Yesterday, after my regular morning walk on the beach, I rode my bike to work.
My out of the office business tasks were a just short ride away (the perks of working on an island), and allowed me to enjoy the perfect weather.
My husband and I ate dinner out on the deck. Then we walked down to the beach to watch the full moon rise over the ocean, and over to the bay to see the remaining sunset colors in the sky.
1) Disconnect the garden hose and turn off/drain any faucets that aren’t frost proof (most faucets on decks are NOT frost proof). Turn off and drain the outside shower (often overlooked and those pipes are the first to freeze and break).
2) Close the foundation vents and secure the crawl space door (the newer Smart vents will close automatically).
3) Secure/store trash cans, deck furniture, kayaks, grills, flags, etc.
4) Unless you completely winterize the house (drain the water), turn on the heat to 55- 60 degrees. The upper floors can be set slightly lower, but not below 50 degrees. A whole house water shut off valve is an extra level of protection against frozen pipes in the event of a power failure.
5) Open the cabinet doors below all sinks to allow heated air to circulate around the pipes.
6) Lock all windows (especially casement style that open with a crank handle) and sliding glass doors. Strong winds can vibrate a door or window open!
7) Unplug small appliances.
8) Check the kitchen sink for any random food items left in the garbage disposal – run with ice cubes or a piece of lemon.
9) Empty and turn off the ice maker if you won’t be using the house for an extended period of time.
10) Prop open the doors for the washer and the dishwasher to avoid musty odors.
And ideally, hire a winter watch service for peace of mind. I am happy to recommend someone if needed.
New Jersey offers the convenience of voting by mail. It was a necessity at the beginning of the pandemic, and because I checked the box to continue, I receive an official ballot for every election.
It’s especially practical for residents with children (or grandchildren) in the public schools. Teacher Convention Week coincides with election day, and has always been a popular time for family travel. Because the livelihood for many of us is connected to tourism, a summer break is often not practical.
When our sons were young, I would arrange for an absentee ballot if we had a November trip planned. The automatic mailer saves that step.
I will drop off my completed ballot this week to the secure election box. Done!
