My mom has always been a handy sort who is very DIY when it comes to home renovations. Over the years whenever she wanted to repaint a room she'd just do it herself. Back in the summer she moved into a new place. The walls were a dark brown colour. She wanted to change them to a sunny creamy tone. But she did something crazy and decided to hire someone else to paint. I was a … [Read more...]
How My Husband Broke the Bathroom and My Home Renovation Epiphany
My husband broke the bathroom. I went out of town overnight, and when I got back I came home to a mess. Our bathroom has double sinks, but for whatever reason we usually only use the one sink the one which is closest to the toilet. The other sink, which has been in a dinged up state since we first moved in, usually has my make-up bag laying in it, maybe a used towel, a stray … [Read more...]
Evil Wall Destroying Contraption, otherwise known as Baby Gate
Evil Wall Destroying Contraption, aka Baby Gate. A little while back we finally took down the baby gate that was blocking off access to our kitchen (and the basement stairs), and these lovely souvenirs of it's stay were left behind. Yeah, I'm not impressed. Particularly since I went with this fancy tension gate over the screw-in mount-on-the-wall kind because I didn't … [Read more...]
We are Experiencing Technical Difficulties, Please Stand By…
Sorry guys. My internet access has been patchy as best for the past little while. We have been having work done on the wiring in our house, and also on the telephone lines. I'm very much hoping that the end result will be internet that works 100% of the time, without constant disconnections and all the other garbage I've been dealing with. I also really like the part where my … [Read more...]
Painting Just Got WAY Easier with SHUR-LINE
About six years ago now we bought this house, our first house. I was so ridiculously excited. It was quite the upgrade from our little two bedroom apartment, and aside from having no more creepy "I have the keys and I just let myself in" landlady to contend with, and no more noisy neighbours downstairs to worry about, I loved the fact that it was absolutely ours to do with as … [Read more...]
Signs I have a problem – Dealing with addiction.
There is something is my life I NEED every day. When I can't get it I immediately go into withdrawals. When I can't have it I am irritable, distressed and irrational. When I am cut off I become nervous, depressed, and antsy. In short, I have an addiction-- to the internet. We've been having problems with our internet connection. Unfortunately rather then clearing up … [Read more...]
{ Review & Giveaway } BMO Eco Smart Mortgage
BMO has a pretty cool deal going on right now. They are offering an Eco Smart Mortgage; a premium mortgage rate for homes that meet BMO’s energy efficiency criteria. The offer is good for new mortgages, or for those looking to refinance. We took the leap and moved our mortgage to a different lender last spring. It is amazing how much of a savings one percent or even half a … [Read more...]
The Water Tank Heater Question – By the Numbers…
To rent or to buy a hot water tank? I spent a lot of time considering this, doing the math, and pouring over the internet looking for info, I figure I'll share my findings with you guys. Perhaps this will help someone else and save them some headache. The one thing that I was frustrated with while trying to research this online was the lack of solid figures. Some people … [Read more...]
The Water Tank Heater Question – Should I get a Tankless System?
We just got a new hot water tank installed. One of the major things I had to decide was whether or not we would change over to a tankless system. Since I have spent literally hours over the past week considering this, doing the math, and pouring over the internet looking for info, I figure I'll share my findings with you guys. So, what about a tankless system? I've heard … [Read more...]
And the quest for Hot Water continues…
Back on Wednesday I called the chimney company back, because they had seemed confident that they could run the liner down the chimney, and I thought being a chimney specialist they might know more then the other fellows. I explained how two other contractors said it could not be done, and asked if they were sure they could do it? They said, oh definitely, 4 inch this, ladeda, … [Read more...]
The Quest For Hot Water, Part 2.
The plumber was supposed to call me back first thing this morning with a quote. 11am, still no call. Just when I was looking up the number to call him instead, the guy showed here. Knocking at my side door and saying he needed to take a few measurements. So I let him downstairs and he poked around for a bit, and then he told me the bad news. He says there is no way they will … [Read more...]
To rent or not to rent… That is the Question…
...And it is a headache inducing doozey of a question at that. I'm talking about water tank rental vs. outright purchase. What follows is my five day (thus far) saga/rant, documenting my attempts to replace our hot water tank. We haven't had hot water in our house since last Thursday. (Which, by the way, quite sucks. Warming water on the stove top to wash both the dishes … [Read more...]
Package Paranoia, or How to Deal With Parcel Deliveries?
Two years ago we replaced the "you-can-see-sunlight-through-the-cracks" original wooden front door on our 1954 house. We didn't realize until after the contractors ripped it off and disposed of it that this meant losing our front screen door. I was a little dismayed at the time but we didn't have the extra cash to spend on getting a new screen door as well. Now due to my … [Read more...]