Kelly's Campaign

Archive for the ‘Home’ Category

We signed up a table as seller in 2-day garage sale event in our village. I must say that it was decided on impulse, since we signed up late, we only have less than two weeks to purge. Not a lot of time, if you ask me because we live in multiple (and modest if I may say) homes and  imagine having to collect stuff from each abode? And we’re not the most organized family in the first place, so that makes it doubly hard. The garage sale is this weekend and I have done absolutely nothing to go over our things! I am this close to backing out!

But I found these tips. If you are like me who’s having a hard time letting go, then you might find these useful. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Does it have to be stored in the closet?

2. Is it something I have some kind of emotional attachment to? (But you might think everything is attached to you emotionally Set a number and stick to that.

3. Which is worse, this item taking up space in my closet or the idea of never seeing it again?

No a lot of people know this but there is a special courtesy lane for current government employees when applying or renewing E-Passport. This privilege is extended to spouses and unmarried children. Government employees can take advantage of this even after retirement but only up to a year from the last day of government service. The courtesy lane is also made available for senior citizens, pregnant women and infants younger than one year old.

My dad and brothers were lucky to be able to qualify for this one. I had a not so nice experience when I went with my DD a few months ago. Although we had an appointment, it was not followed because of a misunderstanding; took us about 3 hours to finish. But I digress and that’s another story.

Anyway, in case you want to know, my dad and brothers just went to the Department of Foreign Affairs Building in Aseana (along Macapagal Avenue). They were there before 7am. They just brought my mom’s ID (and a copy), their applications forms, and current passport (with photocopies; visit the DFA website for more information). They were asked to wait inside the building then they were led to the second floor lobby where they got their numbers. After step one (where an employee checks the documents), they paid the processing fee (Php1200 rush) and lined up for the picture and biometrics capture. Then they just settled with the courier and they expect their new E-Passports to be delivered in 10+1 working days. They were homebound in less than an hour. Amazing, right?

I am glad they were able to use the privilege and that it was a breeze. Next time I will share how our application went.

Anything wears through time, leather surfaces included. Plus we can never control inconsiderate guests (ie. ones who ‘accidentally’ leaves cigarette burns! Ack!) We can only care for our leather furniture properly and we are assured that they will last a very long time!

Home experts say that caring for leather is easy: regular cleaning making it always free from surface dirt and dust will do the trick. Wipe the surface with barely wet rag and that should do. Include this in your weekly schedule and you will never have problems with stains because the surface is cleaned regularly.

PLUS conditioning regularly is a must. The prescribed frequency for conditioning is every two years. If you don’t condition it, the leather will dry out, become brittle and eventually crack. There are also different conditioners for types of leather so be sure to call the manufacturer first to make sure that you are using the right one. Buying leather furniture demands investment too. It is cheaper to maintain one than buy a new set.

I found these DON’Ts and I am sharing it here too:

Don’t you just hate it when you need to get rid of lint on jackets and coats, or simple dark colored shirts? It can get pretty annoying if you have to do that all the time, eh? I honestly have the tendency to just throw stuff out when I am too tired brushing (of course not the expensive ones!).

First of all, there is nothing yucky about lint because they’re not dust mites! Lint happens when there are tiny, broken and loose threads. New clothes are often linty. Later, it tends to build up in washers and dryers. Now there’s probably the culprit, referring to the washer and dryer.

You can reduce lint by drying minimally or eliminating drying altogether by using a clothesline. You machine could also accumulate loose thread and hair strands, so it is best to check the interiors regularly. Wiping out the sides with a towel or running a warm cycle with a little vinegar or chlorine may help. For older machines, check your lint traps often.

The arrival of this model seems like the perfect timing since I am canvassing for a new vacuum cleaner. You would think that something old of an appliance will not come out with a design that is shaped like a popular Xbox character (that dude from Halo?). But Samsung did. This Silencio SC9540 is packed with high-end features that you would expect from a television manufacturer –  cyclonic suction, HEPA filter, super-special silver nanoparticle coating. Best of all, it is silent!

I am sure you do not want bills, catalogues and mail to pile up because when they do, you will have to spend more effort in de-cluttering later on. To avoid this, you can create a system to manage your paper traffic. Here is a list to start you can start with, courtesy of Real Simple.

1. Set Up a Workspace

   a) Assign something as your inbox. It could be a basket, a drawer or a storage box just enough to hold a week’s worth of mail. Place it on the most convenient area where it won’t get on and out of your way; b) You’ll need a large recycle bin for junk mail; c) Invest in a paper shredder for your security.

2. Create a Filing System

   a) Devise a filing system that will not restrict you but one that will let you work anywhere you like; b) Place a stash of checkbook, some pens, stamps and envelope in your organizer so you don’t have to hunt for them when you need them; c)Labels, labels, labels! d) Decide on a time to tackle the filing job.

3. Streamline Bill-paying

   a) Arrange for billing plans and online statements with your bank; b) Arrange for auto-debit services so you will never miss a due date again; c) Review your statements online (saves time and paper!)

4. Store Important Documents

   a) Get a file cabinet or a file box for insurance claims, bank statements, paid bills and other important documents; b) Prepare a list of statement you regularly receive and set categories as you file; c) Organize by broad subjects.