Did you know that monitors, printers, scanners, DVD players, televisions, cable/satellite boxes, PVRs, stereo amplifiers and other electronic devices draw as much as 70% of their total power even when they are in stand-by mode or switched off? Phantom loads are created by devices that continue to draw small amounts of power, even when they are off or in sleep/standby mode. Smart Power … [Read more...]
We’re Off to Hawaii in January
December 30, 2009 By 10 Comments
Can you believe it? I've never been to Hawaii... because after all, being the States, it never seemed 'exotic' enough. Har. Fortunately, that's going to change in late January, and it's all Pam and David's fault (the same folks who got so revved up about camping that we bought our T@B). They announced they were going and we weaseled our way into their plans. Now I'm totally stoked. We're … [Read more...]
Deer: Our New Lawn Ornaments
December 28, 2009 By 9 Comments
If we want to feel like we're really in the country, all we need to do is look out the window. This is a picture that I took this morning from the front window and it is basically the same everyday - a small herd of deer munching on whatever they can. These guys don't look too scrawny, but the usual suspects all have ribs that protrude to the extent that makes one want to cry. That said, I'm … [Read more...]
I Gave My Mercedes 500SL Away
December 28, 2009 By 5 Comments
Yes, it's true. I GAVE my 500SL (an AMG version no less) away over Christmas. I donated it to the automotive program at Okanagan College in Kelowna. My reasons were many-fold. We needed the space it was taking up in the garage for Ed's brand-new Ford Lariat pickup truck. I didn't drive it at all last year. It was besotted with electrical problems, i.e. you couldn't drive it … [Read more...]
Jigsaw Puzzle: Proof Positive I’m Going Blind
December 28, 2009 By 9 Comments
How that I'm 50, I feel a compulsion to do all those things I've never done before. Most recently, that included doing a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle over Christmas. Here's proof positive that I'm going blind. Yes, I had to wear a headband magnifier to be able to see all those pieces when the light was low outside!! Egads. But tons of fun otherwise. :-) And we're almost finished the … [Read more...]
