Improve Your Home's Curb Appeal - Repairing Walkways and Driveways

The curb appeal of your home is important if you're desiring to sell your home.  If the outside of your home is not welcoming, buyers won't be interested in seeing the inside.  Repairing the Driveway and Walkways dramatically improves the entry to your home and makes it more inviting to buyers.

The best way to repair the joints in  a walkway is with a sand-topping mortar mix, which is stronger than regular mortar and can handle wider joints. Mix it with an acrylic fortifier so that the joints will be less susceptible to water penetration.

The hardest part of this job is chipping out the crumbly old mortar without damaging the stones. Once the old stuff is out, filling the joints is as easy as decorating a cake. Just keep in mind that while the new mortar won't match the existing mortar color, it will lighten and blend in over time. The only way to get the same shade would be to replace all the old mortar, crumbling or not.  Click here for more on this project, and others, to improve the curb appeal of your home, and get it ready for sale. http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/step/0,,20471893,00.html

13 Top Bathroom Remodel Trends

Odds are you have a room in your home you don't enjoy spending time in. Of all the rooms that are renovated each year, the bath is probably the most difficult to plan for. What's in style? How do I keep it pretty but up to code? How do I inject a sense of style but keep it functional? Click here for the 13 top bathroom remodel trends - MSN Real Estate

And Now For Something Totally Different

Our blog is usually something about homeowning, home decorating, ideas for busy families but today, we're wandering off the beaten path.

Earlier this week, I celebrated a milestone.  Two years ago, on February 17, 2010, I broke free from an abusive marriage.  As most people do, I had always thought of women who stayed as weak and needy.

How can a woman wake up every morning and take that?  Why doesn't she leave?  Doesn't she love her children, or herself, enough to get out?  I can tell you now, it's not that simple.  Women stay because there is a real danger in leaving.  Sometimes the danger of leaving is more terrifying than the reality she lives with everyday. Most women who die at the hands of their spouse are trying to leave.

SC is eighth in the nation statistically for domestic violence related homicides. After dealing with some of the legal web, I now know why. SC legistlators who had anything to do with the laws on the books should be charged as conspirators. Don't assume that because someone is walking around free that they are innocent. This place is a mess.

You can do a thorough background check as a civilian for $50. Don't overlook warning signs or expect that just because he's a smooth talker you're safe. We had many of these warning signs in front of us and it never occurred to me there would be a problem.

WARNING SIGNS

Many of the signs women are taught to Interpret as caring, attentive, and romantic are actually early warning signs for future abuse. Some examples Include:

INTRUSION: Constantly asks you where you are going, who you are with, etc.

ISOLATION: Insists that you spend all or most of your time together, cutting you off from friends and family.

POSSESSION AND JEALOUSY: Accuses you of flirting/having sexual relationships with others; monitors your clothing/make-up.

NEED FOR CONTROL: Displays extreme anger when things do not go his way; attempts to make all of your decisions.

UNKNOWN PASTS / NO RESPECT FOR WOMEN: Secretive about past relationships; refers to women with negative remarks, etc.

MORE WARNING SIGNS
1. Was or is abused by a parent.

2. Grew up in a home where an adult was abused by another adult.

3. Gets very serious with boyfriends/girlfriends very quickly – saying “I love you” very early in the relationship, wanting to move in together or get engaged after only a few months, or pressuring partner for a serious commitment.

4. Comes on very strong, is extremely charming and an overly smooth talker.

5. Is extremely jealous.

6. Isolates partner from support systems – wants partner all to themselves, and tries to keep partner from friends, family or outside activities.

7. Attempts to control what partner wears, what she/he does or who she/he sees.

8. Is abusive toward other people, especially mother or sisters if he is a male.

9. Blames others for one’s own misbehavior or failures.

10. Has unrealistic expectations, like expecting partner to meet all of ones needs and be the perfect partner.

11. Is overly sensitive – acts ‘hurt’ when not getting one’s way, takes offense when others disagree with an opinion, gets very upset at small inconveniences that are just a normal part of life.

12. Has ever been cruel to animals.

13. Has ever abused children.

14. Has ever hit a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past.

15. Has ever threatened violence, even if it wasn’t a serious threat.

16. Calls partner names, puts him/her down or curses at him/her.

17. Is extremely moody, and switches quickly from being very nice to exploding in anger.

18. If a male, believes women are inferior to men and should obey them.

19. Is intimidating, for example using threatening body language, punching walls or breaking objects.

20. Holds partner against his/her will to keep him/her from walking away or leaving the room.
21. Stories about past relationships don't reconcile with the way he/she REALLY deals with conflict.

22. His/her idea of discipline is ALL physical and overboard. The thought of it brings a smile to their face....

23. Anybody they've ever dated/married has "done them wrong", with no provocation.

24. Constant "white lies" are a clue to dishonesty in bigger issues. Honesty = safety

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship or you suspect that someone is, be their way out.  Ask questions and offer an escape route.  You'll never get yesterday back, but you can reclaim your today.

Kitchen Tips: Improve the Appeal Of Your Home to Buyers

Does your kitchen feel cramped?  Even a small kitchen has value, you really don't need an expansive space to cook, but who wants to spend time in a kitchen they feel is closing in on them?  Remove the doors on upper cabinets to make a cramped kitchen feel more spacious. For a finished look, paint the interiors to match the base cabinets. Here, white enamel matches the subway tile backsplash and countertop for a sophisticated monochromatic look.

Going A Little Coastal: Peeling Mirror Redo

I am so doing this!  Ever come across an awesome frame with an old mirror in it?  This is the easiest DIY project ever......

Hop on over to Going A Little Coastal and find out how.....

Going A Little Coastal: Peeling Mirror Redo

Money Saving Energy Tips That Won't Break The Bank

EASY ENERGY-SAVING HABITS (Free!)
Don't forget the basics. This simple stuff will save energy -- and money -- right now.
• Unplug seldom-used appliances, like an extra refrigerator in the basement or garage that contains just a few items. You may save around $10 every month on your utility bill.
• Unplug your chargers when you're not charging. Every house is full of little plastic power supplies to charge cell phones, PDA's, digital cameras, cordless tools and other personal gadgets. Keep them unplugged until you need them.
• Use power strips to switch off televisions, home theater equipment, and stereos when you're not using them. Even when you think these products are off, together, their "standby" consumption can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously.Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer, allowing it to use less power during periods of inactivity. In Windows, the power management settings are found under control panel.Configure your computer to "hibernate" automatically after 30 minutes or so of inactivity. The "hibernate mode" turns the computer off in a way that doesn't require you to reload everything when you switch it back on. Allowing your computer to hibernate saves energy and is more time-efficient than shutting down and restarting your computer from scratch. When you're done for the day, shut down.
• Set your thermostat in winter to 68 degrees or less during the daytime, and 55 degrees before going to sleep (or when you're away for the day). During the summer, set thermostats to 78 degrees or more.
• Use sunlight wisely. During the heating season, leave shades and blinds open on sunny days, but close them at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. Close shades and blinds during the summer or when the air conditioner is in use or will be in use later in the day.
• Set the thermostat on your water heater between 120 and 130 degrees. Lower temperatures can save more energy, but you might run out of hot water or end up using extra electricity to boost the hot water temperature in your dishwasher

Looking for a way to liven up your dull decor?  After the Christmas Tree is gone, you may be looking at your home and thinking "Was it this bland before?".  Refresh your dark wood or white cabinets by painting them a spiffy hue like a pale sage green.  For added oomph balance the the room with an intense red painted floor.  Don't be timid, it's your home, make it reflect your style.