This Girl’s House

In this episode, I talk about the purchase and placement of a flatscreen television, replacing a refrigerator, the challenges of renovation and some podcasts that I’ve recently listened to.  Length: 43:38. Published 03/18/08. Podcast

Flatscreen TV’s.  In the last episode, I believe that I mentioned that we would be purchasing a flatscreen television.  Well, we did purchase the Panasonic 58″ inch television from COSTCO.  It was not exactly the same model mentioned in the Consumer Reports, but we were nevertheless satisfied with our purchase. Stevie asked for help from his son unpackaging it and placing it on a sideboard in the living room.  Speaking of sideboards, we borrowed one from the dining room because we decided that we would not install it on our wall.  Furthermore, this was not the television’s final destination.  We purchased another used sideboard, so we could cut out parts of the back, and eventually placed that under the television instead.  Stevie anticipates that sideboards will be very very hard to find within the next year. 

The World Is Flat – How to Accessorize Around Your Flatscreen Television – Boston Globe – http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/house/articles/2008/01/31/the_world_is_flat/

Purchasing a New Refrigerator:  How long should an appliance last?  Until I’m dead, would be my answer, for as much as you have to pay for the things.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.  I read an interesting article about how long appliances should last:

Minneapolis Star Tribune - http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/11311611.html

So I’m destined to be disillusioned.  Furthermore, roughly 14 years ago, I basically bought all new appliances because we moved from overseas.  As it turns out, many of the appliances are pretty worn out by now, if they have not already worn out.  I had to replace my refrigerator.  In doing some background research, I found this site called consumersearch.com, and they wrote a pretty comprehensive review on refrigerators.  I ended up getting a refrigerator, not on this list, because I found a deal at the Sears Outlet.  It’s a GE Profile 26 cubic feet side by side, not my first choice, but who could turn down the $699 price tag.  

BTW:  Did you know that stainless steel refrigerators of a certain quality, are not magnetic.  So there goes my refrigerator magnet collection.

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/kitchen/refrigerators/index.html

Miscellaneous: Putting off projects.  Renovate while living with the mess.  Spring is coming.  Bulbs have come up.  Time to get out there to clean up plants that have died over the winter and pick up brush.  Podcasts I’ve listened to lately. 

• Carey Brothers On the House – http://www.onthehouse.com/ (Repairing a roof, estimates, problems with a hot water heater)
• Design Tips with Lee Ann – http://www.radiosandysprings.com/design.php (Texture and Lighting)
• Diva in the House – http://www.radiosandysprings.com/diva.php (Interview with Ambrose
• Howcast Home – not recommended
• The Home Improvement Zone with David Yates – http://www.hgradio.com/ (Energy conservation, green building)
• Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show – http://www.moneypit.com/ (Plants that require less maintenance, bathtubs with jets, deck maintenance such as replacing nails with deck screws, repainting an exterior mahogany door with marine varnish)