When you are packing your household possessions for storage or for moving: accumulate boxes, packing tape, and shredded paper or newsprint. You’ll need the tape to seal the boxes; the newsprint for wrapping all breakables and shredded paper for cushioning the breakables being packed so they don’t bang against each other and break in the box.

Before sealing the box, it should be full. Any empty holes should be filled with wadded up newsprint or shredded paper. This will help keep the box from collapsing and the items inside being broken if other boxes are stacked on top of it.

When stacking boxes, either to get them out of your way while finishing your packing job or when loading them onto a truck, the boxes with the heaviest items such as books should be on the bottom. Lighter weight items and breakables such as glass or dishes should be on top.



Newsprint:

Use newsprint for wrapping glass, dishes and other items that need protection from scratches or breakage. Then put shredded paper in the bottom of the box and begin packing the wrapped items. Layer the shredded material and use it to fill in holes that nothing will fit into. This makes the boxed items snug and less likely to break. Use this for shipping, (it saves on buying the ‘popcorn’) packing for moving or storage.

It can later be tossed in the trash and information on the shredded documents is destroyed too. It’s also messy but effective.


End Rolls:

If not subscribing to a newspaper that can be saved over time then go to the local newspaper offices and request ‘End Rolls’. These are the ends of the paper rolls that can’t be used to print on because they are too close to the end of the roll. They have no ink on them and are great for packing white items. No ink to rub off and no need to rewash when unpacked because the paper is clean. Generally these are free and if not, will probably be only a couple of dollars. One end roll will go a long way.

End Rolls can also be used for making impromptu signs or for children to use to do art work on.



Pop Corn:

“Pop Corn” which can be purchased in bags from companies that sell moving boxes also works well in filling in empty spaces in boxes and between the items so they don’t break. They too can be messy. You can ask if the company has a recycling program so you could take the popcorn back or if they offer the kind that will dissolve when wet.

If you should get the kind that will dissolve, it is supposed to be non-toxic. However still do take precautions with it around pets and small children as they both have a tendency to put things in their mouths.




Shredded Paper:

Shredded paper helps to cushion items in boxes that would other wise bang against each other and possibly break. If you have accumulated shredded paper from papers that had your personal information this will work great. When you unpack all this can be tossed and you don’t need to worry since with the shredding your information has been destroyed. Using shredded paper in packing is messy but it is effective.




(see Boxes and Packing, Moving)






At some time or another we all want to paint something.  The project you have in mind will determine the equipment needed. For example, if painting walls and wood work you will need:


   
Paint

Brushes
  
Roller
  
Pan for the Roller
   
Newspaper
  
Plastic drop cloth
  
Masking or Painter’s tape
 
Ladder or Step Stool

If possible arrange a paint party with your friends. If they will help, you can supply the pizza or sandwiches and beverages.

Semi-gloss or Satin finish water based paint will be easier to clean up as well as keep clean after the paint has dried. These paints are especially best for kitchens and bathrooms.

When you decide on the color of paint you want, even if it is plain white ask for the paint to be mixed. This can be done at the department store or home improvement store where you buy it. The clerk in the paint department will put the can in a machine that will mix the paint in a few minutes. This way you don’t have to worry about stirring it if you are going to be using it right away or if you don’t have a drill with a paint mixer attachment.

You will be ready to begin painting when:

   
you have gathered all your supplies

  
moved furniture away from wall

  
removed curtains or drapes  

     
spread plastic drop clothes over the furniture so it won’t be splattered

  
spread newspapers on the floor to catch any splatters or drips

   
used tape to mask areas such as baseboards, door facings, window panes


If you are thinking of painting the ceiling, it would be easier if the room is completely empty. Depending on the surface of the ceiling, you may need a special roller and an extension handle for the roller to make the job easier for you.

Read the directions on the paint can for instructions on clean up and drying time or if you will need a primer coat. You may need a primer if you are painting over a dark color with a lighter color.  In this case, painting over a dark color, you may end up having to use two coats of paint or three. A primer would usually save you this trouble.


Furniture:

Painting furniture can be as complicated as you want it to be depending on how you decide you want the furniture to look when finished.

If you have purchased used furniture and you like the color all you may need to do is clean and oil it well if it has not been previously painted over a natural wood or varnish.

Since the ‘distressed’ look is in these days perhaps that is the look you want. If the finish is dark, paint it a lighter color. A gentle, light sanding before painting a varnished piece of furniture will help new paint adhere better. After the new coat of paint  dries use a fine grain of sand paper to gently sand away the new paint in areas that will give the furniture a ‘worn’ look …or in other words a ‘distressed’ look.

If you choose to remove the finish on furniture altogether and start over at the bare wood, the procedures are more complicated. Paint stores and home improvement stores and the department stores that sell the products you will need to do this also have how to manuals that you can buy. There are also books available at the local library or book store that will help you regarding the proper techniques for refinishing furniture.

Party Planning

Passwords

 

Picnic Tables

When Renting:

If you are renting an apartment there should be a Maintenance Crew on the premises or available to handle all plumbing problems. All you will need to do is to call the Manager and let them know what the problem is and he or she will set up a work order.

If you are renting a house the procedure for handling plumbing or any other maintenance issues should be clarified when you sign the lease. The owner may have an insurance plan set up in case there are any problems. What ever the case may be the owner should be responsible for repairs unless it turns out that you some how caused the problem.

Even so, in case of an emergency it would be a good idea to learn how to turn off the water at the commode or under the sink and at the washer and dryer.

You can also keep a plunger on hand in case you have problems with your commode.

Keep a separate plunger in the kitchen under the sink in case you should have a stopped up drain.



When You are the Owner:

It is advised that you invest in an insurance program that will take care of plumbing and other maintenance problems. It will be renewable annually. This can save you a great deal of money in the future unless you are a plumber by trade or possibly an electrician or an expert in heating and air conditioning.

There are manuals for home repairs that you can do available at Home Improvement stores. Also many of the employees at these stores are trained to be able to advise you on parts that you may need. The manuals can give instructions on replacing water faucets, replacing washers in faucets, taking care of clogged sinks, toilet care, use of plungers, garbage disposals and so on.

IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED here that you try making repairs on anything that you do not own. So, if renting your home, contact the property owner or manger if maintenance repairs are needed.







 


When microwaving popcorn DO NOT open the bag near your face not only because the steam that immediately escapes could burn you but also it has been found that the fumes can cause bronchial difficulties and can even severe lung damage in some cases.

You can also make popcorn on the stove. It’s rather noisy, but can be fun.

It is the “old fashioned way” before microwave popcorn came about.

Put vegetable oil in a large pot, probably about two to three tablespoons. This is a guess here. The bottom of the pot should be coated in oil. But not too much so that the popcorn turns out greasy. Pour loose popcorn (This can be found at the grocery store in a one pound bag next to the microwavable popcorn.) … pour loose popcorn into the pot so that just the bottom of it is covered.

Place the pot on a stove burner the same size as the pot. Turn the heat on medium. When the first kernel of corn pops, cover the pot with a lid and begin moving the pot back and forth across the burner. Continue doing this until the corn stops popping. If you stop it will burn. When it stops popping remove the pot from the heat and turn off the burner. If you are using an electric stove do not put the pot back on the burner even after just turning it off because it will continue to cook and can burn. If using a gas stove you can leave it on the burner after the heat is turned off.

Salt and butter or season to your taste.

 


Appliances, computers, televisions and anything that needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet can be affected by a power surge. These surges can be caused by Brown-Outs when the regional power grids are over loaded, by storms and just because the power can go out.

One way to protect your equipment is with Surge Protectors.



Surge Protectors:

There are several different kinds of Surge Protectors available on the market and can be found at stores that sell computers, entertainment centers, and other electronic equipment as well as department stores and home improvement centers.

For safety in case of a thunderstorm or power outages caused for other reasons a Surge Protector will help protect your equipment against a sudden outage or surge in electrical power.

Some manufacturers offer guarantees that their Surge Protectors will indeed protect the equipment you plug in. They may insure them up to $25,000 or perhaps more depending on the Surge Protector and who manufactured it. When you purchase one, read the instructions and all the fine print as you may need to register the product for the protection. Save the receipt in case you will need to send a copy of it with the registration.