Great Value LED Light Bulb, 16W (100W Equivalent) BR30 Floodlight Lamp E26 Medium Base, Dimmable, Soft White, 4-Pack - Review

Great Value LED Dimmable Floodlight Lamp Bulb is a sturdily made floodlight. Good size with a nice weight. Lights up the entire deck area, which I love. I have replaced my deck light with this floodlight due to it being dimmable. Should we want to sit outside in the evening we can lower the brightness to a calming level.

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Hillman Wood Screws #8 x 1.5" , Flat Phillips, Zinc Plated, Steel, Pack of 11 - Review

''The Hillman zinc plated, steel, wood screws are designed to tackle wood applications; these wood screws are used to join two pieces of wood. The smooth shank design allows the screw to pull two pieces of wood together for a reliable join/connection, while preventing the wood from pulling or splitting. The flat head design makes for a flush placement against the surface while the tapered threads make for a strong hold. The wood screws feature a zinc finish for some corrosion protection while the steel material offers durability.''

Hillman Wood Screws worked wonderfully when fixing my side gate. They drove in easily and screwed all the way pulling the loose boards and lock snugly.. My bit fit perfectly into the Phillips head for not having to worry about striping the head. These screws are built strong. 

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Great Value Replacement Water Filter ~ Review

Great Value GE XWF replacement Refrigerator Water Filter  

Clean tasting fresh water! There's nothing like fresh clean tasting water. Great Value GE XWF replacement Refrigerator Water Filter gives you just that. Installment into my GE Refrigerator was a breeze. 

 

 I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Our New Fence Is UP!!

Our fence on the left side of the yard had become somewhat of a patchwork. With renters ( I have nothing against renters! I was one for 20 yrs!) moving in and out on a regular basis it's been a conglomeration of dogs. Lovely dogs, small dogs, and angry dogs. 

At one point there was a pair of pit bulls that would chew through the fence to come into my backyard. Chase and bite my Chihuahua and Bassett.

They even jumped in the pond and chased the fish.

Since the owner or renter weren't going to fix the fence, I went the way of patching board holes with whatever I could get my hands on. The kids decided they were going to remove their closet doors - so those doors went to work covering holes. Pieces of plywood, cupboard doors I found along the road worked pretty good too! LOL

When on a tight budget, you use what you can.

The rental house caught fire by someone falling asleep with a lit cigarette. The owner then sold it. The new owners took about a year to get the inside remodeled. Then we all put up a NEW fence! Miracles do happen!!

Prior to the new fence, a nasty storm came through one year and a whole section fell over. I managed to get it back upright, only to realize I was on the wrong side of the fence! Had to pull it down, climb back into my yard and hoist it up again!  The wind was howling, rain was hitting hard, I was out in it with baling wire tying what 4x4's were left together!

We pounded in fence stakes and out came the baling wire again to attach them to the fence.

I didn't have the funds to pay for a whole new fence by myself. 

Luckily the new owners and I shared the costs. 

The new owners put a new fence in all the way around their backyard.

Everyone's dogs had quite a large "backyard" to roam when just the 4x4's were in!

A nice sturdy fence at last!

Some of what I had found and used on those holes!

One Dove approved

Nope, 2 Doves approved!! LOL

Glad my Eurasian Doves are happy.

They have lived in my backyard for years and raised tons of babies!!

Love to wake up to their soft cooing ♥

More like this here

Great Value LED Floodlight Lamp Light Bulb

 Great Value LED Floodlight Lamp Bulbs work wonderfully for lighting up a dark area of our backyard. With critters coming and going throughout the night the dogs can see exactly where they are to chase them away. They have helped in this department so much. Nice size and weight to the bulb. The daylight brightness is nice and bright and reaches far into the darkness.

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

BOSHEL® 3PC Pet Grooming Scissors ~ Review

"Pet 3 Pack Scissors by BOSHEL® - 1 Large Straight Dog Scissors - 1 Micro-serrated Scissors & 1 Dog Thinning Shears. Groom your pet like a pro from the comfort of home Whether you’re the proud human of a hulking hound, diminutive doggie, or feisty four-legged cutie, the BOSHEL® 3PC grooming scissors kit gives you the power to safely trim your pet's hair with professional ease!

Looking for great gifts for dog owners? Our pet shears kit comes in a beautiful box for a smile-sparking presentation, and your loved one will get to save lots of money and time by using the BOSHEL dog cutting scissors.
SHEARS:
● 7” straight sharp body scissor.
● 6.5” micro-serrated dog scissors for grooming eyes, face, paws, nose & other sensitive areas.
● 7-inch (26-teeth) thinning scissors for blending, texturizing, and cutting out mats.
HIGH GRADE STAINLESS STEEL:
● Made from top grade stainless steel.
● Ultra-sharp blades ensure clean cuts.
GROOM LIKE A PRO WITH THE BOSHEL GROOMING KIT: This dog hair grooming kit features 3 Grooming Shears: One 7” straight sharp body scissor, and one 6.5” micro-serrated dog scissors for grooming eyes, face, paws, nose & other sensitive areas, and a 7-inch (26-teeth) thinning scissors for blending, texturizing, and cutting out mats.
DESIGNED FOR MAXIMUM SAFETY: Never again worry about injuring your furry buddy. All our dog trimming scissors feature rounded safety tips. Ideal for beginners and professionals alike.
CUT FASTER AND CLEANER: Unlike other pet hair grooming scissors that struggle to cut thicker coats and pull on fur, our dog grooming shears stand out with super-sharp blades for quick & pain-free cuts.
PHENOMENAL QUALITY: We’ve crafted our rounded-tip dog and cat grooming scissors using high-quality 2mm thick stainless steel, with blades firmly held together thanks to a super-strong non-removable screw, that will ensure a clean cut for a quicker grooming session, no matter how tangled the fur is.
EXPERIENCE THE COMFORT: With a non-slip ergonomic grip, a finger rest, and a removable rubber ring for a custom fit, grooming will be a breeze."

 I was pleasingly surprised when my 3 Pack of Pet Hair Scissors Set by Boshel showed up looking and feeling so professional. I love the rounded safety tips, no more poking my cat with the point of regular scissors. They fit comfortably in my hand, especially with the finger rest. I have a 3 legged 20 year old cat that isn't able to groom herself as she used to, which makes her prone to mats. Using the Thinning Scissors it was a breeze to cut them away without hurting her or her fighting me.

 I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Is Your Home Ready for Fall?

5 Top Items on Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall’s gently tumbling leaves seem so peaceful, they can also be a wake-up call that winter's coming. Now’s the time to take care of some important home maintenance. Use this list as a guideline to get your home ready for the cold weather ahead.

By doing these projects now, you can avoid some costly repairs and feel confident that you’ll be warm and comfortable when the cold weather arrives.

1. Get Your Heating System Humming

You don’t want to wake up on the coldest morning to find you have no heat. Schedule a furnace checkup now. An expert technician will make sure everything is running properly and that your system meets the manufacturer’s rated efficiency. The checkup will also measure carbon monoxide leakage.

2. Prevent Gutter Gridlock

Leaves, twigs and other debris can clog gutters, causing water to back up and flow into your house. Save yourself from this expensive repair by cleaning the gutters after your leaves have fallen. Tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets, and replace any worn sections. Check that your downspouts extend at least five feet away from the foundation. If not, you can buy inexpensive extensions and attach them.

 

3. Take a Caulk Walk

Walk around the exterior of your home and check it for air tightness. Carefully look for cracks, which can be the source of air leaks, energy loss and money down the drain. An inexpensive tube of caulk can help prevent energy loss and also help prevent moisture from getting inside the walls of your home. Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting or electrical wiring comes through walls or floors.

Most Common Source of Air Leaks

Dropped ceilings

Recessed lights

Attic entrance

Sill plates

Water and furnace flues

All ducts

Door and window frames

Chimney flashing

Outlets and switches

Plumbing and utility access

Critter entrances

4. Get a Look at the Roof

You don’t need to get up on the roof to spot trouble areas. Stay on the ground and use binoculars to look for buckled, cracked or missing shingles. If you find any, replace them right away. Examine the flashing and look for any rust spots, which could expose your home to damaging leaks. The good news is you can clean, prime and seal the rust fairly easily yourself. Also, if you spot large areas of moss, your roof may be rotting underneath. Call a roofing professional rather than trying to tackle it yourself.

5. Clean Out the Chimney

Looking forward to a cozy fire? Better make sure your fireplace, chimney and vents are clean first. A good cleaning by a professional chimney sweep can help prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide buildup. Some DIY measures you can take include keeping the fireplace damper flue tightly closed when not in use and sealing seal air leaks with fire-resistant materials like sheet metal or sheetrock.

Get these projects knocked out and your home will be warm and cozy for winter. Then head to the store and load up on hot chocolate and some good books.

More tips here

Great for Your Security Light ~ Review

Great Value LED Light Bulb

 10 Watts (90W Equivalent) PAR30 Floodlight E26 Medium Base has 2 in a pack. 

One went directly into my front porch light, the other to my back deck light. Was happy to change out old floodlights to these that are LED! Great compact size that gives you plenty of brightness to see what's out there and also makes them easy to handle/hold while installing for those gripping disabilities. These are made solid and feel like they could make it through a hurricane.

Available at Walmart Stores

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Great Fit for Your Ceiling Fan Light ~ Review

I have such a hard time finding the correct cap size for my ceiling fan light and these Better Homes and Garden DECO 60W Soft White CLASSIC CANDLE 4PK bulbs fit perfectly! Love the sturdy durability of this bulb. Made solid with 4 in a pack gives you enough to switch out your old bulbs to LED. I absolutely think the packaging is awesome. To avoid breakage the top and bottom of each bulb goes into it's own "hole", so no contact is made. They give off a clear clean glow too!

Available at Walmart Stores

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

COVID - 10 Information

I don't know how accurate this first one is, as I don't know who published it.  

But it seems like serious intentions.

This is one of the more concise informative pieces I have seen regarding the virus - - as to how to know if you have it or not (compared to colds, allergies, etc.)

Well, worth the very few minutes to read.

Update 1

1. If you have a runny nose and sputum, you have the common cold.
2. Corona Virus Pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose.         
3. This new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a            temperature of 26/27 degrees. It hates the Sun. 
4. If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet before          it  drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.
5. If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours    -  so if you come into contact with any metal surface wash your hands as soon as you can with a bacterial soap.
6. On fabric is can survive for 6 - 12 hours. Normal laundry            detergent will kill it.
7. Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses. Try not to         drink liquids with ice.
8. Wash you hands frequently as the virus can only live on your        hands 5 - 10 minutes, but  - a lot can happen during that time - you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on.
9. You should also gargle as a prevention. A simple solution of salt   in warm water will suffice.
10. Can't emphasize enough - drink plenty of water!                         

Update 2

The Symptoms

1. It will first infect the throat, so you'll have a sore throat lasting 3/4 days.
2. The virus then blends into a nasal fluid that enters the trachea    and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5/6 days further. 
3. With the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty breathing.
4. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you're drowning. It's imperative you seek immediate attention.   

Update 3

  

The New Corona Virus may not show infection for many days.

How can one know if he/she is infected?

By the time they have fever and/or cough and go to the hospital, the lung is usually 50% Fibrosis and it's too late.

Experts provide a simple self-check we can do every morning.

Take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. 

If you complete it successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stiffness or tightness, etc., it proves there is no Fibrosis in the lungs, basically indicates no infection.

In critical time please self-check every morning in an environment with clean air.

Everyone should ensure your mouth and throat are moist never dry.

Take a few sips of water every 15 minutes at least.

Why?

If the virus gets into your mouth, drinking water or other liquids will was them down through your throat and into your stomach.  Once there, your stomach acid will kill all the virus. 

If you don't drink water more regularly, the virus can enter your windpipe and into the lungs. That's very dangerous. 

So please do everything to ensure your safety during this pandemic. 

More opinions

COVID information from the John Hopkins Hospital

Here is some very useful COVID information from the John Hopkins Hospital information sheet relative to Coronavirus 19.

It is extremely informative and seems to be about the latest release of personal handling of this medical issue and is worth the time to study the information given for your personal care. Stay safe and stay well.

This certainly makes the COVID -19 protection methods more understandable.

*This virus is not a living organism. It is a protein molecule (RNA or DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular (eyes), nasal (nose) or buccal mucosa (mouth), changes their genetic code (mutates) and converts into aggressor and multiplier cells.

*Since the virus is not a living organism, but is a protein molecule, it cannot be killed. It has to decay on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.

*The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat, and that is the reason why soap or detergent is the best weapon. The foam CUTS THE FAT (that is why you have to scrub for 20 seconds or more, to create lots of foam). By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down.

*HEAT melts fat; this is why it is necessary to use water above 77 degrees for hand washing, laundry and cleaning surfaces. In addition, hot water makes more foam, making it more effective.

*Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ALL FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.

*Any solution with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaking it down from the inside.

*Oxygenated water increases the effectiveness of soap, alcohol, and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein. However, because you have to use it in its pure form, it can damage your skin.

*NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC WILL WORK because the virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.

*The virus molecules remain very stable at colder temperatures, including air conditioning in houses and cars. They also need moisture and darkness to stay stable. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade the virus faster.

*UV LIGHT on any object that may contain the virus breaks down the protein. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.

*The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.

*Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.

*NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is only 40% alcohol, and you need a minimum of 65%.

*LISTERINE is 65% alcohol.

*The more confined the space, the higher the concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.

*You have to wash your hands before and after touching any commonly used surfaces such as: mucosa (mouth area), food, locks, knobs, switches, remotes, cell phones, watches, computers, desks etc… and don’t forget when you use the bathroom.

*You have to MOISTURIZE YOUR HANDS due to frequent washing. Dry hands have cracks and the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.

*Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.

Stay safe, Stay well ♥

Keep Mosquitoes Away with this DIY Spray

Yes, I'm dating myself with this one! 

Paul Harvey had a segment years ago, where he shared this spray recipe.

Over the years I think people have forgotten about it. 

So here it a reminder with photos on how to make it.

Only 3 ingredients needed:

Big bottle of BLUE cheap Mouthwash

3 cups of Epsom Salts

3 stale 12 oz. cans of cheap beer

Mix all 3 ingredients together until salt is dissolved.

Bottle of mouthwash

Epsom salts

stale beer

FYI, start with a large pitcher.

I had to switch - it's a lot of liquid! LOL

Stir until salts are dissolved

Pour into a spray bottle.

Makes quite a lot.

Spray anywhere you sit or hangout outside, it won't harm plants or flowers.

I spray it on my window screen from the inside out

 (so I don't get my windows dirty ;)

I spray the deck and walkways throughout the gardens.

It does make a huge difference.

Recently had the Little's here and spent a lot of time outside playing.

Happy to report no one received a bite. 

If you enjoy this post you may enjoy these 

Good Bye Hot Sun

The front of our home faces the west.

In the Summer the sun literally beats in the front window.

When we first moved in, prior to the building of the front arbor for shade,

the kids would burn their hands on the the front door knob!!

The sun has melted several sets of mini blinds over the years.

So when I say it beats in and heats up this portion of the house it's no exaggeration!

I decided to put up One Way Mirror Window Film

which has Anti UV Heat Control for Sun Blocking.

It has a slight tint and is removable.

It's not hard to install since static cling basically holds it up.

I do like the one way "mirror" effect for privacy also.

I used 2

Rhodesy One Way Mirror Window Film, Anti UV Heat Control, Static

Cling, Privacy Window Film, Decorative, Removable, Window Tint Sun Blocking, 35.4x 78.7 inch, Silver ~ which I picked up from Amazon.

You'll also need sharp scissors, a sharp razor, squeegee, dish soap, spray bottle and a cup of COFFEE!

Clean your glass thoroughly.

Measure and cut film, leaving an extra 1-2 inches around the edges.

Remove the plastic liner that covers the sticky side.

Since I was doing this by myself, 

I found it helpful to use a couple of chairs to lay the film over.

Fill the squirt bottle about 3/4 with water,

add a squirt of dish soap.  Mix slowly so you don't get lots of bubbles.

Thoroughly spray the film

Also spray the window thoroughly with soapy water.

I found the more soapy water,

 the easier to slide the film into place, and/or readjust.

Put the film on the window.

I used one of those plastic cards you get in the mail for a squeegee.

 It worked perfectly

Trim away extra film on the edge of the window frame with your sharp razor.

Left half done.

You can see it's a bit darker than the right.

Both sides done.

Looking from outside in.

Mirror effect.  :)

We haven't hit the heat of the Summer yet, 

but it's already making a difference with intensity of the Sun.

A bit awkward to do by yourself, but well worthwhile.