose a professional for the planning and install. With fitted kitchens Knutsford, you get a bespoke design with the modern style you want in the home.

7. Get New Flooring

Kitchen floors get a lot of traffic, and if they’re old vinyl, they tend to become saggy and stained. Out with the old, in with the new. 

If you’re on a budget, laminate is a great choice in the kitchen. It is comfortable to have under the feet and comes in many colors. It is also durable and easy to clean.

There is even laminate that imitates real wood at a lower price and goes well with the rest of the kitchen. Plus, laminate is often easier to install than hardwood.

A Few Last Words

Always consider the whole room before starting on a kitchen makeover project to make sure the look is a cohesive one. While you’re at it, don’t forget to give the walls a fresh coat of paint, preferably in a light color. 

It always feels good to win in the 4d Singapore lottery. There are multiple chances of winning good money if you place your bets with good predictions. Making manual predictions can be quite hectic, considering the amount of data that you will need to analyze. That is why you need software that can help you analyze the results of previous predictions to help get the most probable winning numbers or patterns. You can get prediction results and a history of winning patterns from https://4dinsingapore.com then use that data to run through your predictions. Here are a few advantages of using the 4d Toto prediction results prize history from 4dinsingapore.

Has a Rich DataBase of Price History

The 4dinSingapore Toto site has been around for quite some time now. In the period this site has been in operation, it has gathered a lot of information showing all playing tickets, winning numbers, and playing patterns of all the participants since the lottery began. The data makes predicting easy since you can see the numbers that occur frequently in the most winning combinations. You can then create a pattern of these numbers that will guide you to determine the price history of these patterns and allow you to make an informed guess as to the amount you are likely to win.

It is Affordable

No one wants to spend a lot of money while they are trying to win money. It is counterproductive to do so. With 4dinSingapore Toto, you can rest assured that you will not pay any hidden fees like in those other prediction sites. Once you create a free account, you will then only pay for data analysis to get the betting tickets. You only pay a small fee to access this information. You can use as many tickets as you wish, and only pay a percentage of the cash you win. If you fail to win, then you do not pay anything for the losing tickets.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Many sites are yet to adopt the use of AI or artificial intelligence to make lottery predictions. This technology is mostly used in sports betting sites to analyze jackpot tickets. 4diSingapore has since discovered the benefits of using this technology to get near accurate results of winning patterns. Since you are required to match several numbers in addition to the primary number to stand a chance of winning, the AI can make a very accurate analysis that will see you win at least one of the prices, even if you do not take the jackpot.

Easy Access

Unlike other betting prediction sites where you can only get betting predictions from the site’s accounts, 4dinSingapore allows you to connect your betting account with your social media sites. They have a support group that you can join on various social media sites to get your betting information easily, and to also join a community where you can exchange ideas for better betting ideas. You will always have up to date information concerning the lottery, and valuable information from this community.

Everyone’s financial situation and goals in filing for bankruptcy are unique. You must choose representation that understands your situation and knows how to achieve those goals. Not every attorney will.

Selecting the right bankruptcy attorney for you will be much easier for you if you ask them the following eight questions. Since most bankruptcy attorneys offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation, you can use that opportunity to interview them, explore where there may be potential problems, get a feeling for the attorney’s “bedside manner” and the way he or she will treat you, and research the attorney’s professional history. 

This advice is from the office of noted Philadelphia bankruptcy attorney David M. Offen, Esq.

8 Questions to Ask During Your Initial Consultation with a Bankruptcy Attorney

When you meet with a bankruptcy attorney, know that he or she is interviewing you just as much as you are interviewing them. Attorneys watch out for clients that seem dishonest or uncooperative, because not only will they be difficult to work with, but representing them can tarnish an attorney’s reputation. 

As a client, you should watch out for attorneys who interrupt you, seem uninterested in you, and treat your case like one of the hundreds of other cases they’ve handled, nothing special. Each bankruptcy filing is unique to that debtor, and you should feel as if the attorney is ferreting out those unique qualities during your consultation.

Once the attorney has enough information to render advice to you, he or she will give you that advice and invariably ask, do you have any questions? These questions will give you an idea of the competence of the attorney and whether or not you want to work with them.

Question 1: How long have you been practicing bankruptcy?

You might be able to determine this from the jurisdiction admissions, diplomas, and awards on the office wall, but if not, just ask. Keep in mind that just because a lawyer has been practicing for 20 years does not necessarily mean that he or she has experience in the areas of bankruptcy law your case requires. Visit the criminal lawyer Melbourne website.

Question 2: Do you practice any other area of law?

Often bankruptcy attorneys practice both Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy as well as other related areas of law, such as:

• Debt collection defense
• Foreclosure defense
• IRS negotiation and defense
• Debt settlement and negotiation
• Tax Sale defense and Home Redemption

These areas often intersect with bankruptcy law, and it is good business for a bankruptcy attorney to be able to help with all of a client’s financial problems, not just file bankruptcy for them.

That being said, if an attorney practices several other areas of law, such as these among others:

• Family law
• Land use
• Wills and Estates
• Criminal law
• Constitutional law

That attorney may be stretched too thin practicing unrelated areas of law to keep up on the latest developments in consumer bankruptcy representation.

Question 3: Are you licensed to practice in my jurisdiction? Are you licensed to practice in any other jurisdiction?

To represent you, an attorney must be licensed to practice in the jurisdiction where you will file your bankruptcy petition. Giving the attorney your home address will allow them to tell you whether they are or not. 

You will want to know where else the attorney is admitted. When you get home, you can go online and look up that attorney in every jurisdiction to which they are admitted to find out if there have been any ethical complaints or malpractice suits against them.

Question 4: Have you ever had to fire a client?

If the answer is yes, ask why. This will give you an understanding of the attorney’s expectations.

Question 5: Have you ever had a client’s discharge denied, or case dismissed?

Again, if the answer is yes, ask why. Most often, a denial of discharge or case dismissal is due to fraud on the part of the debtor, not mishandling of the case by the attorney, but it does happen.

Question 6: Have you ever handled a situation like mine before?

The way the lawyer answers this will tell you a lot about whether you will feel comfortable working with them. Most lawyers will say something like, “I have handled hundreds of Chapter 7s with similar aspects to yours, however, in your case….” and then describe what makes your case unique and how they are going to handle that.

Question 7: What are my options to resolve my financial situation, besides bankruptcy?

A good lawyer will give a potential client all options, regardless of whether any of those options don’t require his or her services. Watch out for this. Filing bankruptcy may be the best option, but it is rarely the only option.

Question 8: What is your fee for handling my bankruptcy?

Most bankruptcy attorneys will charge a flat fee for all of the usual services that must be performed in a bankruptcy filing, such as preparing and filing your petition, schedules, creditor matrix, certifications of completion for the credit counseling and financial management courses, and representation at the first scheduled 341(a) meeting of creditors. In a Chapter 13 filing, the fee should also include representation at the plan confirmation hearing.

These proceedings will probably not be included in the flat fee, but one, some, or many could arise in a bankruptcy:

• Representation at a motion to revoke a discharge:
• Removal of a pending action in another court;
• Obtaining title reports;
• Determining whether there are real estate or tax liens;
• Appeals to the BAP or the District Court of Appeals;
• Correcting credit reports;
• Negotiations with creditors regarding the Client or Client’s debt;
• Defending Motions to Dismiss Client’s bankruptcy case filed by the Trustee, U.S. Trustee, or any creditor;
• Defending Client in any motion to lift the automatic stay;
• Defending Client in any adversary proceeding filed by the Trustee, U.S. Trustee, a creditor, or any other party on any basis, including, without limitations, proceedings to determine dischargeability of debts;
• Preparing reaffirmation agreements or negotiating the terms of reaffirmation agreements proposed by creditors, motions to redeem personal property, and negotiating and representing Client with regard to reaffirmation agreements when Client’s income is not sufficient to rebut the presumption of undue hardship and special circumstances do not warrant the signing of a reaffirmation agreement;
• Filing and prosecuting a motion to impose or extend the bankruptcy stay;
• Vacating judgments once the bankruptcy case discharges and closes;
• A case audit by the U.S. Trustee’s Office.

Ask whether the attorney has any reason to believe you might need representation in any proceeding not included in the flat fee, and if so, what that might cost you.

The information you get at the consultation, along with your gut reaction to the attorney’s demeanor, will point you in the right direction. Best of luck!

About the Author

Veronica Baxter is a legal assistant and blogger living and working in the great city of Philadelphia. She frequently works with David Offen, Esq., a busy Philadelphia bankruptcy lawyer.

Your mental health affects the way that you look, act, and feel. Having poor mental health will impact your quality of life and put you at a higher risk of developing medical conditions. With that in mind, you must place a special focus on your wellbeing and take good care of your mental health. Here are four ways to boost your mental health today. 

1. Keep in touch with family and friends 

Many research studies have found that people typically feel happier when socializing with others. A study by Psychology Today found that “people who have more social interactions reported being happier than those who interacted less.” Spending time with friends and family is extremely important and you should make an effort to maintain an active social life. Your family and friends can also provide valuable support if you are experiencing mental health issues such as depression. Lean on your loved one in your times of need and try to have regular social interactions. 

2. Boost your body confidence 

For some people, mental health issues can stem from a lack of body confidence and self-esteem. Sadly, many people feel unhappy with the way that they look, and this can result in mental health issues such as anxiety and eating disorders. Fortunately, there are dozens of ways to boost your body confidence. For instance, starting an exercise routine can help you fight unwanted weight gain and achieve your fitness and body goals. There is also a fantastic variety of beauty treatments that can help you overcome various body issues. For example, hshairclinic.co.uk offers a selection of modern hair loss treatments designed to enhance your looks and boost your body confidence.

3. Spend time in nature 

Spending time in nature can be an excellent way to improve your mental health. Being in a natural setting can improve your mood, reduce stress, and can even treat mental health issues like depression. You can easily spend more time outdoors by going on a daily walk, having lunch in your local park, or doing outdoor activities like hiking or cycling. You can easily bring natural elements into your home by purchasing some indoor plants or placing fresh flowers around your home. This will help you create a relaxing and restorative living environment that will support good mental health. 

4. Ask for help 

If you find yourself struggling with your mental health issues, it is important to reach out and ask for help. There are plenty of places where you can turn to get support and guidance when you are experiencing poor mental health. As discussed, loved ones can provide a great source of support when you are feeling down or facing life difficulties. Your family doctor can also provide guidance and refer you to specialists for mental health treatment if needed. There is also a fantastic selection of online support groups where you can connect with others. It is here that you might be able to find advice on how to overcome challenges relating to poor mental health. 

Is your bedroom starting to look drab? Perhaps age is catching up to the décor? Maybe it has become cluttered, and comfort levels are hampered as a result? Whatever the situation may be, you have concluded: it’s time for your bedroom to undergo a redesign. 

While the idea is a great one, in theory, putting it into practice is a different story. If you want to complete a full makeover, there are various aspects you have to take into consideration. 

That’s where this guide is here to help. Below are a few key points to keep in mind when revamping your bedroom. 

Freshen up your walls 

The easiest way to transform your bedroom is to freshen up the walls. Whether this is with paint or some new wallpaper, a new color and/or design can instantly breathe new life into the room. 

In addition, contemplate adding some other design touches to the walls. This could be some shelving complete with ornaments or maybe even framed artwork. Just be careful not to clutter up the walls. 

A new bed 

The centerpiece of your room is, undoubtedly, the bed. Not only does it dominate the space in your room, but it’s also the piece of furniture where you spend more time than any other. Plus, it is called a ‘bedroom’ for a reason! 

Now you don’t necessarily need to change the bedframe. It could be much more important to replace your current mattress, particularly if you have been using the same one for a decade or so. When selecting a new mattress, it makes sense to go for the best quality you can find. In this case, a gel memory foam mattress could supply the upgrade you desire. For more information and to purchase from a USA manufacturer, visit GelFoamBed.

New storage units 

Have your cabinets got visible chips? Are your wardrobe doors clinging on for dear life? If your storage units are displaying notable wear and tear, look into replacing them with some shiny new ones. 

If your storage solutions are still in good condition, you might not need to replace them completely. You could simply give them a fresh lick of paint and change the handles. These are small and inexpensive alterations, but they can make a big difference to the overall feel of your room. 

Lighten up

A new light design can brighten up your bedroom – literally. As a starting point, you could opt for color-changing bulbs. Depending on the color you go with, this can change the mood of the room in different ways. 

Another aspect you can change is the lampshade. If you search around, you will find there are many different creative lampshade designs around – the type that can stand out and enhance your bedroom. 

There is always the option of installing further lighting fixtures within the room to go that extra step. If you don’t want to bring in an electrician, this could simply be something like new bedside lamps. 

Do you need a personal trainer but do not have the time to visit the physical gym where these trainers can help you? Or do you want to train in privacy and you need a personal trainer to guide you through the workouts and exercises from the comfort of home? Well, this is where the role of a virtual personal trainer comes in. Personal virtual trainers are qualified people who can prepare a workout program for you to achieve your goals. Your training goals could be weight loss, getting fit, or just gaining strength. With a virtual personal trainer, you can have these people prepare a workout program for you based on the kind of equipment you have access to, your level of fitness, and the time available for you to implement the program. You can now get a virtual personal trainer in los angeles and other cities and towns in the United States.

In this article, we shall discuss how worthwhile a virtual personal trainer is for you. Here are things you should know about virtual personal trainers:

Virtual trainers give you professional advice

A personal trainer will work with you to ensure that you have achieved your fitness goals. They can help you to target the areas of your body that you need to work on. With their professional proven methods, you can be sure to achieve your goals based on science. They can also adapt to your plan and help you to push towards your health and fitness goals.

It’s more flexible to work with a virtual personal trainer

This is probably one of the best things to know about online personal trainers. Your virtual personal trainer will work with you during your spare time or when you are available. You may have tight schedules that do not allow you to attend one-on-one sessions. With the online personal trainer, you can engage in workout sessions at any time of the day, weekdays, or during weekends. This flexibility should work to your advantage. You can exercise any time you like once your trainer fixes your fitness program.

Communication is easy

This is another advantage of a virtual personal trainer. It is easy to communicate with your trainer through Facebook Live, WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, and a dozen other video streaming platforms that you can use. As such, with the right training equipment, your virtual trainer can watch over your program and guide you appropriately. With the 24-hour support available on the above platforms, you can be sure to communicate with your trainer any time of the day. You will also be able to train and achieve your workout routines just like any other person. The attention and motivation of your trainer give you the morale to achieve your goals.

It’s a more affordable program

It is more affordable to hire a virtual personal trainer than attending face to face sessions. You will save lots of money in terms of reduced contact time, transportation costs, and so on. Your trainer does not have to leave their house for them to attend to you. This means they will charge you less.

Are you facing the difficult choice of planning a funeral for your loved one, and planning during these difficult times?

If you are planning a funeral, there are many things to consider, and one of those tasks is whether or not to hold a wake.

Should I Hold a Wake?

A wake after a funeral acts in a similar way to a reception for a wedding, once the formalities and the service are over, a wake gives family, friends, and other loved ones the chance to mingle, share stories, offer condolences, and support one another for a set amount of time afterwards.

Wakes can be a lovely chance for sharing memories of the person who has passed, and they can be a nice opportunity for family members who may not have seen each other for a long time to come together and support each other.

Organizing A Wake

Organizing a wake can seem like a mammoth task, especially with the ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic. Still, your funeral director will be able to help, London funeral services experts will be on top of the current rules and regulations, and will be able to advise on what you can and cannot plan and who you can and cannot invite.

Even with the restrictions in place, there are generally three aspects to planning a wake; these are the guest list, the venue, and the refreshments. The size of the wake you are organizing will usually have an impact on all three aspects, but here is a quick breakdown of what you should consider under each section.

The Guest List

At the moment, this is possibly the most difficult thing to organize, due to the ongoing changing restrictions. The restrictions may differ from state to state, so it’s best to ask your funeral director for guidance.

Generally, you’ll want to invite people with whom the deceased was particularly close to first. This is usually family, but it’s also important to remember that not all family is blood relations. If your deceased loved one was very close to people who weren’t family, a best friend, for example, it would be right to invite them over long lost relatives.

The Venue

There are many options for a venue to hold your wake, and generally speaking public venues with a function room are better than inside your home, especially given the current situation.

Contact your local sports clubs or hotels, even church halls, most of these types of venues are used to holding wakes and will be able to assist your planning.

The Refreshments

Under normal circumstances, a finger buffet is usually provided. Under these new circumstances, this may not be possible. It may be better to go with some kind of table service, or a served buffet style rather than a communal table.

Many venues will have a list of their preferred caterers, all of whom will be able to advise you on the current rules and restrictions around refreshments.

In the words of Sean Bean, winter is coming. While not quite as ominous as it is in Game of Thrones, winter can still bring hardship to many people due to the cold temperatures. While you may have the heating on, this may not be enough on its own! That’s why we have come up with 6 ways that you can keep warm this winter.

Wear Layers

Wearing a hat, gloves, and a thick winter coat outside can really help shield you against cold winds and freezing temperatures. However, many of us get home, hang up the coat, and sit around in just a T-shirt. Doing this of course means that you will feel the cold,  and probably go to turn up the heating. However, while you will still probably need to have the heating on, you won’t have to have it turned up so high if you simply put a jumper or fleece on when in the house! Thick socks and slippers are also great ways to keep warm. Wearing layers is just one way of saving on your heating bills. Using thick blankets (or even electric blankets) when sleeping is also an effective way of keeping warm.

Consider Different Heating Systems

There are different forms of heating available, from radiators to underfloor heating systems. If your heating system isn’t doing the trick, a different system may be more effective. For example, underfloor heating can distribute heat more evenly throughout the house than traditional radiator systems can. For many people, underfloor heating installation can even reduce heating bills when compared to radiator systems!

Set the Heating at the Right Temperature

For most people, keeping frequently used rooms (for example the living room) at a temperature of between 60°F and 70°F is ideal. Rooms such as bedrooms can be timed to be heated shortly before bedtime!

Keep the Warmth In

There is not much point in turning the heating up if the warmth is not being contained. Having windows or doors open when the heating is on is basically throwing money out of the window! 

It’s not just keeping doors and windows closed that can keep the warmth in. You can combat draughts by using keyhole covers, draught excluders, and thermal curtain linings. Then another great thing that you can do for your home that will greatly improve insulation and appearance is to get new windows and we used these amazing sash window fitters in London who were just superb so if you need new windows in London they are easily the best choice.

Keep Physically Active

Keeping as physically active as you can is a great way of keeping warm. Physical activity boosts the circulation, which keeps body temperature high. Making sure to move around in the house (even if you just walk around the kitchen once every hour or so) can stop you from getting too cold in the winter.

Eat Healthy and Warm Meals

Hot food such as soups, stews, and casseroles are not only warm, but they are also tasty and comforting. Between meals, drinking hot drinks such as coffee or tea will also keep your temperature up. Avoid eating too much junk food, as healthier meals with more nutrients are better for the immune system—which can be vital in keeping you warm and healthy in the winter!

One of the more dangerous areas in the home, for people of any age, is the staircase. If we do not concentrate, it is very easy to trip, slip, or fall down the stairs and the consequences can be disastrous. For children, the risks are even greater, particularly as they appear to be an indoor climbing frame just asking to be explored. You, as a parent, are responsible for ensuring that you provide your children with a safe environment to grow up in. To help you, this guide outlines how you can make your stairs safe for your small children. 

Prevent children under two years old from using them

Prevention is better than cure, so until you are sure that your children can confidently ascend and descend the stairs, do not let them use the stairs without your supervision. Installing a baby gate at the top and bottom of the staircase will ensure that children under two do not injure themselves. 

Install railings and bannisters

If your stairs do not have railings and bannisters, now is the time to install them. A closed side and back will stop children from falling (as long as the railings are not spaced too far apart). Some people choose to install another railing at a lower height for children so they can steady themselves.

Add carpeting

If your stairs are not carpeted, you should consider fitting carpet stair runners London. Wooden or stone steps are slippery and, if someone does fall, injuries can be more severe. Carpeting the staircase will provide more grip underfoot and some degree of cushioning. If your stairs are already carpeted, it is important to ensure that there are no holes, wrinkles, or frayed fibres which could be trip hazards for small toes. 

Keep the stairs clutter-free

It is easy to use the stairs as a dumping ground for shoes, laundry, toys, or any other bits and pieces. They are all trip hazards, so it is important to keep the stairs as clutter-free as possible. If you see someone has left something on the stairs, move it, and if you are tempted to pop something down ‘just for a minute’ until you head upstairs, think twice. It only takes a second for someone to trip. Here are some tips on reducing clutter in the home.

Install a bannister guard

The steps of the stairs are a priority, but you should not neglect the railings and bannister which follow the steps up and possibly along a section of the first floor. Children often enjoy dropping toys from the top floor as part of their imaginary games, i.e. pretending toys can fly or are dropping from mountains. This is a safety concern for everyone in the home as objects may start falling from above. There is also a risk that children might get their legs, arms, or head stuck in the gaps between the railings. To prevent both of these problems, you should consider a bannister guard which is a sheet of tear-resistant plastic which attaches to the bannister and gets rid of the gaps.