A Whirlwind of Household Activity

It is only human nature to want to change wall colours, window treatments and even decor when you first move into a different home.  As tempting as this is, it is better to live in the home for a few months before rushing out to buy new decor items.  Even repainting should be left until you get the feel of the house and see how the natural light affects each room.  We have been in our new home for seven and a half months.  Our house has become a whirlwind of activity since the new year.  There are service people coming and going, painting, various installations combined with still unpacking and organizing.  I am so glad we resisted the urge to make immediate changes which kept us with enough money to cover emergency and unexpected repairs.  Here are a few reasons why:

• unexpected repairs -   It is common to encounter unexpected repairs that may need immediate attention but were not apparent during your viewing.  Sellers can be very good at hiding these types of problems and even a home inspection may not uncover them.  Since moving in we have had to fix a shower leak, two leaking toilets, replace the outdoor sewer cap, repair the fence and fix one of the kitchen sink drains.  Every sink in the house needed drain cleaning as they were clogged almost to the point of not draining at all.  We had to replace the winter pool cover as the one on the pool was full of holes and quickly getting worse.  We had to have the seals on three windows repaired.  These are all repairs that needed immediate attention and the shower involved getting a plumber in.
• unexpected security issues - We live in a lovely, relatively safe community but there have been a rash of break-ins.  In addition we live in what our insurance company considers a high risk flood location and we have a pool so our house insurance actually increased by $300 per year.  We a water powered backup system installed for the sump pump so if the power is out the sump pump will still work.  With being urban and a recent rash of break-ins along with our extend period of time away, we had a monitored security system installed.  Our garage door opener suddenly stopped working so we had to replace that as well.  A garage door opener really is part of your overall household security plan despite it's convenience as your garage is always locked when the door is closed.   We still have to install motion activated outdoor lighting which is on my to-do list but I will more than likely use our X-10 for this as well as extending interior motion activated lighting.
• basic maintenance - We had to clean to our standards from top to bottom which is expected but that meant buying a few necessary pieces of cleaning equipment (eg. dust mop, vacuum cleaner [replaced with central vacuum]) to compensate for all hard flooring.  The vacuum cleaner bought new when we moved in broke so we replaced with a central vacuum that was on sale for less then the cost of a better quality rolling vacuum cleaner.  The furnace and hot water tank had to be cleaned.  We had the exterior of the house power washed as well since it looked like it had not been cleaned in several years. 

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012

Home Security

Over the past few weeks our area has seen a large increase in home break-ins as well as vehicle break-ins.    Most home burglars want a quick in and out with a bit of hiding.  They are looking for things that can be quickly turned into money more than likely for drugs but that is just an educated guess.  In our area they are targeting the easy grab and run items like money,  gold jewelry, and booze.  The reality is there are several things you can do to reduce your chance of being broke into.  Here's a few tips that work for us"

• lock it - This seems like a very simple concept but honestly a locked door whether it be on a vehicle or home is a real deterrent for break-ins.  They aren't going to spend the time trying to get through a locked home or vehicle if there is an easier mark near-by.  The current recommendation is to keep your vehicle locked even if it is in your driveway or garage and to keep all doors to your house locked whether or not you are home.
• lighting - An unlit house is more apt to be broken into than a lit house.  Use solar lighting mixed with motion activated lights.  Place the motion activated lights near possible points of entry.  Motion activated as well as timed lighting should be used indoors as well.  Do not leave outdoor lights on for extended periods of time if you aren't home as that is a dead give away the house is empty.  Timed lighting is great if it mimics your normal living style but quite frankly, an experienced burglar can likely see through this one.
• get active in your neighbourhood - We are active in our neighbourhood watch program and I volunteer for our local program.  The thing is when neighbours get involved there is a decrease crime rate.  That is because now a days, neighbours have things like cell phones and digital cameras so can even catch criminals trying to break into your home.  Not only that, good neighbours are seriously worth their weight in gold.  Get to know your neighbours.  They know what vehicles should be at your home and who should be there when you aren't there.
• alarm systems - An alarm system is a wonderful deterrent however, there has been some debate whether the system should be announced.  Generic decals are likely better because the burglar won't really know what system they are dealing with.  By far, monitored alarm systems are superior to those systems that are not monitored.  Monitoring usually costs about $20 per month but if something ever happens help is right there almost immediately.  Some alarm companies even add a red flashing light outdoors on your house so if your home is broken into, it becomes very visible within seconds sending the burglars to easier target.
• notify police - If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, notify your local police department.  They will do extra drive-bys and respond a bit faster should your alarm go off or a neighbour calls.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012

Healthy Feet Tips

I am a self proclaimed shoe-aholic.    I'm not kidding, I have shoes with the tags still on them.  For years I have listened to all the advice for healthy feet like wear all cotton socks and never wear the same pair of shoes twice in a twenty-four hour period.  My shoes are well fitted as well and I very seldom ever where exercise shoes or high heels with a strong slope.  Imagine my surprise when over the past few months I developed foot problems.  I suffered a rather nasty sprain on my left foot in February then  I finally went to the doctor because it felt like I was walking on a button on my right big toe joint.  X-rays show I have arthritis in my right foot and I do have a bunion that started developing in my pre-teens on that joint so it has been rather babied.  My doctor said the bunion would have to be corrected because the arthritis is making it worse but focus is on the current problem that will likely need an custom made orthopedic insole to get relief.   What I found out is some of the things I was doing for my feet like always wearing some type of covering even indoors was not exactly healthy.  Despite taking care of my feet there was still a lot more I could do to alleviate the pain of arthritis and make my feet healthier.

Here are a few of the things I am trying for healthier feet:

• go bare foot - This is a huge one for me as I seldom go bare foot even around the pool or on our boat.  However, going bare foot is good for your feet.  In fact, contrary to when our kids were learning to walk, the new recommendation is to let the kids go bare foot rather than wear the once popular baby walking shoes.  Going bare foot is a natural way to control moisture, bacterial and fungal problems as well as helping with balance.
• apple cider vinegar (APC) - APC is recommended both internally and externally for arthritis.  Concentrated apple cider vinegar tablets are available in health food stores and in the dietary supplement section of the pharmacy.  I have long suspected arthritis in my wrists and hands so one of our kids said to take APC.  I honestly could not believe the difference just taking two APC tablets with each meal made!  APC is also good for external pain relief.  Pour about four ounces of APC into a deep bowl then fill 3/4 full with as hot of water as you can comfortably put your feet in.  Soak for at least 20 minutes.  This will help relieve arthritis pain as well as prevent oncomycosis (the most common food fungus) as well as athlete's foot.
• gel insoles - My doctor recommended buying a pair of trainers with gel insoles.  I don't like wearing trainers so bought a pair of Dr. Scholl's career shoes with gel insoles as well as extra gel insoles to use with some of my favourite shoes.  Trimmable gel insoles are an inexpensive way to keep your feet comfortable while still enjoying your favourite shoes.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012

Controlling the Spread of Disease in Your Home

I mentioned a couple of days ago that I have a rather nasty viral infection.  To prevent the spread of this virus I am using a 50% ethanol solution to sanitize those surfaces we touch on a daily basis.  There are several methods to help control the spread of any disease (bacterial or viral) throughout your household.  The biggest obstacle is trying to do this if you are the one who is sick but a lot of the following tips are easy to do, low cost and effective.  Here's what I do:

• ethanol alcohol spray - Ethanol alcohol can be purchased at the dollar store for $1.  It kills bacteria and virii on contact.  One small bottle is enough to treat an entire house 4 to 6 times.
• wash hands - Washing your hands often throughout the day, after you use the washroom and several times during food prep is a very effective way to prevent the spread of disease.  It is cheap and effective.
• nix the hand shake - I'm sorry but I don't shake hands as a form of greeting and that isn't me being rude.  It is all about not spreading disease!  Shaking hands is a nasty way that germs are spread so just don't do it. 
• increase personal hygiene - When you are sick you really may not feel like getting wet but it is the best thing for you.  It washes away bacteria and virii, sweat and cleans germ traps like your hair.  Besides showering can help you breath a bit better for respiratory based illnesses and relax you so you get a better sleep to help your body heal.  Forget what you look like, you're sick so you aren't going to look like a glamour queen.  Aim for two showers daily when you are sick, more if you feel like it.  Even a soak in the tub is a good way to relax and help your body feel a bit better.
• increase laundry - Our normal laundry schedule is one or two loads every 10 days given we are a two adult household and have an large capacity HE washer.  During an illness outbreak it is imperative to go to a daily laundry schedule.  I know it is a pain but it is a very effective way to help control the spread of the germs.  Add a drop or two of tea tea oil to the laundry to help kill of germs and be sure to wash in the hottest water possible for the fabric.  All clothing, bed sheets, and towels the sick person used should be washed every day.  I know it sounds like a lot of work but it is very effective.
• respiratory masks - When you have a respiratory infection it becomes airborne in your home every time you cough or sneeze.  This is really problematic for others in your home during your infectious period.  An easy solution is to use a respiratory mask.  It might not be as comfortable as you would like but it will help to stop those virii from spreading throughout your household.
• garbage out - Empty the bathroom wastebasket and any other wastebaskets that could harbour germs from soiled tissues and any other illness related items a couple of times a day.  Get those germs out of your house.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012

Illness Going Through the House

Since moving into town, I have been a lot more active outside of our home meaning I am being exposed to a lot more germs.  The problem is this past winter has been unseasonably warm with no real cold snap which translates into a lot of illness going through the house.  I woke in the early morning hours of Friday knowing I was sick.  It was that simple.  I went to bed feeling fine then woke feeling horrid.  Quite frankly I'm surprised I have been sick sooner!

This particular bug is causing acute respiratory distress and quickly going into bronchitis and pneumonia something I simply can't tolerate given my medical history.  It really is a nasty bug!  So, I'm sick and can't take much in the way or relief but what I focused on Friday and today was a bit of sanitizing.  This is slow going and hard to do when feeling cruddy but I firmly believe it is the only way to stop bacterial and viral infections from spreading.  I poured 50% ethanol (rubbing alcohol) into a spray bottle then went to work.  All light switches, phone sets, door knobs, appliance handles, countertops, remote controls, computer mouse and keyboard and anything with buttons or controls we might touch were treated.  Basically any surface we touch on a regular basis daily was treated including house and vehicle keys.  The ethanol alcohol evapourates so there is no need to wipe after spraying but a cloth dampened with ethanol alcohol is used for any surface that can't handle being wet for a few minutes.

Ethanol alcohol is a very effective biological control, a nice tip I picked up from being in the labs.  It kills about 99.9% of biologicals on contact and using a spray bottle it is very easy to quickly treat your home in about 10 minutes or less even if you are feeling lousy.  The house should be treated daily during an active infection but you really only need to retreat those surfaces that may have been touched since the last treatment meaning you don't necessary have to retreat door knobs and light switches that haven't been use.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012

Introducing Simple Solutions

Last week I posted a simple solution.  Quite often in homemaking and decorating, simple and inexpensive solutions are all that is needed to make your home a bit more comfortable.  I'm tagging these under the label of simple solutions.  For the most part, these simple solutions are inexpensive and easy DIY projects designed to solve those little, irritating and nagging problems faced by homemakers.  Please watch that label for new posts.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012

Painter's Tape Isn't Just for Painting

We've all heard how useful duct tape is but my favourite multi-purpose tape is painter's tape.  It is inexpensive and doesn't damage surfaces the way masking tape can.  Although I have a couple of specialty, no bleed through painter's tape, the one I like for general purpose use is the Painter's Mate Green or similar in the 1 - inch wide width.  Here's so of the ways I've used painter's tape:

• temporary labels - Painter's tape is excellent for temporary labels.  I use a Sharpie marker to write on painter's tape creating temporary labels for filled boxes of home canned foods, as a label on filled jars of home canned foods using the Tattler lids, as labels on plastic totes and essentially anywhere I need a label that can easily be removed later.
• furniture placement - Sometimes it is difficult to determine where larger pieces of furniture will go in a room.  Using painter's tape is a lot easier than moving around heavy furniture.  I measure the piece then make the outline on the floor with painter's tape.  It can be moved a couple of times, then once the location has been determined, I mark the centre with painter's tape so the piece can be positioned properly.
• temporary draft stop - A piece of painter's tape placed over electrical outlets is a quick draft fix if you don't have enough of the childproof plug covers that double a draft stoppers.  It works well to stop drafts from any cracks on outer room walls until you get a chance to fix the crack properly.
• hanging pictures - I use painter's tape to aid in the proper planning and placement of painting groups or other wall hangings.  Unlike using string to run between two picture hangers when planning groupings, painter's tape will not sag.
• renovating projects - Painter's tape is a great tool to help you visualize ideas when renovating.  For example, I thought some type of trim would accent the tub/shower unit in the main bathroom but didn't know exactly what.  I taped a 1 - inch strip all around where the trim would go then went ahead and painted the room.  Once the paint was dry I removed the tape to show the old paint behind to see if a frame would work as I planned.  This was a simple solution with the worst case scenario being painting the strip the same colour as the wall.  We did like the effect and chose to have a custom wood frame made.
• temporary indoor game markers - We use painter's tape in the games room to temporarily mark boundaries or other special marks like 'stay behind this line' for indoor games like neurf ball toss, darts and the holy board game. 

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012