A friend of mine has adult kids. Well, adults on paper, anyway. My buddy’s kids all still live at home, and, as a result, he’s always complaining that they aren’t interested enough in moving out and getting their own places anytime soon. They all have jobs, so employment isn’t the…
I love exploring the Central Valley on my days off. Modesto, in particular, is one of my favorite spots—it’s really a hidden gem of a city. With its vibrant art scene, top-notch doughnuts (I’m talking about you, Mr. T), and proximity to the wonderful rivers and lakes near Waterford, it…
Imagine coming home from a long day of work during the summer, sweaty and tired after your commute, and then switching on your home’s air conditioner and being greeted by a big blast of… warm air. Obviously, something is very wrong with this picture. An air conditioner that blows warm…
I love driving through Sacramento’s Oak Park to look at the old, colorful character houses that gracefully line the streets. My imagination tends to run wild thinking of all of the families who have lived there and the many stories those sturdy old walls must hold. While the bones of…
Earlier this summer, Davis, CA experienced five solid days with high temperatures exceeding the 100-degree mark. Because of this, the National Weather Service issued heat advisories warning folks to stay off the streets. Scorching highs aren’t unusual in Davis during the summers and, in general, my advice for homeowners is…
One of my favorite things to do in Sacramento on the weekends is to peruse vintage furniture stores. There’s something really cool about finding an old piece of furniture that has been restored or even repurposed that fits beautifully into your home. I’m always on the lookout for real wood…
Sacramento is a city of old neighborhoods filled with historic homes, from the Pocket area to Oak Park, Midtown to East Sac. These classic homes have so much character—and such unique architecture. They’re all absolutely beautiful. Well, at least on the outside. Inside walls and underneath floors, though, many of…
Steve in Citrus Heights is a pretty smart guy, but he’s not quite in the know when it comes to smart thermostats and the Internet of Things. So, he’s come to us for some expert HVAC advice. He says: “I was at my brother’s house recently and he was showing…
The weekends around my house are often used for tackling those pesky home improvement projects, especially now that it’s warm outside. During the summer months, I really like to check off the things on my list that make our Sacramento home more energy efficient. We don’t intend to sell anytime…
There was a day in June this year when the high temperatures in our part of Northern California got up to 110 degrees—two days before summer even officially started. Simply put, where we live the summers are long. The hottest months, statistically speaking, are in late July and early August,…
