caulk of the town

I caulked yesterday. The hardest part was figuring out how to load the caulking gun. For those in the same boat, this article below provides step-by-step directions. Also, a tip from HGTV and my mom: If you’re doing the tub surround, wet your finger and run it over fresh caulking. My fingernails were too long [...]

cut those kilowatts

From the Orlando Sentinel’s Frugal Force comes this energy-efficiency advice.

You know that remote-controlled TV you like to watch?
It’s a “vampire” — an appliance that never really turns off, continuing to suck energy from your outlets as it idles.
Anything requiring standby electricity classifies as one. Most electronics, such as televisions, DVDs, stereos, cordless telephones, computers, power [...]

tile-high club

Several years ago while confronted with the ugly cement balcony that overlooked the ocean, I investigated options. I discovered an interlocking tile product that looked beautiful.
In the end, I determined it was only sold in Japan but would eventually be sold in the states. Instead I went with an interlocking wood tile. Same idea but [...]

rub a dub

I would not pay $4,000 for a tub — even a $9,000 copper tub that is deeply discounted — with free shipping and no tax.
But I must admire it. It’s really dreamy! If you simply must have one, check out: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Solid-Copper-Hand-Hammered-Tub/3245613/product.html
Overstock also had a beautiful copper farm sink yesterday that sold out very quickly at [...]

a slick garage floor

I’ve been exploring options to make my garage floor prettier. Obviously I need a hobby.
Rustoleum has a paint product but since the driveway that used to be under the carport-turned-garage is old … that’s not the best option.
They have these really cool tiles that are not at all cheap and are used frequently by NASCAR [...]

ta da (almost)

I hesitate to jump the gun (yet again).
But I had a final walk-through for punch list items with the GC (who by some optimism that befuddles me believes he’ll be doing the inside of this house). That was Tuesday. It’s small, niggling stuff  (and he did not argue any of the points though had a [...]

pool update

As you may recall, I’ve had some work to do on the pool. The surrounding pool deck has been stablized with rebar and injectable grout several feet deep into the ground. A small leak or two in the pool shell were repaired.
Next step is to tear out and replace the first layer of tile (the [...]

put your mailbox on a diet

I’m sure it’s apparent that I enjoy shopping as much (OK, maybe more) than the average bear … especially if I can do so in my bunny slippers at any odd hour when I have a few minutes. Yet every purchase brings with it a rash of direct-mail catalogs that are just glutting the landfills.
Here’s [...]

have you thought about unplugging?

My boss’s family “unplugged” about 10 years ago. They have no TV, not even local stations or basic cable. The idea was that their four children were being exposed to way too much smut. It must have worked because he has really lovely children (who love to sleep over their friends’ homes so they can [...]

the gift of hospitality

It’s possible that I have real estate bipolar disorder.
I treasure my privacy and that is one reason the little house (just four miles from the center of downtown) appealed to me. It’s a quiet street that rarely serves as a cut-through because it and the surrounding streets meander so. The back porch is a little oasis. The [...]

back in the vegetable patch

Last year, the first in the new house, I fixed salads that included avocado from the tree and tomatoes from the plants in the backyard. It was pretty cool … and a first for me.
The green beauties have not ripened yet but I see some tiny fruit high up. I did not have time replant [...]

solid guidance on ideal patio woods

Laurie, of www.kitchendesignnotes.com, offers insight on the sustainability and the human rights issues/atroscities involved with specific wood choices. If you’re in the market for a new patio ensemble, check out her posting and her response to a specific question about teak. http://www.kitchendesignnotes.com/2008/06/how-to-choose-patio-furniture-aka.html
Resin-covered aluminum, polywood and recycled options are also worth considering.

born-again virginity

Sometimes it is better not to comment publicly on specific topics, other than to say at 40, I’m pretty sure no one would buy it anyhow …
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/world/europe/11virgin.html?em&ex=1213329600&en=7e3715da3237218a&ei=5087%0A

to bean or not to

Not too long ago I was searching for something to eat and discovered a soup mix kit that had been part of a gift basket. It was mostly beans and spices. I tried it out and it was delicious.
I went online to purchase more of these little goodies only to discover that the small box [...]

a work of art for the kitchen

How lovely is this? From the French company La Cornfu comes the CornuFe oven, available here through Williams-Sonoma. It comes in many splendid colors including copper. However, now get this, it comes to you for the amazing price of $8,600 (for a stove) plus almost $2,000 for white-glove delivery and installation. Wow.
Speaking of wow, I’m [...]

in honor of my dear dad

My dad passed away eight years ago today. Today while unpacking some boxes, I came across this magazine article I wrote about him back in 1987.
Stepping Out: A daughter reflects on Dad’s retirement
Shakespeare showed early promise in the yet undeveloped field of psychology when he pointed out that “all the world’s a stage, and all [...]

where there’s smoke …

What to do with the original fireplace? It’s a big brick monstrosity that takes up nearly every inch of wall space that isn’t glass and effectively blocks about a third of the lake view from the family room. The family room and fireplace were add-ons (enclosing a courtyard) in the 1970s. I find fireplaces pleasing. [...]

may God hold you in the palm of His hand

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
The winds fall soft upon your face.
And until we meet again, may God hold you
in the palm of His hand.
Happy Birthday to the most wonderful, nurturing, loving father ever. May God bless you and keep [...]

will this be the best year of your life?

I decided in January that I’d like to make this the best year of my life. I wasn’t entirely sure what that entailed, and it has been a work in progress. (It’s hard to fail when you don’t determine the goal, though that wasn’t the plan.)
So what have I done?

Read more. Ate a little less [...]

indiana jones: “that can’t be good …”

Sure it can.
I don’t care what anyone says: Harrison is still hot! Even in a most unfortunate outfit.
Suspension of disbelief is essential. The movie plot is a little strange. Parts are predictable and the storyline is off-the-wall. Some of the subplots seem to get lost. Unblinking, big-eyed, campy Cate sports a Nazi catsuit and is scary-creepy (Think Catwoman [...]

less is more

From the New York Times comes this article on smart renovation decisions: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/realestate/08COV.html?pagewanted=all

how does your garden grow?

Also from the Dwell blog comes this helpful piece on greener growing for your landscape: http://www.dwell.com/daily/blog/19461269.html
 

energy efficiency

Good news on the green front: Americans spent less to keep food cold and stuff clean thanks to new energy-efficient appliances. Check out the story on Dwell’s blog: http://www.dwell.com/daily/blog/19598904.html

i have more of these moments

it is brain science

More on the workings of your noodle: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/health/research/03sarc.html?em&ex=1212811200&en=87018b728f5d3bfa&ei=5087%0A

cheers and jeers

Not that I am an expert on anything but I’m going to share some of the experiences I have had with companies I’ve used in the remodeling process.
The general contractor. If you’ve been playing along at home this comes as no surprise. I won’t be using him for the inside part, much to his surprise [...]

welcome

I found this lovely outdoor rug, made by Duracord, which is supposed to wear like iron even in humidity and sun. It is made from recycled materials and is also supposed to be as soft as cotton. The first one I found (4×6 to be used as a doormat) was $299. But after much searching, [...]

a stroke of genius?

If you’ve not kept up with Oprah’s Soul Series, you may want to check out her interviews with Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard-trained brain scientist who suffered a stroke and temporarily lost the use of the thinking hemisphere of her brain.

Her experience is fascinating and put to the test Eckhart Tolle’s notion of quieting the [...]

malodorous bovine gases

One learns something new every day. Who knew, for example, that cows are guilty of destroying the environment?
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/columnists/orl-miket2508may25,0,104794.column

mortgage mayhem

 Are you looking to finance a mortgage? Things have changed dramatically according to this useful article in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/realestate/01cov.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all
I’m not sure what this will mean for me when I sell the first house and look for a bridge loan to do some renovation on the newer house … Stay tuned.