Fun Facts

Redesigning your patio can be as simple as adding a few pieces of outdoor furniture to your backyard. Or it can be as elaborate as installing an adjoining concrete slab with an outdoor kitchen and dining area. Visualize the Design with a Quick Mock-up A bench and a potted plant transform this bare patch. As you begin a design project for a backyard patio, always check whether you need permits to make your ideas a reality. Once that is done, you can actually start the project. You may have chosen a designer to do it for you, or more probably you have decided to do it yourself to save money and because you generally like home improvement projects. Decide where your patio is best situated. Most patios lead off from a living area or kitchen to make entertaining guests easier. Check the space you have available and size your patio accordingly. Lay out a rope or garden hose to visualize the footprint of your patio. Set a few chairs in the space to ensure it is not to small. Decide…

By law it is mandatory for child passengers in a car to be properly secured in an infant seat, car seat or booster seat. Making sure your car seat is secured properly could save your child’s life in the event of an accident. Get the Seat that Matches Your Child The car seat is one item you can't spend too much on. There are various seats available on the market, depending on your child’s age and height. Checking out a good guide will give you a good idea of what to look for and what to expect. Since your child will grow quickly, but will need a seat until they are about twelve years old, you may want to buy seats which convert and grow with your child. There will be some difference in installation depending on your chosen car seat, so for up to date information always refer to the manual that comes with the seat (or search online for manufacturer’s instructions), as well as your car manual. The first and most important factor is to make sure you have the right seat for your …

Refresh Your Bedroom Giving a fresh look to the bedroom can be done quite quickly by giving the walls a new look and updating the soft furnishings. Not every home improvement project has to be a complete renovation.   A new headboard for the bed can be created out of a variety of items, even reclaimed doors or windows. Remove the glass and cover the backs with foam board or fiber board. Dress up the pieces with any fabric or leftover wallpaper you have lying around. Another idea to try is a symmetrical arrangement of mirrors on the wall, in the same way you would hang pictures. The mirror effect can brighten up a bedroom and make it seem larger. Cover the walls with oversize pattern wallpaper or a fresh coat of paint for a sophisticated look. If someone in the family is handy with a sewing machine, update your curtains and soft furnishings with some interesting matching fabrics. Bedding can also receive an upgrade with a new quilt cover or bed sheets. Add some moder…

The classifieds are a great place to find a pet. Many pet owners and breeders use the classifieds to let others know their dog, cat, fish bird, turtle or snake needs a new home. Look for Adult Pets You can skip the house breaking puppy phase by buying an adult dog. When adult pets are sold, it is often because the owners are moving and can’t take the pet with them. This usually means the pet will come with its own toys, cage, or tank, even food. Also, ask for their vet’s contact info, so your vet can get your pet’s health information. As long as you are reading the classifieds, it’s a good time to look for additional pet accessories. Hamster cages, dog kennels, and cat trees can all be found in usable condition. Just be sure to thoroughly clean any used items before giving them to your pet. Find a Reputable Breeder When using the classifieds to find a pet, check that the breeder is running a good operation where the animals are in good health and not living in filthy condi…

Looking for a job is the easiest part of the process. Our classifieds offer several pages devoted to listing vacant job positions. Being well-prepared, though, is a little more demanding. There will probably be a lot of competition for the job, and you will need to find ways to be better-prepared than most. Resume Having a very good resume will immediately increase your chances of getting the job. Make sure you use good quality paper, a good font style and size, and write a very cordial and interesting cover letter. These documents are your introduction to the employer and will be their first impression of you. Therefore, you have to make sure you seem an organized and methodical person. Tailor every resume to the job you are applying for, a generic one will not do. Use a standard format and include all the relevant details of your education, training and past employment. Remember, you want to sound like the right person for the job, so show the employer why they should choose…

If you’ve just bought a house…congratulations! You’ve survived the offer, the home inspection, mortgage application, financing, closing! Now it’s time to make that house your home. Keys and Locks Many people don’t think of this, but it’s a great idea to replace the locks or “rekey” them so that the old keys no longer work. Changing locks is easy to do, but you can hire a locksmith if you’d prefer to leave it to experts. This is also a good time to find a great “hiding” place for a key so you don’t get locked out. Under the doormat is way too easy to figure out. You never know who has a copy of the old key. They may have left some with friends and family, or loaned it out to an ex-roommate. They might even have a spare for themselves. Even if you’re buying a new home, contractors who worked on the home might also have keys. Now, there are some fun options for door locks. They have Keyless Entry door locks, which allow you to program in codes for people…this eliminates the ne…

Do you remember going to the drive-in movies? They were a big thing once…and they are coming back! What can be more fun than pulling up in your car with your family, turning on the radio to the right station, and preparing to watch two movies…all from the comfort of your own car? What’s even better…you can bring blankets, babies, and adjust the volume to your desires! Most drive ins also have concession stands, so you don’t even have to go hungry. If you’re going to the movies in this new old method, there are a few things you might want to take with you: Folding Chairs (Just in case you want to sit outside of your car.) Air loungers are good, too! A Cooler With Drinks. Some theatres might charge if you bring your own food and drink, but it doesn’t hurt to have them! Coffee is good when it’s a double-show, especially since the second one might not even start until late night Supper and You’re keeping awake until late so it’s everything about the carbs. You can’t turn …

Great, vintage, collectible or downright old car? How would you know the distinction, and exactly when does a more seasoned vehicle become an amazingly classic vehicle? For the most part it depends upon who you ask: various vehicle clubs, collectors, countries, and insurance agencies have different methods of deciding whether a vehicle qualifies as a classic car. The essential attributes of a classic vehicle are age, condition and uniqueness among different vehicles. How do you classify these cars? Antique – A vehicle more than 45 years old. Classic – A vehicle made at least 20 years prior to the current year. This definition is accepted by most state DMV’s. CCCA Classic – A “fine” or “distinctive” automobile, either American or foreign built, produced between 1925 and 1948 as defned by the Classic Car Club of America. Vintage – A vehicle made between 1919 and 1930. Is your classic car valuable? To be valuable and extraordinary, it must also be in great condition an…

Keeping the value of your home or even adding to the value of your home may not require a gigantic effort on your part. Simple things such as a tidy yard and garage, freshly painted exterior, building a car port or installing a modern kitchen are all ways to keep the value where you want it to be. After all, buying your property is a large investment of time and money. Financially, if you rent out your property and are commanding more rent because of the improvements, this is reflected in the overall value of the place. You may also save money with tax deductions for your expenses related to improving the property. Larger equity from an improved home that will enable you to comfortably borrow more money for other investments. Some factors which affect the value of your property over time, and may not be obvious are: Safety – homes in cul-de-sacs and areas safer for children. Location close to desirable schools. Limited availability – in a nice neighborhood, limited c…

Tired of being cooped up in your house and want a safe but wonderful daytrip? Here are 10 amazing destinations you can go to that can renew your energy, spirit, and life! Amazing Animals 4235 Rambler Avenue, St. Cloud 34772 (407) 719-6269 Home to over 100 exotic animals this animal preserve gives private tours…just you and your group! There are many photo opportunities and hands-on encounters during this tour. Everglades National Park Airboat Tour and Wildlife Show 24050 SW 8th Street, Miami 33194 (305)242-7700 Take an airboat through the Everglades and adventure with the alligators, birds, and turtles. This trip includes a wildlife show where guests see alligator wrestling techniques that were used by Native Americans. It even gives visitors a chance to hold a baby alligator! Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park 100 Savannah Blvd., Micanopy 32667 (352) 466-3397 Florida’s first State Preserve, this wonderful park features herds of wild horses and bison. Nearly 300 species of bird…