Posts in category 'Home Improvement'

Over the last 8 – 10 months we have upgraded the kitchen appliances and the result brings a smile to my face literally every day. The fridge was outdated and way too small. The dishwasher didn't, well, "wash" dishes! And the sink/faucet combination was way too shallow and simply annoying to use. Everything we bought was second hand to save money (It's amazing what people sell!) and other than the water line to the new fridge, we installed everything ourselves. We literally couldn't be happier.

On multiple articles over the last few years we have discussed the remodeling or upgrading of certain areas of the home. Kitchens, baths, basements and garages have all received my treatment and all have had one thing in common. It is important to know for whom you are doing the remodel. In most cas...

Click Here to Read More...

Anyone who knows me knows that I like things to be simple. Regardless of the restaurant (for the most part) I order a cheeseburger first. If they can make a good burger, chances are it is worth it to try a more complicated (read: expensive) item next time. My vehicle purchase only had 2 requirements: 4-wheel drive and 6-cylinder. Granted, I do work from home, but my daily clothing includes the same pair of pants and my favorite sweatshirt.

A friend of mine went back home for the holidays and left his dog with some friends of his. When he returned his dog "Buddy" was obviously not happy with being left that whole time and clearly did not like where he was. After further chatting with my friend, he noted that the house where Buddy was living for the week was in a constant state of chao...

Click Here to Read More...

Regardless of where you stand on the global warming issue you'd really have to be living under a rock to not accept the reality of what we humans are doing to harm this planet. (You know. The only planet we have on which to exist!) But even if global warming and the horrific issue we are creating with all of our waste doesn't motivate you to "act locally", we can all agree that saving money is a good thing, right?

This week a friend of the newspaper from Randolph wrote in with some great information about solar panels. It prompted me to do a little digging of my own and explore this technology a bit further. I've now lived in two homes that have had solar in place. The first used the panels, situated just behind the house, to heat the water for the home. This handled the "forced hot wa...

Click Here to Read More...

While visiting a friend of mine last week, I was sitting in the living room waiting for him to get home from work when the doorbell rang. As I was chatting with the woman on the front steps a voice chimed in. "Hi Carol. This is my friend, Jason. Come on in and get started. I'll be home soon".  It was my buddy. He was talking to both of us (and watching us) through the doorbell. Later in the week (again, waiting for him to get home) my friend turned on the air conditioning at the house (it was 35 degrees outside!) just to mess with me. Both of these trinkets controlled by his phone. We have arrived at an age of technology that most of us never even dreamed possible.

I mention the thermostat because it is just one of the many upgrades you can make to your home with a very re...

Click Here to Read More...

Well that was quick! I don't know about you but I got the feeling Thanksgiving snuck up on me this year. You certainly can't escape the incessant black Friday advertising, but I was hoping we'd have another week of peace before the commercial extravaganza that is Christmas was forced upon us. It's not that I don't enjoy the holidays, it is just the cash-grab from ever retailer in the country that rubs me the wrong way. For those of you who know me, I'll see you out on the trail! So far the wilderness is too far for them to conquer.

If the first wave of holiday revelers is currently making their way through your home you still have some time to tidy up before Christmas. Who knows? Maybe you could even recruit some of your more industrious guests to help out. Today we're going to tackle t...

Click Here to Read More...