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Jay Gaulard

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You are here: Home / Archives for Home & Living

Home & Living

There are many topics about which I write that aren't specific to one narrow area. Things like efforts I undertake during daily life, maintenance projects I engage in regularly, what I enjoy doing around the holidays, and so forth. For these types of things, I like to post to this home and living category. What the category name is in regards to is general actions and thoughts I have around the home and that surround my otherwise regular life. In the following pages and posts, you can expect to find stories about walks through my backyard, foods that I've enjoyed, small projects I've completed, as well as stories about some small wildlife in the area, among other things.

How Old is That Wood Shed?

December 31, 2013

Open Hole in Shed

I was looking up homesteading blogs a few days ago and came across one that I found very interesting. I can’t seem to find it again, which is a shame because it had some really great content. If I remember correctly, it had a set of rules to live by if you decide to live […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Cabin People

December 30, 2013

I found a few really cool videos on Youtube yesterday. I’m going to post them for you below, but first, I want to encourage you to watch them. Don’t just look at the pictures of them below – take a few minutes and watch them. While you’re in the bathroom. After your wife or husband […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

First Maine Christmas

December 25, 2013

Le Parfait French Glass Canning Jars

I woke up this morning around 7:30, which really isn’t all that early. I usually get up at 10:30 though – because I fall asleep so late at night – or morning. Laura and I began cooking dinner past midnight because we ended up getting into a heated conversation about something. I’m not sure what […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Stopping by Campbell’s Building Supply

December 19, 2013

2008 Ford F250 in Snow

I’m starting up a few small projects down in the basement that I’ll write about tomorrow or the next day. They have to do with insulating downstairs and setting up the proper discharge tubing for the sump pumps. As things are right now, drafts down there are more common than not and getting water out […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Frozen Sink Drain Pipe

December 19, 2013

Bathroom Sink Drain Pipe

I really don’t want to beat a dead horse here or anything, but I do want to get this small project on record. In future years, it’ll be good for me to look back and review all the projects I’ve completed. Things like that give me a real sense of accomplishment. A few mornings ago, […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Waking Up to Frozen Pipes

December 14, 2013

Burst Frozen Water Pipe

This is part two of a two part post. If you haven’t already, please read part one. But before you do that, please read the post I wrote two days ago to become acquainted with my frame of mind. Now that the pellet stove was working, I began wondering why in the world the water […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

The Benefit of LED Christmas Lights

December 12, 2013

LED Christmas Light

For a few years now, the plan has been to decorate our Christmas trees with strands of LED bulbs. Like most of the world, we’ve been using incandescent for just about ever. I knew the switch was coming. I just wasn’t sure about when. It was this year. We had no other lights. The switch […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Getting Ready For the Cold

December 12, 2013

Honda EU2000i Inverter Generator

I’m finally coming to terms with the fact that I’ve got to start looking at the weather report. The temperature is supposed to drop to -7 degrees here tomorrow night. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt that kind of cold. I remember one night in Vermont a few years ago when Laura and I hopped […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Our Christmas Tree is Decorated

December 10, 2013

Decorated Christmas Tree

Today was a good day for decorating Christmas trees. Perfect timing too. Not too early and not too late. I’d say December 10th is the day. We actually wanted to put this thing up earlier, but we, unfortunately, didn’t have any lights. If I remember back now, we threw them out somewhere in Connecticut for […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Washing Machine Filling Very Slowly

December 2, 2013

Clogged Washing Machine Screen Filters

Right after I fixed the washing machine water valve, I attempted to wash some clothes. After I loaded the machine and pulled the knob to start filling it with water, things got a bit strange. The water would go on and then off and then on again. I chalked it up to the machine doing […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Water in the Basement

November 30, 2013

Wet Basement

A day after we arrive here at the house, the seller came by for a visit. We had a nice long conversation about the area and the house. He informed us of the pros and the cons of both. Well, actually, the area really doesn’t have any cons, but the house does. One of the […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Our First Power Outage

November 26, 2013

Pellet Stove With Oil Lamps

It was very cold a few nights ago. They said the wind was supposed to be over 40 mph. I think it was, because as I was making my way across the backyard, I was forced to lean forward like they do in the movies or on TV. You know, when someone’s trying to battle […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

A Walk to the Old Mill

November 21, 2013

Field Next to Our Property

We heard a rumor that there was an old mill around these parts that’s been taken down a long time ago. The rumor teller told us that what’s left is a waterfall. Laura and I decided to venture down to the area yesterday afternoon to check things out. The waterfall didn’t disappoint, so we took […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

House Painting, Our Cars & No More Garden

September 26, 2013

Woodrow Wilson Putty Vs. White On Side of House

This is a three in one post about some random stuff that’s currently going on. It’s autumn now and things are starting to cool down a bit. While I still avoid the direct and very hot sunlight, the mornings are turning cooler and more breezy. This makes for more time outdoors. I’m not sure if […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Palm Coast Rain Storm and Moving Concrete Roofing Tile

August 4, 2013

High Water Level In Swale - Palm Coast, Florida

Remember that time I told you about getting stuck in the rain while trimming a shrub? Of course you do. It was right in my last post. Well, as it turns out, it stopped raining and the sun returned. I did as I usually do – run outside to see the aftermath. I like to […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

The Mystery of the Shower Curtain Rings

July 25, 2013

Shower Curtain Rod and Rings

Let’s take this post up a notch and try to keep things playful today. Yesterday’s post took a long time to write and it was mentally draining. Today’s a new day and the sun is shining. All is good – for the time being. What’s nice about yesterday’s post though is that I received two […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Enjoying the Heat?

July 17, 2013

Tingley Men's Economy PVC Knee Boot

My friend, Craig, keeps emailing me, telling the temperatures and humidity levels up in New York. Apparently, they’re very high. Just yesterday, he informed me that the temps were in the mid-nineties and it was muggy outside. Today, it was one hundred and “pea soup.” He likes to call it that. Pea soup. It’s hot. […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat

June 6, 2013

Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat

A little something about Florida that I think you should know – it’s sunny down here. Well, not right at this moment, as we’re in the middle of some rain storm, but in general, it’s sunny. It may not be the sun you’re thinking of though. The sun down here is more direct. Let’s just […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

A Lazy Afternoon

May 22, 2013

A Year in Provence DVD Cover

I’ve probably already written a blog post by this name. How could I not have? Through the years, I’m pretty sure I’ve had lazy afternoons. I am so utterly exhausted. I think my Jiu-Jitsu has finally taken its toll on my body. Last night gave me the workout of a lifetime. I have a shoulder […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

ZeroWater 23-Cup Water Filter

May 11, 2013

ZeroWater 23-Cup Water Filter

If there’s one thing that freaks me out, it’s city water. I know what they say – “Our water meets all federal guidelines…” That’s what they say, but I’m still not sure I want to be drinking something that smells like chlorine. There have only been a few times in my life where I’ve had […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Moving the Trailer

May 11, 2013

Sure Trac 7' x 12' Utility Trailer For Sale

Well that was fun. I heard a bit of thunder and said to Laura, “Oh man, I totally forgot to empty the trailer and move it out to the back. I need to get my car inside.” You see, I have a fear of hail raining down on my nice gray paint. She suggested that […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Growing Lemons In Palm Coast

May 5, 2013

Orange Tree in Palm Coast, Florida

I finally got my desk set up. I haven’t received my card table yet, but I figured enough is enough. My back can only take so much of me hunched over the laptop on the bedroom floor. I’ve been waking up feeling like I’m 150 years old. I’m using a table in the living room […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Visiting DMV In Palm Coast, Florida

May 3, 2013

A while back, I made a list of things I had to do before and after I moved. You know, call the electric company in Connecticut to take the account out of my name, cancel the oil and propane, change addresses for banks and stuff like that. Typical chores one needs to tackle when one […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

When It Rains, It Pours

May 2, 2013

Common Ground Dove

It’s pouring rain outside right now. It started a few ours ago and hasn’t let up yet. I’ve heard this about Florida and I guess the stories are true. A few nights ago, I was driving towards the beach and a thunderstorm kicked into high gear. It was neat because as I was watching it […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

The Long Wait

May 1, 2013

Happy Orange Cat Curled Up Sleeping

I finally ordered a table and chair today. I had my heart set on getting something from a garage sale or from Craigslist or something like that, but I simply can’t wait anymore. I stopped by Goodwill this morning to find a big smelly room full of stuff that should have been tossed a long […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

We Have Arrived

April 30, 2013

Flagler Beach, Florida

I apologize for the lull in writing. We made it to Palm Coast on Sunday, as planned, but I still have yet to find a table to put my computer on. I have so much to say and two posts to put my thoughts in, but I can’t see myself doing this as I lay […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

A Friend In Cuenca, Ecuador

April 16, 2013

Spring Tree With Bird Sitting On Branch

If I do dare say, I believe yesterday may have been the first day of Spring. While our calendars tell us Spring begins on the 21st day of March, you know as well as I do, the end of March is still Winter. Spring, in my book, begins when I see the first buds. For […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

She Says She’ll Find It Without Me

April 14, 2013

Bollywood Grill Authentic Indian Cuisine - Glastonbury, CT

Things were quiet for a bit too long. I had been sitting at my computer for about an hour and I knew she was in the living room playing with the cat. I’ve been working on a project all weekend that I feel will take me the rest of my life to complete. And there’s […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

In The Spirit of Alternative Living

April 2, 2013

Alternative Living and Tiny Houses

When was a kid, I remember watching my brother build things. During his younger years, he would build model cars to x-wing fighters. He’d build chairs, basketball hoops, pogo sticks and bicycles. As he got older, I watched him build real cars to engines to machines. There’s something he’d build though, that would transcend all […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Merry Christmas 2012

December 25, 2012

What did you do for Christmas? Mine was pretty good. I’ve told this story (which isn’t really even a story) a few times already, but I’ll tell it again. It’s pretty funny. I used to have a pretty decent sized plastic pickle jar I would use to throw all my change in. I’ve been doing […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Fixing Up The Treehouse

December 25, 2012

We have this really cool treehouse down in the woods. It was here when we moved in. I wasn’t planning on doing anything with it, but the more we walk around down there and see this thing, the more we are reminded that time hasn’t changed us all that much. We simply look older. A […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Late Autumn Tree Work

November 26, 2012

A rather large tree limb broke a while ago and I’ve really been meaning to flush-cut the jagged stump it left behind. Purely aesthetic of course. It’s taken a while and by looking at the photos below, I think you’ll see why. The tree is huge and getting up there to make a cut would […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Oak Tree Falls For Absolutely No Reason

July 15, 2011

Red Oak Tree Limb Cracked and Fallen

Here’s what I woke up to a few mornings ago: BANG – WHOOOOSSHHHHHH – BOOOOOMMM!!!!! It was about 7am and I was laying there dreaming about unicorns walking to candy mountain. Of course I can’t remember all too well, but what it sounded like was huge shelves of paint cans…thousands of them…falling over in the […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Christmas Tree Growing Strong

March 5, 2011

Top of Christmas Tree in March With New Growth

It’s not so much that we are showing off how we still have our Christmas tree up, it’s that we are showing off our holiday spirit. If you are reading this and have already removed your Christmas tree from your crib (house), you really need to ask yourself why you did that. You need to […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

New Garant Roof Rake

February 3, 2011

Garant Roof Rake

I swear it was like someone installed a revolving door at the hardware store yesterday. If I had known that roof rakes would be the hottest item of the year, I would have bought a thousand of them over the Summer and set up shop on the side of the road during the Winter. These […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Our Christmas Tree Is Growing

January 21, 2010

Christmas Tree

Today is January 21. I am guessing that most of the world has already taken down their Christmas trees. This year, we are running a little late in the Christmas tree removal department. We did remove all the ornaments though. Well, I didn’t. It was done one day behind my back. All that’s left are […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Sunbeam Fleece Warming Throw – Electric Blanket

January 6, 2010

Sunbeam Fleece Warming Throw - Electric Blanket

I know I complain a lot about Winter. It’s in my nature. I always feel so stupid when I do because it’s not like I am the only one on the planet who has to deal with the cold. No one else seems to complain either. It’s a lonely job complaining about Winter. This Winter […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

New MoistAir 14 Gallon Humidifier

December 7, 2009

MoistAir 14 gallon humidifier

Well, I did it. I sprung for the MoistAir 14 Gallon Humidifier. It works pretty nicely. A few weeks ago, there was a snap in the air. I thought, “Oh no. Here we go again.” I had to light up the pellet stove and with that comes dry air. I woke up a few mornings […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Not Enough Sleep

November 22, 2009

I haven’t been getting enough sleep and I am afraid that I am getting dumber because of it. I am sure you know about my fear of Winter darkness. Well, I don’t exactly fear the lack of light, I fear the short days and the being inside way too much for months on end. I […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

New King Size Kingsdown Sleep To Live Mattress Set

May 3, 2009

This is a humorous little story. Well, it’s humorous now that the whole little shopping ordeal is over, but it wasn’t earlier in the day yesterday. Okay, my parents are coming up to visit. This is pretty exciting because they haven’t been to the house yet. Also, they are now southerners, so they totally forget […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Setting Up A Lawn Hammock

April 9, 2009

Pawleys 13 foot cotton rope hammock with pillow

This is a sweet, sweet present I have been looking forward to for many years. About a month ago, there was a day that offered perfect weather. I would say it was about 55 degrees and sunny. Coming off a cold winter, this was just what we were looking for. I was outside just walking […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Eternalite Long Life LED Bulbs

April 7, 2009

Eternalite LED bulb package

This is so cool. I bought my first LED house light this afternoon. I had a small Home Depot list going on, so I thought I would do a little shopping today. This morning, I told Laura that I was going to head up the Glastonbury to get some stuff and she informed me that […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

POM Wonderful Vs. Langer’s Pomegranate Juice

February 5, 2009

POM Wonderful pomegranate juice

We went to Costco this afternoon. It wasn’t something we wanted to do, it was something we were forced to do. We were totally out of food. I really hate it when that happens. We get so hungry that we eventually turn on each other. We start giving each other strange looks and odd things […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

The Health Benefits Of Black Currant

January 31, 2009

Currant Affair - Black currant juice

This was something I was totally unaware of, so I am guessing many of you are unaware of it too. After the tennis clinic this morning, I stopped by Whole Foods to grab some sushi. I also got some ice cream and whipped cream. I have been jonesing for a warm brownie sunday. I mean, […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Losing Heat Through Bathroom Exhaust Fan

January 29, 2009

If there is one thing that I have noticed during this winter, it’s that the bathroom is really cold in the morning. I keep the door closed because I want to concentrate the heat, so that might be the reason. Either way, the whole thing got me thinking. Can bathroom exhaust vents cause your house […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

My To-Do List For Spring

January 28, 2009

Throughout this winter, I have been putting together a short mental list of things I am going to tackle once the good weather arrives. I thought I might share that list with you, partly to entertain you and partly to remind me what in the world I had on my mental list once I have […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Making Money In This Stock Market

January 28, 2009

I spoke to an old friend last night on the telephone. We chatted about all kinds of stuff, including the economy, the world in general and the stock market. Now, I have known this person for many years and thought I knew what he was all about. Last night’s conversation revealed that I wasn’t aware […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

RIDGID 4 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac

January 27, 2009

RIGID 4 gallon wet/dry vac

Okay, so listen to this. I received my Home Depot gift cards yesterday. I got a pretty decent amount’s worth. So basically, they have been burning a hole in my pocket ever since. So what did I do about it? Well, I ran over to Home Depot and picked up that RIGID 4 gallon wet/dry […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

The Return Of The Humidifier

January 20, 2009

Well, I returned the humidifier today. I knew it wouldn’t last. You know the one I am talking about…it’s over here. So, with this return, I officially give up on humidifiers. No longer will I buy any more plastic/electronic junk. I am fed up with the products people are trying to sell these days. Half […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

Honeywell HWM-450 4 Gallon Humidifier For Dry Winter Air

January 12, 2009

Honeywell HWM-450 4 Gallon Humidifier

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to purchase a humidifier? Well, it’s not hard to purchase one, the difficulty lies in going over all the different selections online. Oh, and the reviews…THE REVIEWS. If there were no online reviews, things would be a heck of a lot easier. Trying to decifer between […]

Filed Under: Home & Living

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