How to Decorate Your House - for Almost No Cost!

Everyone wants to have a home like those featured in Architectural Digest, but if you're like most, your finances will not allow for it. There are, however, several approaches to decorating and designing that you can take without breaking the bank.

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for brightening up a room, or even changing it completely. Having a room professionally painted can be pricey, however, depending on the contractor hired and the type of services provided. Rather than hiring someone, painting is a skill that is easily acquired and can even be fun to do. While it may be time consuming, it is not a difficult skill to master. A roller, pan and brush set will cost about $10.00, and a gallon of paint between $20.00 and $30.00. Add in some extra money for spackle to fill any cracks or nail holes, some primer or a base coat, drop cloths and paint remover. If you figure on two gallons of paint, depending on the room's square footage, you could have a white-walled room turn a beautiful hunter green for less than $150.00 all told! In the end, you will be left with a freshly painted, new look and the pride of having done it yourself.

Another way to save money decorating is to shop the yard sales. Sound silly? It's not. Springtime is a great time to do this, as many people are cleaning out their closets and putting things in the yard that they no longer want or they simply don't have room for. You've heard the saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure?" This can be your opportunity for treasure hunting! How many times while shopping have you stepped into an expensive boutique or gallery, just to window shop, and while browsing spotted the ‘perfect' oversized vase for your floor, or a really odd sculpture or ironwork that would be just right for your living room? Yard sales are full of these type items! Because proud homeowners re-decorate every few years, they put perfectly good (and pricey!) merchandise out for sale to the highest bidder. If you do not live in the suburbs, you can still take advantage of these type sales at your local flea market on a Saturday morning or the market on your block.

Want a completely FREE solution? Move some furniture! Not only can you change the look of your home by moving furniture within a room, you can even get creative and change the actual rooms themselves. Why not? If you have a large spare bedroom on the second floor that you have been using for a guest room, why not make this into your growing toddler's bedroom and convert his or her room to the less used, smaller guest room? If you have a family room and a living room that are approximately the same size but in opposite areas of your home, why not simply reverse the floor plan? You would be amazed at the difference this can make in livening up a house that has become stale in the decorating department. If this seems too drastic for you or you don't have the extra rooms, even moving furniture within a room can be a completely cost-free way to renovate.

Who says decorating has to be on the inside of the house only? The first impression you and your guests will have is of the outside of your home. Many people spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars in landscaping, when this cost can be cut significantly by doing your own outdoor gardening, planting and decorating. Rather than having a master plan scoped out by a professional, get creative and think of what colors and types of plants you enjoy looking at and what will grow well in your environment. It is then just a matter of buying the soil, plants, potters, and perhaps some decorative stones to lay around the new plants. This process will not be cost-free, but will be significantly less money to do it yourself than to hire a landscaper. It will also be a great excuse to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and get some exercise! You can think of the colors you like most, and start with plants in those color schemes. Consider whether you like low-lying plants, or whether you may need to shade certain areas of your property. If so, perhaps you can consider strategic tree planting, so that you have beautiful and mature trees down the road that otherwise would have cost a fortune to have put in. Stones can be relatively inexpensive depending on where you get them and what type they are, yet they can beautify a garden, walkway, path or planted area tremendously. This is something you can add to your landscaping creation as well.

Whether indoors or out, you don't have to break the bank to have a beautiful home. A bit of creativity and a few dollars can go a long way to making the home of your dreams if you take advantage of these few simple suggestions.

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Too Many Home Improvement Decisions and Not Enough Answers-The Home Improvement Success System.

We have all heard of a homeowner getting ripped off or having a bad experience/poor end result doing a home improvement project. Home improvement complaints rank at the top every year at the Better Business Bureau and Government Consumer Affair Agencies. As I see it, the basic problem is that homeowners are not prepared to make the many “choices” involved in a home improvement project. Homeowners cannot be expected to know all the right decisions and all the necessary preventative items and provisions that will insure their project will be “problem-free”.

This is not to say that there is not “advice” out there to help homeowners complete their projects, but this advice is normally very broad in nature. For example, most literature will tell you to,” Make sure you hire someone that has a license and insurance.” That is really good advice, but what type of license and what type of insurance are we talking about? What type of insurance liability amounts are appropriate? $25,000, $100,000, $250,000? Is a landscaper’s license sufficient to build an outside cabana? My point is that there are just too many questions and too many decisions, both big and small, to rely on basic how to advice.

All homeowners interested in doing a home improvement project need to start off with a detailed blueprint or system that shows them exactly what to do in all phases of the project. This system needs to detail how to avoid “poor” home improvement situations. It also should be able to be used with any project, big or small.

The Home Improvement Success System accomplishes this. This system covers a variety of topics that one encounters when attempting a home improvement project. This system includes an easy to follow screening procedure to evaluate candidates to do your project. The Home Improvement Success System also includes all the clauses and terms you need to add to a home improvement agreement (contract). This will insure that the project is done without the usual problems that most people encounter when they sign a poor agreement. (Worker’s not showing up, poor or no communication, jobsite behavior, costly unforeseen problems, project delays, job site conditions, responsibility and storage of materials, etc, etc, etc)

This sixty-two page system tells you exactly what to do every step of the way. Here is the system’s table of contents, along with an excerpt about meeting a candidate for the first time.

The Home Improvement Success System

Table of Contents

About the Author

Preface

STEP I Defining Your Project and Budget

What is a Home Improvement?

Project File Folder

Items to Consider Before Starting a

Project

Categories of Work

Financing

Large Project or Small Project

STEP II Deciding On Who Does the Project

and Under What Circumstances

Thinking About Doing the Project

Yourself?

Types of Contractors

Being Your “Own General Contractor”

Why You Should Not Hire Just Anybody

for Your Home Improvement Project

Hiring a Friend or Neighbor?

Where to Find Home

Improvement Candidates

I Warn Homeowners to Avoid

Candidates Who

Come Looking For You

A Word on Anyone

That Comes Looking For You

5 Steps To Evaluating Home

Improvement Candidates

STEP 1

Check License & Better

Business Bureau Record

STEP 2

Making Phone Contact

STEP 3

Candidate Interview

Large Company or Small Company

STEP 4

Contacting References

STEP 5

Evaluating Your Candidates

Case Study-Kitchen Remodel

Preparing a Contract

Contract Sample

Change Orders

Building Permits & CO’s

STEP III Production of Your Project

Project File

Punch Lists

If Problems Arise

Forms and Self Test

Self-Test

Project Specification Sheet

Estimate Form

Waiver of Lien Sample

Right of Rescission Sample

Candidate Evaluation Sheet

Example of Labor Warranty

Conclusion

Here is an excerpt from The Home Improvement Success System that describes what you and your candidate need to bring to your first meeting.

“Ask the candidate to bring these items to your first meeting:

• Copy of their license and insurances.

• Pictures of projects similar to yours.

• Names, addresses and phone numbers (depending on the type of project) of at least 5 large projects completed within the last 2 years, or 15 smaller projects completed within the last 2 years.

• Names, licenses and insurance information of any subcontractors they use.

• Brochures of any products they recommend.

You need to bring these items with you to the first meeting:

• All the people involved in making the decision on who to hire.

• Project Specification Sheet- (Page 47), plans, diagrams and Estimate Form-(Page 49)

• Survey of Property (larger projects)

• Lot # (larger projects)

• Pictures of your house, if meeting at candidate’s office.

• Your Home Improvement File Folder with pictures of other projects similar to what you are looking to do.

Step 3 Candidate Interview

Just as you expect the individual to be prepared, you should be prepared as well. Try to obtain as much information about your project as possible and put it in your Home Improvement File Folder. Your goal is to paint the clearest picture you can into the mind of the candidate you are interviewing, so they know what you are looking to do and what you expect of them. Good candidates will also be able to supply you with additional information and insight into your project.

Keep a written record of the responses and comments you receive from each candidate. (It becomes very easy to forget which candidate said what.) Use the Candidate Evaluation Sheet supplied with this system (Page 56) to record your information.

When you first meet the candidate, give a brief description of what you are looking to do. Begin asking the following questions. (Do not initially spend a lot of time reviewing your project until you are satisfied with the answers to the questions you ask)

Whether it is an architect, designer, contractor or other don’t be afraid to ask all the questions that you need to ask. Take control of the initial meeting. Remember you are interviewing the candidate not the other way around. These following questions need to be answered before you can proceed with anything else. I have included the types of answers you would receive from a well qualified candidate.”

I would like to say that this system addresses every single question or problem that could ever occur with any home improvement projectÂ…Â…Â…but that couldn’t possibly be true. However the only way to get access to this system is when you become a member of The Home Improvement Success Club of America™(www.homeimprovementsuccess.com) Membership to this club includes a web forum, chat room, teleseminars, teleclasses, phone consultations, and contract/estimate evaluations. These additional club items are designed to answer questions or concerns members may have, that the system may not address.

Having been a home improvement contractor has given me the insight into to putting together a system and club that works for anyone doing a home improvement project. I truly hope that after you read this article you stop by and visit The Home Improvement Success Club of America™ website at http://www.homeimprovementsuccess.com and see all the benefits the club could bring to your next home improvement project.

The Home Improvement Success Club of America™
http://www.homeimprovementsuccess.com
e-mail-info@homeimprovementsuccess.com
P.O. Box 653
Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: 631-360-7722
Fax: 631-361-3582

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Should You Hire One Of The Fire Restoration Companies Or Do Cleanup Yourself?

Fire is a devastating thing that can happen to any family and if it does, then the cleanup process needs to be done right away. Before this can be accomplished, you have to decide whether to hire one of the fire restoration companies do it for you.

Before you can make this important decision, you have to understand why cleanup has to be done right away and why it is necessary that it is done right.

The following are the main reasons that fire damage can't be ignored if you want to get your home back to normal as soon as possible.

1. Fire is the cause of other damages besides burning. The smoke that goes with it can also cause damage to your walls and belongings. Structural damage is also an issue when a fire happens.

This needs to be repaired right away so your home is safe to live in.

2. Smoke and fire damage requires more cleanup than just washing down the walls. Smoke can get into hard surfaces like your floors and walls and can linger for years if it is not treated correctly and quickly.

The experts have the equipment that will help rid your home of the smoke damage that will be left behind in your house. This is something that most people will not have a way to access.

It is essential that the smoke is cleaned up right so that you can get rid of all traces of the fire from your home.

3. Soot also causes damage that need to be cleaned up. It can coat a lot of different surfaces and it needs to be cleaned off using special equipment. This will eliminate the smells the fire left behind and any soot.

Again, getting access to special equipment for fire cleanup is not easy for individuals to do, but for the professionals it is easy.

One thing to realize is that if the soot is not cleaned up right, then you may end up having to replace whatever items it is on and this can get to be very expensive.

4. Structural damage is a problem that many people don't know how to repair. This damage has to be done right or other problems could occur.

Professionals already have the knowledge and skills that will allow them to do it correctly. If you don't know how to do it, then you would have to take time to learn and this can delay cleanup which is definitely not good.

Now that you understand why cleanup needs to be done right away and done right from the start; you just need to decide if this is something you want to attempt yourself or if you prefer to let the professional fire restoration companies handle it for you. Just don't take too long to decide because cleanup needs to start immediately to be done right.

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Decorating the Interior of your Caravan or Motorhome

Is there more thrilling and personal way to travel the countryside than going in style with a caravan or motor-home? You get the excitement of the open road while enjoying all the comforts of home. Some people enjoy a nice hotel room but you have to admit they lack a personal touch and you can't take it with your at your next holiday lodges destination. The only complaint I've heard from people about caravans is the stereotypical 70's décor image we all have. Thankfully, it is something which can be fixed.



Redesigning the interior of your caravan couldn't be easier. The small amount of space means a minimal, clutter free style is probably the way to go. I prefer simple darks yet stylishly colors, especially in a carpet. Go for contemporary looks and colors that don't need constant cleaning. Some people found vinyl flooring works great at some of the muddier holiday parks UK since it can be wiped clean in seconds.



I think some of the best looking caravans have pattern free walls and are light in shade. White is often little too much so instead use an off-white or neutral but warm tones like egg-white or butterscotch. Mirrors add the feeling of more space to walls and doors. Think about adding a roller-blind because of its simple design and ease of maintenance. Total blackout blinds are a good choice for those of you looking to sleep in on your holiday homes stay.



Another way to get some more enjoyment during your holiday parks vacation is to dress up your caravan with small touches of home like clocks, picture frames, and furnishings such as cushions and bedspreads from a spare bedroom. Choose one bright color as your accent color then use it throughout the rest of items in your caravan. This creates a unique look and also increases the feeling of space. Try not to add too many colors since it give the appearance of clutter. Try to spread the color to other rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom with towels, hand-towels and bathmats all in the same shade.



When it comes to the kind of furniture, I would spend some extra money on items with multiple uses. This saves money in the long run and also gives you more room within the caravan. Recently, I just purchased a couch-bed which also contains storage space in the body so I can keep the bedding in during the daytime. It saves a great deal of room.

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About Pine Needle Baskets and How to Use Them in Your Home Decor

Have you ever had the pleasure of strolling through a forest covered with fragrant pine needles? Can you imagine those pine needles being crafted into a basket, tray, or sculpture? In this article, you will discover the brief history of pine needle baskets and how to use these beautiful and fragrant works of art in your home decor.

Pine needle basketry has most likely existed for as long as pine trees and people have shared the earth. Historical references do not indicate when pine needles were first used in baskets. However, due to the availability of pine needles in their area, Seminole Indians of South Florida are noted to be the first pine needle basket makers. The Seminole Indians used a bone or shell needle to sew bundles of pine needles together with fern roots, sisal, or swamp grass. Some of the baskets were used for feed baskets, to carry water, and for winnowing seeds.

Modern pine needle basketry is noted to have begun during the Civil War times (1861-1865) when Mrs. M.J. McAfee of Southern Georgia used pine needles that she bound together with cotton thread to replace a worn hat for her father. She claimed to be the originator of pine needle basketry as we know it today.

In the present day, pine needle baskets are most often created using the coiling technique, which is one of the oldest and most universal methods of basket making. The basket is created by coiling and stitching one continuous bundle of pine needles around and on top of the row below. The foundation of the basket is formed with a bundle of pine needles bound together with various fibers such as raffia, split roots, birch paper, yucca, sinew, embroidery thread, yarn or waxed linen thread. Decorative stitches and wrapping techniques are often used to make the basket strong as well as add an attractive element. The most common stitches used are the straight wheat stitch, spiral wheat stitch, fern stitch, popcorn stitch, diamond stitch, the Indian wrap, and numerous knot stitches.

The pine needles come from a variety of different pine trees, such as Jeffrey Pine, Long Needle Pine, Monterey Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Bill Pine, and Gray Pine. The pine needles are gathered from the newly fallen top layer on the forest floor or picked from a fallen tree or limb and chosen based on their flexibility and length. Once the pine needles have been collected, they are carefully washed, cured, and then stored until use.

The natural colors of the pine needles can be used or the needles themselves can be dyed. Embellishments such as colored threads, buttons, beads, nut slices, and cones are often used to enhance the pine needle basket or project.

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10 Tips to keep your cleaning staff motivated

In any cleaning operation the cleaning supervisor or company owner is probably the most important person who can motivate cleaning crews to take pride in their work. But how one can motivate, instruct, communicate and lead the cleaning staff?



In every job that I have had from cleaning floors to managing teams across the nation - I have used motivation to drive high performance and results from my teams and myself.

Motivating and leading is what I love to do.



Often time cleaning company owner face the problems keeping his supervisors and cleaning crew member motivated. Cleaning crew member start outs doing a great job from the first day, but when cleaning company owner starts trusting him, his performance goes downhill.



This makes the company owner to think how can he motivate, instruct, communicate and lead the cleaning staff to have the same interest that one do have as a owner?



Here are some basic tips for the cleaning business owner to motivate their crew members:



1. Find out the strengths and weaknesses.

2. Praise them for their "strong" points and reward them publicly.

3. Identify their weak points and encourage them for improvement.

4. Give them recognition as things happen.

5. Provide interactive discussions, fast paced meetings, and up to date equipments.

6. Emphasize on the importance of taking breaks.

7. Bring in temporary help to support your team during peak workloads.

8. Offer competitive salaries and commissions

9. Maintain a sense of humor and friendly relationship with your staff.

10. Conduct a staff interest survey to see if they are in the most appropriate position.



Whether you are looking to energize your cleaning supervisor, manager or crew members these 10 tips will work for you. But you must need to realize that no one will ever do things just like you.



Investing a little or more time in motivating your cleaning staff is the raw material of personal energy that makes every person and every organization successful. De-motivation or poor moral is a cancer and can infect a lot of people and yourself too in your organization.



So, keep motivating your employees.





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Author's Bio:



This article has been provided courtesy of Areal Building Services Inc, http://www.areal.ca/, a janitorial cleaning service company specializing in janitorial services, building cleaning maintenance services, property management services, and post construction cleaning services in Calgary, Edmonton for more than 20 years.

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How Long Does The Average Roof Last ?

The average life of a roof is approximately fifteen years. If the roof is under fifteen years old yet you are having problems, it will likely be able to get repaired as opposed to having to install a completely new roof. However, if your roof exceeds this age it may be necessary to install a new roof. To accomplish either repairs or new installs, a roofing contractor should be employed. A Atlanta roofing contractor will be able to properly install or repair roofing materials to ensure a quality finished product.

Before hiring a roofer it is always wise to get recommendations from friends or family. Whether or not you have recommendations, get several quotes before determining the roofer to hire. A quote should be detailed and include the work to be done, cost, and time-frame for completion. Be sure clean up is included in the quoted price. If you want to save some money, offer to do the cleanup yourself.

Ask the roofer how long they have been in business. Any Atlanta Roofer with many years experience are preferable. Also, make sure they have a physical address. Many roofing scams are conducted by people working out of a truck with no valid business license or permanent address. Ask for references and check them. Roofers should be properly insured. Ask for proof of insurance to be sure you are protected from any damage to your home.

Atlanta Roofing repairs and new roofs may require specific building permits. Make sure the company you work with is familiar with local building codes and that they obtain proper licenses or permits. Most locations also require inspections during certain phases of construction and a final inspection when the work is complete. Check your local building codes to ensure the roofer is complying with all regulations. You may be liable if this does not occur.

Before starting the project get a contract. This should include all the details of the project, time frame for completion, and price. It should clearly outline payment policies and warranties. Read the warranty carefully to make sure you are adequately protected. Also, be sure the contract states they are responsible for clean up. Roofing materials can be very messy and you do not want to have to clean up and dispose of waste yourself. But keep in mind you can save yourself some money if you choose to tackle the cleanup process yourself.

Never be rushed into hiring a Atlanta roofer. Take the time to interview potential roofers and check experience and references. Atlanta Roofing repairs can be expensive and a new roof is a major investment. Protect your home by doing some research. Hire the roofer who has the best combination of experience and price and with whom you feel most comfortable.

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2 Types Of Air Miles Credit Cards

We all love the idea of air miles credit cards. These credit cards allow us to earn mileage points for every flight that we take. The goal, of course, is to use those miles to get a free flight at some point in the future, allowing customers to effectively take an unplanned vacation. However, the majority of people who have an air miles credit card don’t actually ever end up getting this free vacation. That’s usually because they don’t understand the two different types of air miles credit cards that exist and how one might be better than the other for their flying style.

Airline-Sponsored Credit Cards

The first kind of air miles credit card is the card which is sponsored by a specific airline. This means that you earn miles every time that you use that card to purchase a flight on that specific airline. This is great for people who are committed to flying on the same airline. It’s also great for business travelers who work with companies that always fly to and from the same locations. However, airline-sponsored air miles credit cards hinder people who try to get the best deal on the flights that they take. That’s because deals differ by airline at any given time so the one that works on your card may not be the one that’s offering the best rate. This means that you have to choose between paying a higher rate now in order to get miles on your air miles credit card or paying the lower rate but not being able to get mileage points.

Bank-Sponsored Credit Cards

To resolve this dilemma, many people turn to bank-sponsored air miles credit cards. These credit cards are designed to offer more flexibility in choosing the airlines that you work with. Instead of being saddled to one airline, you are able to get the best deals on flights and let the mileage accumulate across different airlines (all on one card). This sounds ideal – and for some people it might be – but consumers should be aware that the benefits of bank-sponsored air miles credit cards are often not as extensive as those cards sponsored by an airline.

Choosing an Air Miles Credit Card

Because there are different types of air miles credit cards to choose from, it can be difficult to make a final decision. The first thing that you need to know is that a decision must be made. It defeats the purpose to have more than one air miles credit card because this causes your points to end up in separate places and your rewards to come in too slowly. After making a decision about whether to look at airline-sponsored or bank-sponsored air miles credit cards, you can start to look at more specific details of the cards that are offered. Interest rates, fees and the other things that are normally reviewed before completing any credit card application should be taken into consideration when choosing an air miles credit card. The decision can be difficult but it’s worth taking the time to make it correctly.

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Do You Have the Right Kind of Renters Insurance?

Many people are oblivious to the fact that they have insufficient renters insurance to replace their personal possessions in the result of a disaster or legal proceedings. They may perhaps sleep easy at night assuming that they are fully covered against future occurrences, but will be unpleasantly stunned when an unanticipated event happens and demolishes their complete nest egg. It's not good enough to merely buy renters insurance online that will cover the property replacement price.

Generally speaking, landlords possess insurance that protects the tangible apartment or home itself, but do not have insurance against any loss or damage that might happen to a renter's possessions. Additionally, they typically do not have insurance that will cover damage by a tenant to the apartment or home that is being rented. It is crucial to purchase your own renter's insurance if you want to be fully protected.

Renters insurance covers damages or loss for explicitly named risks to your possessions when you rent a home or apartment rather than own. It can protect your possessions against burglary, fire, vandalism, flooding, earthquake, or a liability lawsuit. Regrettably, many people assume their landlord has insurance policies that will cover lost or damaged personal possessions, or believe that any and all renters insurance policies will routinely cover these items. If you want to be covered for all possible calamities you should know several issues about getting renters insurance online.

Typical renter's insurance, often known as tenant insurance, will typically cover things like loss or damage from theft, fire damage from defective electrical wiring, explosions, smoke, vandalism, electrical surge damage, water-related damage from plumbing problems or home appliance malfunctions, weather-related damage, and other potential hazards.

Renter's insurance policies will usually reimburse for damages up to the highest amount of policy limits for material goods such as clothing, furniture, electronic equipment, computer paraphernalia, and to some degree jewelry, silverware, and other high-priced objects. Unfortunately, not all policies will cover every item or every cause of loss. It's a good idea that you specifically mention to your agent all of your property that you want fully covered so these specific items can be integrated into the policy if they do not come standard.

A good number of people take too lightly the worth of their personal property and buy an insufficient amount of coverage for replacement due to the fact that they undervalue their property. If someone buys a TV for $1,300 it may be worth just $300 after a few years. When obtaining renter's insurance you typically want to insure your material goods for their replacement value and not their current worth. In this situation you would want to get insurance protection that will be enough to replace your high-priced TV set which may now cost a lot more than it did when you purchased it.

In addition to obtaining renters insurance for replacing objects that were broken, ruined, or stolen, you need to consider obtaining liability insurance. This kind of insurance will protect you if someone visiting your home gets hurt. You can buy a policy that will cover your visitor's medical expenses along with any legal expenses or compensation that can sometimes arise should you be sued. Without this kind of protection there is a possibility that you could lose your entire assets including savings accounts (nest eggs), stocks, bonds, and other items.

It is quite simple to obtain renters insurance online that will supply you with good coverage for less than $20 each month, so there is almost no reason to place yourself in jeopardy of losing thousands of dollars since the cost of coverage is so small. Buying coverage that can shield you in case of a disaster is a very small price to pay for the peace of mind it will bring you.

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Soundproofing a Garage or Basement for a Rock 'n' Roll band

This is by far the most asked question at Soundproofing America Inc. How do I soundproof my garage, basement, or a bedroom in my single family house or condo so my 4 piece rock band can practice and record and not bother the neighbors. If I had a dollar for every time I was asked this question, I would be in the Bahamas right now, instead of writing this narrative.

Many factors need to be considered prior to beginning your studio or practice room-soundproofing project. Some of the questions you should be asking yourself are, what type of amplification will the band be using, are the drums going to be acoustic and miked or are they digital. Are we going to be recording live late at night or are we going to be doing "line in" recording only? These questions and many more need to be considered before the actual construction begins.

If live recording and rehearsal are the plan, then maximum soundproofing will be needed. The most effective way to soundproof a garage, basement, or bedroom is to actually construct a room within a room (see www.auralex.com) and download the booklet "Acoustics 101" this is a wonderful resource for the home studio builder. Their ideas are solid and pertinent to and studio soundproofing project.

The room within a room concept utilizes the sealed dead air space that is captured between the inner walls and the outer walls to help greatly with the soundproofing endeavor. It is probably easiest to frame the walls on the floor and then tilt them up into place thus making dry walling the outside of the walls much easier. It is also highly recommended that another ceiling be joisted out for the room within a room, however, this is oft times impossible due to space constraints. In this case, the existing ceiling and ceiling joists may be used as the ultimate ceiling for the studio, provide that it is adequately soundproofed with materials such as the American vinyl or a combination of American mat and American vinyl. I will elaborate on these materials, as we get further into this study.

Once the walls are framed out and the right amount of "Dead air space" is determined, then it is time to install the soundproofing

The first order of business is to consider what needs to be done to the wall cavities prior to installing a barrier and finally the wallboard. I like to line the inside cavities with a closed cell vinyl nitrile foam mat such as American Mat. This mat (generally ¼" thickness) is adhered to the inside cavity walls as well as the studs and joists (if these areas are opened up) Keep in mind that the American Mat is used to line the cavities only, not to fill them up. If thermal insulation is needed, use products such as rock wool, mineral wool, cut wool fibers, or my favorite, Roxul.

Roxul is a great thermal rock wool based bat type insulation that has great soundproofing qualities. If thermal insulation is a requirement for the practice room or studio, then Roxul is the way to go.

Now we come to a crossroads, it is time to determine if decoupling the walls using resilient channels or American Sound clips is a necessity. De coupling is used when impact transmission or low frequency noise is a factor. Impact would come primarily from the drums (acoustic type) or the bass amplifier. However, if the band is using Marshall high powered amps (50 watt Plexies with 4 X 12 cabinets for example) along with miked acoustic drums and an Ampeg bass system, then decoupling is most likely necessary. These methods and procedures will be explained in later narratives or can found by calling Soundproofing America on our toll free line.

If decoupling were determined to be unnecessary, then the next step would be to find a good barrier material such as American vinyl (which is a high grade mass loaded vinyl barrier). This barrier could be stapled directly to the studwork on a wall assembly or directly to the joists. This is a method that is used if cost or space constraints are factors. If the barrier material is to be stapled directly to the stud or joist framing then it is essential that the seams be over lapped, caulked (using OSI acoustical caulking compound) and taped with either a lead tape or a heavy-duty seam tape. These can also be had from American Soundproofing Inc.

Once these areas are treated with the Mass Loaded vinyl (MLV) then it time to decide whether or not it is necessary to float the walls and ceiling to prevent the impact and heavy bass sounds from passing through the solidly barriered walls and ceiling. For more information on ceiling and wall floats, please call the toll free number.

The last step for your home studio is to layer over the mass loaded vinyl barrier with a fresh layer of 5/8" fire code drywall or sheet rock. It is always advisable to butter the edges of the last layer of drywall with the acoustical caulk. You'll want to gain every STC (sound transmission class) point you can when trying to make your new studio as quiet as possible. Finally you will tape mud and paint the new drywall. We here at Soundproofing America Inc. are also musicians and we understand the plight of our fellow players. Please feel free to call us anytime for free studio soundproofing advice. We're here to help; it's not about making money off our fellow musician friends.

www.soundproofingamerica.com

www.massloadedvinyl.com

Call Toll free (877) 530-0139

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Tips On Job Interviewing To Help You Land That Job

The first impression is everything. That is the key to remember when you go to your first interview. Many just think of the job interviewing process as one huge game. The first meeting is the make it or break it session. If you don't give them a reason to want to hire you, then they aren't even going to give you the time of day. So, you need some tips to ensure that you make them say that you are the woman or man fit for the job.

The first thing that you should do when you go into the interview is to make sure that you have a resume with you. You probably had to send one in when applying for the job, but sometimes they will ask for another one when they meet with you. A good tip is to take a folder with you and have everything you need including updated copies of your resume in that folder so if they ask for it, you are well prepared.

Another tip is to have references with you. Many times they ask for references or if you haven't filled out a professional application, then you are to do so at the interview. Here again, references are mandatory. Keep in mind that with references you don't want to have family members and you want at least two professional people. This means people you have worked for.

Always dress up for the interview. This doesn't mean your Sunday best, but dress for the job. Call and ask what dress attire is requested. It might be business casual. They will be more than happy to tell you. This tells the employer doing the questioning that you are serious and you already take the job seriously.

You want to be at the interview early. You want to leave your house early due to the fact that anything can happen. By being there early, you show them what your work ethic will be like. It means that you know that things can happen and you plan ahead. Many people don't do this, but the rule of thumb is to be there at least ten minutes early.

When you go into the interview, you should be professional. You should greet them with a handshake. You should sit with your back straight; not slouching. You should maintain eye contact. When you go to answer questions, remember to take deep breaths and answer the questions as best as you can.

Remember, in an interview you are basically trying to sell yourself. Talk about your accomplishments. Use your previous job as experience. Then you want to also give them a reason that they almost have to hire you. Many forget to do this. They just don't tell a business why they need them.

At the end, they will ask you if you have any questions. This is the real hard part. Before the interview, you should always have done your research. The thing about it, is that you should have some questions for them. The one question that you will want to stay away from are those pertaining to pay. That is not something you do at the first interview. Any questions that come to mind are welcome at this point. You can discuss benefits and more.

When you leave, you want to thank them for their time. They do lead busy lives. On top of that, do remember who you spoke with. It's okay to ask for their contact information. This is needed because, before you go to the interview you should buy a thank you card and fill it out. Then you want to send it out right after your interview so that you don't forget to send it. This is always something professional. Now you have a better understanding of what can help you get that job that you have been longing for.

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Purchasing A Mustang Skid Steer? Important Things To Know

Copyright (c) 2008 Will Burke



There are many, many options when it comes time to purchase your skid steer. With manufacturers like Mustang, Bobcat, Caterpillar, etc., you may find yourself asking, "Where should I begin?" Here are some things to consider when you think about buying a skid steer.



You first will need to decide whether your needs would be filled by a used unit or if you are at a point that a new unit would be best suitable for your needs, secondly you will need to determine the proper size machine for your application, depending on the type work you do, the largest or highest horsepower machine isn't always the most efficient machine.



You will also need to decide if you were going to set a budget to spend or if you are going to be financing this unit. If you intend to purchase a unit outright, you will need to set your budget realistically. Some of the aggravation may stem from not being able to find a machine in the size range that also fit in the price range you are looking to spend. When shopping for a used unit, you must really pay attention to the unit, sometimes folks will let the glitter blind them, a machine with the best aesthetic value may not always be the best mechanical value. You need to look past shiny paint and new tires, you should do a complete evaluation on the machine, key points to check are as listed below.



1. Look for wear on important hinge points of the machine. Check for abnormal play in pinned joints on the boom lift arm. Check the bucket hinge pins and all bucket and lift cylinder pinned joints, always be sure to check both ends of the hydraulic cylinder ends.



2. Check for broken welds or cracks on structural components of the machine. You will want to inspect the boom lift arm, axle tubes and housings, check around hydraulic cylinder pinned joints. Also, make sure you pay attention to the bucket. If you see multiple post manufacture welds, this may be an indicator that the machine has been used in an abusive manner, such as ramming skid steer into large masses.



3. Check for excessive oil or fuel leaks. Look over engine compartment, if accessible check under the cab of the unit as well. Don't count on finding a used machine that is perfectly dry, but you don't want oil standing in the belly of the unit either. Also keep in mind that just because the a unit has an oil leak doesn't mean the unit has problems, it can be as simple as a lose hose fitting, or a failed



4. Check the steering and drivability of the machine. This could be one of the more important parts of the inspection, due to the nature of the problem these can be a more expensive fix and worse, it could be a safety issue as well. Drive the unit fully engaged forward, check that the machine tracks straight. You will also want to be sure that there isn't a lot of slop in the chain case by driving the machine from reverse to forward and vice verse. When machine is in the neutral position be sure that the unit isn't creeping (still moving), this can be very dangerous as it could run into something or if you are work with laborers it could cause injury.



5. Check for engine wear. Keep in mind most skid steer loaders are powered by diesel engines, much different than conventional gasoline engine. Diesel engines are much louder than gasoline engines, they have a noticeable clatter at lower rpm's.



Diesels may also smoke a little grayish-black smoke when first started or while warming up, this is normal especially in a used unit. Check for power loss under a light load, you may do this simply by driving the machine up a slight incline, the rpm's will drop some but they shouldn't drop more than 50 % of full throttle rpm's just from driving alone. Remember that diesel engines create the most power at lower rpm's under a load. Just because the engine is losing rpm's, that does not necessarily mean your losing power.



6. Lastly, check the overall condition of the machine. This step of the evaluation is important in the sense that you will want a machine that looks professional and you will base a portion of your decision off your findings from this step. If you do purchase a used skid steer, if the paint and decals show a lot of wear, I would highly recommend a good touch up to the paint and replace the decals. This is usually inexpensive and will give your machine a better aesthetic value, especially important if you are a contractor, You want customers to feel confident in the equipment your using to complete their projects.





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Will Burke has been selling skid steers and many different types of construction equipment for the last 9 years. For more information, visit http://www.buyhaydenequip.com.

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Cons and Pros of Kirby Vacuum Cleaner

Kirby is a major manufacturer of home appliances, and first of all, vacuum cleaners. Kirby Vacuum cleaner known to be one of the best among other cleaners. The company doesn’t invest too much money in advertisement to keep product’s prices acceptable for every customer. Despite numerous consumers’ complaints about Kirby Vacuum , it still remains one of the most popular pieces of household electronics.

Kirby Vacuum cleaners come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and each model has various operating modes. Although, the product may seem a bit more expensive than other vacuum cleaners, it is quite successful thanks to high efficiency, reliability and functionality.

If you are going to buy a Kirby Vacuum, you’d better read this article and learn more about advantages and disadvantages of the product.

So, cons include:

1. Kirbys are multifunctional. The majority of them can be used as a canister, portable cleaner, shampooer etc. All the devices are made of aluminium that provides high level reliability. Machines are guarantee good results and, besides, have stylish design, so you will not worry about a huge vacuum spoiling the look of your interior.

2. Kirby Vacuums are reliable. Made of solid and light materials, Kirby guarantees reliability and long term durability.

3. Kirby Vacuum removes pet hair from furniture and carpets. Everyone who has a pet knows how difficult it is to get rid of all the hair on furniture and carpets. Cleaning with a brush is not effective and takes a lot of time, while Kirby, equipped wit ha special pet hairbrush, remove all the hair quickly and easily.

4. Cleaning tiles and laminate is not a problem! Most cleaners leave scratches on hard flooring, while Kirby has small rollers that help to avoid scratching.

5. Carry case. All the accessories for the vacuum cleaner are stored in one case, so you will not lose and find them all the time.

6. Airflow Suction Control Grip. This function allows to control the airflow, so there will not be any sucked in curtains or socks.

But, there are some pros:

1. Kirby Vacuums are quite heavy, so moving them from one place to another is not that easy. Besides, most of them are very noisy when operating. One more fact that may disappoint is that every year Kirby Company produces new model of a vacuum cleaner, so previous models become out of date ones.

2. If your Kirby Vacuum breaks down, be ready to buy very expensive details (as well as Kirby bags).



All Kirby vacuums come with a warranty, so you shouldn’t worry about break down of your device. But don’t forget that each model has its warranty (though, 3-year term of warranty remains the same for all models, which, by the way, is much longer than other brands provide). Not long ago the company released its latest model called the Ultimate G Diamond Edition that is provided with a lifetime warranty.

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Creating New Church Stained Glass Windows

There are a few different types of art glass used in churches today. This article is a discussion of various common types and styles of stained glass art found in religious institutions.

Faceted Glass

Faceted glass consists of approximately one-inch thick dalles of glass cut by hand and broken over an anvil. These pieces of glass are placed in a pattern on a table and a form is set around the perimeter of the panel. Sandy material called granules, are sprinkled between the pieces of glass. The next step is to pour a two-part epoxy resin between the pieces of glass. We then sprinkle another layer of granules over the epoxy resin. Once the epoxy sets, it results in a very strong load-bearing panel. Studios mainly use faceted glass for less complex designs. Faceted glass windows have a higher material costs but require significantly less labor, often making it a more cost effective solution. Faceted glass does not require a protective covering when installed and requires very little maintenance.

Leaded Stained Glass

Windows with little or no painted work are another type of stained glass art that studios commonly use. Leaded glass with little painted work is less labor intensive than fully hand painted stained glass windows. A Studio can design this medium to match most budgets and tastes. (See Step by step – leaded and painted construction below.)

Fully Hand Painted Stained Glass Windows

Hand painted stained glass windows are constructed the same as all leaded glass except that an artist will hand paint each piece of stained glass then fire the piece in a kiln to adhere the paint to the glass.

Painting allows the artist to create levels of detail not possible with the other new window methods. This process is very time consuming; requires a very talented artist; and is a more costly method then the others.

Whether you are constructing a new building or renovating an old one, keeping within a budget is always a concern. It is important to select a stained glass studio that has the versatility to present a variety of designs that are fitting to the church’s architecture and symbolic desires. Correctly designed windows can be achieved using any of the different types of stained glass available and your church should be given examples of each.

Many quality studios will present examples of work that may not be specific to your project. They will usually ask that you hire their company first before providing specific renderings of your new church windows. It is up to the church committee to decide after interviews and reviewing prior examples as well as conducting background checks, if the studios they are considering are competent and easy to work with.

Once the church committee selects the studio they want to work with, the studios’ artist will provide the church with specific renderings for their approval. It is important for the committee to review these renderings and only accept them if they are completely satisfied. This art form makes a large impact on any worship space. Take the time to be sure your selection is something that will satisfy you and your committee for generations to come. In non-painted windows, you should receive a small example of the glass to be used.

The executing artist is gifted and experienced and you need to allow them to complete the creation with some freedom of selection. Too often a great artist was handicapped due to the many influences by the committee, which can often hamper the overall project.

It is important to consider a stained glass studio that is versed in all areas of stained glass.

For example, a stained glass studio that performs many restoration projects has great insight to the construction, bracing and installation of new windows. Through restoration experience, they have learned what works best long-term and what does not.

Unfortunately, some beautiful new window creations that have been braced and installed improperly caused expensive repairs for the church long before it is appropriate.

Step by step – leaded and painted construction

The stained glass studio and its staff will meet with the committee to discuss the theme, design and coloring schemes of their client’s project. The studios artist will develop a thumbnail sketch or rendering or each window. The studio presents this rendering to the committee for their approval. Once approved, the studio turns the rendering into a full-scale cartoon. The cartoon is a full-size drawing depicting every piece of glass and lead came they will use. This drawing will be the exact size of the window and they should present it to the church committee for their review. This cartoon will not represent color but will show proportion of the design. This is a good checking point for the church prior to construction.

After the church approves the full-scale rendering, the artist will select the glass the studio will use. The artist then codes each piece of glass selected onto the cartoon. The stained glass craftsmen will then cut each type of glass to match the cartoon. If the windows need painted, they will give the painted pieces back to the artist, who then hand paints each piece and then fires it in a kiln so the paint will permanently adhere to the stained glass. The painted pieces are then returned to the craftsmen who will then assemble the window using lead came to custom build the window. When it is complete, the craftsmen will solder each lead joint thus making the stained glass panel one solid piece. They then send the panel to an area for cementing.

The craftsmen then brushes specially formulated cement compound over the panel working it under the flanges of the lead came. Next, they clean the excess cement off leaving cement under the lead came. This cement compound will weatherproof and help strengthen the stained glass window. The panel then dries flat for 48 hours while the cement cures.

Cross Section of the Construction of a Stained Glasss Window

They brace the panel on the interior surface to add extra support. This bracing system is designed in place according to the stained glass craftsmen who recognizes areas of weakness in the design. It is important that they add braces to provide maximum support with minimum intervention to the stained glass artwork.

Once they complete the stained glass panels, they transport the windows to the stained glass job site for installation into the new or existing frames. We find our clients are served better if we provide their general contractor with framing specifications and installation requirements. This approach avoids unnecessary costs and scheduling problems for the church and general contractor. In some remolding situations, this approach is ineffective. In others, the stained glass studio should be responsible for the modification of the existing frames to accept the new stained glass panels correctly. The church needs to review the framing fully with their stained glass studio prior to making this decision.

The stained glass windows should be divided into panels of approximately 12 square feet. In some installations, this might not be possible. Each panel is designed to supports it own weight ensuring that the bracing is adequate for the size of the panel.

It is best that the studio installs the stained glass after the remodel is complete. It is best to install the stained glass windows prior to the installation of the carpet, flooring and pews. If not, others working in the building could potentially break or damage the windows.

When installing new panels into a new double-glazed frame, the studio should shimmy the panels with setting blocks then secure with snap-on aluminum beads. If the exterior of the window has protective covering, then the stained glass is not sealed or caulked into place. We like to use black foam weather-stripping, which provides a clean perimeter line and holds the panel vertically into the aluminum channel against the backstop. This is the best type of installation, when applicable, because it allows others to remove the panels for easy cleaning or maintenance thus reducing potential damage to them.

If the windows do not have an exterior protective covering, it is necessary to secure the panel with glazing tacks or screws and stops. Once secured, you should seal a panel on the exterior perimeter and interior perimeter with a compatible caulk. For some clients, studios used incompatible silicones in their installations that chemically reacted and caused lead deterioration over a few years. We do not recommend a non-flexible caulking such as dap glazing, as this will not allow any movement of the stained glass panel thus creating the potential for premature bulging.

On a new installation that has protective covering, we recommend venting the windows from the exterior. If it is not possible to vent from the exterior, then you need to vent the interior. If the protective covering is insulation glass with a thermo broke frame, no venting is necessary.

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Setting Up A Home Gym

Joining a local gym does have some benefits - you may get inspired from the people there, and there are instructors around to make sure you are using the correct techniques. However, a lot of people do not have access to a local gym. For people who fall into this category and perhaps do not have much time due to work or home commitments (a new member of the family for example) a gym at home is a good solution.

So what are the things that you need to know in order to set up a gym at home? Well, if you have used the gym before to train then you will understand what exercise needs you have and this makes things a lot easier. If you have never used a gym before and are a complete novice it might be worth your while going to a public gym to see what it has to offer. Alternatively you could employ a personal trainer, if budget permits, who can advise you on what you need for your home gym and also check that you are using the equipment properly - as using the wrong technique can be harmful. Otherwise, there are books or videos on offer and you could learn what to do with a friend so as to check your respective techniques are correct.

The next question is where are you going to put this gym? If you have the option you should set it so it can remain permanently set up - all these pack away and folding things might seem like a good idea, but it is just one more obstacle in the way of your training. Besides this, the folding stuff is not always the greatest quality! So if you have a garage or a spare downstairs room (downstairs is a better idea than upstairs if you will be using weights), so much the better. If the weather is favorable in your neck of the woods you might consider a set up in the yard - your very own little muscle beach!

Okay, we've decided on a setting for our gym, now it is time to equip the place. All workouts should include a cardio session, and this may be the hardest thing to accommodate in a home setup. Low cost stationary bikes and treadmills are often not worth the money. A more costly running machine might do the trick if your pockets are deep, but they are also large items. A rower has the advantage of being easily stow-able - just tip it upright. These can be quite good value, but rowing is not everyone's cup of tea. Compact but expensive are the Nordic Ski and the Step. If you cannot decide then why not take a half hour jog at the start of each session instead?

The basis of any home gym is the lifting equipment, not just for muscle jocks, but for everyone. It may be the wrong choice to shell out for a multi gym unit, even though it looks as though it does everything. This is where some experience with a wide variety of gym gear helps you know what to invest in. For many purposes the best choice will be free weights - a selection of interchangeable weights to make up a wide variety of barbell and dumbbell exercises works out to be very good value. Then you should get the best bench you can and make sure it has the attachments that let you work the various muscle groups in your legs. A quality floor surface (a mat will do to begin with) will mean you can comfortably do press ups, sit ups and the vital stretches. Then you have a complete gym set up in the comfort of your own home.

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The Cut Flowers, Tips And Tricks For Them To Resist More

Rose

The roses are charming, but very sophisticated and pretentious flowers too. There are some tricks to prolong the rose’s life:

· It would be good, if it’s any possibility, to be conserved in a cold place, even the fridge, but not near the other products, for a few hours, after bought them.

· Cut the stem at a very sharp angle under the water and than let the water to flow over the stems for 3 minutes.

· Soften the base of the stem into mint oil before put in the vase.

· Add some lemon drops into flower’s water or a little salt.

· Introduce the roses till flower in a tall and full of water vase than leave them in a dark cold place even for 24 hours.

· For bacteria to be destroyed, add a drop of disinfecting substance in flowers water.

· The roses need to stay in tall vases, filled with warm water.

· You have to change the water daily.

Tulip

The tulip’s availability, as a cut flower, is from 8 to 10 days. The tulip doesn’t bear the water privation and the warmth. For a better hydration, you need to cut the white base of the stem under the water and put it in a cold, without draught space, into cold and fresh water. To maintain the water’s freshness and the flower’s natural colors, attach some small branches of Tuia. You can also put a metal coin. To avoid the tulip’s declension, you have to fill the vase with water or to wrap the flower into a paper, because the stem will turn towards the light.

Lily

The punks of the lily have their different opening phase, that the flower lives in water more than 1, maybe 2 weeks. For a long availability, you got to avert the full-blown flower’s stamens, before the pollen will spot the petals, fading them. To prolong the lily’s life, add in the water a spoon of white vinegar (it applies to the gladioluses, anemones too).

Chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum is one of the most resistant cut flower and it will decorate your house for a long time, more than 2 weeks. By hybridization, the chrysanthemum has a several numbers of petals, multiple colors, forms and sizes. For the best hydration, you’ll smash or cut the stem at a very sharp angle, eliminate the base leafs of the stem. A bouquet of chrysanthemum flowers has to be disposed in a large vase, so the flowers will not be crowded. You need to change frequently the water in the vase and powder the flowers with water, because the chrysanthemum loves the humidity.

Orchid

The orchids will decorate your place for 1 or 2 weeks, maybe more, if you offer them the best conditions. It’s important for you to know that the orchid, being an exotic flower, prefer a 26 degrees temperature. After gathering, the flowers have to be left in a cold space (10-15 degrees) for a couple of hours. Than put them in capacious vases. To refresh the orchids you’ll cut the stem and than put it in a boiled water, so the flowers will resist more. Keep them away from the draught, smoking or hot vapors (this is also a practice for the anthurium cut flower).

Daffodil

The daffodil cut flowers can resist from 4 to 8 days, if they are carefully attended. Their stems excrete a viscous substance which is speeding up the blight process. Therefore you’ll follow this practice: cut the stem at a very sharp angle 2 inches below the end, than pass it through the fire or leave it for a while in warm water, for the pest substance to be eliminated. You can use a combination of vinegar and salt to clean the daffodil’s vase.

Carnation

The carnation is a very resistant flower and is usually used in the arrangements that have no water supply. Some cultures consider the carnation a funeral flower, maybe for its resistance. It’s important for it to be cut between the stem nodules for the best hydration. The carnations love the fresh water and the sweetmeat, thus put some sugar in the water. You can also add some lemon drops.

Daisy

It’s very alike the chrysanthemum, therefore the scientific name is Chrysanthemum leucantheum. Daisy is a resistant cut flower, though it’s fragility. As the best care, cut the stem till the green part, put it in tall vase, filled just for 3 quarts with water and add a drop of whitening substance.

Anemone

Depend of the type of flower, the anemone will resist between 5 and 8 days, maybe more, if it’s well attended. The stem has to be cut at a sharp angle. This flower prefer the cold water and the cold spaces, that you can get them into the fridge, for 1-2 hours, in a separated compartment, before their placement in water. Just like the anemones, the flowers with a fragile stem (freesia, for example), have to be doused till the flower.

Lily-of-the-valley

This flower will not resist more than 4-5 days since the gather and that so under a good care. You have to put it in fresh and not very cold water as soon as you can.

Crocus

The crocus’s cut flower doesn’t resist much time, just 3-4 days. As a bulb root flower, like the tulip, iris, daffodil etc, it loves the cold water, changed every day. The warm water speeds up the flourish. Is good that the white area from the stem’s base to be cut, because only the green part will absorb the water. You’ll get the crocus in small vases filled at 3 quarter with water.

Iris

Being tall, the iris cut flowers will be disposed in big vases filled a half with water. They love the cold fresh water, so change it ones at 2 days.

Dahlia

The availability of the dahlia is about 6 to 10 days. To maintain fresh the dahlia you have to follow those instructions: introduce the base of the stem in boiled water and keep them there till the water cooling or till the base becomes black; than you’ll cut the boiled side and finally put them into cold water.

Lilac

Though it’s a shrub, lilac is one of the most popular spring flower. To keep them long, you have to avert the leafs and smash the base of the stem, for a better hydration, than introduce it in boiled water. Don’t you forget that the lilac love the warm water and the sunlight. As a trick, you can put a little of sugar in the water.

Peony

The peony will be as fresh as the beginning into the vase from 7 to 10 days. The cut flowers are conserved in a cold place for 24 hours without water and thereafter you’ll cut 1 centimeter from the stem and put them in vases filled of warm water.

Gerbera

The gerberas, as well as the tulip, usually inflect their stem. There are some simple tricks for not to happen: prick the stem just under the flower, to get out the air deterrent the flower hydration or fill of water the empty stem and keep it with the flower turned downward overnight.

Poppy

It’s a not resistant flower. Although it’s a wild flower, the poppy is a fragile one, but loved for its full of passion color. As well as daffodil, the poppy’s stem excretes a pernicious substance that has to be eliminated. You could pass the stem through the fire or leave it in boiled water for 30 seconds, after you cut the stem 2 inches below the end.

Sunflower

This is a long life flower. As a cut flower, it last 6-12 days, but it’s a wonderful dry flower. There is a trick to avoid the blight: add in flower’s water 2% of liquid detergent.

You can also view:
more: http://www.flowersgrowing.com

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No Business Is Safe from Environmental Disaster

Protect Your Assets and Future with Pollution Liability Insurance

(ARA) - Fears that the environment will suffer under the Republican administration are misplaced, say the world's leading pollution liability experts. Thanks to privatization and the shift to state enforcement, pollution is being rapidly uncovered. Good news for Mother Nature -- devastating news for those footing the clean-up bill.

The fact is, nearly every business -- from farms and schools, to contractors and developers, to printers and manufacturers--is a potential polluter facing third-party liability claims, clean-up costs, business interruption, and damaging publicity. That's according to the environmental insurance experts at Assurex International, the world's largest privately held risk management and commercial insurance brokerage group.

Ironically, business owners who devote considerable resources building healthy organizations often risk it all by neglecting pollution liability insurance coverage. They mistakenly believe their companies are free of environmental exposures, or that pollution coverage is unavailable or unaffordable. Both assumptions are false and potentially costly to businesses large and small.

Former and current land and business owners, waste generators and transporters all can be held liable for environmental exposures. "Acquire a company that buried tanks 15 years ago, construct homes on arsenic-laced farmland, build a school on toxic land, and you'll share liability with the polluter--unless you have environmental liability insurance," notes Assurex President and CEO Thomas W. Harvey.

Environmental insurance helps offset costs associated with pollution clean-up, business interruption, lawsuits, construction delays and property value diminution. "Environmental insurance can mean the difference between business survival and devastating financial loss," says Harvey.

You don't have to be a chemical manufacturer or other big operation to be at risk of environmental liability. Businesses large and small are potential polluters. For a small, neighborhood grocery store, just one broken bottle of ammonia could release fumes, overcome shoppers, and create potential liability problems.

On a somewhat larger scale, take the case of the entrepreneur who bought an aging fast-food restaurant. While remodeling, the new owner discovered underground storage tanks buried 20 years earlier when a gas station sat on the site. The new and previous owners shared responsibility for removing the tanks at a cost of $20,000 to $1 million-plus. With an environmental liability insurance policy in place, clean-up costs might be covered.

Large organizations experience environmental surprises, too. When construction began on a $200 million school complex in Los Angeles, officials had no idea their state-of-the-art learning center sat on toxic land. Once environmental contamination was uncovered, construction on the nearly complete building stopped. Had a site survey been conducted prior to construction, this costly disaster might have been avoided.

While a site survey should be part of any merger, acquisition or real estate transaction, surveys sometimes fail to unearth exposures. Environmental insurance, on the other hand, is a certain way to transfer risks and mitigate financial losses.

According to Brad Maurer, an environmental insurance expert with New York City-based Assurex Partner Frenkel & Co., most business executives would be surprised to learn what's covered by an environmental insurance policy. "Insurance can cover existing exposures today, as well as future risks. Even known environmental conditions may be covered, if surveys indicate there is no immediate health threat," notes Maurer.

"Environmental insurance policies are becoming popular tools for real estate and business transactions," adds Maurer. "Environmental insurance allows buyers and sellers to transfer a deal's environmental risk to an insurer, rather than wasting time and money negotiating who will bear and fund the risk."

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Perfect November Wedding Ideas for a Fall Wedding

Traditionally people would plan their weddings for the summer months when the weather was hot and the sun was shining. However in recent years we have seen a shift toward fall and winter weddings. November makes a great choice for a wedding date because you can combine it with Thanksgiving and still not interfere with your Christmas plans. There are numerous November wedding ideas available and possibilities are endless for this type of wedding. The key to having the perfect fall wedding is to keep it simple and use vibrant colours.

The easiest way to create a fall themed wedding is to choose the perfect colours and of course these colours are oranges and reds. However you are not forced to use the exact colours of autumn. Instead you could go with a theme such as summer in autumn or winter in autumn and you could incorporate some of the colours from those seasons. You could even mix up some colours and use the bright colours from autumn and mix them with some lighter colours from spring or summer. Adding some olive green can make your wedding seem even more elegant.

The wedding gown that you select for a wedding during these months can also make a huge impact. Traditionally the colour of the gown has been white, but for autumn wedding brides often choose a diamond white gown or they may go with an ivory white. Many people find that these colours work harmoniously with the autumn colours and the fall theme for a wedding. If you are less conventional then you might want to consider purchasing a coloured gown that would match your wedding theme and colours. It is important that the colour of your wedding dress complement the colours of the wedding, but if they do not complement the bride, they will not work. It is the bride that wants to look perfect.

A wedding in November allows for some great ideas for centerpieces for the table. This is where your choice of colours can really make an impact on the look and feel of your wedding and your wedding reception. For example if your wedding is in early November you could have small pumpkins decorated and placed around the room and tiny pumpkins could be used as the place markers. However, it is important that you not go overboard as well. Sometimes it is better to keep things simple and elegant. A nice choice for a centerpiece for a wedding in November is to use the fruits of the season in a nice decorative bowl in the center of the table, or smaller bowls at each end of the table.

Wedding favours can really be creative at this time of the year. For example ,you might want to try giving your guests candies or chocolate wrapped in the shape of a maple leaf or a pumpkin. If you were looking for something simpler then you might want to give your guests small scented candles which give off a scent or look like the colours of the season. The possibilities are endless.

For more information on November wedding ideas,Tiffany Blue wedding themes and Western wedding ideas visit http://www.WeddingThemeIdeas.net

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Art Jones

All About the Anti-Gravity Treadmill

As if regular running is not physically taxing on the body enough, there is a new almost outlandish sounding device that is gaining popularity in athletic training centers, high-end fitness clubs, and even nursing facilities for seniors. Regular running e... Read >

Earning the Edge on College Baseball Scholarships

Students who excel at baseball in high school often pursue playing time at a college or university. Depending on the school, landing a spot on the team can be challenging. Schools in a strong conference in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCA... Read >

Tips for Earning College Soccer Scholarships

As soccer has grown in popularity in the United States, so has the competition for soccer scholarships. Students hoping to play for their favorite college or university should start planning early. The days of students with little experience earning schol... Read >

Tips for Riding a Bike With A Child Carrier

For parents who like to be physically active and get plenty of exercise, it may be challenging to find time away from small children. One solution is to bring the child along. A child carrier can be strapped to the rear of the bike, allowing Mom or Dad th... Read >

10 Main Factors in Planning for College

Choosing which college to attend is a big decision for high school students. While most decide during their senior year, it is something for juniors to at least ponder as they do preliminary legwork, especially if they want to be considered for early admi... Read >

Comparing Small Colleges Versus Large Universities

When high school students start thinking about which colleges and universities to attend, they may find themselves debating between smaller schools and larger ones. Depending on the student's major, location, financial picture and background, it may be an... Read >

Managing Student Loans: Learning the Skill

Over the years, much attention has been drawn to the repayment of students loans. Many public and political debates have been centered around the concern of students paying back their educational loans. According to the Institute for Higher Education Poli... Read >

What Is A Loan Audit?

In the current economic climate, millions of homeowners are struggling to afford the price of their homes. In many cases, the original value on the loan doesn't reflect the actual value of the property. It was purchased at the height of the boom, when inf... Read >

How to Stay Cool and Healthy When the Heat Hits

Prolonged exposure, lack of preparation can lead to illness or death Summer weather brings higher temperatures, as well as increased health risks. Too much exposure to the heat can lead to heat stress, primarily heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Both af... Read >

Creating a Bamboo Wind Break Helps Save Money

Any yard or garden space can be given a tropical feeling through the use of bamboo while saving the homeowner or tenant money. Bamboo creates wind breaks and shade, which reduces energy bills for heating and cooling. It is relatively inexpensive and can b... Read >

Creating A Fun Kids' Birthday Party

Thanks to TV programs depicting lavish parties, kids' birthdays have become much more than just a small affair to be celebrated by intimate family. Now they're a spectacle, something to celebrate with your child's friends and in some cases with other pare... Read >

The How-To Guide to Cloth Diapering

Many parents are turning to cloth diapers because of the numerous advantages they provide. Aside from the obvious economic and environmental benefits, cloth diapers are also healthier for babies than disposable diapers, which can contain toxic chemicals. ... Read >

How to Choose a Bathroom Set

When decorating a bathroom for the first time, it may be confusing to know exactly what is needed as far as towels and bathroom sets. Which accessories are needed for the bathroom depends on the type of fixtures it has, the size of the bathroom, the b... Read >

What Is Involved in Alexandria Outdoor Kitchen Home Additions?

Outdoor kitchens have become a popular feature in Alexandria residential remodeling projects. For most people, the idea of cooking outdoors is fun, novel and a nice way to spend leisure time outside. These living spaces are one way for Alexandria homeowne... Read >

Starting Your Own Tax Consultant Business

Helping citizens prepare and file their returns every year is a noble calling. It's a field that provides constant excitement, but also offers the opportunity to work for a limited period of the year. There are many different levels of career available, r... Read >

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Floor Basics - Floor Strength � Find A Good Contractor

>From experience and research both, you will find out that a floor would have to get into a very considerable bad shape before you really need to rip the entire structure out by the roots of your older home and start over. If a floor becomes water damaged due to sinks, bathtubs or other leakage from somewhere, and the owner is unaware of it, then obviously the affected flooring can rot and swell and might need to be replaced. In some cases it might be that some type of stain could hinder sanding and refinishing a wood floor, but this would be an unusual situation.

Sometimes a floor can sag in a corner but appear to be in good shape otherwise. This could mean that the seal plate on the foundation or the foundation itself has become rotted or weakened. Don’t be totally alarmed! Many times the seal plate can be fixed or part of the foundation can be repaired without too much hassle. You can add a floor jack (floor stand, floor support, what ever you want to call it ) under the floor for added strength too as well as lift the floor up some to level it back.

This brings me to another quick note that I should add. If the floors look sound, but you know you are going to put a water bed or some very heavy furniture or equipment on it, then adding floor jacks can save you some headaches down the road if the house is really old or your not sure.

Adding additional support can’t hurt but here are some facts to consider. Older waterbeds can weigh as much as 2000 lbs and if a house has been inspected and passes all modern building codes, then it should be able to handle the weight of your waterbed with no problems. This is because the weight is distributed over a broad range. Approximately 50 lbs per square ft. as a general estimate, therefore it exerts less weight per square foot than some of the other items in your home. You could have a refridgerator, fish tank, or even a book shelf that weighs more per square foot than a water bed. A good fact to know.

On the lighter and brighter side of things though, it is incredible what can be done to older floors to cover them or restore them. As a general rule, if the floor is structurally sound and stable, then it can be restored and the products and options available are countless. Just walk into a local home renovation or hardware store and you’ll soon see what I’m talking about. Wood floors can be sanded and refinished to look like new. Concrete floors can be sealed, repaired and painted to give either a smooth or rough style finish depending on it’s main purpose.

Without a doubt fixing floors can turn into some serious and back breaking work, but there are many tools available to get the job done right. If you need some heavy duty tools or equipment, it’s practical to go somewhere and rent what you need. Floor finishers, sanders, scrubbersÂ… it’s all there and you don’t actually have to buy it knowing that you might only use it this one time.

What’s that you sayÂ… you would rather have someone else do itÂ… is that it? I have said it before myself. I would rather save myself the frustration and prevent the act of bringing myself that much closer to hell by letting someone else do it..!! (Whatever “IT” is at the time.) Like a lot of people, I can carry on like a sailor without a boat, and I know that being in that state isn’t good for my health. Get someone that knows what to do..!!

Well of course there are tons of contractors out there, but finding the right one can seem tedious maybe. Or, maybe not if you know how to go about it the right way.

To find the right contractor has the same guidelines if you are remodeling the kitchen or giving the floors a new facelift. However, there probably are contractors that may specialize in floor replacement and repair and maybe choosing one for a specific type of job is practical.

As everyone should know, we can’t trust someone’s advertisement alone. We have to investigate at least a little to find out more. I know you have heard it before, and it still stands true in our modern days. Word of mouth is the best indicator and you can talk to some of your associates and friends to help with finding a good contractor. You might even get to see some of their work first hand which would really be a plus.

Call up some contractors after you get some potential ones chosen and get a quote from them and also use that time to talk to them extensively as much as possible. Don’t be in a hurry, and write down some potential questions in advance of getting a quote. I’m saying this because this leads to the next important thing to consider in the process.

An extremely important factor in your decision and quite possibly one of the most important when it comes to a pleasurable remodeling experience, is the personality of the contractor you choose. This person will be in and out of your home and maybe even have access to it at times while you are out and away from home. You are going to be seeing a great deal of your new contractor for at least a few weeks or more, (possibly), and you should be comfortable with that person. It stands to good reason that the stress and hassle of remodeling in itself will be easier if you are compatible with, and actually like the person who is doing the work for you.

Find out personal as well as professional information. Simply ask while having a conversation during the quote. Find out how long the contractor has been working in the field and how many jobs he has done. Will he be doing the work, or is this the last time you see him, and all of his crew comes over to do the work? Does he supervise first hand when other workers are there? Does he have a family? Take note of the vehicle he drives up in when he comes for the quote. Believe me, using common sense is always best. Even if he drives an older van or truckÂ… how organized does everything look? Making small talk and learning about a person can go a very long way. The more you know the better and that goes deeper than the work at hand that needs to be done. That’s just it, you want the work done and done right. _ As alwaysÂ… Good Luck In Your Home Projects..!!

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