New Daylight Saving Time

Mark your calendars! Beginning this year, daylight saving time (DST) will be extended in the United States. DST will start on March 11, 2007, which is three weeks earlier than usual, and it will end on November 4, 2007, which is one week later than usual. This results in a new DST period that is four weeks longer than in previous years.

How Long Will That Last?

It's a fact; things wear out and have to be replaced. But sometimes our tastes change long before something has lived out its usefulness. From the roof to the foundation, have you ever wondered what are the lifespans of different components of a home? Here is a list that will help you decide whether the replacement you are contemplating is necessary or just something you simply want to change...

Old House Web: Life Expectancy

Save Energy and Save Money

Here are seven simple steps you can use to help lower your energy bill:


Change your Bulbs -- Compact fluorescent sell for about $3 each but last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs and can save $30 or more in energy cost over the life of the bulb.

Lower your Thermostat -- Industry experts say 68 degrees is the lowest indoor temperature that most people feel comfortable. For each degree you lower your thermostat, you can save 3 percent on your heating bill.

Turn Down Your Water Heater -- 120 degrees is considered comfortable and average in most households. Lowering your water heater from 150 degrees to 120 degrees can lower your utility bill by $1.80 a month. Not much, but it adds up.

Keep Fireplace Dampers Closed -- An open or poorly sealed damper can draw air up the chimney even when the fireplace is not in use, creating a huge energy loss. on Have your Furnace Maintained Regularly by a Professional.

Annual Tune-Ups -- Have your furnace checked every year by a professional. And keep the filter and vents clean. Dirty once cause the furnace to burn less efficiently, making it more difficult to heat your home.

Know When to Close Curtains -- In our hemisphere, south facing windows receive the most intense light in both summer and winter. So open your curtains in rooms with Southern exposure in the winter months but close them during the summer. Letting in that light in the winter will help keep your house warm; blocking it in the summer will help cool things off. In both cases, you'll use less power to keep your house comfortable.

Don't Run Exhaust Fans for Long Periods -- Kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans will remove heated and air conditioned air from your home if they run more than 15 minutes after you are finished cooking or running the water.

Housekeeping Tips and Observations

Tomorrow I will do the housework, NO EXCUSES!!! (unless they're good ones)

1. It is time to clean out the refrigerator when something closes the door from the inside.

2. If it walks out of your refrigerator, let it go!

3. The best mini-vac for an after meal clean up is the dog.

4. Do not engage in unarmed combat with a dust bunny big enough to choke the vacuum cleaner.

5. You make the beds, you do the dishes, and six months later you have to start all over again.

6. If guys were suppose to hang clothes up, door knobs would be bigger.

7. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.

8. Simplify... hire a maid.

9: My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being Hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint.

10. I'm not going to vacuum 'til Sears makes one you can ride on.

11. Cobwebs artfully draped over lampshades reduce the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere. If your husband points out that the light fixtures need dusting, simply look affronted and exclaim, "What? And spoil the mood?"

13. When writing your name in the dust on the table, omit the date.

14. If dusting is REALLY out of control, simply place a showy urn on the coffee table and insist that "THIS is where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes..."

Book Club Bundt Cake

When I used to have a lot of time on my hands, I was able to go to a book club! In addition to sharing our ideas about the book, we also shared some really good food. Here is one of the best bundt cakes I've ever had and easy to make, too.

2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
5 eggs
2 sticks real margarine (not the spread) softened
1 Tbsp any flavor extract or 1 Tsp each of vanilla, almond, lemon extracts

Have all ingredients at room temperature. This is very important especially for the eggs. If you sit the eggs and margarine out at the same time, they will both be ready when the margarine is soft.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease bundt pan generously even if it is non-stick.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Beat until smooth - about 10 minutes. Pour into bundt pan.

Bake 1 hour. Serve plain, with ice cream, fresh fruits, berries, whipped cream, a glaze or any other toppings.

Warning: This is NOT on the South Beach Diet list!!

Websites Worth Visiting

www.texashomesbycindy.com
www.newalliancemortgage.com
www.homefair.com
www.epinions.com - real reviews by real people
www.craigslist.org - buy, sell and trade throughout the world

Thank You!

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. Please feel free to send me your comments and suggestions.

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