Comparison of Lifestyle

Just thought I would summarize a lot of research I've done for this blog (some entries haven't been made yet, they are in draft). You pick which lifestyle you have, and maybe you can get some advice from the ramblings of my mind...and the research I've turned up.

I've decided that there are 3 basic types of lifestyles out there and I'm going to share MY perspectives about them. Again, these are MY perspectives, so don't waste time telling me that I'm wrong just because YOUR perspective may be a little different from mine. Know also, that I am a bit of each of these, depending on my mood that particular day, the experience I am having, and what amount of time I have to expend.

• Efficient - defined on Dictionary.com as "performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort." My perspective: very busy people (work, school, family, hobbies, etc), that strive to be efficient in experiencing life by simply purchasing objects or hiring others to do the personal projects because they don't have a lot of time or experience.
• DIY - My perspective is that they too are busy people, but strive to experience life by using some of their time & skills as a hobby to save money to create what they want, and will solicit friends to assist if needed on a personal project.
• Hippie - My perspective is that they stay busy by floating through life by finding ways to recycle things they use, collect, and obtain; which is inspired by the things that sift through their minds, how they can use them, give life to something, is a "green way" to live, and yet also reduces the costs of their out-of-pocket costs.

So, what am I "really" getting at in this entry. I had to explain some things, so you can understand the table below, where I share a topic and then compare how each of the 3 will deal with it, IMHO. If the entry is a link, it is to an entry on my blog about it. Yeah, I've lived through this...

Topic	Efficient	DIY	Hippie
Colored flames in the fireplace	Duraflame Colorlog	DIY Colored Pinecones	Newspaper Logs & Colored Pinecones
Reduce costs due to cooking	Eat out more!!!	Use a Toaster Oven & Crock Pot vs. a Full Oven	Hobo Pies in the backyard, Newspaper Logs & Collected Firewood
Driving	Limo!!!	Carpool & work local	Walk, ride bike, or work at home
Stay warm in winter	Fire up the furnace!!!	Set thermostat to the recommended settings & layer up a little	Set thermostat to the recommended settings, layer up a little, find a Snuggle Buddy
Stay cool in summer	Warp drive on the A/C all the time!!!	Set thermostat to the recommended settings	Set thermostat to the recommended settings but what are these "pajamas" you are saying are needed?
Media Entertainment	Opera	Movie theater once in a while, Netflix, video store	DVD from the library, read a book, swap movies with friends, look at the stars...
Saving water in the toilet	I use the newest toilet at 1.6 gpf	Install a Dual Flush Kit or use an 1/2 gallon milk carton	"If it's yellow, let it mellow... If it's brown, flush it down..."
Furniture	Arhaus, they deliver & set it up	IKEA, I'll put it together myself	Dumpster Diving!!!
Popcorn	Commercial brand & at the theater	Air popper	Kernels in a brown bag, and I can recycle the bag after.

Apartment Living - Part VI

So you've read all of the parts on the Apartment Living page of this blog, but have decided that it is time to move out. The key question on your mind is "how do I get my security deposit back?!? I NEED that money..." Some suggestions, because most landlords look at how much work needs to be done before they can "re-rent" the unit. The cleaner it is left and the less amount of work to refresh it, the more $$$ returned. Keep in mind that the security deposit will not likely be returned the day of a move out, but within a month after. It all depends on what needs to be done to give the keys to the next resident.

First, we need to understand what a security deposit is, and then how it applies. The best way to define what a security deposit is, can be found on Wikipedia [link], but I'm going to summarize it as to it applies to living in an apartment.

A security deposit is a sum of money held in trust...  to ensure the cost of repair in relation to any damage explicitly specified in the contract and that did in fact occur.

Basically it is money that the landlord/property manager uses to pay for the revitalization of an apartment when vacated, the resident is "pre-paying" it. Know up front, not ALL of the deposit is given back, so here are some suggestions on maximizing the amount of the security deposit to get back:

1. Scrub the vinyl floors. Not just sweep with a broom, but scrub the floors.
2. Pull out the refrigerator and stove and clean everything that has collected under them.
3. Wash the sides of the fridge and stove.
4. Clean the oven, stove top elements, knobs, inside the fridge, sinks, and all countertops.
5. Vacuum the carpets or get a carpet cleaner to do it for you. Yes, it costs a little to do that, but you'll pay for it regardless.
6. Scrub the tubs, showers, and toilets.
7. Patch the nail holes from all of the pictures/art you hung up.
8. Clean under where your washer and dryer were, if you had them.
9. Wipe down the baseboards as dust and dirt has likely built up.
10. Run a broom along the ceiling to remove the cobwebs.
11. Take all of your "stuff" with you. Leaving items in the cupboards or even just in the room causes a lot of work for the people revitalizing the unit.

Basically, do a spring cleaning the way grandma did "back in the day." First impressions are important, so the first time the landlord/property manager inspects a vacant apartment, the more that is likely to be given back. As mentioned, it won't be ALL issued back, there are some things that will be deducted from the security deposit, and there might be an invoice if it costs more than was put down. Those things typically are for fees like:

• A cleaning person to do what you should have done (listed above).
• Replacing carpet or vinyl due to excessive stains or tears.
• Professional carpet cleaners to deep clean the rug.
• Repairing things that are broken (doorknobs, doors, baseboards, counters, appliances).
• Excessive plastering needed for holes in the walls.
• Removing oil or other fluid stains on the garage floor.
• Having to hire a professional painter if you changed the colors of the walls (read the lease on this one, it can be costly if it is not returned to the original look).

Typically there is a MOVE OUT inspection, and a MOVE IN inspection to survey the property. Anything that shows up during those inspections is noted, and the person responsible is charged. The key point here, is that the more diligence a resident takes while moving out, the more of the security deposit they will get back...

Apartment Living - Part V

You've used the criteria in Part I to choose a community, you used the info in Part II to fine tune your criteria, used Part III to actually read the lease and decided to communicate with the office, and perused Part IV about dealing with letters (especially eviction notices). So where are we now? Deciding how much we like where we are going to living somewhere...

Christmas 2010

Can you hang drapes? Probably, check the lease or contact the office and ask. Can you paint the walls a different color or put a mural? Check the lease or contact the office. Can I have a pet run or let them run free (because they are so good and loving)? Check the lease or contact the office. Can I use a fire pit/bowl or barbecue? Check the lease or contact the office. Can I hang holiday lights above my front door/garage door/barbecue grill or have a live-cut Christmas tree? Check the lease or contact the office.

See where this is going? It is all about understanding the lease you signed, and what the office can share about polices that lead up to getting a notice. There is a LOT of latitude allowed to the residents, as long as they COMMUNICATE with the office, know the lease, and can rectify it when moving out. That will be the next part of this series, how to get most of the security deposit back. But that is another topic.

Congrats on moving to a new place, reading the current lease, complying with the policies, and just reading this series...

Apartment Living - Part IV

This is the 4th part the Apartment Living series. Part I was about what a person should decide when looking for an apartment, Part II was my sharing my experiences in several different places, and Part III was a strong recommendation that you closely read the lease signed, and communicate with the property manager. This entry is about dealing with a eviction notice, and how to move forward. Getting an eviction notice can scare the bejeebies out of you, but it can be dealt with if you take a deep breath, and follow these suggestions.


First, after you took a deep breath, read the notice you received completely. The details of it were the issue, how long allowed to take action, and what options exist. This may vary depending on what community you moved into, so read it.

The most common reason for an eviction notice, is for Past Due Rent. Typically there is a period of time to stop the eviction by paying the past due rent.  This time period is short, it can be a few days or a week, but not typically longer, so pay attention to the allotted time on the notice. Most often, the eviction is turned over to the court system if no action to remedy it by the date on the notice. Make sure to read all of the terms carefully.

If it is for Past Due Rent, compare your records with the information in the notice.  It’s not often that the office misapplies a payment, but it happens in today's dependence on computers. Get the bank records and statements together and find out if maybe something happened on your side or theirs. If you pay with a money order, make a copy of it before submitting it. My neighbor got an eviction notice for Past Due Rent, took his bank statement in for a discussion with the manager, and it turned out that someone transposed his apartment number when typing it into the accounting software. Showing his bank statement got his eviction notice immediately shredded, and the adjustment was made.

Other reasons that notices are issued: other residents have complained about excessive noise, bad odors, insects, pets, and they all come from your suite. Remember what was mentioned in the other parts of this series? Eyes are everywhere. If you have pets, they are always loud, aggressive when walked, or a violation of the pet addendum; other residents will let the office know what they saw. When the office has enough complaints filed about a particular resident, they can be evicted for violation of the lease. For violating the pet addendum, they may not evict you, but can evict the pet. That is why you need to read the entire lease and addendum, to know what is not allowed.

Okay, you've taken a deep breath, read the details of the notice, gathered your records, what next? As explained in the other parts of this series, communication with the office as soon as possible. No, midnight is not the right time, call the next morning if you can't have a face-to-face conversation. The notice gives a short time to reconcile, but that won't happen if it is just ignored. Most managers are willing to "work" with residents about the notice, if the situation that caused it is explained.

Whether on the phone or in a face-to-face conversation, keep things civil. Sure, there will be tension on both sides of the table, but being accusatory or nasty with the office people can come back with a bite. Managers are less likely to work things out if they feel attacked. Remember, there is a reason the notice was delivered by the maintenance specialist. Discuss it, don't argue. It could come back as a haunting if you apply to another apartment community, and they call the current one as a reference. Just like the fact that there are eyes everywhere, the grapevine is still alive and strong, especially with computers and cell phones.

Hopefully by communicating, the resident and manager can come to a resolution to an eviction notice. But, once in a while, it has to go to the court system, especially if the resident does NOTHING. Key thing if it is going to court, show up and have records to prove the case against it. State and local laws may allow some extra time to move out, set up a payment plan that saves paychecks from being garnished, or even the items in the suite from being seized.

Example of failing to comply for Dozer
(no leash)

Instead of writing a part about my experience with notices, they are included here. First, a warning notice about voiding the pet addendum. While I feel that I have one of the most loving, best trained, always smiling, people-friendly dog, I neglected to follow the leash law in my community. Neighbors saw (out their windows and while at the mailbox) that he wasn't on a leash, and complained to the office. Dozer was almost evicted because of it. I had a discussion with the manager over a cup of coffee, and we straightened it all out. It doesn't matter how wonderful I feel my pets are, if other residents feel "threatened," they register complaints with the office. Enough were collected that I got a notice. But, we reviewed the pet addendum, and I comply with it completely now. It isn't always about how you feel, but how neighbors feel in the community.

A 3-day eviction notice for Past Rent Due (that is what they call it here) because I took Dozer for a walk over to the office to pay my rent, he decided to do his business on the front lawn, and I forgot to submit my rent check into the mail box. I was distracted by picking up after him, and forgot the check in my pocket. It ended up in the washing machine, and I was late on my rent. I again went to the office the next morning with the washed check and a new blank one. Within seconds, my eviction was shredded, and my account updated.

Approaching the notice in a civil way, carries a lot of weight. Reading the entire lease and complying with it helps. Reading the notice in detail and being able to present a case preventing it, helps. Being willing to have a conversation with the office helps. When moving into an apartment community, the residents need to make sure they know what the boundaries are. The managers know what the policies are, and they have to enforce it.

And please, don't bite the head off of the maintenance tech that delivers a notice from the office to you, they are just performing a task, and can't rewrite lease policy...

Apartment Living - Part III

Based on the basic criteria in Apartment Living Part I, you've decided on an apartment community that you want to reside in. You've listened to my experiences in Apartment Living Part II, and signed your own lease. This entry is about some basic common sense things you need to pay attention to after you move in.

First and foremost, make sure you read the entire lease you signed. There are things you agreed to when you signed, even if the leasing agent didn't read it to you completely. Some tasks you may be responsible for, like changing burnt out light bulbs, changing furnace filters and batteries in the smoke alarms. Some things you aren't expected to do (landscaping, mowing the grass, snow plowing, fixing a leaky faucet), but the lease spells things out. When in doubt, simply call the office and ask.

Pets on leashes

Your lease also contains specific items about having pets and what your responsibilities are. Chances are, if they aren't in the apartment lease, you signed a "pet addendum" that explains what you are liable for, like keeping them on a leash, cleaning up after them, etc. Read that one closely, because if you violate anything in that, you may get a notice that you have to get rid of the pet, may be evicted or the property manager may decide to not renew your lease.

When living in an apartment, most people do not watch soap operas, because they live in one by simply paying attention to what is going on around them. There are eyes everywhere observing what is occurring in the community, so if you do violate the lease (especially with pets), chances are that someone saw it and will report it to the office. Once reported to the office, the complaint becomes a hard copy piece of paper, and it goes in your file folder. With enough paper, you can be evicted or your lease is not renewed.

Maintenance staff are typically the ones that deliver messages from the office. If it is a warning letter or even an eviction notice, don't bite the head off the messenger. They did not write the policy, they are just doing a task they are responsible for, delivering the letter. If a warning notice is issued to you, chances are that you violated the lease in some way. If you dispute it, call or visit the main office. The maintenance person is not able to resolve the issue, they are just bringing it to your attention. I hate being the "harbinger of doom," but am required to do it.

Understand that employees of the property reserve the right to enter your apartment for any reasonable reason. They are not "violating the right to privacy," they have a reason to enter the property they own if it is an emergency (such as a fire, smell a gas leak, or water leak) or if it has been reported to the office of a violation of the lease (excessive noise, tremendous odor, bugs, etc.). Typically if there is going to be an inspection, you will receive a notice a few days before explaining what is going on and when it will occur. Yes, you may have the right to refuse entrance for something like that by contacting the office in writing, but there may be things that you cannot refuse entry for. I do have master keys that give me access to over 300 apartments in the communities that I cover. Again, it comes back to contacting the office.

Communication is the key to apartment life. If you don't talk to the property manager, don't be surprised about what happens. Remember, their company OWNS the property, you are just renting the space. Hate to say it, but is like living in a storage unit, you don't OWN it, you are just existing in it.

I am fortunate to live in a community where I can grill on my patio, have a fire bowl, am allowed to have 2 pets (even a horse if I can stable it), and have a lot of latitude. But, that is why I agreed to live here; I chose the community based on my criteria, read the lease, understand what is expected of me, and keep in constant contact with the office managers. Communication is the key to human life...keep the channels open, and everything will work itself out...

Apartment Living - Part II

It was discussed in Apartment Living Part I about the things to consider when trying to select an apartment. This part is just some sharing of my experiences in some of the apartments I've lived in and some suggestions of things to keep in mind.

The first apartment was the second floor of a house. It had 1 bedroom, living room, 1 bathroom, and a large eat-in kitchen. Parked on the street, came in the front door, up a set of stairs, and then accessed the apartment. Owner lived on the first floor, and someone lived in a studio apartment above me (the 3rd floor). Mailbox was on the front porch, bags of garbage out to the curb every week, and down the back stairs to the basement to do laundry. We all shared 1 washer and 1 dryer, included in the rent, so the only tricky part was "scheduling" when you could do laundry. Also included in the rent were cable TV, heat, electricity, and water. The only bill in the mail was the telephone (land line, didn't have cell phones or internet then). Weren't allowed to use the yard or have pets. I was working and attending school, so was rarely there except to eat and sleep. The house was well insulated, so I didn't hear the other people that lived there too. Parking outside in the winter meant scraping snow and ice off of the windshield, and dig the car out after the plows went by.

Cliffside Manor Apartments

The next apartment was at Cliffside Manor Apartments. First floor, 2 bedrooms, living room, dining area, kitchen, 1 bathroom, balcony, and storage cage in the basement. Parked in the lot in front of the building (not shown in pic), and in the first available spot because they were not assigned. No, couldn't "reserve" one by putting a folding lawn chair in it. There was someone above, below, and on both sides. Building was not well insulated, so you heard EVERYTHING, especially loud music (guy upstairs played the blues on his guitar at 2 AM when he got back from work, liked to stomp around, and everyone slammed their doors). The mailbox was a bank at the entry to the building, garbage bags went in the dumpster at the end of the building, and 4 coin-operated washers and dryers in the basement. Since it was a true apartment complex, all utilities were billed directly to the tenants. Still didn't have internet access. But, I was traveling a lot for work and wasn't around much. Still had to scrape snow and ice, dig out the car, and make sure I got back from work early enough to get a space near the door.

Redwood Management

Now fast forward. After Cliffside Manor Apartments, I lived in a couple of houses. But life changes, and I had to move back into an apartment. Using the points in Apartment Living Part I, I chose a Redwood Management community. Based on the identified criteria, I chose a single story, pets allowed (Dozer has 6 steel pins in his hips), end unit (to remove 1 neighbor), with an attached garage and laundry hook-ups in the apartment (no more laundromat). Was fortunate to get one across the street from both the mailbox and trash compactor. All of the utilities are metered directly for usage, but since the internet is available, they are paid online. Sure, the rent is a little more than in a multi-level building, but I chose to live here because of the list of what I desired in an apartment community. I have a patio where a grill or fire bowl is allowed, plenty of space to walk 2 dogs (as long as I pick up after them), do laundry whenever I want, am close to all the shopping, no neighbors making strange noises at all hours of the night, park in an attached garage, and even have an attic.

Overall, what you can see, is that the criteria for finding an acceptable place to live changes over time. But it will make your life easier if you take a few moments to figure out what you are looking for...happy hunting...

Apartment Living - Part I

I've lived in several apartments in my lifetime, experienced a lot of things in them, and currently am a maintenance specialist for 3 luxury apartment communities for Redwood Management Company. Just thought I'd share some perspectives as advice if you are living in an apartment or if are considering moving to one. This is going to be a series of blog entries because there are so many things that need to be shared and I didn't want you to have to scroll down for the next hour to read them all.

This one is about living in an apartment and what leads to which one you choose. The first recommendation, is to make a list of what you are looking for, what is acceptable, and what you do not want to experience in your life. Some basic things like:

• How much does it cost (rent, utilities, security deposit, fees)?
• How close do I need to be for work/family/friends/school?
• What amenities need to be close by (grocery store, gas station, library, restaurants, parks)?
• How quiet of a space do I need? Could I tolerate people above/below/beside me?
• What about animals/pets? Are they allowed or would being near them bother me?
• How many people live in the community?
• Where do I take my garbage, get my mail and do laundry?

Answering some of these question UP FRONT helps you filter all of the places available to you before you have to call the office or set up a tour. If it doesn't meet you needs, don't waste  your time. Because of the internet, you can learn a LOT about an apartment community before you have to show up to take a tour. Time is precious, don't waste it. Yes, doing some work with a keyboard and mouse requires time, but it is a lot less than making a phone call, driving to the community, walking around, asking questions, etc.

Bottom line, approach moving to an apartment community like you would approach buying a house.

Sunday Brunch

Being a Sunday, and not much going on, I decided to make myself a brunch. I found the Sausage Egg Bake recipe from AllRecipes.com to base it on, had the ingredients in the fridge, so I decided to make it. I'm sharing the recipe here on my blog so you don't have to click on yet another link just to get to it. Yes, I took the original recipe and recalculated it so I could make it in the toaster oven. That is what is nice about All Recipes, that you can re-calculate the ingredients to fit the number of people that will be enjoying it. I modified the recipe a little to make it more Italian, and my notes appear in purple.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage (used Bob Evans Original Flavor)
• 1 can condensed cream of potato soup, undiluted (used cream of mushroom)
• 4-1/2 eggs (used 5)
• 1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons milk (used water instead, makes it fluffier)
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (used a Mexican/Taco blend)
• Sprinkle of Italian blend herbs
• 1/4 tsp Tabasco

Directions

1. In a (cast iron) skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in soup. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk and pepper; stir in sausage mixture.
2. Transfer to a lightly greased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish (used a 7 x 8.5" dish). Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

 

WTF Casserole

One of the very few recipes that I got from grandma while growing up. The rest of them are still imprinted on my memory. But, as a father, why not share something with the world that the kiddos are likely to eat? A casserole that combines macaroni & cheese with hot dogs. I'm typing online what has only ever been scribbled down on the back of an envelope. Enjoy.

Ingredients

Prior to baking

• 1 to 1.5 cups macaroni pasta, cooked and drained
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 12 oz. condensed cheddar cheese soup
• 2 hot dogs (cut into penny thin slices)

Directions

1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 375 F
2. Spread pasta in the oiled/sprayed casserole dish that fits your oven
3. Mix milk and Worcestershire sauce with the soup (a whisk is recommended)
4. Pour that over the pasta and stir together
5. Arrange hot dog slices over the top of the pasta mixture
6. Bake 25 mins or until mixture is hot and bubbly

Serve with a side of veggies and fruit, and a glass of milk... Add spices if you desire a little more flavor, but kids like it bland...

Navigating the New Super-Highway

Let's be honest, today's lifestyle is so fast paced that it surprises me that we don't get more speeding tickets. I'm not talking about how you drive you car, but how you deal with the speed of the internet and how fast we can communicate with each other. This entry is based on my own personal thoughts on keeping connected to your life.

A key concern that we all have, is how to keep the work life separate from the personal life, especially if we travel a lot for work purposes. A simple solution to that, based on my perspective, is to buy a hard drive disk that works with your work laptop chassis. For the low cost of about $50, I could pack my personal hard drive in my carry on luggage, and using a small Phillips head screwdriver, could get online in the hotel, check all of my PERSONAL emails, Facebook, and search for whatever I wanted, without my company tracking it. If they are going to provide me with the tools to do my job, why not take advantage of that for personal reasons when I have to travel? Unscrew one or two small screws, slide out the company hard drive, slide in my personal one, and not worry about "big brother" watching me. I didn't have to lug a second laptop around with me to get through the TSA.

English: McDonalds' sign in Harlem. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The second largest concern we have, is how to "get online." Having a smartphone helps, since most cell phone companies have them, but I want to view things in a larger perspective, and keep my phone bill low. Free wi-fi is available all around us. You just have to find some close to you. Sure, most hotel chains offer it now, but what do you do when you are in the middle of nowhere? Go to a Starbucks or McDonald's or even local library. Sure, you might have to buy a horrible tasting coffee or burger, but you get access to the internet. If you live in an apartment complex (like I do), consider going "halfsies" with a neighbor on the bill. You can both set up your own profiles, but cut your costs in half.

So, it comes down to the last point, "I'm not a geek, I don't want to work that hard, what can I do?" See the Portable Apps entry. My first iPod is now nothing more than a USB drive. But I use it more now than I did for my music. There are ways out there, to expand your horizon, that don't impede you. Embrace life...live it...connect in any way that you can.

Soda Can Ideas

The weather was finally nice enough yesterday for all of my neighbors to venture out and sit on the patios and fire up the grills. As we were sitting around chatting, we were talking about how being outside in the summer is sometimes painful because of the yellowjackets and the open cans of soda they are attracted to.

One of my neighbors said he once took a sip of a can of soda and was stung on the inside of his mouth because a bee had gotten into the can. Another neighbor showed us a simple trick to help prevent it. Simply turn the tab on the top around, and they can't get in.  Or if they do manage to slip in, that will prevent them from getting into your mouth when you take a sip. And yeah, that trick won't stop any ants or small flies that are attracted to the sweet drink, but at least they won't sting you if you swallow them.

That brought something to mind that I learned from my grandfather. Ever notice that if you use a straw in a can of pop (yeah, that's what we call it here), that it will rise up and fall out? My grandfather showed me that turning the tab and threading the straw through it, the tension prevents it from floating up and falling out. I never thought about just turning the tab to keep the insects out.

It also brought to mind something my dentist hygienist told me. She told me that using a straw when drinking a pop or sugary drink helps keep more sugar off of your teeth because people tend to swallow faster when using a straw. Keeping sugar off your teeth is important to help prevent cavities.

So as the "bottom line," when outside, turn the tab on the can of pop you are drinking and use a straw. It helps prevent yellowjackets and sugar from hurting your inner mouth.

Birdcage Liners Have Changed

As I sat here this morning booting up my laptop and HP Tablet, it struck me that times have changed. I'm just glad I've kept up with things, because I've changed too...maybe I'm just getting old... Naw, just learning new ways to keep in touch with the world.

I guess part of it is because I'm old enough to remember one of my first jobs, which was to hand-fold and hand deliver the Pittsburgh Press to my neighbors at the front door. Then once a month, ring the bell and ask them to pay me. I made sure to carry a box of dog treats in my heavy canvas bag so I could make doggy friends all over the neighborhood (and not get bit). Now remember, that was in the 80s so we didn't have iPods or MP3 players yet, but I wore out a LOT of cassette tapes in my Sony Walkman...

Now we fast forward to the early 2000s and a few of the changes I've noticed. Daily newspapers are delivered by adults in cars and put into the mailbox or the newspaper box out by the curb. My weekly free local newspaper is actually delivered by the US Post Office person in my mailbox with the junk mail and bills. Nobody rings a doorbell to collect, they send you a bill and you can pay it online. That must really cut down on the tips and Christmas bonuses that carriers get.

We have to jump to the next chapter of the Blu-Ray to bring us to today. My observation today was that I boot up my laptop and Firefox browser so my email, blog, and Facebook tabs open. I boot up the HP Tablet because my RSS Reader tab is there. All of them are prompting me for my ID and password, so I dutifully enter them so I can get access to my "news." I use the laptop to respond to the 5 email accounts, and "occasionally" log into Facebook. I use the HP Tablet to monitor my 15 subscriptions in Google Reader for my news. I use the tablet because I can walk around with it, sit on the porcelain throne with it, sit on the patio in front of a fire, and walk the dog with it. That is how I get news.

By using the Google Reader, it allows me to subscribe to news channels from all around the world and have one place to check for all of the blog entries that are made. It is efficient and allows me to see "at a glance" what is going on everywhere on Earth. While I strongly encourage you to learn about Reader and RSS subscriptions because it is more efficient, just keep in mind that you'll lose your newspaper.

Pepperoni Dot Casserole

The following is my most recent modification of the Polka Dot Macaroni & Cheese Casserole recipe. Why? Because I used my grandmother's advice to "use a recipe as a guideline, and raid your pantry & fridge to find out what you have to use." The ingredients are what I had available, and I have to say that it is was very yummy. I've also given you a list of my other recipes & suggestions based on this.

Pepperoni Dot Cheese Casserole (original)

• 1 cup dry macaroni
• 1 can of light kidney beans (drained & rinsed)
• 11 oz condensed cream of chicken soup (1 can)
• 24 slices of pepperoni
• 3 slices of cheese (Muenster because that is what I "had")

1. Heat toaster oven to 375 F
2. Macaroni cooks for 8-10 minutes, for last 5 mins, add the drained/rinsed beans to same pot
3. Drain the macaroni & beans, pour the soup into the pot you used
4. Add macaroni/bean mixture to pot & mix well using a slotted spatula
5. Pour mixture into an 8x6x2 greased casserole dish
6. Bake for 15 mins in toaster oven
7. Place pepperoni (stacked in 2s) like below
8. Place the cheese slices over that like below
9. Bake 10 mins or until mixture is hot and bubbly like below

Stacked pepperoni stacks

Cheese layer

Finished dish

Serves 4-6, depending on how you cut it. Serve it with a tossed salad, some fruit, and a beverage.

Other Recipe Modifications

• Polka Dot Macaroni & Cheese (original recipe)
• Mish-Mash Casserole
• Homemade "Hamburger Helper" Casserole
• Homemade "Chicken Helper" Casserole
• Ditto Casserole (with hot dogs)

Suggestions

✔ I recommend using the toaster oven because it helps cut utility costs (click HERE to read it)
✔ I suggest using the slotted spatula to stir the pasta and mixing them because it is one less item you have to wash, since you'll use it to cut the casserole when done.
✔ I mention using the stock pot for cooking the pasta, heating up the beans a little, and mixing in the soup because that reduces the number of pots & bowls that you have to wash, reduces the amount of electricity or gas to fire the stove, and makes things easy peasy.

500 Channels and Nothing Worth Watching

The Dick Van Dyke Show 
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I'm old enough to remember when TV shows were mainly black and white (The Dick Van Dyke Show), I had to get up and manually turn the knob to go to the next channel, there was a difference between VHF and UHF, and tin foil made the picture better. Then we got cable and a "remote" to change the channel. Yeah, I remember the difference between Beta and VHS, now they call it "Blu-Ray." I keep up with the changes.

Mohu Leaf Indoor Antenna

Which is what leads me to the point of this entry. I've lived with cable TV for a LONG time so I could choose what I watched. But, as I look at my bank account and pay attention to the bills I pay every month, maybe it is time to discard my cable bill and pay attention to the "options" I have to watch what I want.  TV stations are now switching over from the old analog signal to the digital broadcast, and the top 20 shows on the tube are now available for free. I am considering switching to an HDTV antenna (like the Mohu Leaf) to receive the signals for my new 40" HD TV.

My neighbor got rid of his cable and has a similar antenna. He gets over 30 channels of the main networks. Click HERE to find what HDTV stations are available in your area. Combining that with Hulu and Netflix online, I can watch nearly everything that I already watch, but it won't drain my bank account as fast.  If I can't find anything to watch there, I can always go to the library and get DVDs (movies, TV shows, etc.) and keep them for 2 weeks at no charge.

Yeah, there are some changes in my future...maybe more gas in the car to travel more...

Smoke Detectors

UPDATE
Another tip I received online was to use a shower cap over the smoke detector when cooking something that will smoke (like when using cast iron). Don't simply "deactivate" the alarm, you'll forget to enable it later. Simply slip a shower cap around the smoke detector, cook your meal, enjoy it, and you'll remove the cap later.
______________________________

The first couple of houses that I lived in didn't HAVE smoke detectors. It wasn't until I moved to Pittsburgh, PA in 1974 that I had ever seen them. I remember my dad dragging out the step ladder, drill, screws, screwdriver, smoke detector, and 9 volt batteries to install 2 in the house. One was outside my bedroom door and the other was in the living room (next to the kitchen). I also remember this was when my grandpa instructed ME to change the batteries in them. I'm not sure how it became MY responsibility to change them, but I am glad he did. I still change them twice per year, on the days that we change the clocks forward or back. Because of that, I still cringe on those days when I have to lug out the ladder and do that.

But, moving into a new built house in the late 90s and now living in an apartment has also taught me some things. Smoke detector technology has changed and we need to keep in touch with that if we are going to understand how they work and what they do.

When I moved into the new built house, the contractor explained to me that the smoke detectors had advanced to the point that they not only detected smoke, but also were carbon monoxide detectors. They were "hard wired" into the electric panel now, and the battery only served a purpose if the electricity ever shut off (they would still work). But, I was diligent and changed them twice a year.

Available at Sears

And now in changing the batteries in my apartment taught me something else that has really helped me in cooking (especially in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven). Newer smoke detectors actually have a button on them that you can press to shut them off for 7-20 minutes, should they go off for the wrong reason, like when you burn your home made home fries or hash browns. See my other blog entry about cooking oil smoking points in the kitchen for more info. And, it also vocally tells you whether it detected a fire or carbon monoxide. In the OLD days, you had to get the chair under the detector, rip the cover off, and rip the battery out. In my 90s house, you had to stand under it and fan it with a newspaper until it stopped. In my new apartment, I just have to reach up and press a button for 5 seconds (and then I have 7-20 minutes to clear the smoke out of the kitchen). WOW!!! Massively helpful things to know when I'm burning dinner.

Another new technology about the 4 smoke detectors in my apartment, is that they are all tied together by the wires in the walls. If ONE goes off, they ALL go off. So, if a fire starts down the hall in my son's room, the detector in MY room goes off. I'm more likely to hear it in my own room, than down the hall in his, with both doors closed. Yeah, that is another good development in smoke detectors.

Something else that I learned in doing some basic research, is that it is still recommended that you change your batteries twice per year, but it is also now recommended that you change your smoke detectors every 10 years. I'm fortunate that my apartment complex was only built 5 years ago, but I still listen to grandpa twice a year.

So, bottom line, some suggestions:
☑ Change your smoke detector batteries on the days that you change your clocks, so twice per year.
☑ Change your smoke detectors themselves, every 10 years to keep up on technology.
☑  Wire them all together so if one goes off, they all will go off and you are more likely to hear it.
☑ Watch what cooking oils used in the kitchen to prevent burnt dinner smoke (see the blog for more info)

McChops

McChops

One of the benefits of creating your own dinner recipe is that you get to name it whatever you want. In the honor of St. Patrick's day and the fact that I am 3/4 Irish, I've called it McChops. Yeah, it is more Italian in flavor for the herbs, and based on the ingredients that are more of a true Irish holiday meat, but sometimes it IS all about me...and I tend to blend flavors together so I can enjoy life on MY terms...

Ingredients

• 3 slices thick bacon
• 3 thick cut boneless pork chops
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• Italian herb & Old Bay Seasoning mix

Instructions

1. Preheat the toaster oven to 400 F
2. Cook the bacon in a skillet until it is cooked but flexible
3. Mix the Italian herb mix & Old Bay Seasoning with the tomato sauce
4. Put a couple of tablespoons of the tomato mix into a small casserole dish and spread it around (to prevent sticking of the chops)
5. Place the 3 chops in the casserole dish
6. Fold the cooked bacon in half, and lay 1 on top of each of the chop
7. Pour the tomato sauce over the chops
8. Cook for 1 hour (or so, check with an instant thermometer to see if it is done)

CFL vs. Incandescent

UPDATE:

I came across an Apartment Therapy How to Buy the Right CFL cheat sheet that shares a little more info about choosing to transition from incandescent to CFLs or LED bulbs.
__________
Living in an apartment can sure change your perspective about light bulbs. The complex I live in has in the leasing contract that the "resident will replace all light bulbs with CFLs." So, being curious about them, I did some research and performed my own "field trials" with them.

There are several countries that have already enacted laws to prohibit incandescent lights and the U.S. isn't far behind them in doing it too. The best summary of what has been happening globally with CFLs and incandescent can be found at Wikipedia. And the best site to explain the differences between CFLs and incandescent can be found by clicking on Earth Friends. To keep this entry short, I won't bore you with all of the details, just share my opinion.

In trialing CFL bulbs in my apartment, I've purchased different lumen amounts because that is what sets the "shade" of the bulb. I have some that are considered soft and shed a more yellow shade of light. I also have some that are higher in lumen output, that are more white. Depending on where I use them, dictates what and how I can see things. I use the softer ones in my living room and bedroom, while using the whiter ones in the kitchen & bathroom. There is definitely a difference. It would behoove you to learn a little about lumen levels to better pick the CFL bulbs you use.

Overall, I am happy about using CFLs because they save some costs in my electric bill but learning more about them helps me choose which ones I buy and use where in my apartment. The only problem I have with them, is that you can't just throw them in the trash because they contain mercury and the complex I live in doesn't have a recycling program for them. But I'm working on that too...

Lightning from the Wall

My "retro" charging station

I might be considered "retro," but I'm not as old as Ben Franklin flying his kite with a key attached to channel electricity into my apartment. But, with the advances in electricity demands coming out (iPods, iPads, cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc.), our energy needs are a little different now. So are the ways we have to plug them in to recharge. I did some searching for ways to channel the electricity to where it is needed, as proficiently as possible.

When I was a homeowner, I thought NOTHING of cutting out part of the wall, rewiring the outlets, and making them multi-gang outlets. Now that I live in an apartment, my landlord frowns on that. I resorted to using a plug strip next to my end table so I could plug in and charge up all of my stuff. But, in the pursuit of not only a cleaner method, but the addition of a USB charger, I came across the following, and thought I'd share it with you.

RCA Wall Plate Charger

I've always striven to follow technology because there is a little bit of a geek in me. But part of doing that has required me to follow the leading companies that move forward in development. So, the first solution I discovered for consolidating yet expanding my electricity needs was RCA coming out with the USB wall plate charger. How AWESOME is it to be able to have a three prong plug AND 2 USB charging stations right next to you?!?!

Job well done, and for only about $20.

However, since following technological advances, I've always been drawn to what Belkin has developed. It is as if they read my mind for what I'd like to see and what I want.

Since I spend a LOT of time in my car, I was looking for a way to charge my phone, my iPod, and my HP Tablet; by using the USB connection that comes with each item. I first purchased this Belkin product to make that happen (click HERE).

Belkin Wall Charger

But, as I have the time to do some research, I found that Belkin offers another option for doing that in the house. So, I will be getting one of THESE to put next to my end table and retire my retro plug strip...for also under $20...

Bottom line, there are some ways that you can streamline your charging needs but not sacrifice your USB connections on your computer or the plug space needed on the wall to make that happen...happy charging...

Crock Pot Italian Chicken Breasts

My crock pot

Yes, I raided the pantry again, to throw something in the crock pot that would be done when I got back from practice at 10:30 tonight and wouldn't really be in the mood to cook or stop at a fast food joint. So, here it is.

Ingredients:

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (totaling 1.5 lbs)
• 1 can of Italian spiced stewed tomatoes (undrained)
• 1 8z can of tomato sauce
• 2 tsp mixed Italian Herb seasoning

Directions:

1. Place the chicken breasts in a crock pot
2. Pour the stewed tomatoes & tomato sauce over them
3. Sprinkle the seasoning over them
4. Set on the LOW setting for 4-5 hours

Tortilla Image via Wikipedia

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve whole chicken breasts over a bed of rice or pasta
• Use 2 forks & shred chicken for a sandwich
• Italian bread is a good start
• Toasted Texas Toast is another good idea
• Add some lettuce and roll it in a tortilla
• Use shredded chicken as a topping for a medium or large sized salad
• If you use any of the ideas above, make sure to add some shredded cheese into the meal
• Whatever sauce is left in the crock pot after you have served dinner, save it for use tomorrow...

Cooking Oils

Image via Wikipedia

If you follow this blog, you will notice that I have made several entries about cooking and recipes (click to view them). But, it was to my dismay a few months ago, when my 2 decade old large cast iron skillet cracked and I had to get rid of it. I went out and replaced it with another one, and have begun again to properly season it. I had the first one just about "PERFECT" because my grandma taught me how to season cast iron skillets.

This entry is about doing some research about the oils used to cook or to season a cast iron skillet (or Dutch oven).  My grandma always instructed me to use peanut oil to season the cast iron before using it, and to apply a light layer to it after I had used, cleaned and was bout to store it, to keep it seasoned. She instructed me to keep olive oil and vegetable oil handy for use when cooking. Because I had to start the seasoning process with my new skillet, I got to thinking about how different cooking oils actually are. I found out a LOT about them...

To start with, I've always only used peanut oil to season my cast iron, never to cook in. I use olive oil for light frying or browning meat, and I use vegetable oil for heavier frying in a skillet or a touch of it in the wok. Oh, but when I make fried or scrambled eggs, I only use Olivio spread because it is butter made out of olive oil, so it combines two of my favorite things. I have only done that, because that is what grandma told me to do. But in looking at some data about oils, I might change my perspective about what I use.

Image via Wikipedia

The reason grandma always told me to use peanut oil to season my cast iron, is because as best summarized in what is shared by Wikipedia shares about Peanut Oil:

Peanut oil, also known as groundnut oil, is a mild tasting vegetable oil derived from peanuts.

Peanut oil is a common oil for frying foods, due to the high smoke point. The oil is used at Five Guys to cook their french fries.^[4] Chick-Fil-A also uses peanut oil, for frying chicken.^[5]

Using a mild tasting oil with a high smoke point means that "extra flavors" will not be added into what I'm cooking, but also it takes higher temps to get it to start smoking. Smoke point is the temperature that the oil reaches, before it starts to break down and emit a slight bluish smoke from your skillet or pot. And what causes that darn smoke detector to go off (how to silence that smoke detector when cooking is another blog entry). Now, back to the oil.

A chart borrowed from Wikipedia explains Smoke Point very well. I am going to restrict it to only include the oils I use. Soybean oil is predominately used to make what is labeled as "vegetable oil" (yeah, go read your label on your vegetable oil bottle).

Olive oil	Virgin	391°F	199°C[6]
Peanut oil	Refined	450°F	232°C[1]
Soybean oil	Semirefined	350°F	177°C

So, it made a lot more sense to me what grandma was always saying, what happened in the kitchen when she used different oils. Seasoning the skillet with peanut oil means that there isn't any transfer of flavor to what you are cooking, but it is requires a higher temperature to smoke than any of the other oils you might use when cooking.

Okay, one more point that needs to be explained here, is "what temperature on the stove knob should I use when cooking with oils?" Some more research online, and some physical testing with some oil and thermometers are based on MY electric stove knobs, that have the 10 settings shown at right. Gas stoves might be slightly different. To keep in mind, is that electric stove top burners are designed to heat between 200°F and 500°F. To calculate the settings for YOUR stove, remember that there are 300 degrees between 200 and 500. Count the number of marks you have on your knob, subtract 1, and divide 300 by that number. That will tell you how many degrees exist between the steps. Start with 200 on the LOW and calculate up from there. Since I have 10 settings on my knob, I subtract 1 to get 9 steps, and divide 300 by 9. So, starting at LOW on my knob as 200°F, I step up approximately 34 degrees (but I round to 35 just to keep the math easy in my mind), the following is an indicator about what the settings are on MY stove. I did the Celsius conversions for my chart by using this formula (°F - 32) x ⁵/₉ = °C (rounded to the nearest whole number).

LOW	200°F	93°C
SIMMER	235°F	113°C
2	270°F	132°C
3	305°F	152°C
4	340°F	171°C
MEDIUM	375°F	191°C
6	410°F	210°C
7	445°F	229°C
8	480°F	249°C
HIGH	500°F	260°C

Now, remember, they are APPROXIMATE. These are the kinds of things that you keep in your mind as mental references, they are NOT specific to your kitchen. Only YOU can figure out what your settings are by using oil in a pot, with a thermometer and writing the degrees next to your knob. Yes, you can also put your knob midway between two settings, but you'll have to figure out the approximate temp on your own (mine are approximately 17 degrees by doing that).

SO, WTF does that have to do with oil? Ummmm.... in case you didn't figure it out yet, look at the smoke point of each oil, and the setting of the knob that falls just short of making your skillet or pot smoke. While it is tempting to heat up that skillet fast, using too high of a temperature will set off your smoke alarm...trust me...I know what I am talking about, which is why I did this research. Keep the knob setting where it needs to be based on the oil that you are using, and slowly heat up the skillet for better success at cooking. If you need it fast, use an oil with a HIGHER smoke point or simply use the microwave.

I'm not going to go into the nutritional factors in comparing those oils, that may be ANOTHER blog entry (become a follower to be notified when it appears). But, as I mentioned earlier, I am reconsidering what oils I use for what. I will always use the peanut oil to season my skillets, but I might switch over to using it to cook in because of the smoke point and the nutritional factors that make it appealing. The only reason why I use vegetable/soybean oil is because it is cheaper. So, I guess it has it's own place in the kitchen, I just will buy smaller sizes of bottles of it.

Good luck...and happy skilletting...cook on...