The Revenge Of The Red Hot Mouse

Writen by John T Jones, Ph.D.

I was reading the local Idaho rag this morning and learned that a New Mexico man had caught a mouse in his house. He decided he wanted it dead so he took it outside and threw it in to a pile of leaves he was burning. That's when the fun began.

The mouse took fire and immediately ran back into the house. He got into the intricacies of the house and spread the flame. The article said that the reporter talked to the man in a motel room. He said that no one was hurt but that he had lost his house and his furnishings.

Well, we mustn't have this happen again, must we?

This might be a good time to set up some rules for handling creatures that like to live with us in our houses during the wintertime.

Never try to poison a mouse.

We put one of those cute little yellow triangular boxes full of poison in a place where we knew our dog could never reach it. Somehow it got out from under a very low shelf beneath my work bench. My dog ate the stuff and he died a miserable death. My veterinarian son and two of his fellow vets could not save him.

My son has a zillion stories about horses, dogs, cats and other creatures being poisoned by usually safe-to-use farm and household poisons.

I think the mouse did not like my dog.

He carefully nudged the little box of poison out from underneath my workbench with his nose so that my dog could reach it. This leads to a corollary: Remember that critters are smarter than humans.

Put a metal grid over your chimney.

Yesterday our rag had a story about a barn owl that got stuck in a lady's chimney. It took a while, but one of her family members got the bird out. When released, it flew right back into the barn. I'm sure it's spending the day there.

Some year back in Colorado a bat flew down our chimney. Then with a little of my pestering, it flew around the living room scaring the heck out of everybody.

After all, rats carry rabies. (My son had to take shots for rabies once after being bitten by a dog. In those days, the shots were given with a horse needle in the stomach. No fun!)

Anyway, I finally caught the bat in a cloth and took it outside. It took off like a bat. I think it headed south for Carlsbad Caverns.

Never try to get a skunk out from under your house with a long stick.

It's best to call a professional in this case. I guess that would be the fire department where I live. Have you heard of a HAVAHART® trap? They are handy for catching rabbits, raccoons, and other critters. You can read about how to use them at http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/_old_nuisance/troubleshooting.htm.

These two tips might keep you from getting sprayed: If you want to trap your skunk get a small trap (1078 and 1088) so that it can not raise its tail. Use for bait "Chicken entrails, cracknels, fish-canned (sardines) or fresh-insect larvae such as may beetles, crisp bacon, cat food, bread crust coated with peanut butter." Place a blanket over the trap after the skunk has taken the bait and the trap doors are locked.

If you do get sprayed, the old remedy is tomato juice. Would you rather smell like skunk or the juice? Havahart® has remedies which include tomato juice (http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/_old_skunks/skunk_solutions.htm). Skunk squirt is alkaline so acidic liquids like tomato juice and vinegar help.

So what's next if you have a skunk in a trap under a blanket? Call the Humane Society. They just love to get rid of animals.

Well, I'm exhausted from the technology of this article. We'll cover bears, wolves, and coyotes later.

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com, a retired VP of R&D for Lenox China, is author of detective & western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering, humor), poetry, etc. Former editor of Ceramic Industry Magazine, Jones is Executive Representative of International Wealth Success. He calls himself "Taylor Jones, the hack writer." More info: http://www.tjbooks.com Business web site: http://www.bookfindhelp.com (IWS wealth-success books and kits and business newsletters / TopFlight flagpoles)

The History Of Junk Gathering

Writen by Le Perdu

There comes a time in everyone's life when they look around and wonder what all the stuff that they have gathered up over the course of their life actually is. Collecting and gathering are natural parts of life, possibly going back as far as our caveman days when gathering was a prerequisite to the very survival of our species. Obscure studies have shown that cavemen (and women) collected anything and everything they could find just in case that they might need it in order to survive one day. Stone age caves are generally found to be full of sand, rocks and bones and, on occasion graffiti, for this reason.

There is a strong possibly that theses habit are genetic and therefore inescapable and unavoidable.

In our modern lives these habits have taken on entirely new proportions. So much stuff is readily available that any modern gatherer struck down by this insidious habit will require a substantial capital outlay to be able to fulfill the urge. Many gatherers rent extra storage space and then proceed to fill it up as quickly as possible, almost like it's some type of perverse competition. Others simply move into a larger house with an extra bedroom or even better, a large garage. The garage has become the place of choice for most Americans to store their vast collections of junk in.

Yard sales should not to be viewed as an opportunity to lower junk volumes but rather as a method of thinning out the existing junk to make room for more selective and possibly equally as useless items. People who shop at yard sales are simply there to enhance their own junk collections and everyone who donate some of their junk to the Salvation Army or the Red Cross fall squarely into the same category. Simply put, junk gatherers never stop gathering.

Calling everything junk is tedious and perhaps slightly insulting to the gatherer. So what should all this high quality stuff-that-might-be needed-one-day be called?

Quampha.

An expressly word created, Quampha is best described as all the unnecessary things in your life.

Unnecessary? Who gets to decide what is unnecessary? A general and long-standing rule of thumb is that one man's junk is another man's treasure, which implies that he who does not own it (IE: not the collector) is the person who gets to label it as Quampha or treasure.

Usage: Quampha can be to describe almost any unnecessary items or things from the contents of your wife's handbag (which incidentally is what the word was first used to describe) to the overwhelming quantity of stationery in almost everyone's drawers in their office desk.

Further it can be used to described a particularly useless or lazy person, "Mike is pure Quampha today" or "I wish that when he was full of Quampha he would just stay at home"

le Perdu is a contributing author on http://www.Quampha.com, a growing site dedicated to random reading, obscure articles and some rather out there opinions. We dare to be different, and we are always looking for articles and authors.

When Was The Last Time We Bought A Special Gift For Our Mothers

Writen by Marsha Maung

Yes, like I said, when was the last time we bought something creative, unique and totally special for our mothers to show them that we love and remember them? When was the last time we got them a special gift to tell them that their sacrifice for us is appreciated? Motherhood is an extremely special experience and it's an experience that no man will ever be able to experience. Regardless of how we were raised and how our mothers nagged us when we were younger, the sacrifice cannot compare to any other types of sacrifices we've made in our lives – rivaled only by OUR sacrifice for our children. Only when we become mothers ourselves will we be able to understand the true magnitude of motherhood.

A special gift says a lot
Forget about the conventional, off-the-shelves books, picture frames, calendars, organizers, flowers, vases and what-have-you-nots. Your mom won't say they're not special and will take the gift with a smile and a big thank you (and a hug) but they're not really the kind of special gift that they, your mothers, will thank you, remember and cherish for a long time to come.

The pure convenience of the purchase speaks for itself. It's nothing special.

So, what's a special and unique gift?
A truly special gift is something that your mother will look back 5 or maybe 10 years down the road and smile to herself, her heart with burst and her face will beam with pride. The sacrifice, the love and the commitment was worth it, she'd think to herself. As she watches you 'mother' around your own children, she will think it was all worth it because she did the right thing.

A special gift should be something that reminds her of you, of motherhood.

Some ideas of a special gift you can get for your mom
• A motherhood-related product – this could be something related to motherhood, with a simple but meaningful quote to remind her of her motherhood years.
• Something you've designed or created
• A custom-made special gift designed especially for her
• Something you and your own children have come up with over the weekend or something you've worked on for a long time, like a scrapbook or a decorative doll
• A poem you've written
• A special home-made CD (maybe a special CD) of a vacation with you and your family in it

To find the right special gift for your mother, start with your mother's personality. What does she like? What kind of memories does she have of raising her children? What are her hobbies and interests?

And once you've put your finger on what interests her, finding the right kind of special gift for you should be easy enough.

Marsha Maung is a freelance graphic designer and copy writer who works from her home in Selangor, Malaysia. She loves nothing more than blowing bubbles in the park with her 2 kids, Joshua and Jared. She designs apparel and premium items at http://www.allmomstuff.com and is the author of "Raising little magicians", and the popular "The Lance in freelancing". More information can be found at http://www.marshamaung.com

Creating Homestorage

Writen by Gratia Marie Letendre

Home-Storage created out of and old door, this is imagination! As you go along in getting better in your Home-Storage and organization, you will accomplish three things:

1- Make your life easier, because everything will get their own

place.

2- Get rid of clutter.

3- RE-Arrange your living space.

In your clutter clearing, you will come across all kind of items.

- Unfinished project.

- Clothes that you no longer wear.

- Some wood pieces left from your last home improvement.

Here some examples in converting trash into Home-Storage:

- An old living room door can be transformed into a home-storage

and hallway display.

Project execution:

In the middle of the upper part of the door, install a rectangular

mirror with molding around it. On each side of that mirror, attach or

screw 2 big decorative brass coat hangers at 6 to 8 inches from

the top of the door.

At 36" from the bottom, built a 2 shelves unit with closed sides,

you can save an extra space of 8" under those shelves. In those

shelves, put wicker's basket; 4 of them will do.

This can be used for storing games, fishing stuff, or anything else.

In the extra space at the botton, put a large basket for sleepers.

The door can be painted to match the entire color theme of that room,

or left in the original color.

Note: Keep the knob, it will be a piece of conversation and a

reminescense of before and after.

- A round coffe table that you are ready to

throw away will become and hanging shelf adorned with a nice mirror.

Project execution:

Cut the coffee tabe in half.

Hang one half on a bare wall at around 36" from the floor. Place a

round mirror simetrical to the size of the table on

top of it leaving 6" of space in between.

You will have an original shelf to display pictures or collectables.

- An old window with four openings can be used to create an

imitation window.

Project execution:

Replace the four glasses with mirrors.

Hang it on a wall horizontally.

Paint it the same color as the other windows in the house.

Install window treatement around it.

Your room will look larger because of the light's reflection in

those mirrors.

- Home-Storage on the porch using a wood bench.

Project execution:

Attach your bench upside down on the wall. In turning that bench

over, you just created a shelf that will be great to display potted

flowers.

Sometimes, as you can see, there is almost no limit to your imagination in Home-Storage.

About the author:

GratiaMarie Letendre own a web site dedicated to Home-Storage-Solution.

Always looking for new ways for Home-Storage, Organisation and Decoration, Fixing or Cleaning and anything in between.

Making your life easier is our goal.

Please visit: http://www.home-storage-solution.com/

Bathroom-Storage-Solutions - Shelving-Storage-Solutions - Designer-Storage- Solutions

GratiaMarie own a web site dedicated to Home-Storage-Solution. Always looking for new ways for Storage and Organization, Decoration, Fixing or Cleaning and anything in between. Our goals is to make your life easier.

Be A Gift Giving Diva

Writen by Karen Fusco

You know them. They always have the perfect gift for every occasion. Their presents are personal, thoughtful and put everyone else's to shame. They are perfectly organized and show up looking fabulous. It drives you mad!

Don't get mad. Get even. Be a diva yourself. Your gift can be the most fabulous one there. By following these four simple steps to save you time and stress, you can spend more time fulfilling your inner diva.

Step 1: Pay Attention. The key to a successful present is listening. People will tell you want they want and need. Your mom may mention that she's cold when she goes to bed. Your boss may brag about his fabulous golf swing. Your best friend may lament over her calloused feet. Whatever it is, listen to the little comments people make. Each comment presents a great opportunity for a future perfect gift!

Step 2: Guide Yourself to Victory. Now that you've developed diva-like listening and observation skills, take note of what you've learned! Create a gift giving guide for all the people in your life. Include their hobbies, interests, personal milestones and upcoming events. Mark down their personal important dates to remember -- birthday, anniversary, etc. This guide will provide you with a list of great ideas and inspiring thoughts when you need to buy a present.

Step 3: Mark Your Calendar. Who hasn't nearly forgotten an important event and been left scrambling to find a present? Avoid last minute panic by noting important dates and events in your calendar. Check out your gift giving guide and transfer the important dates to your calendar at the beginning of each new year. At the start of each month look to see upcoming events so you can plan accordingly. Or, keep up with the times and sign up for a free email reminder service that alerts you when the occasion is approaching. You won't be stuck gift-less again!

Step 4: Celebrate! To add an additional incentive for you to be more organized, reward yourself when a gift is a big hit. Know that you've done welll and made someone happy with your choice. Whether simply recognizing your good work or buying yourself something special, you'll find you enjoy gift giving much more when you get a treat in the process!

Who would have thought that organizational skills would have been so diva-licious? But if you plan ahead, you can spend more time being your fabulous self! And that's time well spent.

Copyright 2006 Karen Fusco

Karen Fusco is co-founder of http://www.SilkBow.com which supports Busy Moms with free gift ideas and helpful tips to meet the challenges of motherhood. SilkBow is the perfect place for the perfect gift. Karen can be reached directly at: karen@SilkBow.com

A Brief History Of Fine Swedish Table Linen

Writen by Calle Redhe

Linen itself has been featured in history since Prehistoric times. Egyptian culture used linen as a basic cloth as well as for costume. Archaeologists have found samples of linen, dating back to 4200 BC. Linen that is now used in fine Swedish table linen was processed in much the same way, back in 642 AD. Unfortunately, few pieces have survived from that time.

By the 1500's, a damask linen was imported by Holland and Flanders. This linen was used for table cloths by the wealthy. This tradition was replicated in the seventeenth century in Sweden. Fine Swedish table linens were owned by wealthy Swedish families—they were ornate and decorative. And it wasn't until the 1800's that table linen was used as an everyday table cloth.

From the seventeenth century, Halsingland, Sweden began to produce both flax and linen. It was in 1730 that a man by the name of Stephen Bennet set up a linen factory of sorts with about eighty looms. The quality of the damask created was high, but the factory stopped producing fine Swedish table linen in 1845 when it closed down.

In terms of producing the linen, most histories agree that men were given the responsibility of the heavier work—carrying and lifting and transport of materials. Women were taught from a young age about the craft of linen. Many of the children and older women were in charge of less delicate jobs, while those with manual dexterity and stamina were given the task of making the higher quality fine Swedish table linens on one of the many looms.

Prior to weaving and spinning, the women would color the flax. Bleaching the fine Swedish table linens was difficult, as many of the dyes were not colorfast. Some of the natural dyes that were utilized were from natural findings—leaves, lichens, moss, and bark. In the rare occasions when other colors were requested, they could buy colorings—logwood, gambier, indigo, and Farnock (from a tree).

The complicated process of weaving fine Swedish table linen was not without good results though. One story goes that an owner of a weavery—Calle Redhe-- used to go to Norway to sell his fine Swedish table linen. In one particular summer trip, he met an older woman of about seventy years old. The woman came up to Calle and asked him if he was indeed Calle Redhe, to which he replied yes.

The woman was delighted to find Calle as she herself had bought a fine Swedish table linen from Calle's father in 1948 just after she was married. Now, recently widowed after fifty-seven years and returned to Norway to live she was delighted to learn she could finally buy some napkins woven from the same loom as the tablecloth. She had her tablecloth with her and purchased matching napkins.

Fine Swedish table linen has a long history behind it, but it's the story of the owners and their families are what enrich their legacy. And with the long-standing tradition of linen making and weaving, you too can probably find something to match your great-grandmother's linens.

Calle Redhe is the owner and Master Weaver at Redhes Weavery in Bjorbo, Sweden. Redhes Weavery was founded in the mid-1940's and has become renowned for keeping alive the ancient Swedish traditions of patterning and quality most evident in the overshot weave cloths they produce today. He makes it easy for all to own table linens with the air of royalty. To learn what colors and weave are available visit: http://www.fine-swedish-table-linen.com

How To Choose A Log Bunk Bed

Writen by C. J. Haus

So you've got the perfect little log cabin, or chalet by the lake, or just want a country touch to your home. You want a log bunk bed, or two, but don't know where to start. And they don't carry them in your downtown furniture store.

Not to worry, there are plenty of options available on the Internet. There are loft log bunk beds, twin over twin log bunk beds, full over full or even twin over queen. I haven't seen a twin over king yet, but really the Amish can make any size you want. A lot of college students who looking to build an inexpensive loft bed might find an Amish loft bunk bed to be just the ticket, and some of them come with futons under them, too.

There are federal regulations regarding bunk beds, so you'll want to make sure that whatever bed you choose meets the regulations. We're talking safety here, and things do happen. But you certainly wouldn't want a bed that doesn't meet the regulations, so make sure that the one you buy, does. Most accidents with bunk beds happen to children under the age of three. Many of these accidents can be avoided by having safety rails on both sides of the top bed. If one side of the bed is against the wall, that can be sufficient--but it must be against the wall. There are also regulations regarding headboards. There is a link to a page with the regulations at the bottom of this article for those who wish to read further.

Bunk beds built to those regulations are generally built to hold an adult weighing up to 250 pounds. If you are pushing the limits, try cedar instead of pine. In the beds we sell, the cedar logs are 5 ½ to 6 inches in diameter, while the pine is about 3 ½ inches in diameter. They are both built to federal specifications, and the pine bunk beds are very solid and strong, but if there is a question in your mind, go for the bigger logs. And of course, you can always put the big fella on the bottom, too.

Some log bunk beds come with a metal frame to hold the mattress, but some of the Amish build them with a wood frame to hold both the box spring and the mattress. You don't have to put a box spring in those beds, but you certainly can.

The other alternative to hold the mattress up is called a Bunkie board. A Bunkie board is basically ¾ inch plywood cut to the size of the box spring. It sits inside either the metal bed frame, or the wood bed frame, and supports the mattress. If you have a box spring you don't need a Bunkie board, but if there is not a box spring, the Bunkie board is what supports the middle of the mattress. We sell Bunkie boards if people want them, but a lot of people just cut their own. It's up to the buyer.

Another option to consider is the type of ladder you want with your log bunk bed. Some of the Amish beds have the ladders built right into the end of the bed, so you don't have a ladder leaning out from the bed. Others have a moveable ladder that can hook on the end or the side. In many cases, the amount of space available determines the type of bunk bed you buy. If you have a small room, the larger cedar logs may seem too massive. If you don't have room for a slanted ladder, however, you may opt for the cedar bunk bed anyway that has the ladder built in. If you have a larger room or larger people, you may opt for the larger cedar logs.

If you get a pine bunk bed with metal frame, there is a way to give the metal frame that log look when the covers are thrown back. These are decorative half logs or rails, not to be confused with the safety rails that go around the top of the bunk bed. The top safety rails are always included with the log bunk bed, but the decorative half rails are optional and just for looks.

Last but not least, be sure to measure before you buy. Last year we sold a couple of log bunk beds to somebody in Montana. They absolutely loved the beds, but had bought two for the room and soon found out that only one could comfortably fit. Since we are in Michigan and they in Montana, it would have cost quite a bit to ship it back. They ended up selling the extra bed on ebay, but the problem could have been avoided with a bit of careful measuring up front.

Copyright 2006 Cari Haus

This article was written by Cari Haus, President of Log Cabin Rustics, http://www.logcabinrustics.com , which retails log bunk beds on the Internet. Permission is granted to reprint this article in it's entirety, provided a link to Log Cabin Rustics is included at the end of the article. Also, here is a helpful information about log bunk beds at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.com/ Go to that site and search for bunk bed regulations.

Relationships Five Little Things You Can Do To Cultivate A Peaceful And Happy Home Life

Writen by D. Giolitto

Today's typical couple is busier than ever. Whether you're working overtime, shlepping the kids around, traveling or fulfilling social obligations, life at home can be a chaotic scene. But is this any excuse to let good-old-fashioned manners and consideration go out the window? Of course not. A peaceful and loving home starts by showing respect and courtesy to your spouse and children. Here are five little reminders to keep you on good behavior!

1. Remember your manners.

Kindness and consideration go a long way. Don't interrupt when another family member is speaking. Make please, thank you, may I, and excuse me part of your daily repetoire. Apologize if you've accidentally hurt someone's feelings. Give others the benefit of the doubt.

2. Eat meals together.

Sure, life on the run has everyone grabbing a quick meal when they can, but quality time is the key ingredient to a happy family life. Even if it's just once a week, schedule a day when everyone can sit down together at the table and enjoy a home-cooked dinner and some good conversation.

3. Be a unified parental front.

If Mom and Dad can't agree on what the rules are, let alone enforce them, you can be sure that your kids will have the upper hand and the two of you will be left feeling ineffective and resentful of each other. Lay down the law and present yourselves as a Unified Parental Front!

4. Listen to each other.

Sure, Moms and Dads often know best, but that doesn't mean shutting your mind to what your children have to say. Listen to each other with open hearts and minds, and start your children on the path to positive communication and great relationships.

5. Never go to bed angry.

Sure, disagreements happen from time to time, but there is no better indicator of a secure and loving home than agreeing to put differences aside when the lights go out each night. Explain to your children that even though you and your spouse don't always see eye to eye, it doesn't mean you don't love each other. Same goes for the kids!

Now more than ever before, we must instill solid family values in our children. The best way to teach them to respect others is to show respect for each other in our own homes.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Liked this article? Have more of the same emailed to your inbox each month. Sign up for the Copywriting and Marketing Ezine from Dina at Wordfeeder.com and learn to write search engine friendly web copy and market your web based business for free.

How To Build A Family Tree

Writen by Adriana Copaceanu

Building a family tree may sound like a daunting process, but it can be a really fun family project. Many times, you have resources as close as a phone call or e-mail. Let the kids interview grandparents and aunts and uncles. Have everyone tell them about as many family members as they can remember. Older family members love to share stories and time with the younger ones.

Did anyone in your family keep a diary or a journal? They can be a wonderful source of first hand accounts and give an insight that you wouldn't have even talking to relatives. If the family member is still living, be sure to get permission to read the journal first. Old letters are also a wonderful source of information.

Once you've gathered first hand information, you can quite often find more information either in the library or the Internet. There are many genealogy sites that can assist in family research; however, some charge fees. Courthouse records and cemeteries can also be a good source of names and dates of relatives. You can search old newspaper records as well.

There are a few programs that can help you organize the data you've collected. They will also help layout a printable version of the family tree. There are freeware and shareware programs, as well as more expensive programs, which have more features.

A more creative approach to a family tree is to make a photo family tree. By painting a simple tree on the wall, and hanging photos, it makes a great way to display your research. If you don't want to have a wall-sized mural, a smaller scale in one frame, with small portraits is also nice. There are also cross-stitch patterns for very simple family trees as well, that have room for names and dates.

Researching your family tree can also help history come alive. As you dig further back along the family tree, you may find either that someone you are related to, knew someone famous, or was famous themselves. As you learn about each generation, you can do research about how they lived during that time period.

Learn How to De-clutter Your Life and How to Raise Great Kids at www.busy-moms-online.com

Party Planning On A Budget Money Saving Tips

Writen by Gail Leino

When engaging in party planning one the first couple of times, it can be a scary time. One might wonder what it is going to cost or how can I ensure that my guests will have a fun time. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't have to cost a fortune and cutting financial corners does not mean you have to sacrifice the amount of fun your guest can have. As with most favored gifts, those that are most creative and personalized are most likely to be appreciated and reminisced. Break out the creative thinking to seek out ways to entertain your guests.

There are to key aspects that are critical to your party's success. The first step is to set a theme for the party according to the holiday. It is usually best to have the guest of honor decide this factor. The second step is to ask for help. Spreading out the work load allows the guests to feel involved and appreciated and could quite possibly allow you to save some money. It is up to you to get creative. Invitations, decorations, Food and games are of your main concern.

Beginning with the invitations, cater to your party theme by making homemade cards (don't worry; it will be worth your time!). Within each invitation specify if you would like the guests to participate in preparations by requesting a pot luck or costume requirement. This will take care of some of the financial burden as well as the decorations. What better decorations could exist than the guests themselves?

You shouldn't have to rob the bank to afford entertainment either. Keep the games relevant to the holiday and mold the most common activities to your event to make them unique and memorable. The restriction to choosing a game is that the entertainment should sustain interactions between the guest of honor and guests. Naming word games for a baby shower, pin-the-patch on the pirate for a boy's pirate birthday party, scary-looking food eating contests for Halloween parties and the list could go on and on. Your own personal thoughts of creativity will be your best ally in planning. With a bit of thought and creativity, you can have the best party anyone has ever thrown.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes (PartyThemeShop.com) to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

5 Surprising Cleaners From Your Pantry

Writen by Christina Spence

Fabulous cleaning products don't need to cost a fortune or be wrapped up in fancy packages to do a great job of cleaning your home. In fact, some of the most effective cleaners are likely hiding in your pantry, just waiting for you to give them a try. Here are five cleaning products that you can use everyday, that are already sitting in your pantry or medicine cabinet.

1. Baking Soda – I'm known as a bit of a baking soda nut! Why? This powerful little box may not look impressive, but it contains a serious multitasking cleaner. Use it as a powder cleanser, to neutralize odors naturally, and even to wash floors and walls.

2. Vinegar – This is the other top cleaning powerhouse that every home needs. I tend to buy MASSIVE jugs of this stuff, because I use it like a madwoman. Vinegar is a natural acid, meaning that it does a lot of the tougher cleaning jobs around your home – but at a fraction of the cost of commercial cleaners. Plus, it's friendlier for you, your family AND the environment. Use it in natural cleaning formulas, to clean out the coffeemaker, to remove hard water stains, and much more. For dozens of way to use this amazing stuff, visit Vinegar Uses Database

3. Club soda – This is a surprisingly good glass and mirror cleaner! Either fresh or old unfizzy stuff will work fine. Just pour this into a clean spray bottle and use as you would any glass cleaner. Use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to give stainless steel surfaces a shine with this too.

4. Shaving cream – Surprise! Shaving cream is a surprisingly effective carpet and clothing stain remover. Just squeeze some out onto the stain (moisten first with a bit of cool water – never warm water, as that will set the stain) and use a scrubber brush to get it down deep into the fibers. Rinse and continue until stain is removed.

5. Lemon juice – Lemon juice (or other citrus juices such as orange) works great as a degreasing agent. Plus, it's also a pretty wonderful disinfectant and stain remover. Dip a cut lemon into some baking soda or salt and use as the best smelling scrubber around – awesome for sinks and tubs. Or, make a paste of table salt and lemon juice and use as a pre treatment for tough laundry stains.

Christina is the Original Happy Slob – the author of: "The Happy Slob's Guide to Housecleaning." If you hate to clean, drop by http://www.happyslob.com today to learn how thousands of slobs around the world are learning fast and easy (and laid back) tips to make cleaning less of a bore, and less of a chore! (And…the Daily Blog is at: http://happyslob.blogspot.com)

Unique Cremation Urns Are Being Designed Each Day

Writen by Jennifer Johnston-Giuliano

Since more people are choosing to be cremated (by the year 2010, they estimate over 40% of all humans), more unique cremation urns are becoming available. Just over the past few month several new designs have become available to you through the internet only and there are several more becoming available in early 2007.

Every person is different and every life is special. If you or your loved one has made the decision to be cremated and are looking for a unique cremation urn that best represents your life, today you should be able to find one suitable for almost everyone.

Whether you are looking to have something custom engraved or laser etched with a special poem or verse, a major league baseball fanatic, a devoted motorcycle rider, lost a child, have a love for tasteful art, lost a faithful companion or are just looking for the right way to memorialize your loved one or pet, unique cremation urns are a lasting tribute to a life gone, but never forgotten.

The artists that create these unique cremation urns take great pride in their work.

So whether you are looking for a traditional cremation urn, or for a unique cremation urn that memorializes your life, dreams or personality, or if you would like further information regarding cremation, please visit our website at www.foreverinurheart.com. Our goal is to help you find a unique cremation urn that is tasteful and beautifully appealing and that truly represents your life of the live of your loved one.

We wish you much peace in your journey through life.

http://www.foreverinurheart.com

admin@foreverinurheart.com

Whether you are looking for a traditional cremation urn, or for a unique cremation urn that memorializes your life, dreams or personality, or if you would like further information regarding cremation, please visit our website at www.foreverinurheart.com. Our goal is to help you find a unique cremation urn that is tasteful and beautifully appealing and that truly represents your life of the live of your loved one.

Mold 101 The Good News And The Bad

Writen by Darrell Suchocki

Mold is all around us, just try leaving a piece of bread out and before long-mode appears. We also at times see mold in our houses such as on the grout between bathroom tiles. Its appearance can even look like dirt.

Wow- check this out: Mold reproduces faster than rabbits—Using the same example of leaving a slice of bread out for a time, and the mold begins to appear. What happens is that tiny black dots of mold make up what our naked eye sees and these are called spore bodies or sporangia. One dot, I repeat, one dot contains as high as 50,000 spores, and each of those spores can produce hundreds of millions of ugly new spores in just days. Faster than rabbits.

Molds can be dangerous to our health. For example a pipe under the sink breaks and water begins saturating the kitchen, and into the living room. If this saturation of water is left accumulating for a considerable time this would only encourage mold growth. Think about it you now have water trapped under the flooring in a home, such as carpet, vinyl and even drywall all absorbing this moisture, creating the growth of mold. This can create a very unhealthy climate in your own home. This means calling a professional water damage company to correct the immediate problem and make any necessary repairs to whatever caused this water leak.

Noteworthy : molds can produce toxic substances by the name of mycotoxins which can affect humans and pets. Just by inhaling and ingesting or just plain contact with the skin, can affect a person or pet.

As one noted authority on the subject stated: Mold can cause respiratory problems, for example, shortness of breath coughing and irritation of sinuses. It can cause eye, and nose irritations and skin rashes.

The good news is that our everyday exposure to mod is more of an annoyance than a serious health risk or threat. However those with certain health disorders such as asthma, allergies, etc can experience some adverse effects from everyday mold.

And of course mold has its proper place in the scheme of things. In certain foods, mold has it place, such as cheese. In cheese and even beer, good mold is used to create the taste of such products.

For our health and well being, how can I minimize mold problems? Keep the inside of your house dry and keep the humidity low. If moisture does began to build up somewhere in the home, immediately dry the area and repair whatever caused it. Outside the home, keep roof and the gutters in good repair and do not allow water to accumulated next to the structure of your house, ensure proper drainage away from all outside walls. So simple precautions can go a long way in preventing mold buildup.

Darrell Suchocki invites you to benefit form his 25 years of experience in the construction trades as a builder and flooring installer and home water damage. See his website at http://decks-n-floors.com/ for comprehensive information about flooring and decks to make better home improvement buying decisions. Plus see other articles related to the home construction trade. http://decks-n-floors.com/

How To Grieve A Tragedy

Writen by Stephen Bucaro

Bad things happen to good people. Have you lost your job or are facing bankruptcy? Has a cherished relationship ended or you have gone through a divorce? Maybe you received diagnosis of a serious health problem. Or maybe you are mourning the loss of a loved one. Unfortunately, these painful events are part of life.

If you have to endure such a tragedy, maybe you can find solace in your friends and in your faith. There is no way to completely avoid the pain of a tragic event, but I offer you a way to work through the pain. If a friend or loved one is grieving, you can pass this message on to them.

Your should deal with the grief in three phases. You should carry on each phase for exactly 21 days before moving on to the next phase. Why 21 days? Because studies have shown that if an individual does the same thing for 21 consecutive days, it becomes a habit. That is the amount of time required to make a permanent life change.

Phase 1: Don't think about the event that is causing your grief. You may be forced to think about it in some way in order to take care of business related to the event. But otherwise don't think about it for the first 21 days. If the event comes to mind, think to yourself "I don't want to think about this right now", and dismiss the thought from your mind.

Every time the tragic event enters your mind, think "I don't want to think about this right now", and force yourself to think about something else. Usually friends and family will not be a problem because they will avoid bringing up the subject. For the first 21 days, keep pushing thoughts of the event out of your mind.

Eventually you will need to mourn, it's unavoidable. In Phase 2, you should think of nothing but the tragic event. How can this help? Even though you forcefully prevented the event from entering your conscious thoughts for the first 21 days, your subconscious mind was grieving. Now you need to deal with it on a conscious level.

You will be able to grieve with less pain now because your subconscious mind has already dealt with it. You can't put the tragedy behind you unless you deal with it on a conscious level. For the next 21 days, force yourself to focus on the tragic event.

If the tragedy is a broken relationship, think about the life you could have had if things worked out the way you dreamed. If the tragedy is the death of a loved one, think about the moments of your lives together. Focus entirely on how much that individual meant to you.

Phase 3: It's time to move forward. For the next 21 days, think only of your future life and changes you will need to make. Plan your new life. What changes do you need to make to carry on under your new circumstances?

Unfortunately, painful events are part of life. Bad things happen, but life moves on. My plan doesn't let you totally avoid the grief of a tragedy, and not letting yourself grieve would not be healthy anyway. I promise you, no matter what the loss, in the end, the human spirit will always survive.

Permission is granted for the below article to forward, reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and the resource box below is included.

* Because of some comments in response to this article, I attach this addendum.

My little brother and I were very close. Our life as children was not easy because of an abusive mother. We slept on a bunk bead in the same room. We spent our days making paper army tanks and paper airplanes and playing army on the floor in that bedroom.

When I was in my 20's, my little brother was hit by a car while riding his motor cycle. He was placed on a life-support machine and they put his limbs back together with metal rods. He had very little brain activity. My father asked me "when we should take him off the life-support machine?"

My little brother and I were very close. After his death, I asked myself, why am I still alive? I should be dead too. I felt like my right arm had been ripped off. Over the next year I experienced every kind of physical malady you can think of, from hemorrhoids to severe back pain. I was a physical and mental wreck.

One sunny summer day while I was sitting by the lake behind my house, I felt a warm breeze on my face and I felt sad because my little brother could no longer experience a warm summer breeze. Then my little brother spoke to me. Not out loud, but through thought.

He told me that he did still exist, like a spirit, and that he would be watching over me. He told me that I should not be sitting there morning his death, because he would live through me. My little brother never graduated high school. He told me to go to college, be successful, and experience life for both of us.

I did go to college, earned a bachelors degree in computer science, and became the manager of an engineering department. I like to hike in the mountain park behind my house and in beautiful natural places like the Grand Canyon. While hiking and enjoying the beauty of earth, I sense my little brother looking out through my eyes, and feeling the warm summer breeze through my skin.

Think about the loved one you lost. Would they want you to spend your life morning their death, or would they tell you to enjoy life while you still have it? It's okay to remember them, but when you do, ask yourself what would they want you to be doing. Would they want you to spend your days in sadness, or they would want you to move on and enjoy life? Who knows, maybe they still exist and are still enjoying life - through you.

About The Author Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to subscribe@bucarotechelp.com

Daddy Tames The Ferocious Junior Boys

Writen by Janette Blackwell

Throughout World War II my Daddy had 4F draft status -- meaning he couldn't be drafted -- as there would have been no one to farm his Montana land if he were gone.

His draft status bothered Daddy. He was young and vigorous, and he longed to fight the enemies of his country. He knew he was working hard for his country out there in the fields, but his life lacked drama. And perhaps he longed for military action more fervently on days when things weren't going well on the farm.

Daddy and other 4F Bitterroot Valley farmers liked to talk about the war. They talked about it in the barbershop, of course, and after church on Sunday. What MacArthur and Patton ought to do to the enemy. What the army, and the navy, and the marines ought to do to the enemy. Their male hormones buzzed around rapidly, doing what male hormones do.

The men's ferocity was only exceeded by that of the little boys, who thought nothing of wiping out an enemy air squadron on their way to Sunday school.

The junior boys of our Sunday school were especially ferocious. In fact these nine to twelve year olds were incorrigible, by the standards of the time and place. They whispered and giggled, nudged and pushed each other. They never studied their Sunday school lessons. And they openly chewed gum in church.

Several stalwart men of the Corvallis Community Church had tried and failed to whip these incorrigibles into shape. The junior boys were taught in the church auditorium, only a few feet from the adult men's and women's classes. And whenever the teacher of the junior boys lost control of those boys, the whole auditorium heard it.

Then even worse things began to happen. At the end of our class sessions, when we good little primary children filed out of our classroom and into the auditorium for closing exercises, we were faced with a terrible sight: the junior boys had completely run amok. They were making V-shaped paper airplanes from their Sunday school handouts. Large white missiles flew everywhere in the auditorium, above the heads of the men's and women's Bible classes.

Occasionally a boy scored a direct hit on the pulpit and even, once or twice, on the Sunday school superintendent as he stood behind the pulpit. And it appeared, from the expressions on faces in the men's Bible class, that they were focusing more on memories of their own boyhood than on the good Christian example of the Sunday school superintendent, who pretended nothing had hit him.

The worst of it was, of course, the example it set us little ones: pure minded children who had not known, up to that moment, that one could do anything with a Sunday school handout besides read it. Formerly innocent primary boys were seen examining paper airplanes to see how they were made. It was easy to imagine the effect these illegal missiles were having on their sensitive childish minds, the subtle seeds of corruption thus being sown.

Strong measures were needed, and the church leadership turned to Daddy to whip the junior boys into shape.

They probably felt that in Daddy they had found a disciplinary tiger. But unfortunately Daddy was not a person who enjoyed whipping other people into shape, not even little people. Of course he couldn't say so. He was a church board member, after all, and the kind of young man the junior boys should look up to.

The European trenches may have looked especially inviting that week.

Daddy had rough going for awhile, and then, behold, he didn't.

I remember coming into the auditorium after my own Sunday school class, to find Daddy's junior boys following his every word. They didn't want the class session to end. Daddy's hand appeared to be a U.S. airplane moving steadily on its just mission. His other hand, he said, was "See, this Zero comes up and tries to shoot down the B-29, and the P-38, see, it comes in there with its guns blazing. . . ."

He and the junior boys had arrived at an understanding. If they paid attention to the Sunday school lesson and behaved themselves, there'd be time to discuss airplanes -- real airplanes -- at the end of the session. If the boys cut up and he had to spend time making them behave, the whole class period would be spent struggling with Jonah and the whale.

Their choice.

About The Author Find Janette Blackwell's Christian mystery and hilarious cookbook, "Steamin' Down the Tracks with Viola Hockenberry," at foodandfiction.com. Janette@foodandfiction.com

Spice Up Your Family Reunions

Writen by Glenda Erceg

There is no reason to have a boring family reunion. Family reunions can be a lot of fun. Family reunions can be events that everyone looks forward to attending.

Start with the invitations. Design them yourself or use invitations you can purchase from stationery stores. Think of a theme for the reunion and carry it out with the invitations, decorating, games and food.

Send the invitations at least three months before the reunion. Choose a location that is centrally located. Look for a place that is fun or unique. Many hotels, restaurants, entertainment centers and even zoos can accommodate family reunions.

You can cater the food or have family members provide at least one meal in a pot luck style. Everyone can bring snacks to share on game night. Game night can consist of family oriented games and cards. You can have family contests or have a family talent show.

Make sure someone is available to capture all the fun on film. Before the reunion you may want to contact some older members of the family and ask if they could start putting together a family history. At the reunion you can find even more fun facts, add photos and send a finished history book to every family at a later date. Calculate the cost including postage and have families sign up and prepay for the book.

Family reunions do not needed to be dreaded events that are only for the over seventy set. With a little planning, family reunions can be times to have fun, get reacquainted and enjoy time together.

I am the source.

For more information on Reunions visit http://www.reunionsinfo.com/reunions

Electric Blankets Or A Hot Water Bottle

Writen by John Gibb

Winter nights can be very, very cold – so cold, in some places, that no matter how many blankets and quilts you put over yourself, you never seem to get any warmer. The solution to the problem, of course, is to snuggle yourself under an electrically heated blanket: just plug it in, and keep warm. Seems easy enough, right?

Well, not really. Unfortunately, electric blankets have got something of a negative reputation. As recently as a decade ago, they had a tendency to injure their users, by causing electric shocks, burns or even fires. Older electric fires are still causing thousands of fires a year today, and people who can't feel heat can still be burned even by safer modern electric blankets.

Used carefully, however, electric blankets can be safe, as long as you make sure to buy a new one (never buy one second hand) and check that you are sensitive enough to heat to feel if it gets too hot. You may also consider simply using the electric blanket to warm the bed up before you get into it, but not actually sleeping underneath the electric blanket, instead unplugging and removing it before you go to bed. Make extra sure that the blanket never gets wet, and that you don't use it together with any other blankets. Finally, you should replace the electric blanket every few years, or sooner if it starts to look like it is in bad condition.

For many people, though, having to deal with all these risks to use such a simple thing seems too much trouble. The best and most common alternative to the electric blanket is probably the hot water bottle, as hot water bottles cool down rather than getting warmer over time, and can be fitted with special soft covers to avoid burning you. They are also much cheaper.

John Gibb is the owner of electric blanket resources, For more information on electric blankets please check out http://www.electric-blanket-sources.info

Hospital in Tennessee Thailand Hotels

Should Mom Move Closer

Writen by Molly Shomer

Things to Think About Before You Relocate Your Elderly Parent

Your home is now miles and hours away from your parent. The best thing would be to move Mom or Dad closer...or would it? There are a lot of reasons why it might make sense to relocate an aging parent closer to the rest of the family.

But, before you suggest a move, give it some serious thought. Be sure that this move would really be the best thing for all of you. Once you have made the commitment to relocate, it will be next to impossible to undo.

Following are some important things to think about before you make the decision to relocate an older person:

1. Can my elder get along without me (at least for a while?)

   • If my elderly parent don't depend on me for regular assistance now, can the move wait until I have had a chance to learn about local elder resources here?

   • If I am working long hours, how much will I be able to assist my parent after the move?

   • Who will select, pack, or sell possessions? Will a house have to be sold?

2. Social Life

   • Is my elder confident enough to venture out and to make new friends in a strange place? Will s/he be leaving a good network of supportive friends?

   • If my aging parent is driving on familiar streets now, will s/he be able and safe to do so on unfamiliar territory, where the traffic may be much heavier? Is transportation available, or will I have to be the chauffeur?

3. Important Medical Questions

   • Does my elder have a long and close relationship with current physicians? Can we find equivalent physicians who will treat an elderly person? Many specialists, in particular, have reduced or closed their Medicare practices.

   • Will health insurance transfer to this area? HMOs are geographically limited.

   • Will the climate be a concern?

4. Financial Issues

   • Is the new cost of living affordable? Social Security and retirement income will not be adjusted if your parent moves to a place with a higher cost of living.

   • If s/he is currently receiving state benefits or assistance, what will the requirements be to qualify in the new location? Even within the same state, there is often a wait before services resume at a new address.

   • If a house must be sold, what are the financial (tax and other) consequences?

And this is the most important question of all...What does the elder think? If he is competent and able to make his own decisions, does he want to relocate? Will you spend hours of effort and anxiety trying to find the "perfect" answer, only to be told to mind your own business?

© 2002 Molly Shomer, All Rights Reserved. You are free to use this article, in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. Please notify me where the material will appear. The attribution should read:

About The Author By Molly Shomer of The Eldercare Team. Please visit Molly's web site at http://www.eldercareteam.com for more elder care articles and important resources for those who are caring for aging adults." molly@eldercareteam.com

Hospital in Tennessee Thailand Hotels

Kool Aid Stains In Carpet Removing Them

Writen by Steven Gillman

It's not always possible to remove kool aid stains from carpet. All "red stains" are difficult to get out. Red coloring used in pop, candy, and other foods generally doesn't flush out with water. However, if you try the methods used by professional carpet cleaners, you may get that stain out.

First, use a shop-vac to suck some of the kool aid out, if you can get to the stain quickly. This can stop the spill from entering the carpet fibers. Getting out some or all of the remaining stain takes time.

Start with Dawn dishwashing detergent - the original blue type. Add five or six drops to two cups of warm water. Dampen a white cotton cloth with this solution and lay it over the stain. Then place a clothes iron on top of it, set on "low".

Let this sit for fifteen minutes, and don't press down. The red stain will start to wick up into the cloth. You should see red on the cloth. Fold it to use a clean part or apply a new cloth, and repeat the process.

It takes patience to get red stains out of carpet, but even year-old Kool Aid stains have been removed using this method. Repeat the process again and again until there is no more transfer of the red stain to the cloth. Rinse the spot with water, blot it up, and dry it quickly. Quick drying prevents any stain deeper down from wicking up to the surface.

To summarize: use clean white cotton cloth (several), low heat, and don't press or rub. Let the color wick up into the cloth at its own rate, then rinse and dry the area quickly. You can, at the very least, lighten Kool Aid stains and other red stains in carpet using this technique.

Steve Gillman has worked in the carpet cleaning industry for years. For more carpet-care information, and specific stain-by-stain removal instructions, visit http://www.HowToRemoveCarpetStains.com

Hospital in Tennessee Thailand Hotels

Home The Place To Be

Writen by Michael Ming

Yes all is quiet at 10 o'clock on a mild Monday night in Brisbane Queensland. We have an over-crowded home (not as bad as some) but when you share a room with a 16-year-old nephew in your own mortgaged home that's overcrowded in my book.

One year in the future they will all leave (my brother's family). The two I will miss the most will be my 19-year-old niece and my grand nephew Zach. Now it's Zach I want to tell you about.

Zach was exactly 14 months old on the 19th November 2006. I've seen him on every one of those 425 days and I love him to bits. He is healthy and intelligent. A devil of a conspirator and one that brings that special ray of sunshine on the dullest day.

Did I say conspirator? Yes I did. It's true. An example is the time he sneaked up and plopped his toast into his grandfather's drink and laughed and laughed at his own cleverness. Another example. He is known to deliberately ignore me when I'm trying to get his attention, then turns and has a loud giggle at his cheekiness. The deepness in those sparkling blue eyes are his mainstay- a future lady killer if there ever was one.

But the most enjoyable, the most lovable moment now is when he stands and you hold out your arms and he runs towards you with that wonderful laughter and hugs you close as a strong embrace ensues. That is the sweetest time of all.

Hospital in Tennessee Thailand Hotels

Building Your Log Cabin Home 10 Things To Consider

Writen by Theresa Sontag

When someone mentions they live in a log cabin home, it invokes pictures of firelight playing across walls of wood, with massive beams overhead dancing in and out of the shadows. A cozy rug before the fireplace, with cushy, wood trimmed, rustic furniture. Large picture windows showing picturesque scenes of a mountain valley, or in winter, snow blanketing the ground, with firs standing green and tall.

This is log cabin life as we picture it and is a dream desired by many. Unfortunately, it remains a dream for many. But it need not remain only a dream. More and more people are fulfilling their ambition of owning, building or renting their log cabin home. Whether that log home is set in a tranquil wood or perched upon a rural hillside, the yearning of a peaceful serene setting is becoming more of a need for people as a way to escape our twenty-first century, technology driven existence.

So, how do you start? Here are 10 things to consider before building your perfect log cabin home.

First - Decide where you will be building your home. The size of the lot or acreage will determine square footage and much more. Consider your wants and needs, such as privacy and determining window placement with regard to maximizing your best views.

Second - Check out different log cabin home plans. There are a number of sites which sell plans. Also a number of log cabin plan books that allow you to search for the right one to maximize the footprint on your lot. There are also a number of builders who specialize in building log cabin homes that you can check out. The internet is a great place to search for log cabin home plans.

Third - Determine whether you will be building your dream home yourself or hiring a builder. Get quotes from several builders. Also, if hiring it done, be sure and ask for testimonials, check with the local builders association for unresolved issues and basically, do your homework.

Fourth - Do you want handcrafted logs (round logs and chinking) or milled logs (logs that are uniform in shape, with logs cut to fit together, such as with a tongue-and-groove or Swedish cope).

Fifth - An important consideration is getting water and sewer to your log cabin home. Some choices would be pumping water into a tank, drilling for water, hooking up to county or city water. Don't forget estimates for well digging and septic installation if your home cannot be connected to community water and sewer.

Sixth - Building Permits and Inspections - Probably the most intimidating part of building your own house is the permit process. Not only do the the requirements vary from county to county, but at times the decisions made seem so subjective that we find ourselves seething in frustration. However, permits and inspections are a necessary step, and they are in place predominately for your protection.

Seventh - How will you heat and cool your log cabin? Hydronic, or hot water, heating has is seeing a surge in popularity at present, mainly because of the increasing use of radiant floor heating, which is known for providing even, comfortable heat. Customers willing to invest in a quality hot-air system, rather than a bare-bones hydronic package at the lowest price, will find that forced hot air can be as comfortable as hydronic heating. Unfortunately, if the heating system is hot water and the home owner doesn't spend the extra up front to cool their home, their finished home may be still too expensive to add the cooling system later and probably impossible to even install without doing even more expensive and inconvenient remodeling to accommodate such an install. So be sure to investigate extensively your options, because it can be expensive to choose wrongly!

Eighth - Get quotes from electricians, plumbers, masons, roofers, excavators and even landscapers. If you can do some (or all) of this yourself, great. If not, you need to know what the expenses here will run.

Ninth - An important consideration is your foundation. Do you want a full foundation or a slab? With a full foundation you will need to do a lot of digging. Be sure to budget the cost of an excavator. You will also need to know how far down the footings and the wall should go. Be sure and check with the local building inspector.

Tenth - Financing! This should be approached after you have investigated the above steps. Before you apply for the construction loan, you must get all your quotes in order. Banks are not happy about increasing the amount of money you ask for. Be sure to account for all the sub-contractors (plumbers, masons, electricians, excavators, landscapers), the well and septic, the windows and roof, the painters, and even the grass seed. Your mortgage representative will expect you to have a handle on all your financial needs

Basically, the above list might seem a little daunting. Remember, you have access to building contractors, house plans, land, materials and financing. You can build your dream home yourself. However, if ability and time are lacking, just hire a General Contractor to put it all together and present it to to you, with a markup in cost, of course!

Theresa Sontag makes it easy to investigate building or renting a log cabin home. To learn more, visit her Log Cabin Home Site for expert advice saving you hours and days of effort.

Hospital in Tennessee Thailand Hotels

Christmas Gift Wrapping

Writen by Christain Cullen

If you are looking for a great way to make your gift stand out and look extra special, one of the best ways to accomplish this goal is with gift wrapping. Many people that give gifts realize that how a gift is wrapped is half the battle. You wouldn't want to receive a gift in a paper bag no matter what the contents, so making sure your gifts look great and ready for opening is an important step in gift giving.

Professional gift wrapping

For many people that have lots of gifts to give or are horrible at gift wrapping, professional gift wrapping services are available. Many gift wrapping services have plenty of great looking gift wrap paper and accessories such as bows, trim and trinkets that can be added to a box, bag or basket. Professional gift wrapping usually costs from a couple of dollars to about $20 for high end gift wrapping paper and accessories.

Do it yourself gift wrapping

You don't always need a professional to gift wrap your gift, you can easily find all the trim, paper and boxes that will make your gift stand out. Many people enjoy creating the perfect wrapped gift and for many people that receive a wonderful gift wrapped gifts, they usually also keep the paper and trinkets attached to it.

This article may be used only in its entirety with all links included and was brought to you by Christain Cullen who is a successful webmaster and writer. For more information on Christmas Gift Ideas and Christmas Information why not visit our christmas pages.

Hospital in Tennessee Thailand Hotels