Should I Have My Home Professionally Staged?

It's a short week and many people are focused on Thanksgiving so I am going to make this a short post. Check out this video from Shane about one of the ways to get the most money for your home.

Confessions of a Plant Killer

Ok, I admit it. I kill houseplants. Now don’t look at me like that! It’s not something I want to do. I just have the most difficult time keeping plants alive.

Recently I murdered a Gardenia. Trust me, it was not premeditated murder!  I had always wanted a Gardenia. I just love the way Gardenias look with their glossy dark green leaves and their fragrant creamy blossoms. I fantasized about having a big beautiful Gardenia bush sitting on my deck, the sweet fragrance wafting through the summer night air. When I saw one at Home Depot, this last summer, I decided to ignore my history and pick one up. My summer evening fantasy fell apart immediately as it didn't do well on my deck. Who knew they were so fussy? It turns out Gardenias have to get just the right amount of light, not too much and not too little. They also need humidity but don’t like damp roots. I tried the poor thing in several different locations trying to find a good home for it. Finally, I tried placing it in my basement bathroom near the window. It seemed to be doing well in the bathroom where it could get lots of humidity. Then one day I walked in and all the leaves were turning black. Nothing I did, turned it around and I finally had to let it go. Sadly, if there was a Plant Killers Anonymous, I would be a lifetime member.

I like having plants in the house, though so I keep trying. I know that plans make your home feel fresher and will improve the home’s air quality. But investing in plants can get expensive if you can't keep them alive. Recently I did a little research to see if I could improve my record and found the following suggestions:

1. Use leftover water from cooking. Plants love the extra nutrients from your leftover cooking water that can’t be found straight from the tap. Instead of dumping the water right after boiling vegetables, let it cool and use it to water your plants.
2. Coffee makes great fertilizer. Rather than throwing your used coffee grounds in the trash, empty out your French press or coffee filter straight into a planter.
3. Dust your plants. This should be part of your regular dusting and cleaning routine. Keeping your plants’ leaves dust-free keeps them healthier.
4. Pay attention to soil types. Different plants require different soils. Do some research to discover each plant‘s preferred soil. For instance, succulents require sandy, dry soil.
5. Beware of root rot. Houseplants are prone to root rot because there’s often nowhere for the excess water to drain from the planter. Prevent root rot by putting pebbles in the bottom of the planter, which elevates the roots. Use a water-hydrogen peroxide mixture for plants that are already showing signs of root rot.

Dusting my plants is never going to happen. I only dust when I absolutely must. I might give the leftover water and coffee grounds a try though. I’ve also read that coffee grounds keep away ants if you sprinkle it around your outdoor plants. Hmmm, I wonder if it would work on my peonies?

Winterizing Your Home

All though I was born in Colorado, I moved away before I was a homeowner. Now that I’m back in Colorado, I’ve had to get up to speed on what I need to do to maintain my home so I’ve been doing some research. I want to share with you some of that research so today’s blog is on how to winterize and perform other maintenance tasks in your home.

The cold weather has arrived, and it’s time to get your home ready for the months of harsh conditions that are on the way. Here are five key tasks for winterizing your home.

Get your HVAC system inspected: Some things are better left to the experts. Schedule a tune-up with an HVAC professional—they’ll check for carbon monoxide, inspect pipes, clean/change filters, and get your system running more efficiently.


Reverse your ceiling fans: Did you know that there are separate settings on your ceiling fan for cool and warm months? You want it to rotate clockwise during the winter. It’ll force the warm air down and keep you comfortable at night.

Disconnect all hoses: This is the most common cause of frozen pipes. One way to reduce this risk is by putting your hoses away in the shed or garage for the winter. That way, if someone connects a hose they will hopefully disconnect it to put it back in its place. Also, if you see a hose out of storage it will be a red flag that someone connected it.

Keep an emergency kit: A blizzard can quickly leave you stuck at home with roads too dangerous to drive to get food and other supplies, and can even cause power outages. Prepare for the worst by stocking water, non-perishable foods, and plenty of blankets.

Clean the gutters: Clogged gutters can fill with ice and cause roof leaks from water damming. Another problem is the gutter can become heavy and rip off, causing other damage.

Now what?

Winter is hard on your home. The weight of snow puts stress on your roof, and the cold expands and contracts the materials your home is made of. So what should you do when that winter weather is behind us? Not surprisingly, some of the areas where you were focused on for winterizing will need post-winter home maintenance.

Roof and shingles: It’s pretty common for shingles to get damaged or detach completely after a long cold winter. Thoroughly inspect your roof to ensure that shingles are in good condition and the roof is structurally sound. It may not be time to replace your roof yet, but consider how many more years it has left and start preparing a budget.

Check your gutters:  Yes, do it again! The weight of heavy melting snow and debris is more than enough to make your gutters sag or loosen. Clear out all the leaves and other debris that’s collected in the gutters, and make sure they’re still securely attached at all points.

Check concrete surfaces: Fluctuating temperatures cause concrete to expand and contract. This can lead to damaged driveways, walkways, and other surfaces, and that can spell bad news for water drainage. Fill the cracks with an appropriate material, and seal your surfaces if possible.

HVAC service: Before you put your central air conditioner through a rigorous summer, clean the coils and change the filter. Better yet, bring in a professional for yearly maintenance.

The "Smart" Home

Ok, in my last post, I confessed that I am a bit of geek. In this post, I am going to confirm that impression as I want to talk about technology that can be used for your home.

First, let’s focus on smartphone apps that help you decorate and furnish your home. Technology has made it easier than ever to bring your home decor ideas to reality. There are countless smartphone apps that help you plan a space or do some valuable comparative shopping. Here are five apps to use on your next decorating project. Most are available should be available on both iOS and Android devices. As I have an Android phone I was able to confirm that all were available for Android except LikeThatDecor and DesignSponge

• Color Capture: Ever see a color that would make for a perfect paint scheme? Benjamin Moore’s Color Capture app allows you to take a photo of anything and instantly get a matching paint color.
• iHandyLevel: Hanging photos and artwork? Rather than searching through your toolbox for a level, you can use something that’s already in your pocket: Your phone. The iHandyLevel app functions just as well as a dedicated level, turning your phone into the ultimate picture-hanging companion.
• LikeThatDecor: Let’s say you see the perfect Chesterfield sofa in a coffee shop, and you want to see where you could get one of your own. Use the LikeThatDecor app to take a photo of furniture and instantly see similar items from dozens of retailers.
• IKEA Catalog: Forget about the nightmare of navigating the parking garage, showroom, and warehouse at your nearest IKEA. The IKEA Catalog app allows you to virtually place furniture in a room. If only there was an app for easy IKEA assembly!
•  DesignSponge: DesignSponge is one of the best DIY and home decor websites out there. Now there’s an app that makes it easy to access all of their awesome content on your smartphone.

Next, let's look at some smart home tools that will not only help you enjoy your home more but will also make the home more appealing when it’s time to sell.

• Nest Thermostat The Nest Thermostat is controlled with your smartphone, and it learns the schedule of the home's occupants. It adjusts the temperature according to your schedule, which saves on energy costs since heating and cooling will be reduced when appropriate. The Nest Thermostat has earned glowing reviews and almost universal praise, so it’s one of the surest bets for your home.
• Automatic Lighting Lighting is an overlooked part of home security—leaving the lights on in the evening can deter burglars, because the lights suggest someone is home. With automatic and smart lighting systems, you can program your lights to come on in the evening, or use your smartphone to turn on the lights before you arrive at home.
• Smart Alarms Gone are the days of controlling your security system from a panel inside the home. Now there are security systems that you can control from anywhere in the world using your phone. You can monitor your home from anywhere, without having to pay a monthly fee to a security company. Although it’s not marketed as an alarm, the Ring doorbell falls in this category because you can see who is at your door through your phone.

To Roomba or Not to Roomba

Have you seen the commercial where a child is running across the floor spilling cereal as he or she goes? You then hear the voice of what is obviously the mother saying “Alexa, buy more cereal.” Then the disembodied voice says “Alexa, tell Roomba to vacuum.” The next picture is of the robot vacuum cleaning up the cereal.

Geek that I am I get a kick out of that commercial. It’s like watching “The Jetsons” come to life. (That link is for you, Millenials) It also always triggers my desire to buy a Roomba. Yes, it’s an Alexa commercial but it’s the Roomba I find interesting. I’ve been wanting one for a few years but just haven’t been able to justify it. I find vacuuming very boring so having some automated way to do it is intriguing. However, my fear is that I’d spend the money and then find the darn thing caught in a corner where it's run it's battery down because it couldn't  get out. Whether that is a legitimate fear or not I don't know.  Seeing the commercial recently wetted my desire for one again so I’ve done a little research. Here’s what I found out to look for when you’re shopping for a robot vacuum cleaner.

Cost
Robot vacuum cleaners typically retail from $100 to about $700. Of course, units with higher quality features cost a lot more. If you want a unit that can withstand heavy use, you will have to pay a premium price.

Battery life
The best robot vacuums can run for two hours or longer. That’s particularly important if you have a big place—you don’t want to have to keep recharging your vacuum between cleanings. It’s especially convenient if you have a vacuum that can automatically dock and recharge between uses.

Cleaning patterns
Simpler, more inexpensive vacuums may only clean in a random or back-and-forth pattern, while more advanced vacuums can virtually map a room for more precise cleaning. It’s also better if the vacuum is capable of making multiple passes in its pattern, as it’ll lead to a more thorough cleaning job.

Size and design
Most robot vacuum cleaners are no more than four inches tall so they can move under furniture. Still, pay attention to the height of your vacuum and the clearance of your furniture, so that you don’t end up with a vacuum that can’t get to important spots. Also, consider your floor type—some vacuums are better-suited for hardwood floors and tile, while others are better for carpeted floors.

Benefits
The most obvious benefit of the robot vacuum is the ability to set it to clean while you are away. This offers you an opportunity to do something else with the extra time you save. However, there are actually quite a few benefits other than time-saving convenience such as:

• They are perfect for anyone with mobility issues because all they have to do is set the vacuum to do the cleaning on a regular schedule. Hmm, sounds like a good gift for an elderly parent I know.
• Some units come with advanced features that allow them to detect the amount of dirt in an area. This feature allows the unit to linger for longer on a dirty area until it is completely clean.
• Units with advanced sensors let them differentiate between different surfaces. This means the vacuum cleaner can sense and adjust settings when it is cleaning over a carpet or operating over wood or tiles.
• A self-recharging unit senses that the power charge is low so it heads back to base for a recharge when needed. How cool is that?
• If you buy the right robot vacuum cleaner, you will enjoy lengthy service from it. These units require minimal maintenance as long as it does not encounter any external damage.
• Some of the small robot cleaners have the ability to go round corners and also beneath seats to clean those hard to reach areas you are unable to access with the ordinary vacuum cleaner.

So what do you think? Is it time to break down and get a robot vacuum? If anyone has one, I’d love to hear your experience, both bad and good.

The Answer to the 'Where Shall We Eat' Question

Are you looking for a new place to eat? Maybe you are looking for a somewhere to eat that isn’t too expensive but has good fresh food?  Or are you looking for a place where you don’t have to dress up but you also don’t have to yell to make yourself heard?  Well, I have just such a place to tell you about today as I’d like to talk about one of my very favorite local restaurants. 

My husband and I don’t eat out much.  Between his schedule and mine, it’s difficult to find time to go out. When we do decide to eat out, we usually have trouble agreeing where to eat.  He’ll want to eat Italian and I’ll want steak. You know how it goes. There is one restaurant, however, that we both agree on and that is usually where we go. 

The restaurant is Sushi King located at 5953 S. Zang Street.  Situated in a little strip mall at Zang and Bowles, it isn’t a fancy place.  Seating is a combination of tables and booths and, of course, the sushi bar. Music plays softly in the background and I’ve never been in there when the noise level was too loud.  The décor is casually accented with some Japanese artwork.

Sushi Bar at Sushi King

Two things make this place stand out from the average Japanese restaurant.
-First is the staff.  The owners, Ring and Doug, are always pleasant even though it seems like they are always working.  The wait staff is young, friendly and polite which seems to be a rarity these days.
-Second is the food. Prices are average and the menu has quite a bit of variety such as sweet and sour chicken and cashew shrimp.  My husband and I usually get a Bento Box with sashimi and a rainbow roll from the Sushi Bar. The tempura vegetables are consistently good and not oily and the sushi always tastes fresh.  Beer and wine are available, if you're so inclined, as well as regular soft drinks.  Desserts are also available.  One of our favorites is the Green Tea Ice Cream.

If it’s been one of those days when you're too tired to cook or go out, Sushi King does have take-out available.  You can either order it for pick up or have it delivered.  Delivery is restricted to certain areas though so you might want to call the restaurant to see if you are within their delivery area.  

Check it out and let me know what you think.  Sushi King is open:

Monday 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m

Tuesday 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m

Wednesday 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m

Thursday 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m

Friday 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m

Saturday 12:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m

Sunday 12:00 a.m- 10:00 p.m. 

Cutting the (television) Cord

Like many folks, my family is always looking for ways to save money. Today's post is on one of the ways we've found to save on entertainment.

 My husband and I recently decided that we weren’t getting enough value out of our satellite service. We find the news too depressing so we only watch weather and traffic. We also don’t watch any of the nightly comedies or dramas. I don't want to offend anyone but we find most of the shows are the same storyline just told with different characters. We realized we had 800+ channels and we watched about 3 channels. Three channels for the monthly fee of approximately $80 just didn't make sense to us.  Other than sports and the occasional movie, our television wasn’t being used much.

We decided we didn’t want to be completely cut off though. After doing some research we found the cable company that supplied our internet could provide internet streaming television also for about $10.00 more than we were currently paying. So we said goodbye to the satellite and set up a computer that would allow us to watch television on our big screen via the internet.  The cable company provides live TV so if we want to watch the occasional local and national news we can. When my husband wants to watch motorcycle races he found the races were usually on YouTube. With our Netflix and Amazon Prime accounts, we find we have plenty to watch when we do decide to watch TV. A recent Hulu ad indicated that Hulu now has live TV so that may be another option for some people.

Don’t get me wrong, it was an adjustment to get used to using a keyboard and a mouse to watch TV. The “channel” numbers are different too and we’ve had to get better at searches. However, I think we are both happy with the change and the savings is definitely worth it.

I don’t think my husband and I are the only ones making this change. I’ve read that more and more people are cutting the cord and going without television service. If you watch a lot of live programing— then cable is still a necessity. I also think if we had children at home we would have made a different decision. You may find that this option is not for you. But if you find you want to make a change, here are some things to keep in mind to get and keep the best deals in television service.

Know what’s in store: Cable and satellite companies seemingly make it impossible to go online to downgrade your services, cancel service, or choose a new bundle. Cable and satellite companies love to sign customers to a two-year contract, but will dramatically raise your bill when a promotional period ends after one year. Suddenly, you’re paying $50 or more per month for the same services. Even online chat support gives the cable company the upper hand. Picking up the phone and negotiating remains the best way to get the lowest price for your television service. If you decide to cancel your service, be aware that some cable and satellite representatives make a bonus if they talk you out of canceling the service. I had the satellite company calling me two weeks after we canceled to trying and bring us back. You will need to remain strong!

Knowledge is power: Before you call, do some research. Understand the terms of your current contract, see which bundles your cable provider is currently offering to new customers, and price out similar service offerings from other companies. You’ll be in a better bargaining position if you have the freedom to cancel on your current provider.

Make the call: If monthly fees are the issue, make it clear to the support representative that you are calling because your rates have increased and you’re considering canceling if they cannot lower your bill. The support representative will initially try to offer higher-priced bundles or short-term freebies, but don’t give up on the negotiation—remember, you already know you can switch to another provider. If the sales representative won’t budge, you can even end the call, and try again with a different representative. In most cases, they would rather find a package that works than lose a customer.