OK, so here's a handy home garden hint: If you've tried to lay out a flowerbed with a curving, serpentine border using string you know what a frustrating experience that can be. We suggest you try a garden hose. A garden hose makes a definitive, substantial line that, unlike string, won’t be easily cut or moved accidentally with a shovel. It is also easy to reshape the hose as you work so you can get the border just the way you want it to be.
Treasury Department Extends Application Deadline for the Making Home Affordable Program
5/30/2013. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced an extension of the Making Home Affordable Program through December 31, 2015. The new deadline was determined in coordination with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to align with extended deadlines for the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) and the Streamlined Modification Initiative for homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Making Home Affordable Program has been a critical part of the Administration’s efforts to provide relief to families at risk of foreclosure and help the housing market recover from a historic housing crisis. The program deadline was previously December 31, 2013.
Is Your Lawn Mower Ready for Summer?
While we are tossing out all these handy home hints (that is what we do, after all), here are some to get your mower ready for the summer: Inspect all surfaces. Check out the deck, belts, blades and all bolts and fasteners. Check out the tires and wheels. If you have fuel older than 30 days stored in containers, get rid of it! Do not use it. Chances are you have had separation between the fuel and ethanol. Do you have any idea when you last changed the oil in your mower? Drain it and replace it with oil the manufacturer recommends. Consider replacing the sparkplug—if you do, add a couple drops of engine oil into the hole, and then replace the plug. Check your air and fuel filters and replace if dirty or clogged.
Get Your Central Air Conditioning Ready for Summer
Popular Mechanics says, "Sweltering temperatures are just around the corner, and your best defense is a central air-conditioning system. If you have one at your house, there are a few things you can do to make sure that it's tuned up and ready to go when the summer sun arrives...You should leave some of the more delicate parts of the system, such as the refrigerant lines, to the professionals. But there are easy things you can do to maintain the system, particularly before summer heats up." See their article for a guide to what you can do on your own.
Thunderstorms Are Coming - Check Your Garage Door and Opener
When was the last time you thought about your garage door or its automatic opener? Right, thought so. Like any mechanical system, the door and opener need some periodic, preventative maintenance. If you live in an area of frequent thunderstorms, a tight, well maintained garage door can also help prevent the amazingly messy and expensive results of a storm-ruptured door. The Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association International has a good guide to help you inspect and test your complete garage door system. It's a good idea to make monthly inspection and testing a part of your regular routine.
