The Fixie Chick blog
Brenna Hartmann is the co-founder of Fixin'Chix Inc., a do-it-yourself enterprise that includes a comprehensive home improvement website; how-to workshops, seminars and publications; and a product line. Brenna is dedicated to empowering women "do-it herselfers" (DIHers) who have the passion and desire to improve their homes. Brenna writes the popular Fixie Chick home improvement column found in Home & Yard Handbook, and is the co-host of "Home & Yard Radio with the Fixie Chick" on 950 ESPN. Brenna lives in Webster with her husband and two children.
Got Beetles?
Got Beetles? My neighborhood in Webster is infested with them! On my contestant quest for eco-friendly living, I have created a home brewed japanese beetle deterrent. During my research, I discovered that the best time to treat these chewing pests is during the larvae stage, but it's to late for me, I already have damage to many plants and trees in my yard. But, the full grown beetle does not like garlic! Try this method on plants and trees around your home.
First, gentle prune of damaged leaves. Shake the beetles into a jar of warm soapy jar, this will kill them. Then treat with this eco-friendly solution.
DIH Bug-Off Garden Plant Spray
2 quarts hot water
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dish soap
Mix ingredients and let sit for 1 day. Strain & use as spray
Apply regularly to deter chewing/sucking insects.
P.S. Recycle a clean spray bottle!
-The Fixie Chick
www.FIxinChix.com
5 Easy Ways To Save Energy This Week
The heat of summer is on it's way, and that means many of us are about to crank up the AC and burn energy like it's our job. But we should try to conserve as much energy as possible to conserve resources and slow the march of global warming.
Here are 5 easy things we can do at home to cut our energy consumption.
1. Install a programmable thermostat.
2. Air dry laundry & dishes
3. Spend a night in candle light
4. Use ceiling fans instead of AC
5. Capture rainwater to water your garden
-Happy Savings
The Fixie Chick
www.FixinChix.com
Tune in every Saturday at 10am. Home&Yard Radio 950am WROC:)
Ta Da!
Dreaming of a Backyard Pond?
Dreaming of a backyard pond? You can make your dream a reality, and you can do it yourself.
While my husband went off for a day of golf on Father's Day, Mommy went over to the home store. I was browsing for a new patio umbrella and somehow browsed myself right into the pond department. Water features have always interested me, but I never knew I could build one myself. I found a pond "kit" for around $70.00 and decided to skip the umbrella and go for it.
The box read "complete pond kit with water fountain and pump; installs in under two hours." Once I brought it home and opened the box, I found the instructions to be less detailed than I would have liked, so I decided to add my "own" instructions and post them on my blog. If you are dreaming of a backyard pond, start with a pond kit and follow my lead. You can always add on later if you'd like.
I chose a three tier pond kit and decided to bury the basin. I used retaining wall blocks and slate stones that I had around the yard to build up the top two tiers. I finished of the design with some potted plants and round rocks that I found around my house.
STEP ONE: I used the round basin itself to measure the circumference of hole I dug to bury the basin. I dug two inches deeper than the basin and used pea gravel to level the foundation for the basin. Then I inserted the basin and wiggled it firmly into the hole. I placed six rounded retaining wall bricks around the edge on top of the basin.
STEP TWO: I used five retaining wall bricks and placed them on the round behind the basin for the second tier. I set the second tier on top of the bricks and leveled it using the slate & round rocks.
STEP THREE: I built a third tier in the same fashion as the second, just a "brick" higher than the last. Now that the "foundation" was in place, I was ready to install the pump & fountain.
STEP FOUR: The pond kit that I purchased came with a black tube and a pump. The manual instructed me to drill a hole behind the "edge" of the third tier. That made me nervous. First of all, it didn't tell me what size hole to drill and the tube wasn't marked with a size either. I used my drill bit case to determine that the hose was 1/2". So I chose the 1/2" drill bit and drilled the hole.
STEP FIVE: Once I drilled the hole, I inserted the hose from behind. I pulled the hose a 1/2" through the opening and even though the instructions didn't say to do so, I out a tiny bit of clear caulk behind the hole to prevent it from leaking. I ran the hose under the next basin and down to the bottom basin, hiding the hose in the rocks, then connected the hose to the pump. I placed the pump in the center of the bottom basin and attached the water fountain. I placed some small rocks around the pump to hold it in place.
STEP SIX: I filled all three basins to full capacity, and plugged in the pump. The pump must be fully submerged before turning it on.
After a little fidgeting with the fountain, the pond was complete and in under two hours! Just like the box said!
Have fun this weekend.
-The Fixie Chick
PS. Remember to tune in tomorrow morning at 10am. Home&Yard Radio with the Fixie Chick WROC 950 am.
Hiring a Contractor?
June is one of the most popular months for home improvement in our area. When I teach seminars (mostly to women), one of the topics I touch on is tips on hiring a contractor. I am always amazed at the amount of women who ask questions like, "Can I really ask for that information from a contractor?", and "won't the contractor be offended?". The truth is, a contractor should be happy to share any information that legitimizes their company. In NY State, workman's compensation and contractors insurance is very expensive and companies that are up to date on those important qualifications are proud to share that with you. Here are some tips from the June issue of Home&Yard Handbook that will help you remember what to look for when hiring a contractor. Please print this out, put it in your "estimates" folder, and refer to it as you plan your next home improvement project.
New York State regulates the sale of home improvement goods and services and applies to most types of improvements costing more than $500 purchased by homeowners. The law requires contractors to give you a contract that includes many provisions. The main ones are summarized below:
1. The name, address and phone number of the contractor must be on the contract.
(Do not accept a P.O. Box number as the contractor's only address, for a mailing address it is fine)
2. The exact amount of the project including progress payments.
3. A start and completion date, including any contingencies which would change the
completion date such as bad weather.
(Consider adding a clause for running over the completion date. A $100 per day deduction off the contract price is acceptable for every day that the project runs over the completion date).
4. A clause that reads that "any progress payments received by a contractor from a
customer can only be made if they bear a reasonable relationship to the work
actually done, materials purchased or related costs".
5. Any payments received by a contractor from a customer prior to substantial
completion of the job must be placed into an escrow account, in a bank, located in New
York State, within five business days. You, the customer, must be informed where the
money is held within ten business days. The contractor can only withdraw the
deposit in the following circumstances:
- under the terms of the payment schedule agreed on by the contractor and the customers;
- upon substantial completion of the job; or
- if the customer violates the contract, but only to the extent that the amount covers the contractor's reasonable costs.
6. A complete specification description of the work and materials, including brand
names, model numbers and other identifying information.
7. A consumer notice that reads as follows:
The customer has an unconditional right to cancel the contract until midnight of the third business day after the contract was signed. Cancellation must be done in writing. If the contractor or subcontractor who does the work is not paid, he or she may have a claim against the customer’s property under the Lien Law.
8. Warranties and guarantees should be stated in the contract. Be sure to understand if the
warranty or guarantee covers both the materials and labor and if they are prorated and
transferable.
(For example a new roof job may warrant the materials for 25 years but the
contractor may only warrant his labor for one year).
There are penalties against contractors. Consumers may sue for actual damages, plus a $500 penalty and reasonable attorney's fees if the contractor has used fraudulent written statements to get the consumer to sign the contract. The Attorney General is also authorized to go to court to stop illegal practices and order contractors to compensate defrauded customers. Contractors can also face civil fines for violating the provisions of the law, especially with the protection of the customer's payments.
TIPS FOR CONSUMERS:
- Determine exactly what work you want done before you decide to get estimates.
- Get three estimates from contractor companies that are similar in size. Be sure to check for verification of current Liability and Workmen's compensation insurance.
- Check the contractor's reputation with the Better Contractors Bureau, banks and suppliers.
- Make sure when you decide on your final contractor that you are signing a contract that meets all the requirements of Article 36A of the NYS Business Law.
- Do not pay a large deposit in advance of the start of the project unless it is for a specific reason such as special order cabinets or windows, etc. Instead, negotiate a payment schedule tied to the completion of specific stages of the job. Always obtain a receipt.
- Don't pay the final payment unless you are satisfied and the job has been completed as per the contract specifications.
Happy Home Improving!
-The Fixie Chick
www.Fixinchix.com
Worm Castings For Your Garden
I wanted to share a new product that I've been using in my garden this year. It's a soil amendment made from worm castings. It's an all natural, chemical free miracle plant growing food. I started using the soil additive a few weeks ago when I planted some annuals (one's that were half dead & half price). Check out the red petunias in my garden this year! It's hard to believe they even survived and they turned out to be the most beautiful I've ever grown!
I am a huge fan of natural soil amendments made from worm castings. I will never use a chemical plant food again! Plus, I can use the liquid form, diluted, to feed my perennials and indoor plants.
You can buy these types of natural plant food at most garden centers. The one I'm using is called Organix and is home grown right here in Rochester, NY.
Check out my petunias!
Happy Gardening,
-The Fixie Chick
www.FixinChix.com
Had to Share This Funny:)
I don't normally forward emails, but I thought his one was apropo for the Fixie Chick blog. (Thanks Mom)
We all need a good chuckle! So here goes:
Keep in mind this is meant to be a joke:)
Simple Home Remedies
IF YOU'RE CHOKING ON AN ICE CUBE, SIMPLY POUR A CUP OF BOILING WATER DOWN YOUR THROAT. PRESTO! THE BLOCKAGE WILL INSTANTLY REMOVE ITSELF.
AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.
AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.
FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.
A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.
IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.
IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
author unknownHope you chuckled:)
-The Fixie Chick
www.FixinChix.com
