10 Things: Fall Garden Preparation

Fall is a nice way to end a leisurely warm summer. The leaves start to change into beautiful crimson and amber shades and then every gust of cool wind seems to leave the streets scattered with pretty fall foliage.  House porches welcome back pumpkins, scarecrows, corn husks and bales of hay.  It's a time to drink pumpkin spiced lattes, eat caramel apples start planning our upcoming Holiday season.

I really enjoy September, but it is also that time of the year when our yards start to wind down for the year. So here is a checklist of the essentials for this time of the year:

(1) Start pruning back your trees, bushes and hedges before the nights and mornings get too frosty.  You also need to cut back perennials and prepare them for the winter months.  Consider covering some less hardy perennials with hay and burlap before the frost. You want to time this so that it is after the last summer growth but before temperatures compromise your plants.  Aim for mid-late September.  By October, it is usually a little too cold in most states in the US

Hostas

(2) Now is the time to divide any bulbous plants and re-plant. These include hostas and calla lilies.  Hostas thrive during Fall replanting because the warm days coupled with cooler nights provide the perfect conditions for strong roots and winter preparation.

(3) This is also the time to plan your spring garden and plant the spring bulbs - tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, jaunquils. These bulbs do a lot better after having been underground during the winter months so get them into your ground during Fall the year before.

(4) Book your sprinklers to be blown out and winterized.  If you live in a climate where you experience sub-freezing conditions, as we do, your sprinklers must be blown out and closed until the temperature is steadily back over about 40F and in time for the Spring's first growth (Usually mid-April).  The cost involved is minimal - usually around $30, sometimes less, rarely much more.  This needs to be done sometime in early-mid October.

(5) If you plan on getting the help, you will need to organize leaf clean-up around the end of October, when most of the deciduous trees have completely finished expelling their season's leaves and before it is too cold.  Aim for the very end of the season so you don't need to do this too many times in the year, although expect to rake leaves a couple times to ensure your yard is tidy and in compliance with your city's leaf removal ordinances. Some cities allow you to rake your leaves directly to the curb of your street and a sweeper comes by on an allocated day to collect it. Other towns require you to bag your leaves for curbside collection.  Make sure you find out your town's regulations and comply accordingly. Many gardeners will actually take your leaves away with them and re-purpose them into mulch, so that helps too!

(6) Take stock of your lawn and prepare it for the next season.  Have it aerated to break up compressed soil so that water and nutrients can penetrate to the roots and sub-levels, apply a high-phosphorus mix to your soils to encourage Spring turf and cut your grass back for the last time of the season to 1 1/4 inches because disease is less likely to occur with short grass, plus shorter grass tends to encourage leaves to blow away rather than cling to the blades.

Pruning a dead branch or limb from a tree

(7) Trim any dead tree limbs so that the winter months of snow and wind pose no additional risks to you or your home.

(8) Mulch young plants.  The newly planted plants of the season are the most vulnerable in its first winter so you should add a layer of mulch (chopped leaves, weed-free straw or wood chips) after the first frost but before the ground freezes. As mentioned before, I have found added a layer of straw and then protected by burlap to be a great barrier between the new plants and the winter elements.

(9) Arrange now for your upcoming snow removal, or confirm with an existing contractor. Many landscapers provide this service during their down season so check rates and make sure your driveway, front stoop and any other access ways will be adequately cleared during a snowfall. Also make sure these areas will be salted to eradicate icing and ensuring safety.  This is especially important if you have regular front door visitors such as postal workers, UPS or a city sidewalk - which must be shoveled and salted by you.

(10) Order your firewood!  This is the time to clean out your wood-burning fireplace and chimneys and order your season's firewood.  Make sure this is stored properly, with a cover if you need, to keep the wood dry.  You should also keep the wood far enough from the house so as to not pose any additional fire risks to your property and to make sure any critters, such as rodents or bugs stay far enough from your dwelling.

10 Steps to Take if You're a Victim of Identity Theft

For the full article please go here

Identity theft can happen in a variety of ways, but regardless of the method, the outcome is still the same: Your personal identifying information has been misused and it could have a serious impact on you, your reputation and your personal records -- including those pertaining to your employment history, health and credit.

If you are the victim of identity theft, what should you do?

Although every identity theft case is unique, the licensed investigators at Kroll Fraud Solutions offer the following general advice for a quick and prudent response to immediate signs of identity theft. Depending on your specific case and situation, you will likely need to supplement these steps with additional activity.

1. Analyze Your Situation

There are multiple types of identity theft. How have you been affected? If you are a victim, your case might involve one or more of the following types of fraud: credit, banking, taxes, employment, government benefits, medical, and criminal.

2. Place a Fraud Alert with a National Credit Reporting Agency (CRA)

Contacting one of the three CRAs reduces the risk of accounts being opened in your name without your authorization. Place the alert by calling either Equifax -- (888) 766-0008, Experian -- (888) 397-3742 or TransUnion -- (800) 680-7289. If you place the alert with one agency, they will notify the other two for you. A fraud alert also affords the right to a free credit report from each credit reporting agency. (See step 9 for more on ordering your credit reports.)

3. Check Your Financial Accounts

Close any accounts that were opened without your permission, and close any of your existing accounts that have seen unauthorized activity.

4. Check Your Computer for Viruses 
If you use your computer to access sensitive online accounts, a computer infected with malicious computer programs could allow a hacker to steal sensitive data you may be typing to manage online transactions, such as bank, credit card and other sensitive identification information. If you believe your computer is infected, run your anti-virus program to scan for any viruses that need to be removed.

5. Secure Your Proof of Identity 
Expect that you’ll be required to complete and submit an affidavit and provide proof of your identity. The Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft Affidavit is widely accepted and can be downloaded here.

6. File a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 

Share information about your situation with the FTC so they can collect it for possible use by law enforcement across the country. You may file online and print a copy to show to the police when you file your report (see step 7). You may also file a complaint by calling the FTC Identity Theft Hotline at (877) IDTHEFT, or (877) 438-4338.

7. File a Police Report

The police may only take the report as a courtesy and not pursue the matter. However, this step is still helpful to you, because you will need proof you reported the matter to the police. Preparing the FTC ID Theft Complaint beforehand will help you organize the pertinent information.

8. Keep a Record of Your Actions

Log the steps you take to address the situation. Include numbers called, names of people you talked to, dates of calls, faxes and mailings. Keep copies of all correspondence, affidavits, reports, etc.

9. Order Credit Reports for Review

If you’ve placed a fraud alert, confirmation letters from the CRAs will tell you how to order a free report. If you chose not to place a fraud alert, use the Annual Credit Report Request Service to obtain a free copy from each CRA. Federal law mandates that one free report from each CRA is available once every 12 months. You can request your credit report online or by calling (877) 322-8228.

Please note: Don’t rush to take this step if the ID theft event happened recently. Creditors may only report to the CRAs monthly. If you discovered credit-related ID theft right as it happened, wait 30 days or more before ordering a report so you don’t miss something that hasn’t been reported yet.

10. Don’t Ignore the Activity

You must take action to prove you are the victim and that you are not the party responsible for the suspicious activity in question.

For more information on what to do if your identity has been stolen, check out the Federal Trade Commission’s “Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft,” which provides excellent basic information. 

10 Things: How to keep your refrigerator clean and tidy

Here are 10 tips for making sure your refrigerator is clean, hygienic and not a dumping ground for old food.

1. Every week, do a stocktake to check the expiration dates of everything in your fridge and do a big "throw out". The best day to do this is the night before your trash is collected so you are not creating a big stinky mess in your trash cans.  This basically means, go through all the dairy and left overs, as these are the things that are constantly perishable.
2. Every month, get into the habit of clearing the shelves so you can wipe them with soapy water. Alternatively, you can mix 1/4 cup bicarbonate of soda with 1 quart of warm water to naturally clean and deodorize.  Wiping the shelves is really important in keeping everything hygienic.
3. Everytime you wipe your kitchen counters, try to wipe down the front of the fridge, especially the handles.  The refrigerator is one of the most touched things in the kitchen and the handles can be a breeding ground for bacteria due to sticky hands and food residue left on the surface. This takes less than a minute at a time and once you form this habit, you will notice how nice your fridge always looks.
4. I am not against magnets and personal accolades adorning the fridge but if you do have them on your fridge, try to keep it neat and uncluttered.  Try to go through everything weekly and decide what is to be discarded, which to file away as a keepsake and what remains on the fridge.
5. Have you ever stored your food according to categories? It is simple and keeps the fridge very neat and tidy.  Use the drawers for cheeses and cold meats. Drinks such as larger juice bottles and milk can take up the large middle shelf and then try to use just one shelf for all your leftovers.  Raw meats should always be kept at the bottom to contain any potential contaminations from drippings or escaped raw meat juices. Reserve the door storage for dressings, sauces and jars. Starting the categorization in the beginning will seem silly and tedious but once your fridge is sorted, you will see how easy it is to complete No. 1 above and also how neat the inside becomes.
6. Always store your leftovers in tupperware-style containers and never in bowls with plastic wrap on top. Cooked food should always be kept airtight to prevent contamination and to extend its longevity.  Additionally, containers with lids helps promote a greater stacking system, so you get the most out of the limited fridge space you have.
7. Start buying those zip-lock bags. They aren't cheap but you can buy these in bulk at Sam's Club or Costco.  Whenever you open a package that requires re-packing, using plastic wrap and then inserting the food into another zip-lock will not only mean everything is neat and tidy but it will increase the shelf life of your food and put money back in your wallet in the end.  Products that do well with this system include block cheeses and packets of cold lunch meats/bacon.
8. Every week, take everything out of the fruit and vegetable drawers and wipe them down.  These drawers collect so much dirt and debris that if you don't do this, not only does it compromise the fresh new items you put in these drawers but it also stains the drawers and makes the fridge smell
9. At the rear of your top shelf, keep a small open container of bicarbonate of soda (about 2 Tbsp). This will help eliminate nasty odors through an easy absorption method. The bicarbonate only needs to be replaced every couple of weeks and is a very inexpensive way of deodorizing your refrigerator.
10. Regularly check your thermostats.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states, "Keeping foods chilled at proper temperatures is one of the best ways to prevent or slow the growth of these bacteria." Read more: Correct Temperatures for Refrigerators | eHow.com Getting it wrong poses serious health risks to yourself and others.  Although the FDA requires the refrigerator thermostat to be at or below 40 degrees (F) to maintain quality and slow bacterial growth, most refrigerator manufacturers and repair centers will tell you that 38 degrees is the optimum temperature.  We tend to keep ours at 36-37 degrees but do note that below 35 degrees, your refrigerator will require a forced defrost cycle and it will use additional energy.

10 Things: to keep in your car glovebox

Here's a short list of the essentials you should always keep in your car's glovebox.

1. Your car registration and insurance plus your vehicle owner's manual
2. A pen and paper
3. A flashlight
4. A small first aid kit
5. At least $50, plus at least $5 in coins (believe me, you will thank me later. I was once with a friend in her car, the fuel gauge alert came on to indicate her fuel was very low. She realized then that she had no money in her bag as her 2 year-old son had pulled her wallet out of her handbag just prior to leaving the house.  The hidden cash in her glovebox really came in handy that day).
6. A small packet of granola, nuts or a muesli bar
7. A phone charger compatible for your phone
8. Hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes
9. Tissues
10. A local map, in case you don't have GPS in your car or in case it fails.

10 Things: to pack in your carry-on luggage for a long flight

1. All your "essentials": passport, money, travel details, phone etc
2. Lip Balm - lips always seem to dry out on long flights
3. Individually wrapped packets of antibacterial wipes for wiping down your seat area (buckle, tray, remote, light switches, TV etc) and for after meals and using the bathroom
4. Just one good book, flying is actually the best time to relax and rest so try not to overload yourself with too much to do on the flight. Enjoy the downtime, put a movie on or some music and close your eyes.
5. Socks - especially if you are wearing open shoes on the flight. There is nothing worse than cold feet on a long flight and these days with all the budget restrictions, few airlines provide the complimentary socks of yesteryear.
6. A small "essentials" kit that will contain ibuprofen, bandaids, ear plugs, toothbrush and paste, comb.
7. GasX. Everyone gets gassy in the altitude. That doesn't mean it's OK to fart as you please. You are still sharing confined air space with scores of others
8. Spare Underwear and light clothing.  Believe me, I never thought I would use it until I got stranded in Miami airport for many, many hours before the airline finally decided to put us up for the night in a hotel (without our luggage), which took an hour to get to as it was in the middle of an Indian Reservation. Oh, yes it was a casino/hotel/Indian Reservation - what a great combination.  Luckily, I had my toiletry bag with me and was able to take out my contacts, brush my teeth etc And I was so glad to see my two sets of spare knickers! It was at least a full 24 hours later before we were on another flight. It happens.
9. Something small (and non-perishable) to eat just in case. i.e. a small trail mix packet or a bag of chips
10. Don't forget your moisturizer. A small hydrating lotion is plenty, don't bring along your big bottles!!! In fact, just pump a little into an inexpensive refillable bottle that you can buy from any drugstore for a few dollars. It will be easy to throw out or leave behind if you have to.

Daily chore-list to keep your house clean

Here is a short list of things you can do throughout the day to make sure your house is clean and tidy

1. Do your dishes as soon as you can. Putting it off is just prolonging the inevitable. Try to utilize your dishwasher as best you can if you have one.  But remember, it is always best to hand wash certain items such as knives, pots and pans, crystal and good china.
2. Use a hand vacuum immediately when you see small messes, food crumbs in the kitchen and in the entryway. This only takes about ten minutes a day and eliminates the need to do heavy duty vacuuming often.
3. Eliminate clutter by putting things away as soon as you can.  File away mail, throw out garbage, tidy up the children's toys throughout the day (better yet, teach your children to clean up after themselves if they are old enough to learn) and particularly at the end of each day.
4. Wash your dishes, pots and pans used in cooking BEFORE you eat, if you can (refer to no. 1).  It should take just five minutes but the good news is you can enjoy your meal in peace and the only thing you have to do after meal is put your dishes in the dishwasher and store leftovers/throw out garbage.
5. Make the beds. It will make you feel good wen you go to bed, truly.
6. Put clothes requiring laundering in the appropriate hampers straight away.  Don't allow them to accumulate through the house.
7. Wipe kitchen counters, appliances and countertops that are used frequently.  Try to do this a few times a day so they always look clean and remain hygienic.
8. Empty the dishwasher and/or put away washed dishes and every morning. I usually do this while making and eating my breakfast and drinking my coffee.
9. Utilize any free moment to do something small to clean or tidy up. For example, if you are waiting for your kettle to boil, how about quickly wiping down the counters? Or while you are making that quick phone call to make your child's pediatric appointment, how about also tiding up the entrance way and shoes at the front door?
10. Everyday of the week, find one extra chore to do so that by the week's end, you have completed 7 other miscellaneous chores, instead of having to spend an entire Saturday or weekend doing chores.  Some of these extra chores could be: wiping down the microwave, cleaning out the fridge, changing linen etc

I do these chores everyday and it usually takes very little time, probably all together no more than thirty or forty minutes, though individually each task only takes a few minutes. I always feel that even though you can never fully contain the toys or the random glass of water on the coffee table, my house is actually pretty clean and tidy. Not prefect, but not bad considering I have two small children!