Home is where the heart is!

Hope everyone had a memeorable and joy filled Holiday and will be having fun filled New Years! As the count down to 2013 is apon us, we ask: What is your New Years resolution? Or how do you feel about the whole resolution thing?? We vow to... do our best to educate our customers on ways to save money and water in their home and as always; lift others up with life changing solutions to their burdens...because, after all..

SPREAD THE HOLIDAY CHEER

NEED IDEAS ON HOW YOU CAN SPREAD THE HOLIDAY CHEER?

Tired of all the grinches who complain when the holiday season comes around? Rid the world of them by spreading some holiday cheer. You can make a difference just by baking cookies, listening to carols, or giving a little something to those whom we take for granted. Here are some ideas.

Read more on FamilyEducation: http://fun.familyeducation.com/slideshow/christmas/55753.html#ixzz2Fi733MAL:

You need to drink the same amount of water year round — and maybe even more in the winter.

In cold weather, your body has to work harder to humidify the air you breathe and to warm it up, meaning that you need to drink more water and eat more if you are outdoors. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least 4 quarts a day, but many people will drink twice that under high exertion levels or over 10,000 feet of altitude.

Psychologically, it’s easy to skip hydration breaks during winter activities because you are less likely to feel thirsty. But the consequences are much higher, as dehydration can accelerate hypothermia, frostbite or fatigue.Therefore, you need to pace yourself accordingly and drink and eat at frequent intervals to keep up with the demands of your body. I always carry a watch with me outdoors, and make a habit to drink and eat at regular intervals.

You need to drink the same amount of water year round — and maybe even more in the winter.  Even though it feels like you aren't sweating as much as you do during the Summer, your body still loses a lot of water during the Winter from day-to-day activities like breathing, staying warm, and urinating. Winter activities like skiing, sledding, and even snowball fights can also lead to dehydration. Know the signs of dehydration so you can respond accordingly. If you are experiencing dizziness, headaches, constipation, or dark eye circles, quickly guzzle up some water.

Dry, nippy weather can leave skin cracked and flaky, but water does promote skin circulation and can help plump up your skin. While applying a hydrating moisturizer can help make skin smooth and supple, adequate water consumption is key for flake-free skin.
Keep reading for the health reasons to keep water handy in Winter.

In order for your body to fight illnesses, you body has to create mucous, which requires sufficient water to produce. Mucous membranes act as a barrier to catch and destroy harmful bacteria and viruses that want to enter your body.

shop for humidifiers here: https://www.google.com/search?q=humidifiers+&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=#q=humidifiers&hl=en&tbo=d&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=sN_RUKXOIa-MigL4yIHgDA&ved=0CAwQ_AUoAA&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.cGE&fp=50f282037fd90a7b&bpcl=40096503&biw=1280&bih=507

Dry weather sucks up moisture quickly, which is why your lungs, throat, nose, and lips feel incredibly dry when you wake up on Winter mornings. You should use a humidifier in your bedroom to keep your lungs and nasal passages lubricated. That way, your active mucous membranes can protect your body from outside invaders.

every last drop

Imagine if the world, instead of recapturing rain water, had a drain like your sink or bathtub. Valuable freshwater would be lost from the cycle and lead to the eventual depletion of the planet's water supply.

Maybe someday technology will allow us to create our own home weather systems to cleanse wastewater for reuse (or perhaps something more realistic . . . ) Until then, there are several things you can do to capture the water that flows from your tap and put it to the best use.

Turning off the tap while you brush your teeth, filling your dishwasher before running it, or keeping a pitcher of water in the fridge to avoid running the tap until it gets cold are all ways to add efficiency to your home hydrological cycle.

When rinsing fruits or vegetables, you can capture the rinse water in a tub and use it later to water your plants (thanks to waterwise for these and other suggestions.)

Get creative and find new ways to use water wisely.

By taking these small steps in imitation of nature, you can improve the efficiency of your home hydrological cycle and support a more sustainable water future for everyone.

Have fun this weekend. It is LITERALLY good for ya!

                                       JUST HAVE FUN!

Did you know that ...
1. The average pre-schooler laughs or smiles 400 times a day? Or that the number drops to only 15 times a day by the time people reach age 35?
 2. People smile only 35 percent as much as they think they do?
3. Laughter releases endorphins, a chemical 10 times more powerful than the pain-relieving drug morphine, into the body with the same exhilarating effect as doing strenuous exercise.

4. Every time you have a good hearty laugh,you burn up 3 1/2 calories?
5. Laughing increases oxygen intake, thereby replenishing and invigorating cells? It also increases the pain threshold, boosts immunity, and relieves stress.

Food for thought/ FUN: (because, let's face it- we all spend alot of time at work)

http://www.workplaceissues.com/arhumor.htm

Don't be chuckin' your turducken's

Big holiday meal preparation and cleanup can lead to a lot of unwanted waste in the kitchen drain and garbage disposal. Also, a house full of holiday guests who require additional clothes washing, showers and toilet flushes puts a strain on household plumbing.

Thanksgiving hosts can avoid a visit from their plumber over the holiday weekend by following these clog-preventing tips:

•Never pour fats or cooking oils down drains. They solidify in pipes. Instead, wipe grease from pots with paper towels and throw in trash.

•Avoid putting stringy, fibrous or starchy waste in the garbage disposal. Poultry skins, celery, fruit and potato peels, for example, cannot be sufficiently broken down. Make sure the disposal is running when you put food into it. Don’t wait until it’s full to turn it on.

•For homes hosting weekend guests, it’s a good idea to wait 15 minutes between showers so slow drains have time to do their job.

•Never flush cotton balls, swabs, hair or facial scrub pads down a toilet. They don’t dissolve and will cause clogs.

•Try to address any plumbing problems before the holiday and before guests arrive.

•As always, know your limits. Often, minor plumbing problems turn into plumbing catastrophes if not handled properly.

100% FREE PLUMBING REPAIRS

 

 

 

 

Happy Veteran's Day! In honor of the brave men and women who keep our country free we are offering a monumental deal for such amazing people- afterall, It is the least we could do! If you are a Veteran or know someone who is- We will be offering 100% FREE PLUMBING REPAIRS all day to you! You must call TODAY to get this , just once a year deal!  

 

Call us today at: 928-774-4357- please pass this along to a Vet!

 

 

Winter Plumbing Check list

It’s that time of the year again – Jack Frost is moving into Flagstaff, but is your home ready? Prepare your plumbing for the cold weather before a frozen pipe or plumbing emergency ruins your holidays.
Winter weather requires a different kind of plumbing maintenance. It’s important to create a plumbing checklist to make sure nothing is missed.
To help you create the optimal plumbing checklist for your home, we’ve put together a few checkpoints of our own to assist you:

Furnace Inspection
▪   Change out your furnace filter (should be completed once a month.)
▪   Remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.
Get the Fireplace Ready
▪   To keep out rodents and birds, cap or screen the top of the chimney.
▪   Remove soot and creosote from the chimney.
▪   Purchase chop/firewood, and then store it in a dry place away from the home’s exterior.
▪   Inspect the fireplace damper for correct opening and closing.




Prevent Plumbing Freezes
▪   Find your water main in case you need to shut it off during an emergency
▪   Drain all garden hoses
▪   Insulate exposed pipes
▪   Drain all AC pipes
▪   If you leave your home for vacation, set the heat to 55 degrees.

Shut-off Valves, avoid flood and water damage

Plumbing flood in winter. Does not sound fun does it! We want you to be prepared- Do you know where your water shut off valve is? Finding the home's main water shut off valve should be one of the first things a person does when moving into a new home. For homes on a city water supply, the shut off valve is usually located near the water meter or near an exterior access point of the home's crawl space. For homes using well water, the shut off valve will be located on or near the well pump--most likely in the well house.

In almost any plumbing emergency, the water supply will need to be shut off. It won't always be necessary to shut off the main valve, but knowing its location is vital.

 

 

 

The first disaster that you should be ready to handle is a broken pipe. Pipes break all the times and can quickly flood an entire home. But do you know where your water shut off valve is? Many people do not. Make sure that everyone in your home knows where the water shut off valve is and how to use it. Quickly shutting off the water can save you thousands of dollars in water damage.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, GHOULS AND GOBLINS!

         HAPPY HALLOWEEN FOLKS!

The City of Flagstaff Recreation Services is hosting their annual Halloween Harvest on Wednesday, October 31^st from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Square (6 E Aspen Ave). 

Voted 2009’s Most Outstanding Community Event by AZ Parks and Recreation Association, festivities will include creepy carnival games, arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, spooky music, fun library activities, and a freaky fashion show.  Little ghouls should bring their Halloween bags and visit local businesses for candy on our Downtown Trick or Treat Trail. 

 All children’s activities are free!  Haunted tours of Historic Downtown will start at Heritage Square and will leave every ½ hour from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. 

 This is a safe and fun event for kids of all ages!  There is plenty of parking at City Hall, Wheeler Park and the Phoenix parking lot.

Do I need to drain my water heater?

Do I need to drain my water heater?

Yes, it is important to drain you water heater once every year. If you are a homeowner, it is one more chore that you have to do, but it will make your water heater last a lot longer. This is because draining your water heater cleans out the sediment that collects in the bottom of the tank and also makes your water heater run more efficiently. All water heater manufacturers recommend that you flush the sediment from your water heater at least once a year. This should usually be done by a local plumber, and the cost of the visit pays off in the long run. As well, this is not a job you want to do on your own. There is not only a chance of scalding, but there is also a big mess to clean up if you don't run the hoses right.

Many homeowners don't understand what sediment is. Sediment is actually sand or grit that has gotten into the local water supply system. This is especially a concern around the Flagstaff Area. The water pipes in the area can be extremely old, depending on where you live. Some pipes that transport water date back to the 1940's and simply have never been replaced. This means that sediment from these pipes come into your home every time that you use water.

How often that you need to drain your water heater also depends on where you live. The quality of your water may have much more of an impact on your water heater than you might think. Besides having old pipes in your neighborhood, if you have water with a high mineral content, then you may have to flush the sediment from your water heater more often than other homeowners. Call us and we can tell you the amount of minerals that you may have in your water and how often you should drain your water heater to make it last much longer than what the manufacturer guarantees that it will last.

Halloween, A breif history...

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31.  The word Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows’ Evening also known as Hallowe'en or All Hallows' Eve.

Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and carving jack-o-lanterns. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries embraced the holiday in the late twentieth century including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom as well as of Australia and New Zealand.
  Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced "sah-win").
The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture. Samhain was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc such as sickness or damaged crops.
The festival would frequently involve bonfires. It is believed that the fires attracted insects to the area which attracted bats to the area. These are additional attributes of the history of Halloween.

Masks and costumes were worn in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or appease them.
Trick-or-treating, is an activity for children on or around Halloween in which they proceed from house to house in costumes, asking for treats such as confectionery with the question, "Trick or treat?" The "trick" part of "trick or treat" is a threat to play a trick on the homeowner or his property if no treat is given. Trick-or-treating is one of the main traditions of Halloween. It has become socially expected that if one lives in a neighborhood with children one should purchase treats in preparation for trick-or-treaters.
The history of Halloween has evolved.  The activity is popular in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and due to increased American cultural influence in recent years, imported through exposure to US television and other media, trick-or-treating has started to occur among children in many parts of Europe, and in the Saudi Aramco camps of Dhahran, Akaria compounds and Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia. The most significant growth and resistance is in the United Kingdom, where the police have threatened to prosecute parents who allow their children to carry out the "trick" element. In continental Europe, where the commerce-driven importation of Halloween is seen with more skepticism, numerous destructive or illegal "tricks" and police warnings have further raised suspicion about this game and Halloween in general.
In Ohio, Iowa, and Massachusetts, the night designated for Trick-or-treating is often referred to as Beggars Night.
Part of the history of Halloween  is Halloween costumes. The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays goes back to the Middle Ages, and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of "souling," when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2). It originated in Ireland and Britain, although similar practices for the souls of the dead were found as far south as Italy. Shakespeare mentions the practice in his comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593), when Speed accuses his master of "puling [whimpering, whining], like a beggar at Hallowmas."

Yet there is no evidence that souling was ever practiced in America, and trick-or-treating may have developed in America independent of any Irish or British antecedent. There is little primary Halloween history documentation of masking or costuming on Halloween — in Ireland, the UK, or America — before 1900. The earliest known reference to ritual begging on Halloween in English speaking North America occurs in 1911, when a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario, near the border of upstate New York, reported that it was normal for the smaller children to go street guising (see below) on Halloween between 6 and 7 p.m., visiting shops and neighbors to be rewarded with nuts and candies for their rhymes and songs. Another isolated reference appears, place unknown, in 1915, with a third reference in Chicago in 1920. The thousands of Halloween postcards produced between the turn of the 20th century and the 1920s commonly show children but do not depict trick-or-treating. Ruth Edna Kelley, in her 1919 history of the holiday, The Book of Hallowe'en, makes no mention of such a custom in the chapter "Hallowe'en in America." It does not seem to have become a widespread practice until the 1930s, with the earliest known uses in print of the term "trick or treat" appearing in 1934, and the first use in a national publication occurring in 1939. Thus, although a quarter million Scots-Irish immigrated to America between 1717 and 1770, the Irish Potato Famine brought almost a million immigrants in 1845–1849, and British and Irish immigration to America peaked in the 1880s, ritualized begging on Halloween was virtually unknown in America until generations later.

Trick-or-treating spread from the western United States eastward, stalled by sugar rationing that began in April 1942 during World War II and did not end until June 1947. Early national attention to trick-or-treating was given in October 1947 issues of the children's magazines Jack and Jill and Children's Activities, and by Halloween episodes of the network radio programs The Baby Snooks Show in 1946 and The Jack Benny Show and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet in 1948. The custom had become firmly established in popular culture by 1952, when Walt Disney portrayed it in the cartoon Trick or Treat, Ozzie and Harriet were besieged by trick-or-treaters on an episode of their television show, and UNICEF first conducted a national campaign for children to raise funds for the charity while trick-or-treating.

Trick-or-treating on the prairie. Although some popular histories of Halloween have characterized trick-or-treating as an adult invention to re-channel Halloween activities away from vandalism, nothing in the historical record supports this theory. To the contrary, adults, as reported in newspapers from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s, typically saw it as a form of extortion, with reactions ranging from bemused indulgence to anger. Likewise, as portrayed on radio shows, children would have to explain what trick-or-treating was to puzzled adults, and not the other way around. ...

Good general plumbing know how

 

 

 Leave the big stuff for us If you think you can cover these bases-

Residential Plumbing Tip 1: Locate the Main Water Shut-off Valve
You must know where the control of the main source of water is located so ...

that when a residential plumbing crisis crops up, you can switch off the main source to prevent more unwelcome water to invade your home. All to often we get emergency service calls because they do not know where the shutoff is located. The main shut-off is often situated at the curb, where commonly an access point is provided at the sidewalk.

Residential Plumbing Tip 2: Never Flush Anything into Your Toilet, Except for Toilet Paper
Remind household members to refrain from flushing paper towels, sanitary napkins and other types of paper that are denser than toilet paper as they can obstruct the sewer pipe that can cause the toilet to malfunction.

Residential Plumbing Tip 3: What to Do With Slow-Draining Sinks?
If you notice that your sink unusually takes time to drain, you may need to clear the pipes from sludge build-up. If your home is quite old already and the drain does not positively respond to various chemicals and plunging, then this us your cue to snake the pipes. Snaking is the method of cleaning the pipes which is performed from the roof through the duct pipes. To do this, you will need to rent a snake unit from a local equipment rental company. You must be aware that this process would require some muscle to push down the snake into the vents. The drain clean outs, which are located at ground level, also need to be “snaked out”. If you are not up to this challenge, we are always ready to help you!

Residential Plumbing Tip 4: What to Do With Sink Faucets and Shower Heads That Give Out Low Volume of Water?
This could be caused by the accumulation of calcium, otherwise known as lime-scale which is a by-product of hard water, and by the accumulation of gravel in the faucet head screen. To address calcium build-up, detach the faucet and clean it with vinegar to dissolve the lime scale. To rid of the collection of gravel, you have to clean the screen. Detach the head by rotating at the point of water flow. Keep in mind how you disassemble it so that you can put it exactly together again as it was before. Especially if this is your first time, take a picture of it using your cellphone camera to help you remember how it looks like when assembled. Once it has been disassembled, clean the inside screen from gravel and calcium so that water can freely flow again. Then reassemble. You can also do the same process for shower heads that give off limited water, which may be caused by lime-scale buildup. Clean every three to four months.

 

 

 

 

 

Bright Ideas for Winter Blues

It is official Flagstaff-ians..It snowed this morning! Not alot- no, but it DID! ..as you know, we have more to come!

Are you Ready??

It got me thinking about all the fun that comes with snow. Sleding, snow ball fights, making a snow-man with the kiddos.. But then I  thought- Hmm. I know some folks who get aalittle "blah" during the grey sky, cold night season.. I conjured up some pretty interesting tips on how to fight that dreaded state, and when all else fails, put on your snow suit and re-live those childhood experiences! Your neighbors may think your strange but they may love you for it too! (Think snow angels people! )

 Here are some great tips to give you cheer during the cold season ahead.

1. Wear colorful clothing!

Think about it: Don't you feel more cheery when you wear that yellow sweater than when you put on that gray sweatshirt? Clothing that's bright will instantly put you in a cheerful mood and even make others around you feel merry as they visually absorb your brightness. That means you help cheer up others, too.

2. Paint your home or office.
Give your home or workplace an inspiring, lively ambiance with a new coat of bright paint. Vibrant colors such as yellows or oranges will fill a room with excitement and warmth, while dark colors like grays or browns create a boring, monotonous feeling. Give your home or workplace an inspiring, lively ambiance with a new coat of bright paint. Vibrant colors such as yellows or oranges will fill a room with excitement and warmth, while dark colors like grays or browns create a boring, monotonous feeling. Yellows and oranges promote joy and laughter and also aid in improving focus. The more surrounded you are with rich colors, the happier you are! Pastel colors, such as lavender and pinks, can help you manage stress because these soft, soothing colors foster calm feelings

3.Accesorize with bright hues.
Maybe painting is out of the question at this time. That is okay! Pick up a bright throw pillow or blanket, or how about a fun area rug. Fun bouquets of bright sunflowers and tulips can do alot to liven up your space too!

4. Bright Food!
Yum..During these winter months, we often resort to comfort foods, such as mashed potatoes, heavy soups and pastas, which are brown and tan-colored, and not as uplifting as the colorful, fresh foods we eat in the summer months. Stick with the rich-colored foods in the winter so you feel more joyful and fill your plate with more nutrient-dense foods.

Hope you find this informative!! In the least now you have an excuse to reward yourself (and your spirit) with a new coat or a snazzy new comforter for your bedroom!Why not!

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer” 

-Albert Camus

AUTUMN CRAFT PROJECT

 

 

 

                                                                

FALLEN LEAVES CRAFT PROJECT:
What you will need:
*A variety of bright leaves
*A clear glass of your choice, you can use an a votive holder.
*Modge Podge

*Brush to smooth the modge and the podge
*a ribbon or twine
*candle

                      

 

Collect all the prettiest and smoothest leaves you can. Press them flat in a heavy book for a few hours in the sun (or iron between a a layer of wax paper. Get your Modge Podge and Glass vase (or mason jar) and adhere the leaves. I think finishing of with a twine bow around the glass would be a nice touch too! Give it a try this weeknd with the kiddos. :) I think it would make a beautiful centerpiece..Has anyone ever done anything crafty like this with leaves? If so- share your awesome ideas!

 

 

Make the most of the season and HAVE FUN!!!!

     

A warm bowl of chili:perfect for a cool autumn evening.

I don't know about you but nothing says autumn more than the scent of a slow cooked crock of chili welcoming you after a long day at work. What better to warm your bones and fill your belly than a hot, homemade, sloooow cooked recipe? Here, give this a try:

http://www.food.com/recipe/white-chicken-chili-54230

I plan on mixing it up tonight and giving this one a shot.. I will let you know how it was! : )

LOVE THY MODERN PLUMBING...

Just look at this vintage ad for a home..... I don't know about you, but I am a bit humbled!

Here is a Timeline of Toilets.. Boy have we certainly come a long way..
•King Minos of Crete had the first flushing water closet recorded in history and that was over 2800 years ago.
•A toilet was discovered in the tomb of a Chinese king of the Western Han Dynasty that dates back to 206 BC to 24 AD.
•The ancient Romans had a system of sewers. They built simple outhouses or latrines directly over the running waters of the sewers that poured into the Tiber River

EVER WONDER WHAT A CHAMBER POT LOOKED LIKE?... HERE YA GO!:

                                              (evidently they made suitable wedding presents)

•Chamber pots were used during the middle ages. A chamber pot is a special metal or ceramic bowl that you used and then tossed the contents out (often out the window).... like this:

     

•In 1596, a flush toilet was invented and built for Queen Elizabeth I by her Godson, Sir John Harrington.
•The first patent for the flushing toilet was issued to Alexander Cummings in 1775.
•During the 1800s, people realized that poor sanitary conditions caused diseases. Having toilets and sewer systems that could control human waste became a priority to lawmakers, medical experts, inventors, and the general public.
•In 1829, the Tremont Hotel of Boston became the first hotel to have indoor plumbing, and had eight water closets built by Isaiah Rogers. Until 1840, indoor plumbing could be found only in the homes of the rich and the better hotels.
•Beginning in 1910, toilet designs started changing away from the elevated water tank into the modern toilet with a close tank

            aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.............now that is waaay better!

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Rubber insulation is less expensive and easier to work with than fiberglass, but not the best product to be used in conjuction with heat tape since it doesn't provide any vapor barrier. Fiberglass insulation is the better insulator, though potentially irritating to the eyes, skin and lungs.

If the house isn't in use during the coldest months, drain the plumbing system before closing the house down. A drained system is the only foolproof way to avoid a freeze-up.

When using electrically powered heat sources, follow the manufacturer's warnings to avoid fire hazards. Inspect any electrical implements frequently.

Remember insulation is designed to retain the heat that is already in the pipe. It cannot add heat.

If using fiberglass insulation be sure to wear gloves, goggles and a dust mask to protect yourself from its irritating qualities.

WOW!!! HONOR TOILET REPAIR MONTH WITH THIS!

"WOW" Guests with This Funky New Toilet

With dual flush and a customizable look, it's a fresh take on the green bathroom.

California-based WOW Toilet makes tanks that are clear, "allowing for insertion of specially-sized images, posters, advertisements or marketing messages," according to a press release we received. The tanks come in kits that are supposedly easy to install, including the necessary plumbing parts. What's cool about it is it comes with dual flush valves, like they have in many other countries, but haven't yet caught on in the U.S. Only need a minor flush? It's easy to use less water, which will save you money, and help pay for the toilet upgrade over time.
Is the display slot a gimmick? Sure! But there is something to be said for being able to swap out some decor with the changing seasons and your moods, versus investing in more intensive changes like paint or tile. And we could totally see how some places could make a few dollars renting the space to advertisers. Heck, some bars already place ads in public restrooms, above toilets and urinals. This would just make it easier and save on framing.
Hey, if the WOW Toilet gets more Americans to adopt the efficient dual flush option, we think that's a win for water savings. Plus, what says "Happy Birthday" like a beaming altar of porcelain?

The WOW Toilet Tank Kit also comes in a single-flush option, or the dual flush. It comes with a poster insert of your choice. Additional poster inserts cost $4.95, or you can pay to print your own. Or you can stick whatever you want in there. That's what I would do.
Insert toilet humor here.

http://wowtoilet.com/site/

LAUGH FOR GOOD HEALTH!

Humor is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.
With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.

Here are some ways to start:

• Smile. Smiling is the beginning of laughter. Like laughter, it’s contagious. Pioneers in “laugh therapy,” find it’s possible to laugh without even experiencing a funny event. The same holds for smiling. When you look at someone or see something even mildly pleasing, practice smiling.
• Count your blessings. Literally make a list. The simple act of considering the good things in your life will distance you from negative thoughts that are a barrier to humor and laughter. When you’re in a state of sadness, you have further to travel to get to humor and laughter.
• When you hear laughter, move toward it. Sometimes humor and laughter are private, a shared joke among a small group, but usually not. More often, people are very happy to share something funny because it gives them an opportunity to laugh again and feed off the humor you find in it. When you hear laughter, seek it out and ask, “What’s funny?”
• Spend time with fun, playful people. These are people who laugh easily–both at themselves and at life’s absurdities–and who routinely find the humor in everyday events. Their playful point of view and laughter are contagious.
• Bring humor into conversations. Ask people, “What’s the funniest thing that happened to you today? This week? In your life?”

HOPE EVERYONE HAS FUN THIS WEEKEND

Improve the taste of Arizona water

To , improve the taste of Arizona water you may consider installing a reverse osmosis drinking water system. These fit under the kitchen sink will supply water to a holding tank and in some cases will connect to a refrigerator... for more facts on the use and benefits:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_osmosis

Hard water doesn't have to mean harsh hair, Learn how:

Accumulation of mineral scale on surfaces due to hard water build up is an unfortunately common and truly aggravating problem. Most people have experienced the joys of living with hard water: cloudy, spotty dishes coming out of the dishwasher, diminished performance of coffeemakers, clogged or broken pipes and washing machines with an unpleasant odor that don’t work properly, turning clothes and towels dingy grey or a rust-tinged color.
Hair is susceptible to this menace as well, becoming dull, limp, or frizzy and more prone to tangles and hair breakage due to accumulation of minerals causing hair build up. Certain strong shampoos, such as clarifying or chelating ones, are marketed as solutions to some of this, but are there any options for those avoiding sulfate-based surfactants? As always, the answer to that question lies in the chemistry and materials science of the system.
Why Hard Water Creates Hair Build Up
Hard water contains significant quantities of dissolved minerals, such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and silicon. These metals can react with substances in soaps and shampoos and reduce the effectiveness of those products’ cleansing properties, making it necessary to use more of the cleanser. But, even more disturbing, is that fact that the reaction products precipitate out of the solution and deposit onto the surface of your hair, where they bind with the negatively charged surface. This is what is typically referred to as mineral scale, which conjures up a bit of a mental image, if one considers it. Picture hard fish scales covering your hair, creating a rough surface that prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft, and you won’t be too far removed from the reality.
These deposits also attract and trap organic matter such as grease and dirt. This leads to hair that becomes increasingly difficult to deal with. It becomes dull instead of glossy, loses curl retention capability, is more prone to formation of snarls and tangles and is more easily damaged. It can even lead to the development of an unpleasant odor to the hair, particularly in dreadlocks.
Clearly, this kind of hair build up is not a trivial issue and should be addressed as a normal part of a person’s hair care routine.
How to Prevent Hair Build Up
The absolute best method for dealing with hard water is to prevent hair build up in the first place. One can do this by utilizing a good water filter  that removes the unwanted metal ions from the water. Another technique is to use a chelating shampoo regularly, which has molecules in it such as EDTA, or acetic or citric acid. These acids bind with the metals in the water as you are washing your hair and are then rinsed away instead of depositing onto the surface of your hair. These shampoos can be harsh, though, and should always be followed up with a good conditioner, but even then, they may be damaging to curly hair if used too often.
Vinegar rinses can possibly help loosen mineral scale so it can be rinsed, and it definitely helps dissolve some of the trapped organic matter that can be lurking in the residue. Clarifying Shampoos can also help remove hair build up. It is not clear whether they actually remove mineral scale from hair, but they definitely can provide deep cleaning of any other matter adhering to the surface because of the mineral scale.
Chelating shampoos may be able to dissolve the mineral scale and help remove it from the hair. The Beauty Brains, a site run by cosmetic chemist/consultant Perry Romanowski, states their skepticism as to whether this works at all, which makes me yearn, yet again, for a lab with some really expensive equipment so I could run some studies, both to satisfy my own curiosity and so I could also give you all a definitive answer.
Gentle shampoos with surfacacnts designed to provide mild cleansing are undoubtedly capable of removing organic material and hair build up. This includes surfactants such as sodium cocoyl isethionate and coco betaine. However, it seems unlikely that these would have the ability to remove mineral scale by themselves. Fortunately, there are definitely some shampoos that contain mild surfactants, no added conditioning agents, and acids that are thought to aid in removal of hard water hair build up.
Since it is so evident that curly hair performs absolutely at its best when it has both a clean surface and a well-moisturized cortex, it seems imperative that you take some sort of measure to prevent or remove hair build up caused by hard water. The installation of a water softener or filter seems to be the best and most proactive solution. However, there are other alternatives, such as rinsing with vinegar and using chelating shampoos. It is of utmost importance that an excellent conditioner be used whenever one uses strong products like this on the hair, so don’t skimp on that step.

it is alraedy freeze season..It is true..

Insulate your outside walls, unheated areas and attic.

Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows to reduce wind drafts.

Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic film from the inside.

Detach all gardening hoses and shut-off water supply to outside faucets.

Install faucet covers to all external faucets.

Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or heating tape.

Allow faucets to drip lukewarm water, to minimize the chances of a pipe freeze.

Tag the location of your main water valve and make sure you can easily turn it on and off.

If you have a thermostat that uses a battery, be sure to replace it regularly.

Keep garage doors closed to help eliminate drafts in the attached house.

During power failures, disconnect your electrical appliances to avoid damage from power surges, which can occur once the power is restored.

Do you have a bucket list?

Nancy Long, a Norcross, Georgia grandmother who gives new meaning to living life to the fullest.

Long, who turns 80 on October 5th, celebrated it early by jumping out of a plane.

Yes, in a bucket list moment that she describes as "awesome", she went skydiving with her son.

Long says she doesn't feel a day over 40 -- and lives her life that way. She finished her doctorate at 68, and went parasailing at 74.

Watch for yourself in this segment on Long's great adventure that she calls life...

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09/18/grandmother-skydives-bucket-list_n_1893738.html