The $69.00 cup of mocha!

My microwave broke. I am not sure if I am going to get it fixed. It was very expensive back in 1977 when my parents bought it! I am wondering if it is something simple though. In the meantime, I went and bought a new microwave for $69.00 at Lowes. I really only use it to heat up water for mocha drinks and also I make my breakfast in it. I guess I do use it more for other things like frozen dinners too.

I really was thinking of getting a convection oven before this broke. I spotted one at Lowes for $49.00 and I think I am going to get it as well. I haven't had a toaster in years and I really don't cook, but I think I would get good use out of one of these, and save a bit of money too!




For example, I buy the Lean Cuisine dinners and eat them for lunch, but if I had this convection oven I might just make a grilled cheese sandwich. The food would also not be so processed which would be healthier! They also use a lot less energy than a regular oven. I really don't use my regular oven anyways though since it is really old and I am concerned about the wiring.

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Earn Money & Home projects

Well now that things are slowing down I am going to have to find a way to earn some money! (yes me and the rest of the world!)
I am going to keep organizing though and if I don't find extra work, I am going to use this time to keep organizing and cleaning.

When I make some progress with that, and the weather gets a bit nicer where I can open up windows etc. I am going to possibly do some painting inside the house. Only on parts that I know are worth doing right now. Parts of the house need wall and ceiling work, but I can't do that till I get electricity and plumbing done!

With that I should make an announcement: (ha ha)

If anyone reading this works for HGTV, OPRAH, Home Improvement shows, This OLD house, Nate Berkus or Carter Oosterhouse (Nate and Carter are both hot by the way!)

My house would be a great show for you! It was built in 1926 and was once part of a wealthy man's (there is some history to this man who owned it) summer home estate. All the other buildings are still here. I live in the gatehouse. It is a decorators dream!




I would like my house to be decorated like Pottery Barn or IKEA. I have simple tastes and want it to be cozy. I also like a bit of Shabby Chic.

Ho hum well I guess it is back to reality!

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Allergies and Bed Linen

Today I was going to take a break from working and go to IKEA for the sale on bed linens. We go a few inches of snow overnight and now I am not sure I am going to go. IKEA is about a half and hour or so from were I live and I am not sure I want to be out there with the crazies!

I think I might have to get some allergy mattress covers for my bed and see if that gets rid of some of those dust mites. I was reading one article and it said that dust mites can appear on your pillows in as little as six weeks! Yikes! I remember a story OPRAH did a few years ago and they showed all the bugs a person most likely has in their pillows, and yuck!

This is a video from CNN and OPRAH that aired years ago



I thought this video was funny at the end, when they interviewed a lady about having dust mites in her bed and she didn't want to be seen on camera!

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Property taxes

I am waiting anyday now for the township to send my house assessment. Property values are really falling everywhere these days and it is a good idea to find out if you are being overassessed on your home. There are a few websites that can tell you how much similar homes are selling for in your neighborhood. One is called Zillow.com.


From MSN
"The National Taxpayers Union estimates that as much as 60% of taxable property in the United States is overassessed. But despite the growing tax bills, only half of homeowners protest their assessments. That means many may be paying more property taxes than necessary."

The first year I appealed my taxes, I did get a reduction. This was way before the crazy housing mess. But the last few years I was not able to get a reduction so I think it is about time!

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Sounds like a deal!

IKEA is having a few one day only sales, and one is just right for me! I really need some new queen size bed sheets. Mine have a few holes in them and my lovely rusty well water has made the white not so white anymore. So any size you buy for $9.99 includes 2 pillow cases, 1 flat sheet, and 1 fitted sheet. They are 400 count sheets and regularly sell for about $40.00!

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