Patio and Decks

The weather is getting warmer so now is the right time to start thinking about your patio. or deck. After the trees have finished their spring pollen cycle – is the perfect time to get out the power washer to clean off the patio pad or get the slime off of your wooden deck. A bit of work can save you a season of heartache.

If you are new to the game or thinking about making some changes you’ve never tried; start with the internet. Do you need information on what chemicals or sealers to use to clean your deck or patio? You’ll find it online. Need some shopping tips or blue prints for a patio awning or a gazebo; surf the web.

If you’re willing to do a bit of research the internet can be an invaluable tool in more ways imaginable. It is a reliable source of unbiased information and not twisted by a sale person looking to make a commission. Be Smart. Be sure you get the same information from multiple sources and not just one. Using search engine such as Google, Yahoo and MSN will net you all the information you seek.

Say you’re looking for a deck cleaning materials. Go to the search engines and type “deck cleaning” Google has 13 million links; Yahoo has over 4 million and MSN nearly 2 million. Enough said.

Enjoy your deck or patio.

John Wilson, Relaxation King
Reprinted with permission of the Author
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Summer Camps

Does the concept of having your kids hanging around the house for the ENTIRE summer make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end? Sure you love them, but really. Now is the perfect time to start looking for a place to ship off the munchkins. You will be amazed at the variety and scope of some of the summer camps that are available.

In there a future Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers under your roof? Then dance camp may be for them. If you have the kind of child who beats up the kind of child who goes to dance camp, there is always brat camp.

Depending on your child, they may be a candidate for an adventure camp. These camps offer varying levels of challenge and different opportunities for the personal growth of your child. When looking for an fitness camp be realistic about your child's abilities. Don't put them in a situation that will lead to failure. A child 40 pounds overweight probably wouldn't be a good candidate for a rock climbing camp.

There are specialized camps that are geared towards the individual talents and desires of the kid. Do you have a budding thespian? Then an acting camp may be perfect. Can't drag junior out of his room or get him offline, then a computer camp may be for him. Who knows, he could be the next Bill Gates.

The good camps fill up early and some even have a multiple year waiting list. It’s not too early to get started.

Floors

The Web is now the new shopping mall for most everything from nuts to bolts. It was hard for me to believe that the internet might be a good place to look for new flooring – particularly ceramic tile. A picture is one thing but how do you know if you’ve gotten the right flooring or tile without seeing it in person?

The short answer is you can’t.

However, by surfing the net you can get some really, really good ideas. All of the flooring manufactures have stunning web pages with professional quality pictures of flooring and tile. They also have some great tips on the other materials that will be need and how to do a self installation.

The main advantage of the internet is you can get a pretty good idea of the true market price. If you can buy the same flooring for 30% less online, even after paying for shipping, then you know the salesman is either has a child with braces on their teeth or one in college. I’m all for higher education and good oral hygiene but not someone else’s kid, particularly on my dime.

By using the web, you can get yourself a game plan before you go flooring shopping at one of those mega home stores or flooring shop. Do your homework online. Have a rough idea of exactly what you’re looking for before you head for the door.

And, be ready to spend more than you expected.

Morgan Jefferson
Reprinted with permission

Motorcycle

I’ve got the itch. And it is the itch that only a ride on a motorcycle will satisfy. As the weather starts to warm, a man’s fancy turns to riding on the open road with the wind in your face. Now is the time to get your precious ready.

If you haven’t ridden your motorcycle for awhile, change the oil – regardless of the number of miles you’ve ridden. Time and oxidation can do as much damage to the oil in a motorcycle’s crankcase as 3,000 miles of hard riding.

Do a visual inspection of all aspects of your motorcycle. Pay particular attention to the tires and seals. If you are a weekend motorcycle rider you always run the risk of having dry rot from lack of use.

Lubricate everything that is supposed to be lubricated; tighten everything that needs to be tightened. If it has been over 3 months since your motorcycle has been started, you probably should drain the gas tank and put in fresh. See the comments about oil above. Bad gas and weak oil can foil your points and plugs making you prone to an untimely breakdown on some isolated stretch of road.

Once you’re satisfied everything is working on your motorcycle as needed, then and only then should you take it out on the street.

Be careful. That idiot in the SUV who is talking on her cell phone and adjusting her makeup may not see you. You may be in the right, but don’t be “Dead” right.

Headlights on and keep the rubber and not the chrome on the road.

Mike Potter, Moto Mike
Reprinted with the permission of the author.