Friday, September 26, 2008
Interview by Get Green Baby
I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Jamie Ussher over at Baby Get Green recently. You can find the interview on her new blog where her logo is "striving to live a simple and peaceful life...here you'll find tips, ideas, and stories of our efforts". Stop by and check out her great ideas!
Destressing Christmas, Part 2 - Thinking Through the Needs of Your Family and Friends
If I calculate correctly, we are 89 days away from Christmas. So let's look at another way to destress Christmas: thinking about the needs of your family and friends. By using this as a filter, you can reduce some holiday stress. As I said last week, I'm updating my blogs on this subject from last year. Here are some thoughts I had:
Choose whom you want to spend time with over the holidays - friends or family who refresh, encourage, and cheer you. Take the initiative to make that happen.
Do you have friends who might be alone whom you could include in your holiday plans? Have you included a healthy amount of giving to others who might otherwise be neglected? Your heart will overflow with joy as you reach out to others!
If getting together with your relatives is too painful or unhealthy, give yourself permission not to attend. If you, your spouse, or your children might be subjected to verbal, emotional or physical abuse, don't put yourselves in this unsafe place. Even if it hurts others' feelings, you cannot condone unhealthy or painful treatment by attending.
Consider family problems when planning gatherings. Be proactive in order to minimize Uncle John's drinking problem by having a brunch rather than a dinner. If Cousin Sally's conversation is predominantly negative or a never-ending flow, plan some conversation starters or games to reduce her dominance.
If it's just too difficult for you to travel during the holidays, don't let others guilt-trip you into travelling anyway. Be honest and stick to your guns for your own benefit and that of your family. Invite your relatives to visit you (if that is better for you) or suggest another time of year for a visit when life is less hectic.
Consider the needs of your family. If you have small children who need naps and a consistent bedtime (who doesn’t qualify for that one?!!), don’t overschedule. Make sure the events you plan to attend are age appropriate for your children. Don’t have an unrealistic idea of what they can grasp and endure.
Study your family. Know what delights each one and what stresses each one, including yourself. Plan accordingly. When our girls were small, one of our daughters would respond to an overplanned schedule by vomitting - a pretty clear message! (Sorry to be graphic.) So I had to be careful not to pack our schedule too tightly.
By anticipating your needs and those of your family and friends, you can be intentional about your holidays. You’ll be able to weed out those items that don’t fit, plan around potential hazards, and create memorable experiences for those you love.
What are your family's delights and stresses?
Related Posts: Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think Through Your Expectations, Posts from 2007: Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think through your expectations, Destressing Christmas, Part 2 - Think through your family/friendship needs and commitments, Destressing Christmas, Part 3 - Think through gifts, Destressing Christmas, Part 4 - Think through cleaning/decorating/entertaining, Destressing Christmas, Part 5 - Think through your health, Destressing Christmas, Part 6 - Think through your calendar, Organizing Your Holiday Meals
Choose whom you want to spend time with over the holidays - friends or family who refresh, encourage, and cheer you. Take the initiative to make that happen.
Do you have friends who might be alone whom you could include in your holiday plans? Have you included a healthy amount of giving to others who might otherwise be neglected? Your heart will overflow with joy as you reach out to others!
If getting together with your relatives is too painful or unhealthy, give yourself permission not to attend. If you, your spouse, or your children might be subjected to verbal, emotional or physical abuse, don't put yourselves in this unsafe place. Even if it hurts others' feelings, you cannot condone unhealthy or painful treatment by attending.
Consider family problems when planning gatherings. Be proactive in order to minimize Uncle John's drinking problem by having a brunch rather than a dinner. If Cousin Sally's conversation is predominantly negative or a never-ending flow, plan some conversation starters or games to reduce her dominance.
If it's just too difficult for you to travel during the holidays, don't let others guilt-trip you into travelling anyway. Be honest and stick to your guns for your own benefit and that of your family. Invite your relatives to visit you (if that is better for you) or suggest another time of year for a visit when life is less hectic.
Consider the needs of your family. If you have small children who need naps and a consistent bedtime (who doesn’t qualify for that one?!!), don’t overschedule. Make sure the events you plan to attend are age appropriate for your children. Don’t have an unrealistic idea of what they can grasp and endure.
Study your family. Know what delights each one and what stresses each one, including yourself. Plan accordingly. When our girls were small, one of our daughters would respond to an overplanned schedule by vomitting - a pretty clear message! (Sorry to be graphic.) So I had to be careful not to pack our schedule too tightly.
By anticipating your needs and those of your family and friends, you can be intentional about your holidays. You’ll be able to weed out those items that don’t fit, plan around potential hazards, and create memorable experiences for those you love.
What are your family's delights and stresses?
Related Posts: Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think Through Your Expectations, Posts from 2007: Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think through your expectations, Destressing Christmas, Part 2 - Think through your family/friendship needs and commitments, Destressing Christmas, Part 3 - Think through gifts, Destressing Christmas, Part 4 - Think through cleaning/decorating/entertaining, Destressing Christmas, Part 5 - Think through your health, Destressing Christmas, Part 6 - Think through your calendar, Organizing Your Holiday Meals
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Review by Photo Bug Baby
Photo Bug Baby has reviewed two of my books, Three Steps to Time Management for the College Student and Three Steps to Planning Your Child's Parties. If you're a photo bug, you must enter one of their numerous photo contests! What a fun place!
National Preparedness Month - Wrapping It Up: Surge Protectors, Utilities, and More
National Preparedness Month – Wrapping it Up: Surge Protectors, Utilities, and More
Today we’ll wrap up National Preparedness Month with a few more important pieces that need to be in place.
Surge Protectors
There is a lot of advice out there on what to look for in surge protectors: about clamping voltages, response nanoseconds, and joule levels. WorldStart.com offers this advice:
“The easiest way to tell if you're getting a quality surge protector is to look at the "connected equipment" warranty. I like the ones that cover connected equipment for up to $15,000 or more. I figure it they are willing to risk 15K +, they're probably selling a good piece of equipment. If it doesn't have a connected equipment warranty, set it back on the shelf and keep a-walkin' .”
They also encourage you to find a surge protector with a phone line pass through. “Telephone wires can deliver a potent surge into your computer. I've repaired (and seen) more than a few computers that were damaged due to telephone line power surges.”
Utilities
Homeland Security suggests that you learn how and when to turn off your utilities. If your home sustains damage, they instruct you to turn off your utilities:
- “Locate the electric, gas and water shut-off valves.
- Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
- Teach family members how to turn off utilities.
- If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself.”
More Information
Homeland Security also provides information for specific emergencies and disasters: biological threat, blackouts, chemical threat, earthquakes, explosions, extreme heat, fires, floods, hurricanes, influenza pandemic, landslide and debris flow (mudslide), nuclear threat, radiation threat, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes, wildfires, winter storms and extreme cold. Go to the above link to find the information you need for your location, print it out, digest it, and put it with your emergency kit.
A Couple More Things
I thought of a couple more things I think are necessary to protect your important documents: a fireproof safe, a safe deposit box at the bank, and a shredder.
There are some papers and other items you want to have on hand but want to be protected from theft or fire, hence the safe. For those items that need long-term safe keeping, a safe deposit box is valuable. And a shredder protects your identity – shredding those documents that contain sensitive information prevents others from obtaining that information.
Whew! This has been quite a journey, hasn’t it? It eases my mind to know that all these emergency preparations are in place should an emergency occur. I still have a few documents I need to copy, but for the most part, I think I’m ready. What about you?
Related Posts: National Preparedness Month - Making a Plan, National Preparedness Month - Determining Potential Emergencies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #1: NOAA Radio, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #2: Landline Phone, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #3 - Water, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #4 - First Aid Kit, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #5 - Additional Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #6 - Food, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #7 - Medications and Medical Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #8 - Emergency Documents, National Preparedness Month - Evacuation Plan, National Preparedness Month – Evacuation from Work, School, Daycare, and Neighborhood Communities
Source: National Preparedness Month
Today we’ll wrap up National Preparedness Month with a few more important pieces that need to be in place.
Surge Protectors
There is a lot of advice out there on what to look for in surge protectors: about clamping voltages, response nanoseconds, and joule levels. WorldStart.com offers this advice:
“The easiest way to tell if you're getting a quality surge protector is to look at the "connected equipment" warranty. I like the ones that cover connected equipment for up to $15,000 or more. I figure it they are willing to risk 15K +, they're probably selling a good piece of equipment. If it doesn't have a connected equipment warranty, set it back on the shelf and keep a-walkin' .”
They also encourage you to find a surge protector with a phone line pass through. “Telephone wires can deliver a potent surge into your computer. I've repaired (and seen) more than a few computers that were damaged due to telephone line power surges.”
Utilities
Homeland Security suggests that you learn how and when to turn off your utilities. If your home sustains damage, they instruct you to turn off your utilities:
- “Locate the electric, gas and water shut-off valves.
- Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
- Teach family members how to turn off utilities.
- If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself.”
More Information
Homeland Security also provides information for specific emergencies and disasters: biological threat, blackouts, chemical threat, earthquakes, explosions, extreme heat, fires, floods, hurricanes, influenza pandemic, landslide and debris flow (mudslide), nuclear threat, radiation threat, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes, wildfires, winter storms and extreme cold. Go to the above link to find the information you need for your location, print it out, digest it, and put it with your emergency kit.
A Couple More Things
I thought of a couple more things I think are necessary to protect your important documents: a fireproof safe, a safe deposit box at the bank, and a shredder.
There are some papers and other items you want to have on hand but want to be protected from theft or fire, hence the safe. For those items that need long-term safe keeping, a safe deposit box is valuable. And a shredder protects your identity – shredding those documents that contain sensitive information prevents others from obtaining that information.
Whew! This has been quite a journey, hasn’t it? It eases my mind to know that all these emergency preparations are in place should an emergency occur. I still have a few documents I need to copy, but for the most part, I think I’m ready. What about you?
Related Posts: National Preparedness Month - Making a Plan, National Preparedness Month - Determining Potential Emergencies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #1: NOAA Radio, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #2: Landline Phone, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #3 - Water, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #4 - First Aid Kit, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #5 - Additional Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #6 - Food, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #7 - Medications and Medical Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #8 - Emergency Documents, National Preparedness Month - Evacuation Plan, National Preparedness Month – Evacuation from Work, School, Daycare, and Neighborhood Communities
Source: National Preparedness Month
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Local Crime Prevention Classes - Today and Tomorrow
Another opportunity to prepare for your own safety!
"Refuse to be a Victim" taught by Jim Orndorf, is being offered by the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Department.
Participants will learn:
- strategies that will help avoid situations where self defense is required
- how to be proactive rather than reactive
- how to create a personalized safety plan
- safety strategies
- how to use your internet service provider's parental control options.
Today's class (September 24) is from 6 to 10 pm and tomorrow's class (September 25) is from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. Registration is $2 for residents and $4 for nonresidents. Classes are held at the Quirk Center.
National Preparedness Month – Evacuation from Work, School, Daycare, and Neighborhood Communities
Yesterday we talked about creating evacuation plans from home. Today we’re going to look at evacuating from places you and family members frequent: work, school, daycare, adult daycare, and living communities (apartments, neighborhoods, etc.).
Consider volunteering to set up evacuation plans if none exist. As at home, having an evacuation plan for other locations will help you and family members reunite with the least amount of chaos. These plans should be communicated clearly and practiced.
Homeland Security suggests “if you are a parent, or guardian of an elderly or disabled adult, make sure schools and daycare providers have emergency response plans.
- Ask how they will communicate with families during a crisis.
- Ask if they store adequate food, water and other basic supplies.
- Find out if they are prepared to "shelter-in-place" if need be, and where they plan to go if they must get away.”
Visit http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan for school emergency plans.
Visit Ready Kids for kid-friendly emergency information.
If you are an employer, visit Ready Business to make sure you are prepared for an evacuation, sheltering your employees, and related topics.
Visit Homeland Security’s Neighborhoods and Apartments section and Citizen Corps for community plans.
Related Posts: National Preparedness Month - Making a Plan, National Preparedness Month - Determining Potential Emergencies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #1: NOAA Radio, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #2: Landline Phone, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #3 - Water, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #4 - First Aid Kit, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #5 - Additional Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #6 - Food, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #7 - Medications and Medical Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #8 - Emergency Documents, National Preparedness Month - Evacuation Plan
Source: National Preparedness Month
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
National Preparedness Month - Evacuation Plan
Earlier in this series we talked about creating a plan. Today we are going to talk specifically about a plan for evacuation. Hurricane Ike is certainly a vivid example of how practical all these preparations are to millions of people!
Homeland Security suggests the following steps to take: -
"Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
- If you have a car, keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case you need to evacuate.
- Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.
- If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to.
- Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated.
- Lock the door behind you.
- Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.
If time allows:
- Call or email the "out-of-state" contact in your family communications plan.
- Tell them where you are going.
- If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.
- Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
- Check with neighbors who may need a ride."
You may want to print out this list and keep it with your emergency kit. By having a list, you won't need to think in a time of emergency. I wrote down all my credit card, bank an other important information in a spiral notebook that I put in my emergency drawer. I also added my "what to grab list" to it - those things I use every day that I would want with me: contacts/glasses, meds, etc. I'll print the above list and stick it in my notebook so I'll be ready.
We keep a car phone charger for our cell phones in each car at all times, so we always have phone capabilities. And we have a car adapter for our laptop. I have added that to our list of things to take in an emergency.
Related Posts: National Preparedness Month - Making a Plan, National Preparedness Month - Determining Potential Emergencies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #1: NOAA Radio, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #2: Landline Phone, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #3 - Water, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #4 - First Aid Kit, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #5 - Additional Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #6 - Food, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #7 - Medications and Medical Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #8 - Emergency Documents
Source: National Preparedness Month
Homeland Security suggests the following steps to take: -
"Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
- If you have a car, keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case you need to evacuate.
- Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.
- If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to.
- Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated.
- Lock the door behind you.
- Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.
If time allows:
- Call or email the "out-of-state" contact in your family communications plan.
- Tell them where you are going.
- If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.
- Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
- Check with neighbors who may need a ride."
You may want to print out this list and keep it with your emergency kit. By having a list, you won't need to think in a time of emergency. I wrote down all my credit card, bank an other important information in a spiral notebook that I put in my emergency drawer. I also added my "what to grab list" to it - those things I use every day that I would want with me: contacts/glasses, meds, etc. I'll print the above list and stick it in my notebook so I'll be ready.
We keep a car phone charger for our cell phones in each car at all times, so we always have phone capabilities. And we have a car adapter for our laptop. I have added that to our list of things to take in an emergency.
Related Posts: National Preparedness Month - Making a Plan, National Preparedness Month - Determining Potential Emergencies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #1: NOAA Radio, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #2: Landline Phone, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #3 - Water, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #4 - First Aid Kit, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #5 - Additional Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #6 - Food, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #7 - Medications and Medical Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #8 - Emergency Documents
Source: National Preparedness Month
Monday, September 22, 2008
Another Local Opportunity to Get Prepared - CPR Anytime Class
CPR techniques will be offered by The American Heart Association on September 30 from 6 - 7:30 pm at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium. The City of Cuyahoga Falls, MC Hair Consultants, and Valley Savings Bank are co-sponsoring this free event.
Participants will receive a CPR Anytime Kit including a practice DVD, a personal inflatible CPR mannequin, and a CPR booklet. They will also hear from people who have been saved by CPR and AED.
Participants will receive a CPR Anytime Kit including a practice DVD, a personal inflatible CPR mannequin, and a CPR booklet. They will also hear from people who have been saved by CPR and AED.
Free Local Paper Shredding
Have some sensitive documents you need to shred? The Summit/Akron Solid Waste Management Authority and Neoshred Inc. are partnering to offer free confidential paper shredding for Summit County communities through September 26.
Shredding will be available by appointment only from 9 am to 3 pm at Neoshred, located at 621 Tallmadge Avenue, Akron. Call 330-253-8260 to schedule your appointment.
You are asked to remove binder clips, rubber bands, hanging file folders, binders, paperclips, and report covers. Shredded material will be recycled into tissue paper and paperboard.
What a wonderful way to get rid of your excess paper!
Shredding will be available by appointment only from 9 am to 3 pm at Neoshred, located at 621 Tallmadge Avenue, Akron. Call 330-253-8260 to schedule your appointment.
You are asked to remove binder clips, rubber bands, hanging file folders, binders, paperclips, and report covers. Shredded material will be recycled into tissue paper and paperboard.
What a wonderful way to get rid of your excess paper!
National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #8 - Emergency Documents
Are you ready to get back to National Preparedness Month? When I actually looked back over my blogs, I wasn't that far behind, but it was nice to take a break.
Today's topic is rather time consuming, so prepare yourself! It helps if you have a printer that is a copier, as a lot of our work will be copying documents.
I keep thinking about the Ike victims and how life must be upside down for them! Today's topic is very applicable to such disasters - having copies of important documents at your fingertips. Doing this and the things we've been talking about would make having to go through such a time a tiny bit easier, I think.
When we plan for an emergency, we need to plan for the worst. That would include loss of property and God forbid, loss of life of a loved one. To prepare for recovery following an emergency, it is important to have documents that will facilitate that recovery.
Homeland Security suggests copying the following documents, placing them in a waterproof container, and storing them in your emergency kit:
- family records
- medical records
- wills
- deeds
- social security number and contact information
- charge account numbers, expiration dates, and contact information
- bank account numbers and contact information
- tax records for the last five years
- medical insurance information
- Medicare cards and contact information
- the style and serial number of medical devices or other life-sustaining devices (include operating information and instructions)
- contact information of your medical providers
- the names and contact information of your support network (we’ll talk about your support network soon)
- if you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information notes the best way to communicate with you.
- my addition: the name and phone number of your insurance carriers, lawyer
I would suggest keeping another copy in your safe deposit box, one in your safe, and giving a copy to a family member.
Any documentation we're missing?
Related Posts: National Preparedness Month - Making a Plan, National Preparedness Month - Determining Potential Emergencies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #1: NOAA Radio, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #2: Landline Phone, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #3 - Water, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #4 - First Aid Kit, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #5 - Additional Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #6 - Food, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #7 - Medications and Medical Supplies
Source: National Preparedness Month
Today's topic is rather time consuming, so prepare yourself! It helps if you have a printer that is a copier, as a lot of our work will be copying documents.
I keep thinking about the Ike victims and how life must be upside down for them! Today's topic is very applicable to such disasters - having copies of important documents at your fingertips. Doing this and the things we've been talking about would make having to go through such a time a tiny bit easier, I think.
When we plan for an emergency, we need to plan for the worst. That would include loss of property and God forbid, loss of life of a loved one. To prepare for recovery following an emergency, it is important to have documents that will facilitate that recovery.
Homeland Security suggests copying the following documents, placing them in a waterproof container, and storing them in your emergency kit:
- family records
- medical records
- wills
- deeds
- social security number and contact information
- charge account numbers, expiration dates, and contact information
- bank account numbers and contact information
- tax records for the last five years
- medical insurance information
- Medicare cards and contact information
- the style and serial number of medical devices or other life-sustaining devices (include operating information and instructions)
- contact information of your medical providers
- the names and contact information of your support network (we’ll talk about your support network soon)
- if you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information notes the best way to communicate with you.
- my addition: the name and phone number of your insurance carriers, lawyer
I would suggest keeping another copy in your safe deposit box, one in your safe, and giving a copy to a family member.
Any documentation we're missing?
Related Posts: National Preparedness Month - Making a Plan, National Preparedness Month - Determining Potential Emergencies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #1: NOAA Radio, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #2: Landline Phone, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #3 - Water, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #4 - First Aid Kit, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #5 - Additional Supplies, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #6 - Food, National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit #7 - Medications and Medical Supplies
Source: National Preparedness Month
Friday, September 19, 2008
Interview by Mommy's Idea
I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Mommy's Idea, a brand new blog created for moms. To help them kick off the new site, I donated a couple of my books for giveaways: Three Steps to Clever Cleaning and Three Steps to Planning Your Child's Parties. Stop by to give Mommy's Idea a vote of encouragement and sign up for the giveaways!
Review by Just a Mom's Take on Things
Deb over at Just a Mom's Take on Things has reviewed a couple of my books: Three Steps to Decluttering and Three Steps to Time Management for the Working Mom.
Deb was very thorough (and kind). Why don't you stop by and check it out. While you're there, spend some time browsing through her fabulous site! She even has some giveaways!
Deb was very thorough (and kind). Why don't you stop by and check it out. While you're there, spend some time browsing through her fabulous site! She even has some giveaways!
Getting Organized for Winter - Your Chimney
Fall is an excellent time to prepare your fireplace or woodstove for use in the winter. It's another way to prepare your home for sale in the spring, if that's the case. Actually, the best time to clean your chimney is in the spring after your last use. But if that is not the case, it may be good to have it cleaned before you use it again.
How long has it been since you've had your chimney cleaned? The research I've read says you should have your chimney cleaned every year - more often if you use it frequently. Monthly if you use it as the main heating source for your home. Other sources say to clean your chimney after you have burned a cord of wood or when there is a 1/8-inch accumulation of creosote on your chimney wall.
Creosote is the problem - a gummy substance that collects on your chimney walls. If it builds up significantly, it can cause a fire in your chimney which usually must burn out by tiself. This can cause your chimney lining to crack. Authorities suggest burning lengthy fires that reach over 400 degrees, which cuts down on the creosote build-up. Burning short, low-temperature fires "to take the chill off" produces creosote.
How to find a reputable chimney sweep? The Chimney Safety Institute of American recommends: "A complete chimney sweeping includes the chimney flue and smoke chamber....Ask for a Level 1 chimney inspection and a chimney sweeping. If the sweep doesn’t know what a Level 1 inspection is, find one that does. A Level 1 inspection is detailed in the National Fire Protection Association 211: Standard on Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances." (This publication for chimney sweeps lays out the requirements that should be followed.)
You can clean your chimney yourself, but it involves going up on your roof. My personal feeling is that this is a job that would warrant hiring a professional! They take the risk and they don't make a mess!
How long has it been since you've had your chimney cleaned? The research I've read says you should have your chimney cleaned every year - more often if you use it frequently. Monthly if you use it as the main heating source for your home. Other sources say to clean your chimney after you have burned a cord of wood or when there is a 1/8-inch accumulation of creosote on your chimney wall.
Creosote is the problem - a gummy substance that collects on your chimney walls. If it builds up significantly, it can cause a fire in your chimney which usually must burn out by tiself. This can cause your chimney lining to crack. Authorities suggest burning lengthy fires that reach over 400 degrees, which cuts down on the creosote build-up. Burning short, low-temperature fires "to take the chill off" produces creosote.
How to find a reputable chimney sweep? The Chimney Safety Institute of American recommends: "A complete chimney sweeping includes the chimney flue and smoke chamber....Ask for a Level 1 chimney inspection and a chimney sweeping. If the sweep doesn’t know what a Level 1 inspection is, find one that does. A Level 1 inspection is detailed in the National Fire Protection Association 211: Standard on Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances." (This publication for chimney sweeps lays out the requirements that should be followed.)
You can clean your chimney yourself, but it involves going up on your roof. My personal feeling is that this is a job that would warrant hiring a professional! They take the risk and they don't make a mess!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I'm a Brilliant Weblog Award Recipient!
What a lovely and encouraging surprise to receive the Brilliant Weblog Award from Mommy Meryl today!
I am deeply honored, and as part of the award, I get to bestow it on seven deserving bloggers:
I am deeply honored, and as part of the award, I get to bestow it on seven deserving bloggers:
a website and blog dedicated to helping college students combat stress
my graphic design expert, webmaster and daughter
need I say more?
Laurel's logo: come, grow, go. Laurel writes book reviews for Christian Women Online
my other adventurous daughter
reviews, giveaways, free stuff, frugal shopping, and mommy stuff
guaranteed for a laugh
Why not stop by and see why I like them so!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Destressing Christmas, Part 1 - Think Through Your Expectations
Christmas already? Did you know that it is 97 days until Christmas? If we really want to destress Christmas, it might be wise to start thinking about it now. Last year I did a series on Destressing Christmas. I think I'll repeat one part of the series each week just to help us get started. Here's the first one: Thinking Through Your Expectations
As you anticipate the holidays, think through your expectations. Talk with your family members or those with whom you will be spending the holiday season. Ask what is important to them to celebrate at Christmas - activities, traditions, food, spiritual emphasis, giving, service opportunities, etc. This is the time to determine what is important to emphasize.
Make a list of all your traditions, from decorating to Christmas caroling. Keep the ones you love (forget about impressing other people), and cross off the ones you don't. Without realizing it, I tend to feel a need to incorporate all we had ever done, which becomes unwieldy, and it's rediculous if no one wants to do it!
Be flexible when things don't fit your expectations. Christmas Day doesn't have to happen on December 25th, for example. When we lived in Kenya, we worked with an expatriot medical team who gave their staff Christmas Day off. So we celebrated Christmas as a team on other days.
My husband and I are going to my parents' home for Thanksgiving, but have to fly on Thanksgiving. So we are celebrating on Friday instead of Thanksgiving. Our children won't be with us for Christmas, but we'll adjust.
Enjoy the moment rather than compare it to memories or expectations. Be present and relish what is happening. And if it's not the greatest, do what you can to make it pleasant. Be other-centered rather than self-centered.
Keep a sense of humor. I like things to match and I appreciate beauty. However, my son-in-law secretly placed a very ugly decoration on the tree one year. I did manage to resist my urge to snatch it off the tree, and we left it on the tree for giggles. It has now become a tradition.
Be realistic!!! Know what you can handle and what you cannot. Be kind to yourself and live within your limits. Each year is different. One year we were moving right after Christmas and our holiday preparations for that year were very few. Other years I decided to have a theme - stars, hearts, trees, etc. But after a few years, the number of decorations were getting out of hand so I stopped that tradition. Don't hesitate to limit activities so you can enjoy the season!!
As you anticipate the holidays, think through your expectations. Talk with your family members or those with whom you will be spending the holiday season. Ask what is important to them to celebrate at Christmas - activities, traditions, food, spiritual emphasis, giving, service opportunities, etc. This is the time to determine what is important to emphasize.
Make a list of all your traditions, from decorating to Christmas caroling. Keep the ones you love (forget about impressing other people), and cross off the ones you don't. Without realizing it, I tend to feel a need to incorporate all we had ever done, which becomes unwieldy, and it's rediculous if no one wants to do it!
Be flexible when things don't fit your expectations. Christmas Day doesn't have to happen on December 25th, for example. When we lived in Kenya, we worked with an expatriot medical team who gave their staff Christmas Day off. So we celebrated Christmas as a team on other days.
My husband and I are going to my parents' home for Thanksgiving, but have to fly on Thanksgiving. So we are celebrating on Friday instead of Thanksgiving. Our children won't be with us for Christmas, but we'll adjust.
Enjoy the moment rather than compare it to memories or expectations. Be present and relish what is happening. And if it's not the greatest, do what you can to make it pleasant. Be other-centered rather than self-centered.
Keep a sense of humor. I like things to match and I appreciate beauty. However, my son-in-law secretly placed a very ugly decoration on the tree one year. I did manage to resist my urge to snatch it off the tree, and we left it on the tree for giggles. It has now become a tradition.
Be realistic!!! Know what you can handle and what you cannot. Be kind to yourself and live within your limits. Each year is different. One year we were moving right after Christmas and our holiday preparations for that year were very few. Other years I decided to have a theme - stars, hearts, trees, etc. But after a few years, the number of decorations were getting out of hand so I stopped that tradition. Don't hesitate to limit activities so you can enjoy the season!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
