Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Ugh, the Heat is Coming!

Spring is here and summer is approaching, and that means I'm already thinking about how to deal with the heat that permeates through the back of the house where most of the living is done, so to speak. Years ago, a giant oak had to be cut down, and since then this part of the house just gets so ridiculously hot. There's nothing to shield it.

Fortunately, things have happened to help the situation. Friends helped me to get some really good sun screens, and they have done their job. More importantly, they also helped me to get modern windows in that area of the house. That's been a really big difference.

Still, it gets very hot in that part of the house, so I keep looking at options. We considered another tree, but with a pool, trees tend to have shedding leaves, and the small trees blossom and I don't want more bugs and bees in our yard.

Could awnings be the answer? Perhaps an Evergreen (but it would block the view)? How about something like vinyl shutters? Would they help at all? I just really need something that will block the sun from beating down on those windows.

Sadly, I have that financial issue and can't afford to really do anything, but I keep hoping I'll find a solution that doesn't cost much. I'm so not looking forward to those high temps.

Suggestions welcome!

Friday, April 23, 2010

It's the Weekend!

I'm so happy that it's the weekend again. It's going to be a very springish one for us with lots of sunshine, and that's a good thing after having some dreary and rainy days.

Speaking of dreary, finances are still such a difficult topic for everyone. Gas prices are skyrocketing again. Of course, that could have been predicted with the turn to nicer weather.

I've been doing some reading lately about finances, ways to save and management tips. It just makes sense to pay attention to this stuff. I would think that the more you have, the better it would be to utilize a financial service to make sure the choices being made are wise ones.

Frankly, I don't know how anyone keeps up with all the possibilities out there. All of this reminds me I have some errands to run, including a trip to the bank.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Oh My Aching Back

Man oh man is it the pits when you wake up with an aching back. I know, because it sometimes happens to me. Part of it is related to physical conditions, I believe, but I also have no doubts that it's ergonomics since I spend a lot of time at the computer. Over the years, I've read a lot about it, and at work, there have been numerous meetings discussing it.

I really think that it's important to have a good chair, one that is appropriate for a person's height and weight as well as placement against their desk or working area. I actually need one now, too. The chair I'm using was made for a shorter person with a different body type than mine, and it isn't always the most comfortable. It can only be adjusted so much.
 

Leather office chairs come in many different styles, and this one isn't the right one for me. When I get a chance and save up enough money, I need to get a chair that's going to help with my back.

Believe me, when you're at the computer as much as I am, it's important to have a good chair to sit in.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

April Sunshine

The sunshine has returned, at least for a few days. We've had great weather here in Northern California. I've been enjoying it, especially since my email issues were resolved. It was a scary thing not to be able to reply, forward, or compose email. I'm thankful someone new their stuff and solved the problem for me.

April 8th is the latest episode of Supernatural. I don't watch this series but I will be then because Michael Shanks is guest starring, and he's a big favorite of mine. There's a chance his Hawkman character could recur on Smallville next season, and I'm thrilled about that. Michael's wife, Lexa Doig, is on the new V and while I love to watch Lexa, I just can't convince myself to watch the new updated V.

I just read an interview with Lisa Niemi, the widow of Patrick Swayze. She's hanging in there, but still going through a lot of pain in dealing with the blow in life that Patrick's early death has caused her. She's strong; she'll get through, but right now, those are just words for her. She has a lot of people praying for her, though. She's very much loved, as Patrick still is, too.

My dogs are loving their Kongs. In fact, Kong Classic just came out with a new X-tra large size, and I'm so glad because that's exactly what they need.

Onward to the next post!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

April Showers

It's been a miserable day with April Showers falling down and lightning strikes and such. For me, I've been dealing with two very nagging computer issues -- a router that isn't reliable and an email update that has made so that I can't reply, forward, or write new emails. I feel extremely frustrated and agitated.

That said, it's been otherwise positive lately, and my adorable girls are still adorable and keep me laughing and smiling.

I've caught up on a couple of films. I just love two Patrick Swayze movies I'd never seen until recently -- The Fox and the Hound 2, in which Patrick duets with Reba McEntire (that's a howl!), and Jump! which is not to be confused with the Chinese film of the same name that is without the exclamation point. This Jump! is about a Life photographer's imprisonment in Austria in pre-World War 2 days.

Have a good April!
 
ss_blog_claim=d8b8d429def7f73159bf8d1463df9f60 ss_blog_claim=d8b8d429def7f73159bf8d1463df9f60