I don't know many people who like change. Yet change is
constantly happening either to us directly or in the world around us. We either
embrace change and take control of our lives or life takes control of us.
Consider the following:
- We get older and there's no way to stop the aging process.
- We have children; they grow up and move out.
- We change jobs, by choice or by default.
- We acquire new friends and lose old ones.
- We will fail and have to take a different direction.
- We will get a new car and move house.
- We gain or lose weight.
- We buy different clothes because our styles change.
- We spend money on new things and technologies.
- We pay more and more taxes.
- We must find a new direction for our lives.
In actuality, we are in a constant state of change. How can we accept and embrace
change more?
We are looking in the past when we feel guilty, sad, or remorseful. We
sure can't change the past, however, the lessons that we have learned are valuable
experience.
Worry is the result of projecting ourselves into the future. There are
no "crystal balls" to tell us what the results of our actions will be. We use our
experience and intuition to make calculated decisions.
The only way that we may have any control over our future is to live in the present
moment. Live our life. Enjoy our life. Take action towards our vision and
goals. Be present in mind and body.
The present moment is all that we have. The decisions we make at this moment decide
our path, our future. Change will occur in our lives.
We're the ones in the driver's seat making the choices and the decisions in the
present.
Have a clear picture of what you want in your life. Close your eyes. Think and dream
about what you really want. Imagine that you could not fail. What would you have?
Make sure the picture is in color, through your own eyes, close up, and in clear
focus.
Now, keep that with you every day, reviewing it, cherishing it, being thankful for
what you have today, and being in the moment making the picture come true.
Act as if it has already happened, that the picture is real now, and you'll be surprised
how much faster you'll get there.
Make the change now! Embrace it.
Are you planning on getting a loan for a house or car?
A good credit score can help you secure a competitive interest rate and possibly
save you thousands of dollars. It is very important to protect the "3-digit number"
that shapes your financial future. Here are some tips that can help earn you a good
rating on your credit report.
AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS PAY OFF.
A recent study showed that those who make on-time automatic payments score 100 points
higher than those who don't.
SKIP "RED FLAG" LENDERS.
It may be tempting to sign up for in-store credit cards that offer discounts on
purchases, but these cards can actually lower your credit score. Stay with major
cards like Visa or MasterCard for score safety.
KEEP YOUR ACCOUNTS OPEN.
Most people think that it is smart to close a credit line that is not in use, but
it can actually hurt your credit score since it lowers your total credit line. Keeping
an old card that shows a long, stable pattern of paying your debt will improve your
score.
BUNCH THE REQUESTS FOR NEW CREDIT.
Too many inquiries make banks think that you are looking for a lot of borrowed money.
Instead, do your research, but get all loan quotes in a 14-day period; normally
lenders count all those credit inquiries as one.
FIND OUT WHAT OTHERS KNOW ABOUT YOU.
More than 70% of credit reports have errors that could be lowering your score. The
most common error is loans that have been reported twice, so it looks like you owe
double. Credit reports can be found at www.equifax.com or www.transunion.com
Boost your credit score before that next major purchase.
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Pillows, lamps, pictures, boxes and vases are the jewelry of your home, providing
the perfect finishing touch. Place every "brooch" in just the right place, with
these simple examples.
For great impact, group similar objects together.
Arranging several silver picture frames on a skirted table creates a lovely focal
point in your living room.
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Arrange accessories in odd numbers.
A grouping of three candlesticks or three vases on your mantel is less predictable
and more interesting than a matched pair.
Vary shapes and sizes in an arrangement.
Combine a medium-height vase of flowers, a round plate and a stack of art books
to create a visually pleasing arrangement on a coffee table.
Create excitement by arranging accents in unpredictable ways.
Rest a picture on a mantel or table instead of hanging it. Dress up a table with
a small area rug placed on the diagonal instead of the traditional tablecloth.
Layer accents to create depth and charm.
Overlap two toss pillows to cozy up a corner of a sofa. Then tuck in a throw behind
them for added comfort.
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TRANSPARENT TAPE
Original Purpose: Sealing gift wrap.
AHA! Use: Cleaning between computer keys. Slide a 2-1/2" strip
between the rows on your keyboard. The adhesive side removes dust and particles.
Real Simple REWARD: Fewer typpppppos.
RICE
Original Purpose: Making a bed for your stir-fry.
AHA! Use: Scouring your coffee grinder. Mill a handful of grains
and the fine particles will absorb stale odors and clean out the residual grounds
and oil. Discard rice and clean.
Real Simple REWARD: A cleaner cup of coffee.
TOOTHPASTE
Original Purpose: Brightening your pearly whites.
AHA! Use: Buffing scratches from CD's that skip. Apply a small
dot of toothpaste (not gel) to a cotton pad. Rub in a straight line from the center
of the CD outward and over the scratch. Rinse off the toothpaste with water.
Real Simple REWARD: Your heart, not the CD, will skip a beat when
Sinatra sings.
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From time to time, virtually all homes with basements will have moisture problems
or direct leaks in areas below grade. This does not necessarily mean that the home
is poorly constructed.
Usually the problem is caused by improper grading that prevents water from effectively
draining away from the foundation. Experience has shown that faults can also develop
when gutters and downspouts get clogged, depositing unusually large quantities of
water on the ground near the home.
How to recognize leaks or moisture problems
A leak is usually obvious, but other moisture problems can sometimes only be detected
indirectly, such as finding mold (sometimes hidden by interior finishes) or detecting
musty odors (usually when the area has been closed for a period).
Where does the moisture come from?
Outright leaks can occur under specific conditions, especially in early spring when
melting snow can't penetrate the frozen soil but finds its way down the side of
the foundation where heat loss has made the soil permeable. Seepage, which is just
a slow leak, can occur in the fall or spring when heavy rainfall or melting snow
causes the ground near the foundation to become saturated. Homes built before 1950
seldom have weeping tiles to draw water away from the foundation, and in homes more
than 20 years old these tiles may no longer be effective due to deterioration.
A significant source of basement moisture is condensation. When the basement air
is humid, moisture will condense on cool surfaces, such as cold water pipes, foundation
walls or the floor slab.
The telltale signs of moisture
- a musty odor
- a white powdery mineral deposit on masonry or concrete walls (this is called efflorescence)
- stains, discoloration or decay on window sills, sill plates, wood posts or even
furniture or cardboard boxes stored in the basement
- bulging or lifting drywall tape, popped nails, bubbling or peeling paint and detaching
wallpaper
- rust at the base of heating equipment, steel posts or appliances
- lifted floor tiles, buckled paneling, mildew on carpet
THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM PILLAR TO POST ® HOME INFORMATION SERIES
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HOME INSPECTOR FOR A FULL VERSION
Don't freeze at the thought of putting words to paper. Your note will be sincere
if you:
Include a warm greeting.
You'd be surprised how many people forget to address the person they are writing
to. Precede the name with "Dear," "Hi," "Ms.," "Mr.," or any form of address you
find fitting.
Mention the gift or reason.
Be specific with realistic, short statements like, "The flowers look great on the
kitchen table."
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Keep it short and sweet.
A short paragraph is sufficient. Brevity will give you some punch and make a stronger
impression.
Wrap it up.
Closing sentences can repeat your general thanks, such as, "Again, thank you for
your generosity. I'm sincerely grateful."
Use e-mail.
It's okay for all but the most formal situations, such as giving thanks for a wedding
gift, especially if you and the giver e-mail regularly.
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Yes, creating a home that reflects who you are really can enhance your well-being.
Think about the places you loved as a kid
and add elements reminiscent of those times.
For a warmer kitchen, add a comfortable chair or two.
Swap your TV for a small stereo so you can play soothing music while cooking.
For a cozier family room, rethink the seating.
Arrange sofas so everyone can see each other and talk together.
To de-stress, create privacy retreats.
Add a chair by a window in the family room just for you!
Did you know?
Studies show that having flowers in your house reduces stress.
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- Make sure the ground slopes away from the house everywhere.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear so water flows away.
- Repair floor and wall cracks to eliminate seepage.
- Do not establish flower beds too close to the house.
- Repair damaged weeping tiles, and poorly-drained window wells.
- Fill small cracks in bricks and other siding to keep out wind-driven rain.
- Improve ventilation by installing an exhaust fan or opening basement windows.
- Raise the temperature in the basement or install a dehumidifier.
- Vent moist air (from bathroom or clothes dryer) to the outside.
- Insulate cold water pipes and basement walls.
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