HALIFAX REAL ESTATE & HALIFAX HOMES PROPERTIES

Real News

Real News

November 2005 Published by Thomas Bagogloo, The BAGOGLOO Team, RE/MAX nova

Family Times

Communicate With Your Children

'Are you listening to me?' How many times have we heard that saying, or have said those very same words as we communicate with our children? As parents there are moments we feel the communication system is broken down on the receiving end. We wonder how it is that our children don't seem to hear us, or do what is asked of them. It drives us crazy and can make for unpleasant moments in our households. We feel that it must be our children and that they just don't listen.

With that said let me ask you as a parent when was the last time you really listened to your child? When was the last time you stopped working on whatever it was you were doing to really make eye contact with your child and to listen to them?

When you talk with your children is it usually while you are driving in the car, reading the newspaper, watching television, or making supper? Or do you talk around the dinner table without the distractions of a television or radio, or just before putting your kids to bed? When do you take time to really listen and communicate with your kids?

Our society today has families running from work and school to sports and extra curricular events all week long. With this kind of schedule, we put a lot of stress on ourselves as parents as well as on our children. We want to be parents that gave their kids the best, but sometimes the best things we can give them is ourselves and our uninterrupted time. So the next time we wonder if our kids are listening, perhaps we need to check if we have been listening. Remember our kids learn by example.

Preparing Your Home for Winter

Winter is fast approaching' brrrrr!.... and it's never too soon to start preparing your home for the cold temperatures ahead. By taking the time for planning and preparation, you can prevent potential problems and save yourself time, money, and headaches.

It's important to have your furnace professionally inspected and serviced. This person will perform maintenance tasks to ensure your furnace runs at optimum efficiency. These tasks would include the following:

Inspecting thermostat for proper operation
Inspecting the filter, and changing or cleaning filter as needed
Checking of all electrical components and controls
Oiling the motors as necessary
Inspecting the heat exchanger for possible cracks (This is important as a crack in the heat exchanger will introduce carbon monoxide into your home.)
Checking the air flow to see if it is diminished, and if it is necessary to clean the evaporator coil
Checking of air fuel mixture

There are several things you, the home owner, can do to ensure the safety and efficiency of your home heating system:

Prior to turning on your furnace for the first time in the year, make sure nothing flammable is stored next to it. Clear out the area surrounding your furnace and water heater.
Ensure the filters are changed/cleaned regularly, thus improving air flow and efficiency which will help lower your utility bills.
Clean out the sediment at the base of your water heater tank. Collected sediment greatly reduces the efficiency of the burner.
It is normal for dust to settle on heating equipment/heaters throughout the summer, so it is not unusual to have a strong, distinct odor the first time your heating unit is used. This should dissipate quickly, but if not, shut off the furnace or electric heat and consult a professional.
Ceiling fans can benefit your home during the winter as well as cooling things off in the summer. Ceiling fans will move around the hot air which gets trapped at the top of the room, lowering heating costs, as well as reducing the condensation that forms on windows and glass doors.
The home owner should install at least one high-quality carbon monoxide detector.
Smoke detectors should always be maintained (check batteries and test occasionally to ensure hard-wired detectors are operational) and well distributed throughout the house

Quick & Easy Chili

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion chopped

1 tablespoon fat (if meat is lean)

1 14 oz. can red kidney beans

1 10 oz. can tomato soup

2/3 cup water

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons chili powder (or more, according to taste)

1 teaspoon vinegar

Brown hamburger and onions in the fat.
Drain most of the fat off.
Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Serve immediately with a dollop of sour cream on top of the chili in each bowl.

Serves 3-4.

If you want me, and the most professional real estate services, please pick up the phone and call. I'll be right there.

- Thomas