Spring break info

46 Clues Your Partner is Having an Affair

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:31:06 +0000

46 Clues Your Partner is Having an Affair

by: Dr. Robert Huizenga

Some of these signs of a cheating spouse are "tongue in cheek" while others are tell tale signs that commonly appear with a cheating husband or cheating wife. There is no copyright. Feel free to forward to those who might be interested. But please don't change anything.

Signs of a Cheating Spouse:

1) You find birth-control pills in her medicine cabinet, and you've had a vasectomy.

2) Mutual friends start acting strangely toward you. (They either know about the cheating or have been told stories about what a horrible wife or girlfriend you are.)

3) Your cheating husband or wife stops confiding in you and seeking advice from you.

4) Sets up a new e-mail account and doesn't tell you about it.

5) He leaves the house in the morning smelling like Irish Spring and returns in the evening smelling like Safeguard.

6) She joins the gym and begins a rigorous workout program.

7) She buys a cell phone and doesn't let you know.

8) He sets up a separate cell phone account that is billed to his office.

9) The cheating husband carries condoms, and you are on the pill.

10) Begins to delete all incoming phone calls from the caller ID.

11) Deletes all incoming e-mails when they used to accumulate.

12) He becomes "accusatory," asking if you are being true to him, usually out of guilt.

13) Raises hypothetical questions such as, "Do you think it's possible to love more than one person at a time?"

14) He buys himself new underwear.

15) He insists the child seat, toys, etc., are kept out of his car.

16) The cheating wife stops wearing her wedding ring.

17) Has a sudden desire to be helpful with the laundry.

18) Has unexplained scratches or bruises on his or her neck or back.

19) Suddenly wants to try new love techniques.

20) He/she fairly suddenly stops having sex with you.

21) He/she suddenly wants more sex, more often.

22) Supposedly works a lot of overtime, but it never shows up on the pay stub.

23) Picks fights in order to stomp out of the house.

24) You find out by accident he or she took vacation day or personal time off from work - but supposedly worked on those days.

25) Shows a sudden interest in a different type of music.

26) Spouse's co-workers are uncomfortable in your presence.

27) Has a sudden preoccupation with his or her appearance.

28) Spends an excessive amount of time on the computer, especially after you have gone to bed.

29) He throws up a lot because he just ate at his mistress's house and had to eat the dinner you prepared when he got home.

30) Your spouse is away from home, either nights or on trips, more than previously.

31) His/her clothes smell of an unfamiliar perfume or after-shave. You see lipstick on your husband's shirt.

32) The amount of money being deposited into your checking account drops off.

33) You find items of intimate apparel or other small gift-type items that you did not give your spouse.

34) Your spouse seems less comfortable around you and is "touchy" and easily moved to anger.

35) You get calls where the caller hangs up when he or she hears your voice.

36) He/she loses attention in the activities in the home.

37) Your intuition (gut feeling) tells you that something is not right.

38) He/she has a definite change in attitude towards everyone in the home.

39) She uses a low voice or whisper on the phone or hangs up quickly.

40) She has a "glow" about her.

41) Atypical erratic behavior.

42) He sneaks out of the house.

43) She sleeps with her purse by the bed.

44) She goes to the store for groceries and comes home 5 hours later.

45) He tells you that you can get hold of him at a different telephone number.

46) The telltale sign of a cheating spouse? Having to ask that question in the first place.

About The Author

Dr. Robert Huizenga, The Infidelity Coach, has helped hundreds of couples over the past two decades heal from the agony of extramarital affairs and survive infidelity. Visit his website at: http://www.break-free-from-the-affair.com

Bet You Didn?t Know . . . All Waters Are Not Created Equal

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:18:44 +0000

Bet You Didn?t Know . . . All Waters Are Not Created Equal

by: K.C. Craichy

Water fortifies our systems and our cells. Without it, we couldn't survive. And it has been linked to many health benefits, from removing toxins from the system to improving brain function. Those 8 to 12 glasses of water a day are certainly critical . . . but if the water we drink isn't "clean," we're not doing our bodies much good.

Contaminants, from chlorine to aluminum, in our tap water supply have caused many consumers to abandon their taps for bottled water. But bottled waters have their own hazards. The acidic pH in many plastic bottled waters causes the plastic to leach into the water, particularly if the bottles have been sitting in a warehouse for a long time.

It's important to drink waters that have a pH of 7.0 and higher, and preferably housed in glass bottles or safer plastics such as PET or PETE. Here are some excellent spring and artesian water choices: Mountain Valley Spring Water, VOSS Artesian Water, Fiji Natural Artesian Spring Water, Trinity Spring Water.

If you continue to use tap water as your primary water source, consider investing in a home water filtering unit such as The Wellness Filter www.wellnessfilter.com or The Ionizer Plus hightechhealth.com. At the very least, invest in a carbon pitcher filter system such as Brita or PUR, which filter out many impurities.

Also, be careful of distilled water. Although some people will use distilled water as a detoxifier when they are fasting, it should be kept to a minimum. Distilled water has no mineral or nutritional content and long-term use can cause a rapid loss of electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride).

Super Health Hydration Tip: Most other fluids don't "count" towards your water goal. Soft drinks, coffee, alcohol . . . these diuretics are dehydrators that actually deplete the body of essential minerals and vitamins and compromise the gains you get from drinking clean water. Your 8 to 12 glasses should be "net" glasses of water per day.

For more information, go to http://www.superhealth7.com

About The Author

K.C. Craichy is Founder and President of Living Fuel http://www.livingfuel.com. He is a health consultant and sought-after speaker on the topic of Optimal Health.

Tips for Organizing your Scrapbook Photos

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:32:56 +0000

Tips for Organizing your Scrapbook Photos

by: Lisa Fleming

As winter turns to spring each year, many of us turn our thoughts to spring cleaning. Our lists of projects typically include mundane tasks such as sweeping the garage, cleaning the gutters and washing the windows. So why not add a little pizzazz to your spring cleaning this year by tackling a fun project like organizing your scrapbook photos? ?Fun?? you say. Well yes, organizing your photos can be fun if you have some tips on how to do it. Read on to learn how to gather, sort, label and store your photos so that they?re ready for your scrapbook albums.

Gather your photos

Throughout the years your photos may have ended up in various places - the attic, the garage, closets, desk drawers, etc. It's also likely that you have some in old photo albums and on your computer. The best way to get started is to bring all of your photos and photo albums to a workspace where you can spread them out (e.g., a large table) so that you can inventory what you have. It's up to you whether or not you want to take your photos out of your old photo albums at this point or just put a sticky note on each album to indicate what's in it. (Note: Many old photo albums are not photo-safe; the quicker you get your photos out of them, the better it is for your photos.) If you do have photos on your hard drive or online that haven't been printed yet, you can spend a few minutes at your computer jotting down some notes about those photos (e.g., which years they're from, what events they cover) and bring these notes to your workspace. Even if you don't intend on putting all of your photos into scrapbook albums, having them all organized will help you plan your scrapbook projects.

Sort your photos

While there are lots of different ways to sort your photos, many people find it useful to sort them chronologically and by event. If you have photos going back many years, you may want to sort them by decade or groups of years (e.g., early 90s, mid 90s, late 90s). Once you have them in a rough chronological order, you can then divide them by event and/or theme. Ideas for events/themes include vacations, holidays, birthdays, weddings, baby's first year, school, sports, clubs, military, legacy/heritage, family/general, etc. Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong way to sort them; everyone's photos are unique, so create categories that make sense for you. For example, some people have vacation scrapbook albums, and they keep all of their vacation photos together in those particular albums. Other people prefer to keep the photos from their vacations in a general scrapbook album that covers one or more calendar years. Either way is fine. The point of sorting your photos is to take an inventory of what you have and decide how you'd like to group them.

Label your photos

After your photos are sorted, it's a good idea to label some of them. To do this, you should use a photo labeling pen that is designed specifically for writing on the backs of photos. (Note: Regular pens and pencils should not be used because the ink and lead can damage your photos.) There's no need to label all of your photos; just label one or two of each group of photos so that you know what they are. For instance, if you've found some old birthday party photos you can just jot down whose birthday it was, the year, and how old he/she was. Or if you've found some old wedding photos you can jot down whose wedding it was, the year and where the wedding was held. The goal here is to make a few notes so that it's easier to remember what the photos are about when you're ready to put them into an album.

Store your photos

Once your photos are sorted and labeled, it's time to store them in a photo-safe manner until you're ready to work with them. To keep your photos safe, there are three elements you need to protect them from: heat, humidity and light. These elements contribute to the deterioration and fading of photographs. So photos should not be stored in attics, garages or unfinished basements, and they should not be left in the sunlight. You'll also want to be sure that any container you store your photos in is acid-free and lignin-free. Acid and lignin are substances found in paper (e.g., in some envelopes, accordion files, etc.), and these substances can harm your photos. A great way to store your photos in a safe and organized fashion is to use a photo case. Many scrapbook retailers carry them, and the cases come in a variety of sizes and colors. To view photo cases as well as other scrapbook supplies, visit http://www.scrapbooktown.com.

And that?s all there is to it. So make this spring cleaning a ?scrapbook spring cleaning? by getting your photos organized.

About The Author

Lisa Fleming is an avid scrapbooker and the owner of Scrapbook Town. Scrapbook Town is a scrapbooking website that has scrapbook supplies, ideas and information. You can visit Scrapbook Town at http://www.scrapbooktown.com.

scrapbooktown@earthlink.net

7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:47:52 +0000

7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress

by: D Ruplinger

Purchasing a mattress is the most important furniture purchase you?ll make because you spend more time on a mattress than on any other piece of furniture you own, unless you have a tendency to fall asleep every night in a recliner like my husband does.

The seven items below are things you should be aware of and to consider before you purchase a mattress since that mattress will be a huge factor in the quality of sleep you receive each evening.

1) Decide on a budget. The prices of mattresses vary a great deal. If price is your number one consideration you can find an inexpensive mattress and box spring set for a few hundred dollars. But I recommend buying the best mattress and box spring you can afford. When you buy a mattress you get what you pay for. My first two mattress purchases were based on price and I never really got a good night?s sleep. I saved and bought a high quality mattress a few years ago. It was a great buying decision. I now wake up feeling rested and refreshed, not tired and sore like I used to.

2) Decide what size mattress you are going to buy. If you are buying a mattress for a child a twin size mattress is fine, but if you are an adult and there are two people sleeping in your bed I don?t recommend going with anything smaller than a queen size bed. If you can afford a king-size bed and you have the room for it, I recommend it.

I now own a king size bed and it?s nice having enough space in bed to move around a little without disturbing my partner like I used to. In our old bed (a full size) I once accidentally hit my husband in the mouth in the middle of the night when I rolled over and flung my arm out. He was not a happy person! If you think a full-size mattress is big enough for two people consider this: a full size mattress gives each person the same amount of bed width as in a baby crib. Queen size mattresses are the most popular size but if two people are sleeping in a queen size bed each person still has 10 ? inches less bed width than if they were sleeping by themselves in a twin bed.

The standard sizes of mattresses are: TWIN: 39? wide, 75? long; TWIN EXTRA LONG: 38? wide; 80? long; DOUBLE/FULL: 54? wide, 75? long; QUEEN: 60? wide, 80? long; KING: 76? wide, 80? long; CALIFORNIA KING: 72? wide, 84? long.

3) Test. Test. Test. Try out mattresses. Go to several stores and lay down on different mattresses. See what you find comfortable. A firm mattress isn?t always the best mattress. It depends on the individual. If you and your partner prefer different firmness levels look for a mattress that can have different firmness levels on each side. For example, I prefer a firmer mattress than my husband does so his side of the bed is less firm than mine. Comfort (as long as you are in your within the range of your budget) should be your number one consideration.

4) Don?t be too concerned about the words, firm, extra firm, etc. especially when looking at mattresses from different manufacturers. Firmness is not standardized in the mattress industry. One manufacturer?s ?firm? mattress may actually be firmer than another manufacturer?s ?extra firm? mattress. Look for comfort and support. You want to feel cradled and supported when you lay on a mattress. And don?t feel self-conscious about going into stores and lying on as many mattresses as you want. It?s the best way to tell if a mattress is or isn?t right for you. The best way to check out the mattress is to take off your shoes and your coat if you?re wearing on. Lying on a mattress with your coat and shoes on is not going to help you determine what mattress is right for you unless you plan on sleeping in your coat and shoes every night.

5) Warranty is important but not as important as you might think. A mattress with a 25 year warranty is great, but the life expectancy of a great quality mattress is only about 10 years. You want a warranty to protect you from defects and problems. To me a sleep guarantee is more important than a long warranty. What I mean by a sleep guarantee is that you are given a period of time to try out your mattress. For example, some stores and manufacturers give sleep guarantees of up to 90 days although 30 days is the most common. If during that time you decide the mattress you purchased is not right for you, you are able to either exchange it or return it for a refund.

For example, when I purchased my last mattress from a sleep specialty store that custom builds each mattress (Verlo), it came with a 60 day sleep guarantee or trial period. If we didn?t like the mattress the store would come to our house, pick up the mattress, take it back to their factory and rebuild it for us. I liked that peace of mind. After sleeping on our mattress for a few weeks I decided my side was a little too firm. We called the store where we bought it and made an appointment for them to come and pick it up. The store picked up our mattress in the morning, took it to their store/factory, rebuilt it, and returned it late the same day. They did this so we wouldn?t be without a mattress to sleep on.

6) Get familiar with the following terms: innerspring and box spring (also called the foundation). Innerspring mattresses are, by far, the most common type of mattress purchased. An innerspring mattress is made with tempered steel coils encased in layers of cushioning and upholstery. The box spring or foundation is what the mattress sits on. It?s generally not considered a good idea to put a new mattress on an old box spring. A manufacturer?s box spring and mattress are designed to work together to give you the best product. In addition, many manufacturers will void their warranty if a mattress is not placed on the box spring that is designed to go with it.

7) Know what choices you have besides the traditional innerspring and box spring sets. There are other viable options depending on what you are looking for. Those options include foam mattresses, futons, airbeds, adjustable beds, and waterbeds.

Foam mattresses ? a foam mattress can be made of solid foam piece or may be composed of several layers of different types of foam. Some foam mattresses have a top layer that is composed of memory foam that remembers the shape of your body and conforms to it.

Futons ? futon beds are basically a frame with a folding mattress on it. A futon can function as both a sofa and a bed. Most futons come with a standard 6 inch foam mattress, which isn?t very comfortable if the futon is going to be a person?s primary bed. If the futon is going to be a primary bed a better option is to purchase an innerspring mattress for the bed. Several manufacturers make innerspring mattresses for futons. The innerspring mattresses are more expensive but are also a whole lot more comfortable. If an innerspring mattress is out of your price range, try to at least upgrade to an 8 inch foam mattress.

Airbed ? an airbed is just what it sounds like ? a bed full of air. Most airbeds are touted as being portable, easy to set-up, and easy to store after use. I have an airbed at my house for use as an extra mattress during the holidays when we always seem to have more overnight guests than beds. Today?s airbeds are a lot more than inflatable pieces of plastic. Our airbed has a pillow top mattress which makes it surprisingly comfortable. Some airbeds have adjustable firmness levels and/or a heated top to make them more comfortable.

Adjustable beds ? an adjustable bed is a lot like a hospital bed because it allows you to adjust the head and foot of the bed to your liking. Adjustable beds come in all sizes and the larger sizes have separate controls for each side of the bed.

Waterbeds ? today?s waterbeds are more sturdy than the wobbly water-filled mattresses from the 70?s that you could get seasick on. The latest designs are built to look like an innerspring/box spring set. The interior of the mattress has layers of baffling and upholstery to provide support and comfort (www.mattressespro.com/watermattress).

There are a lot of choices in mattresses today. If you do a little research and become familiar with the different types of mattresses available to you before you start to shop, the task of finding the right mattress for you will be easier.

About The Author

D Ruplinger is a featured writer for http://www.mattressespro.com. For more information about mattresses, mattress ratings, and mattress sizes, visit http://www.mattressespro.com.

St. Patrick's Day Traditions

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:44:46 +0000

St. Patrick's Day Traditions

by: Niall Cinneide

On March 17, 431AD, when Patrick of Ireland died, a new holiday was born. Though the celebrations began in the 700's as a traditional Catholic Holy Day, over the years St. Patrick's Day has become more a secular holiday which marks the beginning for spring. The official date for the beginning of spring is March 21, and this also supports the tradition of wearing green. Green is the color for life and growth and if you desire good luck and on this day, you should "be wearin' a touch o' the green!

The spreading of Christianity and Catholicism to the Irish of the 4th and 5th century is mainly attributed to St. Patrick, who received the name of Patrick while in seminary after his captivity in Ireland. Traditions that originated back in the 7th century have changed from being strictly religious to a St. Patrick's Day where "everybody is Irish for the day". Catholics will start the day off at early mass which signifies the beginning of the holiday. Tradition has it that St. Patrick often used a Shamrock to explain to pagans the concept of the Trinity. The trinity is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost which Christians know all stem from the same God ? three in one like the Shamrock plant - three leaves from one stem. If you are wearing a shamrock you can claim Good Luck or Blessings! The tradition of the Shamrock still remains though most don't know the reason behind it; but it still means Good Luck! to whoever wears it or receives it.

St. Patrick's Day was first observed as a holiday in the United States in 1737. The US was still under the authority of the British because the Revolutionary War that gave freedom didn't even start until 1776. So even though many of the Irish had not yet arrived to our shores yet, St. Patrick's Day was still considered a very important holiday. Queen's NY started the first parade in honor of St. Patrick and as a result, St. Patrick's Day parades are popular all across the country. Parades are a great way to celebrate this day!

If you need a tad bit more good luck to start your season off, invite a Leprechaun to accompany you throughout the day. They are packed with good luck ? and are kind of cute, to boot!

Of course, one of the most popular traditions that goes only with St. Patrick's Day is the drinking of particularly green ale. Green is the color of the day! For this holiday, there should be no bar or tavern which does not add some green food coloring to a keg of draft beer to serve mugs of tinted beer to its customers. And of course Irish cream and Irish Whiskey ought to be available too, but make sure the kids get green lemonade or 7UP!

St. Patrick's Day is a day of fun for all ages.

About The Author

Niall Cinneide loves entertaining and celebrating St Patrick's Day. He publishes views, information and news about St Patricks Day at St Patricks Information.

Spring Is Around The Corner - How is your Garden?

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:27:41 +0000

Spring Is Around The Corner - How is your Garden?

by: Anita Johnston

Spring is in my opinion the most wonderful time of year for the gardener. You can shake of that winter weariness and get ready for a new gardening season.

The most difficult part of spring gardening is trying to manage your impatience. Don?t start digging around too early. The soil must be dry enough to have it fall apart when you pick it up. When it still sticks together like glue that?s definitely not the case.

Early spring is the best time of year to change (parts of) your garden design. You can transplant existing shrubs and perennial plants before they begin to leaf out. This also is the time to prune your trees and shrubs. Cut back the remaining dead foliage from last season and remove dead, damaged or diseased branches of trees and shrubs.

And then flowers! That?s really what spring is about isn?t it! There are many that are suitable for cool spring weather. Think of sweet alyssum, some snapdragons, stock and sweat peas. You can also start some perennials like hostas and daylilies.

Start some Violets, Marigolds, Carnations, Geraniums and Impatiens inside to transplant to your flower beds in early spring. Or if you have some space left in your garden you can set up a "Cold Frame". Ready-made cold frames are available in different sizes. A cold frame "captures" the spring sunlight and warms the soil it surrounds. That way it is ideal to "harden off" houseplants and transplants for your summer garden. You can use the cold frame for direct seeding as well.

If you have unplanted areas in your garden a great spring project is to lay out landscape cloth on that unplanted area. Landscape cloth is an excellent weed barrier. It comes in different weights, heights and fabric choices. This cloth can then also serve as a great map to precisely plant your transplants.

Weeds start to grow very early but still have shallow roots in spring so get them out when you spot them. Getting on top of the weeds now means a lot less work in summer, and I?m sure that digging out weeds in the burning sun in not your favorite pastime.

These two measures will definitely intimidate your perennial weeds to the extent that they will prefer your neighbor?s garden over yours.

And most of all enjoy your spring garden, watch it grow and blossom into summer!

About The Author

Anita Johnston is an enthusiast gardener and one of the authors of http://www.gardening-guides.com and http://www.lawnmower-guide.com/.

Spring Cleaning - Time to Tackle Your Closet

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:29:23 +0000

Spring Cleaning - Time to Tackle Your Closet

by: Susanne Myers

Spring is on it?s way and even though it may already be tempting to spend the day outside, take a few hours to clean out your closet. You?ll be glad you did when it is finally time to dig out those t-shirts and shorts.

Before you start:

Try to have all your clothes washed and in your closet before you start, so you have a good idea of what you actually own at this point. Wear some comfortable cloths and turn on some up beat music. Grab a couple of rags and some all-purpose cleaner to wipe off shelves and rods in your closet. Grab a couple of large trash bags and a few empty laundry baskets.

Start out by sorting everything into three piles.

Things you will throw away or use as rags.
Things you will give away.
Things to keep.

Make these piles outside of your closet. With the closet empty, take some time to wipe all the shelves off with a rag and some all-purpose cleaner or some soapy water. If you have wooden shelves, use a dusting spray or a barely damp cloth. If you?re not sure what you can use on your shelves, just give it a good dusting.

Take some time to sweep or vacuum the floor as well. Don?t forget to wipe the rods and clothes hangers as well.

Take a look at your three piles. If you are anything like me, pile 1 and 2 are probably pretty small and almost everything in your closet ends up in pile 3.

Time to go over the pile again. Here are a few ?rules? to help you figure out what?s worth keeping:

If you haven?t worn something in 9-12 months it is probably not worth hanging on to. You may like the looks of a particular sweater, but end up not wearing it because it itches. Or you found a blouse you love, but haven?t been able to find anything to go with it. If you don?t have a very good reason to keep it, give it away or toss it.

Do you have a pair of pants or a dress that is several sizes to small, but you keep telling yourself that you will fit in it one of these days? I know this is hard, but be honest with yourself. Are you going to lose enough weight in the near future to fit in it? If you think you will, give yourself 6 months to fit into those cloths. Put them in a bag with a dated note. Set yourself an email reminder, or keep a note on your fridge to check back 6 months from now. If the cloths still don?t fit, toss them or give them away.

Look over your keeps pile again. Do you notice several similar items? Do you have 6 pairs of black dress slacks, 3 pink sweaters etc? Do you really need 6 pairs of black pants? Pick 2 or 3 of your favorites, or the ones that are in best shape and toss the rest. Do the same with the sweaters. Pick one to keep.

Don?t forget to look through your socks and undergarments as well. Get rid of anything you wouldn?t want to be seen in. Spend a few dollars on some new items if you don?t have much left when you are done.

Now it is time to put your keepers back in the closet. Take a few minutes to figure out what goes where best. Divide your clothes by season and keep them together accordingly. It will make it easy to switch your spring and summer items to the back of the closet in the fall.

A few last tips for those of us tempted to pull stuff back out of the do-not-keep piles. If you are planning on using some items as rags, go ahead and cut them up now. You can keep them in a plastic bag or small cardboard box in your cleaning supply closet.

Take the bags to be thrown away or given to charity as soon as possible. The longer they sit around the house, the more tempted you will be to dig something back out.

That?s it. With a little luck you?ll have enough room in your walk in closet to actually walk into it at this point. You may have found clothes you forgot you had and you should have a much better idea of what?s actually in your closet.

Give yourself a pat on the shoulder for a job well done and go enjoy the first spring days outside.

About The Author

Susanne Myers is the founder of www.kinderinfo.com, the one-stop online children's resource center. Here you will find all kinds of answers to help you with your family, including information on child care options and locations, educational resources, sports and recreation, home-based activities, party and event planning, even quick and easy recipes. We seek to answer all kid-related questions!

surausa@yahoo.com

Spring Cleaning For Today's Mom

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:17:11 +0000

Spring Cleaning For Today's Mom

by: Amy Allen Clark

With spring comes all of the beauty of the changing season. We finally began to see our grass; we enjoy seeing the new buds on our trees, and the sweet smell of a good April shower. What also comes along is the dreaded ritual of spring cleaning. Maybe you went through this awful experience as a child. Your mother would be pulling all the linens, washing the drapes, deep cleaning every nook and cranny of your home and then collapse after a full day of cleaning. I don?t remember this as being a fun ritual for our family and have decided to try a different method of cleaning in our own home.

Spring cleaning ironically is not as necessary as it once was. Back in the olden days, spring cleaning was a much different concept then it is today. This cleaning was a necessary routine because of how they had to heat their homes and keep them lit. Using kerosene, wood, gas, oil, and candles caused the house to develop dark sooty grime around it. This grime created the need for a deep cleaning of the home. Their deep cleaning restored the beauty of the home and also gave them the opportunity to get out the lighter linens, rugs, and furniture that they used during the warmer seasons. Not only did they divulge in spring cleaning, they also did fall cleaning as well to prepare them for the cold season of winter.

Today we do not have the need to do spring cleaning although in many families it is a ritual that brings about peace and renewal in our homes after an entire day or week of intense cleaning. In this day and age, however, it is hard to be able to set aside that much time to get all of these tasks done. Our schedules and days are so full that it hard to devote more than the few hours necessary just to keep our home running smoothly.

Instead of doing one deep cleaning I have vowed to ?spring clean? all year long rather than trying to set aside a specific time to do this. With a very busy toddler and just the daily maintenance of my home, there are days when I feel really proud of myself if I can get out of my pajamas. If you are anything like me, try and incorporate these tips into your daily routine so that you can relax while everyone else is tired and haggard from their day of spring cleaning. Here are a few ideas for getting these tasks done:

Begin by making a checklist of everything that you would normally do during your spring cleaning. Things like washing all the linens and drapes, wiping down baseboards, washing windows inside and out, cleaning out your pantry, washing your shower curtains, organizing your linen cabinets, wiping down walls, and cleaning doorknobs and light fixtures.

Take inventory of your cleaners and the tools that you will need in order to accomplish all of the necessary cleaning. Nothing is worse then getting ready to do your task and then finding out that you are missing that one component needed to complete your task. Put the items that you will need on your shopping list and get these items on the day that you perform all of your errands.

Continue doing your normal daily routine, but add an extra hour each week towards accomplishing just one of these tasks on your list. Check off the items that you accomplish and press on to the next one. By just devoting one hour a week towards your spring cleaning goals you will have a more manageable deep cleaning routine.

Clear out as much clutter as you can. Make a box for trash and a box for charitable donations and fill these with all of the unnecessary clutter in your home. By donating these items to those less fortunate you will gain so much. Not only will someone who needs these items more benefit from your donation, but you can receive a tax break and reclaim space in your own home. I have decided to look at every item in my home in a new light. There was a time when I used to want to fill my home with loads of stuff. Now I look at everything as one more thing to dust and care for. If you don?t like to dust it, don?t love the item, and want an organized home- donate it!!

Keep a caddy of cleaning supplies on each floor. I find it much easier to clean my house when I know that the tools that I need to accomplish my task are just a few steps away. Keep your checklist either in one of your caddies or somewhere that is accessible so that you can always stay on track with your deep cleaning.

Do your cleaning when it is convenient for you. Some people work better during morning hours while others of us would rather be snoozing and do better in the evening. Take advantage of the times that you work best. If you would rather break the hour into smaller increments that is totally up to you. The idea behind all of this is to make it as easy as possible so fit it in wherever and whenever you can.

Put your spring cleaning task on your calendar each week. It sounds silly, but don?t you remember your appointments and engagements better when it is written on your calendar? It is hard to ignore scheduled tasks in glaring print. Write your tasks in red, capitalized, or exclamation points- anything you can to draw your eye to the one task for the week.

Enlist your helpers to help you on these tasks. Your children and your husband can be active participants in getting your home organized just like they help to contribute to the clutter. Schedule dad for clearing out the garage, taking inventory of the tools you will need to do your gardening, cleaning out the basement, or other tasks inside and outside of the home. Children can aid in cleaning their own rooms by helping to remove some of the clutter in the house. Involving your family can be beneficial in showing them all that you do to keep your house running smoothly.

It is hard to accomplish tasks around the house if you have a poor attitude about what you are doing. Unfortunately, every house requires a little maintenance and your attitude towards your work can be the difference in your spring cleaning being bearable or just plain awful. I certainly don?t jump up and down when I clean and it isn?t my favorite thing to do, but I take great pride in keeping my household running smoothly. Turn on some fun music, watch television while polishing tables, do whatever you can to make getting your home clean easier and fun.

About The Author

Amy Allen Clark is a stay-at-home mother of a two year old son. She is founder and creator of http://www.momadvice.com. Her web site is geared towards mothers who are seeking advice on staying organized, living on a budget, and for those seeking work-at-home employment. Please visit her site to sign up for her free monthly newsletter filled with more great tips to help simplify your life.

amy@momadvice.com

Spring & Home Decorating - A Fresh New Look

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:56:45 +0000

Spring & Home Decorating - A Fresh New Look

by: Bonnie P Carrier

Open Windows ? Curtains fluttering from a warm breeze ? The air smells fresh and clean ? Buds on the trees are beginning to open ? Tiny flowers are popping up threw the ground ? Finally that little bird with the red breast is back

All of these can only mean one thing ?Spring? has arrived.

Those days of blustery storms and frosty drafts have come to an end.

With spring comes a renewed burst of energy. Having been shut inside for months we now want to get up, get going and do things.

This presents a marvelous opportunity for home decorating, a chance to give the inside of our homes a fresh clean look to match the emerging new look outside.

You now want to think light, bright and breezy, exactly like a beautiful spring day.

The following are a few ideas to help get you started.

Hang a wreath covered with pretty silk flowers on the front door. This makes a cheerful greeting to anyone entering you home.

Replace heavier drapes with lighter fabric and color. For example: Pastel colored shears or Caf? Curtains. If privacy is not an issue, try just a lightweight valance or scarf across the top of the window. The idea here is to let the sunshine in.

A new fresh look for you furniture might be just the ticket. Slipcovers are the perfect solution. If the budget is a concern, slipcover just one piece in the living or family room. Another idea is to cover the dinning chairs; this in itself will give a kitchen or dinning room a fresh look.

Painting rooms a lighter color can make a dramatic change. In fact color can completely alter the look and feel of a space.

Bring in spring with accessories.

Floral arrangements

Lighter weight throws, it can get a little chilly in the evening

Decorative pillows in lighter colors or with a floral pattern

Lighter weight area rugs like sisal, which will also work great into the summer, as they are easy to clean. Choose a natural color sisal rug and get creative, use stencils, paint squares, stripes or applying appliqu?s.

Scent is another part of your spring home decorating. Candles and Potpourri are not just for the winter months. There are many lighter scents perfect for bringing in spring. The following are just a few examples of what is available.

Lilac

Rose

Tulip

Heather

No matter what changes you decide to make in your home decorating this spring here?s something to remember, ?As the days become warmer open those windows and let the fresh air fill your home.? It?s one of the best ways of bringing spring in and best of all its Free.

One final thought, even though the snow is gone and the grass is turning green, please remember our feathered friends. They will always give us enjoyment and entertainment no matter what the season maybe.

This is a share ware article. Give this article away fro free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright ? 2004 bonnie carrier.

About The Author

Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr old Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby. Having been a homemaker for over 23yrs has provided years of experience in budget decorating and organization. Stop by Savvy Home Decorating -www.savvy-home-decorating.com- for ideas and tips on budget decorating:

Spring Home Projects in Northern New England

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:39:29 +0000

Spring Home Projects in Northern New England

by: Mark J. Donovan

As I sit on a plane in route from Chicago to Boston this evening, I realize I have been staring out into the dark abyss contemplating the arrival of spring. Spring is a time of anticipation and renewed life. A time when the snow finally abates and the Robins return to rebuild their nests. And a time when Tulips and Daffodils emerge from the ground and bloom, if ever so briefly. It is also a time for the voracious Black Fly that we northern dwellers know only too well. For me, however, it is a time to shift into a higher gear; there are outdoor projects that have accumulated over the winter months and there is traditional spring tasks that every homeowner is compelled to do.

There are two main questions I debate as I compile my spring ?To-Do? list: What to do and when to do it?

As always with a non-vinyl sided house, there is painting. Over the years, I have come to the conclusion it is best to paint a portion of the house each year; one year the clapboards, another year the trim, and maybe in the third year the shutters. I am sure the professional painter would beg to differ with my advice, but hey, not all of us can justify the professional painter every 3-5 years, nor can we dedicate an entire week or two of our spring painting the whole house. I have found it best to do the spring painting as soon as the whether gets above 50 degrees. Any sooner, it is too cold for the paint. Any later, and one has to contend with the other flying insect, the hornet.

Another important job, but not so large in effort, is preparing the lawn for the spring rains. First there is the raking. Then there is the application of the first stage of the four-stage fertilizer process, you know, the one that halts the Crab grass in July and August. Usually every other year there is the additional task of spreading the pest control to prevent grubs and moles. Based on product recommendations and when I actually have time, I do these tasks in mid May.

For those of us with bountiful winter snowfalls, many of us have the unique task of fixing or replacing our mailboxes for hopefully the last time, or at least for the next 12 months. This is particularly an aggravating task as we spend much of the time doing it, cussing under our breath the snow plow operator that we know had pleasure wiping out our mailbox.

Then there is the garden. I am not sure why I still bother. Maybe it is due to a memory of my youth, when I spent two summers working on a farm. It may also be some innate desire to see something grow from nothing, that I had a part in. I think it is the latter, but regardless, every April I go out and till, fertilizer and lime the soil, while I sacrifice my body to the Black flies. By May I begin to plant the Peas, Carrots and Onions. By June I plant the Tomatoes, Peppers and Squash. And by July, I am at war with the local Wood Chuck.

Finally, there is the changing of the machine guards; storing the snow blower away and preparing the lawn mower, or in my case lawn mowers. I have the sit-down one for the main course, and a push one for the dessert. As my father-in-law always insists, sharpen the blades before the start of the cutting season and then a couple of more times throughout the summer. Well, being non-retired, I am satisfied sharpening them once before the cutting season begins and I have yet to see any ill side effects.

I see the lights of Boston approaching in the distance. My flight is almost over; however my spring list is nearly complete. I am sure I have missed a few items, but my wife will surely remind me. I look forward to the warmth of spring, but as I look down at my list, I think, I?ll just sit back and savor the final weeks of winter.

About The Author

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com.