Sheltering in Place (it’s like we’ve all been grounded by our parents!)

Sheltering in Place

(it’s like we’ve all been grounded by our parents!)

Like many of you, I’m working from home full time now.  Yes, I’m lucky to still be working, and I do like sleeping in until 15 minutes before I start work (if no one sees me, is there any point in putting on makeup & curling my hair?), but there are concerns.  Will I gain the dreaded covid 19 (Lbs-Not the virus!) – but similar to the Freshman 15 weigh gain? What about friends?  Sure Zoom, Facebook & the phone are good, but when will I get to see my friends again?  And networking – ditto!  When will the library open so I can return the book I finished a month ago? 

So, since I have some free time (I’m not wasting time driving home from work or any of the above activities I just whined about!) I thought I should catch up on a few things I’ve been “meaning to do” (ok, maybe just thinking I should do) around the house.   And if you are like me, stuck at home and tired of TV, out of new books, just sitting around gets old after awhile.  Here are a few suggestions of things that will make your house happy (and your homeowner insurance, since you’ll be preventing future damage):

• ·         Test your smoke detectors (you meant to do that when you changed the clocks)
• ·         Clean your gutters (that was one you meant to do last fall)
• ·         Clean your dryer vent hose/duct (serious fire hazard)
• ·         Vacuum your refrigerator coils (surprising what you’ll find behind & under the fridge!)
• ·         Clean/replace your furnace filter (ease the burden on your furnace & maybe save a bit)
• ·         Clean around you’re a/c unit for better air flow
• ·         Clean out your home’s window wells (odd stuff ends up there)
• ·         Drain a few buckets of water from your hot water tank – removing sediment will extend its life! 
• Check screens for damage & clean & repair if needed 

And now that you’ve accomplished all that…

Have a glass of wine (or your favorite beverage) – you deserve it!

You can always move on to the garage & attic next week!

And finally, I hope you are well & saying safe!  We WILL get through this!