Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Jodi (standing, third from right) and Jenny (standing, second from right)

This fall my twin sister, Jenny, and I joined an ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association) league in our community. Having played tennis on and off since we were about 8 years old, we decided to dust off the rackets and give it a go.

Practices for the team started back in August, and by September we were underway in weekly tournaments. ALTA is a doubles only league, so naturally Jenny and I were paired up and hit the ground running.

Our first match was quite an experience. We hadn’t played competitively since high school, and as doubles partners, we had only played a few times. But there we were, a bit nervous, yet ready for the challenge.

After battling it out, we won our first match 7-6, 6-4. We were over the moon! As the weeks passed, our families started getting excited since Jenny and I were going undefeated! No one missed a match as we ploughed through the season line-ups.

We did, however, later learn that an erroneous technicality by our coach on the initial roster line-up the first week of matches caused our first win to be reversed. But it didn’t matter to us, in our hearts and minds we had beaten those ladies fair and square.

Moving through the season, Jenny and I remained undefeated at Line-1 for our team. And throughout the season, our team slugged it out to win the division title and to go on to the City Finals held this past Sunday!

Our group of ladies, ranging from 21 to 47 years old, played like champions! And because of the hard work and dedication, our team took the City Finals Championship for our division!

I am so proud of our team!

Most of us have now moved into the winter season for the USTA (United States Tennis Association) league here in Atlanta. Jenny and I are doubles partners, the aptly named JJ Duo, and won our first match in this league this past Saturday!

Hopefully, we can keep the spirit alive and go undefeated in this winter league, too! Our rackets are crossed!

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Fall leaves and footballs are in the air… Sort of sad to say goodbye to the summer fun and warm weather, but it’s time to get energized for those seasonal “honey-do’s”!

Simple projects you can tackle now will help ensure a nice, toasty winter, and also help you save on those energy bills.

I’ve created the perfect list you can print to keep things organized…pick the ones you find most helpful or add ones you’d like to get done.

Happy Home Improving!

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As we move into the halfway mark of Energy Efficiency Month, I am celebrating on October 15th by being part of a panel discussion in Washington, DC, for the conservation of energy and the solutions to attaining this global goal.

Asked to join the panel to give insight for reducing energy use by homeowners, I will be sharing my thoughts and suggestions on different products and techniques available for new construction builders as well as for homeowners thinking of ways to bring their energy bills down.

While there, I will also tour the U.S Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon Homes that have been erected in the Mall. The Solar Decathlon is made up of 20 college and university teams in a competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house. To see what these students are up to, go to www.solardecathlon.org.

This is an exciting time to be mindful of the popular adage: Our greatest source of immediate energy can be provided through conservation.

Here are some popular and quick fixes for your home:

• Caulk those doors and windows.
• Turn off the lights if you’re leaving the room.
• Plug all your TV components into a power strip and turn the strip off before going to bed.
• Install a ceiling fan to help air flow in your room so you can turn down the thermostat in the winter and up in the summer.
• When using smaller pots and pans, use the smaller burners on your stove.
• Install insulation pads behind all your light switches and wall receptacles.
• Check your attic and floor insulation to make sure it is in good condition and hasn’t begun sagging or is crushed with things stored on top of it.

If we can all do just a few simple things, the dividends to the planet and your pocketbook can really add up!

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“Rain Rain go away, come again another day.”
17th Century Nursery Rhyme

Living in Atlanta all of my life, and that’s a long time folks, I have never witnessed what I have these past few days. Ever hardened by the drought that has plagued this city for years, I truly couldn’t believe the downpour of rain we’ve received, especially since Sunday evening.

Now my daughter, Hannah, will tell you it was a great break getting out early on Monday and having no school on Tuesday due to the weather. She and her friends are planning their homecoming evening, so it just gave them extra time to call around the restaurants in town to make dinner reservations and search online for shoes and accessories to their lovely dresses.

But did they, as recently licensed drivers, understand the gravity of the situation? After all, there weren’t road closed in our immediate neighborhood. No one they knew got stuck in their cars by flood waters and only a handful reported that their basements had a bit of water on the floor.

Still . . . I wanted her to understand fully the risk and safety involved in dealing with Mother Nature…this Mother, while wonderful and very giving, could be devastating in just a moments notice.

Here’s a link to a slideshow of flood pictures in the area around and at Six Flags Over Georgia, just west of the city. This was the place of my youth. Not only, as a kid, could I not sleep the night before a visit, but it became my summer employer from the time I was 16 until I was 21. Many great years were spent here.

In one of the photos you are looking at the guest parking lot . . . right where my sister and I would drive the tram to take you to and from your car. The only way I could know this is by the white pole markers standing out of the water telling you the section you have left your car. And the roller coasters . . . well, the picture speaks for itself.

I read an article on FOX News of a woman in Gwinnett County who was coming home from working the graveyard shift only to be swept away in the flood waters from the creek less than half a mile from her house. Calling 911, she was told to remain calm, help was on the way. Due to the heavy rains and darkness, rescuers couldn’t find her in time, and she lost her life.

I am heartbroken for the families of the five folks who lost their lives this week. I am saddened by all the destruction so many are facing today as they try to clean up the mess. All these people are in my prayers, and I hope in your as well.

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Now that the kids are back to school, my calendar is filling up with all the activities going on until the holidays. Holidays? Is it time to start thinking about the holidays again??? Wow, this year has flown by!

Now that September is upon us, one of the things I like to do is start planning my seasonal decorations and thinking about any additions or changes I want to make to the tree, yard, mantel, and just about anywhere else I can decorate! Plus, I scan the market for things that will make setting up and taking down all the festivities easy.

Well, a smart gal out of Tennessee came up with a great idea for helping get the lights on and off the tree in a snap . . . no mess and tangles to deal with!

It’s called Trim-It-Quick. In just a few easy steps, you’ll have the lights up and on in no time flat! To see for yourself, visit their website at trimitquick.com.

This year, I may just have to get TWO trees now that my decorating just got a little easier!

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This summer has just been one big blast so far! My partner, Steve, and I took a little needed R & R during the month of June down in the British Virgin Islands!

Preparing to set sail.

Many moons ago, Steve was a professional sailing captain for 7 years in the Caribbean. So we figured Tortola was the best launching port for my maiden voyage on a sailboat.

Admittedly, I was a bit nervous! Never having taken a cruise, I was unsure what to expect . . . . Would I get seasick? Would I feel safe out on the waters miles from shores? Would there be pirates!?

Trying to soothe my fears as much as possible, Steve had the trip all planned out…Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and plenty of fishing, snorkeling, and fine dining. Just what the doctor ordered.

Climbing aboard the 39’ Beneteau, and getting settled in no time, Steve’s first order as captain was that I take the helm . . . 8 days later he had to pry my hands from the wheel!

Jodi at the helm.

I was amazed at just what goes into sailing a boat! Ropes are called lines. Those rubber bumpers that keep the boat from smashing against the dock are called fenders. Who knew wearing gloves out in the ocean would save your palms and give you more hoisting leverage when raising the main sail and the genoa.

Plus, the lingo of commands was an education, too . . . “falling off” is turning the bow with the wind direction and “rounding up” is turning the bow more into the wind. Who knew? What a whole new sport to explore!

The trip was filled with laughs, sun, new experiences and gorgeous places. This truly was a dream vacation. Now, if I could convince my daughter to get on a boat, we just might have to go there again!

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Hannah with a Friend

Well, I just have to have one of those “Mom” moments to say how excited I am for Hannah, my soon to be 16-year-old daughter, and her newly discovered passion: Horses!! This is a great revelation for me. See, I grew up with horses, rode in college, and loved to take trail rides whenever I could. But I would have to BEG Hannah to join me.

She would resist at first, but after careful prodding, she will always come along. We would have a great time once we were off and riding, but it just wasn’t something that she gravitated towards like I did when I was her age.

Jodi and Blake

Then she came to one of my lessons about two months ago and watched me jump Blake, an amazing warmblood bay that has stolen my heart! She, too, was amazed at that giant animal’s grace and beauty. He stole her heart, too!! Suddenly she was asking to take lessons. I was overjoyed!

Now I get to spend every Friday at the barn experiencing the joy and passion of horse riding. But the best part is that I get to share those Fridays with Hannah now!

With her going into her junior year of high school this fall, I realize just how quickly her childhood has flown and how fast these next two year will fly. Before I know it, Hannah will be off for college and starting her own life. I’m so grateful that she and I have found this one thing to share until that time.

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Well, the premier Kitchen and Bath Show here in Atlanta opened today! What an exciting day filled with all the new and improved products that fill the two most commonly used rooms in your house. I joined up with the Today’s Homeowner team to spend the morning shooting some great new products that Allen, our producer, and Scott, our director had scoped out for all the folks who will tune into the highlighted show coming up soon. Hoofing it throughout three huge halls at the GWCC was the perfect start to a full, three-day shoot that covered the entire show. We have a lot on tap to see and sample this weekend, so Danny’s cracking that whip!

I won’t spoil the surprise of some of the things you’ll see when the show airs, but I’ll give you hint: my favorite so far is the product that was created by a husband and wife team. Since she’s the avid cook in the family, she needed to find something to relieve her back pain while standing on her hard kitchen floor. Necessity was truly the mother of invention for them, since now her feet are nice and comfy, AND she says there’s no more back pain. I’ve got to get one!!!

Dying to know what it is???? Tune in to the KBIS episode on Today’s Homeowner which will air the last week of May to find out!

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Many of you may know that right around the corner is Earth Day . . . April 22. A special day earmarked for thinking globally and acting locally in our communities for the environment. This year, I will celebrate Earth Day early, on April 14th, by hosting a Satellite Media Tour in New York. I’m excited to be able to share in the eco-friendly event, providing good tips and information about doing just some small things to have a greater impact for our planet’s future.

Here’s one of my favorite suggestions:
One of the easiest things to do is start right now with our thermostats. With summer fast approaching, installing a programmable thermostat is perfect for reducing wasted energy. Think about it, there is nothing more practical than having your air conditioner knock off right after you leave for work and start back up before you come home. It’s great for your furnace in the winter, as well.

And if you are thinking of installing a new air conditioning unit, here is another tip: most model units still use R-22 as the refrigerant for cooling, which has been proven to release emissions into the atmosphere, depleting the ozone. Luckily, R-22 is starting to be phased out, but there is no time like the present to take action now. Ask your dealer/installer to provide you with Puron refrigerant. It is truly an environment friendly way to stay cool. And it’s good to know that all higher efficiency units only use Puron . . . so if you can afford a high efficiency unit, you are basically doubling your contribution to protecting the environment.

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My sister, Gina, on the slopes.

With the temps in Atlanta now around 75, it’s a good thing my sister, Gina, and I got out of dodge to hit the slopes before it all melted away! This year, she and I headed to Salt Lake City, Utah, for a nice weekend of skiing. Staying in the heart of Salt Lake, we decided to break in our gear on the best, non-snow boarders allowed (not that I have anything against boarders), resort in the area named Alta.

What a blast! Skiing since she and I were both just kids, we took off down the blue paths chasing the wind and each other. Never one to back down to too many challenges, we egged each other down some single black diamonds just to push ourselves and basically wear ourselves out.

With about half the day gone already, I was taking a path that would eventually merge with one of the steeper black diamonds on the mountain. Cautiously approaching the bend, a man shot out of nowhere from my right aiming for the advanced trail through the tree line. Having too much speed, he overshot the trail, tripped up and slammed face first into the base of the first tree. Hearing him hit, I knew he was hurt. Gina raced on to alert the snow patrol and I raced to get to him.

By this point, his face was pretty banged up…I’d forgotten just how much facial cuts bleed. Trying to calm him, I grabbed his hat that had fallen off and shoved it back on his head to keep him warm. Then taking his neck gaiter, I filled it with snow and gently pressed it to his nose. I’m almost positive it was broken. Thank goodness in less than 7 minutes, the snow patrol was there and took him down the mountain on the back of their snowmobile.

I have to admit, I am not one for blood and I can panic with the best of them, but for whatever reason, our paths were meant to cross that day. I took a couple things away from that experience…no matter how many skiers passed him as he hit that tree, only I stopped to help. So always help others! And, as soon as I got down the mountain to join back up with Gina, we bought ski helmets! You can never to be too safe!

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