Friday

tip-o-day

It occurred to me -- while squishing myself into a tiny attic crawl space with several tools in hand, wearing a face mask, goggles and gloves and stuffing insulation between the floor joists (vapor barrier down, of course) that not only should I be paying somebody to do this for me - but that I need to share some important advice with my children.

Do the best you can to plan your life well. Save money when you're young. Don't squander it all on fun and dinners out and fancy cars and trips and fine shoes (well... maybe fine shoes).
That way, when you get to be the ripe ole age of 50 - you can hire people to do things like lay on their backs with a staple gun and itchy pink insulation in spaces that should only be accessed by the occasional house spider.

Excuse me while I go find my checkbook.

Friday

tip-o-day

It's best to move furniture away from registers during the heating season. This is especially important with baseboard heat where it needs to draw cooler room air up under the register and release it from the top at toasty temps.

To help keep furniture from sliding back up against the registers from normal daily use - use a small board (perhaps 1/2 thick by 3 inch width) cut to about 6 or so inches in length. I like to use pine scraps from my workshop and if they will be visible, I apply a coat or two of poly so it blends with our wood floors.
Simply place the wood behind each furniture leg and tuck it under the register or push it against the wall. This way the sofa, bed or table won't be able to get any closer.

Friday

tip-o-day

This tip is brought to you by my new favorite customer service rep at Drs F oster and Smith - where I recently purchased a new dog bed for the Free Dog. It was one of the best customer service experiences ever I must say.

Completely out of character, I purchased an overly priced, overly stuffed designer covered cozy new bed to ease the trauma of moving. I know I know... go ahead and say it if you must - that's not going to help; I am a big softy; I spoil my children and pets (duh).

Anyhooo...
If you're like me and prefer to launder the pet bed cover often - here is a great tip to make it easier to put the cover back on. Some of these covers can fit quite tightly making it difficult to slide the bed back in.

Take a garbage bag, in the case of Free Dog's bed -- Free Dog who now tops 90 pounds... it's winter weight, she and I are both working on that -- we'll use a large lawn bag for her large size bed.
Slip the bag over the bed - open side away from you.
Then take the bed cover and slip it over the bed starting from the side where the bag is open (the openings will be on opposite sides).
The cloth cover will slide on easily over the slippery plastic.
Then just pull the bag out!

Friday

tip-o-day

My company just moved into a brand new LEED certified and terribly posh office.
No really...its nice. Here is where I get my coffee in the morning...just one of several coffee areas in the building. It looks like a fancy hotel.



Prior to this I was working at home 4 days a week... in the attic.
So this is a step up.
Now that I have my own space to occupy I go in more often.


I spent last week bringing in all my standard cubicle accoutrement. These things include but are not limited to: box of tissues, wind up toys, lava lamp, coffee mug, lotion, advil etc.
There are still a few things still left I want to have on hand.

Today's tip ... don't wear black pants to work before you bring in your lint roller.

Friday

tip-o-day

Let's just say you have a friend you haven't talked to in a month or so - and you decide to give a call and check in. First - if a relative answers the phone you may want to brace yourself.
If your conversation goes like this:

"Oh hi Kathy (cousin)"

some polite small talk...then stream of consciousness:

"I take care of two little baby girls. I'm hoping to keep their dreams on! We're in the process of making baby burrows to keep them warm. I have enough yarn; I've measured. Little bowl of catholic babies. I'm going to get some strips of furniture and cut them (I don't know how good they will be) but they will keep the babies bottom warm! Let's see how the rumpled-strumpskin in little black boxes are gonna look like! I don't know how this is gonna progress, but we're gonna give it a shot!"

Just roll with it.
mmk

Oh and also - if you have been told that your dear friend has terminal cancer is and is currently in a hospice program. You might want to rethink writing 'hope you get well soon' on the card attached to that lovely arrangement.

Friday

tip-o-day

I know its February and there is still snow on the ground in most of the country (even in Texas?).
But - spring is in the air people.

To bring it into the house - now is a great time to bring in flowering trees or shrubs and force them into bloom. We like to bring in the forsythias and within a couple days they explode in yellow spring happiness. This year we brought in some magnolia branches and it looks like those will bloom too.
Also - hang out your comforters and pillows, or even your curtains. You'll be surprised how the strong smell of spring air fills the house and lifts your spirits.

Friday

tip-o-day

We have all been couped up quite a bit for the last couple months, and even tho its not quite time for spring cleaning - its good to just do a quick dust/wipe of your corners and crown moldings. Cobwebs form more readily when homes are closed up and air movement is slow. They're also almost impossible to see unless the light hits them just right or when guests arrive.

This is one of the best uses for those long handled swiffery dusters things. But if you don't have one, no worries. Simply take a dishrag and wrap it around a broom or other long handled tool. Then just whisk it around the top of the room. Do a quick sweep of hanging lamps and fans at this time too.

Friday

tip-o-day

Don't let these early snow storms fool you.
Many people here decided this snow was too early to worry about. They assumed the following warm days following would melt it all away.

They are mistaken. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Allow me to explain.

This storm was an excellent example.

We woke to about 6 inches of snow on Wednesday morning.
By the time I finished my first cup of coffee the precipitation had turned to rain.
This is where most folks sat down with newspaper and got a second cup.

I sprang to action.
You see. The rain got those 6 inches of snow very wet. It was too much snow to be washed away. So the snow simply absorbed as much rain as it could and the rest sat underneath puddling.
Overnight the temps drop. With so much snow mixed with the rain, the temps don't even need to be that low.
Now ..if this were powdery snow - no worries. But this was basically water disguised as snow. So what we got was a solid freeze.
Ice.
And if you didn't shovel.
Several inches of it.

This ice is gonna be around for awhile.

It's also a great time to remind you to make sure and clear the snow several inches off the paved surfaces, well into your lawn. That way any melting that happens during the day gets absorbed. If allowed to melt out onto your driveway - those rivers and puddles freeze up overnight for slick conditions for many, many mornings.

Friday

tip-o-day

Are you busy doing some holiday cleaning?

Remember to clean under your furniture and especially make sure it's pristine under your sofa and chair cushions.

You can be sure a nephew will lose a binky, your uncle will drop his swizzle stick or the toddlers just might want to make a cushion fort.
If so, you'll be ready!

Friday

tip-o-day

It surprises me when I hear people saying they 'hate' to do laundry.
Then I realize that if I spent and entire day doing laundry I might feel the same way.

Instead of spending all day Saturday running loads of laundry and folding and stacking and storing, try this --do one load each evening or every other evening during the week.

To do one load of laundry takes only several minutes over the course of your regular evening. Here are some tips to make the whole process seamless.

- Gather your load in the morning and toss it in the machine in your way out to work.

- When you get home - flip on the washer and go make dinner.

- After dinner - toss the clothes in the dryer and go tidy the kitchen.

- When you get ready to sit down for the evening, grab the load from the dryer and fold while you watch a show, help with homework or listen to music.

- Just stack the folded clothes in the basket and set them near the stairs or hallway to your room.

- When you head to bed, take the basket and stick those couple items away in drawers and closets.

Without really doing much extra - you're done. By the time the weekend comes, the laundry is under control leaving you time to go do something fun.

Friday

tip-o-day

If you put fertilizer on your lawn, don't ignore your soil pH.
If your soil is too acidic you are basically wasting your money on fertilizer.
Balanced soil helps the lawn to absorb needed nutrients. Spreading lime on your lawn can reduce acidity, known as making the soil sweeter, and also helps to quicken composting of organic materials. Even if you don't fertilize, this can make a big difference in the overall health of your landscape.

You can have your soil tested, usually for a nominal fee, by your local extension. Some garden centers will test it for free, or you can buy a home tester - tho both these methods are somewhat hit or miss. Or you can wing it and simply add some lime.
Its a pretty good guess that your lawn needs it anyway.

I like to lime in the fall - tho you can do it any time of year. Spend the extra buck or two on pellitized lime, unless you want to look like a powdered donut when you're done.

Don't forget your vegetable garden as well!
If you incorporate composting materials in your garden beds (and why wouldn't you) then it's most likely a dusting of lime is a good idea. Tho different types of plants prefer different soil pH - so you may want to test for best results.

Take some caution before adding lime to planting beds, especially those with shrubs. Many shrubs like Rhododendron or Azalea are acid loving so adding lime would be detrimental. Some plants like the Hydrangea will bloom a different color depending on the acidity in the soil. Hydrangeas in acidic soil will bloom blue -- if you add lime (and I think you need to do this quite a bit) you can get the color of the bloom to change to pink.

Lime is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and safe for kids and pets.

Friday

tip-o-day

Time to check your winter power equipment.
Do you have a snowthrower or perhaps a generator?

It's a really good time of year to check on your winter gear. Change the oil, turn the engine over - make sure everything is up and running. Check your shear bolts, the skid pads and auger to be sure you don't need to replace any worn parts. Plenty of time to order parts before the flakes fly.

I know it may seem a little early but I truly dislike having to monkey around with power equipment once it gets cold out. Plus soon enough we will be caught up with the leaves and taking in the screens and such.
With afternoons still in the 70's it makes for a pleasant experience.
Plus, when that first snow comes I want instant gratification.

Friday

tip-o-day

Remember as the fall comes and we prepare for winter - don't store firewood in or near the house. This includes your garage and basement.
At this time of year the wood is teaming with insects and you certainly don't wan't to invite them in.

If you plan to buy wood for this winter season, now is a good time to do that. It gives you plenty of time to get it stacked and covered and will also give it a month or two more of seasoning if its not quite dry yet.

Friday

tip-o-day

Some of products I use on the lawn require watering in. We have a pretty big yard so getting out the hose and sprinkling the lawn is really not an option.

In the case of grub control - I like to get that watering in right away. I don't like the idea of the chemical sitting there for too long.

So to keep the environment as safe as I can under such circumstances*, I spread the materials before an expected rain shower.

For quick results, I like to begin spreading just as the rain is starting.
To do this I simply fill the hopper of my broadcast spreader and cover the top with a piece of foil. My gourmet wife keeps the large size foil around to cover her large baking pans - this fits perfectly over my spreader. You can also use saran warp or even a garbage bag.

Toss on a rain hat and some tall rubber boots to complete the look.



Try you're best not to apply the product when very heavy rains are expected. Not only can this be harmful to plants and wildlife but you will simply waste your money as your product washes away.

*I do generally recommend natural grub control methods - such as Milky Spore. But for this size yard in the current economy it's a bit cost prohibitive.

Friday

tip-o-day

Ok people... break it up...nothing more to see there... let's move on.

Alrighty then, today I want you to go out your front door, turn around, and look with fresh eyes.
Is your door clean? Is the glass clear and sparkly? Do the walk or steps need to be swept?

This is not only the entry into your home, but into your lives, your energy, your spirit. Let it be mindful, orderly and welcoming. You don't need expensive door knobs and knockers.
A simple entry that is tidy is most welcoming.

I've noticed that ours is in need of some paint and new weatherstripping...thanks to pets trying to open the door themselves. On the inside the FREE dog has just about clawed her way through the wood to get out at menacing delivery folk. Basically, the door is ruined. A new door is not in our budget this year, so ... I sweep, clean the glass, and shake the mat often.

My imaginative wife has placed a table on the porch by our entry. It holds a couple plants and some candles to greet our guests. If you come in the evening she will light them just prior to your arrival - even if evening has not yet cast its full shadow.

Remember, the entry is not only for guests. Every time you walk into your home you should feel centered and peaceful. A welcoming entrance can set that stage.

Go on... get up... go look.

Friday

tip-o-day

Remember that book someone wrote a while back about how we learned pretty much everything we needed to know in kindergarten.

Sometimes its just a matter of applying the knowledge.

Do you remember pencil rubbings? You know... where you take a sheet of paper and lay it over something that's textured. Then you hold your pencil flat and rub it across the page. The shading then picks up the texture onto your page. I remember running all over the school grounds to find interesting things to rub-- trees, rocks, the engraved sign on the entrance...

Well that same principal works great when you need to make a template to mount something to the wall.

I used this method in my home office to mount modems and power strips to a peg board tucked behind the chimney.

I just flipped over each device, lay a sheet of paper on it, and rubbed with my pencil over the mounting holes. Then I just lightly taped the sheet to the wall and drilled a small pilot hole directly through the paper.
After putting in the screws each device fit like a charm.

Friday

tip-o-day

Do you have pets?
Do your pets shed?

If so ... the next time you have the vacuum out...which is you have a pet like our FREE dog...is most days -- open your lower cabinets and give them a quick vacuum.
If you do this regularly - it won't build up into piles of pet hair mingling with your Pyrex.

Friday

tip-o-day

Here's another re-use tip - don't toss out your old toothbrushes - just give 'em a swish in a mild bleach solution and they make great cleaning tools.

You can use them to scrub the seams around your faucets (what? you didn't notice the grime that collects around faucets... go look). Use them to clean jewelry, scrub little vases or bottles, around the sink drain and drain baskets... the list goes on and on.
I keep one in my tool box too!

Friday

tip-o-day

Here's an unusual tip from me that doesn't have to do with cleaning and/or home maintenance -- because really we are all swamped right now with spring chores.

Since starting the new job after having been at my last job for 8 years - I have had to dust off my brain and start using it again. Its a little rusty, but I can just feel the synapses springing to life.

Being the 'new person' in a technical position where all the technology is new to me - I, of course, find myself with lots of questions to ask.

Rather than jumping out of my chair to find someone every time I become confused (remembering of course that actually speaking with someone is often the best way to learn) I have been instead taking time out to compose an email with my question(s).

This gives me an opportunity to carefully think out what it is that I want to ask and to step through it in such a way as to make it clear to someone else. Which I believe is the key part of the process - explaining things to someone else... someone who has not been sitting in your confused head for the last hour.
I have found that often times the shear act of this type of thought process helps me to figure out many of the answers on my own!

So, while you may not be the new person on the job - you can apply this learning process to fixing a sink or installing a new window or even bathing your cat.

Friday

tip-o-day

Even if you don't have pets or kids you'll want to take a walk around with damp cloth and check out your doors and door moldings. You may be surprised at what you find.
Here, the FREE dog likes to nose her way into rooms where the doors are not quite shut --so we find all sorts of slobbers and smears on things at her height.

I also recommend a very good trim paint. Since trim needs to be wiped down so often a high quality paint is a must. We love Benjamin Moore's Impervo. It's a bit pricey - but it's beautiful white luster,self leveling application, and easy washability make it well worth it.
Keeping all the trim in the house this luxurious white also makes it easy to do touch ups as needed.