The Ultimate Easy Guide To Prepare Your Home For Sale

The Ultimate Easy Guide To Prepare Your Home For Sale If you have made the decision to sell your home and lets face it there are lot of people in that very More »

Keep Your Residence Safe From Electrical Threats

Keep Your Home Safe From Electric Threats Your residence is a risk-free place from the globe, a location to kick back as well as loosen up with household as well as close More »

Balancing Mars and Venus in Each of Us

July 16, 2024   Matt

Balancing Mars and Venus in Each of Us

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve Every Relationship in Your Life by Kevin B. Burk
When we think of ourselves first and foremost as human, we’ve taken the first step towards regaining our balance. Gender does not define who we are. Gender is nothing more than a biological point of view. Once we take 2,500 years of ego- and fear-based conditioning out of the picture, the main difference between men and women is whether we have indoor or outdoor plumbing. We are not our bodies. Our bodies are nothing more than a suit of clothes worn by our spirit. The main differences are that our spirits wear our bodies for longer than our bodies wear our clothes, and our bodies are harder to dry clean. Men and women do have different points of view, but what matters is that we are all human. And every human has equal amounts of masculine and feminine energy.
It would be easier to embrace this truth if we had a better understanding of exactly what “masculine” and “feminine” really mean. Our current definitions are inexorably linked to gender, sexuality, biology, and the ego-based lie of male superiority. We have lost touch with many of the qualities that were once associated with the feminine. In order to rediscover these qualities, we have to go back more than 2,500 years and explore the culture of Ancient Greece.
The Ancient Greeks were the last civilization to include reasonably healthy feminine archetypes. Of the twelve Gods in Olympus, five of them were women. Until very recently, though, we only embraced three of the feminine archetypes. Women could be sex objects, in which case they connected with the archetype of Aphrodite (or Venus, in the Roman pantheon), the Goddess of Love, Desire and Beauty. Women could be wives, in which case they connected with the archetype of Hera, the wife of Zeus and the Goddess of Marriage—who, despite her tremendous strength and cunning, was repeatedly forced to be subservient to her philandering husband. And women could be mothers, in which case they connected with the archetype of Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth and protector of the home. These three archetypes embodied the sum total of the feminine for more than 2,000 years. The male ego successfully suppressed the powerful female archetypes of Athena and Artemis, who collectively embody feminine strength, skill and mastery.
Athena was the Goddess of Wisdom, Reason and Purity. Severing our connection to her archetype was no small feat, as Athena was one of the most revered and respected of all of the Olympians. In fact, the city of Athens is named after her. Athena was fair, just, and an incredibly powerful warrior. She was the embodiment of feminine strength. While Ares, the God of War (and the Greek counterpart to Mars, the Roman God of War) was wantonly destructive, childish, violent, aggressive, and ultimately a coward, Athena was proud, strong, and courageous. More importantly, Athena would only fight in order to defend the city—she would never initiate any conflicts, and she always preferred diplomacy to warfare.
Athena is the archetype of the female warrior. Female warriors are in no way inferior to male warriors: Time and again, women have proved that they are in every way equal to men on the battlefield. The difference is that female warriors do not fight in the same way that male warriors do, nor do they fight for the same reasons. Male warriors fight to attack, while female warriors fight to defend. The female warrior archetype has returned, however. We see it when Sarah Michelle Gellar beats up vampires and saves the world (while still maintaining every ounce of her femininity) in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and when Lucy Lawless battles warlords, gods and monsters alike in Xena, Warrior Princess. More recently, we see Guinevere portrayed as a warrior in Walt Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer’s 2004 film retelling of King Arthur.
Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt, is the archetype of the female athlete. In every way, she was the equal of her brother, Apollo. Artemis has returned as a useful archetype for women today, thanks to the popularity of women’s athletics. Women now have role models and opportunities to explore their physical strength, and test and improve their skills through competitive sports.
We have always measured “masculinity” based on strength, power, and skill, but these qualities are as present in women as they are in men. Women were supposed to be delicate flowers who needed men to protect them. The truth, however, is that while men may have the edge over women in terms of brute strength, that women often surpass men in skill and dexterity. Once we take biology and reproduction out of the equation, men and women are very evenly matched. So what then, are the truly “masculine” and “feminine” qualities? The masculine principle is focused, expressive, and direct. The feminine principle is diffuse, intuitive, and receptive. The feminine principle provides the container to support the masculine energy. Masculine energy expands, and feminine energy contracts. Any action can be “masculine” or “feminine” in nature, depending on how it is applied. Warrior energy on its own is neither masculine nor feminine. It becomes masculine when we attack in order to expand our borders; it becomes feminine when we fight to defend and protect our tribe from invasion.
It’s true that men tend to be more in touch with the more “masculine” or yang aspects, while women tend to be more in touch with the more “feminine” or yin aspects. But not being aware of or familiar with our complimentary nature doesn’t mean that we can’t learn about it and express it. This, in fact, is the reason that men and women form relationships with each other. Our partners are our mirrors, and when men and women relate to each other—whether that relationship is sexual or not—what we see reflected is our complimentary nature. We see the parts of ourselves that we haven’t integrated or owned yet. And through our relationships with the opposite gender, we learn how to connect with and own these parts of ourselves, and experience true balance. We need to learn to acknowledge, accept and embrace these two complimentary natures. We each have both Mars and Venus within us, and we need to learn how to appreciate and express them both.

Read More

Ways You Can Plumb Your Own Home (2)

July 14, 2024   Matt

Ways You Can Plumb Your Own Home

Plumbing encompasses a lot of things. It covers items such as sinks, showers pipes, waste systems, etc. There are so many ways that one can can maintain and repair their own system for their own home needs. This article has advice that can help you find what you need to know to start.

Never try to undertake a project that you are unsure of. Additionally, never call on a friend to help you with something, if they are not a professoinal. There have been hundreds of good friendships ruined by a guy claiming to know exactly what he is doing, when the truth is he is clueless.

If you are the kind of person who travels a great deal, then remember that different countries may have very different kinds of plumbing systems available. If you are not sure of how things work in the region where you experience problems, then you should either do research or avoid fixing the problem yourself.

If you’ve replaced the drain in a sink or tub it’s very important to do a leak test to make sure nothing is going to cause you water damage. First, dry off the drain completely so you won’t be mistaken by old water or condensation. Fill the tub or sink repeatedly and touch the drain to make sure it isn’t wet.

An important plumbing-related decision that must be made these days is the choice between an electric water heater or a gas water heater. In these times with gas costing as much as it does, it is more cost efficient to buy an electric water heater, especially if you have a smaller water heater.

Avoid using harsh chemicals to clear clogged drains by purchasing a hand-held manual auger. A drain auger is a one-time purchase as opposed to purchasing a new bottle every time a drain is clogged. This is especially helpful for people who deal with clogged drains often, such as people with long hair or kids who like to drop things down the drain.

When concerned with plumbing, you need to know what can cause noisy pipes. This is important because it can mean the difference between an annoying noise and flooding in your house. Do your research to distinguish between the different noises and hire a professional if any serious risk is posed.

When searching for a good plumber you should always check references. It is easy to just go with the lowest price, but you have to do your research and make sure the plumber has a good reputation with the people they have done work for in the past so you do not get a bad plumber.

If your lawn has areas where the grass grows very quickly compared to the rest, seems constantly wet or has a noxious odor you may have a sewer line leak. A leak or crack in sewage pipes can be repaired if caught early and save thousands of dollars in failed septic inspection expenses.

In conclusion, plumbing is a very broad subject that covers a lot of everyday home improvements. There are some right ways and wrong ways to do it, but there is so much room for learning. Hopefully, this article gave you some advice on how to make plumbing work for you.

Read More

The Latest Vacuum Cleaning Equipment Is NOT Your Mothers Old Machine!

July 12, 2024   Matt

The Latest Vacuum Cleaning Equipment Is NOT Your Mothers Old Machine!

There was a time not to long ago when a vacuum cleaner was basically the same machine no matter where or how it was purchased. In previous times, the decision on what vacuum cleaner to purchase was based more on the “extras” the salesman offered but more often than not, it was the financing arrangements that were available.

Like now, most families could ill afford the additional expense of replacing home appliances, what few that were available. The vacuum cleaner however was one piece of equipment that was considered almost a necessity once it was used, especially with the advent of wall to wall carpet.

Many homes pre-1960 didn’t have wall to wall carpet but instead relied on area rugs for floor coverings. These large rugs could be taken out to the backyard, hung over a fence or clothesline and beaten with a carpet beater to remove ground in soil.

Vacuum cleaners removed the need to take rugs out of the house for cleaning. Today however, there are several carpet cleaning technologies available. Two of the most popular types of vacuum cleaner technologies include HEPA filtration and bagless.

Both technologies have the champions and like everything else have their positives and negatives. The positive with HEPA filtration is that small particulate dirt is better captured. This allows for a cleaner exhaust and theoretically, a cleaner indoor environment. The negative with HEPA type filters is that because they capture the finer dirt particles, they tend to need more frequent bag or filter replacement. Another potential issue is that as the HEPA filter captures more dirt, it also tends to lose some suction power as the filters fill.

Bagless vacuum cleaners are exactly what the name suggests. Bagless vacuum equipment typically features a cup or hard plastic container that captures the dirt during use. This makes emptying a lot easier and the amount of consumables like vacuum bags and filters is a lot less.

Consider not only the technology but the ease of use, general quality of the equipment, weight if you’re going to carry it up and down stairs, etc. Onboard tools are nice but why carry around all that extra weight when not needed. Every vacuum technology has their share of people who love and people who hate it. The key is to find the vacuum cleaner you like.

Read More

Make Your Summer Garden Sizzle

July 11, 2024   Matt

Make Your Summer Garden Sizzle

Most people spend a great deal of time and effort planning their summer gardens. Whether you are planning a summer garden that is designed to awe and amaze all those who manage to capture a glimpse or simply trying to construct a summer garden that will inspire you when you manage to take a moment and glance around, taking in the fruits of your labor there is no reason you should skimp on the planning stage as it may prove detrimental to the overall effect. If you are looking for ways to make your summer garden sizzle the absolute best way is to give it the careful planning and attention to detail it deserves.

First and foremost you need to plan more than the plants that will go in your summer garden. Whether you are planting flowers, trees, shrubs, greenery, fruits, or vegetables you need still need to plan the boundaries, bordering, landscaping, and layout of your summer garden. You should also consider the accents in your lawn and garden area that will showcase certain aspects of your summer garden while diminishing the effects of less attractive features of your summer garden or the natural landscape of your lawn.

Arrange your summer garden in a manner that is attractive. Whether you are using traditional rows for a vegetable garden or raised landscaping boxes in select areas along the exterior of your home there are plenty of opportunities to present your summer garden in as attractive of a manner as possible. Take great time and care that you do just that when planning your garden. You want your summer garden to be a place to show off to friends and neighbors. Arranging it attractively so that it doesn’t detract from the remainder of your landscaping efforts is a wise move-even if your summer garden is intended to be merely functional as a vegetable garden.

Use lawn furniture, birdhouses, water features, and other clever landscaping tips and tricks in order to provide additional focal points throughout your summer garden area. Provide plenty of distractions so that visitors may see something different every time they stop by. Be careful that you do not make your summer garden seem gaudy or overcrowded though. There is a fine balance between having too many gaps in scenery and overloading the senses. Take care that you do not cross that line.

Use lighting so that your summer garden may be enjoyed even when dusk is imminent. There are many ways this can be accomplished. I recommend using solar powered lighting along pathways and walkways within your summer garden and overhead lighting in common areas where there is seating and that are meant for congregating and socializing.

Create pathways within your gardens and mark them with pavers and stones. These pathways provide visitors a walking path through your garden area and keep feet from compacting the soil and inhibiting the growth in your garden. This is also a great method for keeping your garden attractive in appearance and from looking overgrown in areas that aren’t readily accessible for mowing.

Install a water feature such as a goldfish pond or waterfall for a little dramatic flare. These are not only beautiful but allow the opportunity for a social area and a little more lighting in your garden area. If you enjoy birds, it also gives the water a little room in which to flit and flitter to the delight of young and older kids alike. For a really sizzling summer garden it needs to be a garden that people want to enjoy and where they wish to congregate. Little touches such as those mentioned above make a huge difference to visitors and increase the enjoyment of summer gardens exponentially.

Plan your summer garden to attract visitors and keep their attention and you should have no shortage of flattering comments about your green thumb or your gardening efforts. Remember to keep the plants looking healthy and beautiful though of you may find the opposite of the desired effect is the case.

Read More

Plumbing Like A Pro: Tips, Tricks, And Techniques 2

July 09, 2024   Matt

Plumbing Like A Pro: Tips, Tricks, And Techniques

Imagine taking on a plumbing project with the confidence that you are going to do a good job and that you are going to complete the job for well under the price of hiring professional help. Now use this hopefulness, and take a few minutes to read the great tips in this article.

Be sure to blow out your sprinklers during the fall months. If you forget to do it, or have it done, you are going to suffer broken lines and have to go through the expense and the work involved in replacing those lines. If you have an air compressor, it can be done on your own and it will not cost a thing.

If you need to locate a pipe under the floor, attach a strong magnet to a solid line coated with fish tape. Flush the magnet or throw it in a drain. Make sure to attach the line to something or to have someone hold it. Use a compass to locate the magnet and the pipe.

Clean washing machine lint traps and use pantyhose over the water outlet tube to prevent lint, fuzz and other debris from clogging sewer or septic system filters. Fine mesh traps are also available for this purpose, but a package of knee-high nylon stockings and plastic ties can provide enough filters to encourage you to do the job regularly.

Keep an eye on the hoses for your dishwasher and washing machine. These hoses can leak and bulge, which can be a problem. Check them for signs of wear and tear and replace any hoses more than 10 years old. You’ll find that these hoses age well, but you have got to make sure they are doing the job they should.

Is your toilet leaking? Find out by putting some food color in the tank and then check the bowl later. If there is colored water in the bowl, the toilet has an internal leak. To fix an internal leak you can simply replace the tank’s ball or flapper.

If you plan on doing any work on your walls, from putting in a nail to hang a picture to literally tearing it down, you’ll need to know where your pipes are. Smashing a hammer through drywall only to find you’ve also dislodged a pipe and created a flood is not a great way to start a project!

If you cannot find the cause of a leak between the tank and basin, consider installing a new flapper. Over time, these parts tent to wear down under water, and even the smallest crack around the edge can lead to a leaky toilet and the loss of many gallons of water.

Kitchen and bathroom plumbing is often located on exterior walls and freezes more easily than interior wall plumbing. Keep your furnace at a safe temperature throughout the winter and open cabinet doors in bathroom vanities and beneath kitchen sinks to expose the pipes to warmer room air to prevent freezing.

To summarize, you want to know that you are taking care of your plumbing job just the same as a professional would, but without the additional costs they would inflict upon you. Hopefully, this article was informative enough for you to tackle any plumbing issue that might come your way.

Read More

Clean Up To House Up: Your Credit History And You

July 07, 2024   Matt

Clean Up To House Up: Your Credit History And You

Blemishes and events we’d rather not remember have one thing in common: they can be wiped off. Whether the blemish is on your shirt, furniture, or credit history, it can be cleaned up. Clearly, a tarnished credit history should not prevent you from owning a house. Late payments, repossessions, write-offs, and bankruptcy are sure to leave stains in your credit history the size of a crater. The good news is that they can be cleaned. The bad news is that it cannot be done overnight. In fact, cleaning up your credit history would most likely take you a year at the very least.

You Can’t Clean House Without Cleaning Up Your Credit History
A home mortgage lender is a businessman who will not fork out any sum without the assurance of getting it back. This is why home mortgage lenders verify would-be homeowners’ credit history before granting them their loans. Credit history is as good an indicator as any of a borrower’s willingness to pay off debts on time. For the same reason, blemished credit history make home mortgage lenders nervous – and with good reason, too! Think about it. If you are a home mortgage lender, wouldn’t you quail in your shoes at the possibility of not getting repaid?

Spotting the Spots
While home mortgage lenders would rather have borrowers with pristine credit history, they don’t shut the doors on borrowers with smudges on their ratings. In fact, home mortgage lenders are very understanding when it comes to late payments and reporting errors. They are not as forgiving, however, of unpaid debts or loans that have been written off as bad debts by creditors.

So, what kind of spots do home mortgage lenders look for in your credit history? They’re on the look-out for old, outstanding debts and bad debts incurred anytime during the last 12 to 24 months.

Spots No Maid Can Clean
If your credit history is riddled with old, outstanding debts and recent debts, don’t call the maid or a credit repair company. Many credit repair companies promise you miracles. They swear they can clean up your credit record overnight. Always take claims like this with a grain of salt. The only person who can clean up your credit history is you. How do you go about this mission?

* Pay your current bills on time. Continue doing so because this will reflect favorably on your credit history.

* Avoid borrowing anything while you haven’t fully paid off your debts. Not only should you work at getting out of debt, you should also focus on staying out of it.

* If you have many loans to pay off, work out a schedule for eliminating as many of them as you can. Many home mortgage lenders do not grant loans to people who owe too much. As a rule of thumb, mortgage payments should not go over 36 to 38 percent of your monthly obligations, the amount of which is a combination of your credit card payments, child support, alimony, student loans, and the like.

Blemishes are seldom permanent. If anyone with a rag can wipe smudges off a coffee table, you can do the same, too, with your credit history.

Read More
« Older posts
Newer posts »

  • Subscribe

Support us!

If you like this site please subscribe