Category: Post Notes

Sure, we all want to be efficient with our time - it’s our most precious commodity. But what if it’s more efficient to do things slowly? What if going faster actually slows us down? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, as we are going through a renovation at our house. There have been many instances where rushing has cost tradespeople more time and money. For example, there’s the installers who put down brand new hardwood and, rather than taking a moment to place a piece of board down to protect it, dragged our old fridge out the kitchen doorway and gouged the floor. They had to come back, set up their equipment, chip off the damaged boards and put down new ones. The cost: 3 guys, half a day and another box of wood flooring. Not to mention an unhappy customer and lost referrals.

Rushing Wastes Time
I don’t know about you, but I find I frequently forget things when I’m rushing, and end up wasting more time than I saved. We get so hooked on the habit of hurrying that sometimes we rush needlessly (I guess that’s why they call us the human race). Efforts to get to our destination a few seconds sooner often backfire. Being pulled over or getting into an accident would cost more time and grief than if we just took our time.

Is our obsession to do everything in less time really worth it?
Time Management guru Harold Taylor, in his book, “Slowing Down the Speed of Life”, advises us to drive slower, walk slower, talk slower and work slower. The faster you go, the faster life seems to go. I can tell you from my experience, once you can get past the initial feelings of panic and guilt (that you are not doing enough) and see the amazing results, slower is better.

Accidents Increase with Speed
When we rush, there is more chance of making mistakes. This can impact our stress levels, our finances and our relationships. Yet we associate doing things slowly with inefficiency and perhaps even laziness. And we glorify speed. This is a perception that is outdated. Just look at the benefits of slowing down and see if that shifts your view.

Benefits of slowing down:
- increased creativity - decreased stress and anxiety - fewer mistakes - more opportunities - more productive - experience more joy - improved communications and better relationships - longer survival rate (The Body Clock Advantage, Matthew Edlund).

And if you’re still not convinced, here’s something you can try. Whenever I find myself rushing to get more done, I remember the famous chocolate scene from the old I Love Lucy sitcom. Through humor, it illustrates how speed reduces productivity. Are you addicted to the fast paced life? Or have you tried taking it slow?

Hellen Buttigieg
Make Time & Space for What Matters Most
Life Coach, Certified Professional Organizer

Autumn brings with it shorter days and colder nights which can add up to increased electric costs. Finding a way to save money, and, keep your home warm and well lit will no doubt be a priority with most homeowners. One way to save is to replace incandescent and CFL light bulbs with LED bulbs. LED bulbs are considered direct replacements for the 175-year-old incandescent bulb and the more modern, environmentally unfriendly, CFL bulb.

Here are a few reasons why LED bulbs are better.

1. Energy Efficiency. One 11.5-watt LED bulb emits as much light as a standard 60-watt incandescent bulb. That means five LED bulbs still use less electricity than a single incandescent lamp.

2. Replacement. Incandescent bulbs typically have a life of no more than 1,000 hours, while LED bulbs may have 40,000 hours of life.
That is 40 times more.

3. Instant Start. CFL bulbs have a warm-up period each time you turn them on. LED bulbs turn on at full brightness.

4. Dimmable. LED products are fully dimmable and are compatable with more than 100 different dimmer switches. CFL bulbs may be dimmable but still have a flicker tendency.

5. Disposal. It is safe to place LED bulbs in the garbage, after they burn out. CFL bulbs contain mercury and must be recycled through using the correct facilities.

6. Heat. LED bulbs emit very little heat. CFLs and incandescent bulbs waste 80 to 90 per cent of their energy in heat. LED bulbs typically waste no more than 50 percent of their energy on heat and are far cooler to the touch.

1. Shower Spa - Seek a serene, spa-like shower environment with a curb-less design for a spacious perfect and open shower experience.

2. Open It Up - Open plan kitchens are expanding even further with glass front cabinets and open shelving units to give the feel of even more space.

3. Smart Sensors - Using Environmentally - friendly Smart Thermostats save energy by automatically adjusting the temperature based on your daily routine.

4. Back to Nature - Add value and comfort by blending indoor and outdoor living space. All-weather furniture and outdoor fireplaces are top picks.

5. U-Sockets - The smallest upgrade can make the biggest difference! U-sockets are wall plugs with two built-in USB ports that can be used to power devices such as tablets and smartphones.

The average home is shrinking now that our urban centres are getting so dense. But this should not get in the way of enjoying your small home, condo or cottage. Here are some tricks to optimize all available space.

1. Use a light, neutral palette on the walls to give your home a larger feel. Amplify natural light in your space with lighter colors. Use a second color from the same palette to break up an open space into more distinct areas.   2. Play with brighter colors in the details to avoid a bland or clinical feel. Use colorful accent pillows or artwork to add some more punch. 3. Avoid clutter to help a room appear more spacious. Keep everything tucked away while it is not in use to make your space less congested. 4. Protect it from the sun. For carpet in a sunny area, close the drapes to prevent fading. 4. Make multi-functioning furniture choices. A headboard could double as a bookcase. Furniture that has built-in storage is a plus - one more space to tuck things away.

When the roof surface ages, it wears and becomes less and less reliable. Eventually it may leak. But not only old roofs leak. One of the most common causes of roof failures is poor workmanship during installation. The reason this is not readily apparent is that it often takes a few years for a poor installation to manifest itself in a leak. By this time it is all too easy to point the finger at wear and tear.

A leaking roof can be disruptive and costly, causing damage to interior finishes. In some cases it is easy to determine the cause and in other cases it can be difficult to diagnose. In some cases a roof leak will only occur with specific weather conditions. Let’s try to make some sense of this mystery.

Sloped Roofs Shed Water
Sloped roof systems are designed to shed water from one shingle to the next down to the roof edge. Sloped roof systems are not waterproof. Understanding this concept is the first step to understanding how a roof can leak. Flat roof systems, on the other hand, are designed to be waterproof.

It’s All About the Flashing
Roofs don’t normally leak in the middle of a field of shingles or tiles. They leak where there is a roof penetration such as a skylight, chimney, dormer or roof wall intersection. These critical areas are kept from leaking with flashing. Flashing is usually made up of pieces of metal configured so water will shed across the gap between the roof penetration and the roof surface. Often roof leaks can be traced to poorly installed or worn flashing. If you have a roof that leaks, the flashing is the most likely culprit.

Wind and Rain
Roof systems should be designed and installed to accommodate your local climate. On the other hand, it is possible for a perfectly installed and maintained roof to leak given the right combination of wind and rain. Recall that sloped roof surfaces are not waterproof but they shed water down the roof.

Ice
In cold climates, ice can cause a perfectly good roof surface to leak. Ice can block the flow of water to the edge of the roof or to the drain. Water can then back up under the shingles and leak into the house.

Eggs are one of the most versatile foods in the world - and the way you like them reveals surprising aspects of your personality, according to a new British study Just pick the “egg type” that gets your mouth watering to learn more about your most egg-ceptional traits.

1. Fried eggs: You are open-minded, confident and creative.

2. Omelets: You are a creative gourmand relishing new flavors.

3. Poached eggs: You are a conscientious, careful and precise sophisticate.

4. Scrambled eggs: You are a sensitive, warm and infectious people-person.

5. Boiled eggs: You are a no-fuss multi-tasking go-getter.

With the unpredictable winter weather on the horizon, here are some more ways to keep warm this year.

• Rearrange the furniture. Move seating away from windows and doors and nearer to the fireplace (if there is one), or just closer together to create a cozier feel.

• Snuggle with your pet. The closer you cuddle, the more body heat will build up between the two of you!

• Make use of free heat. Pull open your curtains (especially on south-facing windows) during the sunniest times of the day to let the sun’s rays warm your home, then close them at night as an extra barrier against wintery winds.

• Run a humidifier. Humid air feels warmer than dry air. Even a cool mist humidifier (which is safer because there is no risk of scalding from hot water or steam) can make a room feel warmer.

In some cases what appears to be a roof surface leak is not a leak at all but rather an interior source of water. Here are some examples –   • Air leakage from the house: If household air can leak into the attic, warm moist air will condense on surfaces in the attic during cold weather. This can damage the roof decking and structural framing and even cause water to drip back into the house. Sealing the attic in cold climates is very important. • Leaking ducting: If heating and cooling ducting runs through the attic, it must be well sealed. Ducts leaking air can cause condensation. • Air conditioning ducting: If air conditioning ducting runs through the attic, it should be well insulated and have a good vapor barrier. Condensation can form on cold air ducts and can drip down into the ceiling. • Attic mounted heating and cooling: Furnaces and air conditioning evaporators create condensation. If this equipment is located in the attic and there is a leak somewhere in the condensation path, it will leak into the house.

Do you want more out of life, more money, fun & adventure, a better social life, perhaps a new romantic partner, good health, career success? If you do you are going to have to make space; A BIG SPACE.

Have you ever wandered into a new show house or apartment and lusted after the Zen like peace and tranquillity that seems to ooze from the open spaces, clutter free surfaces, immaculate bathrooms and thought if you could just move in there, life would be perfect?

Chances are if your present home is in clutter, your life is too, simple as that. The problem with clutter is that it’s clogging up your life like plaque on your teeth. You might well be aware of the need to detoxify your body but what about your living space?

What exactly is clutter? It’s the physical and mental excess in your life you no longer need that is taking up space that could be put to a lot better use in your life.

What’s the connection? Clutter is past tense, old stuff, it might have been useful once, possibly even attractive then, but now it just sitting there getting dusty, going moldy, time to sort it or chuck it.

Step One - Clear the Clutter.
1. Start with the bedroom. The level of a person’s self-esteem shows by the state of what they put next to their skin. Get rid of anything that smacks of poverty, grubby bed linen, thread-bare towels, not to mention some of the old worn stuff in the wardrobe. Replacing these items with the best you can afford sends a serious message to the universe that you now value yourself much higher and are ready for more good stuff in your life.

2. Remove the junk from your hall. Fix up the doorbell, letterbox, phone & email connections and you’ll more than likely be in for a raise, promotion or increase in business.

3. Empty the fridge & clean up the kitchen. For the fastest way to attract wealth. It is your connection with nourishment.

Step Two - Clean
First you clear the clutter, then you CLEAN.
The good news is that now the house is almost empty you have a whole lot less to clean. If you are lazy, get in cleaners, but there is a huge benefit in doing it yourself as you get down and dirty and really excavate those gunged up crevices.

While your body is engaged physically, your mind will be doing overtime clearing the mental and emotional cobwebs.

When you are finished, your home will be like a magnet set to attract the best life has to offer you, so open the windows, buy some flowers, light a candle, relax and wait for the universe to deliver the goodies.

Feng Shui Consultant
byronsusan@eircom.net

The snow and ice have melted, but this winter’s wild storms have left yards across the country in need of a major spring-cleaning.

1. Remove the debris. If the winter’s seemingly incessant wind, rain, and snow have done a number on your trees, start your clean-up efforts by collecting the fallen branches and scattered sticks. Rent a wood-chipper from any garden or hardware store and turn your debris into mulch.

2. Rake dead leaves and twigs. Last year’s leaves will make great compost, but not if they keep the grass from absorbing sunlight. Thoroughly rake the yard and garden beds.

3. Prune and trim. Prune back weatherworn bushes and hedges as well as any perennials that look overgrown. Trim damaged tree limbs and branches that you can reach, and make arrangements for a professional tree-trimmer to take care of the rest.

4. Map out landscaping and garden plans. If you’re going to make landscaping changes, make a sketch of your lawn indicating what sort of trees, shrubs, or plants you'd like to add. Consult with a gardener or landscaper at the nursery before making any final decisions.

5. Start planting. Check the planting dates on your new purchases. Any plants, trees or shrubbery hearty enough to survive spring’s still-cool nights can be put in the ground now.

1. Shower Spa - Seek a serene, spa like shower environment with a curbless design for a spacious wonderful and perfect open shower experience.

2. Open It Up - Open plan kitchens are expanding even further with glass front cabinets and open shelving units to give the feeling of even more space.

3. Smart Sensors - Smart thermostats are the latest environmentally friendly gadget. Save energy by automatically adjusting the temperature based on your daily routine.

4. Back to Nature - Add value and comfort by blending indoor and outdoor living space. All-weather furniture and outdoor fireplaces are top picks.

5. U-Sockets - The smallest upgrade can make the biggest difference! U-sockets are wall plugs with two built-in USB ports that can be used to power devices such as tablets and smartphones.

Hopefully these trends have inspired you whether you are looking to stage and sell your home or just want to add a little pizazz to your space.

Give your home a fresh new look - quickly, cheaply and easily - with these low and no cost tips.

1. Give upholstered pieces new life and unite mismatched furniture with slipcovers. Limitless choices are available at Pottery Barn.   2. Use paint to rescue wood furniture. It turns drab into delicious. Layer on even more personality with stenciling, decoupage or painted accent designs. 3. Tack on some trim. Add cording, fringe or other trim to the seams where two fabrics meet - along edges of drapery panels, around duvet covers and on toss pillows. 4. Juggle your accessories. Moving accent pieces you already own to new locations or other rooms can really jazz things up and at no cost.

For many, a deck is an extension of the home. It brings indoor life to the great outdoors. With a little care, a deck can last for many years. Neglected, it can become an eyesore or worse, unsafe! This spotlight on decks provides a few tips to help keep your deck safe and in good condition.

Deck Materials
Pressure Treated Wood: The most common deck building material is pressure treated wood. Properly maintained, a pressure treated wood deck can last 20 years. Pressure treated wood comes in construction grade and premium grade. Construction grade, pressure treated wood tends to warp and split as it dries and shrinks. This is fine for the deck structure but the decking calls for a higher quality material. Premium pressure treated deck boards are cut from better stock and are treated and dried to a higher standard.

Cedar: Cedar is a premium deck building material with a rich look and feel. It is more expensive than pressure treated wood but it has many desirable properties. It is naturally more dimensionally stable than pressure treated wood so it does not shrink and split. A well maintained cedar deck can last 20 years.

Synthetic: Synthetic decking is the most expensive decking material but it requires little to no maintenance beyond cleaning and should last many years. There are many different types and styles.

Wood Sealer
The secret to a deck that looks good over the years is wood sealer. Unsealed wood will absorb water and expand and then dry out and shrink. Over time the wood splits and deteriorates. If the water beads up and runs off, the deck is in good shape. Otherwise it needs sealer.

Guard Rails
Guard rails keep you safe on your deck. The point is to keep people from falling from the deck. Guards are generally required for decks higher than 24 inches and 30 inches from the ground.

• The guard rail should be 36 inches high (a deck over 6 feet high requires a 42 inch guard)(Requirements may vary by location).
• There should be no openings larger than 4 inches so nobody can fall through or trap children.
• It should be strong enough to hold a person that falls heavily into the rail or balusters.

Deck Collapse
Except for hurricanes and tornadoes, more injuries may be connected to deck failures than all other wood building components and loading cases combined. Many decks fail because they are old, worn and rotted. Others fail because they were not built properly in the first place. The most critical connection is the deck to house connection.

ORANGE: Studies show orange is the warmest color and makes you feel instantly less stressed and more open to the beauty of the moment. Wear it when you want to meet new people or be more persuasive, they will be more open to you in orange.

TIME CLOCK: Removing the constant reminder of time ticking away stops the “fast-forward thinking” that keeps you from focusing on the here-and-now.

REALLY LISTEN: We are all so busy, we become experts at half-listening while our minds are somewhere else. Really zeroing in on what your client, child or spouse is saying right now creates a bona fide connection.

The beauty of cut flowers from the garden or florist is apt to fade all too quickly. Here are a few ways to keep them adorning your home a little longer.

• Choose the freshest. Pick barely open blooms and gently squeeze them at the base. They must feel plump and firm.
• Make fresh cuts. Hold the stems under water while you trim off the dry ends. Place them into a jar of water while you make your arrangement.
• Clean up your act. Leaves that sit under water will decay and shorten the life of blooms, so remove them.
•  

Wood rot: If you see wood rot it could be worse than you think. Rotted connections such as the ledger board to house connection could lead to deck collapse. Good connections: Check points of connection of major components such as the deck to house, guard-rail to deck, beam to post, post to pier etc. You should see plenty of metal brackets and bolts, not nails. If in doubt, have an expert look at your deck. For example, it is very difficult to inspect the deck to house connection because it is not easily accessible. Of course, it helps if you know what you are looking for. There are over 40 million decks in North America with over 1 million being built or re-built each year. With care, a deck can last many years and provide a safe place to enjoy the great outdoors.

In the fall farmers and gardeners gather in the produce that they have been looking forward to for months. But the harvest begins long before fall and, in fact, is the result of observing specific principles that can also be applied to most aspects of life.

1. Prepare the soil - It is important that the soil has the proper acidity and composition to encourage growth. In your personal life you also need to have an environment of people and places that will help you to grow and reach your potential.

2. Sow the seeds - “Wishing doesn’t make it so”. You will not reap unless you have first sown. Many people state that they want to learn a skill or become a better person but do not begin the process. Then fall arrives and they have regrets.

3. Protect the crop - Insects, disease and predators can destroy the crop if you do not take precautions. That’s why farmers spray in June and July even when it might be more fun to go to the beach instead. In life, we need to protect our dreams and ideas so that they are not destroyed before they can mature.

4. Invest your energy - The whole process of growing a crop requires a good work ethic. Supplies must be purchased. Research takes effort. Add your labor so the seed will germinate, grow and ripen. Life also requires an investment of energy.

5. Be sensitive about timing - “There’s no point in trying to talk to a farmer when it’s seeding or harvest”. Farmers understand that time and opportunity must meet to allow success. You can do all the right things and still get terrible results if your timing is off.

6. Know that you will reap in kind - When you plant wheat you will harvest wheat - not corn or watermelon or fruit. When you plant lies or nasty words or gossip you will likely not get returns that are positive. Plant what you want in return.

7. Your seed will produce more than you sowed - I once planted a handful of pumpkin seeds that resulted in a crop of ninety-nine pumpkins! You usually get more than you started with so be careful.

If you are harvesting right now and feel disappointed about the results, do not curse the crop or look for something to blame. Instead, decide what needs to be changed and then look forward to a much better crop in the future.

Dr. Linda Hancock
Registered Psychologist & Social Worker

For decades, you’ve been told to install fresh batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when you change your clocks in spring and fall. This simple reminder has no doubt saved countless lives, since fire investigators tell us that powered and properly maintained smoke alarms double your chances of escape. In addition, however, a home safety expert at the country’s leading alarm manufacturer says one more step is needed to ensure your home’s protection.

Smoke alarms scan for danger millions of times in their lifespan, so eventually they wear out. Smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years, and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms every five to seven years depending on the manufacturer. Checking the age of your system is critical, so that you don’t put new batteries into outdated alarms. These replacement rules apply whether alarms are battery powered or hand-wired.

Here are three timely safety reminders.

1. Install smoke alarms on every storey of your home and inside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed.

2. Never take down an alarm or remove its batteries to silence a nuisance alarm; instead install a photoelectric smoke alarm near the kitchen as they are less prone to cooking smoke.

3. If you have any fuel-fired devices or appliances (furnace, water heater, gas or wood fireplace, range or clothes dryer) or an attached garage or carport, you need to install at least one approved carbon monoxide alarm.

1. Hire a true bathroom renovation expert. A bathroom renovation is one of the most complex renovations. You'll need a specialist not a jack-of-all-trades. Someone who will know all the issues that will need to be dealt with.

2. Make sure there is a showroom. Here you can see typical bathroom displays and the quality of the workmanship. You have somewhere to go and someone to speak with should issues arise.

3. Ask for three references. These should include a) a current project being worked on b) a project that is 3 to 6 months old, and c) a project that is about a year old. If you can see the work previously done, all the better.

4. Make sure you have a realistic budget. Include everything for the project that you want done (pay close attention to this). Never hire someone to do your project because of a low price or just because it fits your time frame.

5. Stay away from cash deals. They mean no paperwork, no warranty, and nowhere to turn if there are problems afterwards.

With these simple suggestions, you could make your carpet last forever.

1. Get rid of pet hair. Put on a rubber glove and run your hand over the carpet - pet hairs should magically cling to the glove.   2. Vacuum this way. To get rid of deep down dirt move the vacuum in several directions. 3. Remove dents. Place an ice cube in the dent and let it melt, then blot the wet spot. Use a spoon to re-fluff the fibers. 4. Protect it from the sun. For carpet in a sunny area, close the drapes to prevent fading. 5. Put on socks. The oils on your feet stick to the carpet and attract dirt and grime that harm the fibers. 6. Fight odors. Sprinkle baking soda over your carpet and let it sit for an hour. Then vacuum away for a smell-free room.

Carbon monoxide, or CO, a byproduct of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, is a colorless, odorless gas. Breathing CO reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. In severe cases, CO can cause death. Defective or malfunctioning fossil fuel appliances, or inappropriate use of appliances that burn fossil fuel close to or inside the home can pose a serious health hazard.

Here are a few examples of dangerous operations:

• Running an automobile or gas lawn mower inside the garage

• Operating a barbeque inside the home

• A gas or oil burning furnace with a blockage in the chimney

• Kerosene space heaters

• Operating a generator in the home during a power failure

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, chest pain, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to death. Low level poisoning may go unnoticed because it may be mistaken for the flu.

Carbon Monoxide Detector
You should have at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home. In some geographic areas, a CO detector is required by law. The CO detector should be placed where you can hear it if, it goes off when you are asleep. A CO detector does not have to be placed on the ceiling, since unlike smoke, CO has approximately the same weight as air so it mixes uniformly throughout the room rather than floating up to the ceiling. To avoid false alarms, do not install the detector next to heating and cooking appliances, vents, flues, or chimneys. Make sure you read and follow the operating, placement, and testing instructions that come with the detector.

If the carbon monoxide detector alarms, take it seriously.

If you are installing only one carbon monoxide detector, it should be located where you can hear it when you are sleeping. For greater safety, multiple CO detectors can be installed throughout the home, follow the instructions packaged with the detector.

These are the habits most likely to get and keep your memory sharp, say researchers who surveyed 30,000 people:

1. Watching less than one hour of TV a day.

2. Reading novels or magazines.

3. Having fewer than two alcoholic drinks a day.

4. Eating fish three times a week.

5. Doing crossword puzzles often.

6. Drinking tea or coffee.

7. Keeping a journal.

8. An observant perfectionist.

Use these smart suggestions to repurpose those empty coffee canisters.

1. Gather grease. Pour hot grease from cooking into a coffee can, place in freezer until full, then toss. Save your drains from clogs.

2. Easy compost. Keep an empty coffee can on your counter to hold kitchen scraps in between trips to the compost pile - the lid will contain any odors.

3. Plant flowers. Punch a few holes in the bottom of a coffee can for drainage and fill with soil, then plant your favorite flowers. Bonus: You can use the plastic lid as a saucer.

• Have your heating systems serviced every year by a qualified technician.   • Have your fireplace chimney cleaned and inspected every year. • Install at least one CO detector in your home and replace the batteries twice per year. • Open the garage door prior to starting your car; drive the car out promptly. Do not leave it idling in the garage. Do not use a remote car starter when the car is in the garage. • Do not use a charcoal or propane barbeque in the home.