Yesterday, I shared a few reasons to re-think buying a house. Today, I went to look at a few handyman specials and have a few more reasons to add to the list. And by the way…When they say handyman special? I think it is code for “This house should be condemned due to mold, structural and hazardous waste issues.” Wow.

A scribbled sign on the door that says “Don’t drink the water.” After I read the sign, which the realtor pulled down because it was unauthorized, I took a closer look at the surrounding houses and saw that a lot of …read more

I’m all for something that can lift us up. If a book or action can have us behave and think more positively, hey, why not? So that’s why I was particularly happy to read Think Confident, Be Confident by Leslie Sokol and Marci Fox.

For those that have read “self help” books before, you’ll find more of the same motivating speech in this book. Where the book differs, however, is in a 4-step approach to conquering doubt. They take you through a series of steps (Label It, Question It, Rethink It, and Take Action.) …read more

Chestnuts aren’t only great roasted over an open fire as you sip a hot beverage, but they’re also good in homemade soup. And December is one of the best times to find fresh chestnuts in stores.
After you buy chestnuts, use them within one week or freeze. Otherwise, they may dry out. Store fresh chestnuts in a cool, dry place, not next to the fire!
Have you tried making chestnut soup? It first requires roasting some chestnuts, but directions are included below. Really, what can get you more in the holiday spirit than cooking with chestnuts? The reward is a tasty dish, …read more

Today I have a beginner’s sewing project for you. There is really no sewing involved, but it pertains to sewing. The materials call for a jar with a lid and a band, so I used a small candle that I had on hand. When the candle is used up I can clean up the jar and put buttons or sewing needles inside.
Here is what you will need to get started:

A fabric scrap of your choice
A jar with a lid and a band
Cotton balls or fiberfill
Card stock
A glue gun

Using the lid of the jar, cut out a circle the same size …read more

So, you’re house hunting and you come across the house of your dreams. And the price? It’s a steal! Before you sign on the dotted line for 30 years of mortgage payments, you may want to make sure you aren’t buying a 30 year rehab project you didn’t plan on doing! Here are five reasons to re-think buying a house:

Water in the basement or signs of water damage. (Or backed up septic mess. Ick!) If that water has been there long, it may have weakened the house foundation. Even if the foundation is okay, all of that water may have …read more

If you are anything like me, you love to have candles all over the house. I don’t always have them lit up; I just like the way they look and the feel that they give to a room. For this project you can use a regular pillar candle, it doesn’t have to be white. It can be any color you choose.
Here is what you will need to get started:

A white pillar candle (again, you can use any color – I used white)
A thanksgiving paper napkin with images
Modge Podge or white glue thinned out with water
Sharp, fine pointed scissors
A paint brush
Rubbing …read more

I just saw this article that says a bit of grumpiness can go a long way toward making a person happy. Did I lose you there? Being grumpy can actually make you more positive in the long run.

This thought makes perfect sense to me. There has been a movement, ever since The Secret came out, that says if you think only positive thoughts and focus on your goal, you will attract positive things to you. This is great advice, but not always realistic. For example, sometimes life is unpredictable and even the most wonderful, blessed, …read more

I was browsing through murals online today and I got wall envy. I desperately want a mural. However, I’m not sure exactly what I want and where I want it. So, I decided to make a temporary mural on one of my walls to see if I liked the way it looks. Kind of like the temporary tattoos kids wear for fun. After I started working on my mural, it occurred to me that it might be a good option for artistic people who lived in apartments and other temporary situations and who didn’t want to have to repaint their …read more

Is getting through a day without feeling like you could fall asleep a struggle? Most of us would say yes. As a full-time writer, I am my own boss and have to make sure I stay motivated. Some days I feel like I could take a nap at about 3:00. The trouble is, if I do that, I have to make up the work I might have missed later when my family is home. I’ve found the following strategies help me to keep my energy at a consistent level all day.

Eat Lightly
Nothing sends me into …read more

I have a big rubber stamp I carved that is basically a geometric pattern. I like it, but, by itself, it isn’t much to look at. I was playing around with it and realized that it made a pretty wallpaper like pattern. Now, I have plans to primer a small wall in a boring little nook so I can stamp away with the hand carved stamp to see what it looks like.

If you don’t want to carve your own stamp, you can still make your own hand stamped walls. There are a ton of foam stamps with all …read more