• The Recovering Pessimist | The Home Emergency Contact List #HomeWithJoy | www.therecoveringpessimist.me | #amwriting #recoveringpessimist #optimisticpessimist #HomeWithJoy #HomeDepot #Lowes #Target #Homeowner #Homeownership #AtJoysHouse #HomeWithJoyFaves #WelcomeHome #homedecor #HomeMaintenance #Pinterest
    Home With Joy

    The Home Emergency Contact List #HomeWithJoy

    No matter how much you prepare, a home emergency of some kind will happen. There’s a chance that a home emergency will occur while you aren’t home.

    Listen Season 2 GIF by American Gods - Find & Share on GIPHY

    I was supposed to be out with friends. I ended up staying at home. I was watching TV when I heard a loud POP followed by a burst of water.

    I jumped up and started looking at the ceiling in each room because the water heater is in my attic ?

    It wasn’t coming from the attic.

    I walked into my bathroom. and my heart sank. Water was pouring from under the sink. My house didn’t have a shutoff valve nor did I have a water key. I grabbed a bucket to collect the water to pour down the shower drain. In the midst of dumping water, I called a plumbing company to come over. The plumber came out about an hour after I called. Turns out one of the valves under the sink was incorrectly installed. It was fixed that night.

    If I wasn’t at home and couldn’t be reached, who would my neighbors call in an emergency (other than 911)? Not too long after the plumbing disaster, I created a document with the contacts’ names and numbers that someone would need in case of a home emergency.

    Here’s who I have listed on my home emergency contact list:

    • Neighbors (including their house numbers and/or house descriptions)
    • Plumber
    • Local power company
    • Contractor/Handyman
    • Exterminator
    • Home security provider
    • Home insurance provider
    • Realtor (she’s a human phone book)
    • Home warranty provider

    I printed that bad boy out and taped it to the fridge. There’s no way in hell that it can be overlooked, lol! I implore you to create a home emergency list and put it in a place that’s easy to find. Being a homeowner is stressful enough. If you can ease some stress, by all means, do so.

    Take care,

    Joy

  • The Recovering Pessimist | My Pandemic Reflections | www.therecoveringpessmist.me | #amwriting #recoveringpessimist #optmisticpessimist
    The Complexities of Life

    My Pandemic Reflections

    2020 was a hot mess express. We witnessed the cleaning/paper product version of The Hunger Games, being at home more than usual, and becoming (un)comfortable with wearing masks. Oh, and there was figuring out how to keep ourselves entertained when outside wasn’t an option.

    After a year of living in the Upside Down, I wanted to share a few thoughts. But before I start, I have some fantastic news to share with you:

    Ya girl is fully vaccinated!! #PokedByPfizer

     

     

    While living in the Upside Down, I’ve gained an appreciation for some things & learned a lil’ somethin’ somethin’ too. And since sharing is caring, here we go:

    What I Appreciate
    • Wearing a mask
      • I haven’t been sick in over a year.
    • Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
      • One of the highlights of the Upside Down was the release of this drink. It’s delicious, but it’s REALLY good with 2 pumps of simple syrup. It cuts out the blandness of the oat milk just enough to be a bit sweet & also brings out the brown sugar of the drink.
    • Houseplants
      • Buying houseplants lifted my spirits when we weren’t able to go many places. They also added pizazz to my home. Total win-win.
    • Teleworking
      • Being able to work from home is a true blessing. There’s nothing like wearing comfy loungewear and listening to audiobooks and podcasts in peace.
    What I’ve Learned
    • Wear it now
      • Pre-2020, I had a few items that I rarely wore because either I was saving them for a certain occasion or, I didn’t have the right items to make an outfit. Nowadays, I don’t care. I’m wearing the sequin sneakers with the sweatpants.
    • Listen to myself
      • When my body wants to rest, I rest. When my intuition warns me, I pay attention. Fighting against myself doesn’t work. It just makes things worse.

     

    Now that things are opening up, I’m looking forward to spending time outside…cautiously. What have you learned and/or appreciated from the pandemic? I’d love to hear about it.

    Until next time,

    Joy

     

     

     

  • Home With Joy

    My Home Emergency Must-Haves #HomeWithJoy

    The Recovering Pessimist | My Home Emergency Must-Haves | www.therecoveringpessimist.me | #amwriting #recoveringpessimist #optimisticpessimist #HomeWithJoy #HomeDepot #Lowes #Target #Homeowner #Homeownership #AtJoysHouse #HomeWithJoyFaves #WelcomeHome #homedecor #HomeMaintenance #Pinterest

    When it comes to owning a home, my favorite quote comes to mind:

    If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.

    You hope that you won’t experience an emergency, but that’s damn near impossible. Emergencies WILL happen. The best thing you can do is to prepare as much as possible. If want to get an idea of what your emergency must-haves should include, check out my must-haves below:

    Supplies
    • Batteries
    • Flashlight(s)/LED lantern(s)
    • Non-perishable items
      • I keep canned/dry beans, canned fruit, rice, and canned tomatoes in my pantry.
    • Blanket(s)
    • Water
    • Tool kit
      • An easy way to get your basic tools (e.g., hammer, tape measure, level, wrench, pliers, screwdriver, etc.).
    Know where they are (and how to use them)
    • Water shut off valve
    • Circuit breaker box
    MISC
    • Home contact list
      • My list has the names and phone numbers of my neighbor, HVAC servicer, contractor, plumber, and home insurance provider.

    I hope you find this list helpful.

    Until next time,

    Joy

     

     

     

  • The Complexities of Life

    My Favorite Fall Home Scent

    wpid-cam00125.jpg
    Image via www.therecoveringpessimist.me

    In past years, I was obsessed with Mahogany Leather by Bath and Body Works. It smelled like a man’s leather jacket. As soon as I declared my love for it, the scent was discontinued insert angry face here.

    Just when I had given up, Glade  restored my obsession with Woodside Library.

    If anyone is familiar with Mahogany Leather by Bath & Body Works, Woodside Library is a close match. It smells sooo good! Perfect for someone who loves fall but don’t always want to smell pumpkin spice and/or apples. Woodside Library comes in a spray, candle, wax melts, and scented oil warmer.

    For my frugal folks, there are plenty of coupons online and in Sunday papers for Glade products. Save yourself some money while you’re buying fall smells goods.

    Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. Products mentioned were purchased with my own funds.

  • The Complexities of Life

    Thankful: Peacefully Quiet Refuge #XD31

    I live alone. After enduring noise all day, all I want to do is to relax in the peacefully quiet refuge that is my home.

    At times, it’s a struggle. Peacefully quiet refuge isn’t cheap. On the other hand, I cherish quiet time too much to split rent and utilities in half.

    No thank you.