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The Kitchen Renovation Doesn't Have to Be As Painful As You Might Think

You've reached your own personal tipping point: the toaster won't work when the coffeemaker's on, you're down to one working burner on your stove, only one person can be in the kitchen at a time so your family eats in shifts, and finally the microwave blew on the morning of your big presentation at work, and you decided, "Enough is enough. We need a new, functional kitchen!"

You're not alone. Usually everyone has a particular tipping point; that one last thing that sends them into the renovation pool. You try to hold on for as long as you can because you're dreading the noise, the dust, the inconvenience and the disruption to your daily life. When your space becomes unusable, it's time to do something. But you can't just jump into a renovation, particularly one as costly, time consuming and inconvenient as a click here , you need a well thought out plan of attack if you're going to pull it off in the quickest amount of time with the least amount of inconvenience and expense.

Start by developing a Design Plan: A renovation will only be as successful as the research and planning that's put into it. Like any business proposal you develop for work, you need to have a clear goal of what you want to achieve with the renovation. Do you yearn for updated electrical wiring, maximizing storage space, adding an eating area, appliances that work?

You can start by popping into kitchen renovation stores to look at the latest available features in kitchen design. Speak to the staff, tell them you're at the beginning of your journey and see if they have any ideas for you.

Cut out photos of kitchens you love from magazines and put them in a folder. Identify why you like the kitchens you've chosen - is it the space? The lighting? The colour? The style of cabinetry or countertops? It is even helpful to give your designer images of things you definitely do not like. That way they won't propose those very things in your dream kitchen. When you determine what you really want, it will help your kitchen designer draw up the plans that suit you.

If you have a friend who's recently renovated her kitchen, take pictures and identify what you like about it as well and stick it in the folder with your other pictures.

Toronto architect Jacqueline Rhee says that when she sits down with potential clients and they say to her, "Design us something gorgeous," she has to explain that they aren't giving her enough information. She says, "What their idea of 'gorgeous' is and what I might have in mind could very well be two different things. Maybe they want French Country, but I have an idea that they might prefer a sleek contemporary kitchen." The more direction clients can give their designer about their likes, dislikes and what their goals for the space are, the better the design can live up to their expectations.

Budget: The good news regarding a kitchen renovation is that it tends to be a good investment. The Appraisal Institute of Canada estimates that a kitchen renovation will return 75-100% of your investment if you were to turn around and sell your home. However, the sky is never the limit, even for Donald Trump. Just as you would plan your company's annual marketing budget, you need to develop a budget for your kitchen renovation. A general rule of thumb for how much to spend on a kitchen renovation is up to 10-15% of the value of your home. But don't feel like you have to spend that much; if you can do more with less, do it. For example, if your cabinets are in the right location and sturdy but just tired and outdated, consider refacing them. Refacing comes in at about 50-75% of the cost of new custom cabinetry.

Hiring a Kitchen Company and/or Contractor: Most people hire a contractor or kitchen designer through word of mouth. If you've been to a friend's recently renovated house and you like what you see, start asking questions: Who did the work? Did you work well together? Was he on time and on budget? Is the end result what you expected? Was he well-organized or did you scramble to get finishes at the last minute? Were there any major problems during construction, and if so, how did he handle them? If you liked the answers your friend gave you - assuming your friend isn't shell-shocked from the direct grilling she's just received - get his card. Now, find at least two other contractors and/or kitchen companies so you can compare quotes.

Meeting with the Designer and Contractor: If, while you're meeting with a designer or contractor, your gut tells you that no matter how great the work is you couldn't stand being in the same room with him for more than a minute, cross him off your list of candidates. You may have to meet with this person every day. If your personalities don't mix, you'll never be able to solve problems together. Likely, however, if you're getting that vibe, the contractor or designer is too; it's best to part ways before a relationship has begun.

If, on the other hand, your first meeting is fantastic and you're bowled over with his enthusiasm and ideas and you get along as if you'd known each other your entire lives, you still need to do your research. Ask him how many jobs he can handle at once and how many he has going currently and make sure he is bonded and insured.

Further necessary research - the internet is your new best friend: Researching kitchen companies and contractors has become a whole lot easier with the age of the internet. Now there are websites which are specifically focused on capturing word-of-mouth reviews from consumers online. If the companies you're interested in using don't have any reviews, you may want to look at other companies that do and compare their services. Also check out the company's website. If they don't have one, you have to wonder how professional they are.

Another tip you can try is entering the company's name in search engines like Google and Yahoo!. You may find some feedback people have posted on them on various forums. You can also post a question asking if anyone has ever used this company. Finally, check the references he or she gives you as well, talk to a few of his past clients and go see the work he or she did for them.

Once you've chosen your designer, contractor and/or kitchen company, get ready: Ask yourself if you can live through the renovation by setting up a second kitchen in the garage or basement. Do you have toddlers who would be better off away from the construction site? Make arrangements to be out of the house for a specific amount of time and make sure that you and your project team have discussed the most reasonable move-out and move-in dates.

Did you have to factor furniture storage into your budget or can it be wrapped and stored on site? Again, your contractor will tell you which is the best option depending on the size of the job and your storage space availability on site.

During the renovation: Assumptions: One of the breakdowns in communication between homeowner and contractor is in assumptions made by one party or the other. For instance, one woman had purchased bathroom sinks and fixtures for a brand new home. The contractor saw that the powder room fixture would be outfitted with separate taps and a faucet and so drilled three holes in all the sinks because he assumed that all the fixtures were the same. Unfortunately, they weren't and the homeowner had to replace the other fixtures to match the holes.

But incorrect assumptions can just as easily be made by the homeowner. A homeowner handed a water filter kit to the contractor and asked him to install it. The homeowner had read on the box that the water filter was good for the whole house and could be fitted on the main water supply. When she returned at the end of the day, the contractor had installed it under the kitchen sink. She'd never told him where it was to go, she had just assumed that he knew it was meant for the entire house.

Problem solving: In any renovation, no matter how minor, there always seem to be unforeseen problems. It's not as surprising as you might think. What happens behind the walls stays behind them until they're ripped apart. Up until then, you might not know that the insulation used was actually newspaper, or that the plumbing went through the wall that needs to be demolished. How your contractor and you handle these problems depends on how proactive your contractor is.

During Sue and Leon's main floor renovation, the designer had called for the laundry room backsplash to consist of stainless steel tiles; beautiful, but at a cost of approximately $5,000. Sue balked. The contractor suggested instead a row of the tiles, two feet high, just behind the washer and dryer at a cost of $500. Sue was grateful that contractor made her aware of the costs and had an alternative suggestion for her.

The end result -- your dream space: Living through the dust, noise and strangers in your house for weeks to months on end can be tiring. Even though you get along well with the crew and your contractor, you can find your temper becoming short, particularly if there are delays during the project leading to prolonged construction. Recognize that delays are often unavoidable and that one day, you will be back in your home, the workers will be gone and your new beautiful kitchen will be all yours.

On-line Resources: This Old House: This website is a DIYer's dream. There are videos and tips on probably every aspect of renovating a kitchen. Kitchens.com: A wealth of information on everything you ever wanted to know about kitchens, including information on "greening your kitchen." Better Homes and Gardens has an extensive section on renovating your kitchen including an "inspiration gallery" to give you some ideas. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: CMHC has an excellent website for any renovation or home purchase. The kitchen renovation area has downloadable charts you can use for reference guides as you go about your renovation planning. Appraisal Institute of Canada: The Renova section of this website allows you to input the cost of your renovation and it will calculate how much of a return you would receive if you sold your home.

On-line Forums: Forums are a great place to ask questions about all kinds of different topics. Search forums first to see if a thread already exists on the topic you're interested in.

HomeStars Forum.

This Old House Forum.

Bob Vila's Forum.

Style at Home Forum.

Canadian House and Home Forum.

Holmes on Homes Forum.

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Bed and Breakfast Hobbyist Retreats

Recently we have heard of some pretty amazing quilting retreats taking place at bed and breakfasts. These retreats are forever memorable not to mention fun. For similar hobby enthusiasts right now with the recession it's a great time to retreat with a group of friends that share a similar interest or activity. Many bed and breakfasts are very willing and open to working with your group, whatever the activity.

In addition, the industry is really pushing right now the idea of "A Better Place to Stay". They point out that often people don't think to stay at a click here over a hotel or motel even though it's in the same price range, not to mention you get an amazing cooked breakfast.

What are some of the benefits of staying at bed and breakfasts?

1) It's all about the experience - Owners and innkeepers are all about making your experience memorable so you will return. Many become close friends with their guests. An amazing host makes for a wonderful innkeeper. They are able to recognize guests who simply want their space versus those that need to relax but are in need of quality conversation and interaction.

2) It's intimate and memorable - Unlike most hotels which are hospital-like sterile, inns are cozy, warm and inviting. After a retreat, your group will often bring up how fun it was to quilt at that specific inn.

3) The breakfast part is amazingly delicious - The breakfasts are very tasty, from healthy to scrumptious. With a group, they often will serve whatever you want.

4) The experience is unique and impressive - With B&B's each room is unique and years later you will share, "Remember when we stayed at there? I loved that my room..." It's the sylish, trendy and exciting way to stay.

5) It's more affordable than you think - The average cost to stay at a B&B is around the $100 a night, which includes a real breakfast. That's pretty comparable to going to a high quality hotel chain, continental breakfast included. While you could quilt in a motel for less, it won't be as fun, right?

How to find an exceptional bed and breakfast?

One of the biggest challenges the industry faces is the mistaken image people have made for them. This image comes from novices who open a bed and breakfast but aren't serious about being in business. With the recession most of those have closed.

With the Internet, it's easy to ensure you are going to an exceptional B&B run by business owners who make your experience priority number one. TripAdvisor.com is a good way to see a lot of ratings. Ignore any unusual negative comments. If their scores are high, someone might have been having a bad day.

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Fast Nutrient Absorption With Dymatize Micronized Glutamine

Building muscle is not as easy as it seems, let alone recovering fast enough to hit the gym again. Dymatize Micronized Glutamine provides you with muscle building and recovery nutrients to help you fortify your workout regimen.

What makes Dymatize Micronized Glutamine special?

Glutamine is one of the main nutrients found primarily in Muscles. Glutamine helps promote muscle growth and recovery. It is also vital to nitrogen transportation to the different muscles in your body. click here Micronized Glutamine provides your body with the necessary glutamine to help you build muscle and help muscles recover faster.

What are the benefits of using Dymatize Micronized Glutamine?

Dymatize Micronized Glutamine provides your training regimen the kick it needs to put you over the top. Glutamine is one of the vital nutrients to help sustain an intense workout and gain muscle at the same time. Here are the benefits you get from using Dymatize:

Dymatize ensures that your muscles get the nitrogen they need to sustain an intense workout on a daily basis. The L-Glutamine that this product provides ensures that your tissue muscles retain enough nitrogen to avoid degradation. Nitrogen is an important part of muscle building and recovery, with the help of Dymatize, your muscles will get enough nitrogen to improve muscle performance.

This product helps remote the toxins in your body. Muscle building is no joke that is why it is important to remove all toxins from your body so that you will not only gain muscle but also stay healthy as well.

Dymatize's formula helps promote proper protein synthesis. Protein synthesis is important because it helps your muscles absorb protein faster for more effective muscle gain and recovery.The formula used for Dymatize ensures that your body absorbs protein and glutamine faster. The fast absorption of nutrients will help you gain muscle and recover faster after a grueling training session.

This product also helps fuel brain and muscle tissue to help improve overall health.

These are only some of the benefits users get from using Dymatize. This product provides users with an excellent source for Glutamine and nitrogen retention nutrients.

What athletes and bodybuilders say about Dymatize?

Dymatize is highly recommended by athletes and bodybuilders alike. The Glutamine and proteins that this product offers has helped athletes and bodybuilders reach their fitness goals. These users are recovering faster and gaining muscle more effectively because of Dymatize. Its nitrogen retention capabilities and fast absorption has helped athletes and bodybuilders recover faster and increase the number of rigorous training regimens they can go through. The increased number of training days has helped them gain more size and strength faster.

Athletes and bodybuilders are not the only users who can benefit from using this product. You can also use this product to help boost your performance in the gym and reach your target fitness goals, moreover, you can save with online Bodybuilding.com coupon codes. The Glutamine and protein this product provides will ensure that you recover fast and gain muscle as well. If you want to reach your fitness goals for the year, Dymatize is the product that can help you reach it.

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Drain Repair: How to Properly Use a Plumbing Snake

Let's face it: clogged drains are an unavoidable part of life. Fortunately, there are several ways to handle them, depending on the severity of the clog. If you notice a clog early on, you may be able to resolve it with simple drain cleaning or a good plunger. If you end up with a severely clogged or even blocked drain, you may want to try a plumbing snake or auger.

A plumbing snake is an extremely useful tool, but it's also one that can cause additional damage to a plumbing system, especially in the hands of someone who's inexperienced. Below, you'll find some guidelines for correctly and safely using a plumbing snake.

When NOT to Use a Plumbing Snake

Before pulling out this handy drain cleaning tool, you should first be aware that not every drain can be safely cleared with a plumbing snake. There are certain situations in which you shouldn't use one, including:

If you have galvanized pipes. Typically found in older homes, galvanized pipes are made of material that can flake off inside the pipe itself. A plumbing snake could make this problem worse. Also, galvanized pipes are weaker than newer types of plumbing materials and can't always hold up against the movement of a plumbing snake, which means you may end up needing major click here. If your drain lines are galvanized and clogging frequently, it may be time to consider replacement of those lines.

If you've used a commercial drain cleaner. If your first attempt to clear the drain involved a commercial drain cleaner, a plumbing snake can cause the chemicals to splash back up, potentially injuring you. If you call your local Portland plumber for help with clogged or blocked drains and have used chemicals, always let the plumber know so he or she can bring protective materials.

Proper Pluming Snake Technique

If you decide a plumbing snake can be safely used, put on your junkiest clothes and lay some old towels around your workspace. You should also wear rubber gloves for this process. A few things to keep in mind:

* Start with the smallest snake and only graduate to larger snakes if you can't clear the clog initially. * Insert the coiled end of the snake into the clogged drain and turn the crank slowly clockwise, advancing the snake. Allow the snake to find its own way through the pipes - don't force it. * If it gets hard to turn the handle, reverse the crank, pull out the snake and clean it - have a bucket handy to put any debris in. * Once you find the clog, don't force the snake. Instead, try to use the snake to "grab" the clog and pull it out. It's better to clear the clog completely then to push it further down the drain. * Re-insert the snake, and continue with the drain cleaning until it's clear.

This can be a messy project, but it's one you should be able to accomplish. If you have a stubborn clog, it may be time to call your local Portland plumber.

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The 8 Traits of a Successful Math Tutor

For children struggling with math, having the support of an experienced math tutor has been proved to be crucial. Effective math tutoring involves both teaching the solutions to math problems and also, the structure of how math works. This helps math students achieve a better grasp of the core concepts.

For those who want to become math teachers or practice math tutoring on the side, there are 8 traits that are essential for success. Those who employ these specific traits will be able to teach more effectively and convey the world of math to the student in the most efficient manner.

Preparation

In order to be a good teacher, you have to be fully prepared and versed on the subject. Successful click here know the material and are prepared to answer questions when they arise. Moreover, effective preparation allows for the tutor to switch gears when needed and provide proper alternatives for problem solving.

Teaching skills

For a math teacher, the ability to explain more difficult concepts in a manner that is simple and clear is a valuable skill. The use of an easy to understand language can help the student feel at ease and take the next step towards solving the problem. Furthermore, a good tutor should be able to summarize the concept quickly and succinctly.

Communication

Effective math tutoring, is not just about explaining the subject to the student, it also involves listening to them. This way, the math tutor can better understand the issues and therefore lay out a better plan to help them. By speaking clearly and concisely, the tutor can explain the concepts needed to help the child or student. By listening intently, the tutor can then help the student in the manner that best fits their needs.

Involvement

A good tutor should always elicit information from the student to help better communicate their understanding. Moreover, creating an open atmosphere so that the student can willingly ask questions is vital in establishing a good math tutor/student relationship.

Character

The professional behavior of the math tutor is very important in helping the student learn the subject. A math tutor can be funny, cheerful and humorous. But the demeanor should always be consistent and pointed in the direction of learning. That way, the student always knows what to expect.

Innovative

For math tutors, innovation means coming with the different and refreshing ways to help students understand the concepts so they can solve the problems. Extra notes, flash cards or other means can be used to shake up the sessions just enough to help elicit better learning.

Passion

Being passionate about teaching, the student success and the subject is a vital part of being a great math tutor. The passion for teaching should be present so as to keep the interest of the student.

Persistence

The single trait that locks the rest together is persistence. By continuing to present the information, listening to the student and providing innovative ways to learn, the tutor will eventually help almost everyone they teach to learn the important concepts of math.

Sam Mirs is the founder of Amazing Math Tutor, an in home tutoring company in San Diego. We provide one-on-one in home tutoring in various Math subjects such as: algebra, algebra I, algebra II, trigonometry, geometry, pre-calculus, Calculus and college level math. We are also specialized in tutoring the Math section of SAT, GRE, GED etc. We serve all San Diego county and examples of areas are: Carlsbad, San Diego, Del Mar, La Jolla, Poway, Rancho Penasquitos, Encinitas, Solana Beach, oceanside etc.

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Say No to These 5 "Mistakes" While Finding a Car Key Replacement

Have you lost your car keys ever?

It is one of the biggest nightmares ever. And, probably, it will happen with every 8 out of 10 persons. In this situation, an individual will certainly become a victim of the mad rush in the entire house for an entire day. The worst part is that you won't find your set of keys after a long struggle. Clueless? What to do? It is a bad day, right?

After this panic subsides, the car owners step out to find the reliable resort. They proceed towards either the manufacturers or the local dealers, who provide the duplicate set of the keys. Both are the fruitful solutions for the problem. But, nowadays, most of the persons choose the latter one. They are actually tried and trustworthy approach for the click here

However, the major part is to find the honest locksmith, who will execute the task right and in the fair price. And, side by side, the car owners should prevent themselves to commit some blunders whilst the searching process. Let us discuss them...

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Finding a Locksmith

Mistake 1: Don't wait for the next occasion to contact the locksmith Most of the car owners have witnessed doing this fault. They postpone the operation of the key replacement, as they don't require their vehicle at that particular moment. But, don't do this. You never know when you will need it back. Hence, contact the right person for getting your new car remote.

Mistake 2: Use the internet to search but don't skip the physical visit Many people use the internet to find the locksmith and they will easily rely on the references. It is not bad to choose the online mode. But, to trust the dealers without any physical research is a wrong step. So, plan your visit to the address and then decide something.

Mistake 3: Don't go with only words The third fault is that most of you are in an urgency, as you need your car fast. So, it is advised that don't be in a hurry. Be patient and perform the meticulous research of a specific firm. Don't just believe on the words that you hear through your phone. Explore the portfolio or ask the physical proofs from the company. Believe on your eyes, not only on the ears.

Mistake 4: Don't get attracted towards low price Many agencies strive to allure you by offering the less price and various other deals. But, don't get trapped into their fake actions. It is your car key and you can't afford to get it replaced by any local person. So, always do your homework properly.

Mistake 5: Don't hand over your vehicle to the locksmith Your car is your important asset. Don't give its full charge to the locksmith. Remember, its key replacement needs a one-time analysis by the dealer. Be with the person at the time of evaluation and then keep your vehicle under your authority.