December 29, 2010 AsktheBuilder Tips And Newsletter
What's in This Newsletter?
Latest News
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Get New-Looking Kitchen Cabinets
Washington DC Meet Up
Chimney Repair Checklist
Pam on Shovels & Snowblowers
Help with a Green Survey
Remember, Do it Right, Not Over!
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Latest News
Christmas was wonderful up here in New Hampshire, but sans snow. We got plastered 36 hours later with the epic blizzard. Kathy got her snow, but it was two days late. As you might suspect, I taped a four-part blizzard video to show you what happened up here. After coming inside after taping the third part, she said I was an idiot.
I hope Santa was as good to you as he was to us up here. I got a *big* BB gun that shoots large cone-shaped BBs as well as some great books. My youngest daughter Kelly gave me one that I consumed in less than 36 hours. I couldn't put it down.
The book was about one of the greatest unsolved art thefts in the world. It was solved, in part, by a seasoned reporter from the New York Times. You'd think a detective would have gotten to the bottom of this case. But the confusion at the end of World War II in occupied Germany allowed the thief to liberate some priceless items and smuggle them through the mail of all things when there was no real police force or government in Eastern Germany!
The book is called Treasure Hunt. It's an easy read. You'll simply not believe what happened, how the priceless art was hidden in a tiny Texas town, and how the treasure was rediscovered in the nick of time.
I've decided to start sharing with you what I'm reading. You may find it interesting. I'd love to know what you read.
Oh wait! If you like the discovery of treasure, then you've got to read this one. WOW! Talk about not being able to put a book down, this is one that had me tied up for days. Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea.
Both of those links are affiliate links. If you buy either or both books after clicking, I get a tiny commission from Amazon. The Federal Trade Commission mandates that I tell you this. I'm not a big fan of government in our lives, but this one is a good policy. I try never to talk about government stuff here. I do that at my Fire Pit hobby website.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
When was the last time you checked your detectors? Have you physically pushed the test button? Is it time to install new detectors? Remember, not all detectors last a lifetime. Some can lose their sensitivity! If in doubt, just talk with the fire prevention officer at your local fire department. This individual is an expert.
Get New-Looking Kitchen Cabinets in Just Days!
Money might be very tight for you right now. If it is and you're tired of your dark or worn kitchen cabinets, you can make your kitchen look new in just a few days with a gallon or two of paint. Yes, you can paint kitchen cabinets and they can look spectacular.
The cost of new cabinets may send you to the emergency room with a heart attack, so you've got little to lose by painting them. Just realize that once you start, there's no turning back. Read my Painting Kitchen Cabinets column of mine and be sure to watch the video at the bottom of the column. That video has a surprise ending.
Pay attention to the STOP sign you'll see in the column. Reading that eBook of mine could save you lots of time and allow you to get professional results!
Washington DC Meet Up!
I asked and you responded. The DC meet up is happening next week. So far at least five people have responded. Let's plan to meet at Pat Troy's Ireland's Own in Alexandria, VA around 4 p.m. on January 5th.
I believe I'm getting a ride from the Russell Senate Office Building around 3 or 3:30 p.m. That would put us at the pub around 4 p.m. if not before. We can shoot the bull and have some dinner until about 7 p.m. Just after 7 p.m., I need to scoot to the airport. It should be a good time! I'm sure you'll find me, as you have the advantage of knowing what I look like. I'll look a little different as it will be one of the rare times I'm in a coat and tie. In case you can't make it, we'll take some photos and maybe shoot a quick video.
Chimney Repair Checklist
My newest product was completed yesterday. Maybe Santa knocked a few bricks loose or cracked your chimney crown by bumping his sleigh into it a few days ago. No matter what caused the problem, if your chimney needs work and you want it done the right way, you really need my chimney repair checklist.
I don't care if you want to do the work yourself or you want to hire a pro. You really can't believe the tips in this checklist.
You may have no idea what my checklists are about. To clear up that confusion, I taped a video to show you what it looks like and what's in it. Please watch the video at the shopping cart page.
Here's a special offer for you. Buy my new checklist now and I'll give you another checklist - you get to pick which one - for FREE. It's a buy-one-get-one-free offer, but this belated Christmas gift to you expires on Sunday (January 2, 2011) at midnight. That gives you plenty of time to recover from any New Years libations, but my advice is to just go get it now in case you forget.
The promo code is: ChimneyBonus
This gives you a $17 discount when you buy a SECOND checklist of your choice.
For it to work, you MUST add the Chimney Repair Checklist AND your second checklist into the cart.
After you enter the promo code into the Coupon box during checkout, you get the $17 discount.
Good for only one use per customer.
Pam on Shovels and Snowblowers
Jim from Spokane, WA sent in a great tip. To help snow slide off shovels and blast out of snow blowers, spray these things with a little Pam. If you have a can of that baking and cooking aid, give it a try. Just watch your dog. If it's like mine, it will lick the surfaces before you have a chance to try it out!
Help with a Green Survey
Unless you live under a rock, you have to be aware of the Green Movement. I'm all for the wise use of natural resources and recycling. However, I'm seeing lots of green washing. That's when slick marketing is used to promote a product that's maybe not so green. I want to do a survey about this Green Movement, but need your help.
What's most important to you about the Green Movement? Can you just email me one question or comment that's of the utmost importance to you? If what you're interested in is in the top of the heap, I'll then compose a quick survey for the next newsletter so we can see how others feel about what's important to you. Thanks in advance!
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