#and its so windy and cold...the sun isn't out...

[makeitlookdecent]

pwoxi skeletons

[krisdreaming]

a little birdie told me you wanted fall themed fic ideas, so here I am!!

I feel like a cute fall themed idea is a coffee date and then a walk through the local park where you admire the colors of the leaves!!

And turns out the day is quite windy, but the reader didn't bring their jacket, so the character gives them their own jacket so the reader won't be cold😭😭❤❤

Is it kinda basic? Yeah, but I feel like you could make this into something really cute

Thank you for believing in me, because I actually came up with a pretty cute idea for this :')

Pairing: Tsukishima Kei x gn!reader

WC: 769

A/N: In Japan around this time of year, they celebrate Tsukimi, aka the moon viewing festival. I really love the idea of it, and so the idea to incorporate it into a fic popped into my head! And of course, who better to write it for than our own Tsukki?? The play on words is, of course, that Tukishima's family name contains the character for the moon (Tsuki).

"Look at this!" The poster just catches your eye as you're leaving the coffee shop. It's advertising a Tsukimi event at the nearby park, and it's this evening. "This month has gone by so fast, I almost forgot that it's Tsukimi already!"

Kei leans in to get a closer look at the poster and merely hums in acknowledgement. You tug on his hand. "C'mon, why don't we go? It's only a few blocks away, and it's such a perfect evening." You gesture up at the clear sky, already in its full sunset glory.

"You sure?" He raises an eyebrow. "You don't even have your coat," He points out, and you shrug your shoulders in your t-shirt.

"It's not even cold today! Don't try to make excuses just so you can be a stick in the mud." You pause, donning your best pleading look. "Please?"

He sighs, but his grip on your hand tightens. "Well, alright," He agrees, and you grin. "Only because you said please."

You laugh softly. "Thanks, Kei." You swing your linked hands lightly between you. The walk to the park isn't far. When you get there, you find it strung with soft lights, and a few small food and drink stands are giving off delightful smells.

"I guess you want some dango?" He gestures to the nearby stall, and you nod quickly. It wouldn't be Tsukimi without dango. With your snack acquired, you soon make your way to one of the benches set up throughout the park. You have a clear view of the sky once seated, and you look up into the darkening twilight.

"How soon do you think the moon's going to rise?" You ask, glancing at your boyfriend.

He shrugs. "How should I know?" He slides his arm around your shoulders, and you gladly settle in closer to him. Now that the sun is gone, the warm autumn day is turning into a cool autumn night. You try not to shiver in the cool breeze, not wanting to prove him right about the jacket.

You try to keep up a conversation, but it isn't long before you're clenching your teeth to keep them from chattering. "You're not cold, are you?" Kei asks with a smirk, and you shake your head stubbornly.

"I'm fine." You force out.

"Sure," He says, pulling his arm away and letting even more cool air against your skin. You can't help hugging your arms around yourself. Before you can react, he shrugs out of the jacket he's wearing and drapes it across your shoulders with a click of his teeth.

"I don't want you to be cold," You mumble even as you pull the jacket tighter around you, relishing the body heat still clinging to the fabric.

"It's not even cold today," He mimics your earlier words in a squeaky voice, and you immediately punch his shoulder.

"You're so mean to me!"

"Only because you deserve it," He shoots back, sliding his arm around you again and giving your shoulder a gentle squeeze when you pout. His fingertips skim your arm through the fabric of his jacket, and you rest your head in the crook of his neck.

Soon enough, the moon does make its appearance, and you lift your head to look up at it more fully. The autumn moon really does look larger than normal, and seems to shine just a little bit brighter through the crisp night air.

Eventually, you can't help it. You shift your gaze from the moon in the sky to the man beside you. The moonlight softens his features, and your eyes trace the curve of his nose. You feel warmth swelling in your middle the longer you look at him, taking a few moments to memorize his moonlit face in this moment.

"What are you doing?" He finally turns to you, as if sensing your gaze on him.

"Viewing the moon," You answer nonchalantly with the beginnings of a cheeky smile. He rolls his eyes.

"I was wondering how long it was going to take," He sighs at your joke, his exasperated look almost strong enough to disguise the soft smile quirking at the corners of his lips.

"What?" You ask innocently, and reach to sandwich his face between your palms. "You're my moon, Kei."

"You're insufferable," He replies softly, but he closes the gap between you and presses his lips to yours. His fingers soon come up to cup your face, and he deepens the kiss.

"But you love me anyway?" You ask when he finally pulls away.

"Yeah," He says in a low voice, thumb grazing your cheek. "Unfortunately."

[pokemoncaretips]

Any general advice on the Jumpluff line?

General notes: The hoppip line is a touch delicate, requiring a fair amount of care, and is sadly rather short lived, but for those with a delicate touch it's a sweet natured grass type.

General care: The hoppip line is almost entirely fuelled by chlorophyll, requiring practically no food. In fact, only the first two stages even require this at all, as jumpluff lives off the stored energy from its previous two evolutions.

They are lightweight and fragile. In the wild, they gather in groups and cling together to try and hold onto the ground in windy conditions. I actually have another ask about hoppip, asking if they require socialization to be happy, and the answer is that an involved trained with a firm grip and a weather app is all they need to be happy.

Though they love gentle breezes and have a fair amount of control in the right conditions, strong winds can be dangerous. There are patterns online for small, lightweight harnesses to attach to your jumpluff so it isn't caught off guard by sudden strong gusts before you can pokeball it. They're good at picking up on atmospheric changes, but sudden drafts do happen without warning. I strongly recommend this harness.

I also recommend a small tracking beacon in case it does get blown away.

All iterations of this line cannot handle cold temperatures, and their distribution is limited by climate. If the weather turns chilly where you live, a sun room is a recommended set up. Sun lamps are available in many gardening stores, and a good source of heat is the same heat rocks they sell for reptile pokemon. Just set the warmth to low, place your skiploom under the sun lamp, and let it drowse away the winter.

Like all grass types, they need water, but skiploom in particular have delicate petals, and don't like the rain. Provide a water dish and let them rest in it to absorb the moisture.

Jumpluff is the end of the line for this pokemon. After absorbing enough sunlight, it evolves, living off the stored sugars in its tissues as it wanders and releases its fluff. These woolly spores contain seeds that carry on the next generation of hoppips. It's tradition for many keepers to bid their jumpluff a tearful farewell when they evolve, letting them carry out the last few months of their life roaming wild. Few predators target jumpluff. They're mostly fluff and seeds. Whether you want to do this is up to you. If you're particularly attached to your skiploom, there are always everstones, but even skiploom don't live forever. This pokemon is sadly shortlived, and that should be taken into account.

It's a delicate pokemon, and requires a lot of attention and care. Care rating: Orange.

Training: Though they can be trained to fight, this line really isn't built for battling. It's frail and often flammable. They're better as house pokemon, and as they're relatively low mess and don't need food, tend to need little training beyond basic manners. Quite a few gardeners keep them, particularly skiploom, as the closing of its petals makes a decent thermometer. Training rating: Green

Safety: This pokemon line is notorious for aggravating allergies, particularly jumpluff. As lovely as it might sound to allow it to spend its last months at home, that fluff gets everywhere and is a known allergen. Mild cases cause sneezing and a runny nose, but there are people with jumpluff allergies severe enough to require an epipen. Skiploom is no exception, their pollen is fine and hard to see, yet constantly shedding. I recommend a small sign on your front door or gate warning of allergenic pokemon.

Otherwise, this pokemon holds few risks, though its virtually guaranteed to break your heart. Safety rating: Orange

Overall ranking. A delicate and fussy pokemon in terms of care, raising a hoppip to a jumpluff is a mark of pride among grass type trainers, showing they understand how to work around complex care needs. Though it tends to have a sweet and curious nature, this pokemon isn't commonly kept.

[prawndip]

Cold Hands (as well as Everything Else)

CHARACTERS: Beidou, Diluc, Thoma x gn!reader

TAGS: fluff. reader is an adventurer (diluc)

WORD COUNT: 1 935 in total

SYNOPSIS: world cold. you’re cold. partner warm.

NOTES: written as part of the @2022gisecretsanta writing event for @spoops-inliyue ! hi. tis I, your secret santa :] I hope you enjoy and happy holidays! tbh this isn’t as snow-themed as it probably should be, I just went with being cold in general instead. I’m willing to make any changes if you want!

BEIDOU:

accompanying beidou on the alcor was a common occurrence. you, who would get the privilege to sail to places most people only had the dream of seeing, and beidou, who would be able to make many precious memories with you while sailing all over teyvat.

though no matter how much you sail the seas with her, one thing has never changed: although the sun would shine so gently on you, its rays resting on your skin with such a delicate touch, the wind would always prick at your skin at the same time, sending shivers down your spine as you find yourself being kicked down by the cold winds of the sea. it's not like it snowed or anything - you're incredibly far from both snezhnaya and dragonspine - it's still just a little too cold for you to handle when things get a little too windy for your taste.

today was one of those days, where the wind blew with such ferocity no matter how bright the sun was. you decided to help beidou and her crew moves boxes around, yet you feel the way that the cold begins to make you shiver, placing the box down and rubbing your hands together, blowing warm air on them in an attempt to feel some sort of warmth. you swear it’s colder than usual today, for even though there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky, you felt the wind roaring in our ears.

you soon feel a large, soft blanket draped around your shoulder, and a pair of large, calloused hands cup around your own. they’re warm, familiar hands, and you turn around to see beidou grinning back at you.

"sheesh! the wind is really starting to pick up now isn't it?" she exclaims, letting out a small laugh as she began to guide you inside, still keeping her hands wrapped around yours, though you try to cling onto the blanket before the wind could tear it away with you, letting out a shiver as you sat down somewhere within the interior of the ship, pulling the blanker even more so around you as beidou managed to shimmy herself underneath it with you. as she leaned her head onto your shoulder, you could feel the way she warmly pressed up against you, letting out a sigh of relief as you feel the warmth seep into your body.

"don't worry about all the boxes. my crew can finish up the rest of them. so just relax, ok? once the wind settles down we can go back out and enjoy the nice weather. man, I don't remember the last time the skies werre so clear! so let's take it in when it isn't so windy!"

she puts an arm around your shoulder, and you feel yourself melting into her touch, your eyelids beginning to flutter shut as you leaned on her shoulder. her warmth is making your drowsy. you can't see it, but beidou looks at you with an adoring smile, holding one of your hands with one of hers, rubbing her thumb over the back of it as you fell asleep.

"that's alright. you've done a lot today. rest easy, love."

DILUC:

dragonspine expeditions were always the worst, you think to yourself. normally you would decline those sort of commissions, for the unbearable cold of dragonspine was never to your liking, but the leader of your guild insisted that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to look at some of its ancient ruins in person. a part of you wished you just stayed home instead, cozied up next to your boyfriend instead of fighting for your life in some of the most coldest conditions in all of teyvat, where someone in your guild accidentally ticked off a bunch of hilichurls barely a few feet into dragonspine’s harsh conditions.

drawing your weapon, you would have helped your guild fend them off after chastising one of them for causing this in the first place, had you not been knocked into the freezing cold water by one of the hilichurls. the water was shallow, thankfully, but you could already feel the icy water creeps into your clothes and settle on your skin. in literally anywhere else in mondstadt, the water would have been relieving in contrast to the pulsing sun that beats down on youwhile completing your commissions. in dragonspine, however, in this weather, it only served to make you even colder than you were before, so cold in fact that your skin felt like it was on fire, your fingers and toes going numb as you pulled yourself our of the water. you could feel the way the cold began sucking the energy out of you.

that’s how you found yourself stumbling out of dragonspine, covered in your fellow guild member’s various blankets, having stripped yourself of your thick jackets and extra clothing that would have otherwise kept holding water and dragging you down. since you barely made it into dragonspine, it was just better to head back to the camp that laid just on the edge of dragonspine. you were being supported by your guild members as you tried your best to avoid freezing to death, mumbling various things about wishing to have been at home instead, and how none of them could make it three feet into dragonspine without complaining about the cold, and how maybe they should turn back and give up on the commission. you loved your guild, truly, but they’re a little simple minded when it comes to experiencing new things. the four of you settled at the camp just out of dragonspine, the warm sun doing nothing to combat the soaked clothes that hung on your body.

when the other guild members began to attempt to start a fire, the wood suddenly lit ablaze, shocking you and your guild members. fire doesn’t usually do that, so it’s probably the work of a vision, who-

someone suddenly waves a warm bowl of soup in your face, and as you look up you recognize that the red hair and the look he was giving you and your guild mates belonged to diluc.

“diluc? what are you doing here?” you look at the soup, and then at diluc again, as if both were an illusion. usually diluc would be in the winery at this time. why was he here?

“I had a feeling none of you would be able to make it three feet into dragonspine with some sort of accident occuring. I didn’t htink one of you would fall into the river.” you feel the way you and your other guildmates share sheepish looks as diluc sits down next to you, and your guildmates start profusely apologizing, for despite everything, diluc was still a man with a reputation, and you were his partner. this was a bad look ont he rest of them. he places the bowl of soup in your hands. “I’m glad you all made it out safely. are you alright?”

though his voice is stern, and though he terrifies the living daylights out of your guildmates when things go wrong, he has genuine concern for all four of you, and especially you. he cupped his hands around yours as you guided the edge of the bowl to your lips, and you hummed happily as you took a sip of the soup. a soft smile had crept onto his face as he watched to make sure you were ok.

“I’m ok, diluc. just cold is all.” you replied, feeling relieved as warth crept through your body, a relief from the non-stop shivering you were experiencing mere moments ago. the fire was warm. the soup was warm. your boyfriend was warm as he pressed his forehead against yours, closing his eyes and sighing contently. your guildmates were watching (though they were preoccupied with their own bowls of soup, so it was less about watching you and more about eating soup now).

“good. I don’t mind if you go into dragonspine, but you gotta be more careful.”

scolding the rest of your guild could happen later. right now you were safe, and that’s all that matters.

THOMA:

at first it was just supposed to be a routine shopping day, go buy food from the merchants, stop by the yae publishing house to get a new book, and then head home to make dinner. everything seemed fine at first, everyone was chatting with each other and you were happily walking through the streets of inazuma. you just didn’t expect it to rain. well, you sort of did. you saw the clouds beginning to loom over inazuma city, but you didn’t think too much of them until they began hurling rain at you. the rain sure began to fall hard. and fast. just like that, the mood quickly flipped as everyone began heading inside for shelter, leaving you to have to bolt it back to your home.

if only I brought an umbrella, you thought to yourself, maybe then the water wouldn't be soaking into your hair and clothes, your goods, and also your book.

you found yourself clutching soaked goods as you sprinted back home, feelings your clothes get continuously weighed down with water and the cold creep onto your skin. as you ran home, water that pooled on the ground would splash as you sprinted through them, your feet completely drenched as they continuously shuffled through puddle after puddle. the wind began to howl, and you could hear thunder in the distance. you shivered as you finally made it back to yours and thoma’s shared home, completely drenched, goods soaked, and you’re quite sure the book didn’t make the trip without being completely ruined by the water. you can hear the sound of your boyfriend practically scramble to the entrance as he heard your arrival, where he found you standing in the entranceway looking like a drenched puppy.

"there you are y/n! I was worried you got stranded somewhere once that big storm rolled in, but you're absolutely drenched!" before you can say anything, thoma had already handed you a towel, and a spare change of clothes, taking the drenched goods from your hands and heading into the kitchen. "let me go make you a nice warm tea! maybe that'll help you warm up before you catch a cold."

you're left to your own devices to dry yourself off and change out of your soaked clothes before wandering into the kitchen. though dry and out of the rain, you still felt the cold lingering on your skin as you hugged yourself. you soon noticed that thoma had already prepared a cup of tea and draped a thick blanket over your shoulders as you sat down, before joining you in taking a seat and holding a cup of tea in his own hands. you let out a content sigh as you felt the warth of the tea seep into your hands. your boyfriend had prepared it just right. it was warm, yet not so hot that it burned to even touch it, and as you took a sip you felt yourself begin to warm up, grinning happily at your boyfriend. "Thanks Thoma."

"of course, darling." he places his hands around you hands, and you can feel the way both the cup of tea and his hands were beginning to arm up. "and don't worry about the book. we can go get another copy tomorrow together! although I can't help but feel it might rain tomorrow too..."

you find yourself begin to softly chuckle at his words. "I'll make sure to bring an umbrella this time."

[elesianne]

So I did manage to finish a little fic (or a chapter of a fic, if inspiration keeps coming and I write more later) in 2023! Here it is for you guys on Tumblr.

About a version of Caranthir who married a Sindarin woman in Beleriand while lord of Thargelion; technically a sequel to these fics but can be read on its own, no problem. Rating G.

Caranthir steps out of his fortress as dusk gives way to night and walk to the ramparts, to the ones that face the frozen, snow-covered dark waters of Lake Helevorn. He walks very carefully on the icy stone on top of the wall, cradling close to him the precious bundle he carries.

It is midwinter, and his son is so swaddled up in warm clothes and furs that only his face is visible. All the guards Caranthir passes try peer at the child anyway, eager to catch of a glimpse of their lord's firstborn. Aramdir blinks up at the sky, sleepy, unaware of the interest in him.

In between greeting the guards, Caranthir takes deep breaths of the fresh, cold air that smells of coming snow as well as woodsmoke. He has not been outside since Aramdir was born a week ago. He has been supporting Cedweril and caring for Aramdir, and the past week has been perhaps the best time of his  life, but he has missed fresh air and seeing more of his realm than the bedchamber.

Cedweril is sleeping deeply now, and Caranthir decided to take Aramdir out with him to show him more of the world he was born into.

He stops by a brazier, close enough to warm him and Aramdir but not so close it'll be uncomfortable for the child, he hopes.

He lifts Aramdir a little, showing him the land. The lake, the woods beyond it, the mountains behind the fortress.

'All this is ours', he says to him. He speaks quietly enough for the closest guards not to hear. 'Ours to keep and protect.'

'It is a rather cold land, windy and snowy. Wolves from the mountains, ice in the lake for months of the year. But it is a fair land, even the dark lake. I will teach you to swim there, or your mother will. She is a better swimmer than I. We will ride and hunt in the forest, and climb the mountains, and I will take you to meet the dwarves near their mountain-cities.'

If he ever prayed, Caranthir would pray for peaceful times for his son to grow up in. Instead he makes a silent vow to do all he can to make the coming years peaceful, to fight as many battles as he has to, to slay all the monsters that creep close to the fortress.

His son's will not be a childhood like his was, with tree-light and six brothers and a society wholly unlike what Caranthir has built in Thargelion with his loyal Noldor and his brave Sindar, but it still can be a good one.

Caranthir has to believe so. He may be damned and oath-sworn, but his son isn't him and isn't doomed – surely he cannot be – his half-Noldorin, half-Sindarin son born many years after Mandos's doom. Little Aramdir is his own person, full of possibilities, full of light that Caranthir can see shine brighter than starlight even though his eyes don't shine with the light of the Trees like Caranthir's do.

As he stands there in the cold, clear, evening with his son, they watch the stars come out. The stars and their light, cool but beloved and reassuring, have ever been there even for the banished Noldor. After the trees were gone and before the sun and moon rose, the stars brought light and hope to the world. In spite of everything the Noldor had done, the stars lit their way as they travelled and fought and hunted to keep away evil and hunger and hopelessness alike.

The lord of Thargelion whispers to his child, 'May starlight always light your path, my son, whatever roads and hidden paths of the world you take.'

[hopepetal]

Statement of... Grian. That's it? No last name? Okay. Statement of Grian, regarding a speaking fishing rod and water that has eyes one can get lost in forever. Audio recording by [STATIC], Head Archivist of [REDACTED].

Statement begins.

——

There's something about fishing that I've always enjoyed. Maybe it was... the peace? I'd never really liked “peaceful” activities before, just didn't have the attention span for it. I'd always prefer going off to bother one of my friends about something, usually to procrastinate on the back of my builds. I'm a naturally social guy, but... somehow, fishing excited me. Isn't that wild? Out of everything one can do, I chose fishing.

Well. Chose is a strong word. Depends on your definition of ‘choice’. Sure, I wanted to go fishing to get some food– maybe fish up some supplies if I got lucky– but I never wanted to stay that long. Never thought...

I remember how, a few years back, I got myself involved with some strange... plants? Fungi? I'm no scientist. I got involved with mycelium. Let it do all sorts of funky things with my brain. It was a strange feeling, just drifting in the darkness while something else pretended to be me. And, let me tell you, it did a right poor job of pretending. I didn't mind, though. It got the job done. That's all I wanted, really. I was fine with whatever came with the deal, since I had made it myself and all. I chose to do something that may have been... that was... stupid.

Not with this, though. I don't even... I don't even know how it happened.

Now, I'm very familiar with getting sucked into a certain activity and losing track of time. I do that more often than not, I'm afraid. Usually with builds, sometimes with other things. This was not it. I knew– I could see the sky so clearly, saw the sun sinking below the horizon and the stars appear– time was passing. In fact, I felt even more aware of time than ever. But I didn't... care? I didn't want to care. It was so quiet. So peaceful. And the water was beautiful...

I'd cast my fishing line. I'd catch something. I'd reel it back in. And I kept doing that. Again, and again, and again, and it was so quiet. After a time, I wasn't even certain I could hear the splash of the bobber anymore. Couldn't even hear the sound of my own thoughts. I don't think I was thinking anyway, but... it's disorienting just to remember it.

At some point it started raining. I really hate rain, especially when it's cold and windy. But all I remember feeling was happiness, because rain meant more fishing. Better fishing. I couldn't hear the rain, either. Barely even noticed the fog all around me when the rain finally cleared up.

I remember... Scar came by, I think. He was looking for me. I was right there, standing by the lake, surrounded by that fog. And yet... despite how close he got, it was like he couldn't see me. Maybe the fog was too thick. But he mentioned the fishing rod, how it was standing on its own. The fishing rod that I was holding. That I had been holding. And I...

I was so afraid.

I came to on the lakeside, my lower half submerged in the water. I was thoroughly soaked– though grateful I hadn't drowned. The fog had cleared, and the fishing rod was gone. Maybe it wasn't ever there. Maybe this was all some sort of strange dream... but Scar keeps saying that he was searching for me, and all he found was fog.

I don't think I'll go fishing again. Not any time soon.

i think one of my fave things this season is grian's obsession with fishing. It feels like he's trying so hard to be normal and have a slow start to the season to the point that he's overshot the goal and now does nothing but fish.

he's managed to become more cryptic than usual and i think is being claimed by the ocean, which yknow, good for him

[kylo-wrecked]

@brooklynislandgirl :// { is it too late for winter? }

— ☾ —

Ben likes Mos Espa most when the cold sets in. Compared to Wetyin, being the worst combination of wet and cold, probably anywhere, anyway. When Mos Espa is brisk, and the rays ease up, he can work out back in a light jacket and cap (he gave up on sun cream ages ago), and he doesn't have to squint or anticipate any sudden shifts in the light, and nobody bothers him. Nobody wants to deal with the blowing dust Ben has a soft spot for. Sand encrusts the chicken wire like ocherous rhinestones and covers his uncle's old, dilapidated cedar shed in a lustrous haze. Makes it look like Mars out there. He and D.O. walk the gulch sometimes, and while D.O. contents herself with snuffing at the shrubbery, Ben watches the heavens descend the East Espan range while the range ascends the stars. Tonight's different, though. Too blisteringly windy, and the dog needs a bath. Hell, so does he.

But Beth. D.O. bounds over, and with the marrow log resting a stone's throw away, Ben fears the worst for a moment. It must show; Beth mollifies him with a smile, with all the sweetness left in the world, and it works because he's a brainless lunk with eyes and fingers. He's inanimate, one of his unfinished sculptures, an object in his own space. His tongue is wet, unformed clay. His heart is, too. 

"Merry... Christmas," he repeats as if he's just learned the words. Ben looks around, bewildered by everything his glowering beholds: Beth's toes peeking out from beneath the blanket, D.O. happily gnawing on her bully stick at the foot of the—well, he'd hate to call it a bed while Beth was laying on it—and the tree. 

The tree.

For a time, he is a rabbit in Beth's headlights. Minutes pass before he sheds his rabbit fur and moves. He kneels to unlace his chukkas, not taking his eyes off the little scrap tree for a minute. Sense memory directs his motion as he peels off his fishtail coat and the hat Beth made for him and places them on a shelf.  

The hat was enough. Now Beth has helped herself to the sundries of his world and imbued a mote of her light in each one, fundamentally changing them. Ben moves through these alternations slowly, with the timidity of an elk, hemming toward the tree, noting the wood she used while affecting an aura of nonchalance, then toward the stove, furrowing his brows at the stew (with more curiosity and chagrin toward its ingredients (his) than horror, although the sting of horror does prick). 

As he picks his way among Beth's doings and helpings, he notices her hair ribbon under the tree and absent-mindedly strokes it with the pad of his thumb. The ribbon's bound around a drawing of hers, a watercolor sketch too ardent to be used as wrapping paper. It's a precious moment before he realizes what he's looking at and that it's for him. 

A curious warmth creeps down the back of his neck and spinal column. What do you call that sensation? Pleasure? Thrill? Desire? Which sin fits the profile? Cupidity? (He picked that one up recently; it rhymed with a word he'd use to describe his current state). At the same time, shame and doubt clot his throat, and his hands shake too much to unlace Beth's offering. 

Generosity tends to ask a lot of the recipient, and gifts beg for eye contact. He can't crumble. He has to say something and look at Beth when he says the words, but he doesn't know what to say or where to look. He swallows. 

"Beth..."

Ben wrings his hands with duress enough to wrest the gravel from his knuckles. He hasn't looked at her yet, not anywhere a man customarily does or thinks he should. 

"You didn't have to," he mumbles, using the rare possessive. "I just. Just..." 

And now that he's looking, Ben jerks on the crag of his unfinished sentence and flushes deeply. She isn't entirely naked. Beth knows that'd mortify him, he'd flee, but she conjures the image with her soft, sleepy smile and the inviting contour of one sun-kissed and delicately placed thigh. He isn't alarmed by her brazen displays the way he is by how badly he wants to spoil the glory of her flesh. Then they'd see about the bath. The words are on the tip of his tongue. 

Truth is, he's getting used to her. Beth in his shirts, Beth in his sheets. She's made an imprint on his futon, on him. For all Beth has the gall to give, he hasn't to ask for more. 

Ben brings the gift over when he can't bring forth speech, comes and sits on the paint-splattered egg crate to Beth's left, and takes a breath, approaching the ribbon by rolfing its tail between his middle finger and thumb. 

'Getting used to' is a terrible thing. It means you fall when whatever it is you got used to is ripped out from under you. Even when that thing's no good, but most especially when it is. 

He touches the wax pencils, suspicious at first, then stunned. Beth has underestimated their potential to shatter the earth. 

Ben sniffs. And softly, "Thank you."

She could fill in his smile with her brush strokes. 

[welcome-to-the-deathworld]

The Taken

This story was written in response to this post. I hope you enjoy :)

Nihijb had always been scared and alone. But nothing quite scared her as much as the rumours whispered in passing every now and again. It’d started to be more frequent lately.

Humans. Deathworlders. Sentient life from the most dangerous, least habitable corner of the galaxy. Beings that liked to take the ones who no one kept an eye one. The outcasts and lonely were abducted by them. Every time one of them saw someone they could take without a protective being willing to take them on for this person’s sake, they would do just that.

People were not sure what happened to the Taken. They did not return to talk about it, and everyone only whispered about it - but everyone knew it was happening. No matter the planet, no matter the race, no one without strong backing was safe.

Nihijb was not safe either. She was right there, the perfect victim. That was why she was listening more closely to the speculations.

The Taken were probably forced to work for the humans. They might become test subjects or food - though humans apparently had officially claimed they would not condone such behaviour from anyone, that they would start a war to end that kind of thing.

Many suspected that the Taken were trained. Made into soldiers. A gigantic, brainwashed, interspecial army ready at the fingertips of those humans. But the human ambassadors emphasised that there was no army.

Nihijb shuddered at the thought that she might end up like that. That was the worst thing other children had taunted her with: That they hoped she would be taken and vanish as part of that gruesome mystery forever.

It was cold the night it happened. Cold and dark. Darker, actually, than her home planet with its midnight sun usually was. The clouds must have been rather thick.

The human was hurrying by the ally Nihijb was sitting in, her breath held anxiously to try and go unnoticed. The human, tall and clothed in a garment Nihijb recognised as a dress fluttering in the nightly winds, froze regardless. And as she could feel both her hearts to speed up in terror, she wondered whether this human’s ears were keen enough to hear it. She had heard they had creepily keen senses.

The human approached slowly, strangely enough keeping a polite, reassuring distance from the terrified Ne’av. They even sat down in a way Nihijb was sure they could not stand up from quickly.

Or maybe they just knew it looked like that and they were trying to lower her guard. Might be that, too.

The human flashed their teeth, and Nihijb nearly fainted. Before she could stutter out an apology for whatever offence she could have committed, they spoke with their strange, flown voice that sounded like the whispers of the winds: “Hi there, little one. What are you doing here all alone? Do you need help finding home?”

Nihijb had heard a rumor that humans could hear when one lied. So lying was futile. But if she spoke truthfully, she would be revealing herself as the perfect victim she was.

“I… I don’t want to leave this place.” That was not a good answer. But the winds had the words echoing through the ally, and she knew she could not take them back.

Yet the human did not answer to the defiance an unresponsiveness she’d shown them, looking around the ally instead. “It’s a nice ally. Seems… comfy? It’s warmer than right outside it, at least. And it’s clean… somewhat.”

Nihijb had not expected them to agree with her. She had expected many things, but none of them had been so… positive? Approachable?

"Say, little one, this… isn't where you live. Right?"

The weird windy voice was soft, compassionate. Nihijb did not know how to feel about that. But for now, she decided to answer truthfully since that ought to be better than angering the beast in front of her: "I just… Don't want to go back there."

The human's face-fur did something funny. Their eyebrows, was it? Since when was fur supposed to move around your face? Was it sentient? Nihijb hoped not, that'd be beyond terrifying.

"That's not good… What made you not wanna go back?"

Nihijb shuddered, pressing against the hard wall behind her and lowering her eyes sadly. She did not want to say it, didn't want herself to admit it out loud. As if that'd make a difference. She knew it didn't, and she knew she should not defy a human, but…

No. Defiance was let go once before, surely that must've been the worse decision. "I am" - Nihijb sighed - "hated. By the gods. The missing limb I was born without is proof of that. That's why they… I don't… I promise I wasn't… But…"

Somehow the human must have understood her absolute gibberish response that Nihijb herself didn't fully know the meaning of. At least the human… summed? Hummed? Something like that. A response, maybe in their home world language.

"So they abuse you at home. Because you were born missing an arm and are considered hated by your gods now?"

Nihijb nodded, sadness sounding inside her heart like the ever present rustling of the leaves on the fertile ground. The human pressed their lips together, and she was not sure what it meant, but that was the moment the fear installed by the rumours came back with a vengeance. There was only one direction this could go, and it was not a good one.

"You can say no if you don't want to."

A sentence Nihijb had not expected to be directer at her ever, much less by a human. But one that reassured her nevertheless. A lot.

"But I would like to offer you a way out of this life." They reached forward, their claw stopping a decent distance away from Nihijb, talons turned to face towards the earth. Showing their wrist. A strangely pacifistic gesture to come from a deathworlder.

"Come with me? I have a lot of blue-ra- uh… movies we can watch. There's a few other kids like you staying with me, too. I know goind with a stranger isn't ideal. And I'm no therapist or educationalist, but I oughta be able to do better than those people. I promise you can go any time you want, so…"

Nihijb was not sure what it was. Maybe the way the human sounded so nervous. Or the safe distance they had kept the entire time. Or their compassionate gaze. But as she contemplated the deathworlder before her, who'd been the first one to talk to her like an actual person, she suddenly couldn't help but feel that they were right. Maybe the brainwashing had begun already, but she somehow believed this human that her life would be better with the deathworlder than her homeworlders.

Nihijb ended up taking the human's hand.

On the ship, she found about seven other people waiting for the human. A blind ocheraha and an ocheraha she could not see anything wrong with that looked very similar to the first one. A kjek'kr covered in scars. A sethuzu without any glowing marks. A rorrlchra with purple feathers. An adult hehehit making weird motions with his hands with a questioning look on his face. And another human, this one with red fur on their head and clothed in what appeared like one of those "suits"?

"This child will stay with us for now. Everyone, please be nice to her." The human in a dress turned to Nihijb, bearing their teeth a bit again. "Welcome to the Neverland - Fahijet chose the ship's name based on her favorite movie." The hehehit grew red, so Nihijb supposed that was Fahijet.

The other human let out a sigh, though, statling Nihijb. "Honey, we have to stop adopting homeless alien children now." Their green eyes took in Nihijb and suddenly the human made a chocked sound. "… Right after this one. Hello, my precious little friend. I'm sure my big idiot of a wife forgot to do the introductions, so allow me to do it! Welcome to the family, princess."

"I am not a princess?" That was all Nihijb could answer, because… Wow. Just, wow.

"Well, to me you are. You're my little princess now, so that's that." The human bared their teeth too, and Nihijb suspected it was actually some kind of friendly gesture.

For some reason, it felt as though she would not regret her choice.

A very happy week later, she asked Fahijet why the humans were not simply revealing the truth about the Taken. She answered with her hands - hand speech, that was what it was, she was mute - that the humans said it was too bothersome. "But I think they do it to protect us. The rorrolchra and many others wouldn't let people like Ruirem, people like us go otherwise."

Nihijb had lost count of the how many-th time it was that she started crying since entering the Neverland with her new mom. But not once had those tears been sad.

Nihijb didn't have to be scared nor alone anymore.

[silevvar]

hello! if your requests are open could i please request venti and chongyun (weird combo but i love them) with a male s/o who goes out skateboarding a lot when he’s stressed about things?

thanks in advance if you choose to write this and have a nice day!

OFCCCC I LOVE VENTI AND CHONGYUN!! HOPE THIS COMES OUT THE WAY YOU EXPECTED ANON<3 ugggghhh disclaimer I do not skateboard</3 I'm so sorry if this is inaccurate. *cough I think it is*

“I'm this close to getting Life360” -Venti probably

—set in modern, highschool! au with male reader!! (it's messy i know! I'll fix it someday...)

Venti;

-You and Venti have been neighbors all throughout your lives. He can read you as well as his music sheets. And he definitely knew how you coped with things such as stress.

-Venti enjoyed skateboarding with you. Is he actually good at it? That's a whole other question. (He isn't but he'd instead fall off a thousand more times than admit it.)

-Hell, this man would trip and fall so many times you were actually worried but he still remained as optimistic as ever!!

-If you didn't tell him you were going out, he'd be worried. Usually, near exam days or rough times, you'd often go without warning. And Venti would either look for you in your usual spots or just keep his window wide open for any hopes of seeing you return.

It was getting late, the sun was half-set, but Venti couldn't stop the anxious taps of his fingers on the sweet brown wood of his study table. Papers and wrappers were scattered everywhere but the poor boy was just staring out his window and peeking at your house across the street.

Often days, you would bring him with you to the park. Him racing you with his bike instead of an actual skateboard because he likes it better. And it makes you two stand on equal grounds. You would stay there for hours together, mindlessly chatting and laughing around as Venti tried learning how to skateboard yet again, but ultimately falling once he got too excited.

He guessed that this wasn't one of those days then. Until his ears picked up the sounds of your wheels on the road below him. He practically flew closer to the window and called out to you.

"HEY WINDBLUMEE!! YOU GOOD!?!" He gestured wildly as he yelled, smiling as you showed him a thumbs up in return. You pointed towards your bedroom window. A wordless invitation for him to sneak in again tonight and you laughed when he nodded enthusiastically.

Chongyun;

-Chongyun did not understand why you kept going out skating after school, it did take a bit of an explanation but he got it eventually!! You two were in the same class and that's how you met, even before dating he's known of your hobby and he encouraged you despite still being friends at that time.

-He loves you... he really does... but no way is he sitting with you in the sweltering sun all day watching you skate. Sure if it was windy or cold out, sure. He'd stay with you as long as you're out. But he really can't keep up with the heat and just seeing you generally in his close proximity makes him flushed already.

-Somedays he'd relent, you'd drag him over for a bit as he worked on some school works he needed and just stayed until his limit was reaching its peak. And that was fine with you.

-But other days, you would just take off without a word and he'd get worried as well. Unlike Venti, Chongyun would actually annoy Xingqiu about it, much to the other's amusement. Chongyun would come and visit, see you aren't there and just send you a text to see if he should wait for your return or not.

Chongyun knocked at your front door, noting the absence of light in your room. Your family opened the door and told him and as usual, he went and sat in your living room and took his phone out.

"Are you alright? When are you coming back?" A simple message he sent. Quickly clicking the group chat with Xingqiu and Xiangling, he typed as he waited for your response,

In "gay ft. Gordon Ramsey <3"

<- Xingqiu he isn't here. </3 -> Oh fr? MY BAD should've expected it tbf it's exam season and yk how he is when he's stresseddd -> Also, love the heartbroken emo, you're getting better!! <- I'm not emo. -> Mb it's supposed to be a shortened version of emoticon. -> Maybe wait for him in the meantime? <- Yeah, I asked him where he was. <- djdkdkdk wait he's texted me -> OHHH WHAT DID HE SAY? -> WAIT SHSHDF THERE'S A CUSTOMER -> GIVE ME LIKE TEN MINUTES. -> TAKE YOUR TIME XIANGLING ILL CATCH YOU UP LATER

Chongyun had a fond smile on his face as he opened your message. "I'm near actually, are you at mine?" He barely had time to respond when he heard you pull up at the front door. Softly panting and smiling at him. "Come on!! I'm glad I caught you before you left,"

code to chongyun's chat part in the gc; (<-) chongyun, (->) xingqiu. (->) xiangling

[badbitchbigtits-blog]

Solid Advice When Trying To Improve Your Home There is more to home improvement than just a hobby. It provides you a benefit to your pocketbook, too. Certain home improvements projects can make your home more valuable. This article should give you some tips on how to handle your next remodeling project. Increase the energy efficiency of your home by installing weather stripping all around your home's doors and windows. This helps to seal your home from hot and cold, improving your comfort level as well. You can also reduce the drafts you feel inside your home on windy, cold nights. If you are in a dwelling with limited space, and don't have the space for both a washer and dryer, think about buying a unit that combines the two together. A combo unit will take up about the same amount of space that a dishwasher would. The combo unit is really convenient, as it combines the wash and dry cycle into one. Small rooms can look dark and dull, but this can be changed. Let the sun shine in! Open blinds, tie back curtains and clean the glass thoroughly. Once you let the light shine through, you will be shocked at just how large a little room can appear. Keep your room free of clutter and paint the walls a pale color. All of a sudden, your small room will feel less cramped. An inexpensive way to update your bathroom is to purchase new accessories. It is possible to find a wide range of shower curtain rods, cabinetry pulls and towel racks to suit almost any taste. Quite often, you can find these fixtures in coordinating collections at your local home improvement store. Many packages can be installed in less than a day. Located above eye level and therefore out of mind, gutters, chimneys, and downspouts are often ignored during home improvement and maintenance projects. It is important to inspect these aspects of your home to make sure they are functioning properly, and to make any necessary repairs. Keeping your chimney free of debris is important to prevent fires from substances that might become trapped inside the chimney. Similarly, keeping your gutters free from debris will prevent water damage to your roof caused by the accumulation of water in rain gutters. It is a normal process for chair caning to sag after awhile. There is something you can easily do to fix this. You can wet the bottom of the sagging cane with a sponge. It works best with warm water. Allow the water to dry the caning overnight. Repeat this process until you know the caning is repaired to the fullest extent. If it is at all practical, do repair-type home improvement projects as soon as you notice a problem. Sometimes it seems much easier to turn a blind eye to the issue. You don't want to give into this impulse. A small issue can rapidly grow into a multifaceted and expensive problem. Before you know it, a little issue has turned into a major mess. When your next home improvement project involves landscaping work, you need to coordinate with the owners of adjacent properties about drainage. Whenever you improve your landscaping, one goal is to arrange for water to flow smoothly off of all points of your property. Though you may be tempted to simply drain onto the neighbors' lots, this could cause lots of problems. You can coordinate drainage plans, however it requires clear communication. Always seal the grout following the laying of the tile. Unfortunately, grout has lots and lots of open pores. If you forget to seal it, you can cause damage to the grout and tile by allowing moisture to enter, increasing the potential for mildew or mold. In addition, grout that isn't sealed will stain very easily. Thus, taking the time to seal the grouts means you'll save time and money in the long term. Solar lights are cost effective, but do not give off adequate light. If you want lights that highlight a walkway, consider electric models. They do cost more, but work better and for longer. These are just a few of the things you can do to improve your home. Continue learning so you can better your home improvement skills. Conducting the proper research beforehand can be the factor that makes a home improvement project successful. Make sure you thoroughly understand your next project before you tackle it.

Home Improvement Tips For The Not So Handy Person

As long as people have had homes, people have faced the challenge of home improvement. Everyone wants the best possible home. Keep reading to find out how you can make your home up to date.

Two-liter bottles can be used in your kitchen as storage containers. These bottles are clear and see-through and can protect virtually all your dry goods, including sugar and flour. You can store it in the freezer or refrigerator and even outside on a shelf. Just open and pour when you need to use the contents.

Creatively display your bracelets and necklaces using a mounted coat racks. Perhaps you should not hang your most valuable jewelery. A jewelry display will help to avoid tangles in your collection. Choose pieces you wear frequently and keep them where you can reach them.

Don't ever hire an unlicensed contractor. Contractors are required by law to have some certifications. Of course, this doesn't mean your contractor is competent, but is does show that he has the proper credentials. If a contractor isn't adequately licensed, you don't want to hire him.

Before you embark on a major landscape project, be sure the construction and style of your improvements enhance other aspects of your property, including your home. Integrating the look of the exterior of your home with the new landscaping project will ensure a pleasant result that you will be happy to live with over time.

If you have bought a home in an undeveloped area, or in the midst of a wooded area, consider installing a quality fence around the boundaries of your property. The improvements you make should be ones that are going to keep you and everyone in your home comfortable, while at the same time making your home look better.

A pergola can add style or character to your front door entrance. This can create a shaded garden area in your yard. They are even easy to put together, especially with the help of friends and family. Have a barbecue over the weekend, and turn it into a pergola building party.

Ask an electrician to install an outlet in the cupboard over where your microwave is. This will allow you to hide the cord needed to plug your microwave into the outlet. That is a safety issue that is easily resolved with this small improvement.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Ensure that counter tops will be all of one height by creating a bench mark that begins at the highest point of the kitchen floor.

Refinish your dining table to update your dining room. Although this takes time, refinishing it will make the old table appear like new. If you decide to take this on, work carefully so your finished project looks its best.

When your house is for sale, you should weigh the positives and negatives of owning a security alarm. However, if the home is in an unsafe neighborhood and it is vacant, you may need an alarm.

If you want a quick, easy makeover for your home, put new paneling on your walls. The benefit of this alteration is that the panels can easily be removed with little damage if the look that they create is not to your liking. You will have lost little in terms of time or expense either way.

Do you dislike paneling and painting? Think about using wallpaper. Using wallpaper is fairly cheap, and will give the room a refreshing new look. Although, you should be wary of the type of wallpaper that you select since removing certain kinds are more difficult than others.

Incorporate everything that comes to mind in your project budget. Unexpected expenses could add up quickly and a single mistake can mess it all up. Prevent that by having backup plans, and you will be better prepared to deal with any sudden changes, for instance if flooring you selected is not available.

Where will you find your inspiration when looking to make home improvements? It's important for you to be inspired before starting. The Internet and home decor magazines are great resources for finding fun and creative ideas. Visit a home improvement center for paint swatches, tile samples and other useful tools. Exploring your different options and figuring out which ones are best for your situation can make the project itself move a lot faster and more smoothly.

Good homework and planning puts any improvement project within your reach. It isn't necessarily simple. Many people begin a project enthusiastically, but learn later that it's more complex and costly than it appeared to be.

High Power Cleaning Services

[fuckingfuckingchickentown-blog]

Solid Advice When Trying To Improve Your Home There is more to home improvement than just a hobby. It provides you a benefit to your pocketbook, too. Certain home improvements projects can make your home more valuable. This article should give you some tips on how to handle your next remodeling project. Increase the energy efficiency of your home by installing weather stripping all around your home's doors and windows. This helps to seal your home from hot and cold, improving your comfort level as well. You can also reduce the drafts you feel inside your home on windy, cold nights. If you are in a dwelling with limited space, and don't have the space for both a washer and dryer, think about buying a unit that combines the two together. A combo unit will take up about the same amount of space that a dishwasher would. The combo unit is really convenient, as it combines the wash and dry cycle into one. Small rooms can look dark and dull, but this can be changed. Let the sun shine in! Open blinds, tie back curtains and clean the glass thoroughly. Once you let the light shine through, you will be shocked at just how large a little room can appear. Keep your room free of clutter and paint the walls a pale color. All of a sudden, your small room will feel less cramped. An inexpensive way to update your bathroom is to purchase new accessories. It is possible to find a wide range of shower curtain rods, cabinetry pulls and towel racks to suit almost any taste. Quite often, you can find these fixtures in coordinating collections at your local home improvement store. Many packages can be installed in less than a day. Located above eye level and therefore out of mind, gutters, chimneys, and downspouts are often ignored during home improvement and maintenance projects. It is important to inspect these aspects of your home to make sure they are functioning properly, and to make any necessary repairs. Keeping your chimney free of debris is important to prevent fires from substances that might become trapped inside the chimney. Similarly, keeping your gutters free from debris will prevent water damage to your roof caused by the accumulation of water in rain gutters. It is a normal process for chair caning to sag after awhile. There is something you can easily do to fix this. You can wet the bottom of the sagging cane with a sponge. It works best with warm water. Allow the water to dry the caning overnight. Repeat this process until you know the caning is repaired to the fullest extent. If it is at all practical, do repair-type home improvement projects as soon as you notice a problem. Sometimes it seems much easier to turn a blind eye to the issue. You don't want to give into this impulse. A small issue can rapidly grow into a multifaceted and expensive problem. Before you know it, a little issue has turned into a major mess. When your next home improvement project involves landscaping work, you need to coordinate with the owners of adjacent properties about drainage. Whenever you improve your landscaping, one goal is to arrange for water to flow smoothly off of all points of your property. Though you may be tempted to simply drain onto the neighbors' lots, this could cause lots of problems. You can coordinate drainage plans, however it requires clear communication. Always seal the grout following the laying of the tile. Unfortunately, grout has lots and lots of open pores. If you forget to seal it, you can cause damage to the grout and tile by allowing moisture to enter, increasing the potential for mildew or mold. In addition, grout that isn't sealed will stain very easily. Thus, taking the time to seal the grouts means you'll save time and money in the long term. Solar lights are cost effective, but do not give off adequate light. If you want lights that highlight a walkway, consider electric models. They do cost more, but work better and for longer. These are just a few of the things you can do to improve your home. Continue learning so you can better your home improvement skills. Conducting the proper research beforehand can be the factor that makes a home improvement project successful. Make sure you thoroughly understand your next project before you tackle it.

Home Improvement Tips For The Not So Handy Person

As long as people have had homes, people have faced the challenge of home improvement. Everyone wants the best possible home. Keep reading to find out how you can make your home up to date.

Two-liter bottles can be used in your kitchen as storage containers. These bottles are clear and see-through and can protect virtually all your dry goods, including sugar and flour. You can store it in the freezer or refrigerator and even outside on a shelf. Just open and pour when you need to use the contents.

Creatively display your bracelets and necklaces using a mounted coat racks. Perhaps you should not hang your most valuable jewelery. A jewelry display will help to avoid tangles in your collection. Choose pieces you wear frequently and keep them where you can reach them.

Don't ever hire an unlicensed contractor. Contractors are required by law to have some certifications. Of course, this doesn't mean your contractor is competent, but is does show that he has the proper credentials. If a contractor isn't adequately licensed, you don't want to hire him.

Before you embark on a major landscape project, be sure the construction and style of your improvements enhance other aspects of your property, including your home. Integrating the look of the exterior of your home with the new landscaping project will ensure a pleasant result that you will be happy to live with over time.

If you have bought a home in an undeveloped area, or in the midst of a wooded area, consider installing a quality fence around the boundaries of your property. The improvements you make should be ones that are going to keep you and everyone in your home comfortable, while at the same time making your home look better.

A pergola can add style or character to your front door entrance. This can create a shaded garden area in your yard. They are even easy to put together, especially with the help of friends and family. Have a barbecue over the weekend, and turn it into a pergola building party.

Ask an electrician to install an outlet in the cupboard over where your microwave is. This will allow you to hide the cord needed to plug your microwave into the outlet. That is a safety issue that is easily resolved with this small improvement.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Ensure that counter tops will be all of one height by creating a bench mark that begins at the highest point of the kitchen floor.

Refinish your dining table to update your dining room. Although this takes time, refinishing it will make the old table appear like new. If you decide to take this on, work carefully so your finished project looks its best.

When your house is for sale, you should weigh the positives and negatives of owning a security alarm. However, if the home is in an unsafe neighborhood and it is vacant, you may need an alarm.

If you want a quick, easy makeover for your home, put new paneling on your walls. The benefit of this alteration is that the panels can easily be removed with little damage if the look that they create is not to your liking. You will have lost little in terms of time or expense either way.

Do you dislike paneling and painting? Think about using wallpaper. Using wallpaper is fairly cheap, and will give the room a refreshing new look. Although, you should be wary of the type of wallpaper that you select since removing certain kinds are more difficult than others.

Incorporate everything that comes to mind in your project budget. Unexpected expenses could add up quickly and a single mistake can mess it all up. Prevent that by having backup plans, and you will be better prepared to deal with any sudden changes, for instance if flooring you selected is not available.

Where will you find your inspiration when looking to make home improvements? It's important for you to be inspired before starting. The Internet and home decor magazines are great resources for finding fun and creative ideas. Visit a home improvement center for paint swatches, tile samples and other useful tools. Exploring your different options and figuring out which ones are best for your situation can make the project itself move a lot faster and more smoothly.

Good homework and planning puts any improvement project within your reach. It isn't necessarily simple. Many people begin a project enthusiastically, but learn later that it's more complex and costly than it appeared to be.

High Power Cleaning Services

[madroxxordam-blog]

Solid Advice When Trying To Improve Your Home There is more to home improvement than just a hobby. It provides you a benefit to your pocketbook, too. Certain home improvements projects can make your home more valuable. This article should give you some tips on how to handle your next remodeling project. Increase the energy efficiency of your home by installing weather stripping all around your home's doors and windows. This helps to seal your home from hot and cold, improving your comfort level as well. You can also reduce the drafts you feel inside your home on windy, cold nights. If you are in a dwelling with limited space, and don't have the space for both a washer and dryer, think about buying a unit that combines the two together. A combo unit will take up about the same amount of space that a dishwasher would. The combo unit is really convenient, as it combines the wash and dry cycle into one. Small rooms can look dark and dull, but this can be changed. Let the sun shine in! Open blinds, tie back curtains and clean the glass thoroughly. Once you let the light shine through, you will be shocked at just how large a little room can appear. Keep your room free of clutter and paint the walls a pale color. All of a sudden, your small room will feel less cramped. An inexpensive way to update your bathroom is to purchase new accessories. It is possible to find a wide range of shower curtain rods, cabinetry pulls and towel racks to suit almost any taste. Quite often, you can find these fixtures in coordinating collections at your local home improvement store. Many packages can be installed in less than a day. Located above eye level and therefore out of mind, gutters, chimneys, and downspouts are often ignored during home improvement and maintenance projects. It is important to inspect these aspects of your home to make sure they are functioning properly, and to make any necessary repairs. Keeping your chimney free of debris is important to prevent fires from substances that might become trapped inside the chimney. Similarly, keeping your gutters free from debris will prevent water damage to your roof caused by the accumulation of water in rain gutters. It is a normal process for chair caning to sag after awhile. There is something you can easily do to fix this. You can wet the bottom of the sagging cane with a sponge. It works best with warm water. Allow the water to dry the caning overnight. Repeat this process until you know the caning is repaired to the fullest extent. If it is at all practical, do repair-type home improvement projects as soon as you notice a problem. Sometimes it seems much easier to turn a blind eye to the issue. You don't want to give into this impulse. A small issue can rapidly grow into a multifaceted and expensive problem. Before you know it, a little issue has turned into a major mess. When your next home improvement project involves landscaping work, you need to coordinate with the owners of adjacent properties about drainage. Whenever you improve your landscaping, one goal is to arrange for water to flow smoothly off of all points of your property. Though you may be tempted to simply drain onto the neighbors' lots, this could cause lots of problems. You can coordinate drainage plans, however it requires clear communication. Always seal the grout following the laying of the tile. Unfortunately, grout has lots and lots of open pores. If you forget to seal it, you can cause damage to the grout and tile by allowing moisture to enter, increasing the potential for mildew or mold. In addition, grout that isn't sealed will stain very easily. Thus, taking the time to seal the grouts means you'll save time and money in the long term. Solar lights are cost effective, but do not give off adequate light. If you want lights that highlight a walkway, consider electric models. They do cost more, but work better and for longer. These are just a few of the things you can do to improve your home. Continue learning so you can better your home improvement skills. Conducting the proper research beforehand can be the factor that makes a home improvement project successful. Make sure you thoroughly understand your next project before you tackle it.

Home Improvement Tips For The Not So Handy Person

As long as people have had homes, people have faced the challenge of home improvement. Everyone wants the best possible home. Keep reading to find out how you can make your home up to date.

Two-liter bottles can be used in your kitchen as storage containers. These bottles are clear and see-through and can protect virtually all your dry goods, including sugar and flour. You can store it in the freezer or refrigerator and even outside on a shelf. Just open and pour when you need to use the contents.

Creatively display your bracelets and necklaces using a mounted coat racks. Perhaps you should not hang your most valuable jewelery. A jewelry display will help to avoid tangles in your collection. Choose pieces you wear frequently and keep them where you can reach them.

Don't ever hire an unlicensed contractor. Contractors are required by law to have some certifications. Of course, this doesn't mean your contractor is competent, but is does show that he has the proper credentials. If a contractor isn't adequately licensed, you don't want to hire him.

Before you embark on a major landscape project, be sure the construction and style of your improvements enhance other aspects of your property, including your home. Integrating the look of the exterior of your home with the new landscaping project will ensure a pleasant result that you will be happy to live with over time.

If you have bought a home in an undeveloped area, or in the midst of a wooded area, consider installing a quality fence around the boundaries of your property. The improvements you make should be ones that are going to keep you and everyone in your home comfortable, while at the same time making your home look better.

A pergola can add style or character to your front door entrance. This can create a shaded garden area in your yard. They are even easy to put together, especially with the help of friends and family. Have a barbecue over the weekend, and turn it into a pergola building party.

Ask an electrician to install an outlet in the cupboard over where your microwave is. This will allow you to hide the cord needed to plug your microwave into the outlet. That is a safety issue that is easily resolved with this small improvement.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Ensure that counter tops will be all of one height by creating a bench mark that begins at the highest point of the kitchen floor.

Refinish your dining table to update your dining room. Although this takes time, refinishing it will make the old table appear like new. If you decide to take this on, work carefully so your finished project looks its best.

When your house is for sale, you should weigh the positives and negatives of owning a security alarm. However, if the home is in an unsafe neighborhood and it is vacant, you may need an alarm.

If you want a quick, easy makeover for your home, put new paneling on your walls. The benefit of this alteration is that the panels can easily be removed with little damage if the look that they create is not to your liking. You will have lost little in terms of time or expense either way.

Do you dislike paneling and painting? Think about using wallpaper. Using wallpaper is fairly cheap, and will give the room a refreshing new look. Although, you should be wary of the type of wallpaper that you select since removing certain kinds are more difficult than others.

Incorporate everything that comes to mind in your project budget. Unexpected expenses could add up quickly and a single mistake can mess it all up. Prevent that by having backup plans, and you will be better prepared to deal with any sudden changes, for instance if flooring you selected is not available.

Where will you find your inspiration when looking to make home improvements? It's important for you to be inspired before starting. The Internet and home decor magazines are great resources for finding fun and creative ideas. Visit a home improvement center for paint swatches, tile samples and other useful tools. Exploring your different options and figuring out which ones are best for your situation can make the project itself move a lot faster and more smoothly.

Good homework and planning puts any improvement project within your reach. It isn't necessarily simple. Many people begin a project enthusiastically, but learn later that it's more complex and costly than it appeared to be.

High Power Cleaning Services

[screamowyabois-blog]

Solid Advice When Trying To Improve Your Home There is more to home improvement than just a hobby. It provides you a benefit to your pocketbook, too. Certain home improvements projects can make your home more valuable. This article should give you some tips on how to handle your next remodeling project. Increase the energy efficiency of your home by installing weather stripping all around your home's doors and windows. This helps to seal your home from hot and cold, improving your comfort level as well. You can also reduce the drafts you feel inside your home on windy, cold nights. If you are in a dwelling with limited space, and don't have the space for both a washer and dryer, think about buying a unit that combines the two together. A combo unit will take up about the same amount of space that a dishwasher would. The combo unit is really convenient, as it combines the wash and dry cycle into one. Small rooms can look dark and dull, but this can be changed. Let the sun shine in! Open blinds, tie back curtains and clean the glass thoroughly. Once you let the light shine through, you will be shocked at just how large a little room can appear. Keep your room free of clutter and paint the walls a pale color. All of a sudden, your small room will feel less cramped. An inexpensive way to update your bathroom is to purchase new accessories. It is possible to find a wide range of shower curtain rods, cabinetry pulls and towel racks to suit almost any taste. Quite often, you can find these fixtures in coordinating collections at your local home improvement store. Many packages can be installed in less than a day. Located above eye level and therefore out of mind, gutters, chimneys, and downspouts are often ignored during home improvement and maintenance projects. It is important to inspect these aspects of your home to make sure they are functioning properly, and to make any necessary repairs. Keeping your chimney free of debris is important to prevent fires from substances that might become trapped inside the chimney. Similarly, keeping your gutters free from debris will prevent water damage to your roof caused by the accumulation of water in rain gutters. It is a normal process for chair caning to sag after awhile. There is something you can easily do to fix this. You can wet the bottom of the sagging cane with a sponge. It works best with warm water. Allow the water to dry the caning overnight. Repeat this process until you know the caning is repaired to the fullest extent. If it is at all practical, do repair-type home improvement projects as soon as you notice a problem. Sometimes it seems much easier to turn a blind eye to the issue. You don't want to give into this impulse. A small issue can rapidly grow into a multifaceted and expensive problem. Before you know it, a little issue has turned into a major mess. When your next home improvement project involves landscaping work, you need to coordinate with the owners of adjacent properties about drainage. Whenever you improve your landscaping, one goal is to arrange for water to flow smoothly off of all points of your property. Though you may be tempted to simply drain onto the neighbors' lots, this could cause lots of problems. You can coordinate drainage plans, however it requires clear communication. Always seal the grout following the laying of the tile. Unfortunately, grout has lots and lots of open pores. If you forget to seal it, you can cause damage to the grout and tile by allowing moisture to enter, increasing the potential for mildew or mold. In addition, grout that isn't sealed will stain very easily. Thus, taking the time to seal the grouts means you'll save time and money in the long term. Solar lights are cost effective, but do not give off adequate light. If you want lights that highlight a walkway, consider electric models. They do cost more, but work better and for longer. These are just a few of the things you can do to improve your home. Continue learning so you can better your home improvement skills. Conducting the proper research beforehand can be the factor that makes a home improvement project successful. Make sure you thoroughly understand your next project before you tackle it.

Home Improvement Tips For The Not So Handy Person

As long as people have had homes, people have faced the challenge of home improvement. Everyone wants the best possible home. Keep reading to find out how you can make your home up to date.

Two-liter bottles can be used in your kitchen as storage containers. These bottles are clear and see-through and can protect virtually all your dry goods, including sugar and flour. You can store it in the freezer or refrigerator and even outside on a shelf. Just open and pour when you need to use the contents.

Creatively display your bracelets and necklaces using a mounted coat racks. Perhaps you should not hang your most valuable jewelery. A jewelry display will help to avoid tangles in your collection. Choose pieces you wear frequently and keep them where you can reach them.

Don't ever hire an unlicensed contractor. Contractors are required by law to have some certifications. Of course, this doesn't mean your contractor is competent, but is does show that he has the proper credentials. If a contractor isn't adequately licensed, you don't want to hire him.

Before you embark on a major landscape project, be sure the construction and style of your improvements enhance other aspects of your property, including your home. Integrating the look of the exterior of your home with the new landscaping project will ensure a pleasant result that you will be happy to live with over time.

If you have bought a home in an undeveloped area, or in the midst of a wooded area, consider installing a quality fence around the boundaries of your property. The improvements you make should be ones that are going to keep you and everyone in your home comfortable, while at the same time making your home look better.

A pergola can add style or character to your front door entrance. This can create a shaded garden area in your yard. They are even easy to put together, especially with the help of friends and family. Have a barbecue over the weekend, and turn it into a pergola building party.

Ask an electrician to install an outlet in the cupboard over where your microwave is. This will allow you to hide the cord needed to plug your microwave into the outlet. That is a safety issue that is easily resolved with this small improvement.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Ensure that counter tops will be all of one height by creating a bench mark that begins at the highest point of the kitchen floor.

Refinish your dining table to update your dining room. Although this takes time, refinishing it will make the old table appear like new. If you decide to take this on, work carefully so your finished project looks its best.

When your house is for sale, you should weigh the positives and negatives of owning a security alarm. However, if the home is in an unsafe neighborhood and it is vacant, you may need an alarm.

If you want a quick, easy makeover for your home, put new paneling on your walls. The benefit of this alteration is that the panels can easily be removed with little damage if the look that they create is not to your liking. You will have lost little in terms of time or expense either way.

Do you dislike paneling and painting? Think about using wallpaper. Using wallpaper is fairly cheap, and will give the room a refreshing new look. Although, you should be wary of the type of wallpaper that you select since removing certain kinds are more difficult than others.

Incorporate everything that comes to mind in your project budget. Unexpected expenses could add up quickly and a single mistake can mess it all up. Prevent that by having backup plans, and you will be better prepared to deal with any sudden changes, for instance if flooring you selected is not available.

Where will you find your inspiration when looking to make home improvements? It's important for you to be inspired before starting. The Internet and home decor magazines are great resources for finding fun and creative ideas. Visit a home improvement center for paint swatches, tile samples and other useful tools. Exploring your different options and figuring out which ones are best for your situation can make the project itself move a lot faster and more smoothly.

Good homework and planning puts any improvement project within your reach. It isn't necessarily simple. Many people begin a project enthusiastically, but learn later that it's more complex and costly than it appeared to be.

High Power Cleaning Services

[greekmythologyaesthetic-blog]

Solid Advice When Trying To Improve Your Home There is more to home improvement than just a hobby. It provides you a benefit to your pocketbook, too. Certain home improvements projects can make your home more valuable. This article should give you some tips on how to handle your next remodeling project. Increase the energy efficiency of your home by installing weather stripping all around your home's doors and windows. This helps to seal your home from hot and cold, improving your comfort level as well. You can also reduce the drafts you feel inside your home on windy, cold nights. If you are in a dwelling with limited space, and don't have the space for both a washer and dryer, think about buying a unit that combines the two together. A combo unit will take up about the same amount of space that a dishwasher would. The combo unit is really convenient, as it combines the wash and dry cycle into one. Small rooms can look dark and dull, but this can be changed. Let the sun shine in! Open blinds, tie back curtains and clean the glass thoroughly. Once you let the light shine through, you will be shocked at just how large a little room can appear. Keep your room free of clutter and paint the walls a pale color. All of a sudden, your small room will feel less cramped. An inexpensive way to update your bathroom is to purchase new accessories. It is possible to find a wide range of shower curtain rods, cabinetry pulls and towel racks to suit almost any taste. Quite often, you can find these fixtures in coordinating collections at your local home improvement store. Many packages can be installed in less than a day. Located above eye level and therefore out of mind, gutters, chimneys, and downspouts are often ignored during home improvement and maintenance projects. It is important to inspect these aspects of your home to make sure they are functioning properly, and to make any necessary repairs. Keeping your chimney free of debris is important to prevent fires from substances that might become trapped inside the chimney. Similarly, keeping your gutters free from debris will prevent water damage to your roof caused by the accumulation of water in rain gutters. It is a normal process for chair caning to sag after awhile. There is something you can easily do to fix this. You can wet the bottom of the sagging cane with a sponge. It works best with warm water. Allow the water to dry the caning overnight. Repeat this process until you know the caning is repaired to the fullest extent. If it is at all practical, do repair-type home improvement projects as soon as you notice a problem. Sometimes it seems much easier to turn a blind eye to the issue. You don't want to give into this impulse. A small issue can rapidly grow into a multifaceted and expensive problem. Before you know it, a little issue has turned into a major mess. When your next home improvement project involves landscaping work, you need to coordinate with the owners of adjacent properties about drainage. Whenever you improve your landscaping, one goal is to arrange for water to flow smoothly off of all points of your property. Though you may be tempted to simply drain onto the neighbors' lots, this could cause lots of problems. You can coordinate drainage plans, however it requires clear communication. Always seal the grout following the laying of the tile. Unfortunately, grout has lots and lots of open pores. If you forget to seal it, you can cause damage to the grout and tile by allowing moisture to enter, increasing the potential for mildew or mold. In addition, grout that isn't sealed will stain very easily. Thus, taking the time to seal the grouts means you'll save time and money in the long term. Solar lights are cost effective, but do not give off adequate light. If you want lights that highlight a walkway, consider electric models. They do cost more, but work better and for longer. These are just a few of the things you can do to improve your home. Continue learning so you can better your home improvement skills. Conducting the proper research beforehand can be the factor that makes a home improvement project successful. Make sure you thoroughly understand your next project before you tackle it.

Home Improvement Tips For The Not So Handy Person

As long as people have had homes, people have faced the challenge of home improvement. Everyone wants the best possible home. Keep reading to find out how you can make your home up to date.

Two-liter bottles can be used in your kitchen as storage containers. These bottles are clear and see-through and can protect virtually all your dry goods, including sugar and flour. You can store it in the freezer or refrigerator and even outside on a shelf. Just open and pour when you need to use the contents.

Creatively display your bracelets and necklaces using a mounted coat racks. Perhaps you should not hang your most valuable jewelery. A jewelry display will help to avoid tangles in your collection. Choose pieces you wear frequently and keep them where you can reach them.

Don't ever hire an unlicensed contractor. Contractors are required by law to have some certifications. Of course, this doesn't mean your contractor is competent, but is does show that he has the proper credentials. If a contractor isn't adequately licensed, you don't want to hire him.

Before you embark on a major landscape project, be sure the construction and style of your improvements enhance other aspects of your property, including your home. Integrating the look of the exterior of your home with the new landscaping project will ensure a pleasant result that you will be happy to live with over time.

If you have bought a home in an undeveloped area, or in the midst of a wooded area, consider installing a quality fence around the boundaries of your property. The improvements you make should be ones that are going to keep you and everyone in your home comfortable, while at the same time making your home look better.

A pergola can add style or character to your front door entrance. This can create a shaded garden area in your yard. They are even easy to put together, especially with the help of friends and family. Have a barbecue over the weekend, and turn it into a pergola building party.

Ask an electrician to install an outlet in the cupboard over where your microwave is. This will allow you to hide the cord needed to plug your microwave into the outlet. That is a safety issue that is easily resolved with this small improvement.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Ensure that counter tops will be all of one height by creating a bench mark that begins at the highest point of the kitchen floor.

Refinish your dining table to update your dining room. Although this takes time, refinishing it will make the old table appear like new. If you decide to take this on, work carefully so your finished project looks its best.

When your house is for sale, you should weigh the positives and negatives of owning a security alarm. However, if the home is in an unsafe neighborhood and it is vacant, you may need an alarm.

If you want a quick, easy makeover for your home, put new paneling on your walls. The benefit of this alteration is that the panels can easily be removed with little damage if the look that they create is not to your liking. You will have lost little in terms of time or expense either way.

Do you dislike paneling and painting? Think about using wallpaper. Using wallpaper is fairly cheap, and will give the room a refreshing new look. Although, you should be wary of the type of wallpaper that you select since removing certain kinds are more difficult than others.

Incorporate everything that comes to mind in your project budget. Unexpected expenses could add up quickly and a single mistake can mess it all up. Prevent that by having backup plans, and you will be better prepared to deal with any sudden changes, for instance if flooring you selected is not available.

Where will you find your inspiration when looking to make home improvements? It's important for you to be inspired before starting. The Internet and home decor magazines are great resources for finding fun and creative ideas. Visit a home improvement center for paint swatches, tile samples and other useful tools. Exploring your different options and figuring out which ones are best for your situation can make the project itself move a lot faster and more smoothly.

Good homework and planning puts any improvement project within your reach. It isn't necessarily simple. Many people begin a project enthusiastically, but learn later that it's more complex and costly than it appeared to be.

High Power Cleaning Services

[sterlingfink-blog]

Solid Advice When Trying To Improve Your Home There is more to home improvement than just a hobby. It provides you a benefit to your pocketbook, too. Certain home improvements projects can make your home more valuable. This article should give you some tips on how to handle your next remodeling project. Increase the energy efficiency of your home by installing weather stripping all around your home's doors and windows. This helps to seal your home from hot and cold, improving your comfort level as well. You can also reduce the drafts you feel inside your home on windy, cold nights. If you are in a dwelling with limited space, and don't have the space for both a washer and dryer, think about buying a unit that combines the two together. A combo unit will take up about the same amount of space that a dishwasher would. The combo unit is really convenient, as it combines the wash and dry cycle into one. Small rooms can look dark and dull, but this can be changed. Let the sun shine in! Open blinds, tie back curtains and clean the glass thoroughly. Once you let the light shine through, you will be shocked at just how large a little room can appear. Keep your room free of clutter and paint the walls a pale color. All of a sudden, your small room will feel less cramped. An inexpensive way to update your bathroom is to purchase new accessories. It is possible to find a wide range of shower curtain rods, cabinetry pulls and towel racks to suit almost any taste. Quite often, you can find these fixtures in coordinating collections at your local home improvement store. Many packages can be installed in less than a day. Located above eye level and therefore out of mind, gutters, chimneys, and downspouts are often ignored during home improvement and maintenance projects. It is important to inspect these aspects of your home to make sure they are functioning properly, and to make any necessary repairs. Keeping your chimney free of debris is important to prevent fires from substances that might become trapped inside the chimney. Similarly, keeping your gutters free from debris will prevent water damage to your roof caused by the accumulation of water in rain gutters. It is a normal process for chair caning to sag after awhile. There is something you can easily do to fix this. You can wet the bottom of the sagging cane with a sponge. It works best with warm water. Allow the water to dry the caning overnight. Repeat this process until you know the caning is repaired to the fullest extent. If it is at all practical, do repair-type home improvement projects as soon as you notice a problem. Sometimes it seems much easier to turn a blind eye to the issue. You don't want to give into this impulse. A small issue can rapidly grow into a multifaceted and expensive problem. Before you know it, a little issue has turned into a major mess. When your next home improvement project involves landscaping work, you need to coordinate with the owners of adjacent properties about drainage. Whenever you improve your landscaping, one goal is to arrange for water to flow smoothly off of all points of your property. Though you may be tempted to simply drain onto the neighbors' lots, this could cause lots of problems. You can coordinate drainage plans, however it requires clear communication. Always seal the grout following the laying of the tile. Unfortunately, grout has lots and lots of open pores. If you forget to seal it, you can cause damage to the grout and tile by allowing moisture to enter, increasing the potential for mildew or mold. In addition, grout that isn't sealed will stain very easily. Thus, taking the time to seal the grouts means you'll save time and money in the long term. Solar lights are cost effective, but do not give off adequate light. If you want lights that highlight a walkway, consider electric models. They do cost more, but work better and for longer. These are just a few of the things you can do to improve your home. Continue learning so you can better your home improvement skills. Conducting the proper research beforehand can be the factor that makes a home improvement project successful. Make sure you thoroughly understand your next project before you tackle it.

Home Improvement Tips For The Not So Handy Person

As long as people have had homes, people have faced the challenge of home improvement. Everyone wants the best possible home. Keep reading to find out how you can make your home up to date.

Two-liter bottles can be used in your kitchen as storage containers. These bottles are clear and see-through and can protect virtually all your dry goods, including sugar and flour. You can store it in the freezer or refrigerator and even outside on a shelf. Just open and pour when you need to use the contents.

Creatively display your bracelets and necklaces using a mounted coat racks. Perhaps you should not hang your most valuable jewelery. A jewelry display will help to avoid tangles in your collection. Choose pieces you wear frequently and keep them where you can reach them.

Don't ever hire an unlicensed contractor. Contractors are required by law to have some certifications. Of course, this doesn't mean your contractor is competent, but is does show that he has the proper credentials. If a contractor isn't adequately licensed, you don't want to hire him.

Before you embark on a major landscape project, be sure the construction and style of your improvements enhance other aspects of your property, including your home. Integrating the look of the exterior of your home with the new landscaping project will ensure a pleasant result that you will be happy to live with over time.

If you have bought a home in an undeveloped area, or in the midst of a wooded area, consider installing a quality fence around the boundaries of your property. The improvements you make should be ones that are going to keep you and everyone in your home comfortable, while at the same time making your home look better.

A pergola can add style or character to your front door entrance. This can create a shaded garden area in your yard. They are even easy to put together, especially with the help of friends and family. Have a barbecue over the weekend, and turn it into a pergola building party.

Ask an electrician to install an outlet in the cupboard over where your microwave is. This will allow you to hide the cord needed to plug your microwave into the outlet. That is a safety issue that is easily resolved with this small improvement.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Ensure that counter tops will be all of one height by creating a bench mark that begins at the highest point of the kitchen floor.

Refinish your dining table to update your dining room. Although this takes time, refinishing it will make the old table appear like new. If you decide to take this on, work carefully so your finished project looks its best.

When your house is for sale, you should weigh the positives and negatives of owning a security alarm. However, if the home is in an unsafe neighborhood and it is vacant, you may need an alarm.

If you want a quick, easy makeover for your home, put new paneling on your walls. The benefit of this alteration is that the panels can easily be removed with little damage if the look that they create is not to your liking. You will have lost little in terms of time or expense either way.

Do you dislike paneling and painting? Think about using wallpaper. Using wallpaper is fairly cheap, and will give the room a refreshing new look. Although, you should be wary of the type of wallpaper that you select since removing certain kinds are more difficult than others.

Incorporate everything that comes to mind in your project budget. Unexpected expenses could add up quickly and a single mistake can mess it all up. Prevent that by having backup plans, and you will be better prepared to deal with any sudden changes, for instance if flooring you selected is not available.

Where will you find your inspiration when looking to make home improvements? It's important for you to be inspired before starting. The Internet and home decor magazines are great resources for finding fun and creative ideas. Visit a home improvement center for paint swatches, tile samples and other useful tools. Exploring your different options and figuring out which ones are best for your situation can make the project itself move a lot faster and more smoothly.

Good homework and planning puts any improvement project within your reach. It isn't necessarily simple. Many people begin a project enthusiastically, but learn later that it's more complex and costly than it appeared to be.

High Power Cleaning Services

[tantalizingteasesking-blog]

Solid Advice When Trying To Improve Your Home There is more to home improvement than just a hobby. It provides you a benefit to your pocketbook, too. Certain home improvements projects can make your home more valuable. This article should give you some tips on how to handle your next remodeling project. Increase the energy efficiency of your home by installing weather stripping all around your home's doors and windows. This helps to seal your home from hot and cold, improving your comfort level as well. You can also reduce the drafts you feel inside your home on windy, cold nights. If you are in a dwelling with limited space, and don't have the space for both a washer and dryer, think about buying a unit that combines the two together. A combo unit will take up about the same amount of space that a dishwasher would. The combo unit is really convenient, as it combines the wash and dry cycle into one. Small rooms can look dark and dull, but this can be changed. Let the sun shine in! Open blinds, tie back curtains and clean the glass thoroughly. Once you let the light shine through, you will be shocked at just how large a little room can appear. Keep your room free of clutter and paint the walls a pale color. All of a sudden, your small room will feel less cramped. An inexpensive way to update your bathroom is to purchase new accessories. It is possible to find a wide range of shower curtain rods, cabinetry pulls and towel racks to suit almost any taste. Quite often, you can find these fixtures in coordinating collections at your local home improvement store. Many packages can be installed in less than a day. Located above eye level and therefore out of mind, gutters, chimneys, and downspouts are often ignored during home improvement and maintenance projects. It is important to inspect these aspects of your home to make sure they are functioning properly, and to make any necessary repairs. Keeping your chimney free of debris is important to prevent fires from substances that might become trapped inside the chimney. Similarly, keeping your gutters free from debris will prevent water damage to your roof caused by the accumulation of water in rain gutters. It is a normal process for chair caning to sag after awhile. There is something you can easily do to fix this. You can wet the bottom of the sagging cane with a sponge. It works best with warm water. Allow the water to dry the caning overnight. Repeat this process until you know the caning is repaired to the fullest extent. If it is at all practical, do repair-type home improvement projects as soon as you notice a problem. Sometimes it seems much easier to turn a blind eye to the issue. You don't want to give into this impulse. A small issue can rapidly grow into a multifaceted and expensive problem. Before you know it, a little issue has turned into a major mess. When your next home improvement project involves landscaping work, you need to coordinate with the owners of adjacent properties about drainage. Whenever you improve your landscaping, one goal is to arrange for water to flow smoothly off of all points of your property. Though you may be tempted to simply drain onto the neighbors' lots, this could cause lots of problems. You can coordinate drainage plans, however it requires clear communication. Always seal the grout following the laying of the tile. Unfortunately, grout has lots and lots of open pores. If you forget to seal it, you can cause damage to the grout and tile by allowing moisture to enter, increasing the potential for mildew or mold. In addition, grout that isn't sealed will stain very easily. Thus, taking the time to seal the grouts means you'll save time and money in the long term. Solar lights are cost effective, but do not give off adequate light. If you want lights that highlight a walkway, consider electric models. They do cost more, but work better and for longer. These are just a few of the things you can do to improve your home. Continue learning so you can better your home improvement skills. Conducting the proper research beforehand can be the factor that makes a home improvement project successful. Make sure you thoroughly understand your next project before you tackle it.

Home Improvement Tips For The Not So Handy Person

As long as people have had homes, people have faced the challenge of home improvement. Everyone wants the best possible home. Keep reading to find out how you can make your home up to date.

Two-liter bottles can be used in your kitchen as storage containers. These bottles are clear and see-through and can protect virtually all your dry goods, including sugar and flour. You can store it in the freezer or refrigerator and even outside on a shelf. Just open and pour when you need to use the contents.

Creatively display your bracelets and necklaces using a mounted coat racks. Perhaps you should not hang your most valuable jewelery. A jewelry display will help to avoid tangles in your collection. Choose pieces you wear frequently and keep them where you can reach them.

Don't ever hire an unlicensed contractor. Contractors are required by law to have some certifications. Of course, this doesn't mean your contractor is competent, but is does show that he has the proper credentials. If a contractor isn't adequately licensed, you don't want to hire him.

Before you embark on a major landscape project, be sure the construction and style of your improvements enhance other aspects of your property, including your home. Integrating the look of the exterior of your home with the new landscaping project will ensure a pleasant result that you will be happy to live with over time.

If you have bought a home in an undeveloped area, or in the midst of a wooded area, consider installing a quality fence around the boundaries of your property. The improvements you make should be ones that are going to keep you and everyone in your home comfortable, while at the same time making your home look better.

A pergola can add style or character to your front door entrance. This can create a shaded garden area in your yard. They are even easy to put together, especially with the help of friends and family. Have a barbecue over the weekend, and turn it into a pergola building party.

Ask an electrician to install an outlet in the cupboard over where your microwave is. This will allow you to hide the cord needed to plug your microwave into the outlet. That is a safety issue that is easily resolved with this small improvement.

While you may think you have level kitchen floors, use your level when you install kitchen cabinetry, just in case. Ensure that counter tops will be all of one height by creating a bench mark that begins at the highest point of the kitchen floor.

Refinish your dining table to update your dining room. Although this takes time, refinishing it will make the old table appear like new. If you decide to take this on, work carefully so your finished project looks its best.

When your house is for sale, you should weigh the positives and negatives of owning a security alarm. However, if the home is in an unsafe neighborhood and it is vacant, you may need an alarm.

If you want a quick, easy makeover for your home, put new paneling on your walls. The benefit of this alteration is that the panels can easily be removed with little damage if the look that they create is not to your liking. You will have lost little in terms of time or expense either way.

Do you dislike paneling and painting? Think about using wallpaper. Using wallpaper is fairly cheap, and will give the room a refreshing new look. Although, you should be wary of the type of wallpaper that you select since removing certain kinds are more difficult than others.

Incorporate everything that comes to mind in your project budget. Unexpected expenses could add up quickly and a single mistake can mess it all up. Prevent that by having backup plans, and you will be better prepared to deal with any sudden changes, for instance if flooring you selected is not available.

Where will you find your inspiration when looking to make home improvements? It's important for you to be inspired before starting. The Internet and home decor magazines are great resources for finding fun and creative ideas. Visit a home improvement center for paint swatches, tile samples and other useful tools. Exploring your different options and figuring out which ones are best for your situation can make the project itself move a lot faster and more smoothly.

Good homework and planning puts any improvement project within your reach. It isn't necessarily simple. Many people begin a project enthusiastically, but learn later that it's more complex and costly than it appeared to be.

High Power Cleaning Services