Sunday, September 20, 2009

So, the other day I met some awesome ladies. Welcome, you guys, if your reading this. Only my sister has followed until now. If you guys have any topic ideas, let me know. You know who you are. I guess my blog can't be totally annonymous now, but thats ok. Still sign in using screen names so we still have some comfort zone. Some of you will just know who I am. Sis says I need a facebook page rather than a blog, so people can comment easier. What do ya think?

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Still online, but losing faith

Im still typing away for that same website, but have yet to get paid. I dont know why i keep trying. i guess i want it to work so i dont have to apply somewhere else. let ya know how it goes.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Running Toilet

Walk by ur bathrm & hear the water refilling when no 1s n there? This is called having a running toilet.

A) lift the tank lid off the tank & set it down on the toilet bowl lid. look down n2 the tank. The water will b clear unless u have rust n ur tank, but its basically clean water. its the water that refills ur bowl after its flushed. If its blue, it just means some1 has put a cleaner additive n2 the tank & u show wear rubber gloves thru the next steps.

B) @ the bottom of the tank, there is a hole that should b covered by a rubber stopper, which is linked by chain 2 an arm that is linked 2 the flusher handle.

C) First, check 2 c if the chain is caught under the stopper. This will cause water 2 leak n2 the bowl & the tank 2 not fill completely. Just pull the chain out & allow the tank 2 fill. If the water sound stops once the tank is full, the problem should b solved. u may need 2 shorten the chain a link or 2. This can b done by simply adjusting the links the same way u would on a swingset chain.

D) Second, if the chain was not caught under the stopper, but instead, the stopper cant close cuz the chain is 2 short, u need to either lengthen the chain or buy a new 1. The chain can be lengthened the same way u adjust the links on a swingset chain. A new 1 can b purchased @ walmart, big lots, or any hardware store 4 - than $10. They are not hard to install, again, look a@ it as if ur adjusting a swingset chain. pay attention 2 where the old chain is attached @ each end. check 2 make sure the new chain isnt 2 long & able to get caught under the stopper.

E) Third, if u tried the above & the water is still running, u may need @ replace the rubber stopper. This can also be purchased @ walmart or any hardware store 4 - than $15.

1) look behind the toilet at the wall. find the water shut-off valve & turn it off.

2) when looking down n2 the tank, notice that there is a tube about 1.5" n diameter standing straight up from the bottom. the top of this tube should b above the water level. It will have a smaller rubber tube attached to the top, which may b black.

3) unhook the smaller "black" tube by just pulling it off & pointing it down n2 the tank, you should b able 2 pull the stopper straight up & off the larger 1.5" tube. Place the new stopper n the same position as the old 1 & push it down against the hole. Carefully replace the smaller black tube n the same position it was 2 start with. Turn the water valve back on. flush 2 check ur work. DO NOT FLUSH B4 THE "BLACK" TUBE IS BACK N PLACE.

F) Fourth, if the above fixes didnt solve ur problem, the entire guts of the tank may need to be replaced. The tank guts can b purchased as a set @ the same stores mentioned above & will start @ about $20. This set will include pieces that r plastic or metal. Consider whether ud rather have a weaker plastic flusher arm, or a metal one that will rust n ur tank, a cheaper plastic flusher handle, or a pricier metal one, and so on.

1)Turn off the water valve behind the toilet.

2) The flusher handle can b detached right where it is by unscrewing it inside the tank. Careful not 2 strip it if it has a plastic screw.

3) the stopper can be removed following the directions above in E2.

4) all of the water in the tank must b removed. i do it using a cup until its too low, then a sponge.

5) The remaining guts can b removed by loosening a plastic screw on the bottom exterior of the tank on the left side. be careful not to strip the screw n case u need it 4 the new set. pay close attention 2 how the guts looked b4 u removed them. u can even take a digital pic as a reference.

6) position the new guts, being sure to reattach the hoses & tighten the screws.

7) install the rubber stopper as directed above in E3.

8) Now ur should b ready 2 turn the water valve back on. check 4 a leak under the left side of the tank b4 doing anything else. then, allow time 4 the tank 2 fill. u will no its done when u walk by & the bathrm is silent. check once more that the chain isnt caught under the stopper.

And thats it!

Post nickelback show

Ok, not their best show. 7/28 @ the VaBch Amph. I think it had to do with us siiting at the top of the hill. Usually im n front of the stage rock out with best of em. but not this time. we sat near a bunch of whiners. The music couldve been louder and they shouldve played more dark horse songs, but all in all, i still like em. I'd still recommend them to anyone as a good show to see, just try to get closer tics.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Did you know...

...once you get inside the VaBch amphitheater there are people walking around selling more tickets? These guys work for the amphitheater and have future tics for a discounted rate. Last night the woman I saw had Crue Fest tics for $10! Yea, they were $10 awhile back, but I missed that day. Did you?! She also had mayheim and creed tics. BUT, you gotta have cash on hand to buy them. Good to know before you go.

Online

I know its popular now to say taking care of the kids at home is "a full time job in itself." Yea, maybe. But for those of us who do it, its a choice more than a chore. I've been at home with my monsters for over 13 yrs and I love it.
Anyway, I started about a long time ago researching work at home online sites. I didn't have much luck until recently. I found more than a few recommended by one of those morning news shows.
After sorting through them, I've found one I'd like to let you know about. Its called Livework.com. I simply log in each day, or a couple times a week, to see what jobs are available. Some are customer service calls, some are typing, and some are reviewing websites. I click on one I'm interested in for more information, pay rate, duration of the job, and point of contact. If I like it, I click on "apply." If they select me to participate, they email me. Its easy work so far, but then I dont qualify for the harder stuff yet. You might if you have the experience. They even offer tests for people to show they can do certain things and apply for better jobs. But its all from home. I use a screen name and get paid bi-weekly.
Another one I looked into was mystery shopping. I'd heard some of them charge you to sign up or dont pay well. The one I've look into the most is Corporate Research International at mysteryshops.com. They pay bi-weekly, hav online training, and again, I can select from a list which job I want. I may not want one that is offfered for a couple weeks, but thats my choice. Most reimburse you for your work and pay a small amount more, such as up to $20 reimbursed and $10 for doing the job.
Avon is another option. So is Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Longerberger Baskets, and Stampin' Up. If your willing to do the research you are more than likely to find one that interest you. Some require the purchase of a starter kit, while others, like Avon, only require a small sign on fee.
If you do start or have a home business, let me know and I will insert your link onto this blog page.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Nickelback

So, tomorrow night is Nickelback in VaBch...Yeah!!!! Lovin' it! With Papa Roach, Saving Abel, and Hinder. If u havent seen Nickelback or Papa Roach live, u havent lived. Its just that simple. Ive seen Hinder 3xs, 2 were great, 1 not so. The 1 was at Lunatic Luau last year. They played after Tesla, Papa Roach and Buckcherry. The crowd was too charged up for what Hinder brought to the stage. But I'm looking forward to seeing them again with Nickelback. My favorite thing about being stationed near VaBch is the shows. U just dont have this kid of access in good ole' Jax, NC.

Oh, AC/DC is coming to washington, DC soon! Will u be there????

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Click here for AVON specials!

Appetite For Destruction

If you were a GunsNRoses fan (the "real" GNR), listen up! In case you dont know, there is a tribute band, with awesome sound and costumes, performing GNR albums WTTJ and UYI1&2. They move up and down the East Coast performing at small venues. They are Appetite For Destruction and they are performing July 9th at Kellys Tavern in Nagshead, NC. They have a website: notquitegnr.com . Look it up. Its worth your trouble. I saw them in Atlantic Beach, NC a few yrs ago and its was AWESOME! So worth it! Check it out. I'll be there July 9th wearing my Crue Fest shirt. (why?... because you know everyone else will be wearing GNR! duh.)

1 Down, 5 To Go...

Well, our 18yo has done something we honestly never thought she would. She has graduated high school. This may sound like a simple task if your not dealing with teenagers yet, but trust me, its not. She's lucky to have lived this long. As I like to constantly remind my children, "Things could always be worse." We didn't have to deal with the courts or rehab. And we did survive several "over 18" boyfriends, one runaway incident, academic counseling through a few grades, and police officers visiting on occasion. But nothing I would consider "serious", just a little nerve racking. And our 17yo is right behind her, as a senior this coming 09-10 school year. We are proud of them both. My husband and I laughed to each other sitting there in our seats waiting for the graduation ceremony to begin. Laughed at the long tunnel that seemed to have no light at the end. The battles over what horrible and restrictive parents we are and how we couldn't possibly understand what she was going through. When we were starting out, I thought I would be at an advantage to other parents, older parents, who seemed disconnected from their teens, because I was a young mother. Somehow the fact that I was only 18yrs older than my first was going to mean I could relate better to the kids and we'd bond differently. I ignored the warnings about becoming my children's' friend. Boy, was I wrong! If you are reading this and just starting out, trust me, they know what they are talking about. Its sad that its one of those things we just have to learn for ourselves. Its hard when the children are little and we bond as parents, enjoying their innocence, to not want to be their friends. It has taken this long for me to realize my error, and I fear its too late to correct it for my younger kids. I say this so maybe, somehow, you can benefit from it. Now I'm the one trying to pass learned experience down. Wow, time flies.

Vacuums

Ok, U would not believe how many of us call 4 help or just throw away r "old" vacuum cleaners b4 their time. My 21yo sister showed me her vac that a neighbor had returned 2 her "broken". I looked it over & decided we needed 2 run to Walmart. I showed her where to find the filter, belt, and bag size on the vac itself. We returned to her house, cleaned the vac up, and had it running in under and hour. I have 2 vacs. one is more portable than the other, but not a handheld. I've had both for 5 yrs and I love them. How long urs can live is just a matter of maintenance. I happen 2 not mind the maint. because I enjoy hands-on projects like that. If u do 2, here r some tips:

*U don't need the instruction sheet 1ce u can operate the vac. Anything that requires more in-depth work U SHOULDN'T DO.

*The bag size, filter size & belt size r somewhere on ur machine. It s really nice when its stamped n2 the plastic so u no u will never lose it.

* the easiest of the 3 2 change would probably b the filter. sometimes they can just b shaken out, some can even b washed by hand & air-dried. I clean 1 of mine w/ a wooden disposable BBQ skewer I buy @ the commissary. They're real handy: longer than a toothpick, disposable, and sharp @ 1 end, blunt @ the other. I just clear the lint/dust from between the folds of the filter & the put it back on. The 1st filter lasted over a yr. U may want 2 change urs more often if ur family deals w/ allergies.

*The belt can b a little tricky, but don't b intimidated. look @ how the old 1 is on there b4 removing it. The hardest part will b pushing the wheels back n2 their slots w/ the new belt n place. Don't b afraid 2 undo the screws in this area of the vac & take a look around. Get familiar w/ it.

*The brush should b cleaned weekly. I've found a seam ripper works best, but scissors or a craft knife will 2. Even a letter opener can do this if its 1 of those w/ the blade built in. Run the ripper along the brush breaking free all the hair & whatnot, then pull it out. This would b a good time 2 also clean the hose(s) & intake tubes. I like 2 use a metal hanger, unbent & run it thru all the tubes & hoses. If u have a wire cutter & use it, make sure 2 leave a little hook @ the end of ur hanger 2 catch debris. If u have a 2nd vac, u could use it to clear the tubes and hoses even betr. U can slide ur fingers n2 the hoses & tubes. There r no sharp edges n there. BUT, I've learned trying 2 wash out the tubes is not a good idea. What ever u don't get out, and the new stuff, sticks worse n there.

*If your cord has been chewed by your dog, it can be taped over with black electrical tape as long as the wires inside arent broken or over exposed. If the damage is worse, or the damage is at the junction between the plug and cord, your better off replacing it.

*As 4 the bag, if ur vac has 1, they r all different. & if u haven't figured out how 2 change urs yet, u probably shouldn't own a vac becuz that needs 2 b done almost every time u use it. Or @ least weekly. * if you live n the VaBch or surrounding areas, I'd b happy 2 come over & show u how 2 do the maint 1ce. Its no problem. Like i said, I enjoy this stuff.

Good show. Good food.

So... I went 2 c Appetite 4 Destruction last night n Nags Head, NC. It was Fun! Had 2 much 2 drink, but it was Fun. The show was @ Kelly's Tavern, a restaurant I want 2 give a plug 2. Pricier than I planned 4, but the service was fantastic, so was the food. Its located at mile marker 10.5. Check it out.The band was great once the show got rolling. i have 2 say that if I used a scale of 1-10, the 1st show i saw n Atlantic Beach was a 10, and last night was an 8. Sorry band, but it did pick up as the night rolled on. The crowd started off a little stiff 2, but also got betr w/ the night.Got video this time, check it out.Walking n2 Kelly's Restaurant side, u would never suspect the fun bar behind door #2. R waiter described it as an after hrs flip-flop. He wasn't kidding. The restaurant side is classy. Then u walk thru the doors 2 the bar side. Waiting 4 u is a live-band stage, dance floor, pool tables, upstairs balcony & full service bar. Still upscale, but not uptight.Since I dont have a following yet on my blog, I will assume u weren't there. But i will admit I didn't wear the top i said I would. If u were there, I'd really like 2 no!

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