What I am thankful for

Now that the never-ending campaign for president is over and this being the season of harvest and thanksgiving, my thoughts turn to what I am thankful for. Here are a few of them: I'm thankful for the health of my family and I. In the past 12 months both my son and I have spent time in the hospital for different illnesses. I'm just thankful for the wonderful doctors and our great insurance that covered the thousands of dollars in expenses.

I'm thankful for the absolutely beautiful weather we have enjoyed this fall. I can't remember a more perfect fall as far as color and weather.

Every time I get something out of the fridge or cupboard I am thankful for farmers. The American farmer receives too little recognition (and money) for what they do for this great nation. There's an old saying that goes, "You can't insult a farmer when your mouth is full of food."

I'm thankful for this great job of providing this gift basket service that also does two other important things. By sending these Michigan gift baskets you help promote Michigan and we donate 1% of each sale to the Food Bank Council of Michigan.

I'm thankful for coffee. Without which, I would have a difficult time starting my day and getting anything done. I have a shirt that says, "Coffee is my favorite meal of the day." It's true.

That's just a few of mine. Feel free to share what you are thankful for in the comments.

Don't forget to set your clocks back this weekend

This Sunday at 2 a.m. is the official time change. Be sure to set your clocks back Saturday night (for those like me who are comfortably asleep in bed at 2 a.m.) one hour. Enjoy the "extra" hour of sleep. The downside is that it will now be darker much earlier. It always makes me want to hibernate when it gets dark so early in the evening.

Have a Great Weekend and a safe and Happy Halloween. Watch out for the trick-or-treaters tonight.

Free Press shows how to save on energy costs

The Detroit Free Press has a brief 5 Step article on what you can do to save money on your energy costs. The approximate cost of all these steps is $250. Here's the list of steps, but visit freep.com for the detailed steps.

1. Get a Home Energy Audit
2. Install a programmable thermostat
3. Use sealants such as caulk and expanding foam
4. Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs
5. Install landscaping to provide shade in summer

I would add another quick and easy one for the winter - dress warmer and keep your thermostat set lower. You don't have to have the heat cranked up and sit around in a t-shirt and shorts.

Okay, I just thought of a couple more. Replace your furnace filters on a monthly basis. Clogged filters make your heating system work harder, expend more energy, and possibly fail sooner than it should. Also, have your furnace inspected once every few years to make sure it is in tip-top shape and running at its maximum efficiency.

Horribly hilarious typo in Sturgis Journal

Check out the headline below. I am amazed that such an obvious typo made it past the editor.

Beware the Championdip Plague! Maybe someone should send that in to Jay Leno or something. Too funny.