some thoughts i have

Rain Rain Go Away!

2012-01-23T23:19:00.002-04:00

Actually, I don't mind the rain too much these days, when I think of how it could fall as snow, and then the driving is harder, the shoveling more, and normally the cold a lot harder to bear, even inside the house, once the wind starts to whistle.
So, it is good to see rain, really, and with there being less snow, the ground gets warmer quicker, and summer gets started together with it.

Martin Guitars, A True Classic

2012-01-17T23:02:00.002-04:00

My Hubby once worked with guy who used to make fun of him.
At the time, Hubby was doing mobile disc jockey work, and he would be charging about 100 to 150 dollars a night.
On the following Monday, this guy would always come up to Hubby, and ask "How much equipment did you have to haul last Saturday?" And Hubby would smile at him and tell him something like "Two tons".
The guy would then reply, "Well, I only hauled a couple of martin guitars, and I made 175 bucks!"
The guy was apparently a real expert at playing the guitar, and he had been doing it for a long time. He had his main Martin guitar, and carried a backup as well. So, I suppose that Martin guitars are like Stradivarius violins, a very nice sound, and sought after by collectors, so that they never lose their value.

Recreational Vehicle Insurance

2012-01-16T22:57:00.000-04:00

It is easy to mistake RV insurance for being the same as regular vehicle insurance, bvut it is in fact a bit different. For a start, you are probably not driving your RV daily to get you to and from work.
Then there is the fact that for most people, an RV gets stored for the winter. That changes the type is risk, from being a vehicle accident risk, to more like a house insurance type risk. So, it is good to shop around for rv insurance, as you might be pleasantly surprised.

Hubby Retires!

2012-01-15T09:17:00.002-04:00

Hubby thinks that he has retired. But I run a family business, so we will see.
I can use him as backup, if I can shut my ears to his whining about his arthritis!
I think it is all a scam anyway, he gets surprisingly agile when he visits his boat and scrambles around! But, I suppose I will have to some day go a bit easier on him, although right now, it is great to have someone available that has his own pension income, it means that I don't even have to pay him:-)

Saving Photo's, for free!

2012-01-13T08:53:00.000-04:00

A few years ago, a computer was a major investment, and so this made the parts themselves worth a lot.
But as far as hanging onto them these days, the main circuit boards are slow, and the very early hard drives are not really worth the fuss of using, as these days, we can get more storage space in a simple memory stick.
But, I have found a great use for old hard drives from computers that are of 'middle age'. They have a good enough size to use to backup my digital photo's. I have copied a second copy of my better pic's onto an old hard drive, and given it to a relative, so that even if my house burns down, I still have the family pic's.
One drive I had though, had a burned out circuit board on it. And it had some older pic's on it already that I no longer had stored on the main PC that I am using right now.
So, Hubby did some research, and found this site:
http://www.onepcbsolution.com/
And after a couple of emails to make sure he had the right product, he bought a new circuit board online, and it came in the mail a few days later, complete with instructions. So, for about 40 bucks, he not only got my irreplaceable pic's back, but now we have a spare, although slightly unreliable, hard drive, that we can use for the secondary backup storage that I mentioned. I might never lose any pic's ever again.

The Disney Experience

2012-01-09T23:11:00.000-04:00

Walt Disney was a true original thinking kind of guy.
When you think, he originally got famous by hand drawing black and white cartoon characters, and that then led to Mickey Mouse and family.
Then, once color came along, he was wise enough to go with that trend, always producing high-end graphics, where the whole character moves, not just the mouth.
Following that, he then stated to expand into making Disney a family outing, truly with bells on, by making a disney world vacation the thing to do fort the whole family.
I have to admit though, although I intend going one day, I always feel a bit silly talking to people dressed up as ducks and mice.

Titanium - an unusual metal

2012-01-08T08:46:00.001-04:00

Titanium is an unusual metal, because it looks like steel, but weighs next to nothing. It is springy in nature, and very strong.
So, I was interested to see that there is now a titanium watch bracelet available. It seems a logical choice, with a strength that probably exceeds that of stanless steel, but as light as a fabric strap. Nicely finished, too.

Building In Steel

2012-01-03T08:38:00.000-04:00

Most buildings of smaller sizes are made of traditional older type materials, such as stone, brick, and of course wood. Over time, these materials will tend to crack, or shrink, or in some cases will just be as good after a few decades, as they were when built. But such cases are rare. Most buildings require increasing maintenbance to enable their survival and integrity. So, it is interesting to note the increase in the use of steel in construction. What were once wooden 2 x 4's are now galvanised rust resistant channel shaped steel frame parts. And of course, there are always steel buildings that are made totally from steel, and seem to stand the test of time and weather really well.

Wet Days

2011-12-28T11:51:00.002-04:00

The winter has breaks in it where I live.
Right now, the snow is melting, it is raining hard, and there is a warm wind blowing.
Now, on the downside, the warm will soon turn to freezing, and any slushy snow left will turn to hard lumpy ice that you can twist your ankle on.
This time around though, I think that we are in luck, and it will stay warm long enough to get rid of all the snow before the freezing occurs.

Guilt Gifts!

2011-12-26T11:44:00.001-04:00

It is now guilt gift time.
That is, time to get a gift for no reason at all, to give to those who gave Xmas gifts to you, when you had nothing for them!
Or, even more appropriate, to do the same for people who gave you a gift that was way too highly priced compared with what you gave them.
Or, just make a note of a website such as http://www.redenvelope.com/push-presents-RPSHP so that you can get something online for the next occasion.

Christmas - busy, or quiet?

2011-12-12T22:11:00.000-04:00

When you have a regular job, it is often the case that the Christmas can be busy in the days leading up to it, but as Christmas actually arrives, it is fairly quiet. The goods involved have either been sold, or not, and it is too late to worry.
But for some of us, it can be a busy time. Catching up with work in client premises, while the employees are absent.
The bonus is though, that it buys extra time, so that the work has less panic, and often can be delayed a day or two.

The Best Online Buys - No Shipping Involved!

2011-12-07T22:05:00.000-04:00

I suppose that many of you have noticed how easy it is to download music. Apple have gotten it down to a science. You pay a small fee, and then a few minutes later you have the tunes.
Just as music requires no shipping, so it is just about the same with insurance products. You can just look up the online website, and buy the insurance, leaving the paperwork to follow by mail.
Easy.
So, before doing your online shopping, give the purchase some thought. You might well discover that the best buys are when purchasing items that do not involve shipping.

Climate Change, and Christmas.

2011-12-03T18:26:00.000-04:00

As the climate is changing, and we seem to be getting more severe storms, I often wonder if at some point, there will be no snow for Christmas.
It might never happen, as it might be that to have no snow would mean so much heat that we would be unable to continue to live!
It would be really weird if there was no North Pole, because of it being just the sea, instead of a place that can be walked to.
Oh, well, back to work.......

A Custom Mattress

2011-12-02T18:16:00.000-04:00

As we get older, the comfort of a mattress tends to get a bit less easy to find. We tend to buy a mattress only so often, and again, tend to ignore the changes to it as it ages.
With the new materials that have become available in recent years, there is actually no need to suffer discomfort every might. You can even get a custom mattress made up at a reasonable price these days.

Office Supplies

2011-12-01T17:44:00.000-04:00

For most of us, office supplies are just generally called 'stationery'. But once a business is up and running, the quantities become such that you really need to regard them as supplies, and keep a stock of them. It is easier these days than it used to be, as there are a few office supply places around that offer good deals on medium amounts of office supplies. And if you need larger amounts, then the discounts can get even better.

Snow and Rain

2011-11-14T12:59:00.000-04:00

It is that awkward part of the start of winter, when the roads are still above freezing, and when the snow falls, it creates a layer of slush that lies under the snow, making things very slippery, in fact more slippery than they will be once the ground has frozen, and the snow remains dry.
Now, add a bit of rain to that, and it is just a big mess.

Internet Dating

2011-11-13T12:52:00.001-04:00

They say that more and people are meeting by using the internet. The way most dating websites work is that you pay a membership fee, and then you can access the contact details of the other parties that you might be interested in.
Another way though is to use a free dating website, that makes it's money by selling advertising.
The advantage is simple, as with it being free, there are more people who become members, giving a greater choice to everyone.

Rememberance Day Weather

2011-11-11T09:07:00.002-04:00

Seems to me that it is always bad weather on Rememberance Day. Well, not exactly always, but for most years, anyway.
A few years back, we always seemed to have a covering of snow, but lately it has been rain, and wind. And today, they have issued a rainfall warning from the Weather Office, as well as us having very high winds.

Christmas Decor

2011-11-05T09:02:00.002-03:00

I guess that things have gotten better as far as choice goes, when you look at what is available at Christmas.
It is not so long ago that we just hung a few paper streamers acoss the room, set up the tree, and that was it.
For a while now, we have been able to buy wreaths for the front door, and one of the latest ideas is to have christmas doormats for the same door area.
It gives a whole great look to the seasonal decor.

Refrigerator without service!

2011-11-03T17:28:00.000-03:00

I bought a cheap refrigerator a few weeks ago. It was under 200 bucks, and has no light inside or other bells and whistles, and a very small freezer box. I got it to use as a kind of bar fridge.
There was a blue sticker label on the door, something about how it was energy efficient.
I scraped it off, but the glue that the sticker maker used left a gummy deposit on the fridge door.
So, I looked up the supplier, a company called Danby, and went online to ask their customer service people how to remove the glue, and to suggest also that they send a copy of my query to whoever decided to place a gummy sticker right onto the paintwork of the door.
I shouldn't have bothered trying. There has been zero response.
So, lesson learned.
I was going to buy another fridge, for another room, actually, in the basement, but now it will not be a Danby. I mean to say, if their customer service is so bad that they can't have the manners to respond to a simple query, then what would happen if something more serious occurred?

Coming Soon - Eyelash Product Reviews

2011-11-02T17:20:00.000-03:00

It always amuses me to see gals with false eyelashes.
Those things just stick right out, and can look really phony if overdone.
A better way to obtain a similar look is to use a product that will thicken, and lengthen your own existing eyelashes. That way, you don't have the risk of your false eyelash dropping into your meal while you are eating.
And coming soon is a website that can give you sound advice as to the best eyelash growth product.

Healthcare Jobs

2011-11-01T17:10:00.001-03:00

There are a few areas of employment that will always be in demand. One that is obvious is the food supply industry. Another is medical jobs, such as Medical Transcriptionist Jobs and similar. And some of these jobs in the medical field are not medical specific, that is, they require little training as far as the medical part of the job goes. But the key is to have a great knowledge of medical terminology.
There are other medical related jobs, as well. Worth looking into as a field that might be accessible, but kind of ignored up until now through fear of not having the skills.

Ships Breaking Up

2011-10-15T00:11:00.002-03:00

When you stand beside a dock where there is a ship moored, the size is often amazing. That little ship that you saw entering a harbour end up like a towering office block.
But the weight of it all adds to the danger.
Once a ship gets caught on the ground, often on rocks, then the weight of the part that is still floating pulls and pushes, often until the ship breaks apart.
So, ships are only really safe when they are out at sea, away from the dry land.

Heat Pumps For Pools

2011-10-14T00:03:00.000-03:00

The way a heat pump works is interesting.
In simple terms, it take a few degrees of difference in temperature that is in an adequate supply medium, such as the soil itself, and converts that large amount, yet small temperature difference into a larger temperature difference in a smaller medium, such as a pool, or spa.
One of the most popular is the raypak heat pump, which has a titanium heat exchanger.
The great thing is, once the system is set up, the running costs are low, as you are not paying to heat or cool the water in the pool, only to pump the heat to and from where it is needed.

Nintendo DS

2011-10-12T23:55:00.000-03:00

There seems to be a continuous cycle as far as computers, and computer related products go.
The manufacturers produce a really powerful PC or gaming console, then the game creators do their thing, and go to the limits in using all of the newly found capacity. Then, the PC or gaming console designers give their products, such as the nintendo ds, an upgrade or re-design, to enable them to cope better with the games, especially as far as the graphics are concerned.
Can't complain though, I can do a lot more with my faster PC than I could when they were slower. And my brother hooks up a gaming console to the internet to watch movies!

Work harder? For What?

2011-10-10T23:27:00.002-03:00

Seems that as a society, we have lost a bit of what might be the most important thing in life, and that is enjoyment.
We have maybe somehow made it so that pleasure and enjoyment of life is seen as money dependent.
In so doing, we are spending more and more time working, for what seems like less and less true gain, in order to try to make a good life.
Yet, when looked at from a distance, it seems that more people who are money poor, and time rich, seem to have a better overall life.
It might be time to look more closely at what we are doing.

Tripwires? Not in My House.

2011-10-10T23:16:00.002-03:00

I don't know if everyone is aware of it, but tripping in the home is a major source of injuries.
I am sure that we have all tripped, or almost tripped, over wires that might be laying across the floor.
Now, likewise, we have no doubt also seen that in places like shopping malls, anywhere where there are wires across floor areas, they have a plastic shield cable cover that removes the way the cable might get accidently hit by the sole of a shoe.
Control of cables that we all have these days, is not only needed when the cables lay on the floor, but the cables can also be guided while in other parts of the living or office space, such as when going around a door.
It is well worth looking into, both for safety and visual effect.

An Autumn Nip In The Air

2011-09-16T10:29:00.000-03:00

We had a frost caution last night.
It has always made me wonder why frost can happen, yet the temperature is not below freezing.
I think it is something to do with how the ground loses it's heat at night, and warms up even if it only has daylight, and no Sun shining upon it, during the day.
I know that water flowing through a black plastic pipe can freeze at night even though the air temperature is above freezing, and yet during the day, will still flow even if the temperature drops below freezing.
Anyway, let's leave that to the scientists!

Trucker GPS - check the voltage!

2011-09-12T09:55:00.002-03:00

I never gave it any thought before, but it seems that some large trucks do not have the same electrical systems that cars have. They apparently have 24 volt electrical systems, instead of the usual 12 volt that everyone is familiar with.
I have no real idea why this should be, after all, a headlight is a headlight.
But then my Hubby pointed out that it might be done in order to make the starter work better in turning over the big engines that large trucks have.
But it also means that everything like light bulbs, and gps for truckers will have to be offered in two different voltages, the usual 12 volts, as well as the more powerful 24 volts.

My Sis and Her Nurse Training

2011-09-10T09:48:00.000-03:00

My sister is currently taking training to become a nurse. I don't know how good she will be at it, but at least with her good sense of fashion, she will look good!
From what she is saying, it involves a lot of paperwork, and the ability to describe things well.
She went out the other day to get some nurses style shoes, something that will be comfortable to wear all day. Next step will be to look at suitable nurses uniforms so that the patients will not know that she has just started her training.
Seems weird to me that my little sister will soon be in charge of administering intravenous drips and similar things.

Airshow Weather?

2011-08-24T21:20:00.000-03:00

Right now I am holding my breath to see if the coming weekend will bring fine weather. It does not look as good as I would like it, as I need it to be good fine weather to allow the airshow that is in Prince Edward Island, to go ahead.
The forecast right now is for cloudy and periods of rain.
I suspect that it will be cancelled, as the clouds have to be a certain height for the airshow to go ahead.
Oh, well, Que Sera, there is always next year. And I can always find a different excuse for a trip to PEI.

Tuning Up Your Compost!

2011-08-22T21:11:00.000-03:00

I can remember years ago that a compost heap was basically a chicken wire enclosure, that everything was dumped onto, and it was located as far away from the home as possible.
Things have gotten a bit higher tech these days, as the composting process is now better understood.
By using a compost tumbler, you can aerate the compost, which allow quicker rotting down of the material, and therefore a quicker ability to return the compost to the land, where it can do some good for the soil.
This saves wastage, as with the old system, the wetness washed away some of the nutritional value of the compost, yet it was at the time thought by some to be essential for the rotting down process. By tumbling the compost. the introduction of air into the mix allows faster preparation of the compost, and greater garden productivity, whether for flowers, or for veggies.

Halloween? What, already?

2011-08-17T21:06:00.000-03:00

Seems like just the other day I was pleased to be thinking that summer was on the way properly, and now I see that there are Halloween invitations and costumes being advertised.
I even visited one store today, and at the back was a small Christmas display, as well.
But, plenty of time to still enjoy some warm weather, just don't expect it to be too hot if you go for an early morning jog.
And expect the wind to be a bit higher, as well, making it feel cooler than it really is.

Positive Reinforcement.

2011-08-15T20:58:00.000-03:00

If you look at trophies that were awarded a few years back, you might notice that they are often genuine silver cups, with genuine silver shields around the base to be engraved with the next winners details, whether it be a team win, or an individual one.
But when you look at it, the winning of trophies is not really about the value of the trophy itself, but more of the sense of achievement that the trophy represents.
This has led to a trend for more attractive and specialized trophies, with pillars, and cast figures incorporated into the design.
But the achievement remains the same, whether old or new style.

Slowly increasing wealth

2011-08-13T08:49:00.000-03:00

It would be great to win the lottery, and have no more money worries.
But for most of us, life isn't as easy as that.
The way around being poor is to increase income, or decrease expenses.
Then, slowly but surely, the wealth comes. Unless you spend it.
But then, if you spend it, you are not decreasing expenses.
By owning your own business, the rewards can come easier.
it is harder to reach the comfort zone of breaking even, but once that point is reached, then the money really rolls in, as most of the expenses are already paid, so the extra money is all profit.

Truckers have different driving needs.

2011-08-08T08:40:00.000-03:00

As a car or van driver, I tend not to consider the needs of other drivers, who might be driving other types of vehicles.
Sure, I move over where possible, to let motorcycles pass easily, in traffic, but it is less easy to have consideration for truckers.
On the highway, I keep my speed up to stay a good distance in front of them, and allow them more space for slower braking, etc etc.
I guess that their needs are just a little different from my own.
Take gps, for instance. A
gps for trucker use needs a little bit of a different setup, such as more waypoints, and maybe a dual input, so that it can be plugged into either a regular 12 volt system, or a 24 volt truck system.

Investing nicely for the future

2011-08-05T08:32:00.000-03:00

As money value fluctuates, enabling some people to make money by buying low, and selling high, it is interesting to keep track of the price of gold.
The general trend is a one way trip, and that trip is up.
Diamonds, too, are a good stable investment. Combining the two, and you have something that has a practical value, as a jewelry item, and added to that, a reasonable investment. Reeds diamond rings are a good source, where selection is good, quality is stable, and you can have peace of mind.

More Thoughts

2011-08-03T15:59:00.002-03:00

Seems like money is getting scarcer.
I just answered a knock at the door, a guy collecting for cancer research.
He has been doing it for the last 5 years, and finds that this year, people seem to have less money than in previous years.
I guess this is a sign of the times, money is harder to come by, so people tend to cut out the less necessary items first.

Barcodes - a great inventory tool

2011-08-01T15:52:00.000-03:00

The process of stocktaking used to take hours and hours, if not days.
But with each item having a barcode, it can be done a whole lot easier, and quicker, and that means cheaper!
The whole thing is, everyone involved must pay attention and follow the system.
Provided that the routines are followed, then the amounts will be correct, as they are being tracked by a computer program in real time, that is, when an item is scanned at the checkout, then the program records that the stock in hand is one item less than it was a few minutes ago.
And this ease has only been made possible since the advent of the
barcode scanner.

Tourism - not for everyone.

2011-07-10T11:43:00.001-03:00

We tend to take things for granted in life.
For instance, with a European or North American passport, we can just about go anywhere in the world. At least, anywhere where there is a tourist industry.
But the reality is that we are lucky. A better word is fortunate.
People in poorer countries do not have the same opportunity, and it is not just money driven or restricted.
The fact is that the richer countries all need to control any input of people from other places, especially if the education levels are lower, rather than higher.
So, next time you set off for Cancun, or wherever, think of it as a privilege, not a right.

Laptops and battery life

2011-07-08T11:28:00.001-03:00

Right now, I am writing this using a laptop. I have a desktop computer as well, but right now am away from where it is located. Laptops, or notebooks or whatever they care to call them to make them sound special, are now firmly entrenched as a type of computer that has advantages and some disadvantages, compared to desktops.
I personally have never replaced the poor old worn out batteries in this old laptop, but I have to admit that it adds to the inconvenience to have to have it plugged in all the time whenever I need to use it.
Yet I can buy online, anything from acer batteries to Winbook batteries, and at good prices. It might be a good idea, I can take advantage of the portability of the laptop more by having batteries that work!

Online Insurance

2011-07-06T11:22:00.002-03:00

The term 'wholesale is generally referring to part of a sales supply system, where goods are purchased in bulk at lower prices per unit item, in preparation to be distributed to retailers.
But it can also apply to services, as well as goods. By having an online presence, http://www.wholesaleinsurance.net/ are able to offer savings by dealing in larger quantities of insurance sales, allowing some of those lower unit costs to be passed on in order to keep the sales flowing in nicely. Kind of makes good sense, really.

Wrestling vs boxing

2011-07-04T11:14:00.002-03:00

Although it has probably been known for years, but not really talked about, the long term effects of having participated in the sport of boxing are not so good. Obviously, there is more risk of injury where an impact is involved, rather than the situation with wrestling, where the strain to the body is more likely to be gradual and more controlled.
Of course, the latest trend seems to ber for a purer, if that is the word, sport, that of cage fighting. Certainly it is arguably more realistic than either boxing or wrestling, if you are comparing it to real life situations.

The sweetness of summer.

2011-07-03T16:35:00.000-03:00

The heat is here at last.
Summer is here, and the rain is gone, at least for now.
So, it is time to try to grab some spare time away from work, and act like we are in Florida or somewhere. Not that I would really like to be in Florida, at least not at this time of the year, it is just far too hot there to be comfortable. I have come to enjoy a temperature that is such that I can wear a light jacket, or choose not to. About 70 degrees F. That's my style these days.

RV'ing, with peace of mind.

2011-07-01T16:28:00.002-03:00

With any mode of transport, there is always a risk that the vehicle, be it an airplane, or a camel, will break down.
We tend to trust that in the case of an airplane, the pilot will deal with any problems.
Likewise, with a camel, it is not our problem, unless it bites us!
But with an RV, there is more independence from the control of others.
It is one of the prices to pay for the freedom gained, I suppose. But there is a way to get that same peace of mind, and that is to have breakdown coverage so that any rv repairs are someone elses problem.
And that leave us with only the freedom part of the deal!

My Sis Gets A New (to her!) Car.

2011-06-26T02:07:00.000-03:00

My sis has just bought a new car. It is a 2002 Nissan Altima.
I have to admit, I feel a bit jealous. It always is a bit of a boost to change vehicles. I don't know if it is the spending of the money that gives the boost, or the owning and driving of a different vehicle.
Now, time to take a new look at my van. Maybe I need a boost!

Blowing Leaves

2011-06-25T01:50:00.001-03:00

I think that it is interesting living in a place where the winters are freezing. It makes a big difference from somewhere like, say, The Philippines, or the UK.
In the UK, for instance, the winters are wet, so the dead leaves tend to stay where they are, and rot downm to compost right there.
So, if you have to clean them up after they have fallen, you had better be quick, or you will need a shovel rather than a broom.
Some in tropical places, the falling leaves are part of a continuous cycle there, and the whole process is more gradual.
But, when the leaves get frozen, then, like frozen food, they get preserved, then get the opportunity for a second life of blowing all over the place. So it helps to have a quick and easy way to deal with that, by using a leaf blower such as an echo blower. And here is a tip, don't bag those leaves and put them out to be taken away. Instead, dig a shallow hole and bury them so that they rot down into a great compost. That way, your garden is allowed to cycle it's own nutrition.

Solar Floodlights

2011-06-17T00:47:00.001-03:00

Hubby likes to waste money.
His latest purchase is a dollar store floodlight that is solar powered.
Floodlight is too strong a term, it has just 3 little LED's that provide the light.
He says that there is method in his madness, that he has priced boat ventilators that have a solar powered fan, and they are about $120 each. He figures that with a computer fan, and a few 8 dollar panels robbed from these lights, he can set something up that will save money.
He would be better off buying the real thing.

Horse Tack

2011-06-15T00:37:00.002-03:00

If you are interested in horses, whether it be for casual riding, competitive riding, or just having them around, you are known as being 'horsey'. Seems like name-calling when you first hear it, but it is not intended or generally used as an insult, in fact quite the opposite.
So, as with some other hobbies, it is good to be familiar with the lingo. Another one is that horse equipment is known as 'tack'.
It would be interesting to research that and find out why. Maybe it is something to do with a tack being a course steered in a boat, and the tack of horse fame derives from that. Or maybe it is just short for 'tackle'.

Xanax Detox

2011-06-13T00:28:00.000-03:00

It seems that just as soon as a new drug is invented, a way to abuse it, or accidentally abuse it unintentionally crops up.
I suspect that if a person is prone to addiction, then the substance will not be critical, the addiction just takes place.
I know for sure that Hubby is careful to never try smoking just one cigarette, he says that to do so will put him right back to having to spend $300 a month on tobacco.
So, although Hubby did not need a tobacco detox program to assist him to quit, in cases of substances such as Xanax, it is probably more likely to be a good way to proceed if xanax detox is sought, to enable help.

HTC phones

2011-06-11T00:21:00.002-03:00

It seems like all phones are getting equal, at least the smartphones are. There are now several operating systems available, and of course the touch screens are now commonplace. I am not sure whether they are always the best thing to have, I know that hubby hates them, as he says he cannot see the screen in sunlight, and he whines about how easy it is to accidentely touch the screen and move things unintentionally.
HTC are a good make, I think, and you can buy htc incredible smartphones for good prices online at thesource.ca

Don't rent houses to cat owners!

2011-06-10T22:47:00.000-03:00

Here is a warning from experience. Don't rent your house to a cat owner.
The small that the cat leaves behind can take weeks to get rid of, in fact, if you search for the subject, there appears to be no certain fix, remedies range from washing with bleach, to varnishing over wooden floors.
We are currently just entering week 4 of trying to clean the smell away from where a relative had a cat staying at our house in our absence.
If I had to rent out a house, I would have a surcharge of $500 a month for cat owners, payable in advance!
Dogs are probably not much better!

Train Accident Lawyer

2011-06-04T22:41:00.000-03:00

There are some profession that seem obvious, such as doctor, or lawyer, but there are also some professions that are really specialized, such as that of FELA Railroad Injury and Train Accident Lawyer.
Yet, it makes sense. Certainly to specialize would seem to indicate a good chance of greater knowledge and therefore skill, after all, you would not employ a divorce lawyer to defend you on a murder charge.
Kind of makes me wonder just how many accidents there are regarding trains.

Mowing Lawns!

2011-05-21T17:32:00.000-03:00

It is a sign that summer has arrived when I have to mow the lawn. I get Hubby to help me, of course, after all, it really should be his job, but as the saying goes, it is hard to get good help!
At least Hubby helps me with the snow shovelling in winter, and the moving of the garbage, little of which he himself produces of course, from the rear yard out to the curb. Or should that be kerb? I just looked it up and both are correct.
He is actually the only one who does, apart from our son when he is told to, the rest of the house appears to be filled with non-helpers.

Burning off the fat

2011-05-19T17:09:00.000-03:00

A natural way to burn off fat is to use up the calories by doing exercises. The fat is burned off, and muscle replaces it, and as muscle weighs more than fat, it is important not to get fixated upon the weight loss, but more on the overall appearance effect that a top fat burner product can give you.
Now, don't forget that together with that fat burner, you can add some natural assistance by even just a little exercise, together with a modified diet. In other words, don't eat what I do, eat what I suggest you do!

Does Your Body Absorb Fat?

2011-05-17T16:47:00.000-03:00

It seems like they are always coming out with new products that work in new and different ways, and this is true regarding weight loss products, as much, I suppose, as anything else in the world.
The chemical compounds contained in fenphedrine, for instance, are proven to reduce appetite, thus allowing less food intake without the discomfort of hunger. Sounds logical to me. Couple this with a good food choice, and moderate exercise, and it could well be a winner.

I backed into a guardrail!

2011-05-15T15:08:00.000-03:00

Silly me, I backed into a the guardrail that is oposite the driveway, and damaged the bumper of my van.
Not too bad, as I was barely rolling when I hit.
But, the moral of the story is, to pay attention! - I was distracted by talking to my brother at the time.

The USB port - better than sliced bread!

2011-05-10T15:02:00.000-03:00

When PC's first became popular in the mid 90's, they were hardwired to accept the required user items, such as printers, mice, keyboard, etc.
They didn't even have a USB port, as far as I can remember.
But now we have come to accept and rely on the 'plug and play' method of installing the hardware items, thus letting the computer do the work of setting up the software that allows the hardware items to communicate with the operating system of the computer.
You can even get things like electric fans, and a usb barcode scanner that you basically just plug in and use.

Computers Working For You

2011-05-08T14:55:00.003-03:00

Remember the days when, to check if there was a trend, or something happening, you would have to read all the sources manually, that means read, with your eyes like a human being was meant to!
All very well, but if you tried it these days, the competition would jump ahead of you in a flash, because everyone is now using business intelligence software to check what is going on in the bigger picture.
A bit like when electronic calculators came of age. In a way, it is no longer required to know why things are worked out a certain way, just that if you punch in datta in a certain way, the results will appear, and be accurate.

90% Rain!

2011-05-04T09:26:00.000-03:00

I know that this is like the rainy season, but this gets ridiculous. In the last 2 weeks, it has rained every day except one!
Good for the garden, I guess, and to melt any frozen ground deep down, but not good for getting things done.
Just as well that most of what I have to do is indoors.

Digital Camera Reviews Online

2011-05-02T09:18:00.000-03:00

The whole world of photography undertook a big change a few years back, when digital cameras came along.
You can now buy cameras that are far beyond what you really need, just like computers, which just keep getting faster and faster, and the program designers just keep making graphics in particular more and more spectacular.
So, it might be the case that you get trapped by the advertising into over-buying, as far as a digital camera in concerned.
And that is where digital camera reviews come into play, giving you the ability to stack one make and model against another.

Wedding Season

2011-05-01T09:10:00.000-03:00

I suppose that although many marriages fail these days, we have to hope at the time of getting married that all will be OK.
It is a stressful time, planning everything, and I suppose that is why the wedding planner business got started.
Wedding planners no doubt have their favored suppliers, although it is doubtful if there is any direct payment of commission involved, it is a good idea, when employing a weddding planner, to do some comparison shopping around of your own.
The caterer is an obvious choice to get other quotes for, as well as items such as bridesmaid dresses, and limousine services.

Should a boat get wet?

2011-04-25T23:37:00.000-03:00

I wonder if a boat should get wet on the inside?
Right now, the old boat that hubby is fixing up has leaks that allow rain into it. Around the windows is one area he has to fix, as well as fixing holes that are in the decking, where some planks were screwed through the fibreglass deck.
So, he says he has it under control, and is two-thirds done with it.
It will be interesting to see how long it will be before he does an overnight stay inside it. That will be the test!

Laughing At Hubby

2011-04-20T23:31:00.002-03:00

I often laugh at Hubby. He is getting older now, and tends to do things that older people do, slower and safer. At the same time, just for a laugh, he will sometimes skip along like a child, just because he knows it looks so funny.
But he has to hang on to things for balance, and is nearing the point where he might need a medical step stool, which has a handrail of some kind built in, to give better balance.
Funny how it is not a case of needing to hang onto something for actual support, but more just to feel secure and balanced.
One wonders how he will manage when he gets his boat going, and needs to develop 'sea legs'.

Maritime Law

2011-04-18T23:26:00.000-03:00

As my Hubby told me, a Maritime Lawyer needs to know many things that are different to regular law. A good example is probably the matter of jurisdiction. The high seas are not open to avoiding the law, and only a maritime lawyer can really advise what is the likely outcome of any legal matters involving maritime issues.
Obviously, anything that happens within the legal boundaries of a country will come under the law of that country, but once further offshore, things get more complicated.

Reviewing Dieting Aids

2011-04-12T23:20:00.000-03:00

If we look at oxyelite pro reviews, we can find a bit of scepticism as to whether it is as good an all-around product as the makers claim.
Having said that, there is some indication that at least it has some definite effects, and these are associated with weight loss, such as increasing energy levels, which of course will in trun cause weight loss, due to an increase in activity. So, it does make sense.

Convenience - bar stools

2011-04-08T23:14:00.000-03:00

I suppose that the name 'bar stool' conjures up thoughts of drinking, but bar stools and tables or a bar area is also useful for grabbing that quick snack, then running. such as at breakfast time, for example. Less formal than sitting at a larger table, and handier to wipe clean. Another plus is that it can be located as a room divider, such as sectioning off a kitchen area from the dining area, and at the same time adding extra usefulness.

Boating Weather

2011-04-02T15:13:00.000-03:00

Apperently, there is a song called the Eton Boating Song, where the words refer to 'jolly boating weather'. Well, I have no ideaa about the jolly part, but I see that boats are appearing in the harbour in the last few days.
It is a sign of spring, and the sailors are no doubt the hardiest of the bunch. But, fairly soon, especially on weekends, we will have boats other than container ships to look at.

Sweatshirt Weather

2011-04-01T15:04:00.002-03:00

It is not yet warm enough to go the whole day with just thin clothing,. but we will get to summer fairly soon now. Right now, a sweatshirt is the way to go, and in particular, Personal Creations Sweatshirts meet the need the best.
I think that the trick is to have something written on the front that is brief enougfh to be read fairly easily. And humor is the way to go. I notice that they have a toddlers one that refers to "Daddy's Little Stinker". Complete with a skunk picture on there. Makes photos more memorable, too.

Cellphone Woes

2011-03-26T12:31:00.000-03:00

I wonder why it is that it is nearly impossible to be treated honestly by cellphone service providers. I realise that they might get cheated as often as is possible by some of their customers, but it also seems that they take every opportunity to set things up so that they can grab money. In Canada, there is the 'system access fee' . This is worded so that it appears to be a tax of some kind, but it is levied by the cellphone companies, not the government.
Another scam with cellphones are the hidden charges that are put on when buying a new phone from them. The hidden 'administration fee' is really just a charge, it has nothing to do with administration.

Medication Reviews

2011-03-26T12:27:00.001-03:00

When it comes to any product that is competitive as far as marketing goes, and particularly where the product is not a fixed object such as a car, or furniture, - I am thinking of things like medications, dieting aids, that kind of thing, - it is probably good to see some consumer reviews about the product, as well as the product's competition. It is a case of using the experiences of others to judge whether a product tor service is likely to work for you. Another advantage is that you get to see the names of the competitors product.

Coogi Clothing

2011-03-23T12:25:00.000-03:00

There is an old saying that 'manners maketh man', but it has probably been overtaken in truth by 'clothing maketh man'. The fact is, whether it is womens or mens clothing, if you pay more, it shows. Just try going to somewhere like a yacht club. You will notice that the people there tend to look well dressed, even though they are in casual clothes. Well, those clothes are not so casual, more contrived. Brands such as the Australian coogi clothing brand just plan and simply look better than chain store goods.

Laser Printers

2011-03-21T12:20:00.000-03:00

The 'brother' brand has been around for a long time. And there is good reason, I guess, as this is the true indication that they are producing quality products. And although they have been a bit crowded out by other names, they still have what is perhaps the best price for a laser black and white printer.
This is quite interesting for me, as I have just once again paid nearly fifty bucks for a black ink cartridge for my printer - I should have looked at brother printers before buying a different make, I guess.

Not quite warm enough, but nearly so!

2011-03-20T14:45:00.000-03:00

I have alll kinds of things that I plan to do this summer. And right now, thre weather is kind of less painful than in Winter, but still not really warm enough to be comfortable. I suppose that the way to judge summer is by seeing when coats and gloves can be left at home every time I go out. And we are a few weeks short of that, I think!

Stanga, an Interesting New Band

2011-03-17T14:29:00.000-03:00

Now here is an interesting band. Canadian too. They have a web page,
www.stanga.ca that includes some basic videos done on an iPhone.
I can't wait for some better reproductions of their work. They really seem to have it tyogether as far as the music, and the actual production of the videos go, so using better recording equipment will make it really watchable.
I actually met one of the band members, the guitarist, Lee. Seems like a really cool guy, has lots of faith in the future of the band, and I have to agree it seems justified.
Hopefully, one day we will be able to say "I remember those guys when they first started composing and playing stuff, it was unique then, and still is"

Sensible Approach To Weight Loss

2011-03-12T14:15:00.000-04:00

It is refreshing to come across an advertiser who doesn't make the product seem like a fix-all solution, but is more open about the pitfalls in weight loss. The product I am referring to is adapexin-p, and the information on the website seems extremely logical to me.
What they are saying is that their product is good as part of a weight loss program. They accept that trying to lose weight with medications alone will probably result in poor outcomes. This is something I have been saying for years! Diet is important, and excercise, as well as timing of food intake. No point in feasting just before sleeping!

Rain and More Rain

2011-03-06T12:10:00.000-04:00

Seems that we keep getting rainfall warnings from the government.
Better than snow warnings, but the main thing is that we do not have to shovel rain!
Added to that, we are living on a hill. So we can drive up a wet road a lot easier than up an icy one.
The overall picture is that the whole weather systems of the world are getting more extreme.
Seems like dry places are dryer, wet places are wetter.
But right now, as winter goes away, I am just happy not to be shovelling.

Slippery Floors

2011-03-05T11:56:00.002-04:00

As we get older, it gets easier to fall when a slippery floor is encountered. I guess that it is probably something to do with having slower reaction times.
Most often, when the floor is slippery, it is because it is wet. A few years ago, as newer type materials became available, there were some that were naturally slippery, but even they can be treated by using a non skid coating.
But, overall, the main way to be safe is to pay attention!

Saving For Retirement - Start NOW!

2011-03-01T09:05:00.000-04:00

I got some good advice from Hubby the other day. He pointed out that if I just put a regular amount away each month, and do it now, then by the time I am 50 or 55, I will have a nice little nest egg that has come about by using the advantages of compound interest.
Even saving, say, $50 a month, and only 3% interest, over 20 years, you get over 4 grand that is free money. Now, that isn't much, but add the money that you actually saved, and invest it annually by transferring to, say, a 5% interest, and make the saving amount $100 instead of $50, and the 16 grand at the end becomes over 40 grand.
Way to go.

Life Insurance - Makes sense!

2011-02-25T08:57:00.002-04:00

It is a good plan in life to have life insurance. Even just a minimum amount to cover funeral expenses. And of course it is good to have any personal debt such as credit card debt covered. Speaking of which, beware of plans that are called insurance, that are offered by the credit card company. They often only cover the making of minimum payments for just one year. And seeing as the credit card interest rates are often so high that even a smallish debt can take several decades to pay down to zero, you are way better off getting life insurance from, guess what? - yes, an insurance company. That way, you are paying for a service that you are getting, not some kind of sideline.

Nearly Boating Time

2011-02-18T11:14:00.001-04:00

I am hoping that Hubby will get his boat going this summer.
The problem has been that he cannot work on it in winter, as glues and stuff do not dry or set properly, if at all.
But I have to admit that it will be really cool to try some sailing. Or, even with no sails, just running the engine.
Anyway, the weather gets warmer each week that passes now, so he will soon be down at the boat. I look forard to it.

Apidexin a scam?

2011-02-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

Seems like with any successful product there are those who it does not suit, and they will tend to cry out about it being a scam. Take the apidexin scam for instance. The truth is far more revealing. In reveiews of the product, it certainly seems that there is more satisfaction than there are reviews calling it a scam.
I think it might just be that some people have less success with certain medications, and this becomes apparent in reviews.
So, I guess in the end, the best way to find out is to give it a try.

Womens Bodies are Different Than Mens

2011-02-15T10:49:00.000-04:00

There is no doubt that my body is different than my Hubby's! Just as well. But joking apart, the female body works differently than the male. It is probably due to hormones, but for instance, once puberty is reached, women have a tendency to build fat more than men do.
This might be something to do with the possibility of child bearing, when the womans body will be working for two for nine months at a time. Or maybe not.
But whatever the situation, it is probably better to use products that are more tailored for women, unless you are a guy of course!
One good example is diet pills that work for women in particular.

Eternal Youth?

2011-02-13T10:40:00.000-04:00

There is always a negative feeling about taking hormones, but it is possible that the fears might be unfounded. My thinking is that human growth hormones are a natural thing anyway, so any poor effects might just be connected with dosage rather than use at more realistic levels. The body slows up natural production as it ages.
I wouls say that a better way to use human growth hormones is by not adding the pure product to your body, but to stimulate the production of the natural hormones by using a human growth hormone supplement, because in that way, the dosages are controlled by your own body.

Flat Tire Time

2011-02-10T13:22:00.000-04:00

I noticed that one of my front tires was looking a bit low on air.
I asked Hubby to check it, and sure enough, it only had about half the air it should have had.
He checked around the tire, and there was a metal screw in the tread.
And, seeing as it was wet, it had bubbles coming from around it.
So, we dropped into an auto parts place, bought a repair kit just in case, and a little electric pump, and then we topped up the air in the tire, and finished our running around successfully.
About 25 bucks later, it was fixed properly.

Car Audio

2011-02-07T13:19:00.000-04:00

Years ago, it wasn't really possible to have what is now called car audio. The road noise, as well as what is now called harshness, prevented any proper listening while driving, other than basic news, and tinny buzzing music.
Now that cars have gotten quieter inside, we can hear things better, and get ourselves set up with a good car audio system.

Vitamins for young and old

2011-02-06T13:12:00.001-04:00

Now that we are getting older, both my Hubby, and myself have been told by the doctor to take some vitamins. This was based upon blood test results. I suppose it is a result of an imbalanced diet! Or maybe just that the processed food that society has to endure these days is deficient in nutrients.
But it isn't just for old people - when a pregnant Mom to be has imbalance in her body, then the forming baby also has the same. That is why it is good to give some though to using prenatal vitamins, that can give peace of mind as well as the expected benefits.

Slimming and Trimming

2011-02-05T13:05:00.000-04:00

I suppose it is one of the sad facts of life that anyone can set up a business, and makew claims for a product that they sell, and the product doesn't even have to work, and they will still make money, due to public trust.
Years ago, someone in Japan set up a company to sell a pill that was guaranteed to give couples a male child. It was a money back guaranteed product. And those that had female children got their money back!
Fortunately these days we are able to do our own research on the internet, and can find, for instance, weight loss pills that work.
And that's the key, do the research first, and the buying later.

Winter - are we half way yet?

2011-02-04T14:22:00.000-04:00

Seems like we only really got winter started this year, and already it is heading towards the end of February. Having most of January as a warmish, raining kind of month no doubt helped.
I always figure that once March is started, we are heading towards spring, as, although we still get really cold days, the trend generally is towards slightly warmer weather each 'cycle' of milder days. And we are only a few weeks from March getting started.

Online Education

2011-02-04T14:09:00.000-04:00

I suppose that in theory, anyone can start an online university. But where that idea falls down is that it is no good getting an education that is not recognized by everyone else. Society over the years has set standards. These might be simple, such as a hot dog being a long bun with a sausage in it, right through to regulated specifications for various products that are industry standards.
Education is actually such a regulated 'product'. Just as an electrician cannot use a light switch that is sub-standard, and the words 'light switch' are accepted to mean one that meets the set standards, so it is the same with education.
And so it is important to select education that is accredited, where the work done (and paid for) by you is of value to others in taking you further.

Home Theater System

2011-02-03T13:59:00.000-04:00

I don't know if I am the only one who has noticed, but the sound on movies seems to have gotten worse. You have to turn it down because of loud explosions, or even background traffic noises in the movie, then when the people talk, you can't hear it. I think that this might be because it was designed for playing in a movie theater. The sound there would be set to the loud setting, as that is all part of the movie experience. With good quality speakers home theater system can be a great thing to have. It replicates that same sound that you get in a movie theater. Just don't annoy the neighbors, that's all!

Savings on winter heat

2011-02-02T13:48:00.000-04:00

Years ago, the solution to being cold was to simply add a few logs to the hearth, and maybe crowd nearer to the fire. Then when oil heat came along, we sinply turned up the thermostat, there was a comforting 'wooomph' from somewhere in the basement, and a few minutes all would be toasty warm.
Both of these methods mean heating the whole house, just to try to be warm right where you happen to be. But the actual heat that you need is very low, about the same as an old fashioned light bulb. You can probably quite easily save ten to twenty percent of your winter heating costs by lowering the termostat WAY down overnight, and using an electric blanket to keep you warm. And by having programmable thermostats in the bathroom and kitchen, you can even leave the house at a low temperature all day until you get home from work.

The Lakes Are No Longer Wet!

2011-02-01T05:27:00.000-04:00

I mentioned the other day about how the lakes had seemed to stay unfrozen. Well, not any more. What with the good dumping of snow we are having and the temperatures dropping way down, the wet lakes just got dry and white! I even saw a couple of people on skates yesterday, I don't know if I would risk that quite yet, especially as they were in an area where a flowing channel tends to keep the ice thin.

There are towels, then towels.

2011-02-01T05:19:00.000-04:00

If there is one thing I find irritating it is picking up the towel in a bathroom , and finding that it is made from some kind of man-made fiber. The plain fact is that there is only one type of towel I like, and it applies not only to bath towels, but also hand towels, and that is cotton.
There lower priced cotton towels, and they are OK, but then you should just feel the luxury of a good hand crafted Italian made towel too. Fairly high end, but then, it is not something that you are buying every month. The true meaning of pampering yourself!

iPods - the Walkman is dead.

2011-01-14T05:13:00.002-04:00

I remember when growing up, people used to have walkmen. Great yet simple, a small cassette tape player that could be used for supplying portable music. Now of course, ipods are all the rage. Actually it is surprising how technology moves forwards. The next big thing will be computer hard drives that are just like camera memory cards, no moving parts. It really is an amazing world.

Lakes Are Late Freezing

2011-01-11T16:05:00.000-04:00

It seems that the lakes around here are a bit later freezing than in past years. The colder ones did freeze over with a skim of ice a few weeks ago, but then it rained for about 2 days, melting it all again.
I think that it is slower for them to freeze while they are unfrozen, and if that sounds a bit silly, here is what I mean. Once they freeze over, any snow falling on them remains white, and white reflects both the light and the heat of the sun. So what I was meaning to say is that once they do freeze over, however thin the ice might be, once the snow is on top of the ice, the freezing process will speed up, because the heat is reflected.

The Importance Of Vitamins

2011-01-10T15:55:00.002-04:00

WE all know that the food these days tends to be over-processed. So it is no longer any good just eating this or that, but we have to look also at the processing losses that have occurred before the food gets to the consumer, and that is US.
Vitamins can be destroyed, even sometimes making the food lack the essential vitamins that you are intending to gain from it.
This is probably more important to consider if pregnant, as it will affect the welfare of the child, not only at the point of birth, but possibly also beyond. A good prenatal vitamin is trimedisyn, which is reviewed online, together with other products of a similar nature.

Health Products

2011-01-09T15:45:00.002-04:00

Colon cleansing has become a known way to assist in maintaining good health. It has been featured on the Oprah show, which probably has led to more knowledge about it, in a general sense. The best product is not necessarily the most expensive as an all around thing, as by looking at reviews of colon cleanse products that work, you can make purchasing decisions based on value for the money spent.

Reviewing Diet Pills

2011-01-08T15:33:00.002-04:00

Before buying anything that you are unfamiar with, or have no friends who can recommend anything, it is always handy to be able to research the various products of the type online. Most effective diet pills for women are reviewed online, and are compared with each other. The less effective are probably not included so much in most reviews, as there are enough good products out there to make comparisons among the better ones.
Diet pills come in two basic categories, fat burners, and appetite suppressors. A good way to go, I think, is in small stages, a good pill, an increase in excercise, and it need not be a massive workout, and caution in deciding whether or not to snack between meals.

Is My Hubby Lazy?

2011-01-07T08:48:00.002-04:00

Is my Hubby lazy, or is it just me? Seems like he always wants to sleep these days, so it might just be that I am working him too hard.
I think it makes a difference when it is winter. Harder to get motivated when outside it is all frozen up. We haven't had things so bad though, this winter. About 5 or ten degrees warmer than the average for this time of year.
And, as we head towards the end of January, and yes, I know that we haven't even reached the middle of January yet, but as we head towards the end of January, I realise that winter is getting near to being half over.
So, maybe I can drum some life into him soon!