While the bedroom is primarily a place to sleep, some want to use their bedrooms more often, especially if they put a lot of time into decorating it. If this sounds like something you want to explore, this brief guide about making your bedroom a more livable space is for you.

Tidy Things Up a Bit

The first step to making any room more livable is tidying up the space, and this is especially important for the bedroom. Messes all over the place can subconsciously discourage you from wanting to spend much time in this room, so cleaning those up should be a top priority.

If your room isn’t really that dirty, you could try decluttering instead. A space with too much stuff could lead to the same avoidance issue. Removing extra pieces of furniture and decorations that are only there to take up space could remedy this problem.

Open Up the Curtains

Since the bedroom is a sanctuary of sleep, most people like to close the curtains to keep out unwanted light at night. While there’s nothing wrong with that, you need to remember to open them back up in the morning. Dark rooms aren’t very inviting. If the sun is shining in, you’ll be much more likely to head into the bedroom to relax.

Get a Place To Sit

However, for some people, relaxing on a bed usually leads to an unwanted nap. Even a short nap can throw off your entire sleep schedule. You’ll need to put in a piece of furniture you can sit on to avoid spending time on your bed. While it might seem a bit unconventional, a recliner would be perfect for this kind of functionality, especially if you can angle it toward the bedroom’s TV.

If you don’t want to spend too much time in your bedroom but would still like a place to sit, look for bedside benches. There are many reasons to add a bench to the end of your bed, but having a nice place to sit down occasionally is perhaps the most pertinent one.

Put in a Small Desk

While relaxation should be the main goal of your bedroom, you need to be able to do other things in there as well. That’s why our final suggestion on how to turn your bedroom into a more livable space is to put in a small desk to work at.

If you work from home, having a dedicated office is usually the better option. However, a small desk in your bedroom will be perfect for those who like to have a place to check on bills or do some online shopping.

The post How To Make Your Bedroom a More Livable Space appeared first on Weekly Living.

Tractor

Is it even really a farm if you don’t have a tractor? Tractors are one of the most valuable tools for your farm, no matter the size of land you have. Tractors come in many different shapes, sizes, and models to haul trailers and plow fields and can perform almost any necessary task with the proper attachment. One of the first tasks you may want to do when setting up your farm is using a tow behind mower to clear your plot of land.

Fencing

Proper fencing is an essential tool you need to start your small farm. Not only are fences a great way to keep your field organized, but they are beneficial for keeping your crops safer from wild animals and other potential hazards. There are many different types of fencing, and the kind you need may vary depending on your region. For example, if you live in an area known for heavy winds, you may want a solid fencing option, like tall composite fencing.

Proper Tool Kit

No matter what type of farm you run, it’s always a good idea to have a shed full of essential tools. Everything from shovels, saws, seed drills, hoes, sickles, and watering cans should be available. You may eventually invest in automated systems like sprinklers to help keep things running, but we always recommend having a few essential tools nearby. Remember to get yourself a sturdy pair of work gloves when using tools to protect your hands from painful blisters.

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The Jeep Wrangler

The Wrangler is one of the most significant vehicles in American pop culture history. From its WWII fighting origin to making many movie and TV appearances, this Jeep is the ideal off-roader.

The removable doors and roof allow for an experience unlike any other, and the durable build means you can enjoy your Wrangler for years to come. Plus, Jeep releases an improved model each year that’s capable of putting out more power and better performance rates. Ultimately, it’s a fun vehicle that has features unmatched by its competition.

The Subaru Forester

Subaru wasn’t always a popular car brand, especially in the United States. However, the excellence of the Forester has given this manufacturer a positive, reliable reputation. The Forester is perhaps the most comfortable and versatile adventure vehicle on the market. It’s highly affordable and designed for both families and thrill-seekers.

Subarus are known for gas efficiency, and the Forester clocks in at an impressive 25-26/28-35 miles per gallon. Additionally, the car itself possesses extremely convenient and high-tech amenities designed to keep you safe and boost the overall driving experience.

Which is Better?

So, which is the best choice for you? Ultimately, the answer lies in your personal needs. Do you require a daily driver primarily for commuting but occasional off-roading? Then the Forester might be the better option. Its cost ranges from $25,395 to $35,495—compared to $33,595-$77,095 for the Wrangler—and you’re getting significantly more amenities and comfort factors.

However, the Jeep Wrangler is still a suitable vehicle for traditional road driving. The appeal of this vehicle over the Forester means sacrificing some comfort and practicality for the ultimate off-roading automobile, but if you want a ride that provides thrills, the Wrangler is a must.

A better understanding of the debate between the Jeep Wrangler vs. Subaru Forester and which is better can help you prepare for future purchases. Many American prefer larger SUVs, and both of these vehicles offer something unique for prospective buyers. Regardless of which one you select, each brand is sure to provide you with a car that is affordable and reliable.

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There is a lot of talk today about human growth hormone or HGH as a way to slow the aging process. HGH is also touted as a way to enhance the performance of athletes and bodybuilders. What is human growth hormone, and how does it work?

Human growth hormone is a chemical created by the pituitary gland, a small organ that lies beneath the brain. The main function is to stimulate growth. HGH is vitally important for childhood growth. It also influences many body functions in adults.

Synthetic HGH

Since 1985, drug companies have produced HGH synthetically as an ingredient in prescription medications. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its use for specific medical conditions. Today, most use of HGH is not FDA-approved.

Some people use HGH in combination with anabolic steroids to build muscle mass and improve athletic performance. This use is restricted by professional and collegiate athletic organizations.

Other people obtain injectable growth hormone from doctors in anti-aging clinics and Internet pharmacies. Off-label use of HGH for the purpose of slowing down the aging process is also not approved by the FDA.

Human growth hormone injections have the potential to cause side effects such as muscle, nerve and joint pain; tissue swelling due to edema; carpal tunnel syndrome; numb or tingling skin; and elevated cholesterol levels. According to studies, HGH may also contribute to diabetes and cancer.

HGH Boosters

Fortunately, there is a safe and legal alternative to human growth hormone injections: HGH boosters. These supplement products generally consist of homeopathic growth hormone combined with growth factors and amino acid releasers. Four examples are marketed under the names HGH Energizer, HGH Pro, Sytropin and GenF20.

HGH boosters are formulated to stimulate the natural production of human growth hormone in the body. They contain effective blends of L-group amino acids along with vitamins, minerals and herbal extracts. Because of their natural ingredients, they produce few or no side effects.

HGH Benefits

The benefits of HGH are medically-proven and well-documented: decreased body fat, increased lean muscle, stronger bones, healthier heart, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and stronger immune system. Other benefits include healthier skin, fewer wrinkles, thicker hair, better sleep, more energy, sharper vision and better brain functioning. HGH boosters also improve emotional and sexual health.

HGH supplement products offer all of the benefits of injectable HGH without the pain, price and legality issues. Oral sprays are the most effective, since they are immediately absorbed into the body. Pills and liquids are somewhat less effective, since they lose their potency during digestion.

Whether people want to stop the effects of aging or improve their athletic performance, natural HGH boosters with the direction of your doctor may help. Reputable suppliers offer products that meet all of the FDA guidelines.

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So you have finally got round to updating your bathroom.  After years of getting the rest of the rooms in the house just how you want them, it is time to install a new bathroom suite and get busy doing the tiling.  There are now many different options available to consumers as they look to create their contemporary bathrooms, with a huge scope to be creative.  However, before you get started, you should take some time to consider which faucets – or taps depending which country you live in – to go for.  Whilst this may seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of updating your bathroom, it can have a huge impact on the overall appearance.

Considering your decor

Whilst we are discussing contemporary bathrooms, that doesn’t mean we are only considering those with a modern look.  Contemporary bathrooms do also encompass those that have a more traditional look to them.  Whether you are going for a modern or classic vibe will greatly influence the choices that you make, from the bathroom suite through to the colour scheme and style of tiles.  You should also carry this approach through into your faucet selection.

Getting the right shape

In the event that you are aiming for a modern bathroom then you really have the choice of either flowing and curved faucets, or ones with straight lines and sharp edges.  Neither option will look out of place.  However, a traditional look is better complimented by a rounded faucet design.  It is also worth considering how the faucet is operated.  Conventional twist operated systems are more suited to traditional bathrooms, with lift levers being more modern.

Mixer or separate

Whilst mixer faucets have been around for well over a hundred years, they are still to some extent regarded as being quite modern.  That said, it is possible to source both mixer and separate faucets that provide a classical look or modern appearance dependant on your preference.  Remember to check your bathroom suite to see if it has pre-drilled faucet holes, which could limit your choice.

Choosing colour

The final factor to consider in your choice of faucet is the colour.  You won’t be surprised to learn that silver is by far and away the most popular choice, probably because it delivers such a striking appearance.  However, gold/ brass alternatives do sell reasonably well, although they are best utilised in traditional designs, with silver being more common in modern contemporary bathrooms.  If you are looking for an ultra modern design then you might even want to consider graphite models.

For further information on contemporary bathroom design ideas visit www.splashbathrooms.co.uk

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Spring is Here

The most popular time to list a home is in the spring. Now that springtime is here, you’ll see the market flooded with new listings. There must be a reason for this, right? Lots of people begin looking for a new home in the spring months, and the peak time for showings is from April to July. Buyers prefer to look for a home in nicer weather, and many with children want to move in before the start of the new school year in the fall. With flowers blooming and all the greenery of the spring, it’s a time when your house will have the most curbside appeal to attract buyers.

Wintery Ways

This doesn’t mean that you should never list your home in the winter. Lots of people choose to wait out the blustery weather, but it’s up to you. There are people looking for houses all year round, and people who are looking in the winter are often more serious about making a purchase as soon as possible. Because there are less houses on the market in the winter, that means less competition for you. In fact, on average a home for sale will get more showings in January and February than any other months of the year. In the springtime, there are more houses for buyers to choose from so you may have fewer showings.
Location, Location

When you’re working with a real estate agent, they should know a lot about the housing market in your specific area. More important than national trends are local ones. Depending on where you live, the “best” time to sell might vary. For example, warmer areas like California or Florida don’t see as much change in buying and selling throughout the seasons because wintertime is milder than in other parts of the country.
Are You Ready?

If you’re going to list your house for sale, the time of year is much less important than whether or not you’re ready to show and sell. If you want to sell your house, there is no real reason to wait for a specific time of the year to do so. Whenever you list your home, it needs to be in a condition that buyers will like. It should be staged to show and any repairs you intend to make should be finished. Even in the winter, it’s possible to spruce up your landscaping.

Patricia Wright is a retired grandmother with a passion for blogging who lives in Miami. She often uses a grammar checker to save herself time on proofing her writing and ensure it is free of any grammatical mistakes. As her family will tell you, she is an absolute lunatic for spicy peanuts.

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A type of wall safe that is easy for a homeowners to install looks like a power outlet. Anything from jewellery to money can be kept in this type of safe that opens with the use of a special key. The construction is typically of a hard plastic and metal that is installed in a similar fashion to an electrical box. If you have experience installing power outlets, this will be a simple way to add the security of a wall safe to your home.

The capacity of a wall safe will depend on its size. A wall safe can measure 12 inches high by 14 inches wide by 4 inches deep or bigger. If you want to use a smaller hidden safe, the size can measure 7 inches high by 3.5 inches wide by 2.5 inches deep. However, the size you choose will depend on the valuables that you want to keep safe.

The first step to installing a hidden wall safe is to decide where it will be located. This means a wall needs to be chosen that you can easily access. The materials that are provided with the safe will include a template. However, you will need to measure the wall to find the proper placement. Depending on the type of safe you will be installing it will need to be in-between the wall studs.

Find the location of the wall studs by using a stud finder and mark the location using a pencil. Place the template on the wall and trace the opening for the safe. If you are using a concealed wall safe, it needs to be attached to a wall stud. Cut around the outline on the wall with a drywall saw. Set your safe in the hole and make sure that it fits properly.

Secure the wall safe to the studs with screws. You will need to drive the screws into a wall stud using a power drill. The number of screws you will use depends on the size and type of wall safe. Make sure of the fit by using a level. Adjust the position of the safe if it is not sitting level. Close the safe door to see if it works correctly.

Depending on the type of wall safe that you installed it will need to be concealed. A large wall safe can be concealed with a picture. Another way to conceal a safe is to mount a flat screen TV onto the wall. The best way to hide a wall safe is to replace the cut piece of drywall and repair the wall. This is only an option if you do not plan to use the safe for a period of time.

The post Priceless Artwork – How To Choose And Install a Hidden Wall Safe appeared first on Weekly Living.

Hot Stuff

Many visitors come here to take the waters in Britain’s only hot spring, which has been flowing since the Romans settled in the area over 2,000 years ago. In addition to bathing in the water and enjoying its therapeutic and relaxing properties, you can visit a Roman temple and enjoy afternoon tea and scones in the beautiful 18th century pump room. Your visit will often be made more enjoyable by a concert of appropriate music and to beat the crowds, torchlit visits during evening hours are offered.

Culture Vultures

Bath boasts over a dozen museums in the city centre. The town’s most famous resident was the writer Jane Austen, who is forever associated with this part of England, and the Jane Austen Centre celebrates the life and times of the town’s beloved writer. Interactive exhibits, costumes from the period as well as an authentic period atmosphere are all to be found at the museum, located in the heart of Bath.

A visit to the world class Fashion Museum is a must for anyone interested in the subject. The museum showcases 400 years of clothing for both men and women, in a series of themed exhibits. Highlights include 150 life size figures in period dress, as well as the opportunity to try on a selection of corsets and crinolines. The museum has a regular programme of talks and events, as well as a series of changing exhibits – an exhibition exploring fashion and sports is showing throughout 2012.

There is a wide range of nightlife in Bath, and one of the best places to spend an evening is at the Theatre Royal, one of the best preserved dramatic venues in the UK. In addition to offering a regular schedule of West End shows, Sunday concerts and shows for children, the theatre is also home to Ustinov Studio, offering more cutting edge productions in an intimate atmosphere. Also to be found here is the historic Garricks Head pub, the ideal place for a drink before or after the show.

Treat Yourself

Bath is also one of the best towns in England for shopping. In addition to the usual High Street stores, the town has dozens of smaller speciality shops, many hidden away in narrow streets or passageways. In fact, bath has six distinct shopping areas, and whether you are looking for art and antiques, second hand books or fashion, the choice is excellent. Milsom Street was voted the best fashion shopping street in the country in 2010, while the trendy Artisan Quarter is the place to go for curios and crafts.

With so much to see and do, Bath is truly a great place to be. It doesn’t matter whether you come as a tourist, or you come in search of a rental property – as long as you come.

This is a guest post by Reside, Bath – experts in property management and lettings in Bath. For more information on buying or renting property in Bath, feel free to visit the Reside Bath website.

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Overview

A cylinder lawnmower uses a blade assembly that rotates around a horizontal axis, and may also be known as a reel mower. A rotary mower uses blades that rotate about a vertical axis. Early types of cylinder mowers did not have an engine, instead relying on the operator to turn the blades by pushing the mower forward. A rotary mower must have an engine.

History

The first cylinder mower was invented in 1827, although they were used primarily for sports fields. This type of lawnmower was continually refined until the first lawn mower small enough to be pushed by a human was patented in 1870, and the design for these mowers improved greatly by 1900. The first cylinder mower with an internal combustion became commercially available in 1902, and mowers suitable for residential use were first manufactured in 1919.

A practical rotary lawnmower requires a powerful engine small enough to be pushed by a single person. Early inventors began experimenting with rotary designs in the late 1920s, but it wasn’t until the early 1950s that rotary lawnmowers became available on a commercial scale. Additional advancements since then have included self-propelled mowers and mowers powered by electricity.

Size

Both cylinder and rotary lawn mowers are available in a variety of sizes. The smallest lawnmowers can be pushed by a human operator, and self-propelled lawnmowers use some of their power to drive the mover forward. A riding mower has a seat for the operator and is self-propelled. The largest lawnmowers consist of multiple individual mowers that are pulled by a tractor.

Action

The blade assembly of a cylinder lawn mower may have from five to 12 blades and is typically located at the front of the mower. The rotating blades trap the grass between the blades and a plate that is fixed to the bottom of the mower. The blade slices the grass against the plate in a manner similar to that of scissors. The collection box for the cut grass, if present, is at the front of the mower. A cylinder mower will produce better cutting quality with a higher number of blades.

Rotary lawn mowers have a single blade that rotates around a central axis. The blade must rotate at a much high speed to cut grass since it doesn’t have a plate to press the grass against while cutting. This type of mower uses a chopping action to cut the grass instead of the scissors action used by a cylinder mower. The grass collection box is in the rear of the mower.

Cut Quality

The quality of the cuts produced by a cylinder mower is generally superior to that of a rotary mower. This difference is typically unnoticeable, since modern mowers have sharp blades and engines with sufficient power to cut grass reasonably cleanly. Most lawns have minor flaws that make the differences in cut quality especially hard to detect.

Maintenance

A cylinder mower generally requires more maintenance than a rotary mower. The blades of a cylinder mower must be precisely adjusted on a regular basis to create the proper slicing action on the grass. A poorly adjusted cylinder mower will chew the grass rather than cutting it, making the cut quality worse than that of a rotary mower with dull blades. The only maintenance a rotary blade requires is periodic sharpening.

For information on the latest lawn mowers, including the Fiskars reel mower and lots of other reel mower reviews, visit www.homeandgardenreviewblog.com

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Today’s real estate market is an extraordinarily hostile environment for individuals looking to sell their properties at a good price and in a reasonable length of time. Low demand coupled with high supply has led to some of the most depressed real estate prices we have seen in recent memory, for both residential and commercial properties. While there is little positive to see in this situation, there are nonetheless opportunities for real estate owners who take the time to thoroughly examine their options. For example, renting, in lieu of selling, is a terrific way for property owners to generate revenue from their properties, and possibly turn a substantial profit!

It’s a Practical Solution to a Bad Seller’s Market

With so few buyers and such a backlog of supply on the market, renting has become one of the premier ways for owners to monetize their real estate assets. Renting is an abundantly practical way to ride out depressed real estate prices and generate revenue from a property that would otherwise be idle. As the economy improves and demand for real estate increases, prices are bound to improve. Selling your property too early could cause you to miss out on more lucrative offers down the road. Furthermore, with the right price structure, you could have a tenant pay off your mortgage for you!

Being a Landlord Comes With Tax Benefits

Renting a property also entitles you to a number of tax benefits that wouldn’t otherwise be available. These include: interest deductions, depreciation, upkeep and repairs deductions, professional services deductions, insurance deductions, travel deductions, and more. Essentially, almost any expense that you incur that is related to the upkeep of the rental property can be deducted from your taxes. This makes breaking-even and turning a profit from your rental property significantly easier.

You Don’t Have To Give Up the Security of Ownership

Another reason renting, in lieu of selling, is so appealing to property owners is that you don’t have to forfeit ownership to rent a property. This is valuable in many senses. For example, if you leave your home for an opportunity elsewhere and sell it, you cannot move back into that property after the sale is complete, even if the opportunity elsewhere doesn’t work out and you need to return. With renting, you always maintain ownership and have the property to fall back on if you need it. This security is one of the many reasons renting is appealing to property owners.

Rental properties are good long-term investments that can help you minimize losses on idle properties and even make a profit. Renting comes with a number of lucrative tax benefits that help to reduce the share of your income that goes to taxes. Historically, real estate prices have risen over long periods of time, so there is a reasonable expectation that your property will grow in value as time goes by. Furthermore, renting property provides you with flexibility and a safety net, which are especially important should other sources of income in your life decline. In today’s market, property owners understand that renting is a wonderful way to monetize their real estate assets and protect the value of their properties!

Roger D. Eagleton, a real estate investor and co-founder of Five Star Property Management, specializes in helping maximize rental returns by providing investor-focused property management services in San Francisco, California.

The post 3 Reasons to Rent Out Your House Rather Than Sell It appeared first on Weekly Living.

Clear Obstructions

Maintenance starts before you’ve even begun vacuuming; look around the room you’re about to clean and see if there are any objects or obstacles that can find their way into the intricacies of your vacuum cleaner. A single coin or Lego brick may seem harmless but the reality is that they can cause a loss of suction or even damage parts of your vacuum cleaner interior.

Full Baggage

Whether it’s a bagless vacuum cleaner or not, you should always make sure the bags are never full during a session. Also keeping the filters clean while you vacuum not only improves suction but it puts less strain on the motor. A full bag can also lead to dirt, hair and dust blowing back over areas you’ve already cleaned. However most vacuum cleaners can have their filters replaced or cleaned easily so there is no excuse for not cleaning it.

The Vacuum Belt

Anyone who has ever had their vacuum belt damaged knows the smell of burnt rubber and how horrible it is. One should check the belt regularly, if it is stretched, has frayed edges or loose then it needs to be replaced; broken bits sucked into the system can damage the inner mechanisms aside from the horrible smell of burnt rubber. A rule of thumb is to replace the belt every six months to a year; although a handheld vacuum cleaner may require less maintenance.

Clear the Hose

The next logical step is to check your upright vacuum cleaner hose for blockages and obstructions that could put strain on the motor or cause suction to be less effective. Animal hair, solid foods, coins or small toys are the sorts of things that easily get caught up in a vacuum cleaner bag and hose. At the same time, checking the wheels on your vacuum cleaner for hair wrapped around prevents an immobile vacuum cleaner which makes the job that little bit harder.

What is the best vacuum cleaner to use; probably one that works and with regular maintenance you can be sure you’ll have a functioning vacuum cleaner all the time. The cost of replacing one will also fall to the wayside if you look after the one you already own.

Eugene Calvini is a writer and household maintenance enthusiast; he knows about the upright vacuum cleaner and carpet cleaning products on a technical level.

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It’s one of undeniable facts of life that we end up taking care of all those little fix-it and facelift projects right before we put our homes up for sale and with today’s ultra-tight resale market, getting those jobs done is more important than ever.

I don’t know how long your “honey do” list is, but here are 7 inexpensive ways to upgrade your home for resale.

1. First impressions. In the real estate field they call it curb appeal. Stand in front of your home and give it your critical eye. You might even want to take a photograph. Sometimes harsh realities become even more apparent in a photograph—check your driver’s license. Prune bushes. Make sure the lawn is fertilized, weeded, mowed and sharply edged. Add seasonal color spots. Hint: An easy-to-maintain and low cost way to add color is with a hanging basket, if you have a good place for one.

2. Project neutralize. Now we’re talking about interior repainting. Consider repainting your interior in neutral shades. You may like the bold color your painted the guest room a few years back, but you want prospective buyers to notice how clean, airy and open every room seems. Strong colors tend to “close in” on people. Find a nice neutral color palette and carry it throughout your home.

3. The fix(ture) is in. A major bathroom remodel is out of the question, but you can easily go through each bathroom—and your kitchen—and replace all the fixtures with more modern ones. Consider continuity as you do this. Also, this is a way to inject the latest style trends into your home. Upgraded plumbing fixtures, like a kitchen faucet that doubles as a detachable spray nozzle, might make a positive impression on your prospective buyers.

4. Elbow grease. Clean like your in-laws are arriving for a weeklong visit. Make sure every surface is sparkling, the bathrooms would pass hospital inspection and the floors are pristine. Carry this philosophy out to your yard as well. Do you have some mold taking hold on your patio furniture? You know how clean model homes look, right? Get as close to that as you can. If you’re the local animal shelter, you might see if someone can watch your pets for a while. I’m just saying…

5. De-clutter. If you have something on every horizontal surface and tucked away in every corner of your house, get rid of that stuff. Obviously papers and the like need to be dealt with, but if your house has begun to fill up with your Saturday morning garage sale finds, it’s time for you to have your own garage sale and move it out. Again, open space makes your house look larger. You lose perceived square footage with clutter.

6. Re-shutter. A landlord friend of mine had a vacancy in a duplex. He looked at it from the street and there was something odd about it. One of the duplex units had shutters on its outside windows, the other side didn’t. Guess which side looked better and was occupied. Ornamental exterior shutters are inexpensive, easy to install and look great when finished to match doors and other trim elements.

7. Countertops count. Let’s go back into the bathroom. How is your countertop? Often bathroom vanity tops become dull and discolored. You can pick up a shiny new top at the local home improvement store. They are easy to install and are almost in instant bathroom remodel. If you have an ugly countertop in your kitchen, check the papers and see if anyone has a special on granite countertops. If you don’t need too large a countertop, it might be fall in your budget.

These projects should be within reach of virtually every hopeful home seller. Carve out time over a few weekends and start working down your punch list.

Carrie Thompson is a writer for Sullivan Plumbing, a family owned & operated business in Virginia’s breath-taking mountains. Sullivan Plumbing are plumbers Lynchburg VA residents depend on for fixing pipe leaks, drain line repair, installing sinks, toilets, waters softeners and more.

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In my life before kids, Valentine’s Day meant satiny boxes of truffles, long-stemmed red roses, the skin-flattering glow of candlelight – even the occasional jewel. Now, it means construction paper hearts, glitter spills, Fun Dip, Blow Pops, and handmade love coupons.

Truth is, I wouldn’t have it any other way. What better day to honor the love of a family than Valentine’s Day? Here are 11 free (and almost free) ideas for celebrating the special day with all your loved ones.

1. Post your love.  Buy a multicolored pack of Post-It notes, and jot down reasons you love your individual family members. Then post the notes all over the house. If you have a big family, you may want to color code the messages: your spouse’s notes are yellow, your daughter’s pink, your son’s blue, and so on.

2. Together with the kids, create a playlist (or a CD or a mix tape) of all of the songs that have been important in your relationship, both as a couple and as a family.

3. Make hearts or write “I love you” wherever you can – with whipped cream on a slice of pie or atop a mug of cocoa, with Easy Cheese on a cracker. Use heart cookie cutters on toast, sandwiches and slices of cheese.

4. Call your Valentine’s parents to thank them for creating such a wonderful person. Also share with them how they have have created a legacy of love that lives on in their grandchildren. (If this is too mooshy to say out loud, send a card.)

5. Involve the kids with making and sharing a video of your family. Most smartphones have the capability of shooting and editing some pretty impressive videos, especially when combined with simple and inexpensive editing apps. (Your tech-savvy kids may be able to help you with this!) Edit the video with a special song in the background. If this all becomes too complicated, use a site such as animoto.com or slideroll.com to make a simple video slideshow from your favorite family photos.

6. Write down 50 favorite memories of your life together as a couple (or as a family) and share them aloud. Or ask each member of the family to come up with 10 memories and have everyone take a turn sharing from the list.

7. Stash a series of sweet love notes where only the intended recipient will find them – tucked behind his garage door opener, in his shoe, under his pillow, on his windshield. Send a few via text message and Facebook. Do this for your kids, as well as for your mate.

8. Make dinner at home. You can plan an inclusive family dinner, or enlist the kids to help you prepare the meal and then ask them to serve you and your spouse a romantic dinner over candlelight. (My kids love to do this, and they take the task very seriously.)

9. Let the kids help you decorate for the Valentine’s meal. Scatter rose petals, light candles, place the cut flowers, dim the lights.

10. If you opt for a family dinner, prepare a meal that’s fun to share: raclette, fondue, kabobs (kids particularly love anything served up on stick, it seems). For dessert, indulge in anything that can be dipped in chocolate or whipped cream.

11. After dinner, send the kids on a scavenger hunt with a little Valentine’s Day treasure for each of them at the end.

Here’s the master plan: Wear out the kids with these fun family ideas, then tuck them into bed and celebrate – just the two of you.

Susie Michelle is the founder of Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where she shares only the Best Online Coupons, including the latest Jewelry Deals.

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Many people today are learning about how to build a greenhouse in their backyards. Some are doing it to enjoy gardening for a hobby, others are doing it for profit and then there are those who just want to save money on their vegetables, herbs and even some fruits. Are you interested in building a greenhouse? If so, there is some information you need to know.

Choose a Location

Choose a location in your yard for the greenhouse. It needs to get enough direct sunlight during the day. At least 6 to 8 hours daily. Measure this area to help figure out the maximum size of greenhouse that you can build. If it is out in the middle of the yard, any structure will fit. However, if you are thinking of a lean-to model the location needs to be on the south side of the house or other building on your property.

Preparing the Location

Now, that you know your location, you will need to level it and remove the grass. You can relocate this grass to other parts of the yard that need it or place it in your compost pile. This is also the time to decide if you want a concrete pad for a floor. If concrete is going to be poured, it is done during the foundation stage of the project.

Plans are Important

After choosing and preparing a location, you must either draw or buy plans. Plans just show you how the whole greenhouse should be constructed. This is a very important part of how to build a greenhouse. The plans also help you know what materials to buy. Even when you are making your own, you can still include a material list.

Kits

If you are not the best at figuring your own materials for building projects, there are greenhouse kits available. These give you everything that is needed to construct a greenhouse. You only need to add the finishing touches.

Foundation First

As with any other structure, you start with the foundation first on your greenhouse. Whether it is a simple wood foundation or a more involved one, it comes first. Make sure it is square too this involves measuring from one top corner to one bottom corner on the opposite side. Then do the other corners the same way. The measurements should be the same. If you are using a concrete pad for a floor, this is the time to have it poured. Otherwise, you can wait to put the floor in later.

Next the Walls

The walls go up next now on some simple structure this is just PVC piping. On these, the piping is not only the walls, but also the roof support for the plastic that covers the whole structure. With other styles, the walls are separate for the roof structure. Like the foundation, the walls must be square. Do not forget to make the door openings on whichever structure you choose to construct.

Time for the Roof

There are various roof designs depending on the style of greenhouse you are making. This part of how to build a greenhouse is decided in the planning stage. The walls will have to be in the design compatible with the roof you desire. Measuring as you go building the roof is just as important as it is with the foundation or the walls. After all, you do not want a crooked structure.

Doors

If you structure has doors that open and close, now is the time to install them. If the openings were measured correctly, the doors can be hung with no problems.

Now this is how to build a greenhouse. Move in your benches, shelves, plants and supplies. Enjoy your gardening!

Alexandru Chiuariu, Web Content Copywriter of Greenhouses for Sale, providing web copy and articles on the company’s greenhouse range and on how to build a greenhouse.

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That lesson is to consider what the appliance truly accomplishes. Identify the problem – such as too much cleanup, too much time to prepare – and see if the appliance truly solves the problem or just adds to it. Here are some examples from the past.

Vertical Bacon Cooker

This was a good idea, but it created more trouble than it solved. The cook draped bacon over a vertical cooking unit that was positioned over a drip tray. Most of the grease popped to the sides of the cooking unit rather than all over the top of the stove, which was the intention. Cleaning the unit, however, was a nightmare. Cleaning the unit took far longer than cleaning a skillet and a stovetop.

Nu Tone® Built In Food Center

This was a high end good idea of the 1950s that failed to produce satisfactory results. A power unit attached to the bottom of a kitchen counter, requiring custom installation that included cutting out a section of the kitchen counter. The unit had a point of attachment and a power control. There were mixing bowl, blender, juicer, meat grinder, knife sharpener and other attachments, all of which had to be stored somewhere. Most 1950s kitchens had very little storage space. The result was that the kitchen served the appliance instead of the appliance serving the owner.

Oster Food Center

The Oster food center was a 1970s adaptation of the food center of the 1950s. This one used a central power unit too, but one that was portable and could be taken off the counter. It had too much power for some applications, and far too little for others. The end result was that all applications were rather mediocre.

Trash Compactor

This appliance illustrates the concept of “unintended results.” Compacting trash to make a smaller package and to reduce the number of trips to an outside trash receptacle is a good idea, but it has two immediate problems. One is that it requires specialized bags to withstand the added weight and pressure. The other is that it requires someone with significant muscle strength to remove the trash from the machine and then get it moved out.

Countertop Dishwasher

The countertop dishwasher appears to be a good idea for someone living alone. Using it ends up requiring far more time than would be required to simply wash dishes and leave them to air dry, however. The dishwasher accommodates only place settings, and is unfriendly to cups and glasses. Though it happily will wash plates and silverware, it leaves all of the rest for its person to do.

Automatic Potato Peeler

This was a hand cranked appliance that bolted to the countertop. It was highly efficient in ridding a potato – a perfect, blemish-free potato – of its peel, but it also eliminated much of the inside of the potato as well. All of those potatoes that were not perfect in shape and size still had to be peeled by hand.

Countertop Rotisserie

This was another good idea that virtually no one wanted to clean after using. Just large enough to accommodate two chickens or a small turkey, the food results were good but the cleaning requirements quickly negated all of the food benefit gained.

Electric Egg Poacher

Surely, this is a contender for the title of most useless kitchen appliance. It takes a simple, relatively mess-free process and turns it into an ordeal that takes more than twice the time and a number of pieces and parts of the appliance. All of those pieces must be cleaned afterward, too.

Electric Sandwich Grill

Hailing from the days when a sandwich shop would place weights on bread to flatten it to a nearly unrecognizable thickness, a variety of home sandwich grills began appearing in the 1950s. Again, cleaning was the real issue.

Electric Muffin Iron

Here we have a pan that can produce a dozen muffins but cannot be immersed for washing and takes an immense amount of counter space. Similar to a waffle iron in its operation, there seems to be no justifiable reason for the muffin iron’s existence.

The Lesson
“New” is not always better. Many product developers fail to address all issues – such as cleaning and practicality – so shoppers must. An appropriate question is, “Does this item solve a problem or create one?”

10 Of The Worst Kitchen Appliances Ever Made was compiled for Cliq Studios, provayers of fine quality kitchen cabinets. Check out the recent additions to their extensive offerings including oak and maple cabinets wood species.

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Is my house suitable? 

The best way to determine if your house requires attic insulation is to take a good look around the attic for any signs of previously installed insulation. There is likely to be a layer of foam insulation between the beams on the floor, this is usually laid during the construction of some houses but is unlikely to be a sufficient amount to insulate the home properly. Here are a few tips to help you determine whether or not your home has sufficient insulation.

• Be sure that your attic is properly air sealed; any holes which carry a draft could be robbing precious heat from your home.
• Check the depth of insulation between the beams/rafters; a depth of around 22 inches is recommended for effective insulation.
• Ensure chimneys are properly sealed around using furnace cement.
• Look for foam tube insulation around any pipes that run through the attic

Renovating your home to be more energy efficient is certainly one move you will not regret; the payback in saving you will make is sure to be more than worth the installation fee after a few years. Depending on the size of your house and the amount of energy you generally tend to use, your residence may take less or more than three years to see substantial savings. Combining insulation with some other energy saving methods such as LED light bulbs, recommended energy saving appliances and an eco-friendly lifestyle, you could see a huge difference in your heating bills, especially during the winter months.

If you think your home is in great need of insulation and your attic is well suited, contact a recommended insulation provider for a visit consultation and find out the cost of insulation in tour roof and attic. If you feel you will live at the residence long enough to see the insulation pay for itself in terms of saving then you are sure to reap the benefits for years to come.

Written by Daniel Travis Brown on behalf of Branded Bathrooms Bathroom Furniture, follow him on Twitter @DanTravisBrown.

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