Tag-Archive for ◊ gardening ◊

Author: Judy Conway

Do You Want to Make Tree Trimming Easier? Use the Black and Decker NLP1800 Cordless Chain Saw! From past personal experience I have learned that trimming trees and hedges can be an over-whelming task. See one of my first encounters with “trimming” in my previous post “Learn How To Conquer Yard Work.” I quickly learned that a week of manually cutting back these hedges with a hand tree saw was not the way to go. So if you want to make tree trimming easier, use the Black and Decker NLP1800 Cordless Chain Saw.

Having spent an exhausting week trimming the Variegated Chinese Privet in my backyard and getting the wise suggestion from my son-in-law, I looked into purchasing a chain saw. At the first mention of purchasing one of these, I had visions of cutting off a limb or two (of my own body)! I began a search for a chain saw that a retired gardener like me could handle. I discovered the Black and Decker NLP1800 Alligator Lopper Cordless Chain Saw. In reading the reviews I noted that this chain saw was light weight, had some safety features and was something I felt I would be able to handle. With fearful thoughts of operating a chain saw I asked my son-in-law to show me how to operate it before I commenced the large project of trimming these same hedges on the front side of my house. These too had grown well above six-feet high. As a matter of fact they were as high as my second story bedroom window. If you want hedges that grow rapidly, I would definitely suggest these.

In the beginning ....

One Saturday afternoon we tackled the job. I was blessed that my son-in-law opted to do the cutting down of all of the limbs. I assisted in piling all the cuttings in a rather larger pile. After about two hours in the intense heat and wearing down the batteries, we decided to finish the rest of the job on Sunday afternoon.

By Sunday afternoon the tall hedges were all cut down. However, that most definitely was not the end of this chore. I spent a good two weeks using this awesome chain saw cutting up limbs and trimmings and bagging them. The Black and Decker NPL1800 proved very helpful with this as well. It works well on trimming the smaller growth on your trees and bushes too. This chain saw was not only useful in cutting down the hedges, but when it came to cutting up all of the debris it made my job a lot easier.  I know that if I had tackled this job manually …. I would still be cutting.  I am grateful that my son-in-law suggested a chain saw.  It made light work of a really overwhelming project

I am a 65 year old, semi-retired grandma and if I can handle this chain saw  … anyone can.  I am now off to tackle a very large bush that has grown enormously high around a tree in my back yard. I am so grateful for this tool.

Do you want to make tree trimming easier? Use the Black and Decker NLP1800 Cordless Chain Saw and you will be able to enjoy your fun activities quicker.  Honestly, the Black and Decker NLP1800 Cordless Chain Saw is an awesome tool.  If you would like to check one out for yourself, please click on the image below.  Happy trimming.



Author: Judy Conway
Save Money
Image by voobie via Flickr

 

I am writing this article to provide you with some suggestions for ways to cut expenses and save money in your daily life.  For those of us who have been laid off, had to take lower paying jobs or been faced with not being able to find a replacement job and opted to take an early retirement … corners need to be cut for sure.

I do not think that many people are prepared for the day when they find themselves with an almost empty bank account and the pantry in a shape of hungry despair.

It is amazing how much you can save at the grocery store if you choose not to purchase prepared foods.  Not only do you save money, but in the long run it is healthier for you.

Check your supermarket sales for the week and plan your meals using items that are on sale.  If there is a really good sale on chicken, seafood, or whatever, perhaps you may want to stock up on these items.  You could spend a little bit more one week, but the next week you would have already purchased your meat items, so it averages out.

The internet contains a wealth of information for cutting food costs.  I just Googled “recipes that allow you to cut food costs”, and the page that came up provided me with recipes for when you are on a budget, how to cut food costs, cheap and healthy (15 nutritious foods for about $2.00), a website that provides a weekly inventory management system to cut food costs and even a site to guide you on making your own baby food.  One of my daughters made her own baby food.  She saved a lot of money and her children are not picky eaters and are very healthy.

Be sure to sign up for the coupon sites.  It is absolutely amazing how much you can cut off your grocery bill if you take the time to clip coupons.  You can even go to a specific site, like Kraft, Maxwell House, or many others, and get additional coupons that you do not find in your weekly newspapers or at other coupons services.  I have saved at least half of my total grocery bill just by clipping coupons.  Nowadays, clipping coupons should be a requirement if you are trying to save money.  Get your kids involved.  They love to clip coupons.

Make it a family project and plant a garden.  It is a fun experience to see the plants grow and be able to harvest your “crops”.  I bought a spaghetti squash last fall and dried and saved the seeds.  I planted the seeds last week and I already have the plants coming up.  Spaghetti squash is healthy and tasty.  If you were to buy this in your grocery store it could be costly at $1.50 a pound and for one big enough to feed your family could weight three to four pounds. Just by taking a few minutes to rinse and dry the seeds you have saved a lot of money.

The wildlife (birds, squirrels, chipmunks) are a big help in spreading the seeds of various plants in your yard.  A couple of weeks ago while cutting my grass I discovered there were many little blackberry bushes sprouting in my lawn.  I have two bird feeders and thanks to the birds this year I have a many blackberry bushes that will be providing fruit this year growing under the bird feeders.  I am going to dig up these new little plants and plant them in a more appropriate place than the middle of my lawn!  These bushes will provide blackberries for eating, or making preserves and pies.  The best part is I did not even have to purchase these bushes.

Make use of the internet to save on other items you need.  Amazon has very reasonable prices on many items.  In most cases if you spend over $25.00, your shipping is free. Please check out the Amazon link on this page to compare prices.

eBay is another site that can save you considerably.  I recently found a seller for the ink cartridges for my Cannon Pixma 530 printer.  We all know how expensive these cartridges can be.  I have ordered cartridges from various suppliers.  I have even used Staples, who provides good service.  However, I found an eBay auction and have been extremely pleased with the product.  I discovered that you can order directly from the company.

I know we are all apprehensive about trying “other than manufacturer’s brand” of ink cartridges.  These cartridges come with the chips in place.  You simply have to take them out of the box, remove the plastic wrap, usual tab and cover from the cartridge and you are good to go!  They come with a one year money back guarantee.  I have saved a remarkable amount buying my cartridges from this company.  Check out their products at compandsave.com.  I recently ran out of one of my cartridges and was pleasantly surprised at the great customer service and speed in which I received my order.

You can cut your utility bills.  If you have ceiling fans be sure they are running 24/7.  In the winter you will save on your heating expenses and in the summer you will save on air conditioning.  Be sure your blades are set to go in the correct direction … counter clockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter.  I have vaulted ceilings and when I first moved into my house my electric bill was outrageous.  I called the electric company and was told the tip about running my fans.  It has made all the difference in helping me cut costs in this area.

I could go on and on about saving money.  You see I had to learn this talent when my children were nine and ten and I got divorced and became a single mom.  There are some every day expenses that are pretty much fixed but if your search hard enough you will find ways to cut costs.

I hope this information will be helpful in ways to cut expenses and save money.  If you have other suggestions please contact me at Skype (my Skype ID is listed below) and I would be happy to share your ideas in future articles.

Judy Conway

Email:  judyconwaymarketing@gmail.com
http://homebusinessinatlanta.com
http://fullservicemarketingtools.com
http://beadazzledjewelrycreations.com
http://joinjudyconway.com/bestdealsonline
Skype ID: judy.conway

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Author: Judy Conway

As a grandparent involved in internet marketing I am taking the license to relate my home business with gardening.  I hope you don’t mind!

When this time of the year rolls around my thoughts start to wander to spring time.  I think about the types of flowers and vegetables I want to grow and where I will plant them.

It occurred to me today that we have other gardens in our lives.  They don’t all exist on the outside in the sunshine.  They don’t all involve fertile soil.

Some of our plantings are in our heads and involve our thoughts, visions and dreams.  These are watered not by the rain or garden hose, but by our attitudes, love for others and hard work.

I think that when we have unkind thoughts about someone we have got to be producing some pretty ugly weeds!  When we get involved with a project that in our hearts we know will not glorify God, we can rest be assured that we will produce some horrific vegetation.  Maybe something along the lines of the Venus Fly Trap that will cause others to stumble. 

I got to thinking about my internet marketing business.  Let’s face it, there are a lot of scams out there.  Being a grandparent in the midst of all this internet technology I am always trying to learn and be sure that I am not involved with something that will not be productive and beneficial. 

I appreciate the pay it forward principle.  There have been many people in this vast internet marketing industry that have given of their time and expertise to me.  I want to be able to do the same.

About six months ago I was introduced to the Crazy Foxes Marketing Group.  This is a remarkable group of leaders in the industry that are always there to help others.  Success truly blooms in this group.

I have also become involved with Veretekk.  Tom Pendergast and Mike Darling, the owners of this company, are always striving to make the systems better for the people in their programs.  When you attend a meeting and listen to Tom there is never a doubt that he has a heart for God and the people in his company.  Veretekk is making some awesome improvements and they have waived the fee to upgrade to Gold from a Silver membership until April 1st.  This is a savings of $100.00.  I have been in internet marketing for several years and am totally amazed at the services Veretekk provides us to become successful with our businesses.  I must say at this point, if you are part of Veretekk you are going to have a celestial garden and produce good fruit!!

Veretekk provides video tutorials for all aspects of their many programs.  I have never found myself wondering, “What do I do now”, where there hasn’t been a tutorial I could look at.  They also provide live training.

I think it is important that we appreciate life for what it is without expectations of what we think it should be.  Disappointment is inevitable but discouragement is a choice.  We have the ability to rid our lives, inside and out, of ugly weeds.  That way we will have more time to smell the roses!!

I wish you great success minus the weeds!

Judy Conway
678-493-4890
jconwaycontact@gmail.com

Crazy Foxes Marketing Group

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