Altameroy Blog

(ARA) - Coming up with gift ideas for kids is easy. They’re always appreciative of toys;but what do you get for your parents’ anniversary, birthday, or just to let them know you appreciate them?

David and Charlotte Penn of Crystal, Minn., think they’ve come up with a great gift for Charlotte’s dad. They found an old photograph of the farm Kurt Ross grew up on in Bellingham, Minn., near the South Dakota border, and plan to have it made into a mural. “Charlotte’s parents are in the process of redecorating their basement right now and we know just where it can go,” says Penn. The print, which will be 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, will hang on the wall along the steps leading downstairs.

Murals used to only appear in public places or business offices; but now that the cost of making them is coming down, they are becoming more prevalent in home decorating. “We recently acquired some new technology that allows us to turn negatives, slides or prints into wall sized images in a very cost effective manner. We can produce murals as small as 4 x 6 feet or as big as a building. Whatever the customer wants, we can make happen,” says Todd Imholte, president of Murals My Way, a new subsidiary of Environmental Graphics in Minnesota.

When the Penns first decided to buy a mural as a gift, they weren’t planning to have a custom one made. “As I was browsing the images on the company’s Web site, I came across one that looked just like my father-in-law’s place. We decided it would be worth it to pay a little more to get something custom made,” says Penn. Custom murals cost about $9 per square foot, so the Penns will pay about $700 for their 8 foot by 10 foot mural.

“If you want to save a little money, you can choose an image from our photo library,” says Imholte. The company has more than a thousand licensed images from world-renowned artists and photographers. They are made-to-order and printed on high-quality wallpaper stock. If you choose an image from the photo gallery, it’ll cost you about $8 per square foot to have made.

There are also 25 different images available in pre-printed murals measuring 13 by 8 feet that sell for less than $150. Paste and instructions are included with each mural.

Depending on your comfort level with hanging wallpaper, you can either choose to hang your mural yourself or hire a professional. A list of members from the National Guild of Professional Paperhangers can be found at www.muralsmyway or by calling (888) 295-9764.

Courtesy of ARA Content

About the author:

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Analyze to see if the bank who wants to give you a credit loan is solid. It makes no difference if you live in Deerfield Beach Florida or in Fayetteville North Carolina a fine online analysis will spare you often a lot of inconvenience. Now you can inquire rates of interest quickly at websites and check if there are other possible traps you should know about. 8.7 percent interest rate may come along so good but will that be unceasing after you have to pay back your bank loan. This is the reason why now you really need to check up on and cipher if you can have a bank loan at a just percent loan rate. A moneylender in Bowie Maryland or so may have a total completely different actual rate of interest for a 5000 dollar money loan then a merchant bank in Bridgeport Connecticut and that makes a immense clear gap in your weekly pay backs. Be voguish today to check out if you have a bargain or if you don’t with the moneylender that offers you a money loan. Many of the moneylenders wil show you a rate of interest that looks serious but feels naughtily or so after a period of time.

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Do you know what the Child Trust Fund is? a low number of parents seem to realise that all babies get a free £250 voucher from the State to place in a Child Trust Fund. This voucher can be invested in any one of three kinds of CTF account, Stakeholder - a shares-based account thatswitches into cash, a savings account or a shares account. It is an excellent way to save for the future requirements of a young person

Scottish Friendly is a licensed provider of the Child Trust Fund The State is eager for the public to have access to Stakeholder accounts and this is the type of account that we are catering for. This means that:

Investments are paid into Scottish Friendly’s Managed Growth Fund, which hopes to provide good growth potential

An investment is made partly in shares to get the benefit of potentially higher returns over 18 years,compared to a cash deposit account (although the value of shares can
fall as well as go up whereas capital would be protected in a deposit account)

It comes with a low ‘Stakeholder’ funds charge of only 1.5 percent yearly

At age 18 the child will get a lump sum, entirely free of Capital Gains and Income Tax under current legislation

It’s affordable - extra payments can be placed in the account from only £10

One of the great attractions of the Child Trust Fund is that anyone - parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends - if they want can give to the Fund to a ceiling of £1,200 per year to help increase the child’s Fund (once added, this money is not allowed to be withdrawn).

What this means is that our Stakeholder account offers a good balance between potentially high returns and a reduced level of risk. There’s also the additional assurance that our account is in accordance with with the Government’s stakeholder criteria. However this does not mean that returns are assured or that Stakeholder accounts are suitable for everyone. Remember that the value of shares in the Managed Growth Fund (where your Child Trust Fund money is held) can fall as well as increase and would not be guaranteed.

Only infants whose birthday is on or after 1st September 2002 are eligible to start up a Child Trust Fund. If you have older children born before the above-mentioned date who are not entitled you could consider saving for them with a Child Bond - it’s a tax-free savings plan intended for long-term growth.

There can be no doubt that investing for your daughter is a rewarding means of preparing for tomorrow.

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“Mommy, come see! There are fairies in the garden!”

And so they might have been to the eyes of a five year old who grew up on tales of pixies, elves and fairies. The magical visitor this time, though, was a ruby-throated hummingbird. Hummingbirds have a unique ability to hover in one place by rapidly fluttering their tiny wings which may truly have made them the ‘fairies’ that many people saw hovering around brightly colored flowers.

It’s not difficult to create a garden that will attract hummingbirds, but if you’d like to build a habitat in which they will happily nest and live throughout the northern summer, you need to provide them with more than a sugar-water feeder and a plant or two. An active hummingbird garden doesn’t need to be large, but it will have all of the following key ingredients to attract and keep the attention of nature’s fairies.

Choose nectar producing plants that bloom at different times throughout the spring, summer and autumn.

Flowers are, of course, the key ingredient in attracting hummingbirds to your garden. The tiny birds feed on nectar that is produced by flowers, and seem particularly attracted to plants with trumpet or tubular bright red and orange flowers. Among their particular favorites, though, are rhododendrons, azaleas and rose of Sharon bushes, so the red trumpet isn’t a hard and fast rule. For northern gardens that attract the ruby-throated hummingbird, choose from the list of plants below, making sure that you choose plants that flower at different times during the blooming season to provide food for them throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Spring Bloomers
Azaleas, rhododendrons and rose of Sharon bushes make a great ‘background’ for hummingbird gardens. They bloom early in the spring and continue blooming through the early summer. Pink and bright red varieties are favored, but hummingbirds love ALL rose of Sharon varieties.

Summer Bloomers
Bleeding hearts and red mountain columbine bloom in the early summer, as do petunias, morning glories, trumpet vines, trumpet honeysuckle, and impatiens, all of which attract hummingbirds. An expanse of shade-dappled impatiens is a powerful attraction for hummingbirds, who are ’sight’ hunters, finding their feeding grounds by sight.

Autumn Bloomers
Butterfly bush, day lilies, garden phlox, bee-balm and impatiens all will keep hummingbirds returning through the autumn and attract late migrators.

Provide a source of water in the hummingbird garden.
Unlike larger birds, hummingbirds will seldom take advantage of a bird bath or bowl of water. Instead, they relish cool mists. A garden hose with a misting attachment or a small fountain that can be adjusted to a fine mist will keep them happy.

Create vertical space for hummingbirds to perch and nest in your garden.

Hummingbirds need shelter from predators and small branches for perching and resting (yes, yes, they do perch sometimes!). By choosing a few taller bushes or trees, you can provide both.

A few strategically placed hummingbird feeders will offer an easy treat in your hummingbird garden.

There are dozens of commercially designed hummingbird feeders designed to be attractive to the little wanderers. Choose feeders with bright red accents, and a capacity for about 8 ounces of sugar water. Rather than using one large feeder, place 2-4 of them around your garden, out of sight of each other if possible. Hummingbirds are notoriously territorial. By providing several ‘private’ feeding stations, you’ll increase the number of hummingbirds that you attract.

About the Author

This article courtesy of http://www.garden-furniture-guide.com

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To own a home is one of the dreams every common man cherishes, even from the childhood. With hard work and years of savings, he might be able to build or buy a dwelling for him and his family. More than a place to stay safe from bad weather and sun, a home is also a handy investment option. In this context, buying mobile homes is an option worth considering. Recently, in the US, there has been a surge in the number of people opting to live in mobile homes. Buying mobile homes is cheaper than other forms of housing and is widely seen as a good investment option as well. Statistics show that nearly 8.8 million American households live in mobile homes.

Before getting on with the details of buying mobile homes, let us look at what a mobile home is. A mobile home is a residential structure that’s been constructed in a factory and is then shipped as a single piece to the address. Sometimes it is a misnomer as only 5% of these type homes ever leave their original site.

Buying mobile homes is an even better option when it’s placed on land on a concrete slab with a well and full septic system. It will suit those who are looking for inexpensive housing. It’s also a good idea if it is sitting on a nice piece of land such as an acre or more if you have plans to build a new home on the lot, or if you are an investor.

Before buying mobile homes you have to make sure that the mobile home conforms to the US government’s Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (known as the HUD code). That is, each mobile home must conform to a Federal building code rather than to the building codes at their destinations.

When looking into buying mobile homes, it is a good idea to check for the latest varieties of mobile homes available in the market. Nowadays, mobile homes options vary from single-section homes to large, multi-section units equipped with a fireplace or a cathedral ceiling. Buying mobile homes is a good housing choice for most due to wide price range available.

When buying a mobile home, make sure that everything is in place. First, shop around as much as you can until you find the home of your choice. Compare the cost, floor plan design, interior and exterior decor as well as the construction methods and materials used. Make sure that your mobile home displays the label certifying code compliance and the dealer is licensed with the Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. When buying mobile homes, it is always better to secure the manufacturer’s as well as dealers warranty on the home.

In the context of buying mobile homes, there will be a lot of finance providers offering you loans in addition to dealer financing. Take care that you shop around for the best finance and insurance plan. While finalizing the contract, precisely understand which items on the contract are your responsibility. Clearly define yours and the dealer’s responsibilities so that there is no ambiguity in the deal. Do not leave any blank spaces on the contract, and be certain that all the items which you and the dealer have agreed to are covered by the contract. Say no to oral agreements. Read the entire contract before signing it, and make a point to save a completed copy for your records. And if the dealer is to retain the wheels, axles and other mobilizing hardware, this should be stated in the contract.

Before investing in a mobile/manufactured home, be sure you have a place to put it. Remember, the structure must be tied down in accordance with the specifications provided in Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Rule 15C-1 or the specifications provided by the manufacturers. Remember, such structures are open to on site inspections.

About The Author

Tom Laing

Copyright 2005

Buying and Selling Homes

http://www.bringyourbusinessonline.com/selling-mobile-homes.html

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Unsuspecting homeowners may not realize the full risks associated with Radon gas in their homes. Increasing evidence suggests that Radon gas is the most underestimated cause of Lung Cancer. Radon gas can occur anywhere, however some areas of the United States are known to have abnormally high levels of this potentially deadly gas. Though Radon gas can be found in every state, the highest concentration levels are in the Northeast and the upper Midwest of the United States.

If Radon gas can be dissipated from homes and into the atmosphere it is relatively harmless. However, when Radon enters homes and stays trapped, which can frequently happen with today’s more tightly sealed homes; the gas can become a health problem.

The Radon gas typically enters a home from a basement. If the basement is not adequately vented to the outside atmosphere the gas can build up to high levels within the home.

There are differing opinions about the minimum safe levels, however the evidence continues to grow that Radon may be the most underestimated cause of lung cancer. Radon gas may be particularly more dangerous to children, smokers and those who spend much of their time indoors.

When purchasing a new home, make sure a Home Inspection is performed and that the Home Inspector checks for Radon levels. The cost for a Radon test is minimal and well worth it. If high levels of Radon gas are detected proper ventilation systems should be added to the home. The costs of such ventilation systems are again quite reasonable.

About the Author: Over the past 20+ years Mr. Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more information visit: http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Source: www.isnare.com

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How Long Will It Last?

Submitted by: Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector Lic GI 0121, President of Accurate Inspections, Inc, a New Jersey home inspection company


How nice it would be if we had a crystal ball to tell us how long the systems, appliances, and building materials in our home would last! Unfortunately, this is the \”real world\” and no such item exists. The next best bet is to consult the following list of \”Life Expectancies for Residential Equipment and Materials.\” It will give a good idea of how long these items typically last.


The ranges below may vary a little based on a number of factors, including:


1. Quality of the equipment and/or materials.

2. Proper application and/or use of the equipment and materials.

3. The proper capacities of the equipment and/or materials.

4. Varying amounts and type of usage.

5. Exposure to different weather and geographical conditions.

6. Quality of fuels, water, and air to which the equipment is exposed.

7. Future high-tech equipment, materials, and applications (that may increase or decrease life expectancies).

8. Quality of workmanship used in the installation.


HEATING SYSTEMS YEARS

Boilers

Cast iron 30 to 60

Steel 20 to 35

Heating Exchangers (steel)

Gas-fired 25 to 40

Oil-fired 20 to 35

Heat Pump Compressor 7 to 12




Heating Pipes

Steel 80 to 120

Copper 60 to ?

Burners

Oil 20 to 30

Gas 30 to 40

Misc. Heating Components

Circulators 20 to 30

Fans 12 to 40

Oil Tanks (inside) 25 to 50

Expansion Tanks 35 to 50

Zone Valves 7 to 10

Note: Heaters need complete replacement when the boiler (water) or heat exchanger (air) fails.


AIR CONDITIONING

(Electric)

Compressors 10 to 14

Coils 20 to 30

Fans 12 to 40


PLUMBING SYSTEMS

Water Service (Public)

Lead 50 to 90

Steel 40 to 75

Copper 70 to ?

Plastic Unknown

Interior Water Pipe

Steel 1/2\” 40 to 60

Copper 1/2\” 70 to 100

Plastic Unknown

Drainage Lines

Galvanized Steel 40 to 60

Copper 60 to 100

Cast Iron 50 to 90

Plastic (P.V.C.) 35 to ?

Lead 50 to 90


WELL EQUIPMENT

(On-site Water Supply)

Pump-Submersible 15 to 22

Pump-Above Ground 13 to 20

Pressure Tank-Steel 15 to 25

Pressure Tank - Fiberglass 25 to 50


SEPTIC SYSTEM

(On-Site Drainage System)

Steel Tank 15 to 30

Concrete Tank 25 to 40

Life expectancy of leaching fields is determined by porosity of soil and maintenance (10 to 60 years)


MISCELLANEOUS PLUMBING ITEMS

Water Heater

Gas 8 to 14

Electric 12 to 18

Oil Burner 20 to 40

Fixtures

Faucets, etc. 20 to 60

Toilets & sinks 40 to 60




ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Service cables 20 to 40

Wiring (interior)

Knob & tube 60 to 90

Armored Cable-BX 50 to 80

Plastic - Romex) 70 to 80


Panel Boxes

Fuses or Circuit Breakers 20 to 50

Life expectancy is directly related to moisture in the area of the box (rust & oxidation of contacts).


EXTERIOR COMPONENTS

Roof Coverings

Fiberglass Asphalt Shingles 18 to 25

Roofs wear out sooner on the south side of the house.

Built-Up Roofing, 3 ply 10 to 15

Installation procedures and regular recoating can extend the life of these roofs 2, 3 or more times.

Slate (depends on the quarry from which it came, maintenance is required. 35 to 200

Metal Standing or Welded Seams 50 to 90

Metal roofs are mostly tin and will remain functional as long as you keep them from rusting .

Cedar (depends on quality of wood, workmanship, and maintenance) 20 to 40


Sidings and Veneers

Aluminum (you may repaint aluminum siding at about 20-23 years to extend life) 18-25

Vinyl 25 to ?

Aluminum with Tedlar coating 35 to 50

Hardboard or composition (depends on finish, exposure to sun and maintenance) 20 to 40

T1-11 Plywood Siding (must coat regularly or will not last more than 8 years) 20 to 40

Stucco (70 years without paint, 200+ years with regular painting) 70 to 200+

Asbestos (needs normal maintenance, recommended painting) 40 to 100


Masonry

Brick. Veneers with periodic pointing. 100+

Note: Masonry walls are very durable and as long as they are designed properly and receive periodic maintenance, they should last 100+ years. Exceptions would be salmon brick, cinder block (instead of concrete block) and Serpentine stone.


Windows

Wood. Usually very dependable and have long life expectancies with regular painting and storm windows to help protect them. 35 to 100

Aluminum. Usually are marginal in design and functionality. An advantage is their low cost. 10 to 25

Vinyl. Reasonable window, moderate cost, not enough history to project life expectancy. 15 to ?

Aluminum storm windows 30 to 40

INTERIORS

Ceramic Tile (in tub or shower wall areas)

Wed Bed (cement) or Wonder Board Backing 40 to 90

Mastic System (adhesive) 14 to 20

Plaster

Walls 70 to 120

Ceilings 60 to 90


Life expectancy of plaster is altered by the carpentry framing and the type of plaster lath used.


Drywall (also called sheetrock)

Walls 50 to ?

Ceilings 30 to ?


Appliances

Refrigerators 10 to 20

Dishwashers 13 to 18

Gas Ranges 20 to 35

Electric Ranges 15 to 25

Garbage Disposal 10 to 15

Humidifiers 5 to 20

Dehumidifiers 8 to 12

Washers 10 to 20

Dryers 10 to 20



Information provided by Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector Lic. GI 0121, American Society of Home Inspectors Member 102273, Pesident of Accurate Inspections, Inc. A West Paterson New Jersey Home Inspection firm.

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I am of the opinion and many who study the legal industry or know from first hand knowledge that most lawyers are crooks. To prevent the lawyers and attorneys from ripping off the American people, corporations and government monies, which impact consumers, taxpayers and employees we must monitor or the legal profession more closely.

We need rules and regulations for lawyers and we need to put RFID embedded sub-dermal chips in each lawyer’s nose. We also need lawyers to take a lie detector tests every six months for renewal of their law firm practice and license to practice law.

If we fail to protect the American people from the international terrorists and the domestic terrorists, which I call lawyers then we are not serving the American people or the Constitution of the United States of America. Lawyers for too long have been above the law and stealing and raping the American people (in my opinion). Yes, I have to put that in there as the legal disclaimer because when I call the lawyers scum, I do not want to be sued for slander. (The last sentence was my opinion also, but it is a darn good one).

Without more rules and regulations for lawyers they will continue to abuse our legal system and cost our citizens in a lower standard of living and lower quality of life. Lawyers need more rules and regulations, because as it stands they seem to be the only ones who are not regulated much. Consider this in 2006. This article is my opinion, so stick it you pond scum lawyers.

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The Surgeon General, after reading the results of a recent report about the alarming number of fatalities in U. S. hospitals that are due to preventable human error, was uncertain about what hospital to check his grandmother into when he learned that she was suffering from shortness of breath.

He decided the time had come from decisive government action. As a result, all hospitals must now display at the registration desk the following warning: “The Surgeon General has determined that hospitals may be hazardous to your health and may result in accidental death.”

The American Civil Liberties Union is protesting the necessity of posting the warning, maintaining it infringes on the right of hospitals to conduct their business with the normal expectation that a certain number of patients will live and a certain number will leave in a less vital condition.

A spokesman for the ACLU stated, “This is clearly an infringement of the right to free enterprise. Hospitals should be entirely free to inform patients they can expect excellent healthcare, even if the spokesperson is not certain the institution can provide it. Compelling hospitals to be forthright about the prospects for survival unnecessarily infringes on their right to misinform patients.”

Commenting on the issue, Chief Justice John Roberts said, “I can’t comment because I could get appendicitis at any time, and I certainly wouldn’t want the hospital to suspect I may not, should I survive the operation, act in its best interest.”

In an effort to bolster the government’s case, the FDA plans to establish a task force composed of hospital inspectors who will impersonate patients. At the end of a one year trial, a determination will be made of how many are still alive. Further action will be based on the tally

Tom Attea, creator of NewsLaugh.com, has had six shows produced Off-Broadway and has written comedy for TV. Critics have called his writing “”delightfully funny” and “witty” with “good, genuine laughs.”

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So you want to sell stuff on eBay, but you have two minor problems: you don’t know how and you don’t have stuff. Not a problem. Keep reading for some tips to get you pointed in the right direction to learn to make money on eBay.

Before you begin you’ll need some basic equipment: Computer, Internet access, digital camera, and some space to put your stuff. That’s really all you’ll need to get started. You’ll also need shipping and packing supplies but that is addressed later.

Next you’ll need to learn how to list auctions. Go to the eBay sellers overview: http://pages.ebay.com/education/sellingtips/index.html. This will be your lifeline. There is a plethora of information there on everything you always wanted to know and more. Don’t be overwhelmed; just take it one step at a time. You’ll see there is information on listings, on bidding, on photos, on feedback - it’s all there.

Next you’ll need to figure out what to sell. Before you zero in on a particular niche you need some experience and some feedback. Buyers are generally leery of buying from someone who is brand new and has a feedback rating of less than 10 evaluations. While you are getting your feet wet, look around your own house first. You’d be amazed at what people buy. You could list outgrown clothing, magazines, candle holders, CD, books, flannel sheets, recipes, the ugly old lamp that was Aunt Mildred’s, all those goofy Christmas gifts sitting in your basement, that old baby gate with a stain on it. Get the idea? You never know what someone will want.

Although you need experience, you don’t want to list something that isn’t likely to sell. Do your research first before you invest the time in putting together a listing. An easy method to use is do a “search” on eBay, then look up COMPLETED ITEMS, then sort by HIGHEST price. Then you’ll see if your Tommy Bahama shirt is really worth anything. Or you’ll see that your old baseball cards had 23 listings and not one of them sold.

Pricing is another challenge. Again, you’ll need to do your research. See what they’re going for. Don’t have overly high expectations. You know how you feel when you go to a garage sale and you see a pair of jeans for $15 or books for $4 each. Many people come to eBay to look for a bargain. Consider how much you have into the item. If you have an item from around the house, you may consider that something is better than nothing, so you may be inclined to start the bidding quite low. If you bought it with the specific intention to resell, you will, at the very minimum, want to break even, so take the price you paid for it and consider other costs, i.e. listing fees, final value fees (all explained in your lifeline - eBay seller overview above). People are much more apt to bid if the bidding starts LOW. Sometimes though, you will have collectibles that are worth a chunk of money. Don’t give away that vintage postcard that is worth $56! Do your homework.

The next big question is how do you get paid? You determine what you would accept. Online payments such as PayPal (paypal.com) are very convenient. You can also decide that you’ll accept money orders or personal checks. The more options you leave your buyers, the more likelihood you’ll get more bids.

You also need to decide how you want to ship your items to the winners. Many sellers use USPS, others prefer UPS. If you use USPS and ship via Priority Mail, you can get your envelopes and boxes free from USPS. If you ship First Class or Parcel Post or UPS, you’ll have to shop around for deals on boxes or envelopes and bubble wrap or packing peanuts.

Overwhelmed yet? Yes there is a lot to learn, but it’s not nuclear science. Just take it one step at a time. It’s a learning process. Some yahoo groups (or MSN or AOL, or whatever your preference) are great sources for support and camaraderie with others who are doing the same.

So in summary, if you want to just “start pushing buttons” and learn to make money on eBay on your own, YOU CAN DO IT. If you do better chatting with others, those resources are available too. Use what is available.

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