A Greener Winter

Home ownership comes with some great perks.  Our new home is in really good shape, and really doesn't need anything done to it, but as it seems to go, every new home owner wants to change a few things.  We've been planning on doing a few renovations but at the moment that seems like biting off more than we can chew, SO we started small.  

Project #1: Light bulbs.

By switching from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent, we've reduced our total light bulb wattage from 2330 Watts to 367 Watts!!   It took a few tries to find that we like 'warm white' in most places, and we even found a 3-way bulb for those 'mood lamps'...  The whole experience was way more therapeutic than it probably should have been.

Project #2: Fix the toilet.  I'm embarrassed that I didn't fix it sooner, but our toilet has been leaking more and more, to the point where there was a steady stream running into the bowl.  For the last couple weeks we resorted to shutting the valve off when we left the house, but now it's sweet watertight GLORY!  The new flapper cost $5.67.

Project #3: Stop the draughty windows.  Once again, a bit late, but better than not at all.  We picked up a bunch of this stuff in the bargain bin at Canadian Tire and sealed up most of the main floor.  It makes a huge difference.  If you haven't seen this stuff before, it's pretty cool.  It goes on all floppy and wrinkly and then you use a hair dryer to heat it up and it tightens up like a snare drum.  Maybe one day we'll make the real investment for better windows.
Project #4: Turn the broom closet into a pantry.  I wish we had a 'before' picture, but it probably wouldn't be as exciting to our readers as it is to us.  This project was started in October, 2008, believe it or not.  Unfortunately it sat dormant for many weeks after I made the rookie mistake of measuring once, cutting three times.  Now that it's done, it makes a big difference in our whole kitchen situation.
Project #5: Install a scarf rack.  This was such a good idea.  Since I've become a scarf wearer during the trip last year, it seemed vital to have a good place to keep our scarves.  Check it out!  There have been a few other minor improvements we've made around the house, like installing LED lights in dark closets, assembling a couple pieces of new furniture, hanging a few pictures and things like that.  Next up: installing my climbing trainer in the basement ceiling.

I know it's late, but we haven't put up any Christmas photos.  Out of our luxurious 2 week holiday, we only spent 3 days at home.  The rest of the time was spent relaxing with our families.

Baby Mya and Uncle Ty.  Check out this sweet toy box we gave her.  She loves it.
Getting some help from my skip in a family game of floor curling.  Grandpa is a pro!
And of course, giving and receiving.  Everybody loves that part.  This was my first Christmas with Kelsey's family and it was a really great time.   I know I have to say that, but really, it was great.

Until next time, stay warm!

T.