Happy New Year's

Just a quick note to wish you all a safe and

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S

End of the Year Awards

Several weeks ago I was presented with two very special awards. I want to apologize for taking so long to pass them along. First, I would like to give a warm thank you to Random Ramblings and Matthias Chronicles for presenting me the Friendship Award.




This Friendship award comes with a beautiful verse that should also be linked not only to the people who have awarded it but also to those who you pass this award on to. Here it is:

And lovely are the blossoms That are tended with great care, By those who work unselfishly To make the place more fair. And, like the garden blossoms, Friendship’s flower grows more sweet When watched and tended carefully By those we know and meet. And, if the seed of friendship Is planted deep and true And watched with understanding, Friendship’s flower will bloom for you.”



Around the same time, I was also awarded the Lemonade Award by Matthias Chronicles and A Chubz Life.


I have chosen five great people to present this award to. As always, I understand that some may not be able to participate. The purpose of these awards is to acknowledge the hard work and dedication you put into your blogs.

A New Year's Resolution

Well, a new year is fast approaching and with it comes the dreaded New Year's Resolutions. I for one, have never really opted-in for this tradition, but I think that this year I may make an exception. Why? The simple fact is I need something to motivate me to climb on that dastardly NordicTrack and actually use the thing for something besides a storage rack.

As you may know, I have discussed this particular aversion before, but I feel that I need to re-address this issue once again. I am the sort of person who does not like doing the same thing over and over again. I like diversity in my workout routine, which sort of flies in the face of using treadmills or ski machines, but I know that cardio is an integral part of any exercise program. When I visited the doctor last month, he mentioned the same thing: don't neglect the cardio portion of your workouts.

So, why not just get off my rear and go for a walk? Walking is an excellent way to keep in shape and lose weight, but I am just not interested in doing it. I used to love jogging, but I get shin splints so I can't do that, either. This kind of puts me in a quandary, what should I do? I really enjoy my Total Gym, but I can no longer neglect that other thing. So, I feel that the best way to ensure I actually use it, will be to make a New Year's Resolution.

So, my New Year's Resolution is to use that thing at least twice a week (unless I have to shovel snow, that can count as my cardio workout). There, I've done it. Now, millions of people, well maybe four or five, will read this and hold me accountable. I do have one question, though: how long are these resolution things supposed to last?

Thank You to My Advertisers: 12/22-12/28

As of November 2009, I will no longer be with Entrecard, so in order to free-up valuable file space, I have removed the images and contents from this page. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, I invite you to stop by my main page and see if there is anything of interest to you...

Everyday Living

Points to Ponder

Thanks for stopping by. I have grown lazy and republished this post under a different name. To view the meanderings of my mind, please go to... Some Points to Ponder

Help for Those With Sleep Apnea

It is estimated that over 70 million Americans suffer from some sort of sleep related condition. These include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy.

Sleep apnea is a medical condition, which can identified by some of the following symptoms: snoring, interruption of your breathing, morning headaches, waking-up with a dry mouth and sore throat, and excessive sleepiness. Obviously, you will need someone to tell you if you have one of the first two symptoms, but if you do feel tired much of the time, even after a full nights’ sleep or wake-up with headaches, it would be worth investigating whether or not you have this condition. Although, we do not hear much about sleep apnea, it is a serious condition and if not treated, it can eventually lead to a series of health-related problems including hypertension and irregular heartbeats.

If you have these symptoms or suffer from one of the other sleep related conditions, there is help for you. Many people suffer some sort of sleep aliment, but they do not know where to go for help. Now, there is a resource called Sleep Disorders Guide, which is a nationwide index of all the medical centers and doctors that can cure sleep apnea. To find a center, just type in your zip code and a list of sleep disorder treatment centers will appear. While on the site, you will also discover that it has an extensive index of sleep disorders covering such problems as bed wetting, night terrors, jet lag, and more. You will find valuable information on symptoms, causes, and possible solutions. Sleep Disorders Guide offers the information and resources you need, to help you get on the road to that good night's sleep.

Satire for Saturday

I know I'm a day late, but here are the regular Friday Photos...




courtesy of... wvstreets.com



Great Sense of Humor...

courtesy of... ggpht.com



To Think I've Been Drinking the Regular Stuff with All Those Calories...

courtesy of... innocentenglish.com (removed dead link)


Explain This to Your Insurance Company...

courtesy of... ninjapants.org

Amazing Speech Recognition Software

If your constant companion is your digital recorder, you know how time-consuming it can be to transcribe all your ideas from the recorder to your computer. You can free-up some of your valuable time and let Dragon Naturally Speaking do the work for you. For a limited time, you can use this $50 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred coupon to order this amazing voice recognition software. Just sync your Nuance-certified digital recorder to your computer and all your words are transcribed to your computer with an incredible 99% accuracy. Use it to dictate all your letters, memos, emails; all without those wonderful spelling errors.

You can also use it to control your computer applications such as, Microsoft Word and Outlook Express. You can even use it to surf the internet; it's compatible with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and AOL. Just speak into the included headset microphone and Dragon Naturally Speaking does the rest.
From now until December 31, you can use one of these valuable coupons and get 10%-20% off the purchase of this system.

• $50 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred


• $25 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard


• $25 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -MacSpeech Dictate

Business owners, remember if you purchase before the 31st of December, you can deduct it off this year's taxes and get an edge on next year's competition.

Merry Christmas

I would just like to wish all of you a very


MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!



I know it's the same picture as yesterday, but we couldn't get him to stay still long enough to take another.

Helping our Military Families

As you know, Christmas is upon us and as we revel in the gifts we have received and sit down to our Holiday meal with those we love, we need to take a moment and think about those among us who will not be home for the holidays. I am speaking of the thousands of men and women in the military who will not be able to be with their loved ones. In an effort to help the families of these brave men and women, Sears has established a program called heroes at home. This program will help make it possible for the families of these heroes to have the things they need. The money donated, will be distributed to the military families in the form of Sears gift cards.


We can help by visiting this site and making a donation. I realize that we are living in very difficult times, but it is the sacrifice of these men and women, which allow us to enjoy the freedom of this holiday season. We can use this opportunity to say Thank You to these soldiers, by helping their families. The size of the donation does not matter, it is the fact that you took the time to care. Because this donation is not tax-deductible, it will be a true gift from your heart to those who keep us safe.

Today is Christmas

Today is Christmas and I am sitting in front of the computer typing, while the green bean casserole is in the oven baking. I think it turned out great, but the test will come when the family takes that first tentative bite. I will call it a great success if they all survive the experience.

I hope all of you are enjoying this very special time, because this is when memories are made. I will never forget the times when we would all meet over at my Grandmother's house on Christmas Eve. It was one of only two times a year that I was able to see my cousins. We would gather in the stairwell and talk and then run around the house playing and driving the adults crazy.

That house has been recently sold and others are in there making their own memories. It is very difficult to imagine someone else living there, but I guess that's life.

Have a great Christmas everyone!

Long Weekend Getaway Package to Branson

If you are looking for a great weekend getaway, why not try Branson, Missouri. There is a great package offered by Hilton called The Hilton Winter Escape Package. This package is available at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. From February 5-8, you can get deluxe accommodations, a free movie, and free breakfast for only $79.00 per night.



Located in the heart of historic downtown Branson, you can revel in the lap of luxury, while being only minutes away from shopping and entertainment. After waking up and enjoying your free breakfast, head on down to the Titanic Museum, which is located only 4 miles from the hotel. This museum holds more than 400 actual artifacts from the Titanic. As a unique surprise for that special someone, during the month of February, you can renew your wedding vows on the grand Staircase, with the ceremony presided over by the ship's captain; due to the popularity of this event, I would recommend making your reservations at the same time you reserve your hotel. If you have any questions, the hotel’s Concierge will help you. To celebrate your renewed vows, you can both head over to Dino’s Karrot Cake Company for a sumptuous desert, but be sure to leave room for dinner.

Once back at the hotel, drop by the Liberty Tavern Restaurant at Branson Landing and try one of their signature dishes: Prime Rib or the fabulous New England Seafood Potpie. If staying at the Hilton Branson Convention Center, stop by Trofi for Mediterranean-style cuisine. If you’re both too tired to make it down to eat, they have room service, so you can enjoy your meal in the privacy of your own room. After a long day, a luxurious soak in the extra-deep bathtubs awaits you or if you still have energy to spare, head on down for a workout or swim.

As the day comes to an end, lay your head on the down-filled pillows, pull the soft, down-filled comforter over you and dream of another day in Branson.

Green Bean Casserole

This recipe is doubled from the original of 6-8 servings. If that is the number of servings you need, please click on the link below and it will take you to the original site.




What you Will Need

* 4 teaspoons unsalted butter
* 3 pounds green beans, ends trimmed and cut lengthwise into thin strips and blanched
* 4 _1/2 cups Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup, click on link for recipe
* 4 tablespoons Essence, plus 2 teaspoons, click on link for recipe
* 4 cups grated Fontina **Hint: Fontina is a soft cheese, so put in the freezer for about an hour or so, this will firm it up and make grating much easier

If you wish to forego having to go to all the work of frying the onions, you can use French's Fried Onions, instead and disregard the remaining ingredients.
* 4 to 5 cups vegetable oil
* 4 large yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/16- inch thick)
* Hot pepper sauce
* 2 cups all-purpose flour

Putting It Together

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with the butter and set aside.

1. In a large bowl, combine the green beans, Wild Mushroom Soup, 2 teaspoons of Essence, and 3 cups of the cheese, and stir well


2. Pour into the prepared dish, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top, and bake until bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes (this is the original baking time and ha NOT been doubled like the rest of the recipe, so it may take longer to heat through. After 30 minutes, I would watch it closely)


3. In a large saucepan, add enough oil to come about 3 inches up the sides, and heat to 360 degrees


4. Pat the onions dry


5. Drizzle the hot sauce over the onions and then toss


6. In another bowl, add the flour and 2 tablespoons of Essence and mix to combine


7. Add the onions and toss to coat


8. Remove any excess flour from the onions and add to the hot oil


9. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden brown, 1 _1/2 to 2 minutes


10. Remove from oil and let drain on paper towels


11. Place onions on the top of the casserole and serve




• If you are lazy like me, you can skip steps 3-10 and just use the traditional French's French Fried Onions

Photo courtesy of... Food Network

Recipe courtesy of... Food Network and Emeril Lagasse
.

Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup

I have been volunteered into making the infamous Green Bean Casserole for Christmas dinner. However, instead of doing it the traditional way, I plan to kick it up a notch and try Emeril's recipe. Now, the original recipe serves 8 people, so I doubled it, because I want a lot left-over to freeze. If you do not want this option, then I would suggest going to the original site (link at bottom) and following those proportions. You will have more than enough for the doubled Green Bean Casserole recipe. This recipe consists of two parts: the first part can be made ahead of time (I just finished making this about 2 hours ago) and is outlined below. The second part is put together on the day it is eaten.

Makes 16 servings

What you Need...

* 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 2 cup chopped yellow onions
* 1 cup chopped celery
* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
* 3 teaspoons minced garlic
* 12 ounces shiitake mushrooms, wiped clean, stems trimmed, and sliced
* 12 ounces oyster mushrooms, wiped clean, stems trimmed, and sliced
* 16 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, wiped clean, stems trimmed, and sliced
* 4 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
* 2/3 cup brandy
* 12 cups chicken stock
* 3 cups heavy cream

Putting it Together...

1. In a large stock-pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat.


2. Add the onions, celery, and cayenne


3. cook, stirring until they are soft, about 5 minutes


4. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds


5. Add the mushrooms, thyme, salt, and pepper


6. cook, stirring until the mushrooms shed their liquid and start to brown, around 7-8 minutes


7. Add the brandy and bring to a boil


8. cook until everything is glazed, about 2 minutes




• You will notice that the veggies and the mushrooms will become shiny, this is what you are looking for


9. Add the stock, stir, and bring to a boil


10. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally


11. Remove from the heat and puree with a hand-held immersion blender, or in batches in a food processor or blender




• If you are going to freeze any of this soup, now is the time to do so...without adding the cream.


• If you do freeze some, you will need to adjust the amount of cream you add to the remainder. I would suggest adding it per your taste and the desired consistency


12. Add the cream, return to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes




• If you cannot have uncultured dairy products, you can replace the cream with sour cream or, if you feel fancy, Crème Fraîche. Note, you will need to add it as you would a roue; otherwise you will get lumps

Remove from the heat and adjust seasoning, to taste

Photo courtesy of... tweet-n-eats

You will need approximately 4 1/2 cups of this soup for the casserole. I was left with just about 5 quarts that I was able to freeze.

Recipe courtesy of... Food Network and Emeril Lagasse

Next Time: The Green Bean Casserole

Déjà vu

Déjà vu, it's Monday and I just spent another hour shoveling snow. We received a good 4 inches last night and the driveway and sidewalks needed to be cleared. Instead of the fluffy, white stuff, I was faced with a heavy, slushy, mess. For anyone who has ever shoveled snow, you know the difference. The fluffy stuff is so easy to shovel off and toss onto the lawn; while the slushy stuff turns an enjoyable (to me) job into a labor-intensive chore.

I finally get back inside and all I want to do is sit down for a few minutes and relax. However, it is Christmas break and the kids want food. Okay, they are 13 and 11 years old; old enough to be able to go into the kitchen and make toast or pour a bowl of cereal, right? Well, apparently they are incapable of performing this most simple of tasks. I imagine that if I hadn't come back inside, they may have very well starved to death...and with a refrigerator of food just a few feet away. I think I may have them shovel the back porch.

Okay, I just flipped a coin, like they do in football, and the loser is now shoveling the back porch and the winner is feeding the birds and squirrels, while I am inside where its warm, typing away. I love being a parent!

Oh, yes that's Koko on top of our ladder. He is inspecting our handiwork. Whenever we bring it inside, he just has to climb up to the top.

Thank You to my Advertisers: 12/15-12/21

As of November 2009, I will no longer be with Entrecard, so in order to free-up valuable file space, I have removed the images and contents from this page. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, I invite you to stop by my main page and see if there is anything of interest to you...

Everyday Living

Last Minute Gifts from Kmart

If you are anything like me, you will not have finished your Christmas shopping yet. In fact, I have a few more items to pick up. Now, I know that these are very difficult economic times we are living in and Kmart understands this, which is why they offer some very convenient ways in which to purchase your holiday gifts. In addition to the usual ways of purchasing gifts, you can also use Kmart’s convenient Layaway plan or you can purchase and take your gifts home today using their no payments, no interest for 6 months plan. So, let’s all break out our lists and check them twice; find out who’s getting toys and who’s getting clothes.

Now, since there are a few last minute gifts from Kmart I need to pick up, let me share a few gift ideas with you. First, for all of you who want to empty out that “tool drawer” in your kitchen or if you’re looking to get your son his first toolbox, you can get the Craftsman 23 inch Hand Box for $17.99. This is a 23-inch wide plastic hand box with a comfortable handle and is just perfect for all your kitchen drawer tools, a sewing kit, fishing tackle box, or even place to store your art supplies. Please remember that Kmart also has everything you need to fill this box with the supplies you require. For that special woman in your life, you may want to check out the Joe Boxer sleep sets for $21.99. Imagine sitting around a cozy fire or snuggling while watching your favorite movie in these comfortable nightclothes.

These are just a few of 25,000 items Kmart has on sale for under $25.00. So, do yourself a favor and head on over to Kmart.com or hop in the car and drive to your neighborhood Kmart store, where you can get quality gifts for your family and friends at an affordable price for you.

New Exercises, Same Muscles

I have been doing the same exercises for some time now, so I decided to try something new. I started looking at the exercise guide that came with my Total Gym and I discovered a few new ones that I had never tried. I think that the reason I never tried them is because they looked similar to the ones I was currently doing. So, I gave them a shot.

I must say that even though they seemed so similar, I am SO Sore. Okay, I have been exercising these muscles for months, why should they start being sore now? Well, as I was complaining about this, my wife pointed out that even though I was exercising those muscles, I was only doing so in one particular way. With these new exercises, I was working the same muscles, but from another angle.

Obviously I am no personal trainer (although I wish I had one), so I did not know that I should do different exercises on the same muscles. Subtle though they may be, it really makes a difference. I have been working out for over a year now and it seems that I am always stumbling upon something new. This coming week, I am going to work through the soreness and continue these new exercises. It will be interesting to see the results.

Eyeglasses That Won't Bust Your Budget

Three years ago, I was sitting on my bed and cleaning my glasses. I got up to put the cleaning cloth away and sat back down- right onto my glasses. Well, since we were short on cash, we decided to go to one of those places that advertise cheap eyeglasses. You know the ones; they have the eye doctor on one end and the showroom on the other. Well, after spending $60.00 for the doctor visit, we went over to the other side to get my new eyeglasses. I picked out the frame: $30.00. Then came the add-ons: anti-scratch coating, UV Protection coating, and anti-reflective coating. I also wanted to get a pair of sunglasses as well, so add another $50.00 to the bill. All told, I paid over $245.00 for my cheap prescription eyeglasses. Not so cheap, huh?

Now, three years later I need to get a new pair of eyeglasses and you can be sure that I will not be returning to that store. With the state of our current economy and with the average price for prescription glasses being $140.00, this time I’ll be heading over to Optical4less. They have eyeglasses starting from only $15.00 and since they have been in business for 23 years, you know they offer quality eye-wear and service. Do you recall all those extras that I had, especially the expensive anti-reflective coating, well they’re free.

If you’re wondering how you will look in your new glasses, not to worry. With their Virtual try-on System, all you do is upload a picture of yourself and you can see what you will look like in a variety of different frames. In addition, if you buy more than one set, for example, I will be adding a pair of sunglasses to my order, you get free world-wide shipping. This was what clinched the deal for me; just have your prescription ready and follow the easy step-by-step instructions and you can have your new glasses in about a week.

Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 28 December 2008


This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.


To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Fotos for Friday: 12/19

Since I've Been Having Fun with Math This Week...

courtesy of... purpleslinky.com



Look Out, Gandalf and Grayson...

courtesy of... stumbleupon.com/mainpics


Happy Holidays, Everyone...

courtesy of... wtf.7aq.org (removed dead link)

Shoveling Snow or NordicTrak?

Warning: reading the following post is the intellectual equivalent of watching the TeleTubbies. At the end of this "article", I explain what has me preoccupied. So unless you are bored, there is no need to comment on how horrible this is or how your brain is on fire or that this is the worst drivel you have ever read since you learned how to read, because I know it's bad. Anyway, I apologize and will try to be back on track shortly.

You know how much I love my NordicTrak, right? I quiver in anticipation when I climb onto the ski machine, step onto the tracks, and begin my 25 minute trek to nowhere. I pine for those L-O-N-G minutes of gazing out the bedroom window and watching the squirrels burying their new-found treasure. What should I do? NordicTrak or shovel snow? Tough decision, I know. Yeah, real tough...throwing my clothes over the NordicTrak, I...

When I decided to shovel our driveway, it was still snowing, the temperature was 25 degrees, and there was a light breeze. Perfect weather for a good workout. Yes, that's the way I see this, as a workout. I try to not only shovel the snow, but to scrape the ice granules as well. This gives me a more intense exercise experience. I look upon it as killing two birds with one stone; I get a great workout and do something constructive at the same time.

Our house is located on the corner, so we have a driveway that curves, thus making it larger then the normal straight driveway. So, staring at the garage door, I slowly work my way across the driveway depositing the snow on the lawn. I continue down the driveway and then start on the sidewalk. I not only do our sidewalk, but I also like to do our neighbor's as well. Again, I'm being nice, but also prolonging the entire exercise experience.

All-in-all, it took a good 45 minutes to complete my task. Sweating and exhausted, I stood by the street and gazed back at my hard work; I noticed that there was a nice, white coating of fresh snow.

Okay, as you can tell after reading this "article", my mind is not on writing. I am currently trying to figure out some math problems. I need to learn some Factoring patterns:

x² + bx = c, with c being negative and ax² + bx + c .

Example with real numbers: 2x² + 7x - 9 This one I have figured out, I just need to set aside some time and practice doing the different problems. The one I am really having problems with is 10 + 11x -6x²

The first thing I need to do is rearrange the problem by decreasing degree

-6x² + 11x +10 the next step is taking the -6x² and turning it into a positive...

(-1)(6x² - 11x -10) I am then supposed to be able to factor it as usual. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are 5 more lessons (with 5 additional things to learn) after this. I need to learn this; practice this; teach this, before the end of next week. So, I may not be posting for a few days or if I do, it will be to try and figure this mess out by explaining it here. It's your call.

Thank You To My Advertisers: 12/6-12/12

As of November 2009, I will no longer be with Entrecard, so in order to free-up valuable file space, I have removed the images and contents from this page. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, I invite you to stop by my main page and see if there is anything of interest to you...

Everyday Living

Emeril's Italian Essence

Emeril's Italian Essence

What you will need...

* paprika...2 _1/2 Tbsp
* salt...2 Tbsp
* garlic powder...2 Tbsp
* black pepper...1 Tbsp
* onion powder...1 Tbsp
* cayenne pepper...1 Tbsp
* dried leaf oregano...1 Tbsp
* dried thyme...1 Tbsp

Putting It Together

• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

This is a good seasoning for just about any dish.

Recipes courtesy of... Emeril Lagasse, Food Network

Fotos for Friday: 12/12

Wishing you a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend...


The Sign Says It All...

courtesy of... severeshock.com



We Can Make a Killing on Ebay...

courtesy of... marcofolio.net



Is He Gone Yet...

courtesy of... nosedigg.com


For All of Us Who Work With HTML...

courtesy of... purpleslinky.com

Cleaning a Bathroom Drain

What you will need:

bucket or pail
paper towels
a long, slim, stick such as an old chopstick
pipe wrench and cloth(if your pipes are not plastic)

• Firstly, I emptied all the things that get stored under the sink; it's amazing how much stuff accumulates under there


• Place the bucket under the p-trap (the U-shaped pipe)


• Running your hands down the Tail-Piece (the straight pipe that leads from the sink to the P-trap), you should feel a straight metal rod attached by a nut.
  This is the rod which raises and lowers your drain stopper


• To remove, unscrew the nut and then, with one hand on the stopper, remove the rod from the pipe


• Remove the stopper from the drain


• unscrew the nuts which attach the P-trap (be sure not to remove the nuts from the pipes, unless you plan to change the washers) and place the P-trap in bucket


• Rinse/ clean out the P-trap while still in bucket (that way you can dispose of the gunk outside)




• If you are working on brass (usually chrome plated) or other metal pipes, wrap the cloth around the nut (this will help ensure that you do not damage or scratch the pipes with the teeth of the wrench)




• Take a paper towel and crumble it and place inside the drain


• Using the chopstick, push the towel all the way through the pipe


• repeat


• This should clean out all the soap scum that has been slowing down the water flow


• Once the P-trap and the tail-piece have been cleaned, reverse the process


• When you tighten the nuts, be sure to not over-tighten


• For plastic pipes, hand tight is usually sufficient


• For metal, hand tighten and then give maybe a quarter turn with the wrench (You can always tighten it further, if needed


• Replace the drain stopper and feed the rod through the hole in the bottom of the stopper and tighten the nut...again only hand-tight


• Take your paper towels and make sure the pipes are nice and dry


• With the bucket back under the P-trap, turn the water on and test for leaks


• Use your paper towels to make sure everything remains dry


• If there is a leak, tighten the appropriate nut until the leak stops

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Food Commercials and Diets

Ever notice that when you are on a diet, all the commercials are about food? I'm sitting here writing this and they are showing a Pizza Hut commercial and guess what, I'm drooling. I mean, I don't even like Pizza Hut. Their pizza tastes like cardboard with a real bad sauce. Now, if you want a real good pizza, you need to try Chicago Connection. They are a local outfit, but their pizza is out of this world. I get salami, pepperoni, mushrooms, garlic (they sprinkle fresh minced garlic over the entire pizza), and extra cheese. This thing comes uncut and piping hot. After you slice the pizza and place a slice on your plate, your plate is just covered in grease (just the way I like it), which could explain one reason I am on this diet in the first place.

If that is not enough, I try and escape to the relative safety of the Internet and visit my favorite sites. While dropping, I am again accosted with lip-smacking recipes and hi-resolution photographs of food. Now, you know who you are, because I commented on your sites and let you know that you are torturing this poor soul. I need to ask myself, is there anyplace that is safe from the influx of these tantalizing and outright cruel commercials?

Another thing that is perplexing, is why in the world I am even writing about this? All I am doing is torturing myself. This is even worse than watching those commercials or drooling over my wonderful, stretchy-cheese-laden, garlic-sprinkled, Chicago Connection Pizza (notice that I even capitalize the word PIZZA).

Now that I'm hungry, I should go into the kitchen and have a nice, crunchy celery stick; only I like to put peanut Butter on them, which kind of defeats the entire purpose of the celery stick. Okay, how about a nice bowl of steamed vegetables? Again, I like to top them with my patented garlic butter (minced garlic mixed in butter).Again, purpose defeated. Oh well, I guess I'll just turn the television and computer off and stare at the cat, who is staring at me...who will win??

Replacing an Oven Element

Some Symptoms...

• Food does not cook or takes much longer to come to temperature


• Oven will not heat


• Oven only heats partially

How to Check...

• Check to make sure you have power going to the oven


• Turn on the oven and watch and see if the bottom element comes on


• If the bottom element works, than turn the temperature setting to broil and check. If the top element (broil element) does not come on, then you will need to replace it.


• If they both work, check and make sure that the gasket/seal lining your oven door is still providing a good seal, if it has gaps or cracks, this may be your problem.


• If you tried all of the above and everything is in good order, you may have a faulty thermostat; However, for the sake of this article, we will assume that the heat element is defective.

Replacing the Element
Below are the instructions for replacing an oven bake element. They were written using a GE Truetemp oven as an example. If you are for any reason uncomfortable working on your oven, please contact a reputable service technician. As always, use extreme caution when working with any electrical appliance and make sure that the power is off.

• Using the make/model numbers obtain a replacement element




• If you are unsure of the numbers, follow the instructions for removing the element and then take the element to an appliance parts store and have them match the elements





• Turn off the power to your oven by removing the fuse or flipping the breaker to the off position




• It is a good idea to place a piece of electricians tape over the breaker and placing a sign on the breaker box notifying everyone that you are currently working on the oven and not to touch the breakers




• If possible, unplug the oven as well.


• Remove all racks


• Remove the door




• Open the door until you reach the first "open" position (where that door stays open by itself). Lift-up on the door to remove




• Using a screwdriver, unscrew the two screws located on either side of the element


• Pull the element gently towards you, exposing the wires


• Depending on the element,there will be two small screws holding the two wires to the element


• Unscrew both screws and remove the wires


• If your element does not have the screws, simply pull the connectors (pull by the connectors, not the wires) off the leads


• Reverse the process


• Once installed, restore power


• Test the new element

I would suggest that you let the oven run for at least 30 minutes at 350, as this will help burn off any packing dust that will be on the element. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know and I will do the best I can to assist you.


Here are a few resources for you. I have used both of these and I have been very pleased with them...




RepairClinic.com







illustrations courtesy of...appliance411.com

Thank You to My Advertisers: 11/30-12/5

As of November 2009, I will no longer be with Entrecard, so in order to free-up valuable file space, I have removed the images and contents from this page. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, I invite you to stop by my main page and see if there is anything of interest to you...

Everyday Living

Fotos for Friday: 12/5

Happy Friday everyone. Hope you all have a great weekend...


Frosty's Nightmare...

courtesy of... huhwow.com (web site no longer active)



When You Just Can't Wait for Break Time...

courtesy of... i30.tinypic.com


Uh, He Did It...

courtesy of... fishki.net



...and Then, We'll Charge Them Extra for Each Bag...

courtesy of... klmcargo.com

No Pain, No Gain

Due to the craziness of the Thanksgiving week, I had to refrain from doing my regular exercises. Instead, I spent my time cleaning from the tops of the cabinets to the floor under the oven. I even spent some time vacuuming the dust from the air intake under the refrigerator. Needless to say, I had little time to workout.

So on Monday, after missing almost a week, I began the ominous task of beginning anew. (I really like the way that sounds...beginning anew). Anyway, I began my workout and right away it felt as if I had been gone for a month, rather than only a few days; it was harder to do the same number of repetitions and sets that I usually did. It was harder, but I labored on and completed my torture. On Tuesday, stiff and sore, I worked a different set of muscles, with the same result...stiff and sore.

Nevertheless, I mounted my Total Gym and worked through the initial pain and continued my workout. When it comes to exercising, I am a believer in the adage, "no pain, no gain." But I feel that I should define what I mean by "pain". The pain I am referring to is the general soreness and aches you get when you work a muscle; as opposed to the sharp pain you may feel when you actually hurt a muscle. Believe me, I can tell the difference. When I first began to exercise my legs, I went a little overboard and actually felt sharp, stabbing pain in my thigh muscles. Even I knew what I had done and I let those muscles completely heal, before I resumed exercising them (at a reduced level).

By next week, I should be back at my former level. This means that I need to be looking at either increasing my workouts or finding a new series of exercises to perform. Since I am not a movie star with access to a personal trainer, I will most likely start experimenting and find out what works the best.

Yes, that is Koko surveying his handiwork on our sofa.

Fixing a Squeaky Garage Door

So, how do you fix a squeaky garage door...

• Get a can of silicon lubricant, such as the one pictured here...

• I know you will be tempted to grab a can of your all-purpose WD-40, but try to resist the urge. WD-40 attracts dust and over time, tends to "gunk-up" what you are trying to lubricate.
• Spray the lubricant on the main spring (this is located in the middle, above the garage opening)
• Spray lubricant on all wheels and hinges
• If you have an automatic opener, pull the red cord to disconnect the door from the opener
• manually open and close the garage door 4-5 times. This will allow the lubricant to penetrate and do that thing it does so well
• If the squeaking still continues, you may need to re-apply in those areas
• Reconnect the garage door to the automatic opener
• At your favorite home improvement store, purchase the special lubricant that is applied to your opener's chain or screw

This is the type of product you will be looking for...

• If you do this during the summer months, be advised that the lubricant has a tendency to liquefy when it gets hot (90+ degrees), which can cause it to drip onto your garage floor or even worse, your vehicle

• Apply, as per manufacturer's instructions
• Open and close the garage door 4-5 times to allow the lubricant to work its way into the chain or screw
• This is also a good time to check and make sure that your tracks are level and plumb. Just grab your level, place it on the tracks, and adjust if necessary

This maintenance should be done at least twice a year. Please let me know if you have any questions and I will be more than happy to help.

Thank You to My Top Droppers in November

As of November 2009, I will no longer be with Entrecard, so in order to free-up valuable file space, I have removed the images and contents from this page. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, I invite you to stop by my main page and see if there is anything of interest to you...

Everyday Living