Sometimes Progress is Slow

So I thought that perhaps you might enjoy an update on my home remodeling project and the status of our progress. We originally had every intention of being finished and all moved in a long time ago. But we have been learning that sometimes progress can be slow and take much more time than you may have previously allotted for a project.

One of our delays was the passing of my grandmother. She has been in a care center for a couple of years and she finally left us and returned to the presence of God in Heaven. It is her house that we are remodeling. I am sure that she is watching over us with my grandfather and watching the remodel with fascination.

Many of our delays have been caused by the guy we hired to do the plumbing and heating. It seems that he has overextended himself in our community and has too many projects going on at the same time. I know that many of you would just tell me to hire someone else. It just isn’t that easy because this is a very small community and he is pretty much the only one that can do the job. There is one other person, but the end result would be pretty scary, if you catch my drift. At least the roof has been put on and the insulation has been blown in. And we are doing the rest ourselves.

So as of right now, although we have made tons of progress and should be able to get things situated soon, we are still waiting for heat and hot water. Since we now live in Wyoming, call me crazy, but I really think we should have heat in our home before it gets much colder. Oh, and hot water is always a good thing.

However, I do have a kitchen pretty much put together and the bathroom is close. We just moved the claw foot bathtub that we restored in today. We are waiting for the plumber to finish installing the fixtures and shower and it will be ready for use. The tub is really neat and the feet are eagle claws. Now, most people think that they have seen an eagle claw before, but these feet are different from any I have ever seen. They are the full body of an eagle with the claws of the eagle holding onto the ball of the tub foot. I will show you pictures when it is complete. I need to do more research on the tub and the special feet. It has been quite fascinating.

Anyway, my point is that sometimes progress is slow. But if you are continually moving in the right direction, then you will eventually make your goal. I will post the before and after pictures when things are complete. And if you have any knowledge about my tub and the claw feet that I have described, please leave me a comment and share. You just may save me a lot of research!

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One of the most important things to remember about food storage is to rotate the items frequently. You will want to use up the oldest items first and replace them with fresh items. Many families accomplish this by having a weekly food storage night.

To have a food storage night, you will simply need to cook your meal using items from your food storage. Now in the past, this might have been a scary meal. But keep in mind that you do not need to store items that you will never eat. It is important to build your food storage around items that you normally eat in your family. Otherwise you might have a food storage night like the family in this video:

What items do you have in your food storage? What items do you need to add? How will you ensure that you rotate your food so that items do not go bad? Leave me a comment and share.

Perhaps one of the biggest problems that people face when beginning a food storage system is limited space. Lack of space can be a big problem when you are trying to be prepared. But with a little ingenuity and imagination, you will find that it really isn’t as difficult as you may suspect.

The first thing that you will need to do is to look around your home for any wasted space. Even those who live in apartments will find places that they are not using. Now that you have looked everything over, look again. There are sure to be several places that you are not utilizing that can be used for storing extra food and supplies.

How about under your bed? If you are not using this space, it would be very simple to place some cases of canned food items there. Or perhaps you would prefer to place items such as toilet paper under your bed. The important thing is not so much what you place under your bed, but that you are looking and using the empty spaces that are available to you.

Do you have end tables or a coffee table in your living room? How about the space under them? Are you utilizing that space? You can always cover these tables with a nice tablecloth so that your storage doesn’t show. And you will rest easy knowing that you are a little more prepared than you were previously.

When looking for extra space for food storage and other storage, think of any of the possible places that you may not have thought of before. Look up. Look down. Look left. Look right. You will find that there are several places that you can stash one or two items. It doesn’t need to be cases and cases of items. Emergency storage is done one can or package at a time. Break things up if you need to. Go vertical. Build a few shelves. Just do it. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, you will be grateful that you have at least some of the necessary items in your home.

What are some other ideas that you can think of to create space or find space for food storage? Leave me a comment and share.

Photo provided by  fieryn

Today I thought I would regal you with a little Kiwi humor. In this video, Billy T. James shows us how to save money on home improvements. Of course, while I would never really follow this advice, it does make for some great laughs. I especially found his advice on the food disposal to be especially humorous. I am insisting on a disposal in my new kitchen, although my mom told the plumber that I wouldn’t want one as she didn’t know what I would do with one. Since I have had one in my kitchen the past 12 years, I am confident that I know what to do with one. However, I think I won’t be showing this video to my dad…it might give him some ideas.

Here is the video and I hope it gives you a chuckle or two:

What are some of your ideas for saving money during home improvements?

My son came up to me yesterday and asked if we had any food storage. He was concerned that if something happened and the grocery store was closed, what would we do for food? I was happy to inform him that we indeed have food storage and that we are fairly prepared for an emergency with food and supplies. Do I have everything that we love to eat? No, of course not. But I do have a fairly good supply that will sustain us if we need it.

In today’s world and economy, it is a really good idea to have a storage of food and supplies in reserve. It is a smart thing to do and it just makes sense financially. Of course, it is easy to overdo it if you aren’t already in the habit of storing items for use later. But it really doesn’t have to cost a lot and what you do now will save you money in the future.

Perhaps the easiest way to develop food storage is to buy just one or two extra items of the things you like when you do your regular grocery shopping. Watch for any sales that the stores may be offering and stock up on your favorites then. Be sure that you also store some bottled water. I usually grab a case or two when it goes on sale and then I make sure that we use it by the date that is stamped on the bottles. Many people forget to get water, so don’t let it be you. Also, don’t forget items such as toilet paper and batteries. Non-consumable items are just as important to store.

Another important facet of food storage is to rotate the items. You will need to be sure to use the older items first. This is easy if you always put the new items in the back and use from the front. I like to use my storage to cook with and then I replace the items I used the next time I grocery shop.

Food storage doesn’t need to wait to be used until an actual emergency or disaster arises. We use our storage throughout the winter or when items have increased in price and we don’t want to pay those prices. We have also used our storage very successfully during times of unemployment. It was nice to be able to support ourselves and not worry where we would get food. We were already prepared.

Building and using a food storage system will bless you and your family in many ways. You will feel secure in times of trial and turbulence because you are prepared. And that will go a long way in making your house feel like home. Later this week I will share some ideas to store food and supplies when you don’t have much room in your home.

Do you have an emergency food storage? What items do you store? Leave me a comment and share.

Photo provided by earl53

I have discovered that it really pays to have a sense of humor when you are remodeling a home. Otherwise, you are sure to not survive the utter chaos that ensues and takes over your life. I know this to be true, as I am currently living that very nightmare…I mean, blessing. 

During the month of June, my husband and I decided that it would be a great idea to move back home and keep an eye on our parents. Both of our jobs afford us this luxury as we are able to work from most anywhere and still support our family. So we talked it over with our parents, put our perfectly good home in Idaho on the market and packed up our belongings. The idea was to move into my Grandparents old home (old being the operative word here) and remodel it as we went along. We had such high and naive aspirations.

Currently, we are found to be living in the basement of my parents’ home. I am way too old to be living with my parents. I am sure that they thought they had gotten rid of me long ago. But we all thought this would surely only be a couple of weeks at the most. Did I mention we were naive?

In all seriousness, we are making some great progress and someday soon we may even have hot water flowing through the new plumbing. I finally got two new toilets fully installed this past week. Not too bad, when Grandma and Grandpa only had one bathroom to begin with. The two bathroom floors are freshly tiled and someday soon I will even have walls for the new one. It does have a door, however, so if you close your eyes you can almost imagine that you have a little privacy.

The kitchen and dining room are fully gutted and ready for new wiring, sheet rock, insulation, tile, ceiling, lighting, counter tops and cabinets. I can almost see it now…except for the plaster and lathe that still need to be scooped up from the floor. My husband is running a little behind in his job. When you consider that we took off for 10 days for a work trip that had to be made, we are actually doing well.

So as I have agreed to blog-sit for awhile, I thought that I would regal you with the tales of my renovation. I have a seemingly limitless supply of information as I have been learning how to make an old house a home.  While the picture I used today isn’t really my home, you get the picture…

As I share my current life of chaos, if you have any suggestions to help me through this, please leave me a comment. And if you are passing by my neighborhood, bring your hammer…you’ll need it. I promise to supply you with some great bottled water for your efforts. Eventually, I may even have a place for you to sit and visit.

Photo provided by melodi2

If you like to repair things around your home or apartment, then you need to have some basic tools available in your toolbox. I’m a DIYer and I have my own DIY toolbox with all the necessities. You don’t need to have everything but having these will make the job much simpler. Even things as simple as Velcro can make a job easier. Lisa Hoover wrote a great article which lists all of the DIY uses for Velcro.

“Velcro is one of the handiest tricks around for home improvement and decorating projects. It’s available at big retail stores, small craft stores, and even at some grocery stores. It’s cheap, comes in several different colors, and is available in sheets, squares, strips, and dots of all sizes. Velcro is very strong, yet removes easily from most surfaces (test first in an inconspicuous area). To use, just cut it to the size you need, peel the paper backing off both sides, and stick in place. ” http://www.diylife.com/2007/06/25/inside-the-diy-toolbox-velcro-is-your-friend/

So let’s go ahead and stock the DIY toolbox and don’t forget the Velcro.

Apollo Precision Tools DT0773N1 - 135 Piece Household Pink Tool Kit

Screwdrivers - a great thing to keep handy is a multi-function screwdriver that has several different tips that are stored in the handle. In addition, you should have a set of Phillips and slotted-head screwdrivers and a set of small screwdrivers. Each set will come with different sizes for different jobs.

Hammer - another necessity for the toolbox. I like to keep a large one, 12 ounce, for heavy jobs and smaller one for simple jobs.

Pliers - adjustable pliers which are great for working on plumbing and in tight spots like under sinks and in cabinets.

Wrench - an adjustable wrench for use with nuts and bolts. This is essential in the toolbox since it is used for tightening and assembling.

Level - at least a 10 inch level, preferably longer, is needed for hanging items on walls in order to determine if they are straight. You will need this to hang things such as curtain rods, pictures, shelving, etc.

Apollo Precision Tools DT9773 53-Piece Household Tool Kit with Tool Box

Ladder - a small utility step ladder is good to keep around but a regular step ladder (8 foot is the preferred) is a necessity in order to reach high places for doing things such as changing light bulbs, painting, even changing curtains. It’s much safe to use a ladder than standing on chairs.

Caulking Gun - this along with a spare tube of caulking is good to have around for those unexpected times when you discover something needs to be sealed such as windows or doors.

Utility Knives - along with extra blades for heavy duty cutting. Make sure to purchase the retracting kind which is much safer.

Hot Glue Gun - great to keep in your toolbox along with glue sticks.

Vise Grips - otherwise known as locking pliers. I use this as a third hand sometimes.

Tape Measure - every home and DIY toolbox needs a good tape measure.

Yard Stick - this is best if it is 36 inch metal yard stick. This will even guide you when cutting a straight line.

Goggles, dust mask and ear protection - always a must for safety and you never know when you may need them.

Drill - this is a must and the cordless are easy to use.

Kawasaki 840056 Black 19.2v 4pc Cordless Combo Kit

Jig Saw - in my toolbox, this is a must. I have made many things using a jig saw and a piece of wood.

Sponge Paint Brushes - cheap, disposable and easy to reach for when needed for touchups..

Cordless Screwdriver - not a necessity but is nice to use as long as you have it charged.

Sand Paper

It a must in my house that I have my own toolbox that no one else touches so that when I find something that needs to be done, I can get right on it. It’s a habit for me to scour the discount stores for tools in search for something new and inexpensive. Many times my husband comes to me for that needed tool that can be only found in my DIY toolbox. Do you like to DIY and have your own toolbox? Go ahead and share it. I might be missing something important.

One of the most important things to do when purchasing a home is having a home inspection. By doing this, you will not only have peace of mind but will save yourself money by knowing if there are any issues with the home. The cost of the inspection is minimal compared to a major repair that may have to be done. Make sure to use a licensed inspector for this as they are trained to look for things that may not be very noticeable to the untrained eye.. Here are some things that are checked during a home inspection.

If the home is not occupied, make sure that the electric is turned on and active. The inspector needs the electric in order to check the appliances. He will check the heating and cooling systems, the washing machine, the dryer, the stove and any other appliance that is part of the transaction. He will also inspect the plumbing and electrical systems of the home.

Checking the roof for damage is another thing the inspector will do. He will also check the fascia and soffits and gutters. He will be looking at the foundation and structure of the house for cracks that may cause problems or need to be repaired. He will make note of any rotten or deteriorated wood around the home. If there is a sprinkler system attached to a well, he will put the pump on to make sure that it is working properly and will check the pressure of the well pump. He will also check to see if the sprinkler heads are in place. If there is a pool, he will check the condition of the pool along with the pool pump. Again, he will put the pump on to make sure that it has enough pressure and is working properly.

One of the most important parts of an inspection is checking for termites and other wood destroying organisms. What may look like old wood to you may really be termites. If this is discovered, it should be taken care of prior to the final transaction of purchasing the home. After all, this is not something you will want to be responsible for as soon as you buy a home. It can be an very costly endeavor. If it is wood destroying organisms such as ants, you can possibly replace the wood yourself.

Any mold found on the interior of the home also can become an issue. Mold can be very dangerous to your health. If mold is found, your inspector can advise you on what the next step is to take in order to make certain that it can be removed and will not come back.

The inspector will look at the walls, ceilings and floors. He will also look at any visible insulation, windows and doors. If there is an attic and basement, he will also check those areas along with heating and cooling ducts.

This is why it is vital to have a home inspection done by a licensed inspector. It will give you peace of mind and can prevent you from making a very costly mistake.

Did you or did you not have a home inspection? Go ahead and reply in the comment section below.

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When doing my routine cleaning or maintenance around the house, I always make sure that home security is my main priority. It is really important to consider safety around the home at all times whether there are children, pets or no one around. We, as adults, may think that we are accident proof only to find out the hard way that we are not. Practicing safety in the home extends to everyone who lives there, everyone who visits and also for those who trespass. Here are some general home security and safety tips and reminders for you to consider practicing around your home at all times. Some are very common and some you may not have even thought of.

Here is an excerpt from http://www.homesecurityblog.com

“Unfortunately, most people don’t think or do anything about home security until they or someone they know has had a break-in. Burglars look at homes they think are easy targets. There’s many things you can do to make your home less likely to be burglarized.”

• smoke alarms - for every bedroom and hallway; make sure batteries are always fresh. Install a battery operated alarm in addition to any electric alarms you may have.

• fire extinguishers - you should have at least one or two in the house and one in the garage. It is important to make sure that they are full at all times.

• carbon monoxide alarms - always important in order to detect high carbon monoxide levels especially in winter months when we are heating our homes.

• windows - in addition to latches on windows, there should be locks on each window. These are easily installed and removed to open the window. You can even open the window a few inches and reinstall the lock so that the window cannot be opened further.

• doors- all entry doors should have a deadbolt lock. In some cases, you may also want to install a chain lock. Installing a peephole in each door, especially the front entrance door, is another very good idea. It is advisable to have a lock on screen doors. Some even come with dead bolt locks nowadays. Sliding glass doors have locks but an additional safety measure is to put a rod or piece of wood inside the track.

• garage doors - this is a common place for burglars to enter a home. Make sure that the garage door locks when closed. If you use an electronic garage door opener, make sure that you have programmed it; never leave it with a factory programming.

• motion detector lights - another home safety measure to deter intruders is to install lights that go on when motion is detected outside at night.

• security camera - you can now purchase security cameras and security systems in any large department store or home improvement store. They can be easily hooked up to a television set.

• fence - yard fences should always be locked especially if you have a pool. It is important to prevent wandering children who can fall into the pool or get hurt on backyard toys.

• shrubs - keep all greenery trimmed and away from the house. Do not block windows. This not only will eliminate a hideout for intruders but will also protect the house in case of fire.

• first aid kit - always keep one handy in the home, garage and also in the car.

It is up to us to be proactive to create a safe environment in our homes. What other things do you do in regards to home security? Please share your thoughts and ideas below.

Yesterday’s topic was about hurricane preparedness (http://her-home-blog.com/2008/05/hurricane-preparedness-tips-1/ )but more related to everyday preparedness. The list that I described were things that we should do and have ready in the event of any type of emergency. That will be one less thing to worry about if a hurricane is approaching. Today I will cover what you need and how to prepare when a hurricane is approaching. It is advisable to put your hurricane preparedness plan into action now when the supplies are easily available at the store. Each person should go over the list to individualize it to their needs. Here is an example of a hurricane preparedness list.

FOOD
Non-perishable foods (soups, canned food and vegetables, breads and crackers, snacks)
Juice boxes and bottled water

HOME SUPPLIES
Ice chests, water, water jugs
Camping stove; propane; charcoal
Disposable plates, utensils, napkins
Storage bags
Toilet paper, paper towels
Diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, ointments
Prescriptions, copies of prescriptions and over the counter meds
Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, deodorant
Clothing, blankets, pillows, sleeping bags
First aid kit

Bug repellant

Eyeglasses, contact, hearing aids and batteries
Pet supplies, food, litter, pet carrier, medications
Identification
Cash, credit cards
List of phone number of family and friends
Important Documents, insurance policies
Photos, videos, cameras, film, memory cards, batteries
Battery powered radio
Flashlights
Extension cords
Pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers

PREPARING YOUR HOME

Keep trees trimmed at all times in preparation for unpredictable weather.

Probably the most important thing you can do in preparation for a hurricane is protect your windows and doors. It is so vital to put up shutters. Whether they are commercial, store bought or plywood, it is vital to get them on the windows and doors prior to a hurricane.

Also remove anything that is outside and bring it in. Things such are yard decorations, chairs, tables, umbrellas should all be brought in. If you have an outdoor living space, you should pack up and remove everything that you can. Anything left outside becomes a potential projectile.

Make sure you fill up your vehicles with gas prior to the hurricane. It is wise to do this several days in advance since the closer the hurricane gets, the more likely the gas stations will run out of gas. The same goes for cash. Get your necessary cash a few days ahead of time.

So start now and be prepared. The last thing anyone wants or needs is a natural disaster or storm but none of us have control over mother nature. Hurricane preparedness is a responsibility to yourself and your family. Most of the items will last for many years to come. Important - don’t dispose of plywood shutters after the season. Place them in the garage or attic for future years (so many times I’ve seen the plywood from windows at curb for garbage. So much money wasted.) Go ahead and add to this list below in the comment section.

http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/0305hurricane/
http://www.hhs.gov/news/facts/hurricane.html

Smith & Wesson Galaxy 3 LED Flashlight (Red with 3 Red LEDs)

Organize for Disaster: Prepare Your Family and Your Home for Any Natural Or Unnatural Disaster

Bayou Classic SQ14 Single Burner Outdoor Patio Stove