Most of these products have a twin size bed on top and have stationary or removable guard rails to keep kids from rolling out. Some systems include a twin size mattress but many do not. The top bunk is accessible by utilizing the included ladder that is located either in the front or the side of the bed.

Instead of a lower bunk, there is a desk area. These workstations usually have plenty of room for kids to store all of their play or study related belongings. Modern styles also have ample room for computers, monitors and printers. Some even have built in CPU trays and power cord management systems. Other models are available with 2 beds and a desk and dresser combination.

Other popular features on a bunk bed could include cork bulletin boards, pegboard organizers, rolling media carts and a plethora of drawers, organizers and storage space. Some models also include a built in dresser that helps to optimize a bedrooms space even further.

The majority of these systems are built for both younger and older children. Many include front and rear safety rails and levelers for stability. Most can support weights up-to 200 plus pounds. As always, it is wise to purchase a loft bed that has these safety features and are Consumer Product Safety Commission and The American Society of Testing and Materials compliant.

Many colors and finishes are available on these products. Custom knobs or accessories make finding a bunk bed with desk easy for any bedroom or dorm room decor.

Happy first day of Spring! Spring arrived, not like a lion…but not quite like a lamb either, if a touch of snow coating everything can be used as a measure.  I don’t suppose everyone in New Jersey woke up to snow, we are a bit higher in elevation than some parts of NJ.

I took a couple of pictures, one of tulips that are starting in the garden, and one out over our deck showing snow, the empty lake while our dam is being restored, and across the “lake”, the hillside. The view will be transformed in only a matter of weeks, with green and color, I can’t wait, it’s been a LONG and COLD winter.  In fact, the wood stove that has kept us warm all winter so we could save a bit on oil is going right now, but soon that will change. I can’t wait.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading!

I loved the photo below (click on it to be taken to his other photos on Webshots), taken in the summer over the lake out in back of our home.  Presently the lake has been drawn down as a new dam is being built and looks more like a moon or mars-scape than a lake. We hope that this coming summer, at some point, it will look like this picture again.

The picture was taken during a misty morning…there are actually some houses on the other side of the lake, but you can hardly make them out through the mist.

As you know if you read my blog(s), we live in a rural lake community. Because we have lived here for about 25 years, we had gained a nice bit of equity in our home. We have a mortgage still…would be nice to have that paid off, but the equity came in handy when we had a couple of emergencies and refinanced to cover the bills as well as reduce our interest.

Then when hubby joined the many who have lost their jobs at the age of 50something after working for a company for 30 years, and had to change jobs a few times in 4 years, we found that we had to dip into the equity of our home to make it by a few times.

Then to top it off, this year, the equity went down on our home along with every other home in the Nation. Yes, we still have a chunk left between what we owe and what we might get for our home if we sell it, but I’d say it’s been cut almost in half. That’s a tough pill to swallow if you’re hoping that the equity in your home was going to help you in your retirement one day. Or be something that you can leave your children.

The times are challenging ones, for sure, and there are no easy answers. They are times that can cause worry and fear, or can put us on our knees in prayer, hubby and I are doing the latter and counting of the promises that God has given us to provide all our NEEDS. Even though we live relatively simply, like many, we have our priorities a little off balance in some areas, bad habits developed when it seemed like the money would always be coming in at the same rate forever…ha! We bear some of the responsibility for where we find ourselves.

So here’s to the future, and hopes that things are going to improve, and faith to know that no matter what, we’ll be okay.

That brings us to our newest change, which could be looked at as a negative, or embraced as a new and exciting adventure, it’s up to us what we decide to do with it.  It may mean a move from our home of 25 years, the home where I raised my babies, and how can I be the “New Jersey Baby Boomer” if we leave NJ?  It may mean leaving behind friends of many years, and being further away from my now-grown babies than I want to be.  It may not happen at all!

I want to take you along on this personal journey and intertwine it with the usual New Jersey info on this blog, and let you get to know me a bit better.   More later this week!

(Blurry zoom-in, shaky hands, just too excited )

Why New Jersey is the Best State to Live In

By: Frank Dalotto

Often the butt of jokes from visitors from neighboring states, and negative stereotyping from TV shows like the Sopranos, despite all of that, New Jersey continues to attract people looking for good paying jobs, quality health care and education, awesome leisure activities, and a great place to raise kids.

I am quick to acknowledge that New Jersey is not an inexpensive state to live in. The definition of best does not mean cheap or inexpensive.

While you may be paying more, New Jersey has the nation’s best state and municipal services contributing to an infrastructure that supports a safe environment and a variety of quality of life services.

As a wise old man once told me You get what you pay for.

The Top Five Reasons Why New Jersey is the Best State to Live In.

1. Health Care

By almost any measure, NJ is at the top of any list in states with the best healthcare. Ranked #1 in lowest (best) population under served by primary care physicians and ranked 7th in lowest infant mortality rate in 48 states. Source: AARP. Ranked 8th out of 50 states in number of Physicians/1000. Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2004 2006 Data. And just across the river in NYC and Philadelphia, New Jersey residents have access to some of the best medical institutions and doctors in the world.

2. Low Crime Rate

Ranked 4th in property crime and 13th in violent crime out of 31 states east of the Mississippi River. Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2004 2006 Data. And when you consider that New Jersey has the highest population density in the U.S., New Jersey is a very safe place to live and is a credit to the state and the municipalities in crime protection and law enforcement.

3. Student Education Grades K-12

New Jersey stands tall when it comes to education; New Jersey is Ranked #1 out of 50 states in Grade 8 to High School graduation rates; Source: National Board and Educational Testing Policy and Ranked #4 in the lowest (best) Student/Teacher ratio. Source: IES National Center for Education Statistics.

4. Entertainment

New Jersey is a Mecca for entertainment. Because of the states small size, world class entertainment is in easy reach of most New Jersey residents. There are major entertainment venues throughout the state as well as the hotel casinos, and the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, [Note from site owner: wasn't too happy when Atlantic City became a Casino haven, a gaudy blemish on the otherwise beautiful Jersey Shore, but that's just me.] New Jersey is a magnet for world class entertainment. New Jersey also has 2 NFL teams, a NBA team, and a NHL Team. And with New York City and Philadelphia, just across the river with Broadway shows and major entertainment venues, the entertainment options for New Jersey residents are unbeatable.

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