Category: Home Improvements

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Dependable generators for every need

We usually just have to use our generator in the winter when we have a bad storm and the power goes out. I decided to check out a company called, Generators AtoZ, when our power went out then, because the one we had only powered a few lights and one of our refrigerators. I had just bought a small chest freezer full of meat and the other two refrigerator freezers were stocked full with other freezable grocery items. We didn’t loose much, but I decided with grocery and meat prices as high as they are now, and rising quite steadily all the time, that I wasn’t going to take any changes. We live in a section of the state where it seems that the power will go out even during a slight breeze. Okay, I am exaggerating a little…but not all THAT much, since our power company isn’t all that bright. (pun intended) A few weeks ago, the wind caused a power outage and the generator didn’t kick in. I needed a new one, I knew.

While looking for a  generators, I have to say that I picked Generators AtoZ, because I liked the name.  I’m like that. I figured with a name like this, I would find what I was looking for. I mean, AtoZ about covers it all, right? At least in my way of thinking.

I ended up buying a bigger generator, since my job is writing and I work at home. I have two computers, plus the three that the kids use,  and my telephone, that I need and use all day or sometimes in my case into the night, for work also. Not to mention my freezers have to have power. Generators AtoZ pretty much helped me find what I was looking for that would be in my price range also. It’s amazing how many brands and variety’s they carry for every need.  Now, I feel a lot better about the power going out, though I still worry about the weather and what it may bring.

 

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Thinking vessel sinks and faucets

When looking at sinks online, I saw a lot of models that were very nice, but I wanted something that was not ordinary and then I started looking at vessel sinks. I really like the look of them. Right now, I have a nice sink that is sort of like a vanity, but it takes up so much space, that despite of the extra storage, I’d rather have the bathroom look more spacious. Right now, our bathroom is under construction, and slowly but surely I am getting the look I want. But I also want more room.

I saw a vessel sink that was stone and fell in total love with it, right on the spot. I collect stones of all kinds, shapes and sizes. Rare stones, stones that are nearly fossilized, some that indeed are. I have stones and rocks in my gardens as not only ornaments, but also as a divider between my plants. The stone vessel sink was perfect for my personality. I’d have a beautiful big stone in my bathroom!!

Of course what vessel sink would be complete without vessel sink faucets? Not MINE! I found some that would match and compliment my sink perfectly! So, now all I have to do is sort of sweet talk my husband for a few days, and keep showing him the pictures of what I really want. I have a feeling he’ll like them as much as I do!

 

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From Picture Frames to Elephant Lamps

Recently I was looking though photographs and realized that I wanted picture frames that say family. I have so many pictures that are awesome of our whole family together that I wanted personalized frames for our family photos.  Since I am remodeling the den with all of the family’s collections, I decided to do all the walls after we panel, with photos of the family, their hobbies, sports they are into, school pictures and even their awards. So I indeed need lots of frames. I want them to be unique, and found a link that led me to exactly what I was looking for. Everything to help with the den make over in one place!

The den is a very large room that we use as a family room. Each person in the family has their own space. I’m making sure the things that they collect are in each of their “space,” to make it personal. In the middle of the den, is a common sitting place for the whole family. Like I said this room is very large. Actually, it is HUGH! My daughter’s space is nearly finished. Since she likes to sleep in that room sometimes because of the fireplace, and one of the things she collects are elephants, I found two awesome elephant night stand lamps that I can put on the two night tables on either side of her futon. They are going to look awesome!

I have a ways to go to finish this room, but it’s going to look like a welcoming room,  and personalized for each member of the family. I love home improvement like this! Everyone will be happy. I still would like to get an electric wall heater, since this house is very old and besides the fireplace, there is no other form of heat. A big room like this, needs a bit more heat to keep it cozy and everyone warm and happy!

 

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One track thinking

While enjoying my quiet evening, I decided to take a nice hot bubble bath, then get into the cozy jammies I had laid out. I love bubble baths since they relax me and also help my neck and back. It’s a quick fix for both for a little while anyway.

While I was lounging in the bathtub, I got to thinking about the faucet and handles. They are old and I don’t like them at all. Unfortunately, we’ve been putting off changing them or getting a new tub, for that matter, because it is going to be a major remodeling job to replace all of those. What makes it so bad, is that this house is 140 years old, if not more. The bathtub is sort of built in the wall and floor and it is cast iron. THICK cast iron. HEAVY cast iron…I’m sure ya’ll get my point. It is also flush to an outside wall on the west side of the house.  The pipes go up through the wall and also run into the bathtub somehow. I’m not sure how, but it was once explained to me, and basically what I got out of the explanation was, that it was “rigged.”

My relaxing bubble bath turned into another thinking project about a project. A big project. Heck, I’m not going to mince words, we (?) are going to have to totally gut the bathroom and take the wall out, in order to get the tub out. But before we get it out, since it’s so heavy, we are going to have to find someone who will literally break it apart or somehow saw it apart. Even though this has been in the back of my mind all along, when I thought about it tonight, I realized the enormity of this and all it would take for me to have my nice bathroom. (deep sigh)

 

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Interior decorating

Author: Joyce Mccall

I really want to learn more about interior decorating and how to make spaces beautiful. I’ve always been interested in it, but now that we just bought a new house, I’m especially interested in it because I want to make this home beautiful, and a place where we can be proud to bring guests. I’ve looked at some decorating books at the bookstore that are pretty good, but I want to get access to all the ideas and pictures that are on the internet. I love me a good before and after picture! We’ve been wanting to get internet at home for awhile now, and I just don’t think I could wait any longer. The only thing, though, is that where we live, our options are dial-up or satellite, and I’m not sure which one to go for. I’ve been looking at www.satellitestarinternet.com to help me make the decision. It is going to be so nice to not have to wait until I am at work, or a friend’s house, to get on the internet!

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Low income building supplies

There is a new sort of store in town that actually looks like a thrift store for all home improvement items. I actually is extras from Habitats for Humanity houses, that are brought in and priced really low, so others who are on a limited budget can fix up their homes.

I wanted to go in to look at some lamp globes and actually just to see what this place carried. I found they carried everything from washers and screws to gently used furniture at very low prices. They even have some really lovely ceiling fans and light fixtures that would have cost a great deal of money, had it been at any other store.

I asked about the policies that they had and once of the stipulations was that a person had to be low medium to low income families, or people, who owned their home or who have a mortgage and were using the store to do home improvement. I don’t know how they find out if all this is true or if they just go on the “honor system,” but I guess it works.

The store is only opened two days a week, so I’m going to perhaps do some shopping there tomorrow. I have a list of some things I need. I am looking for a neat bathroom sink but didn’t find see anything when I was there to just check the place out. There are some calking things I need, some washers, and a new porch light globe. Plus some outlet covers and little odds and ends. Since I am indeed on a limited income, this will help with money matters a great deal for me.

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Learning about Double Glazing costs

A friend of mine who lives in the UK wrote to me about getting replacement windows and quotes about All Double Glazing. I personally love her letters, because her enthusiasm is catchy and when she writes a letter, it is lengthy. Maureen goes into great detail, and it’s like she and I are sitting across the table having tea together, while she is telling me all about her new home improvement projects. Since things are so different in the UK than in the USA, she likes to inform me of all the little details and in the process, and tells me about how the folks in the UK live also I would love to take a holiday and see for myself, and also spend time with her.

Maureen said that since she wants new windows with double glazing, there are even grants that can be had to do this project if she qualifies. The double glazing cuts down on the heat bills, drafts and the condensation, and since they are double paned, the air in between the panes acts like a sort of insulation also. To me, this is awesome. I have double paned windows that in no way do this. I bought what I thought would be energy efficient windows, and there are drafts all around them, the windows themselves are super cold to the touch and I have seen a rise in our fuel bill since having these installed.

By reading the information my friend wrote about, it would be nice to have such services here, as there is in the UK, for home improvement and saving money while doing it. I can’t wait for her next letter telling me how she likes her replacement windows, what the quotes where and all about the double glazing. One day I indeed plan to visit my dear friend.

 

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Tornado season early

Tornadoes are common here, even sometimes surprisingly even in November or later. With the weather being as strange at it is and has been all over the United States, nothing surprises me anymore. Last night we had a big storm roll in, and the wind was really roaring, and I saw branches broken and also garbage cans, being blown down the road.

The wind picked up more and we did have a tornado watch, but I never trust what it says on the alerts, as we’ve been under watches before, and I tornado has actually touched down in our back field. So much for giving us any warning. THAT was scary.

During all the sounds of wind and hail coming down, I heard a big ripping like sound that came from the East side of the house. All I could think was, another bill and more home improvement. I’m sort of getting used to thinking that lately. When I went out in the morning, sure enough…there is another project. The siding was pulled and blown off the corner of the house. I’m glad we kept extra siding, as what was off and loose was bent all to heck and back. There isn’t enough damage to make the deductible, with the insurance company, but just enough to be a pain in the butt to replace.

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Picking out paint colors

Thinking I knew exactly the color I wanted to paint my bathroom and having all of it planned out, was a mistake. I have changed my mind twice in one month. This for me is a hard decision to make, as when I paint, I change EVERYTHING. From towel, face cloth, hand towel color. Shower curtain color and patterns, liner color, liner and shower hook color, and the rugs and tank and seat cover for the toilet.

I buy new tooth brush holders, and also even match the Dixie cups to my theme. SO, I have to make sure I know EXACTLY what I want. I’m not really OCD about it, but I figure if I’m changing something that will last a few years, I want to do it right. Besides, usually after that amount of time, the towels get worn, and of course the rugs and other accessories to. It also is time for a change.

Once again I am undecided, but at least I have the flooring sorta picked out. 😉

 

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New kitchen spice racks

Starting to make plans for organization in my kitchen and also the cupboards, I’ve been seriously thinking about getting all new kitchen spice racks. I love them, and they make it so much easier to find what I am looking for. I’ve had a problem with the kids just using a spice or packet of what they need, and not putting it back in it’s proper place. It actually gets on my nerves a great deal. They are old enough for organization and to take responsibility for the things that I buy and they use.

Since I’m going to remodel the kitchen with new cupboards, something I’m looking forward to very much, I’ve decided that perhaps I am going to get a big wall spice rack. I have plenty of room on the walls, but not really enough cupboard space.

These would be ideal. The spices would be right in reach and easy to put back to their proper place. I actually think it will look really nice also. I usually cut and hang my herbs and flowers up to dry from the kitchen ceiling, and it will look sort of old style. I like that look. A country kitchen from long ago. The spice racks to me are a great touch.