bell 2nd ed. 2012

ESSENTIALS for LIVING

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www.hometownUSA.net Belleville Area 2012Home & Lifestyles Magazine 9

Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau Housing Survey indicate that homeowners annually spend billions of dollars improving outdoor living areas.

One of the most popular ways to do just that is to add a deck to a home. Decks are benefi cial in many ways. Grillmasters love decks because they make the perfect place to set up a grill and a table and cook for family and friends. Those who simply love being outdoors fi nd decks the perfect place to relax and soak up some sun or idle away the evening hours.

But homeowners who want to build a deck should know a few things before that process begins.

* Permits are necessary. Unless the deck is going to be especially small, you will likely need a permit to build it. Before buying any materials or consulting any contractors, make certain you know which permits you need and how to get them. If the proper permits are not secured before the project begins, you might have to tear down the whole project and start all over again.

* Decks dont have to go on the back ofthe house. If the back of your house sits in the blazing sun all day, then its probably best to build the deck elsewhere, and thats perfectly alright. So long as the property and permits allow, decks can be built on the side of a home as well, and putting a deck on the side might be more comfortable.

* Decks dont have to be made of wood. Its easy to assume all decks are made of plain wood. However, decks can be made out of a wide variety of materials, natural or synthetic. Pressure treated wood is perhaps the most popular material for decking because its not very expensive. But manmade materials that are a mixture of recycled plastic and wood bits or sawdust are also popular because they require no maintenance. But homeowners should know that manmade materials can get hot in the sun, which will require those enjoying the deck to wear shoes.

* Expect to do some digging. If youre going to build your own deck, expect to do some serious digging. Local building codes will dictate how deep you will need to dig for the pier footings, which support the decks weight. Just how deep youll dig depends on your climates specifi c frost line, but its safe to assume youll get a workout in when digging.

* The deck can have multiple levels. Though many people associate decks with one level, its possible to have a multi-level deck if you simply dont have enough room to build a deck that will be big enough to meet all of your needs. A multi-level deck can break up those long fl ights of stairs while ensuring you will always have somewhere to go to escape the sun on a hot day.

* You will want to protect the deck. Decks are a costly investment, and you will want to protect that investment. If youre building a wood deck, keep in mind the sun will beat down on the deck for most of the year. You can protect the deck by painting it. Paint provides sunscreen for the deck, stopping the sun from breaking down the material. Once youve fi nished painting, apply sealant, whether its oil- or water-based.

* Dont forget fasteners. Fasteners will hide the screws for aesthetic appeal. But not all woods and fasteners are the right fi t, as certain woods are only compatible with certain fasteners. Find out which fasteners make the right fi t ahead of time. Because fasteners conceal the screws, they also make it possible to go barefoot on the deck.

A deck makes a great addition to many homes, but homeowners should learn as much as possible about decks and what goes into building them before making any decking decisions.

KnowBefore Building

A Deck

Things To

Makinga Home

HandicapAccessible

According to the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 12.1 percent of non-institutionalized people, male or female; all ages, all races, regardless of ethnicity, with all education levels in the United States, reported a disability. That percentage equates to roughly 36 million people who reported a disability in 2008.

While what qualifi es as a disability may be open for debate, its safe to assume many households across the country and around the globe must alter their homes to accommodate a handicapped resident. Homeowners who do just that should address a number of areas throughout their home to ensure a disabled or handicapped resident can get around safely and soundly.

Doorways throughout the home should be widened to allow for wheelchair and walker access. The standard wheelchair is between 24 and 27 inches wide, but contractors recommend making doorways at least 32 inches wide to allow for more room and maneuverability.

The existing door unit will likely need to be removed, and the framed opening will need to be widened. While this isnt necessary for every doorway in the home, it should be done at all entry ways, bathrooms and the disabled persons bedroom. In addition, any areas the disabled person will need to access, including the laundry room or a doorway to the patio, will need to be widened.

DOORWAYS

Standard closets also tend to be less accommodating to disabled persons. For instance, walk-in closet doorways are typically 24 inches wide. Widen doors to the same width (ideally 32 inches) as doors in the rest of the home.When working on the closets, lower shelves and rods to make it easier for disabled persons to reach their clothing. In addition, be sure the light switch is as accessible as possible.In homes with disabled persons, its up to the homeowner to make the home accessible. Concerned homeowners should consult a contractor if the job seems too tall an order.

CLOSETS

Transferring from a wheelchair to a bathtub can prove very diffi cult. At the very least, bathtub and shower grab bars will need to be installed. Replacing the bathtub with a shower is also something homeowners should consider when making a home more handicap accessible. Disabled persons often fi nd it diffi cult to lift themselves out of a bathtub. Tub transfer seats allow disabled persons to sit in the tub or shower while bathing without having to lower themselves into the tub or lift themselves out afterward.

BATHTUB

The toilet will also need to be altered or replaced to accommodate a disabled resident. Toilet seat heights will vary depending on the individual, but raised seats can be installed to avoid replacing a toilet entirely, which should only be necessary if the toilet is especially old and poses a danger to disabled residents.Homeowners should also install grab bars near the toilet to make it easier for disabled persons to sit down, stand up and transfer to and from their wheelchairs.

TOILETS

Disabled persons in wheelchairs often fi nd it diffi cult to reach faucets on sinks that have vanity cabinets below the sink. Pedestal sinks increase maneuverability but also tend to be a little higher. When installing pedestal sinks or hiring a contractor to do so, order lower sinks to make it easier for disabled persons to reachthe faucets.

SINKS


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WeddingsWedding Dress for Success:

Stay True to Your Personal StyleFor most brides-to-be, the choice of a dress is among the first and most important decisions in planning a wedding. With thousands of choices in every price range, finding the perfect wedding dress can be a difficult and time-consuming process. But by making some decisions before setting foot in a store, the search will be both easier and a whole lot more enjoyable.First things firstStart by knowing your limits. To avoid disappointment down the line, determine the maximum amount that you can spend on a dress -- and dont forget to include all the little extras, such as undergarments, shoes, jewelry, veil, and/or hair ornaments. Next, take an inventory of your personal style. If you know that youre not comfortable in strapless or sleeveless dresses, for example, you can immediately eliminate these options. The trick is to rule out a few style options before hitting

shoulders and face. Similarly, theres no rule that a wedding dress has to be floor-length. If youre planning a daytime or more casual wedding, you might want to consider a tea-length dress (one that falls a few inches above the ankle) or go even shorter.Comfort is keyStyle and fit may be the two most important factors in choosing a wedding dress, but comfort should be a close third. Ask yourself if you will be comfortable in a particular dress given the setting in which your wedding will take place. For instance, if youve always dreamed of an outdoor wedding, you may want forego a dress with a long, trailing train that could trip you up on your walk to or down the aisle. Even if youre planning an indoor event, having a dress and shoes that are as comfortable as they are beautiful will greatly increase your odds of enjoying your special day to the fullest.

the magazines or stores and then be open to all other options.Firm yet flexibleThere will be no shortage of opinions -- from mothers, sisters, friends, and store personnel -- about your choice of a wedding dress, but the decision, ultimately, is the brides alone. A great strategy is to be open to suggestions about dresses to try on, but reserve the right to choose the look that feels right to you. With so many potential options, you might want to consider bringing along a camera and taking photos of yourself in the dresses that could be contenders.Go for a flattering fitRemember: Your goal is to find a dress that flatters your body and expresses your personal style -- not to fit into a particular size. If you look ghostly in white, feel free to choose a creamier shade or a dress that has decorative accents of a different color near your neck,

A wedding doesnt have to be a mammoth event with 300 guests and a costly price tag. Many couples choose to walk down the aisle and then celebrate on a smaller scale with much success.Millions of weddings take place across the globe every year. According to the Association for Bridal Consultants, the average American wedding includes 175 guests, and the average size of the wedding party is 12 people. Many couples may view these averages and feel pressured to throw a big wedding. But smaller events can be just as much fun and easier on the pocketbook as well.One of the more obvious advantages to a small wedding is the cost. Many large wed-dings cost between $20,000 and $30,000 dollars. A small wedding will be significantly less simply because there are fewer people to feed. Catering costs account for a large chunk of wedding budgets. A reception with only 50 to 60 people may run $1000 or less.

Its important for couples to keep in mind that a small wedding is not without certain challenges. Family members and friends may have their own perceptions of what a wedding should be. Once the idea of a small wedding is mentioned, it may be met with some opposi-tion, particularly from parents who want to invite an extended list of friends and distant family members. This can make it difficult to pick and choose who to invite.Another disadvantage is that large weddings evoke the energy of a big party and can make people less inhibited to celebrate and dance. An empty dance floor at a smaller wedding may be intimidating to guests who will choose to sit and not fully enjoy themselves.Ultimately, the decision to have a small-, me-dium- or large-size wedding is entirely up to the couple or the person who will be financ-ing the event. Wedding planning is largely the personal choice of the couple who will be saying their I dos.

Another benefit to a smaller wedding is a couple may be able to afford a higher-priced venue. Maybe theres that historic castle or high-priced mansion that would be over budget if 200 guests were coming. With a much smaller guest list, the venue might now be affordable. Or, couples can look outside of wedding halls to restaurants for a nice dinner.Small weddings tend to be more intimate. Couples can spend more individual time with guests instead of having to spread their time thinly around a large reception hall. Spe-cial moments, such as speeches or words of wisdom, may bear more significance when the group is intimate.Destination weddings have become quite popular and are most successful with a small group. Keeping a large guest list in order can prove challenging when traveling, which makes destination weddings ideal for small guest lists. Also, costs will be kept down if the couple is paying the travel fees for invitees.

WeddingsAdvantages to a Smaller,

Intimate Wedding

WORD SEARCH


CLOVES OFGARLIC CHICKEN

Summer vacation often starts with high expectations. Children are excited about the prospect of fun days outdoors playing with friends, while parents anxiously await relaxing months without the responsibilities of school and extracurricular clubs. But once summer vacation arrives and the fi rst few days have passed, parents often fi nd that the litany of cheers and giggles transform into a chorus of "I'm bored."

Many parents pore over ideas that will keep their children busy throughout the summer. Many activities that come to mind tend to be expensive, so if cutting costs is a priority, parents might need to think outside the box to come up with entertaining ideas that won't break the bank.

CAMPSummer camp is a popular way for kids to spend their summers, but many camps are expensive.The American Camp Association has found that overnight camps can cost anywhere from $325 to $780 a week. Day camp fees may be $100 to $275 per week. Parents who send their children to camp for an entire season might pay anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000 for the seven- to nine-week program.

Parents looking for an alternative to costly camps should consider local programs that offer summer activities. Libraries, schools and childcare centers may have programs that run the length of summer and are considerably less expensive than more formal camps. A YMCA or even a swim club may also put together activities. Parents whose children attend afterschool sporting classes, such as karate or soccer, may fi nd that the organizations offer a camp orsummer program.

DAY TRIPSIf a parent is off for the summer, then day trips may be a possibility. Schedule a few day trips to different locations that the kids are excited to see. Newspapers routinely print "Go See It" or "Just Go" listings that highlight local events. The family can gather around the table and decide which outings would be interesting and then mark them on the calendar. Some parents purchase season passes to amusement parks and take the kids several times over the summer. In either case, bring snacks and lunch from home when possible to keep costs in check.

KID SWAPChances are many of your neighbors are also facing the same diffi culties as they try to fi nd ways for kids to spend their summer afternoons. Parents can get together and set up a schedule for entertaining the kids. For example, one parent is responsible for the whole lot one day, while the next day another parent takes a turn. This gives parents the opportunity to take a break from parental responsibilities and enjoy some quiet time. And for the children, time spent in a pool, watching movies, playing video games, or riding bikes is often more enjoyable with friends in tow.

FUN PROJECTSChildren often want to feel useful, and may enjoy the responsibility of some easy tasks in and around the house -- so long as the tasks are fun. Washing the car with a hose and a bucket of sudsy water is a fun way to cool off during the hot summer days and get a chore done. While parents should not expect a perfect job, they can rest assured that the kids will have at least an hour of fun in the sun and water. Set aside a patch of the yard that children can turn into their own personal gardens. Encourage digging in this area and provide seeds or seedling plants as well as kid-sized gardening tools. Each day the kids can check on the progress of their gardens.Some home-improvement and craft stores sponsor free learning activities for children. They can be held in the morning or afternoon and will teach interesting skills that can be put to use again at home.Summer vacations are soon to arrive, and parents can be armed with a list of enjoyable -- yet inexpensive -- ways to keep kids busy.

All Summer Long

How tokeepkidsentertained

When warmer weather arrives, many people like to do a little tidying up. Most homes accumulate quite the amount of clutter over the course of a typical winter. The more time we spend indoors, the more junk we seem to amass.Clutter can contribute to the sense of cabin fever and many people begin to feel as they need their space to feel more open and airy. Here are a few tips to make your home more organized

Have a tray set aside for keys. Save yourself the frantic search for keys in the morning by setting a tray aside for keys or just hanging a hook on the wall where everyone places their keys. Partition desk drawers. Its easy to fill a desk drawer. Its much harder to remember a drawers contents. Save yourself the stress of rooting through desk drawers by installing partitions so everything is not just lumped in together. This will make things easier to find and will likely prevent you from just adding random items to desk drawers. Bundle all those cords. Nowadays, the

Clean out the refrigerator. Another culprit when it comes to clutter is the family refrigerator. Half-eaten meals or expired items can be found in almost every refrigerator on the planet. If youre putting leftovers in the fridge after every meal, then chances are you have lots of leftovers that have passed their prime. Have a potluck night where you eat all of the leftovers. Clean out the refrigerator once a week to ensure that it only contains fresh foods, beverages and additional items. Add storage space. Using drawers and only drawers for storage is a great way to become disorganized. If you have any bare walls, particularly in the kitchen, use them to hang shelves you can use for storage. If the walls are full or not sturdy enough to hang a storage shelf, install an extra shelf or two in the pantry.

average television has roughly one dozen cords attached to it. HDMI cables, video game consoles, DVD players, home theater systems, and, of course, the television cord itself are among the many cords that can make a mess near your television. Bundle these cords with a cord organizer to make wires and plugs much more manageable. Toss the junk mail. Thanks to paperless bank statements and online billing, many people no longer receive important documents through the mail. Instead, mailboxes are filled with junk mail such as advertisements or menus from local restaurants. Rather than placing junk mail on the kitchen counter or storing it in the desk drawer, throw it out as you receive it and you will no doubt notice considerably less clutter almost instantly. Stop losing things to the couch. Few things are as frustrating as a missing remote control. Too often remotes get lost in a sea of throw pillows that, while decorative, serve little purpose. Dont overdo it with throw pillows and designate an area for all those remote controls.

How To Get A Home Organized

YOUR LO CAL DEC OR ATING GUIDE

Decorating

When warmer weather arrives, many people like to do a little tidying up. Most homes accumulate quite the amount of clutter over the course of a typical winter. The more time we spend indoors, the more junk we seem to amass.Clutter can contribute to the sense of cabin fever and many people begin to feel as they need their space to feel more open and airy. Here are a few tips to make your home more organized

Have a tray set aside for keys. Save yourself the frantic search for keys in the morning by setting a tray aside for keys or just hanging a hook on the wall where everyone places their keys. Partition desk drawers. Its easy to fill a desk drawer. Its much harder to remember a drawers contents. Save yourself the stress of rooting through desk drawers by installing partitions so everything is not just lumped in together. This will make things easier to find and will likely prevent you from just adding random items to desk drawers. Bundle all those cords. Nowadays, the

Clean out the refrigerator. Another culprit when it comes to clutter is the family refrigerator. Half-eaten meals or expired items can be found in almost every refrigerator on the planet. If youre putting leftovers in the fridge after every meal, then chances are you have lots of leftovers that have passed their prime. Have a potluck night where you eat all of the leftovers. Clean out the refrigerator once a week to ensure that it only contains fresh foods, beverages and additional items. Add storage space. Using drawers and only drawers for storage is a great way to become disorganized. If you have any bare walls, particularly in the kitchen, use them to hang shelves you can use for storage. If the walls are full or not sturdy enough to hang a storage shelf, install an extra shelf or two in the pantry.

average television has roughly one dozen cords attached to it. HDMI cables, video game consoles, DVD players, home theater systems, and, of course, the television cord itself are among the many cords that can make a mess near your television. Bundle these cords with a cord organizer to make wires and plugs much more manageable. Toss the junk mail. Thanks to paperless bank statements and online billing, many people no longer receive important documents through the mail. Instead, mailboxes are filled with junk mail such as advertisements or menus from local restaurants. Rather than placing junk mail on the kitchen counter or storing it in the desk drawer, throw it out as you receive it and you will no doubt notice considerably less clutter almost instantly. Stop losing things to the couch. Few things are as frustrating as a missing remote control. Too often remotes get lost in a sea of throw pillows that, while decorative, serve little purpose. Dont overdo it with throw pillows and designate an area for all those remote controls.

How To Get A Home Organized

YOUR LO CAL DEC OR ATING GUIDE

Decorating

Home & Lifestyles Magazine 41

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ESSENTIALS for LIVING

bell 2nd ed. 2012

Documents

wood deck

decks dont

multilevel deck

decks weight

grillmasters love decks

wood bits

plain wood

manmade materials