A month later...

A month passed by since the remodeling started. Now we found ourselves isolated from the job site. A temporary wall was constructed between the living room and the dining room which blocks us off from the construction site. At the moment we are camping inside the "livable" area of the house. The last time I remembered camping was when I was in my teens. Trust me, a very long time ago and I definitely don't miss the experience!

Let me show you the updates on the construction. Now we have the frame up for the new addition and the kitchen looks huge! The new size of the dining room will allow us to have more sitting room during a meal. I am getting a pantry (my dream comes true!) and the laundry room will even have a slop sink (God knows how handy it is to have one of those!) as well as a counter where I can fold the laundry and a hidden ironing board that pulls out of the wall.

FOR MORE DETAILS, PLEASE DOUBLE CLICK ON THE PHOTO. THANKS!

A few weeks later and the walls are up!

Last week my husband and I went away for a few days. When we came back on Sunday, we were shocked by all the work that was done.
Now that the walls are up we found out that wherever we stand in the new kitchen we have a view of the backyard and not the neighbor's bedroom. What do you think so far?

Another day... another step

The rain is out, plumber is in! For the last two days the plumber has been working on the connections for our new kitchen. I could figure out everything except the long tube in the middle of the "kitchen". My husband has a very good explanation for that: "As you can see, we decided to make the center island 12 feet tall (notice the plumbing for the island sink), that way I can throw food at everybody from above."
(Double click the photo and you will be able to see details of it)

Two days later...

Update of the construction of our kitchen. The first sign of destruction (oops, I meant construction) was when I came home at lunch time and saw my beautiful backyard garden all gone!


The foundation it seems to be ready. On Friday the inspector for the town should come to "pay a visit". The weather forecast predicts rain for the next four days. If that happens there will be no updates for a while. But we don't mind since we have a Port-a-John and the foundation is done. Moving along!

The Remodeling Begun!

For the past 4 years, my husband and I have been dreaming on remodeling our kitchen.

The work had begun yesterday and we are excited to see so much progress in one day!

I will keep you updated with the 12 weeks (so far so good!) ordeal dealing with dust, mud, no kitchen and no laundry room.

Gift Certificates

Gift Certificates are the perfect present for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christmas, Hannukah -- or any special occasion.

Give a Gift Certificate for a family dinner prepared and served by "Got Errands?". We will clean up after dinner, as well.

Now that's gotta be one of the best gifts any overworked, overscheduled, overstressed mom or spouse has ever received!

Once you check our website, you will find out that we have more to offer than just a party helper.

The Holiday Season is around the corner!

Maybe this coming weekend you are planning to get together with friends and family, and might start thinking of all the help you will need during the holiday season.

Our staff is well trained to help you out on those occasions. Please check our website (www.goterrandsusa.com) to see all the help you can get on special events and also on day by day errands.

Before you panic, call Maggie at (973) 723-4405.

THE HUNT IN FAR HILLS

"More than 50,000 spectators coverge each fall on the rolling hills of Mooraland Farms in Far Hills, New Jersey for the state’s biggest social event of the fall season – The Far Hills Race Meeting. October 17th., 2009 will mark the 89th. running of this timeless tradition, featuring among the finest steeplechasers in the world competing against a backdrop of autumn splendor. Family and friend create unique and often extravagant fall picnic areas, complete with beautiful floral center pieces, haybale seating, ice carvings and culinary feast."

Now it is time to get in touch with your friends and start planning for the fun. Too much work? You just realized that you need a "party helper" - setting up, serving and cleaning. We would love to help you out!

Feel free to check our website for testimonials or day-by-day services.

New Uses for Old Things

Slice Cheese with Dental Floss

A clever way to repurpose an everyday item.Original purpose: Cleaning teeth and gums.

Aha! use: Slicing soft cheese, cake, and hard-boiled eggs. (Or try it as a substitute for kitchen twine to truss a chicken.) It's hygienic, neat, and cheap. Unwaxed works best, and of course you know better than to mix mint-flavored with a vintage Gorgonzola.

Reward: Neater food, fewer cavities.

WD-40

Original purpose: Greasing a squeaky wheel.

Aha! use: Removing crayon from almost any surface: plastic, metal, TV screens, freshly painted walls. Just apply a small amount and rub away with a clean cloth.

Rubber Bands

1. Open jars with ease. When a small lid won’t budge, wrap a rubber band around it several times to give you a better grip.

2. Decorate Easter eggs. Arrange rubber bands in a pattern around hard-boiled eggs, then dip them into dye. Remove the bands when the eggs are dry.

3. Bring order to your dishwasher. Tether stemware and other delicate, wobbly items to the rack.

4. Wrap a gift. Use multiple colored rubber bands instead of ribbon to add modern flair to a small present. (Particularly handy when you can’t find the tape.)



Extract from Real Simple

Uses for everday items

TOOTHPICKS

1. Label meat. Are these burgers rare or well-done? They all look the same on the outside. Identify just-off-the-grill meats with different-colored toothpicks and they won’t get mixed up.

2. Find the end of the roll. When you’ve finished using tape, wrap the end around a toothpick so you can easily locate it the next time.

3. Glue beads and sequins. Use the sharp ends to apply teensy items to a craft project.

4. Sew a better button. Place a toothpick between the button and fabric so it doesn’t go on too tightly and end up tough to fasten.

5. Press a gadget’s Reset button. What fits perfectly into that tiny hole? You guessed it.


Extract from Real Simple

Did you know?

• If a soup or stew is too salty, add raw cut potatoes. Discard them after they have cooked - they will have absorbed the salt.
• If a soup or stew is too sweet, add salt. If a main dish or vegetable is too sweet, add a teaspoon of cider vinegar.
• Can't remember if an egg is fresh or hard boiled? Just spin the egg. If it wobbles, it's raw. If it spins easily, it's hard boiled.
• To avoid 'onion eyes' peel under cold water or refrigerate (or freeze) before chopping.
• Meat loaf will not stick if you place a slice of bacon on the bottom of the pan.
• To soften rock-hard brown sugar, simply add a slice of soft bread to the package and close the bag tightly. In a few hours the sugar will be soft again.
• Place green fruits in a perforated plastic bag. The holes will allow air to circulate while retaining the ethylene gas that fruits produce during ripening.
• If your stew is slightly burnt, milk will take the burnt taste out.

Yes, we offer cleaning services!

You own a small business and can’t afford to pay “an arm and a leg” for cleaning services. After a long day work, cleaning is the last thing you want to do. What about having clients/customers coming to meet you at your office and you did not have a chance to even touch up? That is when we come in. Our job is to help you out without causing stress. You pick the days of the week you need us there and we will take care of the general cleaning.

If you don’t own a small business it is ok too. We also offer residential services too.

Whoever looks at the end of your aluminum foil box?...

Was this something we were supposed to learn from our Mom's????? I can't believe it's been there all this time.

I had to go into the kitchen and check this out for myself. Whoever looks at the end of your aluminum foil box?

You know when you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box. Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over. The darn roll always comes out at the wrong time. Well, I would like to share this with you.
One day I went to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it, and looked at the end of the box. And written on the end it said, Press here to lock end. Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place.

How long has this little locking tab been there? I then looked at a generic brand of aluminum foil and it had one, too. I then looked at a box of Saran wrap and it had one too! I can't count the number of times the Saran wrap roll has jumped out, when I was trying to cover something up.

I hope I'm not the only person that didn't know about this. I know you're going to go and check your boxes, so go ahead!

Shower Doors, Curtains and Showerheads

Essential oils: Wipe scum-covered glass doors or shower curtains with a few drops of lemon oil twice a month. It will protect them from grime buildup.

Vinegar: To combat mineral deposits on showerheads, pour vinegar into a plastic grocery bag and knot the handles over the neck of the showerhead, securing with rubber bands. Let soak overnight. Rinse with water in the morning.


Extract from Real Simple

Cutting Boards

Lemon: To sanitize a chopping block, run a slice of lemon over the surface.


Extract from Real Simple

Desk Organizer as Cupboard Divider

Original purpose: Keeping files orderly.
Aha! use: Sorting cookie sheets, cutting boards, and jelly-roll pans in the kitchen.
Reward: No more cymbal-crashing sounds from your overstuffed cupboard.


Extract from Real Simple

Toilet Paper Roll as Cord Holder

Original purpose: Moving the toilet tissue round and round.
Aha! use: Storing an extension cord. Coil the cord into a hank about 1 1/2 inches thick, then slide it through the tube for a neat package that won't come unwound.
Reward: Tangle-free power wherever you need it.



Extract from Real Simple

Matchbox as Travel Sewing Kit

Original purpose: Lighting your fire.
Aha! use: Storing a tiny travel sewing kit. A matchbox is the perfect size for holding the essentials: needles, thread, buttons, and a few safety pins.
Reward: No need to panic when a button emergency strikes during a business trip.



Extract from Real Simple

Nail Polish as Key Coder

Original purpose: Giving yourself a well-groomed look from tip to toe.
Aha! use: Color-coding keys. Lay keys flat and apply a thick coat of a different shade to the top of each one.
Reward: Keys of distinction.



Extract from Real Simple

Deodorize Your Basement

Problem: Subterranean Smells
Guests wouldn't know that your beautifully appointed basement used to be a dank concrete bunker―until they take a whiff.

Solution: Cut an onion in half, place it on a plate, and leave it in the basement overnight. Once the initial salad-bar aroma dissipates, you'll have fresh (non-oniony) air. Like magic!

Deodorize Your Kitchen Sink

Problem: Stinky Sink
The garbage disposal is great for keeping the dregs of dinner from lingering, but the resulting odors are more stubborn.

Solution: Give the disposal something nicer to chew on. Run hot water, drop orange peels down the hatch, and turn on the switch. Lemon, lime, and grapefruit rinds also do the trick.

Fresh egg sinks in water, stale one won't

Can't remember if an egg is fresh or hard boiled? Just spin the egg. If it wobbles, it's raw. If it spins easily, it's hard boiled. A fresh egg will sink in water, a stale one will float.

Eggs contain all the essential protein, minerals and vitamins, except Vitamin C. But egg yolks are one of few foods that naturally contain Vitamin D.

The color of the egg shell is not related to quality, nutrients, flavor, or cooking characteristics. White shelled eggs are produced by hens with white feathers and white ear lobes. Brown shelled eggs are produced by hens with red feathers and red ear lobes. Bown egg layers usually are slightly larger and require more food, thus brown eggs usually cost more than white eggs.

Create Your Own Desk Organizer

Don't be limited by prefab desk organizers that don't have enough of the right-size compartments. Instead, use miniature loaf tins to design your own portable system. Loaf pans, $1 to $3 at baking-supply stores.

Use WD-40 to Remove Crayon Marks

Original Purpose: Greasing a squeaky wheel.

Aha! Use: Removing crayon from almost any surface: plastic, metal, TV screens, freshly painted walls. Just apply a small amount and rub away with a clean cloth.

Reward: The living room won’t look like a romper room after Sammy’s visit.

Surprising New Cleaning Solutions

Polish Chrome with Baby Oil

Original Use: Keeping skin baby-soft.
Aha! Use: Polishing chrome. Apply a dab to a cotton cloth and use it to shine every-thing from faucets to hubcaps.
Reward: Shiny, happy surfaces from a medicine-cabinet staple. (Who actually owns chrome cleaner, anyway?).