Building A Deck: Keep Railing Safety Ideas and Designs In Mind

Deck-orative Ideas

Spring For A New Deck

Now that the income tax refunds have arrived, many homeowners are making plans to tackle those improvements that have been on the wish list or back burner.  My oldest daughter has plans to add a deck to her home.

I always wanted to add a deck to my home, but we opted instead for a gazebo.

Decks can be your own homeowner oasis while  providing the perfect outdoor space for an individual getaway or an evening party with friends. The fun part of building a deck, to me is choosing the design.

If you have young children though, there’s certain things to you must keep in mind.  My grandkids are now 1 and 3, and I worry that they’ll be able to open the sliding door out to the deck on their own. If you have a raised ranch, the locking mechanism on the door handles is very important to take into consideration, as is what type of railings you’ll have in place.

There are several deck railing design ideas for creating your perfect home deck.

As a parent, deciding on the type of deck railing, though, is perhaps one of the most important decisions in finishing your deck. Railings have the biggest effect on the deck because not only are they the most high profile part of the structure, but a safety feature as well. They can be seen anywhere your deck can be seen. You must, however, plan the railing system before you build the deck, because sometimes they require tying into the post system of your deck.

Once your deck is built, use decorative ornaments with your deck railing. Flower Shows and exhibitions are very popular during the spring.  Flower boxes create a nature paradise on your deck.  If you’re a work-at-home mom, take your laptop outside along with the kids, and enjoy a beautiful day!

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St. Patrick’s Day Shamrocks: Wordless Wednesday

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!  Will be enjoying corned beef and cabbage for dinner with the family at night, along with my homemade famous Irish Soda Bread!

There’s a dear little plant that grows in our isle,

‘Twas St. Patrick himself, sure, that sets it;

And the sun of his labor with pleasure did smile,

And with dew from his eye often wet it.

It grows through the bog, through the brake, through the mireland,

And they call it the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.

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Chili’s Grill and Bar: Shout Out to Eat Contest

Family Friendly Dining

$9.99 Fresh Pairings

I’ve been cooking for the family for well over 35 years.  Although my husband is talented in many areas, preparing food is not one of them.

Now that my daughter is married, we alternate Sunday dinners at her home or mine.  Usually on Friday nights, the family likes to get together and dine out.

Chili’s Grill and Bar Restaurant has always been one of our favorite places to go, even before the grandkids came along.  While my youngest daughter was in college, she worked as a server at Chili’s.

I recently had the opportunity to try Chili’s new line of freshly prepared recipe items.

Since I’m on a mission to lose at least 10, 15, 25 pounds so I can fit in my new dress for an upcoming wedding in Boston this summer, I tried their new Asian Salad.

The Asian Salad is prepared with Napa cabbage, crispy wontons, edamame, green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, Asian vinaigrette and a creamy peanut drizzle, along with your choice of grilled chicken, salmon or steak.  I chose the chicken in my salad, and found the salad very tasty. I especially enjoyed the peanut drizzle, which gave it a subtle, yet unique taste.

The portion was generous, and I took what was leftover home in a container for the next day’s lunch.

Chili’s has a call-ahead policy which worked out great, as we brought the grandkids along, ages 2 and 3.   Since we try to dine out before the dinner rush crowd comes in, we were seated right away.  Chili’s provides a family atmosphere, and the kids were given crayons to draw with.  Everyone’s favorite are the nachos and sauce, which were promptly brought to the table along with our beverages.  Our server was attentive, and everything we ordered arrived as requested.

Stay tuned for the Chili’s “Shout Out to Eat” Contest, where contestants will be able to upload a 10-30 second video telling why they don’t want to cook tonight.  A daily winner will be randomly selected and entered to win a gift card to Chili’s everyday.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Green Mountains and Flowers: Wordless Wednesday

Path to Vermont

Isn’t it amazing how everything is greener in Vermont?  No wonder they call it the Green Mountain State!  Although it’s beautiful in winter, I can’t wait for spring to get here!

If you ever get a chance to vacation in Vermont and drive north up Interstate 91, make sure you stop at the Vermont Visitor’s Center – there are beautiful displays of all the artisan crafts – Bennington Pottery, woodworking, handwoven yarns and more!  You can walk the dog, or picnic on the lawn or tables that are provided.

This photo is from one of Vermont’s lovely rest area stops along Interstate 89.

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Choose Your First Home: 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits Available

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Coldwell Banker. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you’re ready to move out of your apartment or your parent’s home, there isn’t any time better than the present. Right now, first-time homebuyers, or those who haven’t owned in the last three years, can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit.

Beginning to search for your first home is an important step to having the ability to build better finances and to live in a place that’s comfortable. If you’re considering a new home for your family, there are specific things that you’ll want to know before diving in.

Before you even begin to look at homes, make sure that you conduct your own investigation. This will mean that you should find the going rates, how much other owners are paying every month, and what you can or aren’t able to afford. Current homeowners who have lived in a current home consecutively for 5 of the past 8 years can receive up to a $6,500 tax credit when purchasing a home.

You will also want to see what types of houses are going and what they are going for. If you know the basics of what’s available, it’ll be easier for you to get exactly what you want. You should also consider things such as your credit rating and your paycheck. You don’t want to walk into something that is over your head or start to look for something, only to find out that you won’t be able to move in.

Making connections with the right people is important. One of the most important decisions that you can make is to find a real estate agent that you feel comfortable talking to. This will make a difference in the type of deal that you get as well as what type of home and mortgage you end up with. Real estate agents have the ability to do investigations for you and find something that is best for you. You’ll also want to make sure that there are connections with home inspectors and the right lenders. Without the right people set in place, you might encounter problems getting the best deal on your new home.

After you begin to look around with your real estate agent, be sure that you begin to understand the terms that are being given to you. Loan terms, terms about the market, and other real estate ‘jargon’ will oftentimes be mentioned. If you don’t know what something is, ask, research it, or check with someone who’s been through the process before. Getting into a first home is a tremendous step up from an apartment, making it important that you understand excactly what it is that you’re getting involved in.

Keep the following in mind to not miss out on 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits.

Future extensions may not be availabe, so all qualified homebuyers are urged to act and have a written, binding contract by April 30, 2010, and must have a closing by June 30, 2010.

The income limits for singles is now $125,000, while for married couples it is $225,000 with a $20,000 phase-out of the credit for both.

While searching for a new home can be fun, it’s also a challenge.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Checklist: Prepare Your Home For an Elderly Parent

Sandwich Generation

It’s a fact, as we get older so do our parents, and along with our aging parents can come some problems. I recently did a book review on siblings and caring for aging parents. More and more Baby Boomers are facing tough choices with our aging parents regarding their living arrangements.  Some adult children choose to send our parent(s) to a nursing home or assisted living facility where they’ll get around the clock care; others decide to hire help that can come to the parents’ home; while still others may decide to bring the parent to live with them.

My independent grandmother lived alone in senior citizen housing until she was 95.  As her conservator, I arranged for her to have certain medical alert systems in place.  For example, a service checked in on her every day by phone.  My grandmother also  had a medical alert button that she wore around her neck in the event she fell.

Alternatively, my late mother-in-law lived for many years with my husband’s sister.  As mom grew older, adaptations were made in the house so that she could remain ambulatory.

If you’re considering tucking your parent under your own roof, and that parent is disabled, there’s many things you need to do to prepare your home for their safety.  This isn’t an exhaustive list, but rather a starting point in helping you figure out just what you need to do in order to make your home ready.

With a clipboard in hand, take a tour of your house from the front entrance to all interior spaces and take notes.

Entrance -
Check to see if the walkway is even for ease of walking, that the steps are not too steep, and that the handrail is adequate.  Does the door open easily and is the whole area well lit?  If your parent is in a wheelchair, the walkway needs to be wide enough to accommodate it and you may need to install a ramp.

Kitchen -
Take a look at the electrical outlets and make sure there are several within easy reach.  Keep dishes and utensils within easy reach too.  Pull-out shelves in the bottom cabinetry make for easier access.  Buy small appliances that are made for people with arthritis as they are easier to use.  Are all the bigger appliances accessible?  Can your parent reach the microwave and the controls on the oven?  A fire extinguisher is a must for the kitchen, whether your parent is living with you or not.

Bath -
Make sure your water heater is not set too high as this could cause potential scalding. A single lever faucet may be a better choice to allow them control over the water temperature.  You should install grab bars around the toilet area and shower/tub.  Consider adding a seat in the shower as well.  Put a non-stick surface in the shower/tub and make sure the bathroom flooring won’t get slick and slippery when wet.  Everything they need should be within easy reach.  If your parent is in a wheelchair, create knee space under the sink and insulate the hot water pipe to prevent burns.  Have a nightlight that turns on automatically at night.

Bedroom -
You can install grab bars wherever they are needed.  Consider getting a hospital-type bed if they need some help getting to a sitting position.  Make sure there is adequate lighting and no exposed cords or drapery to trip on. Are the bedroom and closet doors easy to open?  Keep the path to the bathroom well lit and clear of stuff at night.

The decision to have your parent move into your house isn’t an easy one.  Take the time to make your home as accommodating by researching medical alert products and as safe as you can before you lay out the welcome mat.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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How Home Staging Can Help Sell Your Home Quicker

Getting Ready to Move

Spring is here and that’s when you’ll start to see all the “For Sale” signs going up around the neighborhood.  Everybody wants to get the kids settled into a new home before the start of the next school year.  My daughter and charming son-in-law had their house on the market for 7 months last year, but decided to take it off, stay where they are and do some home remodeling, and are considering adding vinyl siding and a new deck.

In today’s buyer’s market, Home Staging is often done when you sell your home. Staging a home can command a much higher selling price. A home staging professional can be hired to tour your home and direct you to make the changes that will increase your home’s marketability. Make sure the stager you hire is accredited.

Staging a home is not redecorating it, or improving it by adding replacement windows. Redecorating a home focuses on the seller and their personality. Staging focuses on the buyer. It provides the current home owner with the knowledge to rearrange the furnishings, pictures, accessories, etc. in the best possible manner to enhance the rooms function, appearance and balance.

The seller of a home has a strong emotional attachment and often times lacks the objectivity to know what’s best to enhance their homes looks.

In the high-end market, real estate agents will often hire a stager as part of the selling package because they may be uncomfortable disclosing to the seller that their home needs work and avoid upsetting them.

The main purpose of the staging professional is to help the buyer see themselves and their belongings fit into the home they are viewing. They do this by rearranging the home to appeal to a broad base of purchasers. Stagers can be expensive, so if you want to go it alone please follow the tips below.

The first and most important consideration to prepare your home for sale is to unclutter. Clutter shouldn’t be present anywhere in your home. Go through each room and remove any clutter you see.  Hold a family swap yard sale! Organize toys in decorative boxes that are hidden away in a storage room.  You can always take them out again when you don’t have any booked showings (or send them to grandmom’s house temporarily). Bookcases should be tidy and attractively interspersed with a few decorative curios. Closets should be cleaned out so that only clothes are visible. Remove storage at top and bottom of closets. Out-of-season clothing can be placed in storage.You have to move anyway and you’ll have less to pack when you do move!

Usually the foyer will provide the buyer with the first impression. It should be clean, uncluttered, bright and inviting. If any rooms are dull brighten them up with higher wattage bulbs in lamps. Remove any personal photos from all rooms if possible and replace with prints. The buyer will want to envision the home as “theirs.”

A fresh coat of paint is mandatory. Paint your home in a neutral color (white or beige is recommended).  You can add a splash of color by using pillows,  accessories, pillows, candles or throw rugs.

Bathrooms should be sparkling! Counters should be clear with no personal items visible. Tub tile grout should be clean and shower curtains or glass shower doors should be free of mildew. Hang fluffy, colorful towels on the towel rods.

Kitchens must be spotless. Remove all precious kiddie drawings, notes, magnets, etc. off the front of the refrigerator. Keep counter space clean and clear of all items. Clean out under sinks and organize your pantry. Paint outdated cupboards with a neutral color and put new inexpensive modern knobs on doors for a fresh look. Dishes on the floor for pet food should be eliminated during a showing.

Highlight your most attractive piece of furniture by placing on the wall you see when you enter a room if possible. Tuck away Cd’s, videos, etc. Hang pictures at eye level. Group accessories in odd numbers.  Place a flower arrangement or mantle clock above the fireplace.

Clean those garages, front and backyards.  Placing a potted flower pot on the doorstep or planting flowers in bloom or shrubs in the yard for a welcoming effect will improve curb appeal.  Prune any shrubs you may already have. Don’t leave bikes or toys around the yard. If you have a pool, clean it. The lawn should be cut and watered to give the home a well cared for look. A coat of paint on the outside of the house may also be in order.

If you can afford a stager it is well worth the money. If not, just make sure you clean and unclutter! A spring cleaning will definitely pay off.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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In Home Spa Treatment: Pamper Yourself

Me Time

Stress isn’t limited strictly to young families and moms with kids at home, believe me.  People have busy lives and are constantly dealing with stress. Whether you’re a WAHM, stay-at-home mom or corporate execute executive, all of us have important tasks to do on a daily basis and we’re always on the move. As long as we get to have a moment to relax and rejuvenate ourselves so we can start each day refreshed, it’s OK.

What can we do to relax and rejuvenate our minds and bodies? Soaking in a tub can do wonders for the mind and body. No time, you might ask?  Well then create the time! After the house is quiet at night, take at least 30-minutes for yourself, because you’re worth it!

There are all kinds of bath products available for you to pamper yourself with and some of my favorites are listed right here on this site that I’ve done product reviews on in the past. If you enjoy taking a bath, there are soaps, bath salts, bath bubbles, sugar scrubs, which come in variety of scents (my personal favorite is Citrus). Soak away your stress with the bath products of your choice – light a candle or two, turn out your bathroom light, have some soft relaxing music in the background, put your head on an orthopedic pillow and you are good to go. Close your eyes and enjoy the wonderful scent, let it take you to wherever you’d like to be. Try not to fall asleep!

Of course if you can afford a day spa on a regular basis, that’s great, but if you’re like me and most busy women I know,the do-it-yourself spa is just as good as the real one. Here are 3 big reasons why:

You can enjoy a luxurious bath from the comfort of your own home. So if you have little kids, there is no need to hire a baby sitter. Tell the kids or spouse it’s “Me Time” and you have all the time you need for your home spa treatment.

It’s affordable!  As much as we’d like, a visit to a day spa is nice, but it’s definitely not cheap.

If you’re not so much a bath person, then turn your shower into what I call “a relaxation staycation”.  A high pressure shower massage head does wonders and acts as a back pain treatment.

No need to make an appointment! You can set up your special bath time whenever you want.

Now that you’re thoroughly rejuvenated, curl up with a neck pain pillow, and read your favorite book or gossip magazine!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Baby Everywhere: A Book and a Bag Review and Giveaway

A Caring Gift

Baby Safety

You could call me “Antique Roadshow.” As a grandmom, I often still find myself carrying around a diaper bag for Slugger, who’s going on two.  A diaper bag is one of those essentials most grandmoms or moms would be lost without.

I received A Book and A Bag from Baby-Everywhere to try out.
When you want to take an excursion out of your home with a small baby, there’s no telling what you might need. A good diaper bag can hold everything you might need including baby wipes, diapers, diaper ointment, baby powder, clothing, bottles, food, just about anything else you might possibly need while out and about with your baby.

A Book and a Bag is a wide tote that can be used by moms, grandmoms, nanny, daycare providers or babysitters.  Also an organizer, there’s a place for keys, cell phones, wallet as well as baby’s necessities. It includes a Safe Baby Organizer – a 50-page loose-leaf book (4″x7″), containing expert advice on how to prevent injuries and handle an emergency, should one occur, which fits into an outside pocket – available in English or Spanish. Colored tabs divide the sections.

Since the most important item in a diaper bag is diapers, A Book and A Bag also contains a changing pad! In fact, anything that you need to use on a daily basis can go into this tote.   Since all the “stuff” in your diaper bag can make it really heavy so if you’re going to have to be carrying it for a long distance, it has two sturdy handles that you can easily put over your shoulder.

This tote comes in either marine blue, or fire engine red – colors that even dad or grandpa wouldn’t mind carrying around!

• Recommended by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine

• iParentingMediaAward.com voted the Safe Baby Tote one of the most outstanding safety products of the year

At Baby-Everywhere, you can find diaper bags and grandmother bags that vary from basic, to trendy …

… beautiful, affordably-priced products that can be used anywhere the baby is – at home, in a car, with the babysitter and at grandma’s home.

Baby-Everywhere is offering readers of Moomette’s Magnificents a $5.00 discount promo code at checkout on these bags.

Use Code: 2442

For More Information Visit: Baby Everywhere

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of the Baby-Everywhere Information Station. Designed to hang on the refrigerator door, a babysitter has everything –phone numbers, reminders — all in one place, and doesn’t have to run through the house looking for little pieces of paper left by the baby’s mother! Parent Tested and Parent Approved recently voted the Information Station a winning product.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Baby-Everywhere and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until March 22, 2010 at 11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

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Vermont Snow Covered Walkway Bridge and Stream-Wordless Wednesday

New England Treasures

Everywhere I go in Vermont, no matter what season – there’s always a photo opportunity waiting for me!

The state recently received over 30 inches of snow from the monstrous blizzard last week that affected the East Coast.

My BFF from kindergarten lives in Enfield, New Hampshire. She owns Bearly Used Books, a really cute used book store, complete with pellet stoves, and recently sent me a book on how to shoot scenic photography.

This scenic picture was taken on the way to Northfield, Vermont – home to Norwich University.

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