Mr. Fix It

I know my Husband prides himself on being the Mr. Fix It in the household. It seems like he can fix just about anything, and it seems our children have caught onto that. The requests of “Daddy can you fix this?” always come with an “I’ll see what I can do.” While I am all for the Mr. Fix It routine, I do have my limits on what is an acceptable fix. I have compiled a collage of other people’s unique ideas on what they call fixed courtesy of There I Fixed It on cheezburger.com

                                              Kind of like fitting a square peg in a round hole!


So if you see your Mr. Fix It with this set up……

Just turn around and walk the other way. No eye contact!

Nicole Emery, AIC, FCLA

The Winter Weather

This winter has brought on many cases of the flu. The news have reported many more cases of the flue this year than previous winters. I know I have had it, and I certainly hope I don't get it again! It seems like when the weather gets colder, there are more people who are sick and going to the doctor. Here are a few facts I have found about weather related illness, thanks to our lovely Midwest change in temperatures:

1. Weather alone cannot make a person ill, but changes in the weather are accompanied by a host of other changes that can give a person flu like symptoms. A person's body is used to function in a certain temperature, so as the seasons change, your body is forced to re-adapt. This includes your immune system. Making you more vulnerable to infections and viruses.
2. Cold weather means more indoor activities and when people are cooped up inside rooms together with the windows closed, germs are more likely to spread. Bacteria and weakened immune systems are causing people to get sick; but weather changes can cause symptoms that are just as aggravating as the cold or flu.

Debbie Rogy

How You Can Avoid Frozen Pipes

Brr it’s getting cold outside!! And with the cold brings the chance of frozen pipes. Did you know all it takes is for the temperature to be 20 degrees or lower outside for your pipes to freeze or burst inside! This misfortune can have a devastating impact on your home. While the pipe itself is a minor fix, the damage from the water can rack up major reconstruction. The water damage can spread from running through the walls and ceiling which can require replacing the dry wall, ceilings, furniture and even appliances. Not to mention the loud noise of the air movers drying out the moisture. Here at Nixon Insurance we want to give you some tips to avoid this indoor swimming pool.


Plan ahead and figure out which pipes could potentially freeze. Water pipes running through unheated crawl spaces and pipes running through walls to the outside are prime candidates for freezing. Check any pipes that run close to outside walls. Put some fiberglass insulation between the pipe and the wall to help keep the cold away from the pipe. Insulate any pipes that run through unheated crawl spaces. Wrap them with fiberglass insulation and tape. Turn off the water supply lines running to your outside taps before the cold weather arrives. There is usually a shut off valve in the water supply line close to where it goes through the outside wall. Once the water is shut off inside, go outside and open the outside taps as well. This will drain any water remaining in the pipe or in the tap, so there's nothing to freeze. You can also install electrical heating tape on any pipe that runs through areas that get really cold, like garages.

Keep in mind that a hot water pipe running through an uninsulated or unheated area can freeze just as solidly as a cold water pipe, so insulate both hot and cold water pipes in any of these places. If the cold weather moves in before you have a chance to protect your pipes, a temporary solution is to leave your taps running just a trickle, since flowing water won't freeze as quickly as still water. One last tip… If your pipes do freeze, shut off the main water valve then open all faucets to relieve pressure in the pipes. A hair dryer can also be used to thaw the pipe. And don’t forget to call a plumber.



Nicole Emery, AIC, FCLA

A New Year

January 11, 2013


New Year

How many times have you heard this New Year, “new you?” Every year many of us, including myself, make a New Year’s resolution. We make those resolutions and often fail to keep them. Here is a little bit of information on New Year’s resolutions:

A New Year’s resolution is a commitment that a person makes to try and achieve one or more personal goals, projects or the reforming of a habit. A key element to a New Year’s resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year and new beginnings. People, who commit themselves to a New Year’s resolution, generally plan to do so for the whole following year. This lifestyle change is generally interpreted as beneficial to the individual.

The Ancient Babylonians make promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In the Medieval era, the knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.

What about the success rate, I don’t know about you, but mine has not always been the best! According to a 2007 study of 3000 people, by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol, 88% of those who set New Year’s resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study’s participants were confident of success at the beginning. Man tend to achieve their goal 22% more often when they engage in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set, such as a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”). This may be worth a try! Women on the other hand, succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

All I have to say is stay positive and forge onward my friends!

Debbie Rogy

Tips for Driving on Slick Roadways

Tips for Driving on Slick Roadways


Follow these safe driving tips, from the Weather Channel, during the winter season when the roads can be hazardous in Central Illinois over the next few months



Driving safely on icy roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.

5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.



If your rear wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.

2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.

3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.

4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.

2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.

2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.

3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.

4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.

5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.

6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.