Back To School Breakfast Ideas

Mornings trying to get kids out the door are hectic enough, especially the first few weeks back to school. Breakfast shouldn’t be hard; it should be simple.

Wake up, make coffee, drink coffee, ponder life questions, get dressed, think about the kids mess in the living room, wake up the family, make breakfast, gather the children’s clothes, put all their school stuff together, yell a few times, make sure everyone is dressed, eat breakfast, ask your husband for help with the kids, drink more coffee, brush teeth, feed the puppy, and gather all belonging and out the door before 8:10 AM to make it to school at 8:30 AM.

In all that chaos you are supposed to feed your family a nutritious well balanced breakfast. I’m a huge fan of wraps, everyone enjoys them, and it’s not so messy. To make breakfast easier here are a few ideas that I have put together.

Scrambled Eggs, Potatoes and Cheese in a wrap

Scramble eggs and potatoes, top with cheese, put it in a wrap. No mess, and it’s a hit.

Left Over Breakfast Wrap

If you have either beef, pork, or chicken and spring veggies from last night’s dinner: cut it up, or shred it and cook it in a skillet with eggs. Put it in a wrap. BAM, delicious gourmet breakfast.

Granola, Yogurt, and Fruit

Smash a Natural Valley Crunchy Granola bar, layered with vanilla yogurt, topped with berries & strawberries.

Eggs, Avocado, Hummus Wrap

Cook eggs to your liking. Slice up a few pieces of avocado. Put eggs and avocado in wrap with a spoon of hummus, roll it up and enjoy.

Bacon, Egg’s and Cheese Wrap

Cook Bacon. Scramble eggs, top with cheese. Spread a tiny bit of mayo on your wrap, add scrambled eggs and cheese, then top it with crispy bacon. Roll it up and enjoy.

Egg Whites, Tomatoes, Basil & Goat Cheese

Scrambled egg whites. Place in wrap, top with: Fresh tomatoes, Fresh Basil and goat cheese. Roll it up and enjoy. (If you have time, roast the tomatoes before placing them in wrap. It will give the wrap and extra kick)

Peanut Butter & Jelly, Fresh Fruit Wrap

Spread your favorite type of peanut butter and jelly over a whole wheat wrap. Top with Bananas and Strawberries. Roll it up and Enjoy.

-Everything is cooked in extra virgin olive oil, no butter, no vegetable oil.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You have to make it enjoyable for you and the kids. They have to go out there and conquer the world, make it a little easier by making them a breakfast they could enjoy before school.

Plumbing Fact: Over $100,000 were spent on a study to determine whether most people put their toilet paper on the holder with the flap in front or behind.

When To Call A Licensed Professional

There’s a wonderful sense of well-being you get when you tackle things that go wrong or break in your home. It breaks, you fix it and most of the time, you show it off to your partner. “Look at what I did, I deserve a monument built after me, aren’t you proud?”. It feels so good that you even decide to look over the “Honey Do List”. What did you get yourself into? When did all this break? You start thinking to yourself, “Is she just coming up with things for me to do?” No, your partner isn’t just adding things on that list, you’ve just let it pile up. Now let’s find a solution for your problem. Unless you’re handy or a professional, call someone to help you.

It’s perfectly OK to call for help.

“13 million serious injuries and 55,000 accidental deaths occur every year due to home improvement accidents”

When to Call a Plumber

Water Supply Lines

Sewage Backups

Drain Clog

Water Heater

Pump Installation

Leaks in Walls

When to Call an Electrician

Frequent Circuit Tripping

Light Switch is Warm to Touch

Lights Flicker

Damaged Wires

Burning Smell

When to Call a Roofer

Leak in Ceiling

Shingles Missing

Damaged Flashing

Moss Covered Roof

If A Tree Fell On Your Roof(ouch)

Old Age

I’m sure after looking over “when you should call a licensed professional” it eliminates most of the things on the Honey Do List. Don’t worry, it’s the thought that counts. Just be glad someone is going to take care of it.

Plumbing Fact:

The typical person visits the toilet 6 to 8 times a day or 2,500 times a year, spending three years of their life on the toilet. 

Back To School

The kids hate hearing it's back to school time. Parents are kinda relieved their children are on their way back, they'll finally start learning again. While the kids where home, you were too busy to maintain your household. You worked all day, cleaned up their messes, cooked non stop, and entertained them, everything else wasn't important. 

Your home was neglected. Let's go through a check list to make sure everything is running smoothly. 

1. Check your water heater. Make sure there isn't water or dust around it. Always keep the area clean. 

2. Sump Pump. Check the sump pump for malfunction. It rained a lot this Summer, make sure it's plugged in and still working properly. 

3. Central A/C and Furnace. Please change the filter. You need to change it EVERY month. 

4. Outdoor Spigots. Check them out, make sure they aren't leaking. After using them all Summer, there might be some wear and tear. 

5. Dryer Vent. Get your dryer vents cleaned. 

6. Fridge. Clean out your fridge. If you have kids, your fridge wasn't probably maintained. 

It's ok, don't feel guilty. Your family enjoyed the Summer, that's all that matters. When the kids are back to school, it's time to get back to reality.

Don’t Make The Toilet The Star Of The Show!

You woke up this morning and decided to remodel your bathroom. I would love to tell you that it's that easy. It usually takes time, money and lot's of planning.  

When remodeling a bathroom, you're able to start fresh.  When entering a bathroom, you want your eyes to focus on the tub/shower/vanity/chandelier, not your toilet. Unless, you really are trying to make your toilet the main focus, because you're purchasing: a custom, historic, or extremely futuristic piece.

The bathroom is the number one used room in the house, they are a necessity, you should put effort in the design. If you're remodeling your bathroom, are you remodeling the bathroom: to increase value to your home? To add space? Improve layout? To update it? Because you have to sell the house? Add technology? Or, because you're bored?  

Which bathroom in the house are you remodeling? Each bathroom is different.  

This is where you should focus in the bathroom..... 

Hall Bathroom- Wall Design, Lighting, Chandelier 

Master Bathroom- Tub 

Kid's Bathroom- Wall Decor 

Bachelor/Bachelorette Bathroom- Tile Design or Wall Paper.... Flap Screen/Touch Screen Computer....  LED lights  

Guest Bathroom- Vanity & Mirror 

As a plumbing contractor, I'm able to move your plumbing (of course you have to be reasonable on where you want it moved). If you have the time, we are able to start from scratch. We could redesign your bathroom not just remodel the bathroom.  

Here are some very unique toilets for your enjoyment.  

86 Ways To Enjoy The Summer With Your Kids

SUMMER FUN

1.       Play in the pool outside.

2.       Visit your local community pool.

3.       Go running around your neighborhood.

4.       Camp out in your backyard.

5.       Have a BBQ

6.       Have a Hot Dog party.

7.       Learn new recipes.

8.       Visit your local Farmer’s Market.

9.       Enjoy Tinley Park’s Cruise Nights every Tuesday night on Oak Park Ave.

10.   Play Pokemon Go, go around town catching them all.

11.   Visit your local Library.

12.   Go hiking.

13.   Free Family Night at Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier (Thursday Evenings and First Sundays)

14.   Visit Maggie Daley Park

15.   Splash around at Millennium Park Crown Fountain.

16.   Tinley Park’s Music in the Plaza, every other Saturday night (Zabrocki Plaza).

17.   Visit Lincoln Park Conservatory.

18.   Visit Lincoln Park Zoo.

19.   Visit Brookfield Zoo.

20.   Buckingham Fountain.

21.   Go swimming at Montrose Beach.

22.   Family Kite Festival in Elmhurst 8/6/2016.

23.   Chicago Air & Water Show 8/20 & 8/21.

24.   Robotics Day Camp in Tinley Park.

25.   Watch a kid’s movie at Marcus Cinema in Orland Park.

26.   Odyssey Fun World in Tinley Park.

27.   Go Bowling.

28.   Biking in Forest Preserve

29.   Play softball with your neighbors.

30.   Eat ice cream at your local ice cream shop.

31.   Listen to music.

32.   Dance around to music.

33.   Have a water balloon fight.

34.   Watch a fireworks show.

35.   Have a block party.

36.   Plant flowers.

37.   Play Laser Tag.

38.   Take a bubble bath outside.

39.   Go bird watching.

40.   Stage a play.

41.   Build a fort.

42.   Invent something with old parts in the garage.

43.   Collect lightning bugs.

44.   Go on a picnic.

45.   Bake cookies.

46.   Visit your local Firehouse for a tour.

47.   Play board games.

48.   Make instruments out of junk around the house.

49.   Lay out and look at the stars.

50.   Visit an animal shelter.

51.   Play Hide & Seek.

52.   Make funny skits.

53.   Make a movie with your friends.

54.   Ask your neighbors if they need their pets walked.

55.   Visit your local park.

56.   Play card games.

57.   Cook a meal with your kids.

58.   Make a fun homemade pizza.

59.   Have a movie night at home.

60.   Make a painting.

61.   Visit grandma & grandpa.

62.   Learn magic tricks.

63.   Make s’mores.

64.   Eat popsicles.

65.   Blow bubbles.

66.   Build paper air planes.

67.   Tell stories with a flashlight.

68.   Visit a lake.

69.   Make tacos.

70.   Eat frozen yogurt.

71.   Build sandcastles.

72.   Have a video game party.

73.   Open a lemonade stand.

74.   Have a talent show with your friends.

75.   Run through sprinklers.

76.   Go to a carnival.

77.   Draw with sidewalk chalk.

78.   Wash the car.

79.   Build a Lego tower.

80.   Play I spy.

81.   Learn a new language.

82.   Volunteer.

83.   Read a book.

84.   Build a campfire.

85.   Create a scrapbook.

86.   Take a nap.

I Love Going To The Pool In The Summer

Summer is here and kids are out of school. We have longer days and beautiful hot nights. Most people, enjoy going outside for activities during the Summer time. I for one, love being outside when the weather is warm. Growing up in Midlothian, my grandmother always took me to the pool. I couldn’t get enough of it. She would take me to the pool every day. Maybe it was because she saw how much I loved it or to wear me out, I was a rambunctious little kid. I look back at all the great memories I had at the pool in Summer. Now, with my own child, I see how much he loves playing in the water. He can’t get enough of the pool.

Stop whatever you're doing and GO OUTSIDE, enjoy the pool, enjoy this beautiful weather. If you can’t go to the pool, or don’t have one by you, here are a few ways to enjoy water in the Summer.

Water Activities

·       Turn on the Sprinkler

·       Buy a baby pool

·       Rent a bouncy house with a pool

·       Spray your kids with the water hose

·       Water balloon fights

Water Park’s Around Town

·       Centennial Park in Orland Park, 15600 West Ave Orland Park

·       White Water Canyon in Tinley Park, 8221 W. 171st Street Tinley Park

·       Splash Park in Frankfort, 22108 S. 80th Ave Frankfort

·       Heritage Fall Water Park in Romeoville, 101 Troxel Ave Romeoville

·       Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park in Woodridge, 8301 Janes Ave Woodridge

Don't over work yourself in the Summer. Your kids are out of school, take a few days off and go have some fun. 

Does Anybody NOT Take Their Phone with Them to the Bathroom?

It is 2016, we have the world at our finger tips. They have an App for anything you could imagine, and not to mention most people are wrapped up in Social Media. What did people do in the bathroom before there were mobile phones? In our household we actually have books all around the house, including the bathroom. Our bathroom has a great selection of interesting books. Nothing to complex, mostly facts about History, how to guides, and of course Uncle John’s Fully Loaded Bathroom Reader. There was a study that was done several years ago about how much time was spent sitting in the bathroom. It was said, we spend 3 years of our lives sitting in the bathroom. That was before the smart phone came out. I could tell you that everyone spends way more time on their phone in the bathroom now. Parents, have always ran away to the bathroom from their kids when they were just too much to handle. Now, parents more often than not, pretend that they need to go to the bathroom just so they could go on Social Media. I’m not judging anybody; I’m actually writing this post from my bathroom. Bathrooms have become our new offices. Back in the day, a lot of people wanted an “office” in their house. Now, all you need is a bathroom and your smart phone.

I remember when I first became a plumber, my customers use to have newspapers, magazines, and books, in their bathrooms. I can honestly say, I rarely see that now a day. We need to bring back reading in our bathrooms, or keep the phone usage in the bathroom in moderation. 

Here is an example of phone usage I found on Instagram. 

How Do You Choose Lighting For Your Bathroom?

You need light in your bathroom. Unless you have a skylight in your bathroom and tons of windows, you need great lighting. Where do you place the lighting is the question?

Over the Sink

Both sides of the mirror.

Over the tub.

In the shower.

What type of Light Fixtures do you install?

It all depends on your style. What kind of person are you? What do you see yourself surrounded around? What colors do you love to decorate with? If you had a choice where would you live? What’s your favorite type of restaurant?

How you answered the questions above, is your Design Style. If you don’t understand your answers here is a link to help you choose.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/25171951/list/houzz-quiz-whats-your-decorating-style

• Modern
• Contemporary
• Traditional
• Funky
• Shabby Chic
• Southwestern
• Industrial
• Tuscan
• Medieval
• French
• Asian
• Zen

If you have the extra money to add windows for natural lighting in your bathroom, that’s a Home Run. Natural lighting in your bathroom is always great. You could do a lot by placing and installing the perfect fixtures, but having a large window or two in your bathroom could give you the perfect Natural Light everyone desires. Before you begin your project sit down and plan out what exactly you want to do in your bathroom. After you have thought about what you have in mind, plan out the perfect spots to install lighting. Let your electrician and or remodeler know. They will be more than glad to work with your design idea. 

Memorial Day 2016

On this day we honor the fallen heroes who gave us the freedom that we have. The men and women who gave their lives and left behind a family, so we could be with ours. We don’t say it enough; Thank You. Thank you for letting my family and I enjoy our days without worries, while you are away from yours. Thank you for letting me put my son to sleep every night, while you are away from yours. Thank you for letting me wake up every morning at home, while you are away from yours. You are MY HERO. Don’t worry, I will raise my son to know who the real heroes are.

You, sir and ma’am, are the reason this country is free. God Bless you and may you come home safe to your family, so we could shake your hand and thank you in person. 

Plumber Kevin Szabo Shows How To Rebuild A RPZ Valve