Posts

Posted on

Savings with home energy efficiency tips

When our heating and lighting meters were read by some man that went meter to to meter, we got our bill and knew it was way to high. I decided to find home energy efficiency tips to employ in order to save money. I knew that my family would not stick with these tips, but I wanted to at least try to make a good example by using the tips myself, so that perhaps the kids and my husband would learn by example, so to speak. I was wrong in thinking such a thing.

Months went by and there was only a slight change, and it was especially noticeable even during this winter, which was the most mild winter we have had in nearly 20 years. Global warming is getting pretty scary if you ask my opinion. Since I am concerned about how hot the summer may get and the fact that my family want air conditioning when it is hot, something because of the bills, I decided to talk to my husband about a home energy audit. I figure if someone who is a professional on this subject told him what was what, he’d indeed be more willing to use the tips I have been trying to use.

Also, since the weather has been so weird, and it’s hard telling what is going to happen in months or even a few years on down the line, I would like to check in to some home insulation contractors. We need more insulation in this house, and I’m sure it would help tremendously during both winter and summer.

Posted on

After Easter sales

Tomorrow my oldest daughter and I are going shopping for what ever we can find left over from Easter that is on sale. My daughter does volunteer work at the school for the younger kids in grades 1 and 2, and she wants to find things that she will be able to use for next years class room decorations.

She was bringing up memories today, about how I have Easter traditions, and how I used to go all out on decorations, baskets and egg hunts. I’ll admit, when the kids were young and up until about three years ago, I still did that. Now…no one believes in the the Easter Bunny, hadn’t for years, which I knew, but yet I still I did the Bunnie, “thing.”

Now, I just buy the candy they like and are their favorites, at sales after Easter, and give it to them. It’s kind of sad in a way, not to have anyone to decorate for, except me,  but as long as they don’t mind it, I’ll have to get used to it. At least I’ll be saving a great deal of money hitting the sales, and my daughter will find the decorations she wants for the little ones who still believe!! I love it when small children believe in the figures of holidays.

Posted on

Peaceful Easter day

It was a really nice day with the family all getting together and celebrating Easter together. I really enjoyed it. Since had already gotten everything  made and cooked and ready for today. All I had to do is pop the ham in the oven this morning, before I went to Mass and then put out all the food when I got back in time for everyone to be ready to eat. I love buffets. Much easier than a sit down dinner and I know the family like it better too.

The family all just hung out. Some watched television and others got a card game going. Some of the kids (they are still kids to me no matter how old they are) went for a walk and all in all, it was peaceful for a change.

The only thing that put sort of a damper on the day, was that it was windy and despite it being a bit over 60 degrees outside, the wind was strong and it was cold! At least it didn’t rain though and the sun was shining! I would have liked to do some gardening with the plants I was given for Easter, but it was too cold outside for me.

 

Posted on

Considering personalized address plaques

My friend Amy is about to buy a very nice home, for the first time, and I’ve looked at a whole lot of personalized address plaques to consider as a housewarming gift. I really believe she would like that, considering after a really rough divorce, in which she changed back to her maiden name. Buying the house wasn’t from any proceeds from the divorce because there wasn’t any. Amy bought this house with all of her own money that she really worked hard and for a long time, to buy it out right. I’m proud of her.

While looking at all the plaques, I also saw some really nice bronze address plaques. I’m thinking that the bronze would match the bronze numbers on her mail box, since it is out by the road and where she lives, one must have address numbers on their mailbox and even the paper box. To me, this is a bit of over kill, but it is a must do, so perhaps I’ll go with the bronze.

I’ve decide to perhaps go with the whitehall products. I was checking out the whitehall address plaques, and I really like them. I believe the ones I was looking at were made of nickle, but I could be wrong. Still, no matter, I love the class of them and how the look. It’ll all come together, but in the mean time, I have a feeling Amy would love this kind of house warming and congratulations gift.

 

Posted on

Bathroom ventilation and decisions

We’ve recently put in a high powered vent in the bathroom. Before we had it, the walls and ceiling gathered black mold, so I had to consult an expert, since I needed help immediately. I’m happy to say my bathroom is now mold free, which is a great feeling. This house is so old that no one had thought about what would happen with no window, and no ventilation. One vent didn’t get it, so when we got rid of the mold, then repaired the damage, we put a second one vent in and the problem, was solved.

Now comes the rest of the remodeling, and it’s about time. Now though, since we have the vents, I can hang wallpaper without it bubbling up, or drooping because of the dampness that was always in the room before. I am either going to wallpaper, or wait until all the kids are out on their own, if that ever happens, and paint for now.

I’m debating now as to laying bathroom carpet, or just getting new tile. The tile that is on the floor now, isn’t very old at all, but it was laid before the vents and so it’s pulled up in places. I’ve heard bathroom carpet in such a small carries a whole lot of bacteria. Maybe I’ll just get new tile and new bath rugs that I can wash once a week. I’m leaning toward that. I plan on taking one day to go shopping and looking around for what I can find that I really want in the bathroom. I figure when I see it, I’ll know!

Posted on

To Moms for Easter

We’re all going to my Mom’s house for Easter. We’re going to get there early, so I can help my Mom with anything she needs to have done before everyone else starts to arrive. I’m hoping it doesn’t rain and isn’t cold on Sunday, but that is like hoping to win the lottery. It’s hard telling what it will be like. I actually stopped watching the weather reports because any more they are simply not accurate here.

Mom was telling me about what all she was cooking. Once again she’ll be in her pure element. My family and I love anything she cooks. I’m glad I didn’t buy a ham this week, as she bought a big one and told me that any left overs are going home with me. Okey Dokey Mama…I’ll take em all! 🙂

If it’s nice out, I’m going to try and get some of my family to start a horse shoe game. I loved to play before I lost the strength in my arm. Still, it’s fun to watch my family and friends that show up, play. They are really competitive, in a good way.

Posted on

Try direct tv or not

Lately I’ve been hearing a lot from my daughter about direct tv. I’m not really “up” on all the new changes in cable and satellite providers and yet my daughter told me that even reading about the services this provides, is quite informative and tells what kinds of service packages they have. They will tell you the up front cost and that since she and her husband already have a satellite dish that will mess up the television if there is a strong wind or nasty weather, they are seriously considering changing to this service.

Myself, I went to www.dx3.net   to take a look see for myself.  Now, mind you…I am not technology savvy about anything dealing with my television, internet and even the telephone. I haven’t gotten that far in reading yet to see if they deal with telephone services yet, but you can bet I indeed will call the number given, after I am finished reading all the information, so I can ask the questions I will have.

I know that I am not happy with my cable internet and television services. Not at all. Lately they basically have been telling lies about being a high speed internet provider, and believe me, they are not. As for the other televisions in the house, we have to shell out a heap of money to get boxes for my kids to be able to watch television in their rooms. We can’t afford it. But from what I HAVE  read about dx3 direct tv , a tech guy will come out and install the system and its free for up to four rooms, which would be awesome because it’s free. That alone is a good sign. I’d be saving some money! The channels available are really great, everything from sports to the media, movies, and favorite shows. That in it’s self would be totally awesome.

 

Posted on

Computer and server problems

A few days ago, my PC crashed. It needs something called a video adapter. I’m bummed out. I love my old “buddy.” I knew how it worked, and it’s quirks. Also it’s temperament. Believe me when I say my Buddy was temperamental.

Using my laptop is a problem for me, as it makes my neck hurt very badly. I can’t sit at my desk and type even with my chair adjusted as I’m still too short and have to raise my arms up higher and lower my head, which puts pressure in my neck and back. SMH. The keys aren’t raised and it cuts down my typing time, trying to get used to it. I find my keys are too close together for me. Not to toot my own horn, I’m a very fast typist when I’m not in a hurry to do what I have to do.

With computer problems, I got hit again…double wammie. My server is upgrading or some such thing, and I keep timing out in my page and other things dealing with the server, plus I keep loosing internet for hours at a time. I called and tried to be nice to the woman who angered the call. After she got snitty with me, I told her that wanted to talk to her supervisor. Once on the phone, I told him exactly what the woman had said and how she treated me, yet I am paying her salary. (Not good for her, considering the conversation is monitored and can be played back) I told the supervisor my problem that has been happening for a few days now, and also said I refused to pay for the down time, as I was loosing work. He told me that my bill will be adjusted. ( Yeah right, and the check is in the mail…) They have told me this before. I did however record the conversation this time and what he told me. We’ll see if he lied when the bill comes next week.

Posted on

Picking out Pansy seeds

My oldest son has never taken an interest in any kind of gardening or plants until recently. It surprised me today while we were at the market and he stopped at the seed display, and immediately reached out and picked up a packet of mixed pansies. He said they would look good surrounding my big tree in the front yard. Since he has never showed an interest in my garden except to photograph flowers that were in interesting lite once in awhile, I never thought he noticed the pansies I had grown under the tree. I looked at the price and nixed it.

This particular store, raises the prices according to their idea of how much things cost, despite of the price on the package. That is why I rarely go shopping there. I knew I was going to Lowes this weekend, and they have seeds on sale. I’ll buy enough pansy’s to keep my son busy tending to the pansies this summer! Thinking about it, I might just take him into the garden supply section of the store. Maybe he’ll want some garden tools. 😉

Posted on

Help with a thesis or dissertation

My niece called me last night and sounded so proud of herself, because she had finally looked into a custom dissertation writing service. This is something I have been telling her to do for months and months, but bless her heart…like most young adults and kids, “big” adults don’t have a clue as to what they are talking about. They think we were born old and never experienced things that they are going through. I went through this with my oldest daughter when she was in collage and I’m sure I am going to go through it three more times before all my children are grown and out of school.

I wanted to check out some of the links my niece had looked at about how to buy thesis online, and found it to be very interesting, indeed. A person can get a lot of help with the writing of all their needs. It cuts out having to spend hour and hour online and at the library. And I know from experience sometimes a person can’t find exactly what they are looking for at the library and I myself have had to have books I needed ordered from other branches, which took a long time.

My nice told me that when she could buy dissertation online, just hearing the relief in her voice, was enough for me not to tease her about the “I told you so,” part of months when she fretted about it all. A plus is, that she is saving money and also time by using this service.