OttawaHerald.com -- Community News. Community Connections.

	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

Subscriber Services Home Delivery Gift Subscription Stop-Start Delivery Missing Paper Back Issues Newsstand Locations Shopper Locations

Advertising Services Manage Your Account Place a Classified Ad Place a Display Ad Advertise Online Business Finder Directory

Other Services Submit News Laminated Items Photos & Keepsakes Article Archives Contact Us History of the Herald Our Policies

Suggest a poll topic

2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Thursday, November 05, 2009 11:09 PM

CAREYS: Fall back: It’s time to think about more than just clocks

By JAMES AND MORRIS CAREY, On the House

Recently you set your clocks back and checked your smoke detectors.

Whenever time changes take place catchy sayings like “spring forward and fall back” help us remember exactly what to do. They also can serve as a reminder that it’s time to do other things, as well, like checking or changing batteries in smoke alarms.

But why stop there?

Here are a few more things you should do every fall and spring, and there’s no better time than when you “spring forward” and “fall back.”

Start by replacing filters in furnaces and air conditioners, and then change the direction of your ceiling fans. Blades should turn clockwise (reverse) in winter on the slowest speed to force warm air down. This distributes heat gently without causing a draft. And remember to reset programmable thermostats. Do these things now and again when we “spring forward.”

Masking tape 101

Wondering why to buy expensive masking tape when you can get discount stuff for 99 cents a roll?

Today you’ll learn that — as it is with most things — you get what you pay for, and masking tape is no different!

Masking tape was invented in 1925 for painting two-tone cars and took well over two years to develop.

Why? Masking tape is a highly engineered product. It requires a strong (yet easily torn) backing with an adhesive coat that sticks and seals well, and it needs to be able to be easily removed (even days later.) It also needs a special ‘release coat? on top that doesn’t stick to itself when rolled.

So why buy expensive masking tape?

Cheap stuff has flimsy paper that sticks to itself and tears when you try to unroll it, and it sticks too well on your work or project. It tears things up when removed or bonds in place permanently.

Conversely, the good stuff, like blue painter’s tape, performs as advertised, with easy handling and good sealing. It also gives you up to 14 days for easy removal.

Premium masking tape? It’s worth every penny!

Fee-fi-faux finishes

Do you think your home might look a little better with a few marble columns or maybe with a room paneled in exotic wood like burlwood or Malaysian teak?

While this sounds good, you’re probably thinking, “yeah if I win the lottery.” Granted, things like this are expensive — unless you know the secret of fee-fi-faux finishes.

Sorry for sounding a bit melodramatic, but these painted look-alikes are dramatic and inexpensive because they are all done with paint only.

These illusions, created by age-old techniques of wood graining, marbling, glazing, daubing and sponging, have been handed down from generation to generation of fine furniture craftsmen and highly artistic interior decorators.

Today these same techniques are being made available in magazine articles, books and on the Internet. So check your local library, fire up your computer and visit your local hardware store for ideas.

James and Morris Carey are brothers and experts in home remodeling and maintenance.