Rose Cottage Ltd

I clicked on this video just out of curiosity and yes, the dog and fish DO appear to be “playing.” If the one guy would just stop saying “Dude!”

Looking for a way to cut down on dissolved solids in your drinking water? Tired of paying for bottled water?

If you can’t afford a reverse osmosis system for your home or you rent and can’t put one in where you live, have a look at ZeroWater products as a great alternative.

I drink a LOT of water – even more than my daily consumption of coffee – which also requires water. I realized that at $3.00 to $4.00 for a case of Dasani or $3.00 for a 2.5 gallon spout jug of water, I was spending a LOT of money on water. This also meant that I was using a lot of plastic water bottles – adding to the woes of the environment.

I purchased a ZeroWater 10-cup pitcher for $34.99 and after slightly over a month, it’s paid for itself!

The unit comes with a filter which, after a month of use, is still showing a “0” on TDS in my now-filtered water. I tested my tap water with the meter provided with the unit and the level of total dissolved solids (TDS) coming from the tap was – 225!!! Not good!

Does it get rid of every possible water contaminant? No. But it does make the water taste better – since water shouldn’t even HAVE the taste my tap water had prior!!

All you can do these days is protect yourself from ingesting as many chemicals as you can reasonably avoid. We can’t stop everything, but if you are a heavy water-drinker as I am, (and I hope you are since your body needs it!) consider a ZeroWater pitcher for your home.

Apparently, Mother Nature does not follow any calendar nor is she impressed by the first day of March. Severe winter storms in the northeast US and torrential rains up and down the coast of California. Be safe out there…

Anywhere in North Carolina? You’ll be amazed at what Duke Energy was getting away with BEFORE their coal ash spill. But don’t worry, the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources is now making threats. I’m sure Duke Energy is really worried…

++ DENR threatens Duke with fines over coal ash spill

Get these while you can. This administration doesn’t like the phrase “tax breaks” and will close every single one they can find…

++ 3 Often Overlooked Real Estate Tax Breaks

In the saga, “The World Seems Full of Criminals” – here’s the latest real estate scam.

++ Real estate scammers duping Kansas City residents

I’d add to the following list – don’t do a DIY project with someone who THINKS they know what they’re doing. They’ll cost you too much time and money, aggravate the cr*p out of you, and the job might end up being unsafe or just ugly. Hire a professional or wait until you can afford to do so. Sometimes your “significant other” isn’t so significant.

++ Top 10 mistakes of DIYers

Looking for rural real estate to purchase? Want lots of land, or a ranch? Here’s a good place to visit. Get your fresh cup of coffee first – if you are like me, you might be on the site for a long while!

++ Land Broker

Interesting article series on the top real estate markets in the US. Week Two’s Choice?

++ Top U.S. real estate markets: Dallas-Fort Worth

Last but not least – It looks like I am not the only person aggravated by the EPA’s grab for my wood stove

++ EPA Wood-Stove Proposal Prompts Rural Backlash

Have a great week and don’t forget, Daylight Savings Time begins March 9th…I’ll remind us all again next Saturday!