Household Essentials for Fall

The collapsible crate is what you need in the back of your SUV or your trunk, or maybe in the garage or a storage closet.

I keep mine in the back of the SUV. It folds flat nicely, but pops up easily to contain groceries that might topple or a potted plant I’m driving around. 

I’ve also got a spare one for other needs. The fact that they store flat is so important.

The ladder has been mentioned before. I’m not hounding you, but did you get your mama this ladder yet? I’m telling you — this is the kind of ladder we need as we get (ahem…) a little older. Check out the reviews. Wide steps, a shelf, a tall handle, and plenty sturdy. 

NEXT:

WATCHING TELEVISION JUST GOT BETTER!

Have you still got cable or satellite? We were almost giddy when we found out how to cut the cord. We did this a few years ago and never looked back. I’m not really techy, so it was hard to wrap my brain around what Roku really is. Here’s my best explanation:

What is Roku?

It’s a “streaming device” that uses your wifi signal to pick up streamed videos over the internet. It connects to your television set and produces the streamed signal on your screen. Much like an antenna, just in an internet way. There are several versions, depending on your television I guess. I don’t think my tv is smart, but that sounds sorta judgy. 

Actually we finally did get a “smart” TV that has Roku already installed, with no separate device.  If you watch, they will go on sale.

If you already know all about this, you’re probably falling asleep. But honestly, some people (*me*) are just slower to understand. Thank goodness for young friends who explained this all to me. 

Purchasing it is a one-time event, just a thing you purchase and follow the instructions to set up. There are some free channels, including the Roku channel. But of course we wanted a little more. You might, too. 

What most people do is subscribe to a service like Hulu, Disney Plus, or Amazon Prime, to get collections of things to watch. Each one has countless shows and movies to watch for a monthly fee of $10 or less.  You sign up for whichever one (or ones) you select and get billed monthly. They will appear on your home screen as choices. Those are only a few of the services you can use. There are also some packages that resemble cable packages, with varying prices. 

You also need…

We needed a local antenna also, to pick up stations that are broadcast over the air (the old fashioned way). We were hoping for 5-6 channels to come through clearly.  We get over 60 channels with the antenna which we mounted in our attic. Check out the picture of the antenna. It’s a flexible square of vinyl with a cord.  No rabbit ears or aluminum foil at all.

You purchase the antenna, place it, and connect it to your television. Mounting it is easy, but selecting the place is important. Near a window, up kind of high, so the signal can reach it. There’s no monthly fee. Who knew you could still do this?!

So these two things help you make the change:  The Roku device and the antenna. You may spend $50-100+ to buy them, but then that part’s done.

It’s not even super hard to set them up. (Check out the Roku orange product box in the image — the instructions are there on the side.)

Then you decide what viewing services you want to use.  Still cheaper than cable for most of us. 

For more detailed information, check out this article, some Roku information for beginners,  which will answer a lot more questions.

Here are the two products: