Replacing Shower Faucets - Avoid the Traps - Get Expert Advice

It's the same old story all over again. The drip-drip saga of your shower faucet threatens to rock the boat. Tired of those countless fitful bouts of sleep, you have pulled out all stops in repairing that wretched fixture. But, to no avail. The constant, and now extremely grating leak, has wrecked havoc in your life.

Now before you begin to sound like the protagonist of a Shakespearean tragedy, you better put an end to this Himalayan battle. And how does one achieve that? Does replacing shower faucet sound like a plausible solution? It may be music to the ears of faucet manufacturers and suppliers, but it's the only way you can enjoy the soul-stirring silence of solitudes all over again.

Eight Tips That Attenuate Concerns

But replacing an old shower faucet is not something that one greets exultantly. And the grounds for this kind of trepidation are not that risible too. The possibility of replacement of the valve from behind the wall or through the closet or even a change in the surround is enough to deflate the optimism of a seasoned veteran.

But things are not as complicated as they seem. Here are a few tips that ease your concerns quite a bit:

• Don't select the new faucet in haste. Remember the saying, size does matter?
• Be very clear about the measurement of the holes for the fixture. Take the old faucet along when you venture out to purchase the new one.
• Style is not something you can be utterly cavalier about either. Make sure the new fixture manages to get you out of your blue funk.
• The instruction manual must be treated like the Holy Grail. Follow it religiously.
• While dealing with that recalcitrant old faucet, make sure your efforts are ably buttressed by the right tools. So a pipe wrench is used only on pipes.
• Switching from iron pipes to copper or plastic is a nifty choice since they come without any kind of threading.
• While bathtubs have a two-valve faucet assembly, a two-valve shower assembly is common place among showers. This means the installation of the faucet is detached from the taps that supply water.
• However, the internal mechanism of tub and shower faucet assemblies is strikingly similar to those installed in sinks.
  

With the faucet replaced, you better get used to the silence that resonates from every pore.

Learn exactly how to generate 100's or even 1000's of positively *BRILLIANT* Bathroom Remodeling Ideas ... FAST ! And here are 25 Dirt Cheap Home Improvement Ideas that could increase the value of your home by several $1000's ...

Structural Engineering Books
Home Fence Books

Structural Framing Beams

Let's start with the beams. They can be Glulam, Parallam, Microlam or even wood beams. What are all of these and why do I need them in my house. The beams are used to hold up parts of the house and are located in your walls, roofs and floors. Beams are used to transfer a load from one point to another.

Structural framing beams allow the architect to create large openings, floors and roofs in your house. The beams are also used to support the weight over the doors, windows and other openings in your home. These beams support massive amounts of weight in some cases and are even made of steel if needed.

Another growing problem is the lack of old growth trees in the forest. If we just used wood beams with out using the new engineered beams we would have to cut down a lot more of the bigger trees. So you can add these guys to your Christmas list. The lumber or wood engineers have come up with all sorts of alternatives for new building products. These new beams are just some of them. Keep up the good work guys...

Glulam is a engineered wood product comprised of wood laminations, or 2 x 4s that are bonded together with strong, waterproof adhesives. If you use a Glulam beam on the buildings exterior you will have to order a exterior Glulam beam. In this case the manufacture will use special exterior rated glues for the beam.

When ordering any wood engineered beams specify to the lumber yard what you are using the beam for. Exterior or Interior of the building. If you use a interior glulam over time there is a good chance of the beam delaminating or cracking apart.

Parallam is made from almost all of the wood on the log using veneer strands that are aligned parallel for maximum strength. The end product is a rectangular beam; which is longer, thicker, and stronger than solid-sawn lumber. They are often used as beams, headers, columns, and posts, among others uses.

Microllam is an engineered wood product that uses multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives. It offers several advantages over typical milled lumber: it is stronger, straighter, and more uniform. It is much less likely than conventional lumber to warp, twist, bow, or shrink due to its composite nature. Made in a factory under controlled specifications, Microllam products allow users to reduce the onsite labor. They are typically used for headers, beams, rim board, and edge-forming material.

These beams come in all sorts of different lengths, widths and heights. They are engineered to hold amazing amounts of weight. They really are great engineering marvels.

Tip: I have had to replace almost all of these types of beams over the years due to some form of damage. Like anything else in your home if it is used improperly there is a good chance your are going to have some sort of failure. I have seen people add weight to these structural beams with no thought of them ever failing.

If you are planning on building a room addition, rebuilding your roof, adding a floor or any other type of construction where you are adding a addition load to your house. You might want to consult with a building contractor or structural engineer.

Thanks Greg For Another Super Article On Home Building. For more great articles visit Greg at http://gregvan.com/

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry. Causes of Structural Failure

Ceiling Repairs

Learning About the Dumbwaiter

Dumbwaiters have been used for many years to make tasks around the home much easier. They are a type of small-scale elevator, which can usually support around a hundred pounds. Some lifts that are installed in businesses can support much more weight than this though. Often a commercial dumbwaiter will support over seven-hundred pounds. Dumbwaiters that are intended for use in homes are usually much smaller though. For the home, you can go with a manual or electric dumbwaiter.

The manual dumbwaiter has been used for thousands of years. At their simplest, they are just a platform and a rope. The rope is used to raise and lower the platform. While it would be possible to simply throw the rope over a rafter, most people use a pulley to help reduce the effort it takes to raise the platform. There are also several more advanced designs that move along tracks and use screws or gears. Most manual dumbwaiters will drop if you let go of the rope, but some are designed with safety stops so that you can let go of the rope if you become tired or need a break.

Some people still use manual dumbwaiters, but most choose to go with an electric dumbwaiter. These are much easier to use, because the only work you need to do is load it up and push a call button. These lifts usually move along a track that helps keep the track much more stable than most manual dumbwaiters.

They also have many safety features built in, that prevent damage to the lift, but also keep those that use it safe. The main safety feature these lifts have is automatically locking doors. The shaft of the dumbwaiter can sometimes be more than twenty feet long, which could prevent a fall risk. The doors on an electric lift are made so that as soon as the car moves away from the shaft opening, the doors lock. This means that it is not possible to open up the shaft way door, unless the dumbwaiter car is present.

The installation of an electric lift is usually able to be done in an afternoon, but it requires a good amount of technical understanding. Often a professional installation team will be used, but by purchasing a dumbwaiter kit that is easy to install, the process could be much easier, so in turn less expensive. One kit that is easy to install is the AmeriGlide Express. This comes with the drive system and lift already installed, so it drastically cuts down the time it takes to install the lift.

Aside from the obvious physical task of having to manually move a dumbwaiter, manual dumbwaiters also are not able to support anywhere near as much weight. Usually an electric dumbwaiter will support around a hundred pounds, but many support more than this, or can be upgraded to do so.

Installing one of these lifts in the home is an excellent way to increase productivity around the home. They will also often become something that helps to add value to the home after it is built, which is a very important consideration today.

Sean, a writer, knows much about lifting devices like the dumbwaiter. Around the home, these devices make it much easier to get the groceries to the kitchen or do laundry. They have countless applications and are also very popular commercially.

Learn more about these and other mobility aids at AmeriGlide.com, which is the leading distributor of stair lifts. A stair lift is a device that transports a person up the stairs. They usually attach directly to the staircase and can be installed easily by the homeowner. Cost wise, a stair lift will usually present a much more cost friendly solution to falls on the stairs.

Gable Roof Framing With Flat 2 X

How to Change a Shower Faucet in 5 Easy Steps

Cannot sleep with the constant drip in the bathroom? Tired of hearing the drip-drip noise from the shower faucet every night? Then here is how to change a shower faucet in just 5 steps ...

It is not a very titanic task to change a shower faucet. But neither is it as simple as unscrewing the old and putting in new. It does require some effort and thinking on your part. Plus you also require some correct tools like wrenches, screwdriver, handle hammer, torch and goggles.

There are basically two basic types of shower faucets. One is the washer type and the other washer-less shower faucet. If the washer is worn out or hardened then that may be the reason for shower leaking. Or it may also be the rubber gasket or the ring which needs to be replaced. Sometimes washer seats may also be the cause of the problem.

• The first thing to do if a shower faucet is leaking is to close the main supply of water. Then allow the water in the faucet to drain completely.
• Next take off the faucet handle. For this you may have to turn the screw clockwise using screwdriver or knife. Next remove the handle. If it is stuck to the stem then you probably have to use a handle hammer.
• Next separate the stem and check the condition of the stem. If the threads are worn out then take them to a retailer and get a new stem. If the brass screws are damaged then they too require replacement. If the stems are dirty, clean them.
• Now examine the washer. If the washer has white vinegar or lime deposits then it requires cleaning and replacement. Take them to a dealer who will give you an exact match in size as well as style. Now check the washer seat. If they are worn out then they too have to be replaced. If they have square or hexagonal holes they can be changed. But if the seat has a round hole then you need to use a seat dressing tool.
• Now insert the new parts. You can use Vaseline to ensure that it is sealed correctly. Spread a bit of petroleum jelly on the threads of the stem for lubrication. Now put all parts in the reverse order. Switch on the water supply and take a shower test to see if you have replaced everything correctly.

Sometimes the problem may be with the stem too. In such a case you need to install a new packing. If it is noisy shower faucet problem then the problem may be due to loose seat washers. Then tighten the washer following the same steps as outlined above. Poor design and construction may also be the reason for noisiness. In such a case you will have to replace it.

Thus with a little help you can fix the faucet yourself within an hour and sleep peacefully without bothering about the drip.

Learn exactly how to generate 100's or even 1000's of positively *BRILLIANT* Bathroom Remodeling Ideas ... F-A-S-T ! And here are 25 Dirt Cheap Home Improvement Ideas that could increase the value of your home by several $1000's ...

Landscaping Books
Home Remodeling Books

DIY Bathroom Remodeling Or Hiring a Contractor

The first question you need to ask yourself when remodeling a bathroom is can you actually do the work yourself or do you have someone that can help you with the remodeling. If you don't know anyone and can't do the work yourself, I would suggest hiring a contractor with experience remodeling bathrooms.

If you can do the work yourself or think you could do the work yourself, why not give it a shot. Any experience you have in construction or home remodeling, is going to be beneficial to your bathroom remodeling project. There is plenty of information on the internet or in your local libraries on bathroom remodeling and these often prove to be great resources for do it yourselfers.

As an experienced contractor I have gathered a great deal of information through books, at work and watching local home improvement shows. The biggest problem with the show's and quite a few of these books, is they don't provide enough information. Most of the time they provide you with the basics of bathroom remodeling and you could soon find yourself in trouble or seeking the advice from a home improvement professional.

The largest benefit for doing the bathroom remodeling project yourself, could be the money you save, along with the satisfaction of completing the project. It makes homeowners feel good when they've completed a large home remodeling project, like a bathroom remodel.

If you don't have the time, lack the experience or a combination of both, I would suggest hiring a contractor to relieve you from the stress and frustration of your bath remodeling project. The more complex your bathroom remodeling project is, the greater the degree of difficulty, the longer it will take to complete the project. Some of these projects can take up a lot of your time.

If you're working on galvanized water supply pipes or old cast iron waste pipes, you could find yourself hiring a plumber to install your bathtub and fixtures. These old pipes create problems for most do it yourselfers and I would suggest hiring a professional, whenever you run into a problem you don't feel comfortable with.

Choosing to tackle some of these difficult problems yourself, could lead to water leaks and more damage to the home eventually costing you even more money than the original cost of hiring an experienced plumber in the first place. When it comes to water, structural framing and electricity, think twice, especially if you're not experienced in these areas.

My advice to do it yourselfers is to hire a professional if you're not comfortable or seek the advice from a contractor or someone with considerable experience bathroom remodeling.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more House Remodeling Pictures or home building ideas.

Soft Stucco Stucco Damage

What to Expect During Sunroom Construction

The exact details of sunroom construction can vary based on the design involved, but there are things homeowners can expect to see fall into place as their dream addition becomes a reality. Although the process is generally not very long, it can create a bit of an upheaval as it is going on.

No matter what type of sunroom is planned for a yard, the basic process will involve these steps:

Design phase - Before a sunroom can be constructed, a design and blueprints will be needed. This will be the case whether a sunroom is built from the ground up by a homeowner or a contractor. The step will also come into play if a kit installation is planned. The kit will be based upon a preselected design.

Permitting - This is often required for the construction of a sunroom or any other home addition that involves structural building. It is smart to check with a local building office before construction begins. A contractor will generally take care of this for a homeowner, but this is not always the case. The blueprints will be required to obtain a permit.

Site preparation - Before a sunroom can go into place, the construction site will have to be prepared. This generally involves removing grass and other growth from the area and also making sure the land is level and ready for construction.

Slab pouring - Unless a sunroom will sit on an existing concrete patio, a floor will need to be created. This will be the first step in actual construction.

Building - The last phase of construction will involve the actual preparation of walls and the roofing system. It may include electrical work, as well.

Inspection - If permits were necessary for construction, a final inspection may also be required before the project will be signed off on.

Sunroom construction does involve a detailed process. This is designed to help ensure the final product meets expectations.

For more information on sunrooms, sunroom additions and related topics, visit DIYSunroomsInfo.com

Mold From Dryer Vent On Joist

Decorating the Guest Bathroom

The guest bathroom is more important than you might think. While the bedroom that your guests stay in should be warm and inviting, the guest bath is often neglected. However, it does not take a lot of time or a lot of money to create peaceful bath for your visiting friends, but it does take knowing about modern bathroom designs as well as bathroom vanities.

What you need to know about design

When you are talking about modern bathroom designs, you will want to direct your attention to the idea of simplicity. And this is practical too. With a simple bathroom design, you will be able to create a timeless look that can be easily updated. Choose simple lines for your bathroom vanities as well as neutral bathroom faucets as well as mirror. The general idea is to create something that can be easily updated with towels or a new shower curtain instead of a complete remodel.

What you need to know about vanities

Bathroom vanities are a great way to welcome your guests without saying a world. In many modern bathroom designs, these vanities are able to hold a number of items underneath the main sink. What you can do is store any possible item that your guests might need, due to having forgotten them or misplaced them. No guest wants to have to ask their host for shampoo or soap, so make sure that it is already available to them. You may want to keep a basket underneath the vanity that you will pull out when it is needed for a new guest, but then replace it underneath the sink when the guest has left.

Other things to keep for your guests

Guests will also need fresh towels in their bathroom as well as a clear idea of where to put them once they are dirty. Many modern bathroom designs for guest baths will include a hamper so that this is easy to do as well as easy for the host to monitor. Once the hamper is full, new towels can be placed in the bathroom when the guest is away.

You may also want to keep a small token of appreciation for your guest in the bathroom as well. Bathroom vanities that have a small gift basket for the guest to take home, filled with bath and shower goodies, is always a nice way to welcome someone as well as send them on their way. In addition, man modern bathroom designs can also include candles that can be taken home as a memento as well.

The guest bathroom is truly a reflection of the care and respect that you have for your guests. By looking at modern bathroom designs and leaving a little something extra on bathroom vanities, you can make sure that none of your guests ever feels out of place; not one of your guests will ever doubt that you care about their comfort.

Dave Robert is a VP at Discount Bathroom Vanities Publishing, and an avid fixer-upper who's been restoring old houses for more than twenty years. Readers can tap into Dave's knowledge about home remodeling, and kitchen and bathroom design, at: http://www.DiscountBathroomVanities.com

Home Mold Solution Books
Feng Shui Books

Is Your Real Estate Agent in a Hurry?

If any of these statements sound familiar to you, it could mean that your real estate agent is either in hurry or doesn't have an answer to your question. Either way, this could lead to an unpleasant relationship.

Have You Ever Heard the Words:

Don't Worry about a Thing, Will Take Care of You.

Come on That Roof Will Last for Another 30 Years.

I Wouldn't Worry about That, That's Easy to Fix.

How Many Times Do I Have To Tell You, It's Not a Problem.

I'm on Your Side, There Won't Be Any Problems.

With a Little Bit of Caulking, You Won't Even Notice It.

Just Plant Some Bushes in Front of It and You'll Never See It.

The Floor Squeaks, That Gives the House Character.

Or What about the Ever Famous, Are You Going to Buy the House or Not.

Are any one of these experiences familiar to you? Don't be afraid to ask your questions again. Be firm when asking, but please don't be rude and if the answers don't sound right ask someone else to verify or ask your real estate professional if they are positive and know for a fact their answer is correct. It's always good to get a second opinion anyway.

You don't need to do business with anyone that will not answer your questions and is always trying to hurry you along. If you sign a purchasing agreement with a real estate professional you're not getting along with, ask them to let you out of the contract.

With no fees of course, there are other ways to purchase a home if your now old real estate agent doesn't want to play fair.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping

If you're having problems with your real estate professional, you might give some thought to look in at some home foreclosures, and then contacting someone to help you, after you have found the home that you are looking for. Some real estate agents can be extremely unhelpful

Floor Repairs

Bathtub Repair is One Thing You Can Do by Yourself

Expenses should be weighed very carefully. Every expense should be categorized into a want or a need. This is to manage the household budget more efficiently and to have money when rainy days come. We can never tell when we need to fix something in the house. We never can tell whenever a need, a big need, comes along. Repairs in the house almost always is a big expense and is always categorized as a need.

However, there are ways by which you can cut down on house repairs expenses by doing it yourself. It does not necessarily mean when your bathtub is broken, you will replace it immediately. Maybe you can do a little bathtub repair. Fix it up a little and save yourself some money.

Bathtubs get a lot of abuse over the years. You will see a little discoloration here and there. You will notice a little crack. The faucet may need to be replaced. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with your bathtub. You can always do it yourself but in order to make your bathtub look as new, you might need to hire a professional. Look at it this way, you have already saved yourself a lot of money by not replacing your bathtub. So maybe you can spend a little more by hiring a professional. So your bathtub will look good as new.

However, it will ultimately depend on the house repair budget. If you need your bathtub to be fixed right away and you do not have the budget for it and the repair is minimal anyways, why don't you do it yourself? In this way, you can still use your bathtub. After a couple of months, when you already have the money,why don't you reevaluate if you still want to hire a professional to redo your bathtub.

It is all about re-evaluating a little and choosing the cheaper option to save some money for the rainy days.

Cheryl Forbes owns and operates the website http://www.bathtubspecialist.info

Tile Setting Books
Flooring Books

Bathroom Remodeling - Poway Home Remodeling

Bathroom remodeling, no doubt, is among the most rewarding home improvement project that you could ever take. Aside from making every waking day and just every personal minute in your bathroom more luxurious, the job would greatly add up to the value of your New York home. And the fact that an average bathroom remodeling project could yield up to 80-90% on return on investment, homeowners are not as much bothered with how much it squeezes out from their budget.

As with any other home improvement project that could be undertaken, a good plan is crucial in the success of your bathroom remodeling. And if you are not a handyman yourself, nothing beats having to work with a qualified NYC contractor as a top priority. With the expertise and skills of one, going through the steps in achieving your dream bath could be made much easier, giving the most value for your money and with the least risk of remodeling problems.

If you do not have any idea yet on the design you want to take on, you can find inspirations through scouring through bathroom design websites, magazines and even showrooms in your nearest home improvement store. With a design at hand, you can discuss with your contractor estimates on budget and time. The extent of your bathroom remodeling depends on how much you are willing to spend on the project and how long you could put up with the remodeling works.

Your bathroom remodeling can be done as a surface-level project, change in layout or a total renovation which involves both. If everything seems to be in great condition and the existing layout is fine with you, a facelift can be best. A change in layout or a total bathroom renovation should be considered carefully. This involves so much more like the underlying electrical and plumbing systems. But whichever is your choice, make sure to apply for necessary permits early.

The essential keys to the success of your bathroom remodeling project are excellent workmanship as well as product selection. When choosing for materials to integrate into your project, do not stop at the cost alone. If you really need to save up, then shop for discounts but never sacrifice the quality of the products. Your aim should be set for long-term benefits. Find products and materials that offer the style of your choice, durability and less maintenance.

Clutter can easily make a disaster zone out of your bathroom no matter how good looking it is. Depending on its total area, you can implement clever storage solutions. For bigger bathrooms, you can have as elaborate cabinetry and shelving as the space can accommodate. But if space is an issue, there are also lots of innovative products you can choose from that are designed to be compact but functional.

If you can afford it, maximize every single element to make the most stylish, functional and comfortable bathroom remodeling result. If you are doing the master bathroom, a great idea is to have a his and her sink to cutback on the early morning chaos. You can even create a personal, everyday spa.

Eugene Makeev helps New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened Bathroom Contractor NYC. Feel free to use our Bathroom Calculator.

Paint Mistake On Wall Register

Lessons for Life: Charity

The Purpose: To teach that charity not only takes care of the needs of people that receive it, but warms the heart of the provider.

The Lesson

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling bell."
Bible, 1 Corinthians 13.1

So What is Charity Anyway?

For our purposes let's say it is a benevolent good well toward all mankind that is reflected in our actions toward those who are in need.

Some say that charity is the true love of God.

Did you really say that, Margaret?

Margaret Thatcher said that nobody would remember the Good Samaritan if he had not had money.

Really?

Such a silly statement!

It's true that he went out of his way to see that the man taken by robbers by paying for his care after he got the man into town.

But that is not the real story of the Good Samaritan.

Do you remember the story?

A man was taken by robbers and lay on the road near death. A Priest passed by, feared for his own life, and took a wide birth of the man. So did a Levite!

The man robbed was a Jew. The Priest was obligated to help the man, but he didn't help him.

Now the Levites were to look out for the down and out. Right? They even had cities of refuge for criminals.

Because of fear and indifference, he hurriedly passed by.

Then comes the Samaritan who has nothing to do with the Jews. He goes out of his way to help the man. He gets him into town where he is safe.

We would remember him just for that, wouldn't we?

Of course we would!

He did what the Priest or Levite should have done.

That was the point of the story. So Mrs. Thatcher isn't so smart after all.

Yes, the Samaritan's money improved the robbed man's condition, but that is not what saved the man's life.

Test Question: Which of the three, the Priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan (not counting the fact that the Samaritan had some money), had charity?

If you said, the Samaritan, give yourself a gold star.

Yes, he had a benevolent good well toward all mankind that was reflected in his actions toward those who are in need.

Just hearing the story of the Good Samaritan makes you want to do the right thing. When we see the good acts of others, it influences our actions. When we show charity, it helps others to see their potential to help others.

You don't need money to be benevolent. A charitable act does not have to require money. In fact, most of the charitable acts we see are a simple offering of time and energy.

Let's say the snow is twelve inches deep. You shovel your driveway and then help the old fellow next door shovel his. Now what did you offer? Money? No! Just some time and energy.

What are the benefits of charity?

The main benefit is to the person receiving the service, right? It may be, but there is something in benevolence that warms your soul. You did the right thing. You helped someone in need.

Yes, Charity can require money or assets.

It's hard to help starving children in Afghanistan if you live in Florida. But you can through a charity that services those children by donating money or clothing or whatever is required.

You can rush aid to disaster victims by donating to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. Habitat for Humanity is building homes right now in the Southeast where we have so much damage. I worked on four such homes in Arizona. I gave more time than money to Habitat for Humanity. Now that I live in Idaho, I haven't worked for Habitat. But now I hear they are going to build in our little town. I'll try to be there swinging my hammer.

Your church or community might have a program that allows you to make blankets, or health kits, or teaching kits. That way, you can put your energy and time to a good cause.

Society depends on your benevolent good will.

The government can't do everything, can they? Recently, we have learned that they don't even know how! They need our know-how and help in these tough times.

Governments doesn't provide men in trucks to rush around after a snow storm to shovel the walks of widows.

They don't send the food trucks up and down city streets to feed the homeless. They don't pass out warm sleeping bags to these people. (Some won't go indoors.)

No, we should do our part.

It's true, we can't do everything, but we can do something.

We may restrict our activities to our neighborhood.

We may expand our activities to the world.

It's up to each of us to decide what our resources and limitations are.

Many wealthy persons have created foundations for charitable purposes. These foundations are very important to society.
They provide funding for charity, education, health services, museums, and a multitude of other purposes that benefit society.

Some wouldn't give a tinker's bell to a starving nun.

It's true that many who could make a difference in this world fail to give support where needed due to their own greed.

Now, Scrooge became a repentant man.

Yes, old Ebenezer Scrooge was a greedy critter that said, Send the poor to the poorhouse! That's what they are for!

Well, not exactly in those words.

He kept both hands on his purse less some poor soul needing a shilling or tuppence came by asking for help. He could use the purse to give the asker a whip across the face.

The Ghosts saved Scrooge

Scrooge saw the past, the present, and the future.

He saw his old partner, Marley, in chains!

He saw the straits of the Crockett family and Tiny Tim.

Scrooge changed his ways! Yes, he found Charity. Scrooge became a jolly old soul, tossing coins around like they were candy.
He rejoined his family and blessed the Crockett family with food and help for Tiny Tim. Why, Scrooge couldn't have been happier!

And maybe, that is the greatest thing about Charity.

It brings happiness to those who practice it.

For The Little Children

Billy was in the first grade. He lived with his four sisters and his two brothers on the poor side of town by the fair grounds. It was during the Great Depression before World War II when men could not get work to feed their families.

Billy had a loving mother who made bread every other day. She always had a big pot of beans or a pot of soup on the stove. Billy's daddy was out of work, but friends from the church made sure that the family did not go hungry. These same friends made sure that the family did not suffer from the cold. They made sure that the family had wood and coal to burn in their stoves.

Some of Billy's friends made fun of Billy because the family was poorer than their family. Some men were able to keep their jobs, but Billy's daddy ran a lumber yard and when people couldn't afford to buy lumber, the lumber yard closed. His daddy was out of work.

Billy felt sad that his daddy couldn't get work and that some of the other kids made fun of him. Then one day, a friend of Billy's named Bruce invited Billy to come home with him after school. Billy went with Bruce to his house a few blocks away from the school.

When they got to the house, Bruce said, Come on in! Bruce walked across the rickety boards of the porch and into the house. The house was dark and cold. When Bruce turned on the light in the kitchen, Billy looked down at the floor and could see dirt between the boards.

Billy said, Where is your mother and father?

Bruce said, Mother is at work. My father went away a long time ago. We don't know where he is. We think he jumped the train.

Billy knew the men that rode the train. Some called them bums or hobos. Billy often watched a hobo walk the two-and-a-half blocks from the tracks to his house. His mother always gave them bread and a plate of beans out the back door. If Father was home, he allowed the man to come in. Only one man was bad, and father sent him out the door with a stove poker.

The reason the hobos did not stop at the other houses was because they knew they would not be fed. Billy's address was written on a switch control box down by the tracks. The hobos would read the address and walk straight to Billy's house. They knew they would be fed there.

Billy felt sorry for Bruce and his mother, having no father to take care of them. Bruce opened the wood ice box. It was empty except for a metal bowl which had macaroni in it. The macaroni was as white as chalk. There was no cheese in it. Billy knew it had been cooked in water with nothing else added.

Bruce said, Do you want some macaroni?

Billy knew that there was hardly enough for Bruce. He said, No, thank you. I'm not hungry. You eat it, Bruce.

Bruce wolfed down the macaroni like he was starving. Billy thought that maybe he was, he was so skinny. Billy felt so sad that he had to leave Bruce. He said, I better be going home now, Bruce. My mother will wonder where I am.

When Billy got home, he was greeted by the warmth of the kitchen. Mother had made bread and there was the pot of beans on the stove. Billy knew that despite the fact that some of the other kids made fun of him for being poor, that he was rich indeed. He told Mother about how poor Bruce and his mother were. He knew that mother would try to do something about it.

What do you think his mother might have done?

(Yes, this is a true story.)

THE END

CopyrightJohn Taylor Jones, Ph.D. 2002-2005

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com), a retired college professor and business executive, Former editor of an international engineering magazine. To learn more about Wealthy Affiliate University go to his info site. If you desire a flagpole to Fly Old Glory, go to the business site.

More info: http://www.InternetBusinessToolCenter.com

Business web site: http://www.AAAFlagpoles.com

Home Garage Books
Building Contractor Books

Avoid Contractor Scams - Home Remodeling Tips

You might think you have to live in Florida, California or a state where natural weather disasters or wildfires create a cycle of home rebuilding to be targeted by contractor scams. But in fact, anyone who owns a home is at risk for falling victim to unscrupulous contractors. It only takes one bad experience to sour a homeowner, and this is unfortunate for the majority of contractors who take pride in their work and do a good job. To avoid experiencing what can end up being a home repair nightmare, all you need to do is be aware of some common scams and don't be afraid to ask questions, require references, make the effort to check those references, never sign anything that looks suspicious or without reading thoroughly and never agree to anything in haste.

In the springtime everything starts to gear up again. Many potential buyers are shopping for a new home and there are real estate agents hosting open houses. There is new grass, leaves, flower buds, families barbequing and shady contractors cruising the neighborhoods looking for an easy mark. Unfortunately, a sad fact is that older home owners are often targeted the most, but really anyone can be duped by a convincing pitch.

One of the most frequently used lines is that the contractor was in the neighborhood doing work and just happened to drive by and see something wrong with your home. Being the kind-hearted person that he is, he took time off from his busy schedule and wanted to stop and alert you to the problem you have. And even more convenient for you, he and his crew can work you in while they are in the area. Most legitimate builders and contractors do not go door to door like salesmen. Be wary of anyone showing up unscheduled and offering to do work right away with the pitch that they'll cut you a deal because they are already doing a project close by.

The most often used pitch for this scenario is roof repair. Dishonest contractors may tell a homeowner that their roof is in bad shape, not visible to the naked or untrained eye, and by hiring them to replace it now you'll save money in the long run by avoiding water damage from leakage. This is often perpetrated on older residents who cannot keep a watchful on the repair work actually being done. The homeowner will usually end up with substandard roofing materials or shingles that are a lower grade than the ones you originally had on the roof.

Getting your driveway repaved is another common scam. Even if someone two houses down from you just had it done and it looks fantastic, don't assume the guy who shows up at your door offering to do yours is the one who did the other. Most of the time it isn't the same contractor, but another one shadowing the reputable one. This other guy will do a sub par job and you'll be left with cracks in both your bank account and driveway.

Any contractor who approaches you suggesting that with your help they can do repairs for you for free by turning it into your insurance company isn't doing you any favors. What they are doing is making you a partner in crime by having you commit insurance fraud if there isn't any real basis for the claim. And don't think the insurance company won't prosecute, because they will.

Never, ever agree to pay cash, especially up front. You may be tempted by a big discount offered for a cash payment or advance, but those savings and your money will be as gone as the contractor who just left to go get supplies and will supposedly be back tomorrow.

Never sign the deed to your home over to finance repairs. Chances are if you do this, you won't have to worry about repairs because you won't have a home to repair.

Be suspicious of a contractor who claims he has extra or leftover lumber or supplies and can give you a great quote on a project. You should wonder and ask where those materials came from and realize that somebody, even if it wasn't you, paid for those supplies.

Always ask to see identification, especially if a so-called inspector shows up claiming you need work done to meet a code and tries to fine you or make you sign an agreement to have it done. This is not standard procedure and always check with authorities to see if the person actually is who he or she claims to be. You should always ask to see a contractor's license and ask for references, then check those references. Unhappy previous customers or a complete lack of customers is a sure warning sign. And speaking of signs, never sign anything without reading it or having your lawyer check it over. There are a lot of helpful sites out there where you can find more tips, such as About Chicago Real Estate.

If you do find yourself in hot tar, shoddy shingles or crummy carpentry, contact your Better Business Bureau or State's Attorney office to file a complaint and seek help. An old builder's rule is measure twice, cut once. Remember to double check everything and always get more than one quote.

Paula Cherrist writes articles about Chicago condos for sale, home trends and new homes for About Chicago Real Estate.

Toilet Paper Under The Bathroom

Cheap Roller Shades

Cheap roller shades are most preferred for the exterior decoration of your house or business premises. Use of modern fabrics and minimalism in cheap roller shades makes them popular. Classic simplicity and low cost also add to their effective consumer reach.

These shades are mostly available in standard yet with an overturn roll causing the fabric hides the spin of the shade. If placed with a cassette head rail system the cheap roller shades look more poignant. Ornamental hems, ring pulls and tassels can add to the decoration of your window at home.

These shades with light filtering fabrics and space darkening materials look more attractive. Most of the houses and business apartments in developing countries prefer these types of shades not only for their cost effectiveness, but also for the inherent simplicity. Selected roller shades with trendy fabrics, streamlined roller system, novel hems and ritual accents look more poignant. Limited life time warranty adds to the consumer satisfaction.

The typical elastic cord, now replaced with a chain within the rail workings makes it doable to raise and lower the blinds to a definite position. With the increasing use of newer roller shades materials, energy efficiency and sound absorbing capability have increased considerably. Those nostalgic about the exterior dcor of the bygone era, you can use decorative tassels to add charm and convenience to your roller shades.

These shades are available in three varieties depending on size - inside mount, outside mount and cloth measurement. Incase of inside mount the over all width is 49 7/8" with fabric of 48 ". In outside mount the width of fabric is 48 7/8 and the clutch width is around 50". Fabric wide of 50" against overall width of 51 1/8" the category falls in to cloth measurement.

These products are well appreciated for their least expensive nature. They are quite durable when used with superior rollers like the one with cellular waves. They come in numerous sizes like 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 2" variations. Generally, the larger the plate, the more expensive is the shade. Blackout featuring pleats are even more costly. Beware of cheaper varieties as they lose their pleat shape effortlessly. Shades with "D cell" design. And with arches, angle-tops and bottom originated are quite decorative. Those with exquisite bamboo shades from Asia are very distinctive, though expensive.

Cheap roller shades include beautiful varieties like Vignettes and Cascades. These are less costly compared to Roman shades. Silhouettes roller shades are the most versatile and unique and command greater demand. Build your home of your own style with these shades is sure to give it a distinctive look.

Dave Clark has many years experience writing articles, he has also written many books, and is well known in the industry. Dave currently has many projects he is working on, he is also on the board of directors for Cushy Sofa a manufacturer and online retailer of Divans, Memory Foam Sofas, Memory Foam Pillows, Memory Foam Mattresses, Buy your Memory Foam Toppers, direct from the manufacturer

Stud Spacing And Wall Framing

Glass Sunrooms - What You Need to Know

If you're building a sunroom, more than likely it is going to have a lot of glass in it. In fact, many sunrooms actually are about 75-90% made of glass. Of course all the glass is wonderful for allowing you to enjoy the sun and almost feel that you are outside without all the bugs and nasty weather. However, while these glass sunrooms have many wonderful features, there are many things that you need to consider when you are having one installed. Before you start choosing the glass for your sunroom there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

Consider the Location

First of all the location of your sunroom should be taken into consideration when you are trying to choose the glass. If you are putting a sunroom in a place where you want a great view to the outdoors, then floor to ceiling glass may be something that you want to consider. Also, if you want a great view of the sky, you may even want to be able to consider going with a sunroom that has a glass roof as well, providing you with more sunlight and a great view of the night sky as well.

Use Tempered Glass for Safety

When you are choosing the glass you need for glass sunrooms, it will be important that you go with tempered glass for your safety. You must have tempered glass, since it is much safer and works in the same way the glass in your car does. Going with tempered glass is important for a couple reasons. First of all, it is much stronger so that you avoid having a problem with the glass breaking. Also, tempered glass breaks differently than other glass. It actually crumbles instead of shattering, which means that you are safer if something does happen to break the glass.

Go with Insulated Glass for a 4-Season Sunroom

If you want to have a glass sunroom that you can use all year long, then you'll want to make sure that you go with insulated glass. You should never choose single pane glass for a sunroom that you want to use all year long. It won't keep out the heat of the sun or the cold during the winter. Double pane glass is going to be a bit more expensive but it will provide you with the insulation that you will need from your windows.

Look for a Warranty

Last of all, no matter what type of glass you decide to go with when it comes to the glass for your sunroom, you should look carefully for a good warranty. You want to make sure that your glass has a warranty on the seals and on the glass for breakage as well. A warranty can save you if something happens to your glass, so make sure you only go with glass that comes with a good warranty to keep you protected if something should occur.

For more information on sunrooms and sunroom additions visit TheDiyHomeGuide.com

Bathroom Remodeling Problems

Stair Building Books

Where do we go to buy stair building books? Do we go to the major retailers like Amazon or Barnes & Noble? I have found over the years the information in most of these books I have purchased from these stores has a lot of fluff with very little common sense stair building application.

I bought one stair building book that had information on handrails. The front cover looked great and I thought this was going to be a great book reading the reviews from Amazon. When I finally got the book in the mail, I would say about one third of it was math tables for building elaborate wooden hand railing's. These tables were not easy to understand along with the rest of the book.

Back when I bought the book on building stair handrails it dawned on me that most of the construction workers I have met during my 30 years of working in the field were not very good outside of basic math. Now I knew a lot of carpenters that could read a measuring tape and use a framing square pretty good. But when it came to advanced geometrical construction projects like a stair hand railing system this was out of our league.

Reading this book or should I say parts of it gave me an idea to write a book of my own, starting with basic stair building I took all the fluff or the hard to understand advanced stair building applications out of my book, How to Build a Straight Set of Stairs.

I put a lot of time into creating an illustration for every possible part of building a simple set of stairs. I have probably built over 2000 sets of stairs during my lifetime and have explained and taught basic and advanced stair building to other carpenters. Understanding what parts of the stair construction process they understood, I was able to improve my skills as a stair building teacher.

Most people do not need advanced stair building skills to construct a simple straight set of stairs. If you are building a straight set of stairs and would like a stair building book with lots of easy to understand illustrations along with simplified directions you have found it.

We're building more stair building books to help contractors, carpenters, handymen and homeowners understand the stair building process.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Water Stains Under Carpeting

Sunroom Contractor Choosing 101

The contractor that you choose to oversee and construct your sun room is very important. That is why you want to make sure that the person that you choose is experienced and dependable. There are many different ways to make sure that you are choosing the right contractor for your addition.

A house builder should be bonded and completed insured to ensure that you are protected. If there is a problem with your house addition, then you need to have some way to get the problem taken care of. Another issue that insurance can cover is if the workers or contractor is injured on your property or if they damage your property, the insurance will cover any costs that you could incur. Ask the contractor if subcontractors will be used. If they are, you want to make sure that they are insured and licensed, too.

Check with the better business bureau that services your area to make sure that there have not been any complaints against your contractor. This can give you some measure of how reputable that they are.

Now that all of the legal issues are taken care of, you are ready to make a decision on what patio room that you want to have constructed. If the company that you are using has a showroom, then you will want to visit the showroom so that you can see what they offer up close and in person. If they don't, then ask for references from customers, so that you can call them and see if they are satisfied with the work. You may even want to ask if you can see the work that was done.

It is now time to get quotes for your new building. Choose companies that offer free in-home visits and free quotes so that you can get several quotes for the patio room that you want to have constructed. You want to be sure that the quote is detailed, so that you can compare it with other countries. Ask if the quote covers a warranty or guarantee. Have the company specify the materials that are going to be used.

Now that you have some quotes, then you will need to compare them line by line to see which one comes out on top. Be sure that you include future costs as well. Are the materials that are being used energy-efficient to save you money on energy costs? Considering all of these details will help you to determine which sun room or house contractor's quote is the best one for you.

The best way to find a reputable sunroom builder is to ask for references from friends or family members who have recently has an enclosure constructed. Carefully choosing your contractor will help to make sure that you have someone that you trust to build a room that you can depend on.

Andrew Caxton is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics like conservatories for http://www.allsunrooms.com A website with tips on sunroom contractor.

Persistence True Dream

Martin Luther had a dream
Barack Obama different not he
Unite start thee one for us to be
Together bond make strength
Land of promise mountain climb
Overcoming begun job to be done
Change direction drive within
Peace fights not love endures
Stand to lead Americans unite
Hear listen ear different are we
See heart feel how same are soul
Red all blood we do bleed heal
Believe in the dream beats one
Life and earth a time in need we
World compassion help our part do
Forget not remember love binds all
Tomorrow better day please pray
Day embrace inauguration
January 20, 2009

Ronald Sorenson
A.D.D. Poet

Biography of Ronald Sorenson

Ronald Sorenson was born a twin on September 26, 1957 on an Army base in Columbia, South Carolina. His twin brother Donald passed away at three months old. Ron found out when he came across a photo of two babies in a crib. His beloved grandmother told him when he was ten. Ron always believed his brother was his guardian angel, and has had a difficult job watching over him. With his high energy level, risk taking, and other traits he possessed, Ron felt different from everyone else. He describes the inside of his brain as Jimmy Hendrix playing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock in his head 24/7.

On June 4, 2005, Ron met Kathy, both divorced with children. On there first date during the evening conversation, Kathy described Ron as gifted and having A.D.D. Ron had no idea what Attention Deficit Disorder was. The journey began, he had to find out what it was, during the week he was tested and diagnosed with A.D.D. Finally he had a description of why he felt different. Kathy saw a person in Ron that he never noticed. He was intelligent, creative, enthusiastic, and sensitive. Now aware of his gift of A.D.D., and the love and understanding from Kathy, his life is only getting better. Ron has been a building contractor, building beautiful homes for over 25 years. Because of his boredom and the poor economy, Ron has grown significantly tired of the construction business. Now aware of his gift, and Kathy's love and understanding, life is only getting better. With Kathy's knowledge of health and natural herbs, she has transformed Ron's poor health habits.

Ron is now eating healthier, consuming herbal blends and teas, resulting in positive energy. This has brought out his inventiveness, and creativity, and he is now writing beautiful philosophical poems which he never thought he could do. Ron began writing poetry for Kathy. She noticed his talent and with the positive reinforcement he began spreading his poetry to others. Ron is now referred to as the "A.D.D. Poet." Poetry is a way to go deep inside and express him self. Life is only getting better for Ron who has been living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida most of his life. He is unleashing the artist that resides in his heart and brain for all to enjoy.

Biography of Ronald Sorenson

Ronald Sorenson was born a twin on September 26, 1957 on an Army base in Columbia, South Carolina. His twin brother Donald passed away at three months old. Ron found out when he came across a photo of two babies in a crib. His beloved grandmother told him when he was ten. Ron always believed his brother was his guardian angel, and has had a difficult job watching over him. With his high energy level, risk taking, and other traits he possessed, Ron felt different from everyone else. He describes the inside of his brain as Jimmy Hendrix playing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock in his head 24/7.

On June 4, 2005, Ron met Kathy, both divorced with children. On there first date during the evening conversation, Kathy described Ron as gifted and having A.D.D. Ron had no idea what Attention Deficit Disorder was. The journey began, he had to find out what it was, during the week he was tested and diagnosed with A.D.D. Finally he had a description of why he felt different. Kathy saw a person in Ron that he never noticed. He was intelligent, creative, enthusiastic, and sensitive. Now aware of his gift of A.D.D., and the love and understanding from Kathy, his life is only getting better. Ron has been a building contractor, building beautiful homes for over 25 years. Because of his boredom and the poor economy, Ron has grown significantly tired of the construction business. Now aware of his gift, and Kathy's love and understanding, life is only getting better. With Kathy's knowledge of health and natural herbs, she has transformed Ron's poor health habits. Ron is now eating healthier, consuming herbal blends and teas, resulting in positive energy.

Ranked by the Search Engines - How?

The title of my article is a broad one and the answer lies down many different routes, for people who are at differing levels of their website building and ranking career.

The first thing that you would need to establish is, is the phrase, that you are trying to rank for, is it competitive or not? What I mean by that is, if you use Google, how many pages are available under your phrase. Google will give you results based on a broad term, very large numbers, we want to know the phrase term, we can do this by enclosing your phrase in "speech marks" either side, like so.

Once the competition level is established, we can begin planning.

1. Competition is low <5000

Action: Ensure that the term that you want to be ranked for is in between the < title > and the tag,that is the first step,and you must always include the phrase on your first page,normally home or index page.

2. Do not insert the phrase in some way into an image caption as Google spiders cannot read images, and this would be very bad if you wanted to get ranked by the search engines.

If the phrase, is competitive, then there is a lot more work a head, but remember the rewards can be greater due to that increased competition.

1. You would need to write a < title > tag for each page that accurately describes that page, but you should make it no longer than 64 characters. 2. The more pages you can create, the better, the larger the site,the more regular,the spiders will crawl, the more ranking juice you generate. 3. It is better for ranking if the are used to get ranked by the search engines, rather than fill your content with flash links or javascipt, these are good for the look of your site, just don't overload. 4. The last tip and probably the most important is write good, authoritative and interesting content, to compel your readers to link bank to your site, this will encourage Google to visit more often, and in-coming links from 3rd parties are excellent Google juice generators.

If You want to get ranked by the search engines, start work today, there is no time like the present.

However having said all that, there are companies available who will carry out all the above tips and lots more besides, as well as include site builder templates, email responder accounts and free hosting if you don't have it.

Click Here! to discover one such expert, including step by step video demonstrations.

Turnkey Website: Turn The Key & Earn The Benefit

There are many people who are making website and getting online to sell their produces. This has been a great business for many people who are in the field of Internet business. But what about the people who dont know how to create website and get online or who dont know how to access an Internet but want to get into the online business. I know the confusion starts from here for most of the people. But not to worry because that is the place where the term Turnkey is applied.

A turnkey website is mainly meant for e-commerce and shopping website building. It is basically a website that takes just a single day to build the whole website and made the entire online business opportunity easy and simple. Remember, just a single day! With the help of turnkey website, you can quickly establish your site from day one as creditable and professional. You dont have to worry about any part of its designing, development and hosting. All you have to do is to approach for a turnkey.

A turnkey website is sold as a completely functional, operating site with hosting and pre- installed interactive script for forms, shopping cart (products, images, description and prices), affiliate programs etc. All the buyers need to do is to turn the key and earn the benefit. In other words with turnkey you are ready to do business in the field of e-commerce.

Turnkey website solutions are becoming more and more popular for webmasters who would like a customized website, without having to do it themselves. Until turnkey solutions were brought about, webmasters were faced with the problem of hiring coders to privately customize their pages for their website. And, the services of a professional coder can be very expensive, the cost of paying someone to customize a website can be anywhere very costly. A customized website done this way can cost a few thousand dollars at best.

However, the turnkey website also enables you to harness the power of word of mouth promotion form the visitors of your site and generate the free traffic and free one way links to your site. It does not involve any costly network to support and there is no need of expensive technology staff to hire. Therefore, the whole infrastructure and technology of your business starts with a very low expense and comes under your budget.

Today, Turnkey websites are the hottest selling items on the Internet. With this there is no longer a question of worry about all the issues that comes along with setting up a website, such as where/how to host the site. You just need to turn the key and earn the benefit.

REPRINT RIGHTS statement: This article is free for republishing by visitors provided the Author Bio box is retained as usual so that all links are Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.

Author Rajesh Srivastava is associated with website builders. Turnkey Websites Provider provides complete website designs solution.