Another Tip From My Mother-In-Law

Posted on August 27, 2008 by Charla

I told my mother-in-law a long time ago how I use the 2 pound Velveeta boxes (the brown bottom part) for various uses around the house. They are clean, very sturdy boxes which are great organizers. And being the recycler and reuser that I am, I use these boxes for several things such as organizing my make-up drawer or desk drawer.

Well, my mother-in-law told me this week on the phone about a great way that she uses them and to write about it on my blog. She uses them to hold boxes of over-the-counter medicine and pills. All she has to do is reach up in the cabinet and get down the box, and then she can easily access the small box of medicine that she needs. Great tip!

I just thought of another good use…to hold Jello and Pudding boxes.

Here’s an idea from one of my readers, Christi: “You could also use them to organize a junk drawer – pens, scissors, etc. or if toy have kids you could let them decorate them to become houses, train cars, etc.”

Anele says, ” Just get some pretty wrapping paper to cover the Velveeta part and no one would ever know! Pretty cool!”

Empire Today Makes Choosing New Carpet So Easy

Posted on August 21, 2008 by Charla

Are you thinking of making some home improvements, maybe buying new carpet? Empire Today has been a leader in installed home improvements for over 45 years, has over one million happy customers, and has won the 2008 National Stevie Award for Best Customer Service Organization for providing world class customer care. For two years in a row, they were also a finalist in the Best Overall Company category. Now that tells you something! Add in the fact that they have quality products that will improve the value of your home, and that is a win-win situation.

These are the products that Empire Today offers:

Carpet

Hardwood Flooring

Laminate Flooring

Ceramic Flooring

Window Treatments

Bath & Shower Liners

The great thing about Empire Carpet is that you have the convenience of shopping for the name brands at home with their specialized products expert. One convenience I really like is that you see all the samples in your home with in-home demo and in-home shopping. Several years ago we bought new carpet, and the frustrating part was bringing the samples home from the store only to find they looked like completely different colors in our living room. With Empire Today, there is none of that frustration. You see the colors in your own home immediately. And you don’t have to deal with traffic or worry about the kids getting into things in the store. You sit in the comfort of your home and shop.

Empire Today’s representative gives free estimates, which are low warehouse prices, and will measure for most products right then and there. There’s no need to set a separate appointment for measurements. And the estimate includes all costs. Installation can be scheduled the next day, and that’s not just for carpet. It’s also for all flooring, window treatments and bath liners as well.

Have you seen the Empire Today Commercials? They are informative as well as entertaining. If you would like to hear from some happy, satisfied customers then check out Empire Today Bath Stories. Be sure to listen to “Empire Man” who, since 1977, has come to represent great value, world class customer service, and next day installation. Empire Man had been seen all over the world in commercials and other media, and has even been in McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which then inspired the Chicago Cubs to have an official “Empire Day at well-known Wrigley Field in downtown Chicago. When you hear the jingle, 800-588-2300 Empire, which is one of the most recognized phone numbers in the country, remember the quality that stands behind it!

Back to School – Time to Get Organized!

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Charla

How many of you have been organizing and getting ready for school to start in a week or two? I know I’ve been cleaning out shelves and drawers, filing, and trying to get everything organized. There’s just something about this time of year when it seems natural to do that. I guess it’s the teacher in me.

Things used every day need to be easily accessible and labeled for efficiency purposes. The Dymo Label Maker is a perfect tool to help get everything organized. File folders can easily be labeled. Plastic storage bins and plastic tubs need labels just as well.

For children, it helps to have things labeled by type or maybe by the child’s name if there are several children in the family. For teachers, the classroom is a great place to use a label maker to get everything in top notch organization. Students can label their book covers, folders, and other supplies. And we can’t forget college students who have files and all sorts of things that need to be organized.

There are more uses for a label maker besides household or educational purposes. Those who sew or enjoy a craft know the importance of keeping things sorted and easy to find. And even husbands can benefit by having their nails, screws, and hardware organized. The uses for the Dymo Label Maker are limitless!

TV Mounts

Posted on August 8, 2008 by Charla

Do you have a new TV and wonder how you are going to mount it? Check out Stands and Mounts.com to see their selection of TV mounts. Whether you are looking for a plasma tv mount or another kind of mount, they have a great selection of items to choose from. They have quick category links to help you find the product you are looking for.

How to Remove Bathtub Appliques Residue

Posted on July 28, 2008 by Charla

Have you ever removed the appliques from the bottom of your bathtub and been left with awful looking residue? Well, that happened to me recently. I tried several different household cleaners but to no avail. Finally, I went to Hometips.com and found the solution to my problem. And it was something I never would have thought to use…Shout (or Spray ‘n Wash). I just simply sprayed it on, let it set for several minutes, and then used a spatula to scrape off the residue. In some spots, I had to use several applications, but it worked great. Now our bathtub looks so much better!

Water Conservation Tips

Posted on July 10, 2008 by Charla

With water bills usually being higher during the summer months due to watering the grass and flowers, filling up kiddie swimming pools, and kids being home from school, etc, many people are looking for ways to conserve water.

Here are a few tips:

Install aerators in the sink faucets. These can reduce your sink water consumption by up to 50%.
Wash only full loads of dishes in the dishwasher.
Wash only full loads of clothes in the clothes washer. This not only saves water but also energy!
Install low-flow shower heads and limit showers to 5 minutes (I’ll be doing well if I limit mine to 15 minutes…lol)
Turn the water off while brushing teeth. (A lot of water is wasted here!)
Turn the water off while shaving.
Check out toilet leaks and repair as soon as possible.
A dripping faucet can waste nearly 2 gallons of water per HOUR! Repair immediately!

All Kinds of Coffee Tables

Posted on July 10, 2008 by Charla

It’s true that coffee tables come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. When our son was real little, we had a big sturdy coffee table that he could play on and we could even sit on. We moved when he was nearly three and got rid of that coffee table. For the longest time, we didn’t even have a coffee table, but several years ago we decided that we were ready to have a coffee table again. This time I wanted something that was not a traditional coffee table. I really like what we chose. I don’t think we’ll ever go back to not having a coffee table again. It’s too handy and convenient to have one!

Check Out Toilet Leaks

Posted on July 9, 2008 by Charla

This is a great way to check your toilet for leaks. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank. Wait 30 minutes. Colored water will appear in the toilet bowl if there is a leak. We have used this simple test several times through the years. It really works!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Charla

My flower garden is in need of work. I have worked in the front yard flower beds and they’re OK. But our back yard definitely needs improvement. Our Crepe Myrtle trees need to be trimmed as well as some other things. It has been so dry here in Texas that the trees are not blooming as much, and neither are the Canna lilies. The Day lilies are not blooming at all. Maybe I need some garden decor to brighten up my backyard?

Walk In Bathtubs

Posted on June 28, 2008 by Charla

My mother had a hard time getting around the last couple of years of her life. I wish she could have had a walk in tub. They are safe and comfortable, and that would have made things so much easier for her. My dream would have been to have one for her with whirlpool massage. Now that would be an awesome tub!

Organization

Posted on June 20, 2008 by Charla

Being organized is a good feeling! It feels great to be able to get something when it’s needed without having to hunt for it.

There are all sorts of great organizing products in stores now for organizing the kitchen, etc. Having everything needed to do a job, and having it organized, eliminates the frustration of not being able to complete a task because of not having a needed item. The office area of a home is an area where organization really comes in handy. Having the right office supplies at hand makes the job easier.

What better time to work on organization than during the summer. If there are unused items to get rid of to make more space, it’s the perfect time for a garage sale! There’s always room for improvement in the area of organization, so whether it’s a room or maybe just a desktop, now is a great time to get better organized!

Before You Paint…