Tag: tips

Pace Yourself

If you are shoveling snow, you should pace yourself and rest in between if you feel exhausted. You may suffer from a stroke or a massive heart attack. Going at things too quickly in cold temperatures can be disastrous soon. Slow and steady gets the job done.

Snowblower

I like electric-start snowblowers because you do not have to struggle in the cold weather to get them started. I like Simplicity and Toro snowblowers. A small snowblower by your house is perfect for clearing snow from your deck or driveway. If you have a large area to clean with a snowblower, buy one with an auger and plenty of power to get through those high snow drifts.

Tractor With A Bucket

If you have a small utility tractor with a bucket, make sure it has 4-wheel drive so it can easily get through deep snow drifts. Make sure your battery is in good working order before winter so it starts when you need it most. Cabs are nice, as you will be warm and cozy. If you do not have a cab, dress in layers for extra warmth.

ATV With A Blade

I like an ATV with a snow blade because it maneuvers easily in most areas and has a lot of power. I put a little heater in the cab of our ATV, and it keeps it warm and cozy. I also have a windshield wiper and antifreeze to keep the cab window clean.

Pickup With A Snowblade

I love to drive our Four Wheel Drive pickup that has a snow blade. The cab is extra warm, and it clears the snow easily. You can buy a blade at least as wide as your pickup, or you will get stuck. Make sure you have outstanding-quality deep-thread snow tires on your pickup, as you will get stuck easily with ordinary snow tires. I have used a blade on a pickup for many years now.

Tractor With Snowblower Attachment

I used a tractor with a snowblower for many years because it blows the snow out of the way. It is dangerous getting on top of the snowblower to clean off the rear window, even with the snowblower shut off, as you could easily fall and hit your head on the snowblower. The shear pins would always break if you hit a hard drift, and trying to get them back into the exact location again was not an easy task.

Whatever method You Use For Snow Removal, Work Safely

Watch out for snowplows on the road when you are driving and give them plenty of room to maneuver, as they have blind spots and may turn right into your car and damage it. Never put your hands in a snowblower until you are sure it is turned off. One man thought it was turned off, but it was not, and he lost three of his fingers. Dress warmly so you will not suffer from frostbite. Stay safe while moving your snow.

Tags dnow removal tips, tips

Pace Yourself

Slow And Steady Wins The Race

Remember, Rome was not built in a day. We try to get too much accomplished in one day. Set a realistic goal for what you can get done in one day. Never beat yourself up if you did not finish everything you set out to do today. If you feel tired and worn out, rest and do not continue until you recover. I have a list of things I want to accomplish each day. Most of the time, I get everything off the list, but if I don’t, I work on it the next day, and sometimes I can get more done than I planned. Work at a pace that works for your health and condition.

Even A Horse Has To Pace Itself

If you are in a race and running way ahead of the pack, you will soon tire and have no steam left to run your competitors down. A person who wins the race is very close to his fellow runners and gives it all he has to fly past them toward the last lap of the race to the finish line.

Cramming For A Test

I never crammed for a test at the last minute. I always studied at a regular pace, took notes, and highlighted pages in my books. I would review my notes and remember the key points from my teacher’s class discussion. I did well on all my tests and was well-rested when I took my test. By cramming for a test the night before, you will be exhausted the day of your test, and it will show up on your test results.

Carpenters

A good carpenter will not try to set a time record and will concentrate on the job. A good carpenter will take several measurements before he starts cutting the wood, for once the wood is cut too short, it is useless, perhaps. A good carpenter takes pride in his work and pays attention to every detail. I saw some carpentry jobs that looked awful over the years. One party had a door that did not open or close properly, and one party had a carpenter who did not know how to space ceiling tiles. I had a carpenter only one time who cut around light fixtures and plumbing, and everything had to be redone completely.

The Turtle Can Beat The Hare

If you buy something too quickly, you can have buyer’s remorse. Just because a car is beautiful does not mean it will take you to the finish line. Remember the old saying, “Look Before You Leap.” Before you sign a contract, read all of the fine print. Never let someone lead you astray with false promises or their way of thinking when you know in your heart and soul that it is wrong. Don’t be a hare and jump into something until you have crossed all your I’s and T’s. The turtle keeps moving slowly but reaches his destination safely.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, slow and steady wins the race, tips

Buying A Snowblower

Consider The Area You Have To Clean

If you have a large area to clean, I would suggest a large snowblower with an auger and chains on the tires for extra traction, especially when there is a lot of snow and ice on the ground. If the area to clean is an entire yard along with a long driveway, an All Wheel Drive vehicle with a cab would be preferable. In the country, a pickup with a blade or a tractor with a snowblower is best, as snow really gets packed in with the strong winds that the farm country experiences.

A Small Snowblower

I love a small blower for cleaning close to the house and for clearing off your deck and ramp. The small snowblowers are easier to maneuver and manage than the larger ones. I would suggest an electric start, as in freezing weather, the engine may not start easily, and you may flood the engine by trying to start it too many times. I prefer the ones that do not require mixing the gas and oil.

Large Snowblower

Consider your age when buying a large snowblower. Will you be able to move it around easily or load it to take it to a repair shop? Large blowers have a higher capacity, and they complete the job more quickly. Never put your hand in the auger area to remove a big hunk of snow, as one man did years ago, losing half of his hand. Turn blowers off and wait until everything has shut off completely before servicing.

Four Wheelers With A Blade Attached

They are convenient as they have a lot of power and traction. I would suggest having a cab, a heater, and wipers on your four-wheeler. A straight blade will move up to about four inches of snow, where a V-blade will remove more, and it will be able to break up these hard-packed snow areas we sometimes have after a blizzard.

Four Wheel Drive Pickup With Blade

A straight blade will clear a lot of snow, but it will not break up hard-packed areas. You need a V-blade on your truck for that. Make sure to buy tires with a deep tread, as this will help prevent you from getting stuck in horrible drifts while moving snow. Put two sandbags in the back of your truck, one on each side of the bed, for added traction.

Large Tractor’s and Snowblowers

A tractor and a large snowblower will get through most snowdrifts, but once in a while, a shear pin will break, and it is not easy to line up the opening for the new shear pin to fit in, especially on a cold winter day.

Tractors And Buckets With Four Wheel Drive

If you have a snow drift that is snow-packed and very tall, a four-wheel drive tractor with a bucket will break it apart, allowing you to move the snow out of your way and get on with your day. Whatever you choose to move your snow, do it with extreme caution. If you feel exhausted, please rest, as it may save your life. If you still do not feel better, or you feel chest pain or are not yourself, call for an ambulance and do not hesitate, for you may die.

Tags preparing for winter, snowblower's, tips

Regular maintenance Is A Must

Regular Maintenance Is A Must

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date October 20, 2025
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Maintaining Your Vehicles

I have the oil changed on all of my vehicles when needed, as oil is inexpensive when compared to the cost of a new motor. I replace my tires when the tread is worn down or I lack enough grip with the tires that came with the car initially. Tires help in stopping and maintaining control of your vehicle. Have air filters and cabin filters replaced, as mice can build nests in cabin filters. A well-maintained car can last for many years without any problems. One man told me that he had 268.000 miles on his Camaro.

Furnace And AC Checks

Your furnace should be checked every two years for any leaks, belts, motors, and lubrication needs. You don’t want the thermo coupler or ignitor to stop in the middle of a blizzard, leaving you without heat in your home. Maintain your furnace filter yourself by replacing it every month or every two months, depending on the type of filter you buy. ACs need to be checked to ensure they do not have any R-134a refrigerant leaks and to clean the outdoor coils of debris such as leaves and more.

Appliances

If your washing machine is noisy, have a repair person assess the problem. Washing machines need to have the softener area taken apart and cleaned when you see residue on your clothes after washing them. A YouTube video will show you how to do it. Clothes dryers may need a new thermo coupler, ignitor switch, or belt around the drum. Your refrigerator may become very noisy just before it stops working for good. Clean the coils under or behind your refrigerator, and it will last much longer. Watch a YouTube video on how to do it. Defrost your freezer often, and it will last much longer and use less energy to keep your food frozen. Clean the filters frequently on dehumidifiers and portable ACs so they run efficiently and effortlessly.

Snowblowers, Chainsaws, And Lawn Mowers

It is a good idea to have the spark plugs changed in your mowers, chainsaws, and snowblowers, as they will start easily when you need them the most. Put Seafoam in your gas when you store it, so you do not put bad fuel in your mowers and more. Remember to put oil in your 2-cycle engines, or you will ruin the engine in a matter of minutes.

Small Appliances

If you store some of your small appliances, use them once in a while to keep the motors working. Run your mixer, blender, and coffee maker. Put a cleaning solution in your coffee maker to remove scale and to keep it working in good order. Clean the crumbs out of your toaster for sanitary reasons. Wipe off and clean all of your appliances after use.

Maintenance Saves Money And Time

If you do not maintain things, they will not last, and you will have wasted a lot of money replacing an appliance or item that could have lasted with proper maintenance over the years.

Tags Maintenance Of All Kinds, tips

How To Buy Items

Buying Power

Shop around at various stores for what you are looking for. Do not be in a hurry to buy an item if you can live without it for a while, as the longer the store has it, the more likely they are to lower the price. I waited to buy a clock for some time, and eventually the store reduced the price considerably. Buying in volume helps. I generally deal with the store owner, and he is aware that I will be purchasing power tools, refrigerators, carpet rolls, clothing, and other goods from him on a regular basis. As a result, I receive a much better deal on my purchases.

Buying A Vehicle

When shopping for a vehicle, contact at least four dealerships and compare the prices to find the lowest one for your dream vehicle. This will give you some leverage in buying the vehicle at the car dealer of your choice, as they will try to match or outbid the price if possible. You can still sweeten the deal by asking for a year of free oil changes and a reduction in the continued warranty coverage plan.

Money Takes A Long Time To Accumulate

Money does not grow on trees, so you have to save some whenever you can. I used to buy water heaters from my local hardware store, and they had a six-year warranty that they always stood behind. They were a well-known brand at a reasonable price.

Buying A Vacuum Cleaner From The Door To Door Salesman

They start with a price of about $1500.00, which is absurd, and after they have shown you that your carpet was filthy, so to speak, by the dirt they suck out of it, they will say What do you have to trade in and they will offer you about $100.00 for your old vacuum. The next thing they try to do to entice you to buy it is to give you a good deal on shampooing, grinding, and other attachments that will fit onto their vacuum. If you tell them you will pay $ 400.00 for it, as they are leaving, you will be the proud owner of a new vacuum that has a lot of suction and will last you a lifetime.

Trade In Your Old Lawn Mower

Contact several implement companies to determine what they are asking for a used mower like yours, and then you will know its worth. Contact several dealers selling a new mower that you want, and you will be informed of all the prices. I called dealers up to 100 miles away, and then my local dealer matched their price; they also service my mowers. This works for whatever you want to trade, and your local dealer also gets to know that you have it serviced at their location on a regular basis. As a result, they are willing to pay more for your trade-in.

Make Sure You Buy A Brand-Name Item

Buying something just because it’s on sale at a cheap price will cost you much more down the road. We purchased a recliner years ago that was not a brand-name product, and the mechanism wore out in only three years. Ceiling fans do not last unless you buy a tried-and-true brand. I always buy appliances from reputable brands such as Whirlpool, GE, Hamilton Beach, and KitchenAid. The electronic items I always purchased were name-brand computers, printers, and other devices.

Tags buying, getting a lower price, purchasing power, tips

Idle Time

Reading

I love to read history books, especially ones about World War 2. Reading is terrific in idle time, as you can delve into a good book and learn a lot of interesting historical, scientific, and other things that will add to your array of knowledge. Every day, we should strive to learn something new. Reading a good book or magazine article can be a relaxing way to end a day when you are tired.

Exercise

I love to walk and pick up sticks that I see lying in the yard, as well as anything that may have blown in, and dispose of them properly. Riding a bike is an excellent form of exercise, and it is very relaxing as the wind blows through your hair. I notice birds and other animals while I ride my bike. Walking is one of the best exercises for your heart, mental well-being, and overall health.

Sitting On Your Deck

It is fun to sit on your deck and visit with friends while enjoying refreshments or using your barbecue grill. You can also sit in the shade on your deck, read a book, or work outdoors on your computer. I love the great outdoors, and having a deck is perfect for me because I can sit up high and have a bird’s-eye view of what is happening. I saw a fox run by and a deer, and I watched the birds that came up to our bird feeders. I have witnessed blue jays, woodpeckers, house finches, goldfinches, brown thrashers, bluebirds, cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, scarlet tanagers, and the more common birds at our bird feeders.

Vacations

I love to take a vacation now and then, as you will come home with a lifetime of precious memories that no one can take away. I love learning about the history of each country and admiring its architecture. I love Switzerland and enjoy admiring its beautiful mountains. Germany, England, Amsterdam, Czechoslovakia, and Switzerland were my favorite countries to see and visit. Try the signature food dishes in each country, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the excellent taste and seasonings. If you collect something small, taking home a souvenir from each country is a fantastic way to remember the store, the country, and the good time you had finding your collectible. Take plenty of pictures while you travel, as they are fun to look back on over the years. I love Colorado, Wyoming, Illinois, Ohio, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Virginia in the USA. I have always enjoyed traveling in Canada and shopping in their stores.

Volunteer

Volunteering at something you love can be very relaxing and rewarding. I enjoy visiting with people in Assisted Living Units or Nursing Homes. You can volunteer at hospitals, food banks, community kitchens, and mission work wherever needed.

Eating Out Or Going Places With Friends

Spending a quality day with friends or going on a trip with them is very relaxing and rewarding. I love eating at small family-owned restaurants, exploring the mom-and-pop stores, and finding something good to take home. You may discover appliances, shoes, clothes, furniture, and more that you’d like to purchase. Ensure you drive a vehicle with ample cargo space to haul your find-of-the-day home.

Tags exercise, read, tips, vacation, volunteer

Too Much On Your Agenda

Do You Try To Do Too Much In One Day?

I know that I do. I am not happy at the end of the day if I haven’t completed everything on my to-do list for the day. I am delighted if I have accomplished as much as possible in my work day. I tend to get bored if I am not doing something constructive with my time. I do take breaks as I know my limitations. Burning the candles at both ends can be detrimental if you don’t take time to stop and smell the roses now and then. Don’t feel bad if you take a day to be alone, relax, and do your own thing that brings you happiness and contentment. Do the most demanding jobs first thing in the morning and save the easiest job for the end of your day. Put your heart into your work so you can be proud of what you have accomplished with your day. A shoddy job is not worth doing, and no one will like it, including you, if you take any pride in what others have to say about your work and your work ethic. Make your work shine and have others say good things about it for many years. Excellent craftsmanship stands out and is appreciated by all. If you feel exhausted, stop and rest, and after you feel refreshed, you can finish your work. One can not run a jackhammer all day without breaks.

Back-to-Back Appointments

If you have back-to-back appointments, you’d better review your client’s wishes before you meet with them. Do not have a client come in and assume that you remember what they want, as their wants might have changed. Never makes changes without everyone signing an agreement, as the spoken word means nothing in a court of law. Some Doctors see a patient every 15 minutes, and they cannot really give that person the time they need if they have a complex condition. Hairdressers see fewer people in one day than a Doctor does. If you feel that not enough time has been spent with you, speak up and tell them you want them to explain more things to you.

Never Have Too Much On Your Agenda That You Do Not Spend Time Wth God

Spending time with God each day is the most important thing on your agenda for the day. All of us are nothing without God. God gave us life, he protects us 24/7, he grants us love, joy, peace, and hope. Read a portion of your Bible, read a devotion, pray to God, and help spread the good word to all. Church is vital; if you cannot make it in person, listen to an online service. It is good when we are reminded of the scriptures in the Bible and how they pertain to how we should live and act in the world. God’s word awakens our souls and fills our hearts with love and joy. Pray without ceasing. Praise God’s name.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, overtaxed, slow down, Spend time with God, tips

Today You Have To Be A Jack Of All Trades

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date September 1, 2025
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Knowing How To Repair Items Will Help You Immensely

If you are mechanically minded, an auto mechanic will not be able to take advantage of you or pull the wool over your eyes. A mechanic years ago told me my car was leaking transmission fluid, and he would have to fix it right away. I said I think not, as he had poured oil on the transmission to make it appear that it had a significant leak. I had one mechanic tell me that my car needed a new battery, and I had just put a new one in a week ago. I said, ” Don’t they last longer than one week he knew he had met his match. I was told by a plumber that one of my tenants had worn out a new faucet in just one week, and he had repaired it. I took it apart, and he had not put any new parts in it. I told him that I had taken the faucet apart, and he had not repaired it whatsoever. Needless to say, I hired a different plumber after that. Roofing, I had been watching my roofer, and he was hardly using any nails to attach the shingles to the roof of the house. I told him how it was to be done, and he was very shocked indeed that I knew how to roof. Be informed about things before you let someone take advantage of you, so to speak. Remember the old saying, “Ignorance is no excuse.”

It Pays To be A Good Business Person

After dealing with various types of people over the years, you will become wise beyond your years. Many people will take advantage of how far or how much they can get away with. Lay down the law right away and do not back down, or they will take it as a sign of weakness and try to back you into a corner time after time. Have all legal agreements in writing, as word of mouth means nothing in a court of law. When writing a contract with someone, ensure that you include all necessary details, as leaving any out can result in missing what you intended. When buying a home, request that it be inspected before you sign on the dotted line, especially if it has been vacant for a while, as it may have major plumbing issues. When buying a home, contact the local police department and inquire about the neighborhood where the house is located. I had to call three different cement companies simultaneously to get a decent price. It pays to know approximately what repairs should cost, so you know what to expect in terms of payment. Shop around and never pay the first price that someone quotes you. Be a savvy and knowledgeable consumer, as the shysters do not like that. If a deal seems too good to be true, it generally is. Never give someone a loan, as they are unlikely to repay you, and good friendships have been damaged or even dissolved because of unpaid loans. Be a savvy, intelligent, well-informed consumer.

Tags a business person, fixing things, repairing things, tips

We Can Make Our Own Sunshine

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 28, 2025
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A Horrible Day

No day is a horrible day, as all days have some ray of sunshine in them. Perhaps you received a speeding ticket because you were speeding to avoid being late for work. The ticket was your fault, as you should have gotten up earlier so you would not have been speeding. We cause much of our disappointment over things by overthinking and rehashing them. Do not let the old experiences in your life overshadow the wonderful experiences that you could have if you could just let go of the past and live in the present. A horrible day is an imperfect expression, as any day can have some sunshine in it if you pull up the shades on your current situation in life.

The Complainer

The complainer has problems with everything. If they order food, it is not cooked properly or is too cold. Some people enjoy hearing themselves complain about everything, even the most mundane details. When you are driving, the complainer will say Why didn’t you take that shortcut? ” or Why did you take the scenic route? Some people will buy something in a store and complain about it to see if they can get a discount, even when nothing is wrong. A store soon catches on to this type of person. Stop being a whining complainer, as that gets old quickly. If you are a complainer, remember you can attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.

A Day Is What You Make It

If you start your day with a good attitude, it will be fantastic and gratifying. If you think, “I cannot make it through this day, and nothing is going to work out,” you will be absolutely right. As the old saying goes, if you are given sour grapes, make wine. I think this is the day that the Lord has made, and let us rejoice and be glad in it. The Bible is a good book to read for guidance on how to have remarkable and memorable days. Get out with people and cheer each other up. Compliment them on their achievements in life, and don’t be jealous, for you have no idea what it took for them to achieve their dreams. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to achieve our dreams.

Life Will Have Ups And Downs

Not everything in life is smooth sailing, as we will encounter many high waves to navigate. Pray to God for help with your day and ask God to give you the strength you need to accomplish your day’s goals. Faith will take you very far in life; without faith, you will be adrift on the ocean for a long time. Remember the joyous days and try to help others have joyous days. Call people, visit with them face-to-face, take them out to lunch, send a card, and cheer them on in life. You are never defeated if you keep trying; eventually, you will reach the top of your mountain. Stay motivated and remain connected to God and the people in your life.

Tags faith, Inspirations with Laura, positive attitude, tips

Operating At Peak Performance

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 14, 2025
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Youthful And Full Of Energy

When one is young, one can work all day and not feel exhausted, and still go to dinner and a movie. When one is young, one is operating at one’s peak of power and endurance. Your mind is like a sponge, and you can remember all of the information that enters your mind and recall that information in a matter of seconds with no hesitation whatsoever. In your youth, you could wash and wax five vehicles or maybe scrape or paint two garages in one day. One can maintain a lot of energy in their fifties by eating right and exercising daily.

Prime Performance

A person is at the top of their game in their twenties and sometimes into their 70s or later, depending on their genetic makeup and how they have taken care of themselves over the years. If you have a job, your performance will shine brightly in what you can do and achieve in your field of expertise. Take college classes to enrich your mind, and when you’re older, consider taking lifelong learning classes at your local college. This will help keep your mind sharp, hopefully.

Operating A Vehicle At Top Performance

Fresh oil and regular maintenance keep your vehicle operating at peak performance. If you have one bad spark plug in a car, it will sound like an old, thrashing machine. Make sure the tires have plenty of tread, or you may have trouble stopping even in a pouring rain, let alone snow and icy roads. Cars are like people; if we do not take care of them or ourselves, minor problems will soon become major issues that can wreak havoc with our performance.

God And Your Performance

I hope you have a close relationship with God, because if you do not, you will never reach your peak performance in life. For without God in your life, you are nothing at all. God helps us with all aspects of our daily living if we listen to subtle clues and read devotions and the Bible regularly. God knows your heart and your soul better than anyone else ever will. God sees how you act around other people and how you treat them. Put your faith and devotion in God, for all other ground is sinking sand. God can lift you to new heights that you thought you would never reach.

Gods Helpers

How do we help God in our daily lives? If we share with others how God has helped us navigate various storms in our lives, we are helping God by spreading the good news of how you, too, can be helped by having God in your life. God is there for anyone who wants him in their life. God has answered many of my prayers, for which I am very grateful. Help people in need, be kind, and be someone they can turn to when the going gets rough. Be a friend through thick and thin. Help spread God’s good works whenever and however you can. Go out and remind people of how God can help them today and always, and remind them to pray without ceasing.

Tags in your prime, Inspirations with Laura, optimum performance, tips