I was awoken last night by the sound of drip……drip……drip…. While my mind became fully alert my body did not. After a long sugar high weekend induced by costumes, trick or treating and of course candy my body gave out. While my brain recognized the need to get up and find the source of that awful dripping my body just did not want to cooperate. So instead I lay in bed and anticipated the next drip.

When I finally was able to function sometime in the a.m. hours I discovered the source of the problem that had kept me up most of the night. Now we all have things around the house that we are good at and that we totally despise. Anything to do with plumbing goes on the despise list for me. I think it was because I once had a leaky kitchen sink that it seemed as if no plumber could fix. Finally after a lot of money and time wasted I found a plumber who identified the source of the problem and was able to fix it. Since we were in the process of selling our house at the time this happened it felt like there was a lot at stake. I did not want to waste any more money on a home I was no longer going to be living in and I really did not have the extra time to hang around the plumber when there were a million things that needed to be done.

I am now in a really fortunate position to be surrounded by trustworthy contractors. So this morning instead of going through the Yellow Pages trying to decide which plumber to call, or phoning up my friends asking them if they knew anyone I simply called a plumber on my referral list. It was quick, it was easy and best of all my drip… drip… drip is once again quiet.

Tips For Living Greener At Home

If you are concerned about the environment and interested in creating a more eco-friendly  home, here are some tips to point you in that direction. These tips are not only good for the environment, but can also save you money.

1)  Use Power Strips- Plug your stereo, television, computer and other home appliances in each room of your home into one power strip. Do the same with your kitchen appliances. When it comes time to go to sleep, simply flip the switch on the power strip to off. You can also do this if you are going to be out of the house for several hours. If certain appliances must stay plugged in for whatever reason, don’t forget to turn off the rest. Also unplug items such as cell phone chargers when not in use. Studies have shown that appliances left plugged in while not in use account for approximately 10% of your energy usage.

2)  Use Ceiling Fans To Help Keep Air Circulating- In the summer time try setting your air conditioning somewhere in the upper 70’s and use your ceiling fan to help circulate the air in the room. The circulating air will help keep you cool. Blades should rotate in a counter clockwise direction in the summer and in the reverse direction in the winter. Ceiling fans can be a great addition to any home. They can help save you money on your cooling and heating bills and look great as well. One thing to remember is the ceiling fans only circulate the air, not actually cool or heat a room, so don’t forget to turn them off when you’re out of the room.

3)  Cutting Back Energy Costs in the Kitchen- A couple of days a week try not to use all your major appliances. Cook your dinner in the microwave, toaster oven, or even eat meals you don’t have to cook. A salad is refreshing on a hot summer day topped with last nights left over chicken or steak. Salad, fresh fruit, and frozen yogurt or ice cream for dessert make a great light summer meal.

4)  More Kitchen Savings- Use cloth napkins and towels versus paper napkins and paper towels. They can be washed and reused over and over again. This will save you money at the grocery store and save trees as well. Wash your dishes by hand and as an added bonus the leftover soapy water can be used to water your plants. Soapy water kills common household plant pests and waters your plants at the same time.

5)  Save Water in the Bathroom- Simply turning of the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving can save a significant amount of water. The average faucet has been shown to put out around three gallons of water per minute. The amount of savings can really add up both for your pocketbook and for the environment.

6)  Save Gas Whenever Possible- Try combining errands when you go out, carpool to work or when driving the kids to school, and try to map out the shortest route to get to your destination. The air and your gas bill will thank you.

7)  Don’t Forget the Bag and the Bottle- Invest in a cloth bag or two as well as a reusable water bottle. You can use your cloth bag not only at the grocery store, but anywhere you shop. Carry them in the car so that you always have them with you. A home water filtration system and some reusable water bottles ensure that you’ll never need to buy and lug heavy water bottles again. Keep some of your pre-filled bottles in the refrigerator to grab and go when you’re on the run.

Rooms To Escape To

Whether you call them man caves, woman caves, no kids allowed rooms, or family relaxation areas, everyone needs a place to escape to once in a while. We’ve all had those moments when we need a moment alone or to escape somewhere for a while. A place to gather with our girlfriends to “dish” or a place where the guys can congregate and be themselves. Or maybe you’re dreaming of a room that the whole family can gather to relax in or a place to entertain friends and family. Any and all combinations of these rooms are possible with a little imagination.

Creating this space can be as simple as utilizing a basement, spare room, or garage area that is not currently being used to it’s best potential. If you have the room, it is also possible to add on an extra room, conservatory, or even build a separate detached room somewhere on your property like a hacienda or mother-in-law suite. Consult with a local contractor or architect to see what your best options are.

Once you’ve decided where to put such a room, the next step is to decide what to put in it. If you had a room to escape to, what would it be? The options are limitless. Here are a few suggestions to get your mind warmed up and thinking.

Perhaps a comb ination gym and lounge area is what you had in mind. Put in your weights and desired gym equipment, a comfy couch and maybe a plasma television and stereo system, and you’ve got a great room.

If this is not what you had in mind, what about a game room with a pool table and a built in bar. Some high top tables, barstools, hanging television, stereo, and perhaps a pinball machine or slot machine for everyone to enjoy. This room would be enjoyable for family, friends, and even just some alone time. Another option for a game room could include putting in a card table for poker nights. 

Maybe you have a hobby that’s become overgrown and you need a bigger space for it. You could create a hobby room for whatever your hobby may be. Whether it’s for a slot car track, a train set, scrap booking, or a place to store your collections, it could offer a respite to escape to and become totally engrossed in whatever you enjoy most.

If you enjoy the arts, maybe an art studio or combination dark room and photo studio would be more to your liking. You could add whatever art supplies, furnishings and equipment that you may need and spend your moments of quiet time relaxing enjoying something you love to do.

If you need a spare room as well as an escape, this is possible as well. You could make this space like a small apartment. Add a bathroom, a sleeper sofa, some comfy chairs and cozy furnishings. This may be a room where you can not only house guests but also escape to for some quiet television watching, reading, music, or just to gather with friends. It might also be a quite comfortable “dog house” for that occasional spat with your spouse.

Whatever you decide to do with your space is up to you. Feel free to let your imagination soar. It doesn’t have to be an expensive project if you utilize the space and things that you already have. Whatever you decide, enjoy yourself. You deserve it!

New & Improved Housing Rehabilitation Program

House owners may now recieve up to $30,000 for home improvement items and mobile home owners may recieve up to $15,000.  Residents may qualify for the zero percent (0%) deferred loan or the three percent (3%) loan for home repairs depending on income and other qualifications. 

Eligible repairs include roofing, windows, exterior and interior painting, plumbing, electrical, energy/weatherization items, garage doors, and other common home repairs.  Income limits and other qualifications apply.

If you have questions regarding Housing Rehabilitation Loans, or would like to request an application, please call Theresa Dobbs at 949-461-3473 or Elaine Nagano 949-461-3471. 

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