TheThief in Your Attic

The really hot weather has not yet arrived and with it the outrageous energy bills. But, one of the most unappreciated improvements you can make to your home is to add insulation. We worry about the burglar but there is a thief right up in your attic taking money from you every day. And without exception, insulation is always a good idea.

A few years ago I took the online energy audit through JEA and decided to check the insulation in my attic. The recommend R-Value (resistance value) for this area is R-30 and I discovered the light level I had was about R-10 which is nothing during a hot Summer day. Checking with Lowes and installing it myself, my energy bill was cut by 60% and the insulation paid for itself in a year- and-a-half. After installing additional insulation , even during the hottest part of the Summer, my compressor does not come on until around 2 pm which I'm certain has extended the life of the air conditioning unit while saving me money.

If you have an older home (as most English Estates homes are), there is generally a thin layer of loose insulation sitting up there and it is usually less than 3 inches high which is the R-10 I discovered. You can select the sheets or rolls of R-rated insulation or have it blown in. Either way, you will notice a difference almost immediately if it is done correctly.

Blown insulation generally covers better in an existing house and is more economical—just be sure you get quotes by R-value—not in inches, as that will vary among many different products. Also, be sure your quotes include the minimum depth in inches and that the number of bags to be used match manufacturers recommendation.

So now you have added insulation to your attic and seen the savings and you begin to wonder if there is anything else you can do to stop the leakage of your cool air. Have I got some great stuff for you. That's it... "Great Stuff!"

It comes in a spray can and spreads as a foam. Once the foam has settled it begins to expand and is great for gaps around the house. Packaged with an easy-to-use straw, the Insulating Foam Sealant fills pipe penetrations, gaps in the structure where two building materials meet, and any space that allows air to enter or leave the home's envelope. There are five formulations of GREAT STUFF The insulating foam sealants bond to wood, metal, masonry, glass and most plastics.



I told you it was great stuff!

8 More Things a Burglar Won't Tell You

First off, a correction from the last post. I mentioned that "someone" had forwarded the list of "Things a Burglar Won't Tell You." Well, that someone was Sharon and I am offering a well deserved thank you to her.

Here is an addition from Sharon, 8 more things from the burglar list:

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You

Now that warm weather is fast approaching it is a good idea to be on the look out for any situation that may give burglars an opening. Someone forwarded this to me and I thought it provided some very good advice.


1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..

5. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

6. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

7. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

8. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

9. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

10. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

11. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. Use a timer so I don't know when you are home.

12. Two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors

12. .

Self Defense in the Neignborhood

The Neighborhood Watch Group recently did a self defense class and with Summer in full force it made sense to highlight some of the tips presented during the class.

Some of the tips were common sense but others were very good ideas I had not thought about. Officer Rodriguez did an excellent job of keeping the program interesting and yet providing food for thought in terms of how to protect yourself. So good in fact that I decided to let him do the talking in terms of video clips to allow him to illustrate exactly how to perform the maneuvers he indicated.

This first video indicates how to be aware when shopping and using a cell phone.




Next is useful advice on how to shop to avoid becoming a victim:

I thought this was very good advice on what to do if you find yourself stranded, your cell phone dies and someone approaches you...

On another front, why it is important for you to keep your wits about you when approached or someone attempts to attack you...

If all else fails and someone tries to abduct you...







Tactics on how to walk defensively either at the mall or in the neighborhood...

There have been a number of break-ins either near or in the neighborhood where the criminals have figured out the owners pattern and broken in when they knew they were not at home. This next video offers some very good advice on how to trick the criminal so that you have not been scouted to become a victim in addition to being aware of strange faces in the neighborhood...

And finally, the situation most women encounter the most... shopping and protecting your purse...

I hope this information was helpful, despite the fact it only gives a small portion of the information Officer Rodriguez provided. But, if only a few of them are followed it should give you a fighting chance against becoming a victim.

A Neighborhood Gathering Place

Everyone should have a reason why they like where they live and mine, despite it being a recent addition, is the park. It is the neighborhood gathering place and I hope to give you a few reasons why. Please feel free to click each photo for a better view.

One of the main reasons to go to the park is the baseball field. There are several Little League teams that play here and believe me they can be very competitive.

There have been many nights we have sat behind this fence watching youngsters from the almost professional to the barely able to hold the ball and had a more than entertaining evening. It didn't matter that we didn't know the teams, they were just entertaining to watch. The parents were another story...

And what talk about baseball would be complete without giving you the view from First Base?

This is the Community Center that hosts Seniors during the day and all kinds of events in the evenings. Our very active Neighborhood Watch group meets here and the Center has all kinds of exercise classes as well.

One of the main pastimes in the neighborhood is the evening stroll, and the park is the perfect place for it. The little bridge entrance is inviting and promises several short trails where you can walk and hear yourself think.

Once on a trail you begin to realize the quiet nature of the place which makes it a joy to do your bit of exercise.





And should you decide to stop and rest for a moment, it has a place for that too...

There is even a small lake. I don't know if there are any fish in it but it is a small lake none the less. It too is a nice stopping place to just enjoy the view and clear your head after a long hard day.

And so you see why I love my neighborhood? English Estates is an older more established place but there is a lot to love about it. In the coming months I hope to highlight a lot more of the things that make this neighborhood a great place to live.

Welcome to the English Estates Blog!

The goal in doing the blog is to highlight people and events in addition to neighborhood happenings!