Mar 30, 2011

Installing Deadlocks and Safety Chains


A cylindrical deadlock on all your external doors (or a cylindrical lock set on a home office or bedroom door) gives a sense of security that more than compensates for the effort and cost involved in its installation. You will need to bore two holes and do a little chiselling to install a lock of this kind. Mortice locks, on the other hand, need many more holes bored.


A deadlock ensures that, even if an entruder gains access via a window, he or she can't open the door. A deadlock has no handle and can only be opened with a key (inside and out) and the idea of having to haul your heavy valuables through a window may well see the would-be burglar on his way. Keyed locks on the windows are worth considering.


A safety chain on a timber front or back door allows you to open the door marginally to see who's calling, but won't afford an opening sufficient for anyone to enter. It also doubles the security of a lock and makes you feel a great deal more comfortable about being home alone.

Mar 28, 2011

Our Favorite Gazebo




This yellow gazebo is located beside my grand father’s house. We were at the grand father’s house last weekend. It’s a nice place to chat, do fishing and enjoy the pond view around. MellowYellowBadge

Mar 26, 2011

Tired Faces

My husband captured it candidly with his camera phone. We were on the train that took us back from Jakarta (capital city of Indonesia) to my city, Bogor. It’s not a long time journey; only about one hour.

The comfortable temperature inside the train turns tiredness into sleepiness. In fact, I didn’t know if my husband took a picture of them; as I also slept along the ride.

My entry for
Weekend Portrait and The Weekend in Black and White this week.

Mar 24, 2011

A Divan Bed

In small rooms, every square millimeter of space is important. A multi-purpose divan bed unit is great for reclining on during the day while you read, and a haven for slumber at night-makes optimum use for limited space.

The unit is basically an open-fronted box. The top of this unit is fixed solidly, but it could be cut along the centre of the bookshelf position, and the rear left loose. A couple of finger holes bored in it and, voila, you’ve got a great additional storage space for those little-used items.

The unit is made from 18 mm particle board which should be edge-stripped to ensure a good finish. You need a top and bottom 900 mm wide x (at least) 1950 mm long, four pieces of 900 x 380 mm to make the ends and intermediate divisions, and two pieces the length of the unit x 380 mm for the back and the dividers. The timber plinth is constructed of 75 x 50 mm DAR (you could use sawn timber and plane the face of the front one). The timber plinth is positioned 50 mm back from the base to form a kick board.

Mar 22, 2011

Purchase Structured Settlements. Is it the Right Step?

Why many people think that purchasing structured settlements is a better idea than approving a lump sum payment? Actually, there are various reasons. The financial guarantee of getting regular payments over years and decades conceal the significance of a single lump sum payment that you might expend in a few months. People that suffer from unbearable injuries require life-long cure and they cannot finance that with a single payment.

Here are the benefits of purchasing structured settlements:

Financial steadiness
It’s assumed as the best characteristic that offered by structured settlement. If you have undergone a major injury, you will want medical treatments frequently. If you choose a lump sum payment, the money will fast run out.

Managing large amounts of money is not easy at all. This will draw off your finance and you will be left with little to pay for following medical treatments. If you purchase structured settlements; you’ll get fixed amount every quarter, six months, or a year. It will allow you to pay for medical costs even after ten years of signing the deal.

Better managing
Even if you don't have many medical expenses, there is still a possibility of too much spending money. A regular payment, in contrast, will make certain that you have money after five or ten years. If you have signed a life-long plan then this will be valid until your death.

Quicker payments
Purchase structured settlements and then you are capable to accept payments quickly. Defendants find it’s harder to pay up a large amount of money then paying in smaller portion.

These sorts of settlements are set and facilitated by insurance companies. It can eliminate any probability of hoax if you have signed up with a trustworthy institution.

You can also purchase structured settlements from more than a single company to defend against any upcoming chances of failure to pay if one company goes broke. There are protection clauses in annuity agreements that will guard you from any such scenarios but it is better to have a ready emergency plan. Purchasing structured settlements are able to conquer financial difficulties and pay medicinal expenditures over many years.

Mar 21, 2011

New Year Trumpets

It’s already approaching April; but I’ve still posted things that relate to new year. Sorry, I hope it would be okay with you all. Nearing new year moment every year, it’s a common thing to see vendors with paper trumpets for sale.
The photo was captured near a vegetable market in my husband’s hometown (Bumiayu, Central Java, Indonesia). I like the dragon-shaped trumpets that he carried. Did you buy trumpets for your new year’s night? I didn’t.

MellowYellowBadge

Mar 18, 2011

Happy Day on the Beach

A fun family portrait. Meet my SIL’s family; this photo was captured when they were on Pangandaran Beach (Ciamis, West Java, Indonesia). Playing with waves is always fun. Look at their happy faces!

Mar 16, 2011

Winter Doesn't Necessarily Mean Burst Pipes

During winter, burst pipes are very common due to freezing of pipes. However, they can be prevented from occurring if you employ seasonal home maintenance in your plumbing system. The following are some ways on how to avoid frozen pipes.
  1. Know Which Pipes are Potential from Freezing – Pipes exposed to open air, those found in the attics, garages, basements and other non-insulated areas are very prone to freezing. Bear in mind that even hot water pipes also freeze so you should check them out as well from time to time.
  2. Insulate Water Pipes – In insulating water pipes, pay special attention on pipe with freezing potential. Pipes insulators are available in foam tubes which are fitted in every pipe inside the house. Installing them would prevent freezing pipes as they keep each pipe warm.

  3. Do Extra Precautions When it is Extremely Cold – Keep some faucets open and maintain a moderate drip to prevent the pipes from freezing.
  4. Avoid Pipes from Bursting – If your home insulating system breaks, it is necessary to drain water pipes to prevent the water from freezing thus preventing burst pipes. This can be done by turning off the main valve then opening all faucets in the household until water is completely drained.
Perform the aforementioned steps to spare yourself from spending high amounts due to damages caused by burst pipes. The winter season is not really the sole culprit why pipe freezes and bursts because how you protect the pipes inside your house from freezing by doing seasonal maintenance greatly matters. Contact your trusted plumbers now and ask more suggestions on how to prevent occurrence of bursting pipes.

Mar 14, 2011

Graffiti

Thanks to the street sweeper for keeping clean my city; but this time I want to write more about something else, vandalism and graffiti.

Vandalism is the cruel destruction or spoiling anything beautiful or respected. Graffiti itself is a common form of vandalism. Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property. Graffiti may appear in the forms of simple written words to elaborate wall paintings.

Though vandalism/graffiti in itself is illegal, it is often also an important part of modern popular culture. In my opinion, the letters painted on the wall (in the photo) can’t be assumed as an art, since it doesn’t beautify the wall. It’s very irresponsible action!

Data source:wikipedia

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Mar 13, 2011

My Father In Law

Meet my father in law, Kaseh. It’s a very short name, right? He’s still healthy in his age, eighty seven years old. But he already can’t hear well, I must speak louder near his ear or write down on paper to communicate with him; since he doesn’t like using a hearing aid tool. In his old age, he prefers to live alone at his own home; but he also loves travelling to visit his sons and daughters in Jakarta (capital city of Indonesia). Wish him good health!

Weekend Portrait

Mar 12, 2011

At Parking Area

I still share the picture that I captured at the same mall. In my previous black and white post; I presented photos at a cafe. This time I share the mountain view that I saw from the parking area on the left side of the mall. The reflections on the lining cars are interesting to see as well.

Mar 9, 2011

Security Hints (2)


As I said earlier, this time I’ll mention the other five security hints for you.

6. A dog of the right breed and with the right training can be a great deterrent-but it must not be a nuisance or a danger to the innocent. Nor should it attack a burglar too enthusiastically; the way the law stands, the intruder could end up suing you!

7. Don’t put addresses on key rings. If you lose them or give them to people in service and parking stations, you run an obvious risk from an opportunist.

8. If you go away, cancel papers and arrange for trusted neighbors to collect your mail and occasionally check the property. Give the impression that you are still in residence; have someone mow your lawn, use time switches to activate the lights and radios at various times, leave some curtains open. Turn the telephone down, and tell as few people as possible that you are going to be away.

9. Make a list of your valuables complete with make, model and serial numbers. Engrave your license number on them, where appropriate. Secure expensive jewelry or anything that is of great sentimental value to you or your family in bank safe-deposit boxes or in a properly installed home safe.

10. If you’re in a high risk area, install an alarm system.

Image source:kaltimarket.com

Mar 7, 2011

Nastar (Cookies with Pineapple Filling)

Nastar is a traditional and very famous Indonesian cookie that is usually made during holidays. I don’t know the story behind, but these cookies are the must-have ones at Christmas and Eid-ul Fitr day. Don’t ask me how to make it, as I prefer to buy it, hehehe.

These ones that I captured were given by my sister in-law. The cheese on the top makes it tastier. I guess crunchy cheese and pineapple jam inside are a good combination :)


MellowYellowBadge

Mar 5, 2011

At a Café


It’s one of our favorite places to hang out. I love their hot chocolate and cappuccino. If the weather is too windy or shiny, you can sit on the sheltered area of the cafĂ©.
Why I like to hang out there with my husband? These pictures tell my reason. The café has great view, tasty food and drinks, and I still can afford it :)

Mar 2, 2011

Security Hints


Modern society has many advantages, but, as with everything, there is a downside. Security, safety and privacy are matters of concern to us all, particularly in tough economic times.

Where once we could be casual in our use of lock and key, most of us now consider it essential that our homes be locked securely-not only to protect our belongings when we’re absent, but to protect ourselves and our families when in residence.

Here are ten security hints for you. I’ll mention five in this post, and the other five next.
  1. Illuminating the grounds of your property helps deter burglars (50% of robberies take place after dark). As well as manually operated lights there are lighting systems which themselves on when a trespasser approaches.

  2. Don’t leave ladders lying about to provide easy access to unlocked high windows and the roof; an enterprising burglar will think nothing of lifting a few tiles and breaking in. Unfortunately, in 30% of robberies, the intruders gain entry through windows or doors that have been left unlocked.

  3. Don’t create handy shrub or tree-clad nooks around windows and doors. You’re playing into the hands of the burglars if you provide them with places where they can conceal themselves. Make sure anyone who comes to your house can be seen from the road and/or the house, if at all possible.

  4. High fences and lock-up security gates at entry points and in side passages make it very difficult for the television-carrying burglar.

  5. Unlocked garages and sheds provide a would be intruder with a wonderful array of housebreaking tools. Lock up your outbuildings.

Image source: getmyhomesvalue.com

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