|
__________________________________
Decorating on a Budget:
I get my best
ideas when I look at a picture of what someone else has done and I
recognize what I have and how I could do it a little different. When my
kids were young, we had no budget for such things, no money at all; so, we
went to the public library ever few weeks. They did and still do have an
enormous supply of framed art. It's nothing priceless but it sure looks
good on a bare wall. If you sew, you can buy inexpensive fabric and make
coordinated slip covers for your pillows. A quick change and you have an
entirely new look. I have made so many, I am working on a new section for
the Homespun Creations. I had a lot of fun one summer making covers for
all the computer parts. The keyboard, the printer. Just the things you
want to keep dust out of and not anything you fear creating static
in.
The best look a
room can have is a clean look. One where you don't look in the corners and
see spider webs, you don't see dust bunnies under the chairs, the windows
and mirrors are not dirty and there is no dust collection even when you
live on a dirt road. Keep in mind what wall pictures you can change around
for a new look. Have a set of slip covers on hand to give a quick fresh
new look to your room.
When I first
started putting this newsletter together I would go looking for
interesting decorating sites. I was impressed to find Interior World, it
was run by About.com so I figure it will be around. I liked the set up and
their site; sure sounded fine, they had lots of good ideas. I was so
surprised to visit one week to find they were gone and the site was
another get rich scheme. I dumped everything About.com. The American Blind
and Wallpaper is a place that accepted me as an affiliate. They have so
many more decorating ideas than any other place. They have wallpaper and
borders that even I could decorate with. I remember having an artistic
neighbor once who created a hand painted jungle in her kid's room that was
wonderful. You can buy the pieces and create anything you want. I like to
go visit their site when I can take my time and look around. They always
give me great ideas.
We're probably a
year away from building our home but I want to use the year to decide how
we want our living spaces to be designed. Space must be wisely used; there
will be none to waste. This mobile home will be storage and a super sized
pantry.
__________________________________
Roaches No More:
For many years, the big thing
was to use the Heloise method of making roach bait and setting it out on
little saucers. It still works just fine but you don't have to go to all
that effort.
Buy a jar of boric acid. It's
a dry powder that you don't want to be breathing or putting anywhere
pets or children can get to it. Most grocery stores carry it in the
health and drug section. You don't have to mix it with sugar and flour
and oil. I put it in a clean, dry shaker top plastic jar. Make sure you
mark the jar as to what is inside and use a maker and label that will
not disappear.
I started to place this in
the Kitchen Tips section but roaches are an entire house thing so don't
stop with the kitchen. Take your jar of boric acid and sprinkle close to
the surface to keep from putting much into the air. Do this behind the
stove, refrigerator, in back of large items stored on shelves, the back
of closet shelves, under the bed if you don't have a puppy. Sprinkle
lightly and there will be no build up. Vacuum up if company might think
you are not cleaning your house properly. Keep all foods put away, in
the refrigerator if that is the only place they can't get into things.
Keep all surfaces clean and never leave food stuffs out. For bad
infestations, sprinkle around kitchen area but clean completely before
handling food or utensils. All the roach has to do is to walk through
the powder and carry it back to the nest. It will take a few weeks but
they will all be gone. Roaches become resistant to spray poisons but
this boric acid will do the job and kill them all. I admit that I don't
like throwing powder behind my appliances; save lids from your used
containers for such a purpose. When the lid with powder on it gets used
and dirty, just throw it away.
Ever heard of German roaches?
They are a summertime nuisance and they, sure enough, fly!! They are
slower than the common sort and you will usually see them outdoors
before you see them inside. They are just a bit slower and easer to
swat! I have never heard of them becoming a long term problem. A fresh
dusting of boric acid will eliminate any that want to vacation inside
your home. Or put out a few saucers or lids with powder in their hiding
places. They seem to be attracted to water and are particularly bad
during dry seasons. Some years, none at all.
________________________________
Electric Companies, Deregulation and
how to really save money:
Most of us must use
electricity and will continue to pay every month. Here in Texas we are
just beginning to see deregulation. There is now a choice of providers
at least for the city dwellers. I have seen no reports listing which
states are doing the same right now but I do see what is happening with
our companies & rates, and I hear the complaints. I read the
Internet offers even when they don't cover our area.
The main attraction of the
new power companies is that they will allow the customer to pick the
date the bill is due. If you consistently pay your bill late, this may
seem an attractive option but only if it allows you to stay paid up and
on time. They may also advertise that your rate is the same year round.
That is not necessarily a good deal. Look at the rate you are currently
paying. Have you been following the rate you paid during this past year?
Our provider includes a chart complete with the usage for the past year
where we can see what the household had used. Our rate has dropped
significantly over the last year. We remember the bad winters when it
cost so much to survive. Each bill states the rate that is charged for
the month�s usage.
Locally, the people applying
for new service have to wait 10 days to two weeks. The appointments made
are rarely kept, just normal business for city utilities. I heard a
comment recently stating that the longtime, good paying customers get a
lower rate. That�s if you stay with your old provider and never have
to be sent a late notice or make arrangements to pay off a big bill.
These new companies don't want a new customer who has left an
outstanding balance with his last electric service and they don�t want
a slow paying customer. Some services have another small print item
stating that if you continue to get behind in payments, they will
require you put up an extra deposit just to continue service. Look
before you leap. You may be much better off staying with your current
provider but at least, read the fine print and pay attention to what
others in your own state have to say about their experiences with any
changes. You may be able to save lots of money simply by paying the bill
on time every month.
_________________________________ |
