Happy Solstice!

or, so that's where the 12 Days of Christmas came from...

I signed up for a free ebook last night. (I admit, even though I will never have time to read them all, I am seriously addicted to downloading every free ebook that crosses my path) This morning I got an interesting email from the author entitled Yule - The Pagan Holiday That Celebrates the Sun.

Celebrated on the winter solstice, Yule is a holiday dedicated to the return of the sun. Pagan deities associated with the celebration include: all newborn gods, sun gods and mother goddesses. Kris Kringle, the inspiration for Santa Claus, receive the honour of becoming the Germanic Pagan God of Yule. The winter solstice, as the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, has been celebrated for centuries. It signifies the return of the light, as the days become longer and the countdown to the life-giving spring begins. The Yule festival lasts for 12 days and involves great merriment and feasting, as well as many traditions each with its own meaning.  (read more)

I wasn't expecting that - guess I should check out that free book soon.

Seriously, I've known all my life that the origins of Christmas stem from paganism, though I don't really know all the details or haven't paid that much attention. Or actually care that much. It's enough for me that God gave us days to celebrate, and I have no need to look for replacements.

I have wondered what this 12 days of Christmas thing is when my calendar only has one day marked.  (and these days it seems that one day is stretched out more and more) Of course, the 12 days of Christmas come from the pagan holiday too. Why am I not surprised? (I think extending it beyond that is all retail)

Of course, there are many people who have celebrated Christmas all their lives with no clue that it has any meaning except for celebrating the birth of our Saviour. Others used to know the pagan origins and believed God when He said that He is not pleased when we attempt to honor Him by adopting the ways of the nations (pagans) around us, but somehow they have forgotten or decided it doesn't matter anymore. Or maybe God changed?

I'm pretty sure God hasn't changed. That would call into question a whole lot of other things besides holy days and whether or not pagan traditions can somehow be made acceptable and even honorable. So, I'm going to continue celebrating the days God set aside in the Bible - appointed times that remind us just who God is and what He has planned for us. Settling for pagan traditions painted and prettied up by man seems kind of hollow by comparison.

When You Need a Lawn Service

We currently take care of our own lawn, but many of our neighbors have a professional service come in and take care of theirs. They mow, they trim, they spread chemicals to take care of weeds, and whatever else needs to be done. I'm not sure we'll decide to hire a lawn care company anytime soon, but the following information may be helpful should we decide to look for one.

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In order to find the best lawn service, you need to ask important questions and then compare several different lawn care companies to ensure that you get the highest quality lawn care all year long.  The following are five key things you should look at when searching for a reputable lawn care Tampa service.

1. Compare various standard lawn treatments from different companies
   Compare treatment programs offered by several different companies.  Are shrub and ornamental tree care offered along with turf care?  Do they tailor their lawn care treatments to the kind of turf you have?  For instance, your cool-season grass has different needs than the warm-season grass in your neighbor's lawn.
    
2. Services go beyond basic yard maintenance
   Your yard's needs will vary from one season to the next.  You'll want to find a lawn care company that offers additional services beyond basic yard maintenance so that they will be available when you need them.  Some important services include service calls in between your regular lawn treatment appointments, diagnosing and treating pests and diseases, and aeration.
    
3. Make sure the people treating your lawn are qualified
   The individuals who will be caring for your lawn need to know how to safely and properly apply grass treatments.  They also should be willing to answer any questions you might have regarding the treatments being used and the basic needs of your yard.  It is best to have the same dedicated technicians working on your yard if possible so that they become very knowledgeable about your yard and can keep up with any problems that may arise.
    
4. Search for a preventative lawn care service
   Ask for information and tips from the lawn care service.  Depending on the area that you live in, there most likely will be certain lawn diseases, pests and other kinds of problems that arise with shrubs, trees, and lawns.  Once you know what to look out for, you will be able to give your lawn care service provider a call so they can come out and diagnose and treat any potential problems before extensive damage occurs.
    
5. Check out customer reviews
   Customer reviews are a great way to get information on a lawn care company's customer satisfaction level and performance.  You can then contact the companies with the best reviews and interview them to ask additional questions so that you can determine which one best suits your needs for the finest lawn care service. 

It Really Is the Doorway!

Have you heard that walking through a doorway can cause you to forget why you went into that room in the first place? Sounds crazy, right? Though I'd rather believe that than thinking it has anything with being old enough to have a couple grandchildren.

I just read this article that does a very nice job of explaining why walking through doorways makes us forget, and it actually makes sense. That doesn't make it any less annoying though!

I have figured out how to remember - walk back through that same door! At least it worked once, and I only discovered that accidentally. I ran upstairs to get something - I can't remember what it was now, and I could not remember what I was looking for when I got upstairs. I stood in the bedroom and looked around, but nothing jumped out at me. So, I gave up and went back downstairs. As soon as I walked back through the doorway into the kitchen, I remembered exactly what I had been upstairs looking for.

I immediately turned around and ran back upstairs to get whatever I went up there for in the first place - repeating over and over again in my mind what exactly it was I was going up there for. Success! And extra exercise.

No promises that it will work the next time, but it kind of makes sense - walk through a doorway and forget; walk back through that same doorway to call back to mind the thing you've forgotten. It's worth a try anyway. Either that or carry around a notepad and write everything down.

How's your memory?

How to Keep Your Home Protected Through the Winter Months

With winter fast approaching, it's only natural that you'd want to make sure your house is fully prepared for all of the harshness that the weather can bring. Given all of the issues that can arise from an improperly maintained home, it's no wonder that many people are worried about how to make sure their house is as well protected as possible. With that in mind, here's a look at some of the best tips out there to make sure your house can handle everything that the winter brings and then some.

Waterproofing

Although it's easy to think that the biggest problem with the winter is the coldness it brings, the dampness can actually be one of the biggest problems. For one thing, damp areas typically attract insects, and that's a fact that's no different in the winter than it is in the summer. If you want to avoid all manner of pests breeding in the area around your home, then you'll probably want to make sure that you invest in some kind of exterior waterproofing. This system can help ensure that your house doesn't get any unnecessary leaks and that you and your family aren't exposed to anything that might cause you to get sick.

Reinforcing Your Roof

You'll also want to do something to make sure you're not letting go of any of that valuable heat you have. If you find yourself running an incredibly high energy bill, then it's likely that the issue lies with how your heating is being handled by your house. More specifically, your roofing might be to blame. If you can hire a contractor to take care of your roofing needs, then you should be able to help keep your heat contained so that it won't become a bigger issue when the winter really picks up in ferocity. Similarly, if you have a fireplace, you should consider investing in some kind of maintenance service for that as well, as you can never be too careful.

Getting Your Furnace Checked

Consider hiring a professional to check your furnace at the beginning of the cold weather season to ensure that it is working at full capacity. Sometimes just a small thing can make a huge difference in the efficiency of your furnace, and in your power bill. If you can't hire a professional, at least be sure to change the filter regularly.

While protecting your home may require an investment of both time and money, it will ultimately be worth it in the long run. No one wants to see their home fail to provide proper shelter for their family, and these steps will hopefully ensure that you keep the cold outside where it belongs and the heat inside with you and your family.

How to Genuinely Enjoy a Road Trip

Lots of people have planned a road trip absolutely thinking that they will enjoy every second of the trip, only to actually get out on the road and find out things aren't exactly as they envisioned. Now the only thing they want is to get to their destination as quickly as possible and just get this trip over with.

Here are a few things that can help you genuinely enjoy a road trip:

It is important to strike a balance between planning too much and not planning enough. If you over-plan, you will get frustrated if everything doesn't work out according to the plan you have set up. However, if you do not plan enough, you may end up having to stay in nasty hotels, eat unhealthy and gross food, or even get lost on the way to your destination. It is good to have an overall idea of which route you will take, which hotel and restaurant options are available, and also what kind of entertainment you could enjoy along the way while still being flexible and able to take advantage of any opportunities that present themselves.

The amount of time that you have designated for the road trip (and other factors) will determine how much you can see along the way. No matter how much or how little time you have, it is always a good idea to take a little bit of time to relax, see something new, and enjoy yourself. This will make the road trip genuinely enjoyable. It may be something like taking a detour and staying in a relaxing hotel for a couple of days. Or it may be as simple as stopping at a unique bakery Chicago IL in order to enjoy a fresh doughnut - as opposed to just stopping at any old convenience store to grab a snack. Do at least a couple of things along the way that you will truly enjoy and that will make the road trip memorable.


Consider the individuals who will be traveling with you. If this is a family road trip, make sure that there is plenty of entertainment (and plenty of snacks) for the children. Otherwise, you are practically guaranteed to hear, "Are we there yet?" coming repeatedly from the back seat. Many vehicles nowadays come equipped with DVD players, so don't forget to pack the movies! Or, for some family fun, check out this handy list of games to play in the car.  If you need to get to a destination quickly, consider driving at night so that the kids can sleep most of the way. Take into consideration the preferences of each individual in the car so that everyone stays happy and enjoys the trip.

And last but definitely not least, make sure your vehicle is in good condition.  This cannot be overstated. Dealing with car trouble along the way can turn a trip that could have been quite enjoyable into a nightmare. A few weeks before your trip, have your mechanic check the vehicle over. If you do all you can to prepare your car beforehand, you will likely avoid car issues along the way.

So, who's ready for a road trip?

When Did Everybody Else Get So Old?

I recently finished one of the books on my reading list - When Did Everybody Else Get So Old?: Indignities, Compromises, and the Unexpected Grace of Midlife by Jennifer Grant.

Jennifer Grant is a writer, editor, and speaker. A former health and family columnist for the Chicago Tribune, she is the author of four previous books, including the adoption memoir Love You More. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband, four children, and two rescue dogs. Find her online at jennifergrant.com or on Twitter @jennifercgrant.

I received this one in exchange for a review, so I bumped it to the top of my ever-growing reading list.

This is a fairly quick read, and I saw glimpses of myself and my life in Jennifer Grant's. No, we're not all the same, but chances are if you're in that same time of life, you'll find glimpses of yourself in there too.

She takes us through the changes as our children grow up and get ready to move on into their own lives, starting college and moving out. After all that time of singular focus on the children, the questions emerge - What now? Who am I besides mom? 

Jennifer shares her insights and the things she learned, simply by living it, not without a bit of humor thrown in, sometimes at her own expense. And, yes, she even talks about S-E-X.

I read some reviews from people who laughed out loud and cried when reading this book. I didn't experience any of that, but I did come away with a strong sense that everything is going to be OK as perhaps we're all old (and wise) enough to accept our lives and ourselves as we are. And maybe this next phase has plenty to offer, too. 

Overall, a very enjoyable book, and I especially liked many of the quotes from books she had read and her special take on them. I plan to troll her Notes section for some additional reading. (like I really need any more books on my to-read list)

Thanks to Herald Press for the review copy of the book.

What Should I Look For In A Landscaping Company?

In today's world, many residential and commercial property owners find themselves in need of excellent landscaping services. If you're currently looking for landscapers in Toronto, it's important to know what to look for when choosing a service provider. To ensure that you obtain the cutting edge, customized landscaping services that will get your property in stellar condition, make sure that the company in question possesses all of the following attributes:

1. Extensive Experience In The Landscaping Industry.
   One of the first attributes you should seek out in a landscaping company is extensive industry experience. This is immensely important because it ensures that the professionals of the firm will have a great deal of knowledge regarding the industry. It will also ensure that the landscapers in question have plenty of hands-on experience enabling them to handle a wide range of landscaping issues with ease and precision. Typically, you can learn how long a landscaping company has been in operation by reviewing their website.
2. Stellar Feedback From Clients.
   In addition to seeking out a landscaping company that has been operating for an extended period of time, make sure that you find a team of professionals who regularly receive stellar feedback from their clients. Taking this step is important because it will ensure that you're selecting a team of professionals who are known for doing a great job. One great resource you can utilize to see what people are saying about a particular landscaping company is online reviews. Note that over 80% of consumers now believe that these online reviews are just as valuable and accurate as a conventional, word-of-mouth recommendation.
   In addition to reading through online reviews, be sure to take the time to look at the customer testimonials that appear on a landscaping company's website. These testimonials can provide you with even more information regarding the specific reasons that a certain team of professionals can be trusted. At the same time that you may find customer testimonials valuable and accurate, note that many businesses will refrain from posting testimonials that do not put their company in a positive light. Therefore, you may need to take these testimonials with a grain of salt.
3. Comprehensive Services.
   Another trait you should seek out in a landscaping company is comprehensive services. This attribute is important because it ensures that you won't have to go through multiple companies to obtain all of the landscaping services you need to keep your residential or commercial property in exemplary condition. Some of the key services you may want to look for include:

• Interlocking Stone Installation
• Flagstone Installation
• Gardening Design
• Fencing/Decking Installation and Repair
• Sod Fertilization
• Grass Trimming and Hedging
• Snow Removal 
4. A Great Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating.
   When you start looking for the right landscaping company, note that the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a wonderful resource to use for the purpose of learning more about the organization in question. Specifically, the BBB is known for producing ratings about businesses that provide the public with a clear, accurate, up-to-date understanding of how effective they are in serving the public. If you find that a specific landscaping company has been rated and maintains a rating of A or higher, it's safe to say that you can count on attaining effective, expedient services from the organization. 
5. Complimentary Consultations.
   One final attribute you should seek out in a landscaping firm is complimentary consultations. These consultations give you the opportunity to interface with the landscapers in a "real life" setting through which you can make determinations about things like their level of friendliness and how willing they are to listen and give you what you want. The live setting will also help you to determine whether the company culture is conducive to your own value system, personal preferences, temperament, etc. Finally, the complimentary consultation can be a wonderful time to request a free estimate for the specific landscaping services you're seeking! 

Find The Right Landscaping Company Now!
 If you're ready to obtain high-quality landscaping services that keep your property as pristine and perfect as possible, hopefully the information here will help you pick the perfect company for your project.

Walmart Doesn't Ad Match Anymore. What?

One of Walmart's most positive features has always been the fact that they will match competitor's ads. Why run all over town to do your shopping when you can just get everything (for the best prices) under one roof?

Imagine my surprise when I get to the checkout at my local Walmart last night to find out that they are no longer matching ads at the cash register. Seriously? When did that happen? Only last month according to our cashier, but still I guess I haven't been doing much shopping recently (I haven't) because I had no idea this was even coming.

We went to Menard's last night to pick up a couple toilet seats, because a couple of ours just broke - of course not last week when Menard's was running their 11% rebate on everything, or any one of those many previous weeks of 11% on everything. (Did anyone else think Menard's was just going to do the 11% back rebate from now on? It certainly seemed like it for a bit.) But, anyway, our toilet seats wait until there's no sale and no rebate, and then they break.

Since we were out anyway, I figured it was a good chance to grab a few things we needed and not have to go out another day. Meijer had some produce in their ad that I really wanted to get, and since Meijer is right by Menard's it just made sense. But I needed to go to Walmart too to grab some Borax and baking soda for the laundry (because Walmart always has the best price on those), so I decided that it would save time if I just took the Meijer ad to Walmart. I could grab the Borax and baking soda and the produce - and only have to go to one store. Which, in the past, would have worked perfectly - but now Walmart doesn't match competitor's ads.

So, instead of saving time, it actually took more time because we had to drive back to Meijer to get the stuff I thought I could get at Walmart.

When I asked the cashier about the new policy, he said that Walmart wants people to use their Savings Catcher. I've been using that for a while. If something I buy happens to be on sale at another store, Walmart lets me know and gives me a credit. Nice, huh? Except that there are a lot things that aren't included, produce being one of them. (and quite a few other things I've price matched in the past)

Savings Catcher currently does NOT apply to:

• Any food, consumables, or health & wellness items that do not meet the eligibility criteria above (See section “Does Savings Catcher compare all items on my receipt?”)
• Items purchased and paid for with WIC benefits
• Produce
• Items sold in the Bakery department
• Fresh or variable weight meat
• Items sold in the Deli department
• Seafood
• General merchandise items including, but not limited to, outdoor living consumables (such as such as fertilizer and bug spray), office supplies, apparel, DVD’s, electronics, CD and gaming media, toys, housewares, small appliances, sporting goods, home décor, bedding, books and magazines, shoes, jewelry, furniture and seasonal products
• Non-branded items
• Tobacco, alcohol, firearms, gasoline, tires, prescription drugs, optical and photo products and services, or products that require a service agreement such as wireless, automotive or financial products

Source: Savings Catcher FAQs

I did a bit of research today to see if I could find any info on this annoying policy change. It looks like not all Walmarts have stopped ad matching, but that doesn't mean they won't all soon follow. The Penny Hoarder has a list of Walmart stores who have stopped ad-matching along with a request for readers to let them know if their local Walmarts have changed policy. (I submitted mine!)

Is your Walmart on the list? If so, how annoyed are you?

Natural Heat Sources for Your Home

In the last decade, more homeowners have become interested in heating their homes using something other than coal or fossil fuel as the source of power.  They do not want their homes to contribute to the depletion of the environment.

Thanks to technology that includes harvesting solar power, water, and geothermal heating Ottawa utility companies can now offer natural utility sources to people in the area.  You can decide if this technology is right for you by learning the benefits that may come from choosing this heating option.

Learning How Geothermal Energy Works

The premise of geothermal energy involves utilizing energy and heat generated by the earth.  As its name implies, the heat from the earth can be harvested and directed into your home, thus eliminating the need for coal, gasoline, propane, and other natural resources.

This way of heating your house calls for the technology to work with the earth rather than against it so that you get cleaner energy and a safer and warmer home.  You do not have to worry about paying for expensive monthly propane shipments, paying costly bills to the local coal-based energy company, or worrying that you are using more than your fair share of natural resources.

As appealing as this may sound to you, you might wonder if you can really afford to invest in it for your home.  How does it compare to coal-based power and does it heat better than gas or propane?

You can get answers to all of these questions and any others you think of when you visit the Porter's Refrigeration website (linked above).  They explain how the process works from drawing the heat from the earth to incorporating it into the system that heats your house.  There is plenty of information to help you decide whether geothermal heating is for you.

You can also get a free estimate from the company using the online form.  They can tell you what it will cost to invest in the system now and how soon it may pay itself off with cheaper utility bills and cleaner energy.  You can also find out if some or all of the costs may be covered by your homeowners' insurance policy. (wouldn't that be great? Or perhaps there are tax credits?)

Homeowners want to minimize the environmental impact that their homes have on the earth.  Once you've learned a bit about geothermal heating, what it is and what benefits it can offer, it may just be something you'd like to install in your house.

Keeping Water Out Of The Basement

We don't have a basement in this house, which makes me a bit nervous during tornado season. There was that one time in Wisconsin when a tornado went through our town...

While we don't have anywhere safe (besides our downstairs bathroom) to go in the event of a tornado, at least we don't have to worry about water in the basement. Some of the people in our neighborhood have some serious puddles in their yards when it rains, so I can just imagine what a basement might look like.

If you have a basement, you may find the following information useful.

If you walk downstairs and notice standing water in the basement, then you know that you have a problem. There are a few reasons as to why you would have water in the basement. If it's rained recently, then water could seep into the room under a door that doesn't meet the floor all the way. There could be a leak from the ceiling. You need to find the source of how the water is entering the basement as soon as possible and repair it before waterproofing the room. If there is any mold or mildew or any structural damage, you need to get these issues fixed before you begin waterproofing.

A basement waterproofing Erie PA company has the tools and supplies needed to keep water out of your basement if you don't want to worry about the work. There are a few things that you can do on your own if you want to tackle the job with the assistance of a waterproofing company. The first thing that you need to do is look around the basement to find any holes or cracks. These need to be filled in with cement so that there isn't a way for water to get into the basement.

Once the source of how water is getting inside is fixed, you need to apply a thin coat of masonry cement to the walls. Make sure it's waterproof cement so that it helps to keep water from getting inside the room. Examine the outside of the home. Attach gutters or extensions at the basement so that water has somewhere to go away from the home instead of settling around the base or getting inside the house. Another option would be to dig a trench around the basement. Put a plastic pipe that's about four inches round in the trench. This will also help to direct water away from the basement and other areas of the home so that there isn't as much of a risk for flooding. Examine the ceiling of the basement, applying a layer of masonry cement to this area as well. Fix any leaks that are present in the ceiling before the cement is applied.

We never had issues with water in our basement in Wisconsin, except for the occasional wet spot on one wall after a rain. We had our contractor come and do some kind of waterproofing, and we never had a problem after that. Oh, and there was the time they were removing the old siding from the house after the tornado and pulled the outside faucet loose - causing water to pour into the basement. Yeah, that was fun. Thankfully it was all clean water, and after some shop vacs, fans, and dehumidifiers, everything was as good as new.