Holy HVAC, Batman!

Old thermostat?  Bye-bye.

Well, the AC died again.  Only this time, it seems that the system (circa 1996) is on its last legs and needs a complete replacement.  I felt like one of those cartoon characters with flashing $ signs jumping out of their eyes; this would not come cheap.  Not to mention I've been super sweaty, considering the 100-degree temperatures we've been having in Georgia for weeks!

Sigh...  since I'm going through this mini-crisis in homeowner land, I wanted to share my tips with you, in case you ever have this happen!

BEFORE IT NEEDS REPLACING...
1) Maintain your homeowner's insurance for repairs on the house.  It's a monthly fee, and don't let it lapse!  It really can be worth it.  Buy it at the same time you buy your house.  It could pay for itself in one incident... such as replacing your HVAC unit!  I wish I had done this.

2) Perform maintenance on your AC!  If you're new to the house, go ahead and pay to have it cleaned and service.  You never know what the previous owner has been doing for maintenance, if anything.  Ask the HVAC serviceman what you need to do to maintain your AC.  Whether that means dusting out the outside unit, changing/washing the filter inside monthly (remember my last AC catastrophe?), keeping the tubes from clogging using bleach/water, etc., a good HVAC serviceman will show you what you need to do.  Then, DO IT!  Set a monthly alarm on your phone or choose an easy-to-remember date for your filter cleaning, like the 1st of the month.

3)  Use, don't abuse, your system.  Don't start using the AC until you need to, and don't keep your temperatures so high or low indoors that your unit is working overtime.  It could make your system last fewer years than it should.

IF YOUR UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED...
1)  Get multiple estimates.  Shop around!  Even if you are dedicated to the HVAC service you use, when it comes to replacing the system, get multiple estimates.  Ask your local friends who they recommend, if they've had good experiences with a specific company.  That's just the smart thing to do.  You could use one company to install the unit, then ask your regular HVAC folks to perform maintenance.  So get multiple opinions.

2)  Research the brands.  Google it!  I found that one company was quoting me WAY high on a brand that wasn't better than some of the lower quotes were offering.  Also, you will find that some well-known brands like Carrier have other brands that fall under them, like Bryant.  Not being an HVAC person, I kind of compare it to Lexus and Toyota.  Both brands have similarities, because they fall under the same parent company.  So hit the message boards and get to know the systems!  Of the four quotes I received, each one was for a different brand; it all depends on the contracts the companies have.

3)  Know the current technology.  Some folks are trying to empty out their stock of less up-to-date models.  A family friend who works in HVAC told me that I want a system with a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 13 or higher, that uses the new R410A freon, with a scroll (not reciprocated!) compressor.  Armed with this information, I knew exactly what to ask the folks giving me estimates, to ensure I was getting a good product for my money.

In the end, I received quotes ranging anywhere from $3200-$6000!  Just think, if I'd gone with a single quote of $6000, I might have overpaid significantly for a replacement.  Fortunately, I had the guidance of that family friend to tell me what a fair price would be.  He also recommended that if I got a good quote from the company that has been helping me out through the years, he does feel it would be fair to continue to be loyal to them.

Anyways, these are the lessons I have learned throughout this debacle.  And while it does sting a bit to have to replace the system, it's just another part of being a homeowner.

Cake Pop Tutorial

After trying a red velvet cake ball in Arizona in January, I started making them on my own!  I saw that Starbucks has started selling cake pops, but I refuse to pay that much money when I know you can make dozens on your own at home for pennies on the dollar.

I took these photos a while back, and didn't decorate like the red velvet ones, but you'll get the idea!  I had a few people ask me my method for making cake balls, which I learned from Bakerella's website.  I've learned to make it easier by trial and error!

Make a cake!  You can do this from scratch, or use boxed mix.  I would choose a flavor that complements the icing you'll be using later!  I like red velvet cake/cream cheese frosting, vanilla cake/strawberry frosting, etc.)

Once the cake has cooled, you need to crumble it up!  I like to use my mixer.

Then, once it's crumbled, I add frosting!  I use a can of store-bought frosting, or the equivalent amount of icing from scratch.  Try not to eat it all!  :)  Mix well. 

Roll the mixture into balls!  You can also stick skewers in if you're doing cake pops.  I put them on wax paper, then  stick them in the fridge or freezer for a while to harden up.

I like to use almond bark for my cake pops.  With a double boiler, I feel it stays melted easier than chocolate chips.  but it's up to you!  Just keep it warm so it doesn't harden.

Dip the cake balls into the chocolate!  I use two spoons, passing it back and forth.   I've tried a number of methods, but the spoons work for me!

Set them out on wax/parchment paper to harden.

Voila!  They look like truffles and taste delicious too.  The icing in the mixture makes it super moist.  You can drizzle a contrasting almond bark onto these to give a professional-looking stripe effect.

You can buy little appliances that actually bake little cake pops, as in little balls of cake... but this is how I learned it, and I think it makes for a more moist, rich pop.  I can eat two of these and feel full, and one box of cake mix can yield a few dozen cake balls!  Way cheaper than Starbucks.

RHONJ... more silly housewife antics.

Catskills Teresa... SCARY!

After this week's RHONJ episode, I watched "Watch What Happens: Live" hosted by my beloved Andy Cohen.  Dina Manzo, formerly of RHONJ, made a great point... the reason Melissa and Teresa don't get along is because they are too similar!  Joey chose a wife who was like his adored sister, and wanted her to do things (like have a big christening, etc.) like Teresa did for her girls.  Well, you do that to a woman and it leads to competition!  I do believe that Teresa wants to have a relationship with Joey, but I feel her talk with Melissa was insincere.  They may have hugged it out, but I don't think Teresa will ever like Melissa, even though I do think Melissa could be good to Teresa.

As for the Catskills adventure... what ridiculousness!  Guns and four-wheelers and way too much innuendo!  Even in the interviews, Teresa was just gross.  I don't want to know about her and Joe.  And Teresa's clothes were heinous, and probably cost a small fortune.  Blah.  I'm not into the Giudices.  Enough said; I felt like Caroline in this episode.

Also, Melissa should put her daughter in a dance class where she is with girls her own age; that was a weird exhibition from the ballroom dance studio.  OF COURSE they put Antonia in the show... it's free celebrity/publicity.  It was kind of terrible.  Though it was good that Joey/Melissa got to spend time with Joey's mom.

Anyways, I don't have much else to say about RHONJ.  I actually prefer the live show following, because Andy Cohen is the best.  Also, I miss RHOOC.  Especially my Vicki Gunvalson!!!