BRRR it’s Colorado Cold outside, but not inside thanks to the government!

The Obama Administration is dolling out $3.2 billion for energy efficiency and energy conservation projects in states and cities across the U.S., moving that portion of the economic stimulus money a bit closer to your home.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program will fund new and existing programs in states to promote home energy audits, weatherization, energy efficiency upgrades, replacement of outdated appliances and other similar initiatives. The Department of Energy had previously estimated that the average qualifying home could benefit from $6,500 in improvements. Each program differs by state and city, so look to your local agencies or energy.gov/recovery for details. While home improvement initiatives are likely to help individuals most directly, the grants cover a broad array of potential initiatives.

You need to do your research & most installers are up to date on the lates info so If yo uneed a little help check with one of your local energyor window companies to see if you qualify. If you do jump on in now! My mom actaully qualified & they blew in insulation, replaced windows, & more all while she sipped tea on the front porch. Cost to her $0.00!

It is hard to believe but my theroy is we are  paying for it anyway, why not use it!

There are a lot of concerns about toxins these days. One of which is the vapors left behind after you spruce up that back room with a fresh coat of paint.  I am not an expert here, but of course less toxic is best, but they are very pricey! Check out this artical on the values or non toxic paints to see for yourself.  http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm

One thing I learned from all my years of fixer uppers, is that before & after pics are a must have. Often times I did a project & had nothing to show how much work was really done because I didn’t take the time to snap  quick before shot.

I love others before & after pics too. I am a visual learner & I think it helps to inspire. If you see some one elses before pic that is similar to your space it helps to visualize the possibilities.

So don’t for get to snap a shot or ask to see others so you can create a space just as amazing.

From creative carvings to ghoulish trees people all across the country start decking their yards this time of year for Halloween .

Whether you prefer just a pumkin perfectly placed on your step or a goblin in your grass to scare all who pass  you can appreciate this time of year.

There really are no restrictions with decorating your exterior, but remember it is something people will see as they drive by so what you want to say is up to you, but your neighbors may not invite you to the car pool if you have too many zombies, so just keep that in mind

I say go for it, what ever floats your boat. For me I love country warmth so I try to extend that into the front yard as much as I can. Others go for ghoul & that’s cool too!

I swear I stepped away for a few seconds today,when I returned my two year old had used a permanent marker on several surfaces in my front room, & down the hall!

Of course his little art project stretched the span of several different types of surfaces, all requiring a separate method of marker removal. I have been searching the Internetto find any ideas on how to remove the marker & am now so confused that I think I better just paint over it, thorow out the fabric & revarnish the tables! However I cannot afford to do all that & I have company coming in a week

I think the basis is alcohol to all the remedies so I am going to start there & I will let you know how it works, but please if you have any advise other than hide the sharpies from now on. I would really appreciate it.

I did find these step by steps so I’ll start here!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://z.hubpages.com/u/390146_f520.jpg&imgrefurl=http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Remove-Permanent-Marker-from-a-Painted-Wall&usg=__003Tapk_J9_qTupcRxUMhGWG69U=&h=346&w=520&sz=24&hl=en&start=15&tbnid=s7UWCMBS8EaUqM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpermanet%2Bmarker%2Bon%2Bwall%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

-Frustrated home owner with unwanted abstract art on her country walls

Ever wondered past an amazing yard & thought -”I want that” well I have! And for the past few years my husband & I have been trying to achieve our perfect yard a little at a time. 

We have done a bit here & a little bit there, we have made great headway, but there is just a little piece of our landscape that is a major thorn in my side. We have been using it as a dog kennel for lack of time & resources, but it is really useless space that is always stinky & bare.

So when I got the call that my husband had scored just enough FREE sod to complete the yard & go from drab to fab I was so excited! As exstatic as I was there was a lot to be done & if you know sod you know the clock starts as soon as it’s cut, and by the time I got the call it had already been about 10 hours

This little project entailed the ripping out of a fence, moving of a ton of rock that had been there for five years, an extension of our sprinkler system, ground prep, carrying the sod from the street , & finally laying it! There was only two of us & the bulk of the work had to be done by me since my husband was at work! Did I mention I have two small kids & a cold!

We settled in for a long days work, and I do mean long…..  This one just about killed me! My hubby & I busted it out but it was a total time crunch & everything else got put on hold! So now we have a beautiful yard that my husband & I are very proud of & tired from, and a messy kitchen that has not been touched in two days!

If you get free sod you just have to sacrifice your time, energy, & life until it is done! It is worth it though

The crisp can be found peaking through the warm air this morning. Ever so slightly fall is sneaking in, meshing the end of summer & the beginning of autumn. Soon it will be gooles & ghost! Pumpkins & Mums all around.

So when is the official time to bring out the fall decor? I usually bring out the orange as soon as my husband leaves for hunting camp on labor day weekend.  Others wait until mid September or the beginning of October, but I am not aware of the official time to bring out the decorations. Maybe we will have to declare it ourselves!

Whatever your official date of decorating is it’s probably coming up & fall is by far my favorite time of year to celebrate. Maybe it is because I really have not decorated all summer & fall begins my year of holiday themed decor!

If you are like me - itching to splash your porch with pumpkins & corn stalks here are a few ideas for your home!

Try adding a few simple elements to a mantle or a main focal point in your house, such as an entertainment center.

Make up some sweet candle holders for your table to bring in the warmth of the season

Try adding green with your fall color to bring in the elements of your existing theme. Green is the ultimate neutral & will tie anything together if added correctly

I am a big fan of these vinyl words & phraseshttp://www.wallwords.com/index.asp kind of started the movement, but now you can find them in most craft sections at any retail store. You can also customize a pic or phrase at your local print shop.

No matter where you purchased them they are great. You can change them with your decor & I am pretty sure a big dumb farm animal can apply them! Yes I love them & you will too.

Have a bare wall?  Just throw up a silly phrase or picture & your done. Kids rooms, living areas, that bare spot over your wall!

That’s my pick for the day! LUV THEM!

It is no secret that a happy home is an organized home! My organized home has lots of boxes to help me keep it that way.  One place I love to look for these is http://www.containerstore.com/ if they don’thave it to help you get organized than you might be beyond  help

ENTER TODAY! HGTV SOFTWARE SWEEPSTAKES Enter for your chance to win $10,000 to transform your living space. And discover HGTV home design software. Sweepstakes ends August 31, 2009 at 5:00 pm EST. Enter now…

GOOD LUCK!