Clogs Be Gone with Roto-Rooter

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Krissyar

I’ve told you before about the old house I live in – where I literally think the pipes are older than any living member of my family. With 5 people and 2 cats in our house, you can imagine the type of clogs we get – especially with 2 teenage girls, and a mischievous little boy. In fact, we were just talking last night about how when my son was about 7 he tried to sneak his kitten to school – in his backpack. Thankfully I noticed he was being just a bit too careful with his backpack on the way out the door, so I checked – but I sure didn’t expect to see a cat! Obviously this is just one of many situations we have gotten ourselves into with our little guy.

So I guess I should admit I can’t always just blame the kids (though I would say clogs are about 99% them). On occasion when I’m cooking I am really really bad about putting grease down my kitchen drain.

Now it’s not on purpose – I’m just usually cooking when I get home from work, with kids asking me questions about homework, my son asking when dinner is going to be done because he’s starving, and cats meowing about the same. On more than one occasion I’ve went to drain the ground beef for tacos or spaghetti and oops – there it went.

We don’t have a garbage disposal of course, so there it went – and each time I know I’m gonna’ have to dig out the Roto-Rooter -usually the max or gel cleaner, or I’m gonna’ be in big trouble.

Having Roto-Rooter products in my closet have been a life saver on more than one occasion. Because trust me, I’ve ran out before, and it’s not pretty. Especially at 11 o’clock at night and I am trying to do dishes so I can go to bed (I cannot go to bed with a sink full of dirty dishes – it ruins my morning!)

The great thing about Roto-Rooter MAX is literally within an hour I’ve been able to go right back to business – no extra work needed!

Posted in Cleaning & Organizing | 1 Comment

Sheet Pan Blueberry Banana Pancakes

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Krissyar

Sheet Pan Blueberry Banana Pancakes

Yields: 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Bake Time: 10-14 minutes | Total Time: 15-19 minutes

 

Ingredients:

4 cups pancake mix (+ required water, milk, eggs, etc)

1 cup blueberries

1 banana, sliced thin

2 tablespoons butter

 

Additional materials:

Large rimmed sheet pan

Aluminum foil

 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil and set aside.
  2. Prepare batter in a large bowl as stated on packaging or as directed on recipe. Set aside.
  3. Melt butter. Brush butter onto prepared sheet pan. Pour pancake batter onto pan – spreading it evenly. 
  4. Place half of the blueberries and bananas onto the top of the poured batter. Bake for 5-7 minutes (approximately half way through), and remove from oven to add the second half of blueberries and bananas (the fruit sinks through as it’s baking). Place pan back in the oven and check it again after baking for 5 additional minutes. 
  5. Pancakes are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. To get the golden brown color, turn your oven to broil and place the pan in the oven for 2 minutes at a time until desired shade is reached. You may need to rotate the pan to get even color.

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The Christmas Tree Debate: To Go Real or Artificial

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Krissyar

For many families who celebrate Christmas, there is an all too common debate that they must revisit every year: whether to buy a real or artificial Christmas tree that year.

 

Probably many of us remember the debates our parents had when we were children, or we have at least heard of them. One parent was raised with an artificial tree and the other a real tree at Christmas, and neither can bear the thought of changing.

 

The debate can get surprisingly heated!

 

So, if you are anticipating yet another Christmas tree debate this year at Christmas, let us help you out by spelling out the pros and cons of each option.

 

The Real Deal: Live Christmas Trees

 

For folks on the “real Christmas trees only” team, they tout many factors for why a real tree is the only Christmas tree for them.

 

The most common supporting point for this side is the wonderful fir-tree smell. Smells are one of the biggest things that establish strong memories in our brains. So, naturally, when someone grows up smelling a real Christmas tree every year at Christmas, their fond memories of the season are unrelentingly tied to the smell. It simply doesn’t feel like Christmas without it.

 

Another factor for real tree fans is the process of going to pick the tree out as a family. Many families start the Christmas season by going together to hunt for the perfect tree. The whole process of pulling the trees out, turning them to check for bare spots and broken limbs, is all a part of building the season’s special feelings.

 

This is especially true for those who like to go to actual Christmas tree farms to find and cut down their own tree. Such activities for many are necessary to recreate the Christmas cheer that they experienced as children. They are tradition.

 

However, there are of course down sides to living Christmas trees. For one, they will require much more maintenance, including watering and fertilizing them as long as you keep them up, else they will turn brown and start to shed their needles.

Real trees are also very messy, even if you keep them well maintained. The sap manages to get everywhere, as do the needles.

 

Finally, it is not exactly easy to get or dispose of the real Christmas tree, especially if you do not have a very large vehicle. And disposal often requires a special trip to the land fill.

Here are all of the pros and cons we could think of for a quick reference:

 

Pros:

  • Wonderful, seasonal smell from the fir tree
  • The festive tradition of picking out and even cutting down the tree
  • Every year there is a different tree to make new memories with
  • They are never pre-decorated, so your family will also make memories decorating a new tree every year

Cons:

  • Live trees are difficult to transport if you don’t have a big car
  • They make quite a mess with their sap and needles
  • They take a lot of work to care for (watering and providing “Christmas tree food”) to prevent them from browning
  • Even with good care, they can die and turn brown before the season is over
  • Not easy to get rid of when Christmas is over

The Artificial Option

 

 

For those who believe artificial Christmas trees are the best, they also have just as strong opinions on the matter.

 

For many artificial tree supporters, convenience and idealism are their strong points of argument.

 

As far as convenience goes—there is no yearly trip to the store or tree farm and the complicated process of transporting it home. There is also no mess from needles or sap.

 

Some take the convenience a step further and purchase trees that already have lights and decorations already on the tree. For those who have little time, or those without children or with grown children, these trees create the festive spirit without all of the demanding work.

 

With regards to idealism, artificial trees are usually perfectly symmetrical and filled in. There are no gaps, broken limbs, or awkward angles. The trees look perfect enough for a post card. And for the trees that come with lights already on them, the lights are evenly distributed, which is great for those who are not gifted in the art of lighting a tree.

 

Still wondering about the fir-tree smell, though? Artificial tree fans have an answer for that too—plug ins and candles that spread the fir scent all through the house.

 

Here are all the pros and cons for artificial trees:

 

Pros:

  • Absolutely no mess (no needles, no sap)
  • No maintenance—tree doesn’t need to be watered to stay green
  • Easy to put up and pack up
  • Can come already lit and decorated for ultimate convenience
  • Perfect tree every time

 

Cons:

  • No (natural) fir-tree smell
  • No tradition of trekking out to find the perfect tree
  • Miss out on lighting and decorating your own tree each year (which may be a pro for you…)
  • Same tree (and possibly lights and decorations) every year

 

Hopefully our run-down helps you and your family make a unified decision this year!

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When to Call the Pros: Know Your Limits on DIY Electrical Work

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Krissyar

Changing a light bulb is hardly a complex DIY task but when the electrical jobs become more complex there will come a point when you have to consider employing the services of a qualified professional.

 

It is not just a matter of competency when it comes to doing your own electrical work as there is also the issue of meeting building codes and regulations, so here is a look at how to tell when it’s time hire an electrician.

 

It is never worth gambling with your safety

 

The bottom line when it comes to electrical work is that there is a tipping point where you simply can’t afford to take risks and put the safety of the occupants and the property itself at risk.

 

There are several key electrical issues that are best left to a professional and if any of the following scenarios are what you are facing, think carefully about whether you want to risk attempting a DIY job.

 

Wiring not up to standard

 

If you are having problems with the wiring in your home and your inspection reveals that sections of wiring have become damaged or showing signs of age, you will probably have to call an electrician rather than try to replace parts of the wiring yourself.

 

The fundamental reason for this is not just a lack of professional knowledge that you might have, but more to the point,  the fact that building codes will require you to get the wiring work signed off as meeting current standards.

 

You could mix and match with your approach and acquire the electrical items you need when you check these out, before getting a professional in to carry out the installation work on your behalf.

 

Signs of severe damage

 

Even more serious than an aged wiring problem is the sound and smells associated with a dangerous electrical problem.

 

Any noticeable buzzing, sparking or smell of burning is cause for alarm and if these are left unchecked for even a short period of time you are putting yourself at risk of electrocution or even a fire.

 

These particular issues need to be addressed urgently and repairs carried out by a professional.

 

When your circuit breaker is telling you something

 

The circuit breakers in your home are designed as a safety mechanism to protect you when your electrical system becomes overloaded for some reason, so if the system is tripping on a regular basis that could be a sign of an underlying problem.

 

If your electrical system is not able to cope with the demands placed on it and the breaker keeps tripping you need to arrange to find out why that is happening.

 

The best course of action would be to call in an electrician so that you can get a professional evaluation of the condition of your wiring system and what needs to be done to make it safer and stop the circuit breaker from being called into action so often.

 

There are plenty of general DIY tasks you can happily tackle without calling in outside help but when it comes to a number of electrical issues, it’s best to know your limits and call in a professional.

 

Posted in Crafts/DIY | Leave a comment

Less of the Stress: Finding Ways to Relax on a Business Trip

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Krissyar

It is more than likely that you will have a hefty work schedule to keep up with on your travels but if you don’t find a way to lessen the stress and unwind when your work is done, it could have implications for your health.

Here are some pointers on how to zone out of business mode for a short period and calm your mind, including why mindfulness is proving so popular,

Learning how to train your mind to be calm

The odds are fairly high that something is likely to spoil your plans or your mood while you are away on a business trip, so the trick is to anticipate potential issues and prepare your mind to cope with whatever curveball comes your way.

Practicing mindfulness is all about focusing on the positives and staying in the moment rather than getting stressed and worrying about what lies ahead.

There are some easy and effective mindfulness techniques you can learn with ease and they could really help you to deal with any problems more easily and without sending your stress levels through the roof.

Pick a hotel with good amenities

If you can manage to pick a hotel that offers opportunities for relaxation with a quick dip in the pool or hot tub, or where you could book a treatment to help you de-stress, this can help you switch off when you finish your schedule for the day.

A hotel like the Marriott Hutchinson Island is one example, where you can take advantage of the various amenities in order to allow any stress from the day melt away.

Plan in advance before you get there which leisure activities facilities you might like to use and check whether you need to book before you get there so that you have something relaxing included on your schedule.

Get socializing

Going out for a drink with work colleagues or prospective clients is different to going out with a friend or acquaintance who has no business connection with you.

If you are in an area where you have a friend you don’t see very often it is the perfect chance to meet up with a someone who isn’t going to talk business and allow yourself to switch off with some relaxing socializing.

Don’t overload yourself

Another winning strategy that can help you reduce your stress levels while you are working away is to try and get as much work as possible done before you go.

If you have a presentation to hone or a proposal to put together for your scheduled meetings on your trip, it is a no-brainer to use dead airline time and try and do what you can before you even set off on your journey.

If you leave everything to the night before or the last minute in the hotel room, you are adding to your stress levels and putting more pressure on yourself with such stringent time constraints.

We could all do with less stress in our life so take some positive steps to improve your chances of relaxing between meetings on your next business trip.

 

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