Plumbing Problems

Lately when we use our shower, there have been sounds from within the walls of the house the likes of which I have never heard.  I mean we used to have the high pitched sound like a whistle that slowly fades out when we first turned the shower on, but now, it has run a muck.

The sound is high pitched but certainly does not fade out.  It gets higher, then lower, then higher again.  It sounds like it is fighting for all its breath to push the water through the shower head.  And the pressure is crazy too.  The water will come out with the force of a fire hydrant and then suddenly be a trickle that you can barely rinse your hair out with.  It doesn't sound like too much of a problem except that if you have the trickle and move your head so close to the shower head it is practically touching, and then the pressure changes to that of gale force winds, you can get knocked down!

A friend of mine is in construction and he said it sounds like a plumbing problem on the side of the city.  There is something about the pressure regulator perhaps being out of whack.  This would be great because then it would mean that the city would be responsible.

Oh I hope I could be that lucky.

This is a sponsored post for Rotorooter, however, all the points and views are my own.

Timing

Advancement in health care continue, but there remains a constant bit of advice that has never changed.  We all need to drink plenty of water.  This is probably the only health tidbit that I can remember from even when I was a little girl.

When playing sports... drink plenty of water.  For your complexion... drink plenty of water.  For energy and to curb your appetite... drink plenty of water.  With my digestive issues from having my colon removed, you can only imagine what sound advice my gastroenterologist gave me... drink plenty of water.  I'm OK with this because it is true.  It really does work.  My problem is the inevitable frequent need for a bathroom.  I am now 51 and have learned that the drinking of all my required water is handled with one simple word:  timing.

If I drink my first 16 ounces first thing in the morning, I usually can use the bathroom before I leave for work.  I then drink another 16 ounces at lunch, because again, I will be going back to work.  But after lunch is where it get's tricky.

I keep my Nicolet Natural Artesian Water in my car, but if I drink it right away, I won't make it home before I need the restroom.  So, I run my errand and when I am on the last one or two, I start drinking my next 16 ounces.  By the time it has, "run it's course", I'm getting home.  And then I drink the last 16 ounces at dinner time, so I am sure to use the bathroom before I go to bed.

So you see... it's all timing.

This is a sponsored post for Nicolet Natural Artesian Water, however, all the points and views are my own.

Low Maintenance

I'm a pretty low maintenance woman.  I do not wear make-up.  In fact, I don't own any and never have owned any.  I don't wear a lot of jewelry.  My jewelry consist of two rings, (one was my grandmothers wedding ring, the other a ring that says Trust in the Lord) and tiny hoop earrings that stay in my ears 24/7 just to keep my pierce hole open.  I know, why keep the hole open?  Well, occasionally, and I mean rarely, I change them.  Weddings.  A formal cancer event.  My hair, however, is where I splurge.

I don't color my hair.  I never have colored it.  I know that sounds really strange when in today's world everyone colors their hair.  I can honestly say that I didn't have a single girlfriend in high school who colored their hair.  Today, when my daughter brings home friends I find it difficult to remember who is who.  I ask her to introduce me to her new friends and she just stares at me like "duh Mom... you already know..." so and so.  It completely throws me off when they are brunette, then blond, and then red head.

I am high maintenance when it comes to my hair.  In all fairness I have difficult hair.  It's nice, thick and healthy, but it is neither straight nor curly.  If I blow dry it and use a straightener or curling iron, it's beautiful, but again, I am low maintenance.  I don't like to spend this kind of time.  So I am in a constant search for the perfect hair cut that will allow me to let my hair dry naturally.  I am always using hair products and treatments that will provide with that sleek, silky look that only my Chi can bring.  I love over night conditioners to pamper my hair.  I love my hair to feel soft.  Hair Oil is fabulous.  This is the only way I can handle fly away frizzy hair.  And there are some good enough to do the job even in humid weather.

Hair products have greatly improve and become more innovative through out the years, so I am hopeful that very soon I won't have to do a thing.

This is a sponsored post for Couture Colour, however, all the points and views are my own.

Real Estate

One of my favorite lines in the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas is when Lucy is unloading to Charlie Brown about Christmas and how she never gets what she really wants.  Charlie Brown then asks her "What is it you really want?"  Lucy replies, "Real Estate".

Even Lucy understood the value of real estate and although the line I'm sure was put in for adults to enjoy, the message has been imprinted in children's minds for decades.

When we all bought our homes, it was understood that it would increase in value over the years.  In the past few years, this has not been the case, however, a change is in the air.  Happily, it looks as though the housing market is on the rise.  From pacific palisades real estate to east coast properties, real estate is making a come back.  Not only have the number of new homes being built increased, but home resales have jumped.

This is none too soon for me.  I am looking to sell my home in less than a year and there will be a direct relationship to the selling cost of my home and how nicely I can finish my walk out basement at my daughters new home.  And I'd really like to do it up nice so it is an asset for them and adds value to their real estate.

This is a sponsored post for the Partners Trust, however, all the points and views are my own.

The Debate

There is this undeniable consumer loyalty when it comes to Ford and Chevy.  I don't claim to favor either, but one of my favorite bumper stickers sums up the Ford and Chevy competition.  It reads:  I'd rather push a Ford than drive a Chevy.

As long as both stay in business, I think the they will continue to be stiff competitors with each other.  And the car dealerships, ALL car dealerships, go out of their way to indicate to all consumers which make of automobile they are selling.  Beshore & Koller Ford.  Larry H. Miller Chevrolet.  Although this really has no frame of reference for most women (I can't tell one make of car from another.) it must work because they all do it.  It does clearly keep the Ford lover from the embarrassment of walking onto a Ford lot and vice versa.

It is great fun to mention to a Ford lover (And truck owners are the best.) that you have a Chevy.  The debate that will ensue is amazing.  They should use this topic in rural high schools where most of the kids own trucks.

Ford has more variety.  And Ford has better gas mileage with a better towing capacity.  And Ford seems to have better pricing.  And I know how to get that price even lower.  Use the debate between Ford and Chevy against them.  Mention that Chevy has a similar vehicle at a lower price.  I can guarantee you Ford will want to beat it.

This is a sponsored post for Beshore and Koller Ford, however, all the points and views are my own.

It Works Everytime

There's something about the gift of flowers.  I have never seen a woman receive flowers where it doesn't bring a smile to her face.  Even if they are sent in loving thought for someone who has passed a way, a soft and sweet smile will come to the mourner at the sight of the flowers.

If men only understood this perfect gift.  There is no simpler purchase for a man.  No size is required.  Choosing too small makes a woman feel fat, but choosing too large makes a woman think that you think she's fat.  You don't have to worry about color, or style.  An assortment of beautiful flowers can bring a smile to even the most particular of tastes.  There's really no advance preparation or planning required.  You don't have to back order them.  You don't have to worry about them being "in stock".  And regardless of where you are at any given time there will be a florist near you.  There are florists in indianapolis, Hawaii, NYC, El Paso, virtually a n y w h e r e.  And if you can't find one, all you have to is get on the computer or pick up the phone and there are florists who will deliver fresh flowers any where your heart desires.

There are a few men who understand the value of flowers.  I used to see them when I worked at our local grocery store.  About 11:00 at night on Valentine's Day we would get the poor fool who had completely forgotten this special day and the need to have done something... anything for their significant other.  And fellas, this is even if they said you didn't have to.  You do.  You could see the look on their faces as they would come running through the door in hopes of finding the perfect gift between the produce and meat department!  I would just direct them to the dozen roses we always ordered and had handy.  Yes.  A dozen will get you out of the dog house.

It worked everytime.

This is a sponsored post for Andrew’s Florist, however, all the points and views are my own.