How Alf Would Do Valentine's Day

Awe yes it is Valentine’s Day. Hmmmm, what to blog about. We could hash through romantic ideas on gifts or outings, how to insure those gifts of jewelry or even events that have occurred on this special day. But my husband always tells me I have a “special” way of thinking. So let’s do just that. For my Valentine’s Day blog I have decided to think about what Alf would do for this special day. That’s right Alf. For those of you youngsters, Alf was a beloved alien in the sitcom that aired between 1986-1990. So in remembrance of Alf, here is what I think his Valentine’s Day would be like.

Let say Alf’s planet of Melmac didn’t explode and he was just on a trip to Earth, first he would have to call up girlfriend Rhonda (that’s right, Alf’s girlfriend was named Rhonda). He would say, “Rhonda Baby, the Tanner’s and I have fixed my Patrol Ship and I am coming to sweep you off your feet with a romantic night for two.” Of course Rhonda would be so elated, you know since it has been years since he left Melmac. She would say “Oh Alfie I’m so excited.” She would primp and pamper herself for her loves arrival.

Once Alf arrives at Rhonda’s house he would try and woo her with flowers. Who knows what aliens of Melmac think of flowers, but hey it’s pretty standard here on Earth.

Of course he would take her to a special dinner of cat and for dessert…caterpillar pudding (yummo). Then they would spend the rest of the evening catching up on good times and all that Alf has learned on planet Earth and with the Tanners. They will even laugh about how we earthlings keep cats as pets instead of an ingredient to a meal.

So whatever it is you do for Valentine’s Day or even if it is just a Single Reminder Day to you, enjoy the people around you, cherish your friends and loved ones. And watch out for hairballs!



Nicole Emery, AIC, FCLA

Valentine's Day Trivia

Here is little trivia on Valentine’s Day and Looking for Love



141 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) (Source: Hallmark research)

Over 50 percent of all Valentine's Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the observance, making Valentine's Day a procrastinator's delight. (Source: Hallmark research)

Research reveals that more than half of the U.S. population celebrates Valentine's Day by purchasing a greeting card. (Source: Hallmark research)

There are 119 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages.

So I say single, divorced, married, or separated purchase yourself a Valentine. Oh and keep in mind that you can register on our Facebook for our Valentine Giveaway!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Deborah Rogy

Mardi Gras 2013

Mardi Gras 2013

My wife and I are traveling to New Orleans next weekend for a weekend getaway. We will be missing Fat Tuesday of Mardi Gras by just a few days. This can be taken two different ways. 1. We will be missing out on one of the most historic yearly celebrations in our country. 2. We will be missing the wildest day of the year in New Orleans when approximately 700,000 people will be packing the streets partying.


I am sure most people have heard of Mardi Gras but how many people know why it is celebrated.

Mardi Gras is the last big party of winter. It is the last day of Carnival, a word derived from “Carnevale”, which means “goodbye meat”. On Mardi Gras, revelers indulge in food and drink in anticipation of Lent, the 47 days and nights of austerity that precedes Easter beginning with Ash Wednesday. This year Fat Tuesday is February 12.

The most famous place to celebrate Mardi Gras in the United States is New Orleans. St. Louis, however, is one of the other best cities in the US to celebrate which offers Central Illinois residents a closer place to enjoy the festivities.

My next blog will reveal some of our experiences in New Orleans.

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