Last weekend we grouted around the dark tiles - band, shampoo cubby and part of the floor (to use of the mix). Photo on left shows cubby tiles having gravity issues, but nothing a strong glue can't fix!
Notice how the little yellow tiles POP with the new grout installed!
Lately I have been re-analyzing my choice of bank for the Emergency Fund. The local credit union is convenient for checking/bill purposes, but I prefer the Emergency Fund to be less accessible and receiving a more competitive interest rate.
An up-to-date spreadsheet of FDIC-insured high interest rate banks can be found at this link: http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/rates/
There is a no-minimum balance Savings Account available online for 2.25% interest! Check it out: http://www.sfgidirect.com/Default.aspx
Anyone know of a better deal that keeps the money immediately accessible without fees?
Great tool for planning furniture layout:
http://roomplanner.icovia.com/findyourfurniture/resources/icovia.aspx
If you sign up for a free account, you can save your room layouts for future use.
My culture is plagued by a time consuming, distracting and frequently obnoxious backdrop – television and the commercials that accompany! Most households are in the habit of centering their living room area around that ugly black box and many households keep the shows rolling like chain smokers. Some people keep the screen on mute with subtitles (watching something like the news,) but the worst addicts keep the volume so loud that it pollutes the atmosphere of the entire house - ALL DAY LONG!
To everything there is a season… in moderation, television can be a relaxing, informational and entertaining pastime. Sometimes watching a show or two while working on a mundane project (like finances or scrapbooking) can help the work progress. After a long stressful day or week, a show can be a great escape or therapeutic release of tension.
Television should not be the standard backdrop of social interaction, because it limits conversation and relationship. The occasional movie night/television sports event is fine, but using the excuse habitually is lazy hospitality.
After a long productive day, Troy and I enjoy relaxing during occasional show, found on Hulu and displayed via projector on our bedroom wall. We have set up little speakers around the room for surround sound, amplifying favorite shows like Global Voices, Leverage, Lost, The Fringe, etc. A couple nights ago we downloaded the new Hulu Desktop program!
One of the home projects further down the personal "TO DO" list is cleaning out the garage, then designing a tool and work area using old cabinets and shelving. Constant remodeling has created a pile-up of reusable materials in the garage and easily lost or inaccessible tools.
Check out this great tool cabinet idea:
http://www.craftynest.com/2009/07/old-dresser-rolling-tool-cabinet/
September 26-30, 2009All Best Photos are Online! Click theme park to view:
Disneyland
California Adventure

































