With the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines. frequent flyer credit card holders need to take action so that they don’t find themselves missing out on mileage perks that have slipped away from them.
If you hold the Northwest WorldPerks credit card, you will be automatically switches to a new, and travel unaffiliated, credit card.  With this card, you will not earn mileage for your credit card purchases.
American Express is the exclusive co-brand credit card partner for the “new” Delta (the merged Delta-Northwest), and if you want a SkyMiles accruing credit card, you only choice will be to apply for …read more

I found a comment from reader kk in my email today about a few cheap date ideas. Here first is a classic, “…I thought up, with the help of my honey…stargazing.”  Perfect. Free. Romantic. Fun. Take it a step further and visit your local observatory. My little town, Chico, has an observatory up in Bidwell Park. 
kk mentioned historical tours, which are available pretty much nation-wide. In particular, she says to try a candle-light tour in Fort Vancouver, Washington. You can find information at the park’s website.
Since we are exploring ideas for the Northwest, the Portland Rose Gardens would be a great date destination. Take …read more

I’ve mentioned the 100K house here before, but head’s up – the blog is going strong, with all kinds of cool information regarding building thoughts, materials, and costs. Also you can catch all the most current photos, renderings and floorplans of the postgreen 100k house project at flickr. The interior shots are really neat.
If you’re lost read this for a quick run down: Will $100,000 Build A Good Green Home?

 
 
Around the start of the month I posted this; Blue and Green Pittsburgh Home. It was a cool home and a good post except I said this, “In the usually not-so-green nor innovative Pittsburgh…” yup, me just not thinking.
Honestly, I was thinking. I was thinking that many things I read about Pittsburgh report that much of the architecture is stuck in the past; and is not uniquely eco-friendly. However, have I been to Pittsburgh — no. Also, when speaking of the building process my experience is Northwest and Southwest based so that’s me off base as well.
So, I get a …read more

Granted, it’s summer, the sun is shining; most of you probably don’t need your days any brighter than they already are. I however, live in the Northwest.
Which I love, but it can be a little gray. There’s nothing better on a rainy gray day in a gray city than seeing a splash of paint.
And really, how many beige houses do we need in the world anyway?
The home painters in Valparaiso are very color savvy.

Just one idea about how to use paint. What do you think? Is the burnt orange a little weird? I kind of like it. (TIP: Click on …read more