STARS: Picking Out The Ideal Refrigerator

I had been trying to get a new refrigerator for the past two months. I can afford it and I have a good credit line with Home Depot. I kept running into barriers such as size, design, being out of town, my home being located too far out, etc. 

I knew delivery was my first option since I don't own a pickup truck and I have perhaps four reliable friends that do. I also shopped from the two Home Depot stores that would deliver to my home: Rock Hill and Gastonia.

I then got the dimensions for the fridge I would need: height: 67'', width 30", depth 31.5". I only had wiggle room on the depth. My best two options were French door and traditional since the side by sides were no longer available in the required dimensions. 

I shopped around and decided to go with a French door design, especially after seeing one at my aunt's house. I checked and ensured I stay within dimensions, budget, and distance proximity. 

I'm not going to lie, I was really concerned because my current fridge was about to bite the dust and I had already had failed attempts. I ensured I was off from work and home just in case I had to rent or borrow a truck to get the first fridge on the display room. 

I was able to get the refrigerator I desired and so far I love it! I have work to do far as installing the water line for the icemaker and adjusting the shelves. It is brand new, beautiful, and it works and fits. 

I didn't give up nor deviate from the size. I want others to know this isn't always an easy process but it's worth it. 

STARS: Learning How to Paint Miniatures On A Budget

Hands down my newest stress relieving hobby has been painting miniatures. I have actually gotten good although I haven't painted (or obviously) blogged much this month. I will get it together again. I am due for a good panting session. 

I can see the draw and appeal as many do sip and paint and other random artistic activities. It is so relieving and freeing. 

I simply bought myself the proper acrylic paints, brushes, palettes and minis. I had a budget of around $100 and in 9 months and around 50 painted minis, I've only had to replenish paint, brushes and minis. I hit the middle ground well. 

I then tried to simply get my color schemes and mixing down. I am in a miniatures group chat, I have a mentor and I plug in to groups and YouTube videos to improve.

I practice, most of all. I was up to 3 times/week and never less than once/week. I would keep about 10 figures primed for painting and paint them to their schemes and patterns. 

I have come a long way as I have improved my brush control, paint portion, mixing and cleanliness. I was doing it for stress relief only. Now I want to improve and add more and more to my paint palette and knowledge one. I may spend a lot of money on the right figure to paint but I currently go off the collection I have. I simply have fun doing it! It's like being a kid again.

STARS: Making a milkshake without a machine or blender

I saw yet another situation where a person wanted a milkshake but they thought they needed a machine or a blender to make one. Being the year we're in, I can understand why certain people wouldn't know how to make an old-timey hand made milkshake. This person kind of threw me though. 

I take a tall cup or glass, get my ice cream. I sometimes melt the ice cream some in the microwave. I use about three scoops, fill the glass about 3/4s full of milk. I then use Hershey's chocolate syrup and whatever other toppings I need and then mix it all together. A spoon normally does the job for me but I have used a fork and even a knife in the past. This blends all of the ice cream, milk and other flavors together to make a top notch milkshake at around $3 less on average than a shop or restaurant. 

I learned how to do this at an early age and still do it occasionally, especially when I don't feel like going out.

Hacking the Hack: Protecting your Facebook security

I have seen scores of folks, at least 5 this week alone, that have lost their entire Facebook account. I have researched two of the cases and it could have been easily prevented. 

There is definitely a hacker on the loose as this is too much of a pattern. I know exactly how to mitigate this activity from my IT background of more than 20 years. 

I change my password every quarter (4 times/year). I follow the password guidelines and ensure I can remember it but others cannot. I wouldn't recommend it being a password from another email, social media platform or the like. I have seen what hackers look for and it starts with how the password is structured and encrypted. 

I normally wouldn't say write it down. I will say keep a log of former passwords you use for various purposes and keep it in a good hiding place. 

I pick my security questions carefully also. I don't use my mother's maiden name, anything family related, cars, first addresses, etc.  All of these can be a paper trail to your accounts. 

I also would utilize Facebook security measures in the settings. Two are setting up a unique key and having five trusted people just in case you ever get locked out. A bonus one is requiring authentication in case someone does try to come for your account. 

I encourage everyone to stay safe and secure as possible. The very least I recommend is changing that password frequently. That's the most common way a hacker can take over an account and it gives you, the user, more peace of mind. 

STARS: How I have readjusted my commute to avoid the deadly I-85 Upperstate interstate

There is absolutely no secret that I-85 N/S between Gaffney and Greenville is a dieway at worst, a standstill at best. The death chute was added last year.  I and many others knew it was an awful idea. It only took numerous accidents, three last week and three fatalities to realize this. 

This horrible interstate stretch affected me in other ways. I had to leave for work in Greenville way early to beat the death chute and exit 60 where BMW traffic is heavy. At nights it was the worse for me. If I didn't get on the interstate by 7pm, I may not make it home by 9:30pm or by 10pm and that's with redirecting and taking back roads. 

I decided to get up at 3:15am on most work mornings when traffic and construction are both light to go to the gym, shower and then straight to work. This allowed me to leave straight from work at 6pm and arrive home some days as early as 7:15pm and late as 7:30pm. I beat all of the major traffic and jams, the death chute (especially since I drive on the outer lane of it) and I get home at a decent hour. I always keep my GPS running just in case of any unexpected accidents or delays

I planned, experimented and it has worked well for me. I have alternate routes and back roads I still use but my current plan reduces my chances and opportunities to do so by 90%. I feel safe and rested traveling on the current plan I have. 

STARS: How I Lowered My Blood Pressure Part 2

I had to end up seeking medical attention for my blood pressure as it was not dropping on its own. I had to do it not only for my DOT physical but my own personal health. Now my mother has both her BP and cholesterol elevated. I did it, she will do it, and here's how I got mine down in 60 days. 

I went to my nurse practitioner and she laid out a plan for me. She told me I would have to start amping my workouts, drinking plenty of water and eating more fruits and veggies. She said I couldn't have too many of the latters. She suggested brown rice and grains. The method she recommended was vegetables first, any lean protein and then grains. She also prescribed two different medications. We both had the same goals in mind. 

I followed her advice, hit the gym 5 times/week, focusing equally on cardio and weights with HIIT to get my heart active and blood flowing. I researched online some good vitamins to take instead of a multivitamin. Among those are vitamins B, C, zinc, fish oil, apple cider vinegar, and potassium. I took my vitamins every morning, hit the gym, ate properly, stayed active at work, and got proper rest. I also took my medicine as directed. 

Within 30 days, I saw it dropping dramatically and I was feeling better. The entire doctor's office was impressed but knew more work was required. The issue for me was my excess weight. I knew that the more weight I got off of me, the less my BP would be and I would be able to abandon the medication. 

In about 60 days, my BP was steady in the normal range of 120/80. I bought a BP monitor and checked it once/week on Wednesdays. I was able to donate blood again, passed my DOT physical, and got a glowing report from the doctor. She lowered my dosage and moved our next appointment onto 3 months away. 

Present day, I continue my regimen, along with taking weekly pics of my BP readings. I feel much better as I slowly return to form and get closer to getting off of this medication. I am now helping my mom to beat this as well. 

STARS: How to Help Someone in Need

I am currently in the process of helping someone get back on their feet. I won't mention their name. I offered, along with my uncle and now they are willing and so are we. 

I want to ensure they are headed for gainful employment: current job, new job, temporary unemployment or permanent disability. I want to see an end goal and effort. 

I also want them to give me an update of where they are trying to live and a summary of where they checked. Hotels and friend's houses go only so far. 

I am willing to give them money for odds and ends but I don't want them to take advantage. Effort must be demonstrated before me first and then I have an amount (like a stipend) I will help them will. I have discussed this with my uncle. 

I am confident this is the moment of truth. This person will find their footing or they will be disillusioned and not ask for my assistance again. Either way, I will have did my part.