Daily Archive for "Tuesday, April 15th, 2008"



Home Accessories Dave Valsunkski on 15 Apr 2008

BBQ Grill Apron for the Man.

by Dave Valsunkski

Is there any article of clothing or accessory that a man may hate more than an apron? For most men you might as well wear a dress as wear an apron. But those who work in a kitchen or who spend any time behind a stove will tell you, it’s not just for decoration but for safety’s sake that you need to wear that BBQ grill apron!

If you’re a man standing behind the grill (and we’ll talk to the men here because it does seem that more men than women tend to the grill!) and hesitate to wrap that BBQ grill apron around yourself, we’ll give you some good reasons here as to why you may want to rethink that decision.

For one, consider just where it is that you’re standing and what you’re working with. A person that is working in the kitchen baking is probably not going to be in much danger - the hot oven is way over there, and the batter they’re mixing is all the way across the kitchen. For them, an apron is a matter of neatness to protect their clothes.

But a BBQ grill apron is meant to be worn when you’re working at an open flame with very high heat. Wanting to protect your favorite t-shirt from stains is one thing, but wanting to protect your front from injury is another! Many brands of BBQ grill aprons are made of a thicker material than just that favorite t-shirt and this is done to protect you from the flames, the heat and any possible injury.

You might immediately again shy away from this, thinking that you’re an expert at the grill and don’t need any protection. You’ve been grilling for years, thank you very much, kindly get off my back. But how many times have you seen videos of people that just let their grill get away from them and have opened the lid only to be greeted with a wall of flames?

Rest assured if it has happened to them then there is nothing to stop it from happening too you. The bbq grill apron is your best protection and will come into it’s own when you hit that wall of flame.

And too a BBQ grill apron can come in very handy. They usually have a pocket or two where you can keep your oven mitts or utensils or even your seasonings. Remember, manufacturers make BBQ grill aprons just for men like you in mind, so rather than shy away from wearing one or think that it will make you look less than manly, think of your safety and be sure to wrap one around you next time you’re out grilling!

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Home Dave Freemand on 15 Apr 2008

Good News For PSP Owners! Here’s How To Download PSP Games!

by Dave Freemand

If you are reading chances are you are the lucky owner of a PSP. Chances are that you have also heard about the possibilities of downloading games, movies and music on to your PSP. This is a good way to make sure that you are never bored and that you always have your PSP stocked with games, music and movies. Now the question is “How do I download PSP games, music and movies to my system?”

To find PSP game downloads you have a couple of options to choose from.

The first thing you should remember when looking for downloadable games is that you get what you pay for. This is especially true for sites that say they offer free games, movies, music and more for PSPs. Free sites usually give you a lot more than free downloads and I don’t mean that as a good thing. You will find that many games, movies and music come with viruses and spyware attached.

Since these websites don’t pull in any profit, the files are usually just provided by random people on the internet. They aren’t “official” game downloads and often end up being corrupt (meaning they don’t work at all). The download speeds are incredibly slow and you will often find that what you download ends up being a completely different file than you searched for.

As you might have guessed, we can’t recommend these websites to PSP users. They’re risky and it’s easy to waste a lot of time by using them.

A much better way to find PSP downloads is to look for a specialty PSP download membership website. There are websites that will let you download unlimited PSP games, movies and music when you sign-up as a member of these sites.

It is a wonder why more people have not decided to join membership sites. Since you only have to pay one-time (and less than the cost of one game!) it offers tremendous value.

Look for a membership site that only charges a one-time fee for a lifetime membership. For $35-$50 you will be able to download anything you want (including new releases) whenever you want without having to pay again. Some of the sites charge a monthly or “per-download” fee - I suggest avoiding these as you can find a better deal elsewhere.

Once you start to download PSP games it’s pretty incredible how quickly you can build up a large library of games and movies. It’s the sure-fire way to make sure you always have a new game to try when you need one!

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Home Repair Marcy Givens on 15 Apr 2008

Is your home safe from the new threat of lock bumping?

by John Carven

When even eleven year old children have the skills to break into your home, you should sit up and take notice. In 2005, a young girl named Jennalynn showed everyone how skilled she was a bumping open just about any lock she could find. The youngster used a technique called lock bumping to open the locks ranging from ordinary to the M3 high security lock from Medeco.

The very simple process of lock bumping (which is sometimes called bump keying) involves tapping a door lock while at the same time using a modified bump key. As the lock is tapped, the cylinder pins inside it bump or jump up and the key is eventually inserted and the lock breached. Most everyday locks and even newer high security locks can be opened in this way.

It is thought that the history of lock bumping goes back to Danish locksmiths in 1970. The story goes that they were looking for a faster way to open locks and they developed this method. The public first became aware of the trick in 2005 when an European news program revealed how to use a bump key.

The method of bumping a lock has spread all over the Internet and on many local news stations, showing everyone how easy it is to bypass certain types of locks. These videos and reports are causing great concern for everyone from stay-at-home moms to business owners. Homemade bump keys are a new threat to the security of conventional mechanical locks because they are so quick and easy to make.

In essence, lock bumping exploits a fundamental weakness in the design of the pin tumbler locking mechanism. Physics dictate that if you apply enough kinetic energy to the lower pin this will be transferred to the upper pin which will push up on the spring and create a gap between the two pins for a split second.

Key Bumping is a real thing but you’ll often hear people say that you just need to install a Medeco lock or one other specific type of Schlage lock in order to be protected. But as Jennalynn showed us, that’s not entirely true.

To protect yourself from becoming a victim of a lock bumped crime, shop around for bump proof locks. They may be good enough to deter the amateur thief. In addition, it would pay to do some research into alarm systems for your home. None of this will ever deter a truly determined thief but 9 times of out 10 they will make the amateurs run for cover.

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Home Ken Morris on 15 Apr 2008

Installing Laminate on Your Counter Tops

by Ken Morris

How to prepare the surface for the laminate

I recommend that you use laminate plastic sheets which are 1/16″ thick when used on horizontal work surfaces such as a kitchen island counter. If you are using it to cover vertical surfaces then you should use thicker plastic perhaps as thick as 1/32″ thick.

You should make sure that you clean the surface before you are ready to install the laminate, especially if it is a well-used surface such as an island counter in your kitchen. Remove anything which is on the surface such as paint or varnish. Clean the countertop using household cleaners to remove grease and grime. Most countertops which were purchased recently are made from high density particle board. Plywood bases are also suitable for using laminate plastic.

How to Cut the Laminate Plastic to Size

The plastic laminate material is actually fairly easy to cut, you can cut it with a utility knife, backsaw or even a circular saw depending on what you prefer. You should make sure you use a blade with fine teeth so that it doesn’t cause rough cuts. Before cutting you should use masking take to protect the surface from chips.

When you are using a circular saw then you should make a point of cutting from the back of the laminate to the front. These types of saws will cut on the upstroke, by cutting from the back you will prevent causing chips and damaging the surface. When using hand saws you should cut from the front side but at a small angle.

You should always cut the sheets slightly bigger than you need and then trim them with a utility knife when you install them. This reduces the chance of wasting material.

Fitting the laminate

The plastic laminate sheet can be applied using contact cement. You can also use epoxy adhesive however I would suggest using contact cements where possible.

You should roughen the surface by using rough sandpaper, and then clean away the dust using a brush or compressed air.

When laying the sheets you should be very careful to get it right first time. When using contact cement the bond will be strongest if you don’t move it around a lot. You should make sure that everything is accurately located before the glue is touched.

When you are installing the laminate sheets to vertical surfaces it’s normally fairly easy to stick the sheets without needing to use any wooden strips.

The Finishing Touches

When you have taken time to position the laminate correctly you should then remove the rods of dowel individually to stick the two pieces together.

Apply even pressure using a roller which will cause the laminate sheets to stick to the work surface. This will also remove any bubbles and ensure that the sheet is firmly fixed to your countertop. It’s worthwhile spending time on this because it will help your worktop last much longer.

If you don’t have a large enough piece of plastic laminate to cover the surface then you need to make a seam. This is fairly easy, you need to stick two pieces together, start by sticking the larger piece to the countertop and then add the other one.

To finish the edges you should use your router. First make sure that the blade is clean, also put tape on the base to protect your work surface.

Remove any extra adhesive using solvents, or simply nail polish remover if you wish.

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Home Accessories Natasha Hopkins on 15 Apr 2008

Budgeting to Get the Right Area Rug

by Patricia Woods

People who prioritize their homes and will stop at nothing to make it look special for those who visit. This could entail buying brand new furniture, repainting or adding artwork that is currently on the walls, or using area rugs in the home.

There are an abundant amount stores that have area rugs: you can search these vendors by reading periodicals and using the internet to check the many stores out.

The important factors to think about before buying an area rug are the design quality of the rug, the fiber used, the company that creates it, and its thickness. The factors can determine if the rug will or will not be durable and will function well in your home.

The style and tone of the area rug is very important to the overall layout of the house. For example, if the furnishings are built mainly of wood an great choice might be the hues of red or brown. The color chosen will depend on other colors used in the room decor

Area rugs are made from either natural or man-made fiber and most likely the inexpensive one is the rug constructed of synthetic fiber. There are many types of synthetic fabrics available from nylon, viscose, acrylic and polypropylene.

Those who want an area rug should look around and compare prices. Some may be expensive especially if the company has been in the business for many years and uses an established brand name.

If a person wants an expensive area rug purchased from an exclusive store, shop smart by waiting for the next special promotion or it goes on sale. The other option can be going to another store and finding an area rug that has a style the resembles the original design but is available at a cheaper price tag.

The density is measured by the girth of the material used to produce the rug. A person can check this by using the finger and applying pressure on the carpet to visually see how the fiber responds. If it is difficult to penetrate the surface, then this is a sign of good quality and sturdiness and is most likely a good area rug that is worth taking home.

The type of rug to invest in can also depend on the cost to maintain its look. There are a few types that may need to be washed or shaken to remove dirt, but there are those that have to be cleaned with a carpet cleaner.

Area rugs are just one of the variety of things used in a house. By shopping around, anybody will be able to buy an area rug of good value and can save a lot of money that can be used for other expenses necessary to improve the home.

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Home Michelle E. Arthur on 15 Apr 2008

Potty Training Basics for Yorkies

by Michelle E. Arthur

It’s true that Yorkies may make smaller messes but the size of the mess doesn’t really affect the amount you are going to spend on cleaning up after your pup. Yorkies need to be trained in the same ways that a large dog would.

You have to take into consideration that a Yorkshire Terrier equals a small bladder that won’t hold as much (or for as long). So if you are late on your way home from work then you might wind up cleaning up an accident.

Living in an apartment or home without a big yard is no problem for the Yorkshire Terrier. These pets only need a small space to do their business which means that a flowerbed can work wonders.

Some people make fun of little dogs in their knit sweaters, but it’s more than just a fashion statement. During the winter months in cold climates, the change from heated indoors to freezing outdoors is very harsh on a Yorkshire Terrier’s body.

The extreme temperature change can also interfere with the dog being able to do his business outside. The cold will usually send the puppy running back inside. The warmth of the indoors will trigger your dog’s urges to go and you will most likely be spending some time cleaning up the accident. Sweaters help to avoid this problem.

There are some dogs that refuse to go outdoors unless they see that you are holding a sweater for them. Some Yorkshire Terriers may even refuse going out in the rain without a sweater covering them up.

Other options include having a box ready lined with newspaper in the garage for a backup potty spot during inclement weather. Be careful to only use this spot during emergencies so that your pup will continue using his regular potty spot.

Be careful when you take your Yorkshire Terrier outdoors in your yard or at the park, watch where he walks. You want to keep your dog away from sniffing tall grass or bushes where your dog can easily become snake prey.

Owners of Yorkshire Terriers can become insensitive to their neighbors. Just because the feces is small, it’s still dog poop. Pick it up - your neighbor didn’t contract with your for fertilizer.

This is also true when it comes to tracking dog poop in the house on your shoes. You won’t notice it until it’s all over your carpet and the same goes for your neighbors. Be responsible and clean up after your pup.

Housetraining a small dog like a Yorkie is the same as for large dogs. You can begin with crate training and frequent breaks until a routine is established. Some Yorkshire Terriers can be temperamental because many are spoiled lap dogs. That’s where the positive reinforcement of your praise and affection is even stronger - when it’s so important to your dog to please you.

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Home Linden Walhard on 15 Apr 2008

A Hurricane Window Can Save Your Home

by Linden Walhard

If you are considering replacing windows in your home, make sure that you’re aware the projects can be very complicated. Home improvement projects might not be the most important thing on your list at the moment, however almost any home improvement project can add extra value to your home. These can also save money as they will make your home more energy efficient, this means that you will not require as much energy to heat or cool your home.

Many people are put off the idea of home improvement projects as labor costs are very expensive, however that doesn’t actually have to be a huge problem. There are many different tasks which are simple enough to be completed by even an Amateur DIYer!

One of the most effective home renovation projects which you can do is to replace all of your windows. Most homeowners still use the windows which were fitted when the home was built, this means that they could be looking a bit worse for wear. Your home will almost certainly benefit from replacement windows.

Everything has improved a great deal during recent years, even seemingly simple items such as windows are much improved. These could save you a considerable amount of money. You will be very impressed when you start to look at the draft and security features of most newer designs of windows. It’s not always possible to replace windows by yourself, however it will add a lot of value to your home. Your windows will be more energy efficient, but they will also add value to your home. There are a number of different styles, colors, and designs of window which you can choose from.

Another very interesting idea when replacing the windows is to add solar screens to the window. These can be made custom fit, or brought off the shelf for popular sizes of window. These will prevent the sun warming your house up too much, which is very useful during the summer in very warm countries. If you do not have solar screens then your air conditioner will be working overtime, when using solar screens you should be able to reduce your cooling costs. Not all solar screens are expensive, they are actually a fairly inexpensive option if you are already replacing the windows. If you live in a warm part of the country then you may want to consider fitting these all around the house.

It might not be a lot of fun to repair your home yourself, however it can save you a fortune in contractor costs. You might just want to add caulking around your windows to make sure that all of the drafts are excluded. New windows will save you a lot of money, and will also make your home more valuable if you ever come to sell it. Windows change how your home looks, and so are important to think about.

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