2009 October | HOME IMPR0VEMENT CONTRACTORS

October 2009
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Fall back (on fresh batteries)

Today is my most favorite day of the year, times two! It’s Halloween and tonight we get to set our clocks back, which means an extra hour of sleep. Yay! Now, it won’t be all fun and games. Ok, it will be mostly fun and games, but this is also the time of year when you should test and replace the batteries in all of the important devices in your home. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms, security systems, and even the remote controls for your entertainment center, if it runs on a battery it’s time for a check up. Battery testers only cost a few dollars and will save you from replacing batteries that still have plenty of life in them. So before you get in costume, party, and pass out from eating too much candy, take 15 minutes for this simple yet important chore. Don’t fret, you still get an extra 45 minutes on the back end!

One mow time…

We're only halfway through autumn, but the lawn mowing season is already over for most of us here in New England. In fact, I just came in from mowing the lawn for the last time until next spring. Soon I'll be storing away the mower and tuning-up the snowblower. I always feel a bit melancholy at this time of year. Perhaps it's just me, but I love mowing the lawn. I find great comfort, even peace, in driving my lawn tractor. (I don't get that same fuzzy feeling from wrestling the snowblower up and down the driveway in sub-freezing temperatures. Imagine that.) When I'm mowing, it's one of the very few times of the day that I'm not accessible. There are no phone calls, voice mails, faxes or emails to answer. No one's looking for me or asking me questions. I'm off limits. It's just me and the mower, but that's only part of the allure.

Get your kid to eat his peas without any heavy lifting

So your little ghosts and goblins may not want to chown down on their broccoli and peas tonight after loading up on all that Halloween candy, but this construction-themed dish will get your pint-sized DIYers to eat those vitamin-packed veggies. The bulldozer pusher, fork lift, and front loader are sold separately, which is a bummer, but the plate ($15) and utensils ($18) are made of plastic and are machine washable. You can get them at Uncommon Goods, and once Junior is sufficiently interested in the home improvement lifestyle, try some of our fun projects for kids and parents.

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Easy wheeling garden gear

Fall back (on fresh batteries)

One mow time…

Happy Weatherization Day, people!

Get your kid to eat his peas without any heavy lifting