Bracing for the Winter Storm

While we didn’t exactly have a white Christmas this year, the weather is certainly making up for it today. We are battening down the hatches and waiting for what could be more than a foot of snow. Late morning, we decided to venture out to two different (by close) stores in search of winter coats that might be on sale after Christmas. We knew that the stores would probably be pretty empty. There was a light snow fall, but unlike the little bit of flurries yesterday, this one was starting to stick a bit. We didn’t find what we needed … Continue reading

Preparing Your Home for the Colder Months

Depending on where you live in the United States, you may be starting to think about preparing your home for the colder months to come. I live in Wisconsin and by September we are already thinking of snow. It has been known to snow in October so you can never be too prepared. This is the time when we like to take advantage of what could be the last month or so of decent weather. By the middle of September we are packing away most of our outdoor furniture and making sure the snow blower and shovels are handy. There … Continue reading

Home Blog Month in Review: October

As I sit here looking out my window at the backyard, the birds are hovering in the pine tree against a strong wind and steady rain. The temperature is chilly today, and the calendar reminds me that we have left October behind. October 1st Buy a Home for $1.75 It seems that the housing crisis has made some interesting news lately. Home Month in Review: September 2008 Has the weather turned cooler now that September has passed? Pretty soon, it will be time to get that heat turned back on! Meanwhile, check out all of the articles that were posted … Continue reading

Preparing for the Storm 2

(Note, although this post was written yesterday, fluctuating power caused me to make the decision to stay offline and keep my computer safe.) Have you been watching the weather for today? If you live along the east coast, you’re probably concerned about severe weather coming your way. Heavy rain, high winds and flash floods are all possibilities for many areas. In my previous post, Preparing for the Storm, I talked a little bit about how the severe weather may be affecting us soon. At the moment, our are resembles a tropical rain forest. There has been some steady, feathery rain … Continue reading

More Ways You Can Protect Your Camera While on Vacation

In my previous blog I listed ways you could protect your camera while vacationing in a place with frigid temperatures. This blog is tailored to help those of you who are planning to take your camera to a tropical location. While the weather might be pleasant other elements could prove detrimental to your camera—-if you are not prepared. Before you head off on your island getaway consider purchasing a lens adapter and a skylight filter. Each provides added protection from the elements for both the lens barrel and the lens itself. Also, you’ll want to make sure your camera bag … Continue reading

Protecting Your Camera While on Vacation

Spring break is in full swing here. Some of our friends flew to Colorado to get in some late season skiing (that was before we got 15 inches of fresh snow on Good Friday) while others headed to Florida to escape the winter blues. We just returned from Hawaii where my camera got a serious workout at the beach. Regardless of where you vacation this year it is important to remember some basic tips to ensure your camera doesn’t become a causality while you’re away from home. COLD CLIMATES If your family enjoys tearing though fresh powder in cold weather … Continue reading

If the Weather outside is frightful…

It is that time of year again. The weather can do some crazy things, and that’s even more true if you live in an area that is prone to drastic weather changes. We actually have days here that may be sunny and a nice, warm 75 degrees but drop more than 40-50 degrees by late that night. That’s a big difference in a 24 hour period! Sometimes, it’s even more extreme. Have you ever had the air conditioning on during the day and the heat running at night? I try to avoid such uses of energy, but there have been … Continue reading

Winterizing Tips: Outdoors

Even if it is already getting cold where you live, it’s not too late. You can still winterize or weatherize in several ways that will help protect your home and family throughout the winter months. Clean the Gutters If you can do it yourself, carefully go ahead and clean out the gutters. Always make sure someone else is home when climbing a ladder and be sure the ladder is stable. If you aren’t up for doing it yourself, hire someone to do it sooner than later. Make sure the person you hire is insured. It’s not a bad idea to … Continue reading

Home and Family: Winter Storms

As parts of the country endure severe winter storms, it is important to remember that even if these storms don’t directly affect your home and family, you never know when extreme weather may occur. Freezing temperatures in California have recently destroyed citrus crops. Flooding has also been a big concern. Even in areas of the heartland where people expect low temperatures, wind, ice, and snow in January, the recent storms have proven devastating. Sadly, over 50 people are known dead due to recent winter storms. Many are without power in freezing temperatures, and even with gas heat, blower motors on … Continue reading

Five Last Minute Preparations for Winter Weather

If you have adequately prepared your home and family for winter weather you can sit back and relax while the storm howls around you. There are a few last minute preparations that you may want to make in case you lose power. Here are five easy things to do to help you adjust quickly to a power outage. 1) You should make sure that you have alternate sources of lighting easily available. You can store a flashlight in your nightstand drawer. You may want to get your emergency candles out of the cupboard and put them in a place that … Continue reading