Where Did Everything Go?

Are you looking for real estate statistics?
It’s ok!  I’ve moved them!

Just go to www.SimplyDesMoines.com and all will be well again!

RoadLesTravels is staying around as well, except it is just going to be a personal blog focused on family and stuff.

Expect posts about our growing family (especially by June of 2011) and yes, pictures and stories about our family pets.  If this is too syrupy for you, then it’s been fun having you read my blog.  It’s time to split the family stuff from the business stuff. 

And all that stuff is located where? 
www.SimplyDesMoines.com! 
That’s Where!

 

First Storm of the Season!

As we prepare for the holidays, the possibility of bad weather is always in the back of our minds.  This time however, it’s in the backyards of our neighbors to the west and it’s heading our way!  The first big storm system of this season is working its way across the state today.

We really can’t complain much because compared to last year, we have had a mild fall.  Even though winter doesn’t officially begin for another 10 days, by tomorrow morning you will know winter has arrived.

By tomorrow morning there will be the sounds of snowblowers running and who knows.. there may even be a sighting of the first snowman of the season!

Last of Summer Des Moines Farmers Market 2010

 

               

End of Summer Sweet Corn

I was in the grocery store of the weekend and noticed this sign at the Sweet Corn display…

I’m sure they mean it’s Yellow and White corn, but somewhere somebody probably has the copyright on Peaches & Cream description….so instead, this corn was labeled Bi-Color Sweet Corn.

I was kind of hoping to see blue & orange colored kernels when I shucked this corn after bringing it home, but alas, it was just Yellow and White.  Not Peaches & Cream mind you.. it was Bi-Color… I guess it could have been worse.. at least it wasn’t Bi-Polar corn…. (No offense to my bi-polar friends out there).

The produce manager did tell me that this corn came from Missouri…. 

MISSOURI!  ~ Get A Rope!  “Nuff Said”!

Des Moines Farmers Market July 17th, 2010

It was certainly a day to be there early!  It was hot!

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Snow In April?

Earlier today I was driving home from an appointment and as I came up behind this truck, I thought that I was seeing things!  It looked at first like the truck was covered in snow.. then as I got closer, I thought perhaps it had a crazy paintjob or that it was covered in specks of white mud… Turns out it was crabapple tree petals!  I LOVE spring in Iowa!!!!  You never know what you’re going to see!

My Assistant Dudley!

This is Dudley.  Dudley is a Labradoodle.. I’m not sure if that is how you spell Labradoodle, but Dudley is one of the cutest dogs I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.  Dudley is a puppy… and like most puppies he chews…  Don’t let the braided chew rope in the picture fool you..

I was over to Dudley’s house to help set up a wireless network.  While most wireless networks are pretty easy to set up, this one was giving me fits… I was able to get it to work and when I was finished, Dudley promptly took the instruction manual and proceeded to chew it up!

Good timing Dudley and Thanks for your help tonight!!!!!  Every successful technology installation should end this way!

Ice Dams Causing Roof Damage In Des Moines

This winter has been an unusual one to say the least.  I’ve lived in my home for the last nine years and I have never had problems with ice like I’ve had this year.  Ice dams occur when snow accumulates on a roof and a combination of warm outside air causes the outer layer of snow to melt into an ice cap and at the same time heat escapes through the interior of the home into the attic.  The warm air in the attic causes the layer of snow against the shingles to melt and during the course of several days, the melting continues above and below, yet the middle of the snow remains frozen.  The mass of ice slowly slides down the roof and accumulates in the gutter.  Worst case scenario, the ice dam can pull down the gutters and ultimately work up under the edge of the gutters and cause sub roof damage.

So why are some homes experiencing this ice dam and others aren’t?  It all has to do with attic insulation and adequate ventilation in the attic area.  I had an energy audit of my home by MidAmerican Energy and it was determined that I needed more insulation… I know.. SHOCK! right?  So now I’m suffering from ice dams (or is it the other way around)…

Today I removed the snow from the front, lower level roof on the house.  An inch of rain is predicted for Saturday.  I wanted to see if I removed the ice and snow from the edge of the roof and cleared the ice out of the gutters if the rest of the snow on the roof would melt with the rainfall.  Will it work?  I’ll report back next week… after the rain…

Don’t Fight Winter….

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…. Showcase It!

To Phone or to Touch… That Is The Question

I’m comparing the iPod Touch to the iPhone… As a little background, I’m 1/2 way through my two year contract with Sprint.  I have a Blackberry Curve 8330 phone.  I’m coming to the conclusion that it’s just a matter of time before I move toward the light…. and purchase an iPhone.  What’s holding me back?  Two things.. the aforementioned contract with Spring on my current phone and that darned  "Blue Map" of coverage in the Verizon commercials.  Rumor has it that Verizon will have the iPhone sometime next year…  I am also 2 months into a Sprint MiFi wireless network device that allows me to connect up to 5 devices at one time to internet access.

    VS    

So far I found this http://reviews.cnet.com/4370-11399_7-35-101.html
What this comparison didn’t take into account is why someone would go with the Touch over the phone… Coverage… I suppose they are not going to stick their neck out there and dis AT&T.
It also mentions that it doesn’t have an email client.. I assume that means an onboard email client as opposed to Gmail.. which is web based…

Another comparison http://www.iphonespies.com/apple-news/iphone-vs-ipod-touch-which-is-better-for-you/
This review like the first one says why buy a Touch when you should really buy the Phone…  Again, nobody compares the Touch as an interim device until better coverage comes along.  I already have a MiFi wireless network device… I think that also should come into play.  If I didn’t have that device, I’d be tied to WiFi networks to use the interactive live features.

And finally, http://blog.pricegrabber.com/gottahave/2009/02/11/iphone-vs-ipod-touch/
This review is the best one of the three in my opinion.  It doesn’t tell you that one device is necessarily better than the other…

Bottom line for me… since I have the MiFi from Sprint and I have wireless at home (who doesn’t anymore), AND I’ve got another year left on my Sprint contract, I am going to go with iPod Touch 32GB latest version device.  I figure if I want to, I can always sell the Touch on eBay down the road… I’m hoping that Verizon gets the iPhone next year.. and if not, well, I’ll have my iPod Touch!