Archive for the ‘Misc’ Category
Fall is upon us. At my house, it almost looks like it is snowing, the leaves are falling so fast. As the weather gets colder, it is time to think about preparing our homes for the winter. My favorite Marin insurance broker, Adrianne Peixotto with Costello and Sons passed on the winter preparation tips below. I hope you find these tips helpful as you prepare for the winter!
Maintain gutters
Remove leaves, acorns, sticks and other debris from gutters so melting rain can flow freely. You may also consider installing gutter guards. Available in most hardware and home stores, gutter guards are screens that prevent debris from entering the gutter and direct the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.
Trim trees and remove dead branches
Rain and wind can cause weak trees or branches to break, damaging your home, car or injuring someone walking on your property.
Check insulation
Add extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Ideally, the attic should be five to ten degrees warmer than the outside air. Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will also help protect pipes from freezing.
Maintain pipes
Wrap pipes with heating tape and insulate unfinished rooms such as garages that frequently have exposed pipes. Also, check for cracks and leaks. Have minor pipe damage fixed immediately to prevent much costlier repairs in the future.
Keep the house warm
The temperature in your house should be at least 65 degrees. The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 65 degrees will not keep the pipes from freezing.
Check heating systems
The proper use and maintenance of furnaces, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves can prevent fire and smoke damage. Have furnaces, boilers and chimneys serviced at least once a year. Make sure that smoke and fire alarms are working properly and consider installing a carbon dioxide detector.
Maintain steps and handrails
Broken stairs and banisters can become lethal when wet from excess rain. Make repairs now to prevent someone from falling and seriously being injured.
Get to know your plumbing
Learn how to shut the water off and know where your pipes are located. If your pipes freeze, time is of the essence. The quicker you can shut off the water or direct your plumber to the problem, the better chance you have to prevent the pipes from bursting.
Hire a licensed contractor
Have a professional survey your home for any structural damage. If damage is discovered, have it repaired immediately so further damage will not occur during the winter. Plastic coatings for internal basement walls, sump-pumps and other methods can prevent damage to your home and belongings.
Plan for being away
If you are not going to be in your home this winter for an extended period of time, have the water system drained by a professional to keep pipes from freezing or bursting. Also, have someone check on your home on a regular basis. If there is a problem, it can be fixed quickly, thus lessening any damage. Activity at your home will also reduce the likelihood that it will be burglarized.
As much as I would like to sell you that home, I don’t know you and I don’t trust you. If you are calling real estate agents to show you a house, don’t be surprised if they won’t meet you there without a lot of questions (at least I hope they won’t!).
I know you may not want to answer those questions, but they are necessary. Unfortunately, some crazy sickos occasionally target real estate agents (men and women alike). I personally know of multiple agents who have been stalked, attacked, and sexually assaulted. YEP. One of the “perks” of our profession. (more…)
Unfortunately, I deserve it.
UT -52
ASU- 34
OUCH! Even more painful- my proclamation of GO DEVILS, during the game.
And for Jay Thompson for calling his wife a knucklehead , I hope your punishment is just as painful.
I think I might be off to go whimper into a beer.
Off topic…
Last week, I was out shopping with the masses with my youngest (in a stroller) when I realized my purse was gone- car keys, house & office keys, TREO with lockbox installed on it, a special code key I need to access the mls, money, identification, credit cards – a lot of important stuff in a small little bag.
STOLEN- while I pushed a toddler around the mall.
What a way to ruin a kid’s Christmas.
Looking to send flowers to a friend in Marin? My all time favorite floral shop is the floral department at Woodland’s Market in Kentfield. This isn’t your average grocery store floral department. It isn’t even your average upscale grocery floral department.
Woodland’s rocks, plain and simple. A few weeks ago, I needed some flowers on the fly. I called Woodlands and asked if they had anything pre-made. They said, no- everything is made to order, but they could whip something up.
“I wish I had time,” I said. “I need it now!” “We’ll have it done by the time you get here”, they said. Guess what- it was done, and it was spectacular! I tried to take pics of the actual arrangement, but it was lost into the abyss of my cell phone camera. It was stunning, to say the least.
Woodland’s Floral in Kentfield- gets it done and does it just right every time!
Woodland’s Floral is located at 735 College Avenue in Kentfield, CA 94904. Phone is (415) 455-8856.
Did you know Marin County, California has the one of the highest breast cancer rates in the country? Despite a fear for the future, I never felt an immediate worry until last year. Not close to 40, no need for a mammogram, right? Well, wrong. Really, really WRONG.
Last November, I got some news I never would have expected. One of my nearest and dearest friends, Andrea has breast cancer. It is not possible, I thought. How could Andrea possibly have breast cancer? She is not old enough. Well, her cancer didn’t seem to care about her age.
Unfortunately, when you are younger, breast cancer cancer isn’t something you really think about, so early detection doesn’t always happen. By the time Andrea was diagnosed, the lump in her breast had been growing for many, many months. Andrea immediately began grueling treatments- radiation, chemotherapy and a partial removal of her breast. Thankfully, she successfully finished her last round of chemo in the early summer. The process was a nightmare. I would love to have Andrea tell you the whole story. Unfortunately while fighting for her life, Andrea also had to fight doctors in order to get the correct treatment she needed. Aren’t they supposed to be on your side?
Despite her tremendous ordeal, Andrea maintained her amazing sense of humor. I think she decided before she even finished her treatments that she would be walking in the 3 day race for the cure in Phoenix, Arizona this November. After everything she went through, she is determined to help others. Always looking for the humorous side of things, Andrea named her team “The Hooter Helpers” with the motto- “Save the Hooters, Save the World”.
October is a Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Be aware- breast cancer doesn’t care how old you are. Please schedule a mammogram.
Do you ever see colorful kites dotting the beautiful bay as you cross the Golden Gate Bridge? There is likely to be a person on small board underneath that kite. Kite boarding is one of the hottest new sports. The St. Francis Yacht Club hosted the first ever US Kite Course Racing Nationals here in San Francisco in July.
I have seen a lot of this sport recently…I guess I could officially call my husband a kite boarder. He has become a regular at 3rd Avenue in San Mateo – this is one of the hottest kite boarding sites around the Bay and it is quite a sight to see! For those of you seeking a little adventure, be sure to take some lessons first- the sport can be dangerous for newbies.