Washroom Pot Lights Installation and Fan Replacement

I was thinking of adding more lighting in our washroom and decided to install 3 pot lights.

Before

After

Windows Update Error - "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates,..." - FIXED

I upgraded my Lenovo laptop (running Windows Vista 32 bit) hard drive from 120 GB to 500GB. I used Acronis to clone the hard drive and was successful in doing so. Everything worked well except for the Windows update. It has been a year that I have not updated. If I manually update Windows, the following error is what I get:

I decided to search the internet for possible solutions. I have tried a lot of them too which unfortunately did not solve the issue that I have. Some of the things I read and tried are the following:

1 - Ran Microsoft FixIt from the Microsoft Website - Did not work for me
2 - Force Start Bits and Wuauserv services - Did not work for me
3 - Set Windows Update settings to "Never Update" and then back to "Update Automatically" - Did not work for me
4 - Stop Update Service, Locate and delete "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\" folder and its contents and Start Update Service

NOTE: Although it did not work in my particular case, the above might work for others.

I stopped trying and tried to research again after a month and I stumbled upon a thread at the Microsoft TechNet site. There was a contributor named "Nick-Tech". He mentioned that the issue is sometimes caused by a device driver for the Intel Rapid Storage. The trick here is for you to be able to determine what is installed in your laptop/desktop and update the driver manually from the Intel site. Please be aware that if you use Windows' device manager to check if for driver updates, it might report that you already have the correct/updated driver for your device.

I searched the Intel site (https://downloadcenter.intel.com/) for "Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver". Selected the driver that matched my set-up.

I downloaded and ran the file -> "STOR_allOS_9.6.0.1014_PV.exe". Note: You may have to look at the readme file to confirm if you have the correct one.

After the installation, the Windows update is now working perfectly.

20 Volt Worx GT Grass Trimmer/Edger (WG175)

We received a free Visa gift card so my wife and I went to Lowes to buy a Worx graass trimmer/edger that I have seen on television for more than 2 years now. I have been wanting to get one since I saw the advertisement. It really looks very east to use and very convenient since there are no power cords that you might trip on.

Having used it 3 times already, I have to say I am very happy with the purchase. It converts from a trimmer to an edger and it is light weight. The battery also charges very quickly and lasts a long time

Friday Photo Flashback - August 22, 2014

Alexus mimicking the statues at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington DC

Friday Photo Flashback - August 15, 2014

This was taken last 2007 Bohol beach club in the Philippines. It was our family's first out of town trip.

Irmee's House Project List - Item 5

Number 5 on her list - Track Light - Completed

I can not count using my fingers and toes how many times my wife urged me to purchase and install a track light in our small hallway. She said that the current light is too bright that it affects the visibility of the shows on television when it is on. I finally gave in and purchased and installed one last Sunday.

I was hoping that I will at least have some time before the next request comes and I was mistaken. The next request came a day after this project was finished. I will just not mention what it was.

Project details:

Cost: CAD 74.94 plus tax IKEA

- CAD 29.99 - "Husinge" Track light

- CAD 8.99 x 5 - "Ledare" LED GU10 Bulbs

Duration: 1/2 Day

Installation fee: Priceless

Purchase date: August 17, 2014

Nike Shox TL IV Metallic

Got this kicks from the Nike outlet store at Buffalo NY. Paid less than USD 50 including taxes. Now being worn after it was purchased more than five years ago.

Voltes V Memorabilia T-Shirt

When I was young, Voltes V is my favourite robot anime. It is a Japanese anime television series that was aired on Philippine television in the early 1980's. I got this t-shirt 20 years after.

Home Insurance

During the time we were looking for a house, I canvassed for the cheapest home insurance that we can get. That time TD insurance was the cheapest. It was several hundred dollars less than what my preferred insurer RBC. I prefer to get it from RBC because it is where I have all my financial accounts. I was happy with the premium I paid for the first year with TD insurance.

I found out that the happiness was shortlived. Like everything else, the premium increases every year. On this third year of my renewal, I again canvassed rates from other companies I did not call before. I got a quote that was $150 lower than what I was going to pay TD so I changed my insurance provider to CAA.

There is a caveat:My Home and auto will not be insured by TD insurance, which results in loosing my multi-product discount. In effect my auto insurance will go up in which based on my calculation would total more than what I would save by transferring my home insurance. However, come December when my auto insurance expires, I can move it to CAA as well. Hopefully, when that happens, I will get a multi-product discount and realize the savings I was anticipating from this change.

Protect Yourself from Harmful Sun Rays

It is summer once again. Students are on a long break and a lot of them are engaged in summer activities that require staying under the sun. Although physical activities are good for everyone, we must be very careful not to expose our skins too much to the Suns harmful ray.

Following are some steps from Canada's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care newsroom (Release - July 12, 2014 9:00 a.m.) to protect yourself from harmful sun exposure:

• Using sunscreen - SPF 30 or higher -- and reapplying at least every two hours or after swimming or sweating a lot, even on cloudy days.
• Limiting time spent in the sun, especially between 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest.
• Wearing the right gear, including a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and light clothing to cover the skin.
• Staying in the shade or indoors, especially during heat alerts; find air-conditioned spaces, including malls, libraries and specially designated community facilities.
• Drinking a lot of water, even before you feel thirsty.

Friday Photo Flashback - July 11, 2014

This is the first selfie that I had after moving to Toronto. This was taken around May 2008 on the conference room of Armadale Property Management. I was waiting for my interviewer to come. This is also the first job interview I have. I was eventually offered the job. However, it did not last. I have to leave after working for a month. The image is kind of blurry. It was taken using a cellphone with a low resolution camera.

Kite Flying Time...

Kyle got a kite from school on their last day which was Friday. The weather was nice the following day and there seemed to be winds strong enough to fly a kite. The kids and I decided to go to the field near our house and try to fly the kite.

Friday Photo Flashback - July 4, 2014

Aloysius when he was less than a month old.

Alexus` Basketball Moves...

My youngest is showing some signs that he might play basketball. He seems to have learned some moves that I learned only when I was a teenager (what a very very late bloomer). I hope he learns a lot more and be a good player someday.

Celebrating Canada Day with Molson Canadian 67 Beer...

Went to the beer store to get some beer. Got 12 bottles of Molson Canadian 67 light beer as well as pack of Molson's Summer Trio. The summer trio pack includes each of the three Molson Canadian 67 flavours including the flagship beer along with their Sublime and new Tangerine Twist. All of the flavours are very refreshing. It does not contain too much alcohol which is exactly what my wife and I like.

Off to Cool Down by the Pool

I am very happy to be living near a Toronto park with a swimming pool. My kids like to go to Eringate park outdoor pool to relax and cool down most afternoons. The facility is free and caters to people of all ages. They have different programs such as learn to swim, leisure, family and length swimming opportunities.

The photo below was taken before my 3 little boys left for the pool.

Beat the Summer Heat

I never thought here in Canada I'd feel temperatures of between 30 to 35 degrees Celsius which is kind of a natural temperature from where I originally came from. It is a tad lower than the normal body temperature. Because of this, we are always thirsty and our Brita water filter pitcher we currently have is just not big enough for our family. When we visited a Bed, Bath and Beyond store at the Queensway. We shopped for something that could help us beat the heat. We ended up buying the following:

Lasko 14-in 3-Speed Oscillation Tower Fan

Nostalgia Electrics™ Coca-Cola® Series Frozen Beverage Station

Bionaire (bwf0522m) 3-Blade 3-Speed window fan

CreativeWare 3 Gallon cold beverage dispenser with fruit infuser

Columbia Sports Sunglasses

Got a belated father's day gift from my wife. It is nice to have an extra pair of sunglasses to protect the eye against harmful sun rays. She got it at Winners Dufferin Mall for under $50. The list Price online is USD 50-100 (Including Taxes and Shipping). I like the way it fits. It hugs my head well so it does not fall when I look down.





Details: 

Brand Columbia Style CBC701-C01-77-11 Style Sports Size Eye: 77/Bridge: 11Arm: 125 Gender Men Frame Plastic Color Black Lens Mirrored gray scratch/impact resistant Protection 100 percent UVA and UVB Rim Half rim Sun Protection Polarized Arms Red shaded ends. Logo signature at left arm Nose Pads None Dimensions 7.25 inches from temple to temple Material Plastic

Rear Bicycle Wheel with Broken Spokes - Repaired...

I posted a blog regarding "I Wonder Where I Can Bring My Bike For Repair..." Well I found a shop less than a mile from our place. I walked to the store, handed the reae wheel with the broken spokes and negotiated a price for the repair. I guess I did not do a good job trying to haggle a good quote. I ended up paying CAD 20 which is more than half the price I paid for the pre-owned bicycle. 

After 3 hours, I came back for the wheel and it was like new. The broken spokes have been replaced and the tire has been inflated. I went home and installed the wheel to the bike and showed it to my wife who will use it. She was very happy with it so all in all, it was not a bad idea to get the wheel repaired for the said cost.

Alexus' SK Graduation Picture

My youngest will be finishing Senior Kindergarten this school year 2013-2014 in Briarcrest Junior School. They had their pictures taken in advance and I would like to share it with everyone.

Aputure Amaran Halo AHL-HN100 LED Macro Ring Flash Light 95 CRI for Nikon

Having a little to spend on camera gadgets, I always go to my favorite online stores to look for discounted products, luckily for me Miniinthebox was offering 15% discount for purchases above $40. So I added my sought after camera gadget into my cart and went to the checkout page. The discount plus a coupon for $4 enabled me to get the "Aputure Amaran Halo AHL-HN100 LED Macro Ring Flash Light 95 CRI for Nikon F951" (which usually sells for around $60) for only $46.73. It even included free expedited shipping. The item arrived in our doorstep in less than 3 business days. I could have been so happy if not for the $22 import duties and taxes that I had to pay. I have ordered so many items before and I never had to pay these taxes. Apparently, it depends on how the item is declared. And because it was declared as electronics, I had to pay it. I sent the seller an e-mail stating that they should have something in the payment page that would warn users about import duties. I also told them that I could have paid less if I bought it locally. Their reply did say they have it in their web site and it was just in another page. Maybe because I have been their customer for a long time, they were nice enough to reimburse me half of the taxes I paid ($11) which made me feel better.

I have an idea on how to use it. However, I still need to start reading the manual to learn how to properly use it. I can already imagine my wife telling me "ROI, ROI, ROI...". It means (Return on Investment) I have to be able to maximize the usage so that it is a money well spent.

I Wonder Where I Can Bring My Bike For Repair...

Two summers ago, I bought a pre-owned bike for $30. It was posted at Kijiji and the photo of the bike looked nice. So I e-mailed the seller and made an appointment. I went to the sellers location right away because to me it was a good deal. Then a very funny thing happened next. The person who answered the door was wearing a very short shorts. I guess I paid more attention to her legs than the bike I was going to buy (LOL). I was told that I can test ride it but I said it looks okay. I paid for the bike and brought it home. When I was riding the bike, I heard a noise near the rear wheel. Only then that I realized that there were some spoke that were broken and the rim was not aligned. In effect the tire is hitting the frame. I have googled for a bike repair shop near our place in Etobicoke but could only find stores more than 40 kilometers away. They are also charging $25 at least which is almost the price I paid for the bike. I may be better off buying another pre-owned bike and hopefully I would not get distracted by a lady seller wearing shorts. Lesson learned.

Lito's House Project List - Item 20

Number 20 on the list - Tool Shed - completed. 

Although the tool shed is near the end of the list, it was one of the things we decided to purchase first so that we can store some of our tools and equipment that would otherwise make the house crowded.

Project details:

Cost: CAD 799 plus tax at Home Depot

Duration: 2 Days

Installation fee: Priceless

Purchase date: July 2012

Lito's House Project List - Item 3

Number 3 on the list - Stone edging maple - completed.

Before:

After:

Project details:

Duration: 1 Day

Completion date: 08 June 2014

Cost of Materials (stones, soil, Hosta plant) between CAD 100-150

Labor cost: Priceless!

Alexus Learns How to Ride A Bicycle

I thought that Alexus is ready to ride a bike with just two wheels. After a year of riding a bike with training wheels, he seems ready. I removed the training wheels and called him to try the bike. In less than 10 minutes he was doing it on his own. See video by clicking on this link -> Alexus riding a bike with 2 wheels.

Aloysius' Strawberry Plant/Tree

Upon returning home from their field  trip, Aloysius planted a small strawberry tree given to him after a couple of weeks, it already had small red strawberries.

Lito's House Project List - Item 1

Number 1 on the list - Shingles Replacement - completed. 

After delaying the shingle replacement for more than a year, we finally decided to go ahead and do it. Thanks to Canadian tire's 36 months equal instalment and no interest scheme. Now I no longer worry whenever it rains.

Project details:

Duration: 1 Day
Labor and materials: between CAD 5,000 and 10,000
Completion date: 17 April 2014

Pros: 50 year transferrable warranty, free inspection on the 5th and 10 year which includes fixing of issues for free, 36 months to pay via Canadian Tire Financial, 10 percent Cash back in terms of Canadian Tire money

Cons:a little bit pricey compared to smaller contractors quote. It always make you cry when you get the monthly Canadian Tire statement (LOL)

Where To Dispose Sony 29" Flat Screen Television...

I had a hard time moving our old 29 inch Sony flat screen television from the basement to the main floor and from main floor to the van. I even got some black and blue marks or bruises on my arms and legs from lifting it. Drove to Goodwill to donate it and found out that they do not accept electonic equipment that are over 5 years old. I was told to check womens shelter to find out if they are in need of the item I am trying to donate. Reason for disposing is to free up some space in the basement. It still work 100%. It just needs a converter box because it can only accept analog signals and not the current digital signals. Since garbage day is on Friday, I might just leave it on the curb and hopefully someone will pick it up. I just hope it does not rain.

Lito's House Project List

A month after moving in our new house last August 2011, my wife and made a list of things that we wanted to:

Change/replace in the house.
Add to the house.
Renovate

Below are the things that I came up with:

1-Replace roof shingles
2-Extend roof to cover garage (currently the garage has a flat roof)
3-Stone edging maple tree
4-Emerald Cedar trees for privacy along the east side of the property
5-Stone edging for the East side of the property
6-Bathroom renovation
7-Hardwood flooring replacement
8-Windows replacement
9-Deck - connected to east side of house
10-Sliding door (dining room to proposed deck)
11-Tankless water heater
12-New refrigerator and range/oven (stainless)
13-Replace washer and dryer
14-New Apple iMac computer
15-Solar panel on roof connected to power grid
16-Room extension above garage
17-Convert 1 car garage to 2 car garage
18-Replace front steps
19-New entertainment center
20-Tool shed
21-Lawn mower
22-Snow thrower/blower
23-Upgrade A/C and heater system
24-Extend west side fence outward
25-Fence on the East side of the house (metal)

Here are my wife's addition:

1-Kitchen backsplash
2-Replace Yew tree with spiral tree
3-Extra room in basement
4-Lawn revitalization
5-Hallway Track Lighting

We'll it really is a long list and I am sure it will cost a lot. I hope that these projects or maybe dreams of ours materialize. I hope that some of my future post will be updates on what has been done or completed from the list.


NOTE:list was completed year 2011 and transferred/copied to my blog just now.

Fried Rice With Turmeric Powder...

Whenever I feel I want to cook something which is probably once every three months (LOL), I would prepare fried rice with anything leftover from the refrigerator. And the one ingredient thing that will surely be included is the turmeric powder. After reading a a post entitled "22 Surprising Uses for Turmeric" By Mother Nature Network (mnn.com) | Healthy Living – Mon, 14 Apr, 2014, I am glad I always use it. I have copied the uses of Turmeric from the post deleting some lines. Click on this link to go to the original post. 1. Brighten your pearly whites. 2. Customize foundation. Ashy makeup makes a bad match for luminous skin. 3. Spice up your soap. If you make homemade soap, adding several teaspoons of turmeric to it will not only dial up its color, but will boost its skin-friendly benefits as well. 4. Save your scalp. Many swear by a combination of olive oil and turmeric to deter dandruff and to improve the overall condition of the scalp. Make a mix of turmeric and the oil of your choice (jojoba or coconut oil would be nice), massage into your scalp and leave on for 15 minutes, then shampoo and style as usual. 5. Embellish temporary tattoos. Use turmeric to create golden Mehndi, the temporary tattoos made with henna, or to add a pretty second color to an extant henna tattoo. 6. Diminish sprain strain. A traditional homeopathic sprain treatment involves making a paste using one part salt and two parts turmeric and enough water to make it spreadable. Apply to the affected joint and wrap in an old cloth that you don't mind staining. Leave on for 20 minutes to an hour, once a day. (Don't do this on body parts that can be seen; you don't want a temporary yellow tinge!) 7. Help tame swimmer's ear. Natural remedy aficionados recommend using warmed garlic oil to help push the water out of ears affected by swimming; adding turmeric to the mix is said to help as well. 8. Soothe a sick stomach. Turmeric has long used to quell bellies that aren't behaving properly. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends 500 mg of turmeric four times daily to treat an upset stomach. 9. Ease achy arthritis. For osteoarthritis, NIH recommends 500 mg twice daily of a specific turmeric extract (like Meriva, Indena); 500 mg four times daily of a non-commercial product has also been used. For rheumatoid arthritis, they note that 500mg twice daily of a specific formulation of curcumin (like BCM-95, Arjuna Natural Extracts, India) can be used. 10. Love your liver. According to early experimental research at the Medical University Graz in Austria, the curcumin in turmeric may delay liver damage that can eventually lead to cirrhosis. 11. Inhibit skin cancer. Turmeric seems to hold much promise for skin treatments, as well as possibly inhibiting certain forms of cancer. Among other studies, researchers at the University of Texas note that curcumin inhibits the growth of melanoma and may also impede the spread of breast cancer to the lungs. 12. Battle other forms of cancer. The American Cancer Society says that laboratory studies have shown that curcumin interferes with several important molecular pathways involved in cancer development, growth and spread. Researchers have reported that curcumin can kill cancer cells in laboratory dishes and also slows the growth of the surviving cells. Human studies of curcumin in cancer prevention and treatment are in the early stages. 13. Minimize Alzheimer's symptoms. A clinical trial using curcumin extract published in the Journal of Neurochemistry found a 30 percent decrease in the size of Alzheimer's-associated brain plaque in treated mice - in only one week. 14. Make longevity tea. Dr. Andrew Weil notes that people in Okinawa, the Japanese island nation with the world's longest average life span, drink turmeric tea daily. To make your own, boil four cups of water, add one teaspoon of ground turmeric, allow to simmer for 10 minutes, strain, and add ginger and/or honey to taste. 15. Use as dye for spicy tie-dyed tees. Yes, turmeric stains fabric … which means that it's an awesome fabric dye. Add three tablespoons of turmeric to a pot of boiling water, let it simmer for a while, and your dye bath is ready. 16. Make marigold-colored play dough. Homemade play dough is as much fun to make as it is to play with once it's made. And coloring it is especially fun. This recipe instructs on how to make it from scratch, and also how to turn it into a rainbow of colors using, among other natural ingredients, turmeric. (Bonus tip: You can scent homemade play dough with vanilla or peppermint extract.) 17. Naturally dye Easter eggs. There's something magical about mashing up natural dyestuffs in bowls and watching hard-boiled eggs transform into the jewel-like colors found in nature rather than in the lab. Beet juice, onion skin, blueberries, and of course, turmeric all do a bang-up job of the task. Get the how-to here: Eco Easter eggs. 18. Make meat safer. Kansas State University researchers discovered that adding turmeric to meat can reduce the levels of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) by up to 40 percent. HCAs form on chicken and meat when cooked over high heat, like in grilling. Consumption of HCAs is linked to higher rates of cancer. 19. Enliven bland food. While Frito-Lay may rely on Yellow 6 and Red 40 to enhance its preternaturally vivid snacks like Cheetos and Nacho Cheese Doritos, you can skip the nasty artificial colors and add a dash of turmeric to brighten up otherwise insipid-looking food. Whimsical cooks and moms alike can benefit from adding it to eggs, mashed potatoes, soups, cauliflower, or anywhere else a bit of vibrancy is desired. 20. Blend your own curry powder. If there's one thing turmeric is famous for, it's the starring role in Indian curry. (There comes a point in every young Western cook's life when they realize that curry isn't one single spice, but a blend of many.) Making your own curry blend is simple and tastes remarkably bright and fresh; and you can customize it to reflect your personal taste. A good place to start is here. 21. Make delicious dishes. No "uses for turmeric" article would be complete without reminding the reader of all the wonderful food that can be made with turmeric, even if it may not be the most surprising use on the list. Therefore, see: 5 dishes infused with curry. 22. And last but not least, bake a cake! Note: Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form, but use with caution and consult with your doctor first. It's strong stuff. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is unsafe during pregnancy, can make gallbladder problems worse, can make stomach problems such as GERD (or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) worse, and can slow blood clotting and might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery.

Tarzan - The Lost Adventure

I have never been a book worm. I never liked reading. I liked watching movies better. I guess I have a hard time visualizing the scenes when I read A book. The first book that I read from cover to cover was "Tarzan - The Lost Adventure" an adventure novel penned by an American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs. I find it easy to read the book because I was able to see a lot of Tarzan movies prior to reading the book. Because of this, I was able to imagine all the scenes as I read the book.

Minecraft Creations...

I did not know how kids can get creative in the game "Minecraft" until I saw some of the stuff my kids designed.

Lex's water slide

Kyle's epic city

Aloysius' awesome city

Kid's version of their stuffed toy Brownie

Voluntary Blood Donations Act, 2014

I did not even know that here in Canada, you can get money in exhange for your blood. I know a lot of people who donate blood every two months for free. Last month I started to donate as well. Below is a part of what I have read: "Ontario is taking action to protect the province's voluntary blood and plasma donation system. Today, the government introduced the Voluntary Blood Donations Act, 2014. If passed, the new legislation would: • Prohibit payments to individuals for their blood and plasma, including reimbursement of expenses or other forms of compensation. • Strengthen the government's enforcement powers in the case of violations. • Expand the criteria considered for licensing blood collection facilities to ensure the public interest is upheld." The proposed legislation is consistent with the 1997 report of the Krever Commission, a Royal Commission of Inquiry on the blood system in Canada in response to the tainted blood scandal in the 1980s that left thousands of Canadians infected with HIV and hepatitis through blood transfusions and plasma products

Sunset in Etobicoke ON

Sunset photos - March 18, 2014
 

Note: Taken from inside a vehicle.

Netflix - Jackie Chan Adventures

All my 3 boys seemed to be addicted to the game Minecraft. They spend most of their time creating something. Upon searching Wikipedia, I found out that the game is played by generating your own world by building anything out of textured cubes in 3D. It involves exploration, gathering resources by mining, etc. Looks like a good game to enhance a kids creativity. However, playing the game on a PC or an iPad puts a strain on the eyes and we do not want our kids to be develop eye problems. Thanks to Netflix, they found another form of enjoyment. They found out about the series, "Jackie Chan Adventures" and now they want to watch it every night. Some maybe thinking, they still use the eyes to watch. Well, at least the eyes are not as focused/strained as when they play the games on their iPad or PC.

Mazinger Z Series

After 30 years when these robot anime were aired in the Philippines, I will finally be able to watch it from the beginning. It is all thanks to youtube. I could probably have seen it earlier. However, I totally forgotten about it. I was just reminded about it when I overheard my kids mention a cartoon character that was not even shown these days.

My favourite is Voltes V and I have seen the series at least 2 times. Now I will know the story of Mazinger Z.

Movie time! - Atilla (2013)!

Can't find good movies in Netflix today. Decided to try the one with the picture that caught my attention. After 30 minutes, I am already falling asleep. I find the plot uninteresting. There are some scenes that are unrealistic. An example would be a scientist examining an unknown artifact without gloves?

Just because I have nothing else to do, I will just endure the next one hour and hope it gets better.

Pre-Approved Credit Card. No Thank You!

I can't remember how many times I have received an offer from a bank via mail. They all inform me that I am pre-approved for their credit card. They are all bundled up with perks that you can use. Some offer points you can redeem for a short haul flight. Others are cash backs and VIP treatments to some establishhments. The only problem is the annual payments that you have to make. It kind of negate the benefit if you are not a big spender. For that reason, I am out! Just what the venture capitalists would say in Dragon's Den if they do not like the business idea being presented.

Donate Blood...

Finally, I got the courage to donate blood for the Canadian Blood Services. I was advised by a doctor during one of our company annual physical check up (maybe 15 years ago) to consider bloodletting to prevent illnesses.

I, however, do not like to see blood so I always put off the idea. My recent experience was good. It was also very convenient for me because they always set-up a mobile donation clinic. Because of this, I will make it a point to donate blood every 2 months. My next schedule will be on April 22, 2014.

Healthy individuals should donate blood because it can be used to saves lives!

Canadian Tire Gas Advantage - So Far The Worst Credit Card I Have...

I probably am guilty of not looking before I leapt. When I visited a Canadian Tire store late last year, I was offered by an agent at near the store entrance to apply for a rewards card that could save me 5 cents at all Canadian Tire gas stations. I thought Being a person who likes discounts and savings, I filled out the form and handed it out to the agent. When I was asked questions that were usually asked when you apply for a credit card, I realized that it was not the same as a loyalty or rewards card, but a credit card. I pretended that I did not make a mistake and just went on with the application. After I got the card, I used and true enough, I got less 5 cents per liter of gasoline. However, I found out later that I have to spend at least $500 a month to get the 5 cents and it drops to 2 cents once your gasoline purchase exceeds $700. I will call to cancel this card the moment I have paid the cards remaining balance. I will stick to the Canadian Tire Options Mastercard. I like earning Canadian Tire money that I can use when I purchase something in the store.

Lego People / Mini-Figures

Got a good deal this weekend. I saw someone in Kijiji selling a lot of Lego mini-figures for $95. I asked for a discount and the seller was happy to let it go for $80. I met the guy at Tim Horton's and got the mini-figures that my 3 kids were collecting. The kids were so happy to get at least 36 different kinds of Lego people from series 10, 11 and 12.