One of the most discouraging things that can happen to those of us that use and rely on our computer is loosing data or not having enough storage to compile all the data that needs to be stored. The truth is, today, that should never be an issue. There are so many different ways to store, maintain and save your information today that you should never have an issue when talking about space.

You may have to reconfigure a few things or make concessions if you are running an older computer. You can also upgrade to a newer model and have more of everything than we ever thought possible a few years back. It seems as if every year computers can do more, have more of everything including sound, video and gaming. There is also another option if you have specialty needs for your computer such as mechanical engineering, which uses some massive programs that need some room to run; hire someone to build one from scratch that will do what you want it too; not just what most consumers want. There are more options than ever before so look around before you make your final decision.

One of the things fall brings with it is the quiet between the rustlings of the leaves. It won’t be long until everything is still and you can hear nothing but the city around you. It is in those moments, above all others that I so appreciate my wonderful water feature that Teacup Gardener did for me several years ago. They talked to me before dirt was ever turned to find out what I was looking for before designing and installing my wonderful rock waterfall.

Before this, I had done some research and looking into doing it by myself but just never seemed to have the time to get it all together. I guess what I really wanted was the same ease I get when I walk along the streams in the mountains; to enjoy the running water without any work! I was really glad that Robert and Beth were referred to me by a mutual business associate because I had confidence in them before I ever met them. The fact that they delivered on the design and the implementation within budget and on time was just a plus. I highly recommend Teacup Gardener if you are remotely close to the Nashville, Tennessee area.

I recently ran across a new type of house; a house in a kit. These types of homes can be bought and constructed right on your property as a standard size or with add-ons. While you may think they are cheaper than a site built home, that is not necessarily the case. The ones I have seen range from a 320 square foot cabin, which has the ability to accommodate kitchen and bathrooms but that will cost you more than the 32K base price, to the 3100 square foot with five bedrooms, three full baths. Of course it’s also $800K.

While these homes won’t replace the on site structure in every way they do have some real nice features that would work very well in secluded areas since they come in pieces that are fit together on-site. The draw back to them is the cost since the cost is for the structure only and doesn’t include transporting it to the location or the cost of getting the foundation, plumbing and other utilities laid and ready. I have an idea that as time goes by and more and more people look at these houses as an option the prices will come down. It’s like anything else, the first experimenters tend to pay more and the rest of us will benefit down the line.

As the end of summer becomes a reality, it’s also the time of year we realize that we didn’t get all those “summer” jobs and repairs completed like we thought we would. You know, building the compost pile, putting in the flowerbeds and building that Koi pond your wife has wanted now for two years. Maybe the reality is that you just don’t have the time you thought you would and it’s time to look for an alternative way to get these things accomplished and out of the way so they are not hanging over your head next year.

Why not hire a landscaping company to either do or at least help you with the construction of these types of projects. It will do two things for you that you don’t seem to be able to do for yourself; get it done and take it off your list! In almost all local markets around the US there are very competent landscape and construction companies that can handle these types of jobs. Get several bids and let their experience help you with ideas as well. Their experience can translate to saving you money and time if you seek their advice, especially for projects like water features and ponds.

I have recently been asked a lot about using organic building materials to do the types of fix me up jobs around the old homestead. I, not knowing all that much about what “organic” means, went out to do a little research and what I found was interesting. I had thought that if something was labeled organic that it meant someone was watching to make sure that product met certain guidelines set up be some agency to protect us all. Not only is this not true, there are company’s that are using the term to sell you their stuff. I guess this shouldn’t surprise me!

Another term that is similar to organic is sustainable. Sustainability actually makes more since in terms of building materials as it means the material itself is not used up in the process of making the product. A good example of this is the use of bamboo for products such as hard wood floors, furniture, cooking utensils and other products such as sheets and towels. Bamboo grows and replenishes itself at such a high rate that we are not taking away from the source in order to make the products. But again, buyers beware; just because something is marked sustainable doesn’t mean it is so.

It is amazing to me how many products I have used throughout the years on faith that they were made with good materials and were safe only to find out later that there are potential hazards that no one talked about or even knew about at the time. It’s good to know that these things are slowly coming to the forefront and into the public eye. As we become aware of these types of things we feel it is in our and your best interest to share.

One such piece of information has to do with kitchen cabinets; many contain “added urea formaldehyde” that is classified as a human carcinogen. This means “sufficient evidence of a cause and effect relationship between exposure to the material and cancer in humans. Such determination requires evidence from epidemiologic (demographic and statistical), clinical, and/or tissue/cell studies involving humans who were exposed to the substance in question.” I don’t know about you but I would like to know if my kitchen cabinets have this potential risk or not! You can go to greencabinetsource.org to find cabinets that are formaldehyde free.

I have turned over a new leaf and will never look at prefab housing again like I have in the past.  The old picture of a run down mobile home has been replaced with a sleek, fun, do-it-yourself home with all the newest of amenities and energy efficient appliances that can be built almost anywhere and quicker than one built on site.  These are not cracker jack boxes but sleekly designed homes that will make you sit up and pay attention.

There are a couple of websites where you can get some great information on the manufactures, news and resources when it comes to prefab homes.  You can go to www.prefabs.com or www.fabprefab.com and check out what they have to say about this growing industry.  You will need to be careful as several companies have gone out of business with the downturn of the housing market but there are still plenty to choose from that are doing business. When dealing with any building company, caution is always recommended and you want to do your due diligence before money is ever exchanged.

Now that every time you turn on the TV you hear how lousy the economy is and how we all need to watch our spending, etc. it opens up the possibility that in your effort to save money and get a great deal; you get fleeced instead! Case in point are some of the places people turn to on the internet for trades and cheap second hand materials in order to do those repairs and renovations that you may not be able to do if paying full price.  But it is NOT a DEAL if the materials are substandard and break down.

The old saying, “it seems to be to good to be true” can be applied here.  As a buyer you must be aware of what you are buying.  If you are not versed in the product, do some research or talk to a friend who has some expertise in that area.  I am fortunate enough to know someone who has expertise in a number of kitchen and bath products, including appliances and turn to her often when purchasing a product second hand.  She has saved me from buying a product that was misrepresented online on several occasions and I recommend everyone seek out someone who has experience in that area to help you.  It will save you money in the long term!

With the economy floundering and more people forced to stay in the home they are currently in, there are more looking to make improvements than ever before.  Consider this with the fact that the average home is a little over 25 years old and you will quickly conclude that there are a lot of homes that need improving.  But how do you know who to choose to do the needed or wanted repairs?

Well, the Associated General Contractors of America, AGC of America, is the largest and oldest national construction trade association in the United States and offers the following advice:

• Verify the contractor has a license and insurance

• Make sure the contractor has at least 5 years experience and is an expert doing the work you need done

• Get 10 references from past or current clients from the contractor for work similar to yours. Most business comes to a good contractor from referrals, so make sure you call and talk to at least three of these references.

According to the North American Deck & Railing Association, there has been an increase in the number of decks that have collapsed, fallen apart or just failed in some form or fashion over the last few years.  It’s the rain and snow combined with the freezing and unfreezing that can exacerbate damage to your deck though you may not be able to see it until the spring thaw.

It is highly advised that you do an annual deck check up to make sure you don’t have an unfortunate accident with a group of parting friends this summer.  In most cases, in regard to deck accidents, they could have been prevented by doing some simple upkeep.  By the way, most of the accidents occurred when the decks were packed with people.  You can find out a ton of information about deck safety and what and how to inspect your deck from the North American Deck & Railing Association.