Mila Santos

Frustrating when it cuts out every night. Probably WiFi congestion building up as everyone streams or whatever. Mine did that too & drove me nuts. Try restarting your router before bed, clears the junk. Or move the that model unit closer to your receiver. Yeah. And check for loose connections; sometimes it's that dumb. Worked great after I fiddled with it a couple times.

A leak that shows up during brewing usually comes from one of two places. Either the brew basket is overflowing into the chassis because the drip stop is sticking or the carafe is not lifting the valve fully and or an internal hose or seal around the heater is leaking once things get hot but then quick test. Place the machine on dry paper towels and run plain water with the unit pulled forward from under the cabinets. If the towels get wet near the front under the basket area, look at the drip stop and carafe alignment. If they get wet toward the center or rear, that points to an internal path. Before assuming a defect, pop out the brew basket and press the little stopper underneath to make sure it moves freely and snaps back. Clean that area and the basket holes with warm soapy water and a toothpick to clear coffee oils. Make sure the carafe sits all the way in so it opens the stopper fully. If the reservoir has a spring valve at the bottom, press it a few times with a clean finger to ensure it seals and is not stuck by grit. Then descale with a mild vinegar solution and follow with two full rinses. Scale can force water to back up and spill where it should not. If it still leaks and the wet spot shows up toward the middle or back of the base,, that is likely an internal hose clamp or O ring that is not sealing once hot. Since it is only a month old, do not open the base. Unplug it, document the leak with photos or a short clip, and contact the seller or the manufacturer for a warranty exchange. Been there. For a small kitchen, brew with the machine pulled forward so steam does not condense under the cabinet and run down the back, which can mimic a leak. A shallow tray or towel under it for a day or two helps you monitor whether the fix worked.

Got stuck in a hostel once after my bag got lifted, and it weirdly clarified what mattered. Since then I use the pack-for-a-week test: if I would not pack it for a one-week trip, it goes or it lives in a small memory box. Papers get a quick photo on my phone and I keep originals only if they are truly important. For your hour, pick one surface, put on a playlist, and race yourself. Grocery bag for donate, trash bag for trash, and a shoebox for keep so you finish fast and feel a win.

I'd choose student grade soft body or fluid acrylics with a slow drying label. They spread easily and clean with water while wet, and give you more time so the table stays tidier. For a small place with a curious cat and an eight year old, look for paints marked non toxic and low odor. Start with a modest set or just the primary colors plus white to save money, then add a couple favorites as you go. Choose smaller containers so less dries out between sessions. Gentle on the nose.