By Amy Mullis, Home Ownership Editor

The problem with buying a new house is waiting for the closing date to sign the papers.  It’s not the waiting I mind, it’s that I think of so many do-it-Bill’s-self projects while I’m waiting for the calendar pages to turn.  He recently caught me smuggling paint samples across the parking lot to my sister’s car.  She’s buying a new house; a little something smaller than the one on fifty acres of overgrown pastureland that ate her lawn tractor six months ago.
 
It seems like an off-the-rack house never fits exactly right the first time you try in on. It requires taking up in the wainscoting or lengthening in the living room.  And it’s always a tight fit around the back porch.  I’m not the crafty type—the Household Government restricted my right to own a nail gun years ago—but it seems to me that a few adjustments here and there make the whole thing more comfortable for everybody.
 
An extra closet is always nice; a roomy affair designed to hold the day-to-day items you chip off the den floor when unexpected company drops by.  I always thought closets were like pockets—if you don’t think to tuck one in between the seams during the manufacturing process, you’re stuck standing in a long line holding your movie money in a sweaty palm and giving your jacket to the nice man behind you to keep up with when your hands are full.  It turns out that with the right frame of mind and a project manager that knows his ball peen from his plumb bob, you can add a closet as easy as sticking a letter in an envelope.
 
I checked with Bill to see what it would take to get a new closet.  He told me to write him a letter.                            

By Jay Remer, Home Ownership Editor

I imagine a number of you are reeling in the credit card whirl right now, especially after a busy holiday season. I remember all too well facing a mountain of debt, which seemingly could sink the financial ship. It seems for those of us with little or no proper training as young adults in the ways of personal finance, credit cards, and fiscal responsibility, we are overwhelmed. This almost seems like a rite of passage into responsible adulthood, much the same as securing your first home mortgage.

There is no better time than the present to address home finances. I wish the importance of a monthly family budget had been impressed upon me at a young age. I now appreciate the relevance of such an instrument and encourage all of my readers to consider making this a priority for 2012. You will thank me.

There are wonderful and accessible credit counseling services available in all towns, and they are very inexpensive. There are also such sage gurus as Suzy Orman, whose books and advice are incredibly helpful. I have never met anyone whose credit cannot be repaired or improved by following some clear guidelines. Sometimes this cannot be accomplished overnight, but you need to begin somewhere. Setting one’s priorities can be daunting and uncomfortable, which is why I highly recommend a third party (not a family member) to help you through this process.

Most importantly, have compassion for yourself. Financial woes are fraught with high stress. Don’t take your fears and anger out on your loved ones. They are actually on your side and will be more understanding than you may realize. Begin by establishing what the facts of your family financial situation are and then proceed, without judgment, in creating a plan to reach your goal of financial balance. Nothing will bring harmony to a household more quickly. And remember: smile whenever you can. You might just make someone’s day!

By Amy Mullis, Home Ownership Editor

Ever since I received early dismissal from the Saturday Night All Girls Craft Club and Baked Goods Samplers for sewing my project to my pants leg, I’ve been looking for an outlet for my particular creative talents.  I have a friend, Carole, who can turn any house into a home with a few old boards and the clever use of a sledgehammer.  I’ve been breaking things since I found out I had hands, so I figured I was a natural with the sledgehammer. Turns out that’s in the reconstruction side of things.
 
“What is it?”
 
“It’s sort of a table.”
 
Bill and I were in the garage admiring my new project.
 
“That’s great.  What about that part that sticks out the side?  “
 
“That’s sort of extra.  I figure it could be a shelf.”
 
He ran a hand across his face.  “I notice you’ve got kind of a modern art vibe going on. None of the boards are the same size.”
 
I went by that old adage ‘Measure once, cut twice.”
 
“Um, it goes measure twice, cut once.  That’s to make sure you don’t get any penalties from improper use of power tools.”
 
“Oh.”
 
“Maybe we could use this piece here in the garage to hold important things.  Like sawdust.”  He reached for the table.  “Um, it won’t move.”
 
“I got a little carried away with the nail gun.”
 
“You nailed it to the floor, didn’t you?”
 
I guess I should have applied that old measuring saying to the rest of the project.”
 
“Measure twice, cut once?”
 
“Yep. But swap in Point and Shoot.”
 
“I can see where that would work.”
 
“But if it doesn’t, I’ve always got the sledgehammer.”
 
“Tell you what. Let’s head over to Carole’s blog, Irrational Propensity, and check out her latest project.”  He pried the nail gun out of my hand.  “Maybe we can pick up some tips that don’t involve sharp points.”

By Jay Remer, Home Ownership Editor

This winter has been unseasonably warm for most of the US. Don’t worry. The cold weather will be here soon enough. I recommend taking this opportunity to get ahead with those pesky winter chores we so adeptly put off until we’re buried under 3 feet of snow (or worse).

1.    Fill the bird feeders. Clean and wash them out if necessary. Birds will not eat rotten seed.
2.    Pile the firewood somewhere it will stay dryish, covering it with a tarp if necessary.
3.    Fill the washer fluid reservoir in your car.
4.    Buy a snow shovel that works as well as some salt or sand for ice.
5.    Treat yourself to a spa day if possible. You know you deserve one after the holidays.
6.    Make a couple of New Year resolutions, but put them away until spring when you are more likely to be in a mood to make some lifestyle changes.
7.    Organize your re-gifting drawer/closet. A trip to the thrift store may be in order.
8.    Write your thank you notes if you have not yet done so. The operative word is “write”, as in hand write. Emails and text messages are not a good alternative.
9.    Clean out the freezer and plan to eat whatever is in there before it expires from freezer burn.
10.    Air your heavy coats, blankets, and small rugs on the clothesline. Fresh crisp air has amazing deodorizing power!

CSI Christmas Flower

By Amy Mullis, Home Ownership Editor

I love Christmas--known around my house as the Festival of Poinsettia Murder. It’s a ritual I indulge in every year. What says Merry Christmas better than a spray of bare, wilted stems and a blanket of cast-off red petals covering the floor in a crunchy carpet? My gardening skills are nonexistent; my picture hangs like a Wanted poster on the wall of  Home and Garden stores everywhere.  And if summer was devoted to destroying daffodils, winter is the season for sending off the Christmas flower.

If it’s tradition that makes the holiday season important and cements the ties that bind into place, I owe it to my family to kill the holiday Poinsettia.

So this season will see all my familiar and comforting rituals: the manger scene whose assembled cast expands daily to include snowmen, stray wisemen, an occasional ox or angel from long lost nativity sets, and at least one zombie action figure; the Christmas tree decorated around the bottom with an assortment of bells and wind chimes to let me know when the kitties have staged a daring raid on the festive gift bags, and a crumpled Poinsettia that holds my hopes and dreams that this will be the year that Santa finally delivers a green thumb.

Because once the wrapping paper lies in mangled piles and Christmas lights wind themselves back into tangled knots, hope is what Christmas is all about. Don't forget to enter our Home Owner Writing Contest.

Homeowner Holidays

By Jay Remer, Home Ownership Editor

As the holiday season gets into full swing, I hope everyone has the happiest celebration wherever you may be. Having a home and hosting a holiday party is one way to fully enjoy the season. Here are a few helpful pieces of advice, chosen randomly from 60 years of experience. Hope they are helpful.

1.   Household routines change dramatically over the holidays. These changes have an effect on everyone in the house, especially children and pets. When possible, keep daily routines such as eating, bathing, and sleeping on schedule. There is enough outside stimuli and breaking from daily routines is rarely positive.

2.   Christmas is the worst possible time of year to give pets as gifts.  This is a disruptive time of year and new additions to the family acclimate best when a regular routine can be put in place, and where excessive excitement is at a minimum. Small children and animals do not interact well unless under adult supervision. No one wants a traumatized puppy or an injured child.

3.   If you erect a tree, I recommend using a stand that has a reservoir for holding water. Christmas trees will stay fresher and drop fewer needles if kept in water.

4.   You cannot change your family or their habits. Not everyone in every family get along for a variety of reasons. This is not a matter for judgment, but rather for acceptance. However, this does not mean incivility is appropriate or acceptable behavior. Everyone needs to be respectful and cordial. If this is difficult, keep warring parties separated.

5.   Get into the spirit of giving. Remember those less fortunate members of your community. Food banks are wonderful places to make donations, even in the name of others, as a gift. There is no competition in giving and it is true that giving gives you a greater sense of gratitude than receiving.

6.   It isn’t necessary to overeat or drink too much over the holidays. We use such times as excuses, but wasting food and intoxication are not requirements for having a successful and memorable celebration.

I wish everyone a happy holiday season with best wishes for a wonderful New Year!  Don't forget to enter our Home Owner Writing Contest.

Back Door Blessings

By Amy Mullis, Home Ownership Editor

I’ve had an extra face at my Thanksgiving table the past couple of years.  Well, not at, exactly.  More like under.  The extra face under the table has warm brown eyes, blonde hair, and an underbite that can scoop up Alpo like a backhoe shovels topsoil. Turns out that sometimes blessings come in the back door while you’re at the stove stirring the gravy.

I had more than my share of animals.  But I must have a “This Way To Food” sign that only homeless animals can see, flashing signals from the roof of my house.  So when a neighbor moved away and left Sam wagging his tail in my driveway, I opened the door and invited him to dinner.  He made himself at home and has been dining a la carte ever since.

Sam follows my oldest son around like he’s the next best thing to Milk Bones. They share snacks and secret handshakes and look after one another. So this Thanksgiving, make sure you leave the back door open.

Sometimes that’s the way unexpected blessings get in.  Don't forget to enter our Home Owner Writing Contest.

How Do You Boo?

By Jay Remer, Home Ownership Editor

Autumn is slipping by at an alarming rate and before you know it, the holiday season will be upon us. Despite the news on how the economy is improving, for many people, maybe even most people, this is simply not the case. There has never been a more important time for us to have a family budget. This is a good idea no matter what your financial situation may be.

If you have never gone through the process of calculating a household budget, this is time to begin. Allow some flexibility especially in the beginning as there many line items that will surprise you. For those who are developing a budget or who have discovered the peace of mind comes with living within a budget.

A budget is a living document requiring regular check ups. Those responsible for managing or earning the family income need to communicate any concerns that may arise. The stress that finances can place on a household can be overwhelming. I know. Making a budget using realistic numbers and living within it brings your whole life, not only your financial life, into much better balance.

How do you tailor your household budget? Is there a lot of fear around family finances? Seek the advice of a trusted professional financial planner, often a service provided by your local bank. Time to exhale! Don't forget to enter our Home Owner Writing Contest.

How Do You Boo?

By Amy Mullis, Home Ownership Editor

The scariest part is coming up with a plan for next year that will top this one. I’m thinking bicycle pants. Don't forget to enter our Home Owner Writing Contest!

Moving to the Music

By Amy Mullis, Home Ownership Editor