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There is a lot of concern about herbicides and what they are doing to our
environment. Large amounts of chemicals leech into our groundwater polluting our water supply. Cancers and strange diseases with no apparent cause are being linked to chemicals and pollutants in our environment. So how do we control all those pesky weeds in our perfectly manicured landscapes? I will outline several different ways to eradicate weeds without polluting our environment.

The first and probably the simplest of all, is to roll up your sleeves, get down on
your knees, and pull the weeds out! I know this seems counterintuitive in an age
when we are accustomed to instantaneous and easy ways of doing things. When all
we have to do is spray some highly-toxic chemical on a plant and it seemingly
evaporates in less that a day! But back in the day, people used to buy tools like a
hoe, or dandelion pullers to actually exert physical work to remove weeds. I prefer
this method as it actually feels good to get back to our natural instincts and
commune with our surroundings. Sweating in the hot sun and doing physical labor
is good for the mind, body, and spirit, and with this technique, we can actually
eliminate weeds!

A tip for pulling weeds is to give the weed bed a good watering the night before.
With the ground thoroughly soaked, the soil will be softened and will yield the entire
weed plant, root and all.

The second method is equally effective but it is more difficult to isolate a single
weed in a bed of desirable plants. Simply pour hot, boiling water over the weed. The
hot water will kill the weed. The next time you make a pot of tea and you have some
water left over, pour it on the weeds. How about pasta water? Or corn on the cob?
Plenty of boiling water left over there! While the corn is cooking or the pasta
simmering, take a quick walk outside to see what weeds need to go. That way you
can quickly locate them with your hot pot of water.

And lastly, you can use a string trimmer or lawn mower and just mow them down.
Sure, they will grow back up but just keep whacking them down. They are green and
produce lots of oxygen for your environment, and mowed down low, who would
ever suspect that you have a lawn full of weeds. My lawn is full of clover and violets.
Mowed down low, it looks like a beautiful lawn. However, I am the envy of the
neighborhood every Spring when my lawn is covered with white and purple flowers
during the month of April.

Dean Novosat is an avid gardener and landscaper. He has transformed many boring
yards into beautiful landscapes. He has several websites including
http://www.the-garden-doctor.com and http://www.dr-landscape.com.

[tags]weeds,weed,garden,gardening,landscaping,landscape,environmentally safe,green[/tags]

There are many ways to improve the beauty and energy efficiency of your home, but few provide the benefits that replacement windows have to offer. Replacing old windows with new more energy efficient windows can provide instant cost savings, and replacement windows can pay for themselves in a very short period of time.

Replacing your windows, however, is not a job to be taken lightly, and it is important to give such an important project the respect and attention that it deserves. The key to replacing your windows like a pro is to plan properly and to know what you want before you start shopping.

One of the most important things, perhaps the most important thing, to do before replacing your current windows is to measure the windows carefully. The old saw measure twice cut once certainly applies when it comes to replacing windows.

It would be a mistake to assume that all the windows in your home are the same size, even if they look exactly alike. The fact is that window sizes can vary from room to room, or even within the same room. This is especially true with older houses, who may have had their windows replaced by previous owners.

After you have all the measurements you need, it is time to go shopping for the replacement windows you need to complete your project. The prices on replacement windows can vary quite a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it definitely pays to shop around for the best deal.

Of course, quality should be the primary consideration when shopping for replacement windows. After all, the last thing you want to do is replace substandard windows in a few years. Buying the best replacement windows you can afford the first time around is the smartest strategy.

It is also important to determine whether you can do this type of project on your own, or whether you should hire a window contractor to help you with the work. Most experienced carpenters will have little trouble installing their own replacement windows, but those with lesser skills may wish to enlist professional help to get started. If you have a family member or friend who is a good handyman, it may be worth your while to get them involved as well.

Installing replacement windows is not an easy project, but it is by no means outside the skills of the average homeowner. With some planning and some hard work, most people will be able to replace their windows, saving time, money and energy in the process.

Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and writes on a wide range of topics from home improvement to credit repair and everything in between. She is a regular contributor to http://www.get-home-improvement.com and http://www.credit-card-faq.com

For more information and advice on home improvement projects, check out http://www.home-improvement4u.com

[tags]home improvement,project,windows,replacement,home,house,[/tags]

If you are tired of your old kitchen and are looking for ways to give it a new lease on life at affordable rates, then discounted kitchen cabinets can provide you with an ideal solution. This is for people who don’t want to actually replace the cabinets, but just give them a new look to brighten up the surroundings.

Buying discount kitchen cabinets are more affordable than replacing cabinets and have the advantage of giving your kitchen a fresh, clear and polished look. This brightens up the kitchen environment making working in it a pleasant experience. Also, if you are thinking of selling your home, new well-polished cabinets will definitely increase its resale value.

You can get discount kitchen cabinets by either refacing or refinishing your existing cabinets. Refacing kitchen cabinets is a way to give your cabinets a new ‘face’. For this, you can call any professional contractor who will remove your cabinet doors and then wrap thin veneers on them. Through cabinet refacing and refinishing you can not only revitalize your cabinets, but also save money that otherwise you would have incurred if you had replaced them.

You can pick your choice of veneers from a wide range of colors and finishes ranging from cherry to mahogany, or any color that blends with the color of the walls. Refacing is a relatively simple process that you can do it yourself.

The other option to remodel the kitchen cabinets is by refinishing. You can hire a professional contractor who can paint the cabinets for you. Painting kitchen cabinets usually takes three to four days. Instead of hiring a professional contractor, you can also do the painting yourself.

In fact, refinishing cabinets can provide you the perfect stimulus to satisfy your creative urges. Add to this the excitement of trying out something new and you’ll achieve the signature of a personal touch, a unique hand painted look that blends effortlessly with the rest of the kitchen.

Kitchen Cabinets provides detailed information about kitchen cabinets, discount kitchen cabinets, kitchen cabinet doors and more. Kitchen Cabinets is affiliated with Wallpaper And Borders.

[tags]kitchen cabinets, discount kitchen cabinets, kitchen cabinet doors[/tags]

Bedroom furniture consists of a bed, nightstands, cupboards, dressing tables, wardrobes and mirrors. There could also be a television or a music set. Bedroom furniture typically uses cool colors which add to the coziness of the room. Even the lighting in bedrooms is mostly kept dim to create an ambient atmosphere.

The big difference between bedroom furniture and furniture in the rest of the house is that bedroom furniture is not usually seen by visitors. Bedroom furniture is considered part of the private life of the owner. Furniture used in the bedroom has the potential to influence the mindset of the person using the bedroom.

That said, the basic purpose of bedroom furniture is to provide coziness and relaxation. A person may look forward to going to his or her bedroom after an especially grueling day. At the same time, bedroom furniture must be easily accessible and usable without much effort.

Beds are the most integral components of bedroom furniture. Going by modern trends, beds are available in not only rectangular and square designs, but also circular, oval or any other abstract shapes. The mattress of the bed is highly important and it must be ergonomic to the person using it. Beds are available in four standard sizes - king size, queen size, double and twin. The size of a bed is selected depending on the size of the bedroom. An ideal bed would be one with tiny drawers and places to keep nightstands for people who enjoy reading in bed.

Wardrobes are generally attached to bedroom walls. They must not be too large, but must be able to hold all the clothes of the user. Wardrobes may have mirrors on their doors to help a person in dressing up. Similarly, dressers are important in a bedroom. Dressing tables are wide enough to accommodate cosmetic material with a mirror and a stool.

People usually order their bedroom furniture in bulk. The reason behind this is to make all components match each other. Even abstract shapes should have a sense of homogeneity. There must be an intelligent blend of colors and patterns to make the bedroom furniture appealing. Hence, it is prudent to give the order for the entire bedroom furniture at the same time to the same contractor.

Modern Furniture provides detailed information on Modern Furniture, Affordable Modern Furniture, Modern Bedroom Furniture, Modern Office Furniture and more. Modern Furniture is affiliated with Contemporary Office Furniture.

[tags]Modern Furniture, Affordable Modern Furniture, Modern Bedroom Furniture, Modern Office Furniture[/tags]

It’s amazing — some people manage to get a complete aerobic workout just while preparing dinner! Back and forth, back and forth — I get tired just watching! Today, pay attention to the way you move while you cook. How many times do you cross the length of your kitchen in one evening? Do you find yourself doing squats to get at your pans? Stretches to reach your dishes? Are you becoming a world-class hurdler, jumping over the dog’s dish every time you go from refrigerator to stove? All it takes is a few minutes to re-arrange your kitchen storage, saving you a lot of time and energy in the long run.

HONEY, IS THIS GOOD?

We all know how disgusting it is to pull an item out of the fridge, only to discover that it has mutated. However, we often mistakenly confuse NON-PERISHABLE with INDESTRUCTIBLE. Even Twinkies have an expiration date! Do yourself a favor today — go through your cabinets and toss out anything that is old, rancid, stale, or hairy. And as you purge, be sure to keep a shopping list of items you need to replace. It’s also not a bad idea to make cleaning out the kitchen a part of your regular “home maintenance” routine. You may use these food “life expectancies” as a guide — but when in doubt, trust your gut (or your nose!):

- Canned foods (2-5 years)
- Flours (3-6 months)
- Cereal (6 months)
- Grains / Legumes (1 year)
- Pasta (1 year)
- Dried Herbs (6 months)
- Spices (6-12 months)
- Condiments (1 year)

FIVE “CENTERS”

Every implement or supply that you use tends to fall into one of five categories — cleaning, food storage, cooking, food preparation, and serving. The goal is to keep your equipment nearest the appropriate center, making it easier for you to perform your kitchen duties.

- Your CLEANING station consists of the sink, dishwasher, and trashcan. Of course, soap, disinfectants, sponges, and rags should be stored in a cabinet nearby.

- The stove is central to any COOKING activities, so keep utensils, baking sheets, pots, and pans within easy reach. If you can, also move the microwave and toaster into this area.

- Your FOOD PREPARATION center should be located near a large workspace (countertop or island). You will probably want to store knives, a cutting board, mixing bowls, blender, food processor, measuring cups, and other related implements close by.

- FOOD STORAGE, on the other hand, will center on the refrigerator — and should include room for Tupperware containers, canned foods, dry goods, and fresh fruits or vegetables.

- Your SERVING center may be split between the kitchen and dining area. It is often easier to store serving dishes, linens, and candles near the table - while flatware, glasses, and plates usually work well closer to the sink (it’s easier to put them away after washing).

TRANSFORM YOUR EXISTING STORAGE SPACE

Now, let’s tackle your cabinets and drawers. Limit yourself to one category of paraphernalia per area. That may mean putting canned goods on one shelf and boxes on another — or keeping dishes separate from glasses. Organize your kitchen in a way that makes sense to you, but try to avoid storing food and cookware together in the same cabinet.

Storage paraphernalia can also do wonders with your current storage spaces. Stepped shelving makes it easier to see items hidden in the back of a deep cabinet — and drawer dividers will help keep your utensils under control. Remember that rectangular storage containers take up less space than round ones — and pot lids / flat cookware are more accessible when lined up in a vertical rack. Finally, don’t forget the many ways to turn “dead” spaces into useful storage — including pullout racks, wall pegs, lazy susans, cup hooks, stacking bins, hanging storage, and space-saving appliances.

THE TRIANGLE THEORY

One final concern in your kitchen is movement from one “center” to the next. Some people claim that you should be able to reach every major appliance in one step. That seems highly impractical, especially if you have a very large kitchen. However, you can make your life a bit easier if you keep motion in mind. Try viewing your kitchen as a triangle — SINK to STOVE to REFRIGERATOR. Your goal is to keep those paths clear! If you have to dodge garbage cans, recycling bins, or any other obstacles to get back and forth, you are doing too much work.

Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and the founder of OnlineOrganizing.com — offering “a world of organizing solutions!” Visit http://www.onlineorganizing.com for organizing products, free tips, a speakers bureau — and even get a referral for a Professional Organizer near you. And if you are interested in becoming a Professional Organizer, we have all the tools you need to succeed. If you would like to reprint this article, please send in an e-mail request to ramona@onlineorganizing.com

[tags]kitchen, organize, clutter, meals, efficient, efficiency, home improvement[/tags]

Home security Part 1- Physical improvements you can do to make your home less attractive to burglars.

Burglars, thieves, and muggers are opportunists. They prowl about looking for things such as high bushes around doors, windows, or garages to hide behind; open doors or windows for easy access; an inviting open garage door; an accumulation of flyers & newspapers; little or no lighting around entryways and garages; empty big-ticket-item boxes on the curb; a darkened house indicating nobody home.

Have an inventory of your property along with photos or videotape. Store the pictures/video in a secure place away from the house such as a safety deposit box. Include a description of each item, purchase receipts, and any serial numbers (helpful for insurance/recovery identification). Contact your local police department. Many offer a free home security inspection. Mark your property with a code in an inconspicuous spot using indelible ink or an etcher (Some police departments loan etchers for personal use). Don’t keep all your jewelry in one easy-to-find place.

Burglars and muggers hate light. Have all entrances to your home and garage well lit with fixtures out of reach from ground level. Install lights with motion sensors but be aware they may give false alarms. Use photocell controlled lighting. The lights come on at dusk and stay on until dawn and cost pennies per month. If you have an electrical or fuse box mounted outside, secure it with a strong lock.

Muggers and burglars don’t like to work in the open. If you have bushes or shrubs near any windows or doors, trim them down to clear the view from windows and trim them up 1-2 feet from the ground to eliminate potential hiding places. Trim shrubs around the garage doors.

Keep doors and windows locked at all times, even if you’re in the back yard. Install a peep hole/wide angle viewer at a height convenient for everyone in the house. Don’t rely on door handle locks. Experienced thieves can easily open these. Don’t rely on chain locks. They can be easily cut or pulled out. Install deadbolt locks in all outside doors. Make sure the lock has at least a 1″ bolt or throw. If you already have a deadbolt, check the length of the kick plate screws. These screws should be at least 3″ long to go into the frame. If there is a window next to or in the door, you should have a double cylinder deadbolt (requires a key from each side). That way, a burglar can’t break the window to gain access to the deadbolt lock. Keep the key nearby but accessible only to your family for emergency use. Patio sliding doors are particularly susceptible to break-ins. Use anti-slide bolts or a track bar to reduce track clearance.

For double hung windows, you can purchase locks & clamps that attach to the windows to restrict movement. An alternative is pinning. Drill a down-angled hole through both windows and insert an eyebolt or pin having a head. This is for emergency removal. Drill a second hole no more than 4 inches lower and the window may be opened for air circulation yet not allow access. Louvered windows allow easy access since the panes are easily removed. Replace them with a more secure window type. The most secure basement windows are made of glass block. Before changing basement windows, check fire codes and be aware of emergency exits. An exterior air conditioner should be securely mounted on the inside of the window frame. If possible, remove the air conditioner in cold weather.

There are many fine wireless or wired-in alarms and alarm systems on the market in a variety of price ranges. You could purchase a D-I-Y system or have a professional install one for you. Wireless systems run on batteries and will work during a power outage. Some wired in systems connect you to a central monitoring center through your phone line and have a monthly monitoring fee. Remember, an alarm system will only help you if you turn it on! If you are unable to invest in an alarm system, put alarm warning stickers on doors and windows.

I began selling home security/safety items in 1977. My wife & I now have two websites. http://www.WHFSecurity.com is a home security site and http://www.WHFSafety.com is a personal safety site.

[tags]Alarm,alarm systems, burglar,wireless alarms,wired-in alarms,safety,home security,DIY system[/tags]

A slipcover is a loose cover that is fitted to protective a piece of upholstered furniture. Slipcovers are made of cloth, cotton usually and are referred to as clothing for your furniture. Anyway you look at it, a slipcover is draped over your couch or chair in hopes to keep the original condition of the couch or to enhance the condition of the couch or chair.

Slipcovers are not just for protection, but they are also used to improve the look of the furniture. Many times people will purchase secondhand furniture or just has worn out furniture that can be quite embarrassing, so they try to spruce things up by making or buying slipcovers. They can be tailored to fit the furniture perfectly or they could just hand loosely on the furniture. Today people even purchase furniture for the fact of using slipcovers. By purchasing a plain couch or chair it will save you tons of money and then by simply adding a slipcover you can make the furniture match your d

You have an older dishwasher and it’s serving you well. Let’s make that was serving you well. See, the problem is fixing it. If your dishwasher has stopped filling or draining all of a sudden or has its moments when it will work and when it won’t - check the belt.

The belt connects the motor to the pump using pulleys. When the motor rotates in one direction the pump fills the dishwasher. When the motor rotates in the opposite direction, the pump drains the dishwasher.

If your dishwasher isn’t filling or draining at all, the belt could be broken. If your dishwasher occasionally works, the belt is probably stretched and is slipping. Take a closer look at your dishwasher’s belt.

The belt is approximately 25 inches long and made of clear or black rubber. The belt is located behind the lower access panel, which is sometimes referred to as a kickplate. Getting to the belt is easy and since you don’t have pull the dishwasher out from the wall, this repair won’t take long. The only tool you will need is a screwdriver.

Always remember:
It’s important to cut the power source to the dishwasher before attempting any repairs. You can unplug the power cord, remove the fuse from the fuse box, or flip the breaker in the circuit breaker panel. After the power is cut, you may continue.

Open the dishwasher door to locate the screws for the access panel. Once the screws are removed, close the door and remove the panel. The old belt will be stretched a bit making it easier to remove. It will slip down off the pulleys. Replacing the belt is not so simple. It will have a much tighter fit.

The easiest way to get a new belt on the pulleys is to put one end of the belt around the pump housing, directly above the pump pulley. Put the other end of the belt around the motor pulley. Carefully roll the belt down the pump housing until it sits properly in place.

Finally you can reattach the access panel and reconnect the power source. Your old dishwasher is back up and ready to go again.

Tyler Anderson is a writer for Total Appliance Parts: Helping you repair your dishwasher and other major appliances. Learn how to repair your own appliance and find parts for your dishwasher, refrigerator and more at EasyApplianceParts.com.

[tags]dishwasher, appliance, repair, part, parts, problem, kitchen, belt, pulley, motor, fill, drain,[/tags]

For homeowners around the world, a big part of owning a home is landscaping the yard. Front yard landscaping or backyard landscaping, the work must be done. While the front yard is important because it’s more visible to neighbors and others who drive by, the backyard is no less important. The backyard is where families and friends gather for barbeques and birthday parties and where some families place their swimming pools. Most backyards are landscaped with careful thought and preparation. Special consideration is put into the positioning of every blade of grass, each decorative stone and all of the species of flowers that beautify a backyard.

Flowers, stones and grass are just some of the ways to landscape a backyard. Large shade trees, waterfalls and herbal gardens are some other ways. The theme of your landscape will depend on your hobbies, interests and goals for your backyard. Backyard landscaping can be a lot of fun, especially when you make it personal. Landscape your yard to reflect your personality and your homes personality. If you and your family like to entertain, add a bar to your back patio. Clean up the barbeque grill and don’t forget the citronella candles to keep the bugs away. Maybe you’ll want to build a croquet course, mini golf course, or put in a sand lot for some sand volleyball. Whatever your preference, make backyard landscaping fun for the whole family.

Keep your family in mind too, when it comes time to maintain the backyard landscaping. Large yards will require a lot more maintenance and grooming. Taking care of the yard can be a nice family activity. You can mow the lawn, pull the weeds and get the kids involved in watering the plants. If you have a fruit tree in your backyard, you’ll probably be spending some time picking up the fallen apples or cherries. And of course, you’ll also need to reserve time to tend to your herbal garden. It can be surprisingly rewarding to grow your own herbs and use them in special recipes that you cook when you’re entertaining friends and neighbors.

If you are the type who would rather keep your backyard to yourself, then maybe you don’t need to worry about the huge, green lawn. Perhaps you’d rather have a quaint yard with basic backyard landscaping. You can put in some grass, strategically place some shade trees and plant some of your favorite flowers. You may want to include some bigger bushes, if space allows as they will add some gorgeous green to your colorful backyard. This type of backyard may require the same maintenance as a large backyard, but not nearly the time commitment. No matter what your personality says about your backyard landscaping, one thing’s for surehomeowners everywhere will tell you to create your backyard just the way you want to.

Landscapes and Landscaping http://landscapes-and-landscaping.com/ helping you to make the most of your garden space.

[tags]landscaping, backyard, landscape, home, garden, gardening[/tags]

If you’re looking for a rustic living experience, log cabins - either individually built or from a prefab kit - are a great choice; but they do present some unique decorating challenges. Most often the interior walls around the perimeter of the home are constructed of the same rough logs as the exterior; so what do you do to define your d