So... the kids got me an Alexa and some smart plugs for Christmas. I finally got the last of them set up a few days ago, running grow lights for all the plants I had to move inside for their winter. I can control them via voice command or my phone OR just let them run off of a preset schedule.

Then I got a Blink camera & motion detector system and with T's assistance on a ladder, I have cameras set up on the front porch, on the deck, and on the bonus basement garage door. I still need to get one for the actual basement doors and I just found out that they've released a new command module that will go out to 400 feet so I'm going to get it and two more cameras so I can add them to the front gate and the garage. (I may actually get 2 for the garage...)

THEN... I got moisture detectors for the basement. If they detect moisture, alarms go off inside the house AND on my phone. I even got one to set up by the dehumidifier in case it overflows (like it has a time or two).

Finally, I ordered some freezer alarms and just got them set up today on all 3 freezers and the basement refrigerator. If the temp on any of them goes above a certain level for more than 10 minutes, an alarm will go off in the house as well as on my phone.

Wheeee!!!!!!

Now if I can just find somethng this winter that works with Christmas lights, I can use it to control the deck lights (once I get new ones & talk T and Matt into hanging them - the old ones are mostly burnt out at this point),,,,,