Utilities - Furnace

Three Types of Furnace

Single Stage

Two Stage

Variable Speed

http://www.arsofvirginia.com/resources/single-stage-two-stage-variable-speed-furnaces.aspx

Sauteing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sautéing

Wpg Free Press article on Battery Life

"In extreme cold, if your car didn't start one day and you leave it, it only makes it worse."

Vehicle owners are advised to start their cars every three hours if they're parked outside and not plugged in. The mechanics are basic: at temperatures of -18 C or lower, it takes 40 percent of your battery just to get your engine going. "Even if it's just for five minutes, start your car," Young advised.

- From Cleaning up winter's chaos: Snow-covered roads, stalled cars a big job, by Alexandra Paul, The Winnipeg Free Press

Great Example of An Apology - From a funny text post!!

I am really sorry about tonight. You're right, I don't take your needds into consideration and i absolutely bulldozed you. I am going ot work on actively and thoughtfully listening to you. I want you to feel respected and heard.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ColdandFluNews/story?id=6479792&page=1&singlePage=true

The Perils of Sneezing

Dec. 22, 2008

By CARI NIERENBERG
ABC News Medical Unit 

It might have been just another summer day at the office. But when Erina Ramly of Chestnut Hill, Mass., felt a tickle in her nose as she headed to the cubicle of a co-worker, she did not imagine that what happened next would lead to excruciating pain.

She let out a sneeze but soon afterward noticed that she couldn't turn her neck to the left or right.

As the pain in her neck worsened, Ramly went to see her doctor. Much to her surprise, she found out she had whiplash. She was given a neck brace to wear and some muscle relaxants for the pain.

In all likelihood, the sudden movement of the sneeze aggravated Ramly's neck muscles, which may have been tight to begin with because her back was feeling stiff.

"It felt really embarrassing, when I had to tell people the story," Ramly said. "You don't expect to get whiplash from sneezing." But her physician told her he had seen it before, and another friend confided that it had happened to her as well.

Injury Happens Quicker Than You Can Say 'Gesundheit'

Although the chances of hurting yourself while sneezing are extremely low, it can and does happen.

And it can happen to the fittest of us. Not one, but two forceful sneezes sent baseball slugger Sammy Sosa's back into spasm right before a game in 2004. Shortly thereafter, the Chicago Cubs outfielder was placed on the disabled list with a sprained ligament in his lower back.

Sneezing is a quick, sudden motion that can aggravate an underlying problem, like neck or back discomfort, explained Dr. Eric Holbrook, co-director of the sinus center at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Given the right set of circumstances, a sneeze has the potential to strain a muscle or pull a ligament.

Traffic fatalities and accidents have also occurred when drivers have turned their head away to sneeze for a split second or have had a sneezing fit.

In November, for example, a Boston man lost control of his pickup truck on a curvy stretch of road adjacent to the Charles River after he reportedly sneezed while behind the wheel. The driver was not hurt during the incident but his vehicle ended up partially submerged in the river.

Other consequences of sneezing don't necessarily lead to injury, but they can be embarrassing. For women who have incontinence, part of the pressure generated during a sneeze might transmit that pressure to the bladder, which may or may not hold, said Dr. Erin O'Brien, a sinus specialist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. This can also happen with a strong sneeze during pregnancy.

Get Your Questions Answered at the ABCNews.com OnCall+ Cold & Flu Center

• Best Ways to Avoid the Flu
• How to Make a Fast Flu Recovery
• Battle of the Nasal Washes: In One Nostril, Out the Other
• Sick Kids: Keep Them Home? Or Are They Faking?

Since the average person tends to sneeze roughly 200 times a year, the odds are low of any harm, noted Dr. Michael Benninger, chairman of the head and neck institute at the Cleveland Clinic. "The greatest risk from sneezing is contagiousness, not personal injury," he said.

What You Might Not Know About Sneezing

A sneeze often starts when an irritant enters the nose, whether it's mucus, dust or an allergen, and this stimulates the trigeminal nerve. An area of the brain called the "sneezing center" senses this and triggers a reflex reaction throughout the body. You take a deep breath in from the lungs, your muscles contract, your eyes close and there's a forceful outflow of air from the nostrils and mouth -- it's all intended to expel whatever was irritating your nose.

"Sneezing is a defense mechanism to protect against a foreign body entering," Holbrook said.

Sneezing is also a subject of curiosity among ear, nose and throat physicians, as well as sinus specialists who get their fair share of questions and hear many old wives' tales about it.

For example, Holbrook says he's been asked whether sneezing with your eyes open will cause them to pop out of your head (he reassures his patients that he has never heard of this happening).

Another myth is that your heart temporarily stops while sneezing.

And then there's the photic sneeze reflex, which is one example that has a medical basis. Looking at bright light or going from dark to light (indoors to outdoors) triggers a sneeze in some people.

About 25 percent of the population has this reflex, and it appears to be hereditary.

Another response that might seem strange and also has a tendency to run in families is sneezing when you have a full stomach. O'Brien says that both her grandfather and father sneeze when they first take a few bites of chocolate, although neither man is allergic to it. Fortunately for O'Brien, she did not inherit this reaction.

The Dos and Don'ts of Sneezing

Sneezes are thought to travel at a speed of 100 miles an hour with a wet spray that may spread about five feet. So for those times when you need to say "achoo," there are some things to remember to do it safely.

Many experts agree that it was best to sneeze into the bend of your elbow, not into your hand. While you may have been taught as a child to cover your mouth with your hand when you sneeze to avoid spreading germs, kids and adults alike are now being taught to sneeze (or cough) into the inside of the elbow.

Sneezing into your hand is believed to be worse at spreading infection because the hand doesn't absorb mucus very well and often goes on to touch things afterward (instead of being immediately washed).

O'Brien also recommended keeping your mouth open because the sneeze is generating so much pressure you want to let it out.

As for what not to do, it could be risky to suppress a sneeze by pinching your nostrils or closing off your mouth. This can rupture an ear drum or damage the middle ear.

If you're going to sneeze, let it come, suggested Benninger. Historically, he explained, the Greeks believed that sneezing was a gift from the gods -- a signal from above, so to speak. This might be one reason why the phrase "Bless you" came into being, which probably was a derivative of "You are blessed."

As Benninger put it, "If people sneeze, just let them know they're blessed. The gods are with them."

Cars - Why it's good to "idle" your car on cold mornings

http://jalopnik.com/yes-warm-your-damn-car-up-if-its-cold-1678251730


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/commuting/help-im-moving-to-winnipeg-when-do-i-plug-in-my-car/article4791898/

http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=41422.0

What to do if you lock your keys inside your car

What to do if you lock your keys inside your car

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/tips-for-getting-into-your-car-without-your-keys.html
http://www.reddit.com/comments/26jgg5
http://www.yelp.com/topic/san-diego-locked-keys-in-running-car
--> Call CAA or a towing company. They will bring a device they use to "slimjim" into the car.
Video: unlocking car using plastic strap (have to purchase the tool, but it shows the basics of it)
Video: unlocking car using a long piece of string, and tying slipknots into it
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Tie-a-Slip-Knot/



Don't lock yourself out of your running car

http://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/2r9vmu/lpt_dont_lock_yourself_out_of_your_running_car/

Description of Bombay Cats

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_cat

The Bombay is a highly social breed that loves to be in the company of others.^[2] Bombays tend to be attached to their families and crave attention, and for this reason this breed is highly suitable for children.^[4] Most Bombay cats are not independent. Older Bombays are somewhat more independent than younger ones. They seek attention from their owners and people around them often and dislike being left alone for extended periods of time.^[5] Although they like to be around people generally, Bombay Cats also tend to have a certain person whom they pay special attention to in their lives.^[5] Overall, the Bombay breed is intelligent, playful, and attention-seeking.^[5] They tend to get along well with other cats, as they have an established pecking order in the household. They have a very distinctive purr and love to snuggle.

http://www.cfa.org/Breeds/BreedsAB/Bombay.aspx

“I’d love to own a panther!”

At first glance, you may mistake a Bombay cat for a miniature panther. In fact, that is why the breed was created by Louisville, KY breeder Nikki Horner, who set her sights on producing a copper-eyed, black shorthaired cat with the exotic appearance of a mini or “parlor” panther. The black leopard of India inspired her choice of the breed’s name.

The Bombay is an example of a hybrid breed, combining characteristics of established domestic breeds to create and maintain a specific, third look. Although the goal is to produce cats who look like wild panthers, there is absolutely no wild blood in the breed. Ms. Horner began her effort in 1953 with the selective breeding of a black American Shorthair with rich eye color bred to a Grand Champion sable Burmese female. Through a long, selective process of line breeding and outcross breeding, she was able to consistently produce a black cat unlike any other. Black American Shorthairs and sable Burmese are still allowable breed outcrosses.

The Bombay achieved CFA championship status in 1976, and the rest, as they say, is history. The beguiling, charming shiny black coat with the brilliant gold to copper eyes caught on with the public and other breeders and exhibitors. Although small in numbers, the breed has consistently contributed to national and regional winner status.

It has been said that if you want a dog, a cat or a monkey all rolled into one mischievious package, then the Bombay is the breed for you. They can be leash trained, and most enjoy playing “fetch” and are fond of inventing new ways to entertain themselves and the humans with whom they live. Bombays are congenial, outgoing and make intelligent, affectionate companions. They adapt well to busy life styles and usually get along with children, elders and other pets. The Bombay generally combines the easy going temperament and robust nature of the American Shorthair and the social, inquisitive, lap-loving character of the Burmese.

With the exception of color, the Bombay and Burmese standards are very similar. Whereas the Burmese body presents a compact sturdy appearance, the Bombay body is of medium length, presenting a more lithesome appearance than its Burmese cousin. The Bombay’s head is “rounded” with a short muzzle. The coat is the most defining characteristic of the Bombay. Its short, flat, gleaming, black-to-the-roots coat accentuates its rippling muscular form. And, along with its conspicuous large, brilliant gold to copper eye color, the Bombay is described as the “patent leather kid with the new penny eyes.”

In selecting a Bombay kitten, consider what characteristics are most important to you and discuss them with the breeder, who knows each kitten and can help match you with the right one. Kittens are usually available around sixteen weeks of age, by which time they have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying, and providing acceptable surfaces for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential to maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life. For more information, please contact the Breed Council Secretary for this breed.

http://mybombaycat.com/bombay-cat-characteristics-and-personality/

Like other pets, Bombay cats crave human attention.  They have loud purs and very distinct “voices.”  Some Bombay cats can be quite talkative and meow alot at times like when you get home from work or wake up in the morning, for example.  The Bombay doesn’t get along too well with certain breeds of cats, but can tolerate others.  Bombay’s get along well with dogs because of the natural “pecking order” they have.  Also, Bombay’s typically prefer to live indoors rather than be an “outside-cat.”

Bombay’s are “heat-seekers”,  they simply love to be warm.  You’ll often find your Bombay sleeping in sunlight or next to heaters when its cold.  Bombay’s often tend to sleep on their owners when lying down for the warmth.

Bombay’s love attention.  The enjoy being held and being pet.  Some Bombay’s even take on dog-like characteristics like playing fetch, for example.  They enjoy being around people, but tend to select a certain someone to pay special close attention to.  Bombay’s are also great with young children.

Overall, the Bombay is a sensitive and intelligent cat that is perfect for a first-time cat owner.

Subtotal	$16.99
Shipping: USPS First-Class Mail International	$9.55
Promo Code	-$2.55
Total	$23.99

Your shipment may be subject to duties/import taxes or customs fees upon delivery.

Import taxes and customs fees are not included in the cost of the shipping options below. The recipient is responsible for payment of any duties or taxes incurred. ModCloth does not pay these fees on your behalf. In some cases, customs clearance procedures can delay package delivery. 

USPS First-Class Mail International ($9.55)After processing, 7-21 business days in transit

Cooking

Reheating Turkey

Reheating leftover gravy: Warm leftover gravy on the stove or in the microwave, bringing it to a boil before serving.

Cars - Idling

In terms of your car, “idling” means putting the car in park and leaving it running when you could otherwise be turning it off — in a drive-thru, for instance, or waiting at the train station to pick up your friend.

Read more: http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/questions/is-it-better-to-idle-or-turn-your-car-off#ixzz3POKGqzWi

- Idling a car is leaving the engine running rather than turning it off - for example, while waiting for a train (instead of keeping your foot on the brake, or putting the car in park, you can turn off the engine completely).

Tips on Swallowing Pills

Swallowing pills is not an easy thing to do. There are even studies that test out different techniques to make pill-swallowing easier. Like putting in contacts, it involves going against some of our natural instincts, but with some helpful techniques you can work with these instincts and get that medicine down!

* Take a deep breath. Relax, baby!

* Humans have an instinctive, automatic, physiological eating process. We take a bite of something tasty, chew it, and then swallow it. When we try to swallow a pill without chewing anything first, we are thus going against this natural process. How can we work with this? Eat a meal and pop your pill in your mouth before swallowing. Or, eat something that doesn't require chewing, like pudding, to let your body know you don't need to chew.

* Try sipping from a water bottle. Water bottles are the perfect shape for creating a vaccuum-like effect that helps the pill go down.

How do area codes work in Winnipeg?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_codes_204_and_431

Area codes 204 and 431 are the North American telephone area codes for the Canadian province of Manitoba, encompassing the province.

In 2009 the Canadian Numbering Administrator forecast that area code 204 would be exhausted within a few years, despite there only being 1.2 million people in the entire province. While an area code typically holds 7.8 million possible numbers, Canada uses an inefficient allocation scheme in which competitive local exchange carriers receive 10,000-number blocks for even the smallest hamlets, with no number pooling. The situation was exacerbated by the proliferation of cell phones, particularly in Winnipeg.

In July 2010, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approved a province-wide overlay with area code 431, for implementation in November 2012.^[1] On July 30, 2012, 10-digit dialing became mandatory throughout the province.^[2] This decision, rather than a geographical split of the area code, was made to spare rural Manitobans the expense and burden of having to change their numbers.

• Winnipeg (204) 200 201 202 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 235 237 250 251 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 269 272 275 282 283 284 285 287 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 318 330 333 334 336 338 339 360 390 391 396 399 410 414 415 416 417 421 430 451 452 453 470 471 474 475 477 478 479 480 487 488 489 499 500 504 505 509 510 514 515 557 558 560 582 583 586 588 589 590 594 599 612 615 619 631 632 633 654 661 663 666 667 668 669 688 691 694 695 697 698 760 770 771 772 774 775 777 779 780 781 782 783 784 786 787 788 789 790 791 792 793 794 795 797 798 799 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 809 813 815 831 832 833 837 869 880 881 885 887 888 889 890 891 894 895 896 897 898 899 910 914 918 919 920 924 925 926 927 928 929 930 931 932 933 934 935 936 938 940 941 942 943 944 945 946 947 948 949 951 952 953 954 955 956 957 958 959 960 962 963 975 977 979 981 982 983 984 985 986 987 988 989 990 992 995 996 997 998 999, (431) 200 222 318 433 485 777 800 845 944 999

Summary:

There weren't enough area codes to provide enough unique phone numbers for Winnipeg's population.

431 is the new area code that was added.

Inspiration to design the home of your dreams

http://www.littlethings.com/secret-chamber-wine-cellar/?utm_source=spcl&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=cellar

Car - Parts of a Car

What is the ignition switch?

The ignition switch is the master switch that provides power for the vehicle's electrical accessories, computer, fuel and ignition systems. It also routes current from the battery to the starter to crank the engine.

An ignition switch has four positions:
OFF - Or LOCK position, Turns off power to the engine and electrical accessories
ACC - Accessory position that provides power to electrical accessories only, not the engine. Electrical accessories may include radio/entertainment system, electric windows and sunroof. This is mainly for passenger convenience but prolonged use of any of these without the motor running will drain the battery.
RUN - The "ON" position that provides power to the engine and electrical accessories. The switch must be in this position for the engine to run and for the vehicle to be driven.
START - Used only to start the engine.

Cleaning - Bathroom

How can I safely dispose of old medications?

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm101653.htm

Phones

What does "x" mean in a telephone number?

"x" Stands for Extension. For example, say you're given the number 1-877-777-1420 x117. You would dial the phone number (1-877-777-1420), and let it ring. You will then be prompted to enter the extension of the party you are trying to reach. At that point dial "117."

Jewelry

What message should I get engraved on my piece of jewelry?

http://www.locketwarehouse.com/engraving-suggestions.html

Good spas in Winnipeg

- Recommended Ten Spa and Clarion

Ten Spa – 10^th floor of Fort Garry Hotel

You can sit in their lounge and eat free snacks, even if you’re only paying for one service (like a pedicure). There's also a lunch menu (each meal is $20), but the one review wasn't good.

A reviewer on yelp.ca said it’s good to go on a weekday, as opposed to Friday or the weekend, so the lounge isn’t so crowded

Book reservations in advance

Website: http://www.tenspa.ca

Info from Fort Garry Hotel website: http://www.fortgarryhotel.com/ten-spa-en.html

Info from tour Winnipeg site: http://www.tourismwinnipeg.com/things-to-do/spas