Happy New Year!

It’s the new year with new hope, new ideas, and most of all new resolutions.  My resolution this year is to become better organized.  Organization is difficult for some people (like myself) who find it hard to part with anything.  My office is my problem.  I am still with the mindset that I shouldn’t throw anything away.  I realize that bank statements and other important documents need  kept, but I keep everything.   Being green is my inspiration, as well as becoming more streamlined with my work.  I decided to research this for my office and found a number of ways to get myself better organized for 2010.  First I “de-cluttered”.  It’s a game I now call Trash or Keep.  After I finished I found that the things that I wanted to keep needed a home.  My office is in a basement that is finished and has an odd shape.  Basic cabinets and shelving units (that require hours of installation and countless directions) just weren’t working for me.  Lucky for me I live and work with two of the best carpenters ever so I drew them a picture of what I wanted and there you go.  I have the most useful shelving system that fits my stuff perfectly!  I measured my boxes that I wanted to store and counted how many I would need and I have shelves to support all of them.  I also have a lot of books, but they are landscape books and very large.  Bookshelves don’t come in that size at a local box store so I measured and now have a set of bookshelves and everything fits. 

In the end, they have constructed file cabinets, bookshelves, a conference table, shelving, and a desk that reaches from one end of the room to the other.  It wasn’t expensive, it just required some planning and discussions with the guys to get what I wanted. 

I can share my carpenters with you anytime, just call me for a free estimate and planning session.  656-5263.

Now I have to keep up my new space, but I think I can do it.  I am a new person!  And since I live with my carpenter, I think he will force me to keep it up.  Happy New Year, and Happy Organizing!

Ready for winter?

After the weather today, winter is finally here.  We have avoided it for a while now, but now it’s here.  After you drag out the winter coats and gloves you should find out if your home is ready for winter too.  Winterizing your home is not costly, difficult, or require fany special training.  It is an easy way to save money, stay warm, prevent damage to your home, and to try and be a little more “green”.  Here is a list of a few things you can do this weekend to save money.

*Check and clean your gutters.  I can’t stress this enough.  We have had so many calls this year to help with leaky basements, ceiling damage, and drywall damage due to leaks from clogged gutters and downspouts. 

*Check or change your air filters to your furnace.  Changing the filter will help the efficiency of your furnace and also keep dust in your house to a minimum.

*Turn off water valves outside your home and unhook your hoses.  If left on during freezing temperatures can cause the valve to freeze and burst pipes causing more damage inside the house.

*Check for drafts by windows, doors, and electrical outlets.  An easy way to do this is to light a stick of incense and follow the lines of the doors and windows.  If the smoke blows, you have a leak.  Loss of heat and drafts can cost you a fortune for your energy bill and there are simple fixes to avoid this problem.  New windows and doors would be great if you have that in your budget, but if not weatherstripping, plastic, and plug covers will help quite a bit.

*Get the fireplace ready.  Have the fireplace checked and cleaned increases efficiency and safety.

*Check your trees.  Trimming branches that are too close to your house or electrical lines can save you time and damage if we experience an ice storm like we had a few years back.

*If you have a generator, have it checked and have fuel ready.  Again with the ice storm, people in our area were without power for several days.  Having a generator at that time was a wonderful thing.

*Get snow shovels ready and check snow blowers to make sure they work.  Trying to buy a snow shovel the morning of a heavy snow is sometimes impossible in this town. 

These services are provided by Lee’s Services, we will be happy to check your home for drafts, clean your gutters, and take a look at any issues you might have.  Call me today for a free estimate.  618-656-5263.

Hope this helps with your energy bills this year.  Take care of your home and your home will take care of you.  Happy Winter!!