Gardening Help

For many people the problems that pests like roaches and rodents present are an ever present reality that threatens both their health and peace of mind. Often times a simple nest of roaches can quickly turn into an infestation that will consume an entire house. Other times people may have problems with ants and will struggle to find an adequate solution to their dilemma. Yet and still, others find that their problem is more malevolent and comes in the form of wood eating termites that threaten to undermine the very structure of ones home. Whatever your problem is there are plenty of Sacramento pest control review services who would be more than glad to commit insect genocide if you are willing to pay for their services. Read more…

A deck is an extension of the home and can provide some great entertaining space. But unlike a living room, a deck is subject to the whims of Mother Nature. Rain, snow and sunshine can take their toll and weaken a deck over time. Decks also need to be properly built for load, wind ratings and other local parameters to ensure a long and sturdy life. In Boulder County, Colorado, where I live, wind ratings start at 110 mph and run up to 180 mph. Snow loads start at 20 lbs/sqft in the Eastern prairie and top out at 130 lbs/sqft near the continental divide.

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Gary Cohoon has been selling and installing siding for more than 30 years. However, he believes much of his knowledge will soon become obsolete.

Cohoon owns Cherokee Home Exteriors in the Atlanta area. About two years ago, he started selling a new composite siding product that’s “going to take over the market,” he said. The new material is a mix of polymers and wood fibers that requires special training and a new installation method unlike those he has completed for decades.

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Ironically, the kitchen itself seems to be the antidote to fat.  America’s obsession with pre-packaged food has made 26.7% of us obese, according to the Center for Disease Control.  Experts across the board agree – if you want to lose weight, you have to get into the kitchen and prepare your own food.

For many, the convenience of prepared food points to a problem – people don’t have time to cook.  Why?  Long days at work are a factor, but according to bestselling author and TV host Christina Pirello, “Most people’s kitchens are highly inefficient, particularly the big ones.”  Awkward layouts, poor organization and substandard kitchen tools make hard work of cooking. 

Pirello said, “Of course, what you cook is the biggest part of it.  But, if you have a kitchen you love, and it doesn’t have to be expensive, but it’s clean and orderly and the utensils work and your stove works, you’ll feel inclined to cook more, as opposed to just grabbing a takeout container or a dinner from a bag that your throw in the oven.”

“If you’ve got a kitchen – a sink, a cook top, maybe a microwave, and an oven, it doesn’t matter what quality it is, you can make your kitchen skinnier,” said professional foodie-gone-low-fat-guru Nancy Fox, of the Web site Skinny Kitchen. 

The layout of the kitchen is key for efficiency.  “I like to have my sink to my left, and a work station where my cutting board is and my stove to my right so that I’m not getting a workout before I even start cooking,” said Pirello.

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What if your bedroom could keep you from hitting the snooze button? It can, according to designers who specialize in bedroom facelifts. The right bedroom can help you sleep more soundly and be more eager to get up and start the day.

Debra Browne is a designer at Harrison Browne in Snowmass Village, Colorado. She said bedrooms should be personalized, warm and tranquil — a space that is inviting at both the end and beginning of each day.

“I believe that your sleeping space should completely reflect your personality and really emulate who you are,” Browne said.

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