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Condos and Lighting–scaling the Heights of the residential apartments!

Question: My condo has very limited storage space, certainly not enough to store a six foot ladder just to replace the light bulbs on my ceiling fixtures. I actually like the frosted glass fixtures I have, but they adhere to the wall via three very tight clips, one of which is spring-loaded. My ceilings are 9 feet tall. I’m fairly tall, but these fixtures really are beyond my reach. Until very recently, I had been relying on my dad to change them when he visits, but he lives 300 miles away. Help!

High ceilings definitely make a small condo home more spacious!

I am a real estate agent of Los Angeles Condos who has focused on the condo and loft market in the Twin Cities for the last six years. This question really does highlight both the attractions and challenges of Condo Living. Generally speaking, condos represent a much safer housing option for people who live alone; however, they require the sacrifice of storage space.

Some home owners’ association groups have programs to loan out ladders and other tools to occupants, but this is a sign of a fairly developed and evolved association. Many of today’s condo buildings were not even constructed until 2007! Moreover, many units in these buildings remain brand new’”vacant given the downturn of the condominium market. Consequently, home owners’ associations remain under the control of developers. It can be difficult for actual homeowners to get organized to get sophisticated sharing programs in place. To know about the spacing, the Pasir Ris Central floor plan will be beneficial for the buyer. The architectural engineering can draw the scales of the floor.

If you are a condo owner and can relate, I think it’s definitely legitimate to ask for help from friends and family members! Approximately 33 million Americans are injured in their own homes each year. That figure pertains only to those injured seriously enough to require medical attention. Of nonfatal home injuries, the most common type is a fall. As it turns out, the elderly make up a large and growing portion of condominium owners. For them’”or anyone who experiences dizzy spells, the stakes rise even higher.

To reduce the danger and inconveniences involved, I think any condo owner should consider investing in compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. CFL bulbs are designed to last at least six times longer than comparable incandescent bulbs. Depending on usage, that could mean changing a set of three once every three years instead of once every six months. Yes, they are more expensive. However, in terms of ongoing energy use, typically CFL bulbs consume four times less energy. This will help you recoup the costs of the more expensive bulbs quite quickly.

Finally, a few thoughts on ceiling fixtures themselves: from the globes, sockets, bulbs, reflectors, insulators, and wires’”they come in an unlimited variety of styles and designs to fascinate the homeowner. This homeowner likes the absence of hanging materials’”no chains, straps, screws. The fixtures almost look like teacup saucers so I’m not surprised they require extra effort.

Nursing School or Classes: To Be or Not Be a Nurse

The economy seems as though it cannot fall any further than it has and many people are faced with a decision to change careers in order to save their families financial situation. As many people are making the decision about which career to choose, some are considering a career in Nursing. If you are considering a career in Nursing, you may want to get an idea of what you are getting yourself into before you take the plunge. The starting of the career can be done from joining the Nursing school. Anyone can get information about the schools after clicking on the option – cna school near me.

It is presumably true that Nursing is a profession that will continue to have high demand especially as the baby boomers enter into retirement years. Reports have also suggested that many of our seasoned Nurses are now entering retirement age which is adding to the increased demand for Nurses. Health care itself seems to be in high demand so why not change to a Nursing career?

If you are going into Nursing solely because of the job stability or because of the potential for high salary, you may want to think again! There is a high demand and the salary can be good but one fact remains and that is if you do not enjoy it, you probably wont last. I have seen several Nurses leave the Nursing profession due to burn out or because they just did not have what it takes to be a Nurse. So what does it take to succeed in Nursing?

Nursing is not what you see on ER or scrubs. The glory is not always there and Nurses are not given as much gratitude as you see on TV, in fact some receive little or no recognition in their work. This is not because they are good nurses it’s because this is what people expect from the Nursing profession. If you can live without recognition in just knowing you are doing a good job and helping someone, then you will succeed as a nurse.

If you are wondering what Nurses really do, I can tell you that they stay busy and get dirty. While Nurses tend to keep their scrubs nice and clean, this is not because the work they do is clean, it is because they have mastered their jobs! Not to say that Nurses do not get dirty but for the most part they know what to expect and how to avoid it. If you are going into the Nursing profession you should be comfortable dealing with all bodily fluids on a daily basis. If you are not sure what I mean by that it would be good for you to do a quick anatomy review and remember that some older adults loose bladder and bowel function and it is up to Nurses and Nursing assistants to keep the clean and dignified.

Not only do Nurses clean up messes, they must be able to think fast and perform life saving procedures correctly and in a moments notice. Nursing involves numerous tasks including inserting IV’s, catheters, nasogastric tubes, changing wound dressings, and this is just the beginning. If you are getting into the Nursing profession you should be good with your hands and able to think and act fast.

The thing with Nursing is that the procedures are there but the situations are different every time. You have to be able to critically think and figure out what is wrong with your patient. You may be thinking that the Doctor should be doing that but the Doctor is not always there, the Nurse is. Nurses have to be able to assess information quickly and either act on it based on available orders or relay it to the Doctor for new orders. This means knowing how and why diseases work, how medications work and there side effects, what treatments will work for what, and of course what to do in any given situation.

As you consider your career options and look into the Nursing field I recommend that you take the time to make sure you are doing it for the right reason and know what you are getting into.

Steps to take before you invest in a land

For many people around the world, buying land is one of the biggest goals in life. People put all of their investments and savings in purchasing land for construction of their dream house, opening a restaurant, or starting a farm. Buying land is just as daunting as it is ambitious. While there are many online and offline services that offer help during the process of land purchase, the validity of these services is questionable. One has to be cautious when it comes to investing in a piece of land. Not every hoarding that says “Texas land for saleshould be deemed legitimate.

Over the years there have been many cases where hard-earned money of people has done wasted in dubious or faulty investments with little or in worse cases no returns. One should learn from these mistakes and look out for red flags as they study investment opportunities. There are legal contracts and rules surrounding the purchase and selling of property, and a smart person should familiarise themselves with these laws before making any final move. While it is hard to interpret and study the heavy legal language, the least that a person can do it at least familiarise themselves with basic rules of land trade.

If you are really confused about land laws and fear that you might invest in the wrong project, then the best solution to this uncertainty is hiring a lawyer or a consultant who can help you with background checks, paper authentication, and legal remedies. But if you are at a stage where you just want to browse property then you can refer to simplified documents of legal land investment provisions available online and have an idea about major clauses and checks related to property.

Here are a few steps that one should take before investing in a property:

What is the eligible use of a property?

It is important to know that the land you are buying aligns with the intended purpose behind its purchase. There is no use in buying a plot of land for commercial use when it is situated on residential land and can’t be used for commercial purposes. The easiest and fastest way to know the eligible land use status of your property is by calling the zoning and local planning department in the said constituency. A simple call will tell you about how the land can be used, and all your doubts about the same will be settled. The zoning office will inform you about the classical under which the said property falls such as mixed-use, residential, commercial, agricultural, etc. You should also ask for examples of what kind of structures can be built on that land despite knowing the classification. The more specific your question is the better will be your understanding of the land.

Know about the tax obligations involved with the certain property

Taxation often falls under the category of hidden costs. People are often focussed on paying the principal amount of land and don’t consider tax rates into the equation. As a result of this, they end up paying high rates which goes over budget and results in some financial loss too. Therefore, it is important to have clear knowledge about tax obligations. Ideally, the tax rates should hover around 1 per cent to 4 per cent of the total price. Anything more than 5 per cent is deemed expensive by industry average.

Study the topography of a property

Studying the topography of a property is the most important and crucial step that one must finish before finalising the investment. Studying topology should not be restricted to a casual excursion of the site, and it should involve the scientific and official study of soil top, underground rock formation, and environmental study. During the dry season, a wetland may appear to be a normal piece of land but in the rainy season, the same place will be flooded. Similarly, there might be aqua ducts below your property that may cause flooding in future. One should properly assess these things and get necessary clearances on the same.

What are the resources around the property

There is no point in buying land or property that does not have basic facilities like the proper sewage system, drinking water supply, and electricity. One can get large expanses of land outside the city limits and in remote areas because these venues lack resources. Sometimes people get impressed by the large parts of land available and forget to investigate its details. If you buy property in a place where there are fewer facilities, then you will have to end up paying for them directly and indirectly. The absence of public transportation, hospitals, and markets will result in indirect costs such as long car drives and inconvenience.

Is the shape of the land usable?

This is a much ignored but equally important factor that people should keep in mind. A piece of land might be large, but if it is not in proper shape, then it is practically useless for construction. For example, you might want to construct a rectangular 100 sq. feet apartment block but if the land is shaped in a steep crescent shape, then the construction won’t be able to take place even if, in terms of state occupation, the said piece of land is enough. The shape of the land is as important as its size.

 

 

 

Pin-up Photography: Then and Now

With its “golden age” twist on modern day picture taking, pin-up photography has become the leading trend in photography. The artistic genre capitalizes on polka dotted dresses, Shirley Temple curls, red lipstick and cat like eyes― the women photographed for pin-up look like the remnant photographs of those black and white starlets of yesteryear, which has now become a desirable method for women to express their femininity. If you were to read the Canon T6i lenses review, you would come to know how technology in photography has evolved.

Being that pin-up girls and photography in the 1930’s and 1950’s was mostly regarded as tasteless and trashy, it would seem a little audacious to unearth and emulate this artistic medium. But, the trend is now considered to be classy. Today, women are flocking to have their pictures taken in the pin-up style. Nina Hart is one photographer who specializes in pin-up and is one of the leading photographers in California’s High Desert.

The growing popularity of pin-up attests to the fact that Hart is booked three weeks in advance for pin-up photo sessions. Most women want these photos for their husbands or sweethearts so to act as a token of love and affection. Some women even want pictures for divorce parties; these women take these photos as a way of reinventing themselves. There is also maternity pin-up and pin-up parties for weddings or just in general. Nina is involved with them all.

Hart started her company, Photography by Hart, eight years ago when she was thrown into a pin-up photo shoot as a model. In true pin-up fashion, the look and feel of that classic apparel was catching, and Nina began working behind the camera.

“I was always attracted by that genre―that era of the pin-up girls. I always thought they were so classy, but yet playful. And then I always thought it was kind of cute how back then women weren’t allowed to be sexy, and then the pin-up girls started coming out because their boyfriends or husbands went into the military to serve, or into the army and they wanted to send them cute pictures so they didn’t forget them. I always liked that little love story behind the pin-up girls,” Hart said.

At $180 a session, she provides the wardrobe and the make-up for each model. Each woman gets a 45 minute photo shoot and each client gets all photos on a CD or in a calendar. The clients get an average of 25 pictures each.

Nina’s niche is old fashioned classic memorabilia, which in itself is a tangible depiction of the era these photos are representing. Coca-Cola, Route 66 and other vintage props, like old fashioned telephones and cupcakes, make for the ideal pin-up photograph. Each model is complimented by colorful surroundings, which make the photographs pop off the page.

In her home studio, women are invited to look through different colorful costumes and backgrounds. Hart also takes her clients outside of the studio and to different locations, such as to classic car shows and railroad tracks, to better highlight the model. Hart also travels to the women’s’ homes if the women can’t come to her.

“I think every woman wants to feel, even if you’re married or not married; no matter what age you are, I think we all want to feel attractive and I think that the photo shoots deliver. I always tell the girls: ‘I bring the camera, I bring the lights and I bring my make-up artist, but they bring the action to the photo shoots;’ that’s all them,” said Hart.

Hart gets any kind of model: skinny, curvy, black or white; any girl interested in pin-up, so Nina has her own wardrobe for the models; no matter the size of the girl. The entire wardrobe is custom made specifically for pin-up. The women are generally donned in corsets, striped and polka dotted dresses, black nylons, high heels and more. Even sailor and army outfits. Each woman has four outfit changes throughout the photo session. Nina picks which outfits, background, hair and make-up, props and poses that would go best with the models. She caters and molds the models to achieve a pleasing look in a similar way a sculpture chisels at marble to create a polished finished product.

Despite the acceptance of pin-up today, pin-up is still considered to be dirty and naughty to some people. Some older women still view pin-up as trashy or dirty according to Hart. The nature of the photographs is entirely up to the subject. Nudity is not an uncommon factor in some pin-up photos.

Vintage fashion has been resurrected and now has a major part in art. Some may have distaste for it and some may be at the forefront of the trend either as the subject or the creator, like Nina. This modern day society has a knack for turning the once controversial activities and styles of long ago into a desirable, attractive pastime and pin-up is no exception.

 

Want to improve the problem solving skills? Point To consider!!!

The majority of the personalities are always born with some great problem-solving skills. If you want to improve these strategies, then it is your responsibility to invest proper time in the learning.  It has become one of the most important parts of daily life.

It requires different types of positions like lawyers, writers, and doctors as well. If you are a creative person, then you will be surely able to become an excellent problem solver with ease.  Make sure that you aren’t making the mountain of a Molehill. Problem-solving skills are considered as one of the most important traits of a successful person. Before finding the solution, one should invest proper time in the understanding root of the problem. You should visit https://www.powerslides.com/powerpoint-diagrams/puzzle-diagram-templates/, where you can easily avail some strategies that will help you in solving the problems. The following are some important things that a person must take into account while improving problem solving skills.

  • Gather Essential facts

It is highly recommended a person collect the details according to the evidence. There are so many problems solving strategies are out there that will help you in improving the skills. All you need to opt for the positive aspects that will help you in improving your problem-solving skills. Before brainstorming, you will always have to define the problem carefully. One always has to collect the genuine facts. All you need always to make a wise decision. If you are collecting the solid details, then you will able to brainstorm with ease.

  • Assign responsibility

If you want to assign the responsibilities, then it is your responsibility to make the use of graphic organizers, color codes, outlines, charts, and graphs as well. These are some important tools that will help you in creating proper planning. All you need to establish particular criteria that will assist you in finding a solution. Make sure that you are making a step-by-step plan that is quite important.

  • Logic puzzles

If possible, then you should opt for brain boosting games that will surely be able to improve problem-solving skills.  There are so many games are out there like Sudoku, logic puzzles and other fantastic games. In order to develop a perfect problem solving skills, then you will have to invest proper time in the practice. Apart from that, you should do dance because it is creating a positive impact on the brain. If you are one who wants to develop new pathways, then it is your responsibility to do a dance.

  • Yoga

In order to improve the problem solving skills, then one should participate in the Yoga, meditation. All you need to invest a significant amount of time in the yoga that is quite important. One should make the use of Mind maps that will surely help you in visualizing the problems. In order to generate more ideas, then one should always use mind maps. Apart from that, you will have to create a separate mind map that will surely give a solution to the central problem.  Ultimately, one will have to find out the solution to the complicated problems. All you need always to make the use of a separate mind that would be reliable for you.

  • Play the sports

Nothing is better soccer because it is improving problem-solving skills. Make sure that you are monitoring the actions carefully. If you want to improve the problem solving skills, then it is your responsibility to get proper sleep. In order to improve the skills in a few days, then it always requires a significant amount of brain activity.  If you are giving a proper time to the brain, then one will surely be able to solve the complicated problems with ease.

  • Step-by-step approach

If you are one who is looking for a sustainable solution to any complicated problem, then you will have to opt for a systematic approach.  It is well known as a problem-solving cycle that is offering a lot of benefits. In order to achieve positive outcomes, then you will have to organize the details properly. You will have to develop a measurable solution.

  • Grab help

If possible, then you should ask for help. You will find a lot of people who are working with others and getting genuine ideas. It would be better to take the assistance of friends and family because they will surely be able to give proper encouragement and support as well. Colleagues are fairly great because they will give insightful feedback to you. Try to grab help from coaches, mentors, and people that you admire.

  • Take essential time

To enhance problem solving skills, then a person should do exercise and meditation properly. Make sure that you are reading a book on a regular basis that will help you in developing a positive attitude. One should always take essential time for the results. You will always have to take proper time to celebrate your achievements.   If you are tacking problems properly, then a person can easily improve the level of confidence.  Overall, one has to develop a perfect problem-solving process.

  • Pay attention to the root

If you don’t want to face any issue, then you should pay attention to the root of the problem. Fixing a problem can be a difficult task for a person because it requires a proper mind-set. In order to solve the real problem, then it always requires proper research.  All you need to show some creativeness in the solution.  Make sure that you are giving a break to your brain. If you want to solve the problem, then you should find out the right solution for it.

  • Visualize the issues

One should invest proper time in visualizing the issue carefully. It would be better to create a simple diagram without thinking regarding technical conventions and other things carefully. Try to make the use of simple tools like whiteboards, sheets, and PowerPoint as well. You will have to understand the problem carefully.

  • Understand the right situation

You will find a lot of people are facing issues while solving the problems. There are some problems that always require proper understanding. One should always find the right solution to the problem. All you need to visualize everything carefully.

  • Solution-oriented question

In order to solve the daily life problem, then it would be better to ask some solution oriented questions that are quite important. Finding a solution can be difficult in the stressful situations because it requires proper research. If you want to analyze the problem, then one should draw a chart and solve the issues.

  • Become a proficient problem solver

Becoming a perfect problem solver can be a difficult task because it requires proper research. Improving problem-solving skills can be difficult for a person because it always requires proper hard work. If possible, then you should grab the suggestions from parents and friends as well.

Conclusive words

Lastly, in order to sharpen the problem solving skills, then it is your responsibility to invest proper time in the practice. It is considered as one of the most important life skill that you require. Therefore, one must invest proper time in learning.

 

Electric Shaver Brands – Best Electric Shaver Manufacturers Over The Last Decades

An electric razor is a very common tool nowadays and almost every man had equipped themselves with this gadget in today’s time. Electric razors allow men to groom themselves in the most efficient manner right at their home. However, the history of electric shaver is quite long and it did take time for this invention to become popular like the way it is today. In today’s blog we will discuss more about electric razors and the best brands manufacturing them.

History of Electronic Shavers

Till the 1900s, men would rely on dangerous flint blades to groom themselves. These were really difficult to use and would often lead to severe injuries. In the early years of 1900s, the industry of men’s grooming started to boom when King C. Gillette invented the world’s first safety razor for the people. This razor was absolutely phenomenal which delivered a more precise cut and shave, without the risk of cuts. 20 years later, Col. Jacob Schick patented the world’s first electric shaver. So, since then there has been no looking back, as the invention became a hit among the people around the globe.

Best Electric Shaver Brands Of All Time

  • Braun – founded in 1921, in Frankfurt, Braun Industries was the brainchild of Max Braun, a mechanical engineer. However, in the first few years of it’s existence they would manufacture only radio sets. But, around the mid-1900s, Braun started manufacturing electric shavers. Thanks to their phenomenal design and uncompromising quality, their razors became very popular in the world. It is one of the world’s biggest men’s grooming manufacturer for a long time.
  • Philips Norelco – Phillips is a well known name in the industry. The company has been able set its own league, setting aside other manufacturers. The brand is now a cult classic and has a global community of men following them who want the best products of grooming. Phillips introduced the electric razor back in the 1940s and now they are one of the top brands in this industry. The Shaver 3100 and 6100 are two of their most popular electric shavers in the current market in recent years.
  • Panasonic – the Matsushita Electric or currently known as Panasonic is one of the top three brands when it comes to men’s grooming accessories and gadgets. The brand’s history to manufacture electric razors dates back to mid-1900s. The company has a wide selection of razors which suit every budget and requirement a man can possibly have. The ES53 and ES570 are some of the best razors Panasonic has manufactured.
  • Remnington – even though Remnington has been a pioneer in the electric razor industry, the company has remain to be underrated over the years due to the massive popularity of the previous three. Remnington offers premium and very high quality electric shavers which can offer you a long term and solid performance. They also provide a lot of feature within an affordable price.

So, here are the best electric shaver brands who have stood the test of time and are still manufacturing the best razors in the world.

12 Tips on Buying a New Mattress

Sleep is an important indicator of our health. Just like good nutrition and exercise, sleep contributes to good health. A study conducted by Fitbit reported that Indians were the most sleep-deprived population, after Japanese. Lack of sleep causes anxiety, paranoia, and it’s a leading cause in suicidal thoughts. One of the most important factors in having a good night’s sleep is the right mattress.

We spend half of our lives in bed. Therefore it is worth putting a spotlight in the kind of mattress our body needs. It is important to note that if your mattress doesn’t provide support for your body posture, it might be the wrong one. If you wake up and still feel tired, or your back aches, you should consider changing your mattress. Even the perfect mattress will eventually begin to lose shape and stop supporting your body. According to the National Sleep Foundation, you should change your mattress every eight years.

Choosing a new mattress might be a challenge for many people. However, you shouldn’t give up and take your time researching. Here you will find 10 tips on how to choose the right mattress that will change your sleeping habits and improve your health.

The Right Size

The new mattress doesn’t have to be the same size as the old one. Always consider in which direction your life is going before heading out to buy a mattress. Perhaps you bought a twin-sized bed when you were living with your roommates in college. But now, you’re considering living with your partner and creating a family. A queen-sized mattress or a full-sized one might take more space and more money. However, it will give you an opportunity to change your whole bedroom.

Consult your Doctor

When heading out to buy a new mattress, it is important to consult your doctor. Especially if you have a health condition, your doctor might have a valuable recommendation. Remember that your doctor isn’t a mattress expert and don’t completely rely on his/her advice. However, your doctor is the one that knows your health condition the best and might help you find the right mattress.

Try it out

You may feel uneasy or awkward having to lie down in front of strangers and trying out a mattress. But you really have to do it! Yes, try all different positions and stretch your body fully. If you share your bed with a partner, invite them to try the mattress with you and spend at least 10 minutes on each mattress you’re considering for purchase. If you prefer buying your mattress online, consider visiting a B&M (brick and mortar) and give the model you’re considering a try.

Consider Tempur-Pedic

If you’re a person who values comfort and luxury, you should consider Tempur-Pedic Mattresses. Even though expensive, with its cool aspects, it might offer the right mattress for you. These mattresses include many advantages that were hard to imagine when you purchased your first mattress. Tempur-Pedic mattresses adapt to your body, responding not only to its shape and weight but also temperature. Its TEMPUR material minimizes every pressure point that might keep you awake at night, tossing and turning.

Ask about a Trial Period

Even a perfect mattress such as Tempur-Pedic might not be the right one for you. That is why it is important to always ask for a trial period. A trial period, usually around 30 days, allows you to have an idea of the comfort the mattress provides. This is a chance for you to return the mattress if it ends up being the opposite of the one you wished for.

Firmness

Only because your back hurts, that doesn’t mean you need a firm mattress.  Firm it is not always better. In fact, most of the people sleep better in a mattress that’s not too firm or too soft. Remember that there’s no standardized measurement of a mattress’s firmness. Each manufacturer judges the firmness on its own. What might be extra-firm for someone could be barely firm for someone else? That is why it’s important to try the mattress before you buy it.

Pillow Tops?

Even though trendy, pillow tops might not be the best option for a good mattress. If you weigh a lot, the pillow top will go flat too soon. On the other side, if you’re skinny, you won’t have enough weight to experience the support of the pillow top.

Buying Online

If the salesperson gives you too much pressure, or you don’t have access to the brand you wanted, purchasing your mattress online is always an option. As dangerous as it might seem, it became quite popular nowadays. Considering how busy everyone is, buying online saves time with just a few clicks. However, remember that if you buy online, you won’t be able to negotiate the price and returning your mattress will be a real struggle.

Consider your Budget

Good health is priceless. However, you shouldn’t spend all your savings on buying a new mattress. What’s the point of buying a new mattress if you can’t pay rent next month?  It is important to balance your expenses and figure out the type of mattress you can afford. Try cutting out unnecessary expenses for some time. Maybe go out less or cook home. After all, when you wake up in the morning feeling energized, you won’t regret it.

How to Apply Drywall Joint Compound

Lets take an in depth look at how to use this gooey substance. First, there are certain tools needed to perform this task. These tools are readily available at your local building supply. The tools consist of a mud pan, a roll of paper tape, a 1-1/2″, 4″, 6″ and 12″ putty knife. A mixing paddle is also needed. A half inch chucked drill is also essential.

Before beginning any work make sure all of the drywall fasteners are sunk below the surface by tapping them with a hammer.

Starting with the vertical joints in the drywall, use the butt end of the 4″ putty knife to push down the paper edge of the drywall.

Joint compound comes in many different brands and types, but I prefer a product called Plus 3 made by USG. It is available in 1 and 5 gallon buckets or 5 gallon boxes. If you don’t have an extra 5 gallon bucket lying around then purchasing the bucket of joint compound would be best.

First, open the bucket and add 16 ounces of water to it. Insert the mixing paddle into the bucket to distribute the water evenly into the compound and place the mixing paddle inside the drill.

Begin to slowly mix the compound until it becomes uniform and fill the joint compound pan to about ½” from the top. Hold the full pan in your less predominant hand and the 4″ knife in the other. Apply a straight line of mud onto the vertical joint and spread evenly. Cut a piece of paper tape and place it onto the wet mud. Use the 4″ knife to squeeze the excess mud from under the tape until it is as flush to the drywall as you can get it. Now, apply the joint compound onto the horizontal joint in the drywall with the same technique aforementioned. This is called the tape coat. Next apply the second or “bed coat” with the 12″ knife using the same technique as when using the 4″ knife. This is definitely the most important coat to make uniform since the next coat is the last.

Using the 12″ knife gently feather the edges of the mud on the drywall by laying the knife on the wall and pressing down on 1 side of the knife. The knife is very flexible, so be careful not to bend it.

The tape coat does not need to be dry before applying the bed coat, but the bed coat must be dry before applying the top coat.

After the bed coat thoroughly dries use the 12″ knife to knock off an bumps ad apply the top coat.

This is the last coat. After the top coat has thoroughly dried, lightly sand the joint compound with a 120 grit sanding sponge

In the inside corners, you will be better served to do one side of the corner, let it dry and then do the other side. This technique will prevent the knife from digging into the fresh mud.

The appliance repair Tucson is the best when it comes to drywall in the city of Tucson. It is one of the handful of services to have a 100% success rate in the state of Arizona.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Save Energy and Money

The new compact fluorescent light bulbs have become smaller and have improved lighting power and color. They also use only about 15 % of the energy of a traditional light bulb.

Only after taking into consideration upvc windows and doors, should you move onto the lighting part and the costs involved.

The first person to convince me that compact fluorescent light bulbs may be the way to go was Janet Kruger, who owns the Lights On lighting store in Mankato, Minnesota. She recently made the public comment that they had “switched a lot of our lights in the showroom because the old ones gave off so much heat. We’d be running the air conditioner by this time of year normally.” After also noticing that their showroom was much cooler than usual, Ms. Kruger confirmed that their electric rates have dropped since they switched out the traditional bulbs for compact fluorescent light bulbs. That gave me the bright idea to look into whether we should switch out the bulbs in our home, barn, and shop for the new compact fluorescent light bulbs.

The initial cost of compact fluorescent bulbs is more, although just like every other new thing, the prices are coming down. The good news is that the return in energy savings is relatively fast. Compact fluorescent light bulbs last about 10 times longer than standard light bulbs and use about 25 % less energy to produce the same amount of light.

There are other differences I was unaware of too. Because compact fluorescent bulbs use less energy to produce the same amount of light, the bulb wattage will be different. For example, to replace 60-watt standard light bulbs, I will need 15-watt compact fluorescent light bulbs. However, before I was able to hit the panic button about remembering that conversion figure, I learned that the compact fluorescent light bulb boxes have the wattage equivalents printed on them. They also make compact fluorescent light bulbs for 3-way lamps and dimmer switches.

The last compact fluorescent bulb I saw, which was admittedly quite some time ago, gave off a horrendous blue-toned light. The newer ones brighten more quickly now, and they give off a much nicer, whiter light that’s comfortable for one’s home.

The question of mercury and disposal of compact fluorescent bulbs have been expressed concerns of many. However, no mercury is ever released from the bulbs, unless one is broken. If that occurs, sweep up the broken bulb, put it in a sealed bag, use a wet paper towel to clean up any other particles, and thoroughly wash your hands. As far as disposal goes, most stores are beginning to take used fluorescent bulbs, normally without charge.

With all that said, there’s still a couple of things about the compact fluorescent bulb that are unappealing to me: that spiral appearance (I’ll get over it) and the fact that the bulbs sometimes won’t fit under a lamp shade or light fixture. The higher the wattage, the longer the fluorescent bulb. This can mean buying a lamp shade extender, a different size fixture, or a smaller watt bulb.

When all is said and done, however, I’m ready to make the switch.

 

 

STYLE CHOICES FOR BADGE REELS AND ITS DIFFERENT USES

Carrying around an ID badge or an entry badge is quite common in practically any setting, corporate, academic, or even at home. Keeping a badge in the pocket or tucked away in a wallet may be secure, but proved to be quite the inconvenience especially if you need to regularly take it out to gain access to various places in the office building.

The introduction of badge reels, with its plastic housing and retractable cord inside which connects to a badge holder, have made carrying ID badges around much more convenient. It can easily be secured in clothes where it’s easily accessible should it need to be used immediately. Like personalized bags, reel badges come in different styles, attachments, and designs which can make it hard to choose which will suit a particular environment.

Here are some choices for a badge reel style for either personal or business use:

Color-coded badge reels and lanyards in the office

Badge reels can be attached in a lanyard which can be worn around the neck. This makes the badge easily accessible for use of entry in various departments inside an office building. Lanyards can be also be designed in a way that will make it easy for individuals to be easily identified. For example, a color-coded lanyard for each department will make it easy for everyone in the office to identify what department their colleague belongs to.

Personalized badge reel housings

Badge reel housings are perfect canvass for any statement or artworks an individual might be passionate about. Aside from offering a convenient way to carry around small accessories such as an ID badge, or even keys, reel badges can be a fashion statement for people who would like to express their personality in the accessories they wear. One can customize a print on the housing of their favorite band logo or statement, which will make wearing the reel badge all the more meaningful.

Clip-on reel badges

One of the convenience reel badges offer is the ability to access ID and entry badges and easily swipe them whenever needed. Reel badges are often worn around the neck through a lanyard for easy access. Another way of wearing and carrying reel badges around is through clip-on attachments. This allows for a more stable way of carrying around ID badges for easier swiping and visibility, while reducing the risk of the badge or the reel case getting caught in things as sometimes what happens in lanyards and ID laces. Clip-on reel badge often come in a swiveling design, allowing for a more flexible movement and rotation for easier access.

Heavy duty badge reels

Badge reels often come in a plastic housing light enough to not cause any inconvenience when being carried around the office the whole day. However, there are workplaces that has more hazard risks which can easily damage standard plastic badge reels. Heavy duty reels are designed to withstand the ruggedness of certain workplaces and even outdoors. Housing are reinforced with a highly durable material and the retractable cord is often made up of heavy duty wires or chain-likes. Heavy duty badge reels sometimes have fiber-reinforced straps for added durability and strength. These badge reels are the ideal ID holders for employees working in an industrial setting.

 

 

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