Mind Teaser For The Month
To some I can hold treasure,
To others most displeasure.
I am always near you,
Yet always far.
I am done when I begin,
And begin when I end.
What am I?
answer on page 4
Think Before You Redecorate
The use of specific colors in decorating can really define the mood and purpose of a room. Below are some colors and how they influence a room.
• Red – Increases circulation and muscular activity.
• Orange - Signifies optimism and enthusiasm.
• Yellow – Represents creativity and joy.
• Green – Symbolizes balance and nature.
• Blue – Represents inspiration and truth.
• Violet – Suggests humility and spirituality.
• White – Signifies purity and innocence.
• Black – Suggests strength and restores energy.
So think before you choose your color scheme. It could change the entire mood of the finished room.
More Real Life Dilbertisms
Here are some more words of wisdom from real life bosses.
• “No one will believe you solved this problem in one day! We’ve been working on it for months. Now, go act busy for a few weeks and I’ll let you know when it’s time to tell them.”
• “We know that communication is a problem, but the company is not going to discuss it with the employees.”
• “This is to inform you that a memo will be issued today regarding the memo mentioned above.”
• “Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say.”
Simple Energy Saving Tips
As energy prices soar, homeowners are looking for ways to improve energy efficiency. These improvements will not only help your home stay cooler in the summer, but they will also allow your home to hold heat during the winter. The CertainTeed Home Institute offers these tips:
- Upgrade your attic insulation. This is especially important if your home was built before 1980 because the recommended levels have been raised since that time. Also, check that the insulation around windows and doors is sufficient. This can either be done yourself or with the help of a contractor.
- Strategically plant trees and shrubs to reduce heat exposure. Low-lying evergreens planted close to the foundation of your home can help slow the escape of cool air during the summer and insulate during the winter.
- Have your cooling and heating units serviced regularly to ensure that they are working efficiently. Also, be sure to change the filter regularly.
- Weather-strip, caulk and seal around all windows, doors, electrical boxes, and plumbing penetrations. Check if roof eaves and/or siding are airtight.
- Close the east/west facing blinds and curtains during the day to minimize heat gain. Also, close the vents in the guestroom and other infrequently used rooms to allow the flow of air to concentrate on the frequently used rooms.
- Install an automatic programmable thermostat. It will help control your home’s temperature around your living schedule.
For more ideas on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home, visit www.certainteed.com.
How To Avoid Consumer Fraud
With all sorts of consumer fraud occurring each day, it’s important to protect yourself. Here are four telltale signs of fraud.
- Question promised prizes. If you have not entered any drawings and someone calls you to tell you that you have won something, be suspicious. Never send money to collect your prize.
- Don’t give in to pressure. If it is a legitimate offer, they will not ask you to make any immediate decisions.
- Never give out your credit card number or the number on the bottom of your check. With either of these numbers, a crook can clean you out.
- If they ask for money and tell you that it will be picked up by a delivery service in just a few hours, don’t do it. This is how criminals avoid mail fraud charges and reduce the time that you have to cancel the transaction.
