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Archive for the 'Fun Stuff' Category

Removing the Computer Clutter

Posted by by Monmouth County-Monroe Twp News and Real Estate Information on 1st July 2006

If your computer or Internet seem to be running slow there are some very basic steps you can take to speed things up a bit. Be sure to clear your cookies, history and cashe at least once a week. Simply go to the Internet, go to Tools, go to Internet Options, select the General Tab, In the center of this box you will see a button that reads “Delete Cookies” this will clear your cookies. Next to that button you will see “Delete Files” a smaller box will pop up asking if you would like to delete offline files also. I always delete both. Finally you will want to Delete History, this button is near the bottom of the box. After finishing close the Interent.

I then move on to my Windows Start button then to Accessories and then to System Tools and finally to Disk Cleanup. I run disk cleanup on Drive C. Most of what is found are temporary interent files. I delete them and a self extracting shreddar comes up that will remove every trace of these files from my computer. I then reboot my computer and restart my interent. If your internet is still running slow, you may want to try using a program such as ad-aware which will remove adware files and speed things a good amount. I use this program once a month. After completing be sure to activate your pop-up blocker and virus software.

Posted in Tips and Advice, Fun Stuff | No Comments »

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down

Posted by by Monmouth County-Monroe Twp News and Real Estate Information on 28th June 2006

Recently some friends of mine had started remodeling their charming 2 story colonial. A new 6 ft. grand entrance that leads into the kitchen was created, nothing remained of the old 36 inch doorway excepts scraps of sheetrock and sawed off 2×4’s. Unfortunately my friend never checked before starting construction and actually cut thru a bearing wall. A bearing wall helps support the weight of the floors and roof above it. The construction of your home will determine which walls are bearing but normally all exterior walls are and many interiors walls can be. The easiest way to tell is to climb up into the attic. If the ceiling joists or rafters are running parallel to the wall you want to remove, it is normally a non-load-bearing wall. If the joists or rafters are perpendicular to the wall, you can be fairly sure the wall is load bearing. If you are uncertain which walls are bearing consult a building professional prior to any modifications. When a bearing wall is removed it can be disastrous if not fully supported prior to the removal. If just a part of a bearing wall is removed the joist will begin to sag as the weight bears down and a collapse is not beyond the realm of possibility. Apparently the fix for this varies depending on the severity. In some cases jacks are used to reposition the joist to level. Furthermore, precautions must be taken to lesson the risk of damage to the surrounding walls, floors and ceilings. Remodeling can be rewarding experience for the do-it-yourselfer if step one involves
precautions and planning. Always consult a professional if you are unsure before starting any project.

Posted in Tips and Advice, Fun Stuff, Township Building Permits | No Comments »

Advertising Observations

Posted by by Monmouth County-Monroe Twp News and Real Estate Information on 14th June 2006

 

Sprawling Ranch with Custom Built Shaded Porch
Perfect for Outdoor Entertaining

Is attempting to create an appealing advertisement for a particular unappealing property necessary? Wouldn’t it be beneficial to everyone involved to target prospective buyers with hard facts instead of trying to paint a whimsical picture? For instance a neglected 3 bedroom mobile home with a swampy brook somewhere within 10 minutes of the property definitely shouldn’t be advertised as a Ranch Type Home with Spectacular Water View, yet time and time again this is the type of advertising we hear about. “Almost new” what is almost? We know it’s not new but how far away from new is “almost”? ” Fixer Upper” I love this one because I’m a woman and I know that everything in life is a fixer upper because I need change :) “Plenty Of Amenities” but maybe not plenty maybe just 2 smoke detectors (almost new of course). “Secluded Bedroom” ok so the bedroom is not in our view, it’s secluded, arghhhhhh is it still in the house just tell me if it’s in the house and where i can find the secluded bedroom! “Freshly Painted” see “almost new”. I’m am guilty of using the following… “Low Taxes” we are in New Jersey enough said.

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Realtor Mania

Posted by by Monmouth County-Monroe Twp News and Real Estate Information on 9th June 2006

 

Going for the title of “Who Shows First” two middle age real estate agents were involved in a shouting match on a homeowners front lawn. Due to a late arrival by agent 1 and an early arrival by agent 2, a brief spat broke out. I had previously made these showing appointments therefore I became the referee via AT&T. I had sound but unfortunately no visuals. I felt cheated in some way. It was equivalent of going to the premier of Hostile but not quite being able to see the screen over the well postured person in front of me.. As I listened to the verbal battering I was left only with the images I created in my mind which later I would find were much more exciting than the actual event itself….much like the last episode of the Sopranos 

Posted in Fun Stuff | 2 Comments »

Quote of the Day

Posted by by Monmouth County-Monroe Twp News and Real Estate Information on 3rd June 2006


“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.”
Napoleon Hill

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Excuse Me, You’ve Dropped Your Cookie… Again!

Posted by by Monmouth County-Monroe Twp News and Real Estate Information on 29th May 2006

 

I barely got those words out of my mouth before a concerned mom toe kicked this half eaten chocolate chip cookie with the force of an NFL player. Surprisingly her young child simply watched his now airborne treat sail away without even shedding a tear. As I continued my stroll down this quiet street I started reminiscing back to my childhood days and the countless ground contaminated cookies I had dropped, rescued, “kissed up” and ate with confidence knowing I had performed the necessary safety measures involved. Back in the day this “kissing it up” ritual somehow sanitized it and made it suitable for consumption again. So what has changed? Have we become so resourceful that we can simply purchase a new cookie as if the one we dropped is less important? Is our ground that much more polluted then it was 30 years ago where as the sanitizing ritual is no longer effective? We are talking about a chocolate chip cookie….not a sugar cookie…..not an oatmeal cookie….. A Chocolate Chip Cookie….. come on cookie lovers, if you dropped it, pick it up! 

UPDATE: My 17 Year Old Daughter Speaks on the Subject: “Mom, just yesterday I dropped my Hershey bar in the parking lot, kissed it up and ate it, worked like a charm!

Disclaimer: Not responsible for anyone getting sick from not properly sanitizing fallen food items :) nor am I suggesting you kiss it up and eat it…I am just saying a chocolate chip cookie is not something to be wasted…

Posted in My Life, Fun Stuff | 2 Comments »

Quote of the Day

Posted by by Monmouth County-Monroe Twp News and Real Estate Information on 26th May 2006


No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC)

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Quote of the Day!

Posted by by Monmouth County-Monroe Twp News and Real Estate Information on 23rd May 2006


“It is no disgrace to start all over. It is usually an opportunity.” –George Matthew Adams

Posted in Fun Stuff | 2 Comments »

Quote Of the Day!

Posted by by Monmouth County-Monroe Twp News and Real Estate Information on 17th May 2006


“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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