Friday, February 19, 2010

“Nowadays, everyone has something to say!”

I overheard this complaint the other day, while drinking my coffee. I was lucky to have the time to sit and listen to the explanation that followed.

To sum it up, apparently, this man’s complaint was that everyone talks, but very few people actually say something! As I thought about it, I realized that it was true.

Everyone you hear, whether on the news, award shows, American Idol, or anyplace where people are saying things live, they all seem to be talking in sound bites. They are all saying something that can be quoted.

When was the last time you saw someone interviewed and they said something that you thought came from the heart?

When was the last time a politician said anything that didn’t sound like a speech writer wrote it?

Most of the people whe see and hear on TV and radio either seem to be attacking justifying or making an excuse. (At least, that's what it seems like to me.)

It’s so hard to listen to people who talk, who aren’t really saying anything.

So, why did I bring this up? I’ll tell you…


On our website, we have a page for “testimonials”. I really like that word, because it has the same derivation as the word “testimony”. It always seemed to me that, when you give a testimonial, you need to tell the truth.

Not very many people go to our website and give us a testimonial, but some do. It’s much more likely that someone will call to tell me if they liked – or disliked – our service, but I have also received e-mails and, once, an actual letter!

So, what are people saying about our service? Here are a few examples:


Our company has depended on the honest diligent work of AB&R Plumbing, Inc. many times over the last 6 years. We find their service to be exact, dependable, and they have always made themselves available to help us when emergencies erupted.I would best describe AB&R Plumbing, Inc. as being of excellent work ethics, knowledgeable and trustworthy

That one is right on our website. Another says:

AB&R Plumbing is phenomenal. After suffering through numerous bad plumbers who performed shoddy work and less-than-perfect repairs, AB&R was a savior. Its plumbers have consistently proven to be skilled, reliable, honest and professional in all aspects of my plumbing issues.
From menial tasks to difficult-to-repair problems, AB&R has always come through for me. Odd as it may seem to be so effusive about a plumbing company, I’m sure I’m not the only super satisfied customer to sing praise. This company deserves all the accolades
.”

Again, this one is on our website.

Some testimonials that are not on our website are:

Just wanted to let you know that Juan M. is the man! He did a fantastic job fixing the plumbing issue on our rental property. Coming out on a holiday and crawling through mud so our tenants could have water was commendable. We really appreciate the fine job he did!”

That was a homeowner in central Orange County. We went out just after midnight on Thanksgiving morning!

Another one that is not yet on our website…

AB&R plumbing was recently referred to me by one of our material vendors. They did an amazing job of installing a Noritz tankless water heater at my Anaheim Hills home. They were friendly, tidy and efficient. I have already referred them to friends for after hours emergencies and they have also been impressed by AB&R’s clean work. We will definitely be using them on our projects in the future.

This one came from a construction company VP.

One of my favorites, that will soon be on our website is:

"I have been in building maintenance for many years and have worked with many plumbing companies. I have found AB&R to truly be the most helpful, responsive and reasonably priced company out there. They listen to me and my needs, they have responded quite well in emergency situations. I have full confidence in their abilities and their professionalism. I won't use anyone else."

Can you tell why this is one of my favorites? This is from the head of maintenance at a retirement community in south Orange County.

So, have people ever said bad things about us? Sometimes, but even when they do, we can usually discuss the situation with them and make them happy. Our philosophy is that it’s all about the relationship. Our customers are a huge part of our business (because, if we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t be in business)!

At AB&R Plumbing, we can handle almost anything that has to do with plumbing. From clogged drains, to leaky pipes, to backflow tests and repairs, to gas leaks, to water heaters… We even install and service softeners and reverse osmosis systems!

We have spent many hours working on our price book, trying to give you the most “bang for your buck”. We didn’t cut quality, just costs!

If you need a plumber, anywhere in Orange County, give us a call today. We will make the right repair, at an affordable price, and you will like our plumbers!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Almond-Oats Chocolate Chip Cookies from A2ZVegetarian Cuisine

This Week i tried baking this Almond-Oats Chocolate Chip Cookies from Muskan Sadhana's A2ZVegetarian Cusine. The Cookies came out very well. I too had some, saying it doesnt have maida, so its ok.

The Original recipe has used Agave Nectar, but since i didnt have it i tried it using Soft Brown Sugar (1/4 cup + 1 tbsp) i think that 1tbsp has become a bit extra, will reduce while making it next time. Also i added a fistful of cashewnuts along with Almonds while grinding it to powder.

My Ingredients
Oats flour - 2 cups
Almond Flour - 1 cup (Added a Fistful of Cashews with this)
Semi sweet Chocolate chips - 4 oz (1/2 cup)

Butter - 4 oz(room temperature)
Soft Brown Sugar - 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp
Baking Soda - 1/4 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp




The First Batch of cookies took 17 minutes to bake, While making the second batch, the dough has gone a bit dry so, i added 2 tbsp of milk and increased the baking time by 1 minute extra.  May be if i have used agave nectar, this wudnt be necessary.


The Cookies were dark in colour, this may be due to Brown Sugar.
Packing these Cookies to St.Valentine's Day Event by Priya of Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes


Get To Know Your Sump Pump!

If you own property situated on land with low elevation or in an area with a high water table, chances are you’ve experienced flooding at some point. Homes located on floodplains are at greater risk for yard and basement flooding after heavy rain or snow melt, and it certainly doesn’t take much water to cause serious damage. Just a few inches of stagnant water in a basement or near a home’s foundation can result in thousands of dollars in repair, clean up and restoration costs.

The most effective way to prevent this kind of flooding is to invest in a good, quality sump pump.

Most homes have tile drains that wrap around the house and collect excess water from rainfall or melting snow. If the tiles become deluged the surplus water is diverted and collected in a sump, a small well or pit in the floor of the basement.

If the sump becomes too full, the well could overflow into the basement or seep through cracks in your home’s foundation due to the still-submerged tile drains surrounding the house. This is how basement and low level flooding happens.

A sump pump is a device specifically designed to draw excess water out of your home. When water that’s collected in the sump well reaches a perilous level the sump pump kicks in to flush it out through a pipe connected to your city’s storm drain system. The liquid is channeled away from your home, virtually eliminating the risk of flooding.

Sump pumps work on a float system, kind of like a toilet in reverse. In a toilet tank, the float detects when water in the tank has reached a certain level and stops the commode. A sump pump float senses when water has risen to a particular level and turns on the pump. There are a few different types of sump pump systems to choose from.

Pedestal sump pumps are placed over the well. The pump motor is out of the water where it can’t get wet, which makes the machine run much louder but also helps the motor last longer because it’s not submerged in water all the time. Pedestal pumps are usually the most cost effective option.

Submersible sump pumps sit inside the sump well and are covered over by water as it rises in the pit. The motor is sealed and completely waterproof, making it relatively durable and dependable. These types of sump pumps tend to be more expensive—about $300—but are usually the most highly recommended model for installation in finished basements.

Battery back-up sump pumps allow for continued operation even during a power outage. If you live in an area of the country prone to serious storms or frequent blackouts, a batter back-up pump ensures that water continues to be diverted away from your home even if you have no electricity. Having a batter backup system offers valuable peace of mind for homeowners who travel often or maintain seasonal residences. These models can be very expensive—$700 or more—but are able to handle thousands of gallons of water without needing a battery charge.


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