Category: House and home

The Freezer In Our New Frigidaire Professional Refrigerator

Well, we’ve had our new Frigidaire 22.6 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth Professional Refrigerator for a little over a month now and are absolutely loving it. One of the things we love the most is the 8.50 cubic foot freeezer. As I mentioned in my last post, our new freezer was not quite as deep as our last fridge, an old side by side. With the new model being a good six inches or so smaller depthwise I expected was to lose space. We didn’t. Both RB and I agree that the new unit seems bigger, despite the fact that we know it’s not.

Don’t get me wrong, the new model is by no means small, measuring in at 35-5/8″ wide x 69-3/8″ high x 26-7/8″ deep. What makes it seem bigger is the way the interior is set up. In our old freezer there were just three shelves and we could never find anything.

Take a look.

fridge freezer full

There’s even a space up top, above the ice maker, for a couple of light items. We’ve found this area to be great for keeping breakfast items at the ready, since we’re very pressed for time in the morning.

fridge freezer full 1

The freezer has two glass shelves up top. What’s great about these is that they’re glass so not only can you see the items on them but the bright lighting from the top of the freezer shines through. These features have been a HUGE time saver. Even the storage on the door is friendly, the wire bins tilt open so you can move items in and out of them quickly and easily.

fridge freezer full 2

The Frigidaire Professional makes great use of the space it’s got. Rather than just shelves it has three pull out baskets. Now, rather than emptying out part of the freezer all I need to do to find out what’s in there is pull out a basket.

fridge freezer full 3

fridge freezer full 4

“I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a Frigidaire Refrigerator to facilitate my review.”

Mar 11, 2010 | 2 comments | View Post

Wisk Pimp My Laundry Room Contest - Are You Entering?

Remember the show “pimp my ride”? My brothers loved that show. Do you have any areas of your house that you’d like pimped? I do. I’d love to redo most of the house but one of the rooms that needs some attention is my laundry room. It actually needs more than some attention, it needs a miracle.

I learned about a contest that I am definitely entering. If your laundry room needs some work you’ll want to enter it too. The contest is the Wisk® Pimp My Laundry Room video contest. For this contest Wisk Laundry Detergent has teamed up Designing Spaces. Together they will give the contest winner’s laundry room a makeover. The prize includes a laundry room makeover complete with a new Whirlpool® High Efficiency (HE) washer/dryer set and a year’s worth of Wisk® HE Laundry Detergent. The winner will also star in her very own episode of Designing Spaces! Doesn’t that sound exciting? I’m definitely entering this one

It’s easy to enter. All you need to do is create a short video from explaining why you deserve a laundry room and submit it at www.LaundryHE.com. The contest runs from March 1 to March 29, 2010. The top Finalists will be featured on LaundryHE.com from April 12 - 19 and the Grand Prize Winner will be chosen by popular ballot. One of the coolest things about this contest is that the voters can win stuff too. Each vote is an automatic entry to a sweepstakes for a year’s supply of Wisk HE Laundry Detergent.

I’d love to hear about your laundry room. Is it neat and tidy or a cluttered mess like mine? Are you entering the contest.

This post was written as part of a campaign for Mom Select. It has not been monetarily compensated however I have received an entry into a drawing in exchange for my participation. This post is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Mar 03, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

A Question About Your Windows

exterior shutters

We have two sets of windows on the front of our house – one in the bedroom and one in the living room. The bedroom windows used to have exterior shutters. They were the only shutters on the house. I never understood why the builder didn’t put them on the living room window. My best guess is that because the living room window is under the little roof that our front porch has maybe he thought they wouldn’t look good. To me it jus looked unbalanced. Do you have shutters on all of your windows or just some?

Mar 03, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

The Delivery And Installation Of Our Frigidaire Refrigerator

Before leaving for Florida I received a phone call that my Frigidaire was in and they wanted to install it. I hadn’t been expecting it for a couple of weeks more so I was shocked. After doing the scheduling dance that working folks and service people do we got things squared away. With only days left before leaving our new Frigidaire Professional Refrigerator was delivered and installed.

This is the fridge we were replacing. It was about fifteen years old. (Evident by the spots you can see where I had magnets and never cleaned under. Magnets are evil.) This fridge stuck out past the counter a good six to eight inches.

old fridge

I should have thought to have Dad take pictures of the old freezer full. My bad. It was really full and we always had a hard time finding things in there.

So on the morning of installation my Dad waited at my house, with me calling him every ten minutes to see if the new fridge had arrived. Finally it did, after only three phone calls.

fridge truck

fridge dolly

The guys took the old fridge out and installed the new one. (With me on the phone with my Dad almost the whole time.) We knew the sizing was going to be close. We had less than 1/4 inch left width wise, so we just made it.

fridge installing

There were two teams. One brought the fridge and one set it up. Once everything was installed and working the guys went on their way. Leaving my Dad to deal with my phone calls while I watched the clock at work inch forward. Also leaving me at work, daydreaming what my new Frigidaire 22.6 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth Professional Refrigerator was like.

When I got home and saw the fridge I actually started to cry. And I hugged it. Then I proceeded to check it out and admire it. It is beautiful. The first thing I noticed was depth of the fridge. I knew that the new fridge was counter depth but I really wasn’t prepared for how much nicer it looked not sticking out from the counter six or more inches. It seemed to make the kitchen look a bit bigger.

fridge installed

My old fridge had a water dispenser so I wasn’t prepared for this water dispenser to impress me. It did! The fridge dispenses filtered water! And filtered ice cubes! Clearly the folks at Frigidaire were familiar with some folks concerns with the local water supply when they made this model.The water comes out pretty quickly in a cold and quiet stream.

The difference in the depth had gotten me to thinking. Surely if I’d lost that many inches (let’s say six deep by twenty six across) then I must have lost space inside the freezer. What do you think? Stay tuned, I’ll tell you on Tuesday.

If you’d like to know what the other Test Drive Moms thought follow us all on Twitter, with the hashtag #FrigidaireMoms.

Thanks to Mom Central and Frigidaire I will be receiving

“I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a Frigidaire Refrigerator to facilitate my review.”

Feb 28, 2010 | 2 comments | View Post

Saturday Afternoon - Eighteen Hours We See An End To Blizzard 2010

It’s finally coming to an end. Timely, the snow had started to block the door.

18 hours in blizzard 2010 pic 1

18 hours in blizzard 2010 pic 2

18 hours in blizzard 2010 pic 3

Feb 06, 2010 | 4 comments | View Post

Saturday Morning - Twelve Hours Into Blizzard 2010

The county I live in has a travel restriction, nonemergency vehicles are prohibited from driving on the roads.

12 hours into blizzard 2010 pic 1

12 hours into blizzard 2010 pic 2

Feb 06, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

Friday Night - The Arrival Of Blizzard 2010

blizzard 2010 beginning to snow

This was taken just before midnight, shortly after the snow started falling. Depending on who you listen to my area is slated to get anywhere from 18 to 30 inches.

Feb 05, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

I’m A Frigidaire Test Drive Mom! Team Fridge Baby!

frigidaire logo

I mentioned in September that Frigidaire had introduced some new appliances designed with features to make your life easier and save you time. In 2009 Frigidaire introduced more than 250 new appliances as opart of the program promising “More Me Time” to Moms. To roll out the new products Frigidaire partnered up with actress and celebrity philanthropist Jennifer Garner and initiated the “Make Time for Change” campaign to support Save the Children. The campaign continues on today with the new Spin & Win game.

On January 18 Frigidaire opened the Spin & Win game. Folks that log in to www.maketimeforchange.com in order to play the Spin & Win game will get a chance to win prizes including a new Frigidaire Affinity washer/dryer. Each day that you log in and take a spin Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children as part of their $250,000 commitment to the worthy cause.

refrigerator front

I am so honored and fortunate to have been chosen to be a member of Team Fridge, a group of eight Moms that are going to put a brand new Frigidaire Professional Fridge through its paces. There is also a Team Dishwasher, Team Range/Microwave, Team Washer/Dryer and a Super Influencer Team. Follow us all on Twitter, with the hashtag #FrigidaireMoms.

Thanks to Mom Central and Frigidaire I will be receiving the Frigidaire 22.6 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth Professional Refrigerator. It’s getting delivered tomorrow morning! I am so excited! I can’t wait to check it out and tell you all about it. Over the course of the next three months I’ll be sharing my thoughts on this gorgeous fridge. Look at it! It looks so beee-you-tee-full!

refrigerator interior

I can’t wait for it to get here tomorrow! If you want to get a good laugh, listen for my screams and squeals of delight when I get home at 2:15 tomorrow afternoon.

I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a Frigidaire Refrigerator to facilitate my review.

Jan 28, 2010 | 3 comments | View Post

That Window Cleaner Commercial Live, Minus The Window

I saw the funniest thing yesterday. I walked past the dining room and saw the cat positioned behind the curtain at the corner of the patio doors. He was watching something very intently. I walked over and saw that he was watching a bird on the porch.

The bird seemed to be trying to get out of the porch, into the backyard where his bird friends were pecking around. Now one of the screens on the porch needs to be redone because a corner came loose, leaving a flap. That area is five feet from the doorway, which is just a doorway open to the back yard, no door. So I figured the bird would just fly out. The bird couldn’t get out, he kept flying into the screen. He wasn’t hurt or anything, he just couldn’t get out. I felt like I was watching that window cleaner commercial except there’s no window.

Jan 13, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

Paint? Check.

bedroom windows

I am very excited. My bedroom hasn’t been complete in a while. Over a year ago we had to replace one whole wall, including replacement windows, which have remained uncovered sincebeing put in. See, if the walls weren’t finished I didn’t want to put curtains over anything for fear the work would never get done. I have hated not having curtains in there.

It looks now like the bedroom may finally be finished, or at least closer to it. A friend of mine offered to give us a bedroom set. I told RB that before we put new furniture in there we need to finish and paint the walls. he agreed. Yesterday I stopped at Home Depot and picked up the paint. We’re actually going to use a little color for the first time ever. My brother has offered to help us pick up the furniture on Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed with me!

Jan 12, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

My House Is A Little Warmer

My parents and LB3 were over this morning. My Dad is the go to man in my life. My husband is not exceptionally handy so there are some things I wouldn’t even want him to try. I mentioned to Dad that there was no heat in TJ’s room. I knew what the problem was there - the bed blocked the only vent. I’d bought a diffuser attachment and Dad and LB3 connected it. Then I mentioned the house had been a bit cold. Dad asked when the last time the furnace filter was changed. I told him it had easily been at least a year. He rolled his eyes and took a look.

I know where our furnace is but I have a bit of a fear when it comes to things that can cause fire. If my house had explosionproof hvac I’d go right in there. But it doesn’t. RB knows where it is also but had a hard time putting it back together. Dad took the filter out and we washed it in the tub. How disgusting it was. It’ll hold for a day or so until I get to Home Depot to get a new one.

Just another reminder that women do not always marry men like their father.

Jan 10, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - The Guiding Light For Your Mailbox

GIFT IDEA - GUIDING LIGHT FOR YOUR MAILBOX

The ability to find a house is something that is often taken for granted. Does the pizza or Chinese delivery guy need help finding your house? If they do you can bet that the police, fire department or ambulance may have to work to find it as well. Those are some people you don’t want just wandering around looking for you - you want them all to get to you as quickly as possible when you need them. That’s where the Guiding Light for your mailbox comes in.

About the Guiding Light For Your Mailbox

The Guiding Light is a solar-powered sleeve that fits over any standard mailbox and illuminates your house numbers, making it easier for first-responders, friends and family, and delivery people to find your home quickly – especially important when seconds count in an emergency.

I received a Guiding Light for your mailbox. It’s very easy to assemble. The Guiding Light is actually a saddle that fits over any standard sized US mailbox. There is a windowed area on each side where your house numbers go, that area lights up using a solar powered battery once darkness falls.

To get it ready to use first you have to put the numbers in.

guiding light 1

Lift the window.

guiding light where numbers go

There are small peg holes where the numbers rest.

guiding light numbers

Close the window area up and you’re ready to mount on your mailbox.

guiding light ready to attach

After mounting and attaching with the included hardware, remove the little protective tabs from the solar powered battery.

guiding light getting ready for first use

You’re finished.

This is my mailbox during the day.

guiding light attached light

This is my mailbox at night.

guiding light at night

You can actually see the lighted area of the mailbox from four blocks away. You can see the numbers at just about a block away.

The Guiding Light was easy to put together and attach and it looks terrific on the mailbox. More importantly, there is no mistaking the number of my house so there won’t be any delays in people (or food) getting to our house. I think this is a super cool item and I really like it.

The Guiding Light is currently only sold online at www.guidingmailbox.com for $79.95.

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive their own Guiding Light.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter check out the Guiding Light online and then leave a comment on this post telling me why you’d like to win this OR one time you could have used this.

BONUS ENTRIES

1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed.
1 - Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here.
1 - Fave this blog at Technorati AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 - Friend me on Facebook.
1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 - Place my button on your blog.
1 - Place my holiday gift guide button on your blog.

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Sunday 12/20/09 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Dec 13, 2009 | 38 comments | View Post

A House With Two And A Half What?

bedroom windows

My house is 40 years old. We’ve live here for about 15 years now. The house originally belonged to my grandparents. My grandma had some strange thoughts in her head when they had this house built. As much as I love this house, it is a little odd. Take the bedrooms, for instance.

I have two and a half bedrooms. Yes that’s bedrooms, not bathrooms. Grandma only wanted two bedrooms but my Mom somehow managed to get her to add a third. Problem is, Grandma chopped a huge laundry room in half to do it. My bedroom is about 12×15. CJ’s bedroom is about 12×12. TJ’s room is about 10×8 - only big enough to fit his bed and entertainment center. (Check out my Walmart Your Zone Teen Bedroom Makeover video and you’ll see how small it is, which is why I call it a half bedroom.) The boy can’t even keep his clothes in his bedroom, they’re on shelves in the hall.

When the builder built this house he used odd sized windows. Guess who has to deal with that now? That’s right, we do. When we had to replace a wall in my bedroom due to termite damage we learned that we needed custom replacement windows - the standard size replacement windows didn’t fit in the hole. Thankfully I had a very capable person doing the work that was able to take care of that problem.

Indoor work is unavoidable at times but I don’t like it - it’s noisy and dusty. Thankfully, our next project, hopefully in the spring if RB finds work by then, won’t be an indoor one. We’ll be getting some home remodeling estimates because we desperately need gutters. Why do we desperately need them? Because we don’t have any. (That’s another story.)

Dec 04, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Why I Need To Move My Photos To CD

Where are your pictures? My pictures, the ones taken before digital camera that is, are in the bottom of a cabinet that’s in my dining room. They are thousands. So many in fact, that the cabinet is stuffed and we rarely open it. Why, you ask? Because we’re afraid. Here’s why.

dining room picture cabinet

There’s a reason it’s got a child lock on it. It’s not to keep any children out. It’s to keep what’s in there in. It’s packed in there and impossible to find anything and every time you open the doors everything falls out. Think I’m kidding? Take a look.

dining room picture cabinet inside

There are probably 20 or more albums full of photos in there, as well as a couple of boxes of photos, a couple hundred photo processing envelopes and hundreds of loose pictures. Do you think I’m in need of photo scanning services?

It would be so nice to transfer all of those photos to cd. There are companies out there that do this for you, like ScanDigital. You ship them your photos and they do all of the work, even cropping and correcting images if you like. They then send you your photos back, along with CDs containing all of the photos. They also do video transfers, moving old VHS to DVD, if you’re in the need.

Dec 04, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

Suggestions For Bedroom Paint Color

Through the generosity of a friend we’ll be getting a new bedroom set very soon. It’s not new but it’s new for us. It marks the first time we will have a complete set of bedroom furniture. Until now we’ve had a piece of this and a piece of that, all items we’ve gotten from family, friends and freecycle. The set is nice and has dressers and end tables. I’m hoping to get the room painted in between emptying the old furniture and bringing in the new. Then all we’d need to make the room complete is a flat screen tv, maybe a nice new Samsung. We’ve always had white walls and I’m thinking of adding a little color. What color do you suggest for a bedroom?

Nov 15, 2009 | 8 comments | View Post