Categories
Paving Dublin

APD A Look At The Different Types Of Mini Blinds For Your Home

Word Count:
400

For the best paving dublin company, call Active Paving Dublin.

If you are at your wits ends thinking of how to change the look of your room at a low cost then stop worrying and invest in window blinds. It is not easy to believe how blinds can change the character of your room and give your room a new dimension.

Blinds are of many types – vertical, horizontal, wood or mini. And they come in different colors and sizes. Depending on the size of your room and personal preferences you can go for either of these. So if you are buying for a …


mini blinds

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If you are at your wits ends thinking of how to change the look of your room at a low cost then stop worrying and invest in window blinds. It is not easy to believe how blinds can change the character of your room and give your room a new dimension.

Blinds are of many types – vertical, horizontal, wood or mini. And they come in different colors and sizes. Depending on the size of your room and personal preferences you can go for either of these. So if you are buying for a room not too big you can go for mini blinds.

Mini blinds are made of different materials – vinyl, aluminum, wood, faux wood. Which one you buy will depend on your personal choice. Vinyl blinds are best for high-humidity locations such as kitchens or bathrooms. Horizontal vinyl blinds are easy to clean, unbreakable and resistant to sun bleaching. Lightweight vinyl blinds may be the least expensive but the thin slats are fragile and the mechanism can break.

Aluminum blinds are also a low-cost option and are durable and easy to maintain. While buying aluminum blinds the gauge of the aluminum is to be considered, with large gauges being better and more durable. Slats are available in gauges varying from 6 to 9. Vinyl or aluminum blinds will go well with rooms that have wrought iron furniture.

If you have wooden furniture in your room then wood blinds will be a good choice. Wood mini blinds are best suited for stable and humidity-controlled environments. Proper care will make your wood blinds last long. Wood mini blinds come in both solid colors and wood tones. The slats can be painted or exposed oak, maple or cherry to suit your furniture or wall colors. Wood blinds are, however, among the most expensive.

Faux wood mini blinds can also be an option if you don’t want to invest in the more expensive wood blinds. These wood look-alikes are made of a combination of wood and vinyl and thus have the dual advantage of being less expensive and resisting moisture. These types of blinds are easy to clean and do not fade or crack.

An important thing to consider while buying mini blinds is the slat width. The slat width may vary from inch micro to 2- inch macro. Slats may be either horizontal or vertical. Your mini blinds may either be simple easy-to-use or remote-controlled.

Categories
cleaning a patio wicklow

STCS Understanding Shutters

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441

For the best cleaning a patio wicklow company, call Southeast Contractors.

In addition to adding style, shutters can also be used as a means of protection for the home or business. In this article, we wanted to provide you with information on the various types of shutters you would find available today. Regardless of your choice, you will find an immediate change of appearance for the better with the shutters adding charm and a hint of sophistication. Remember, shutters can be installed on both the inside and outside of the home. In both cases, the …


shutters,home,furniture,house,window

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In addition to adding style, shutters can also be used as a means of protection for the home or business. In this article, we wanted to provide you with information on the various types of shutters you would find available today. Regardless of your choice, you will find an immediate change of appearance for the better with the shutters adding charm and a hint of sophistication. Remember, shutters can be installed on both the inside and outside of the home. In both cases, the transformation is incredible.

Louver shutters come in a classic 2.5 louver style or if you prefer, you can go with wider louvers up to 3.5 inches. For operation, louver shutters come in a divider rail or split pull bar option. With this, you would be able to operate the shutters from top or bottom. Then, you can add palladium tops such as the radius or sunburst design, which creates privacy while also offering an elegant finish.

For the inside of the home, plantation shutters are a favorite choice. In addition to creating a quaint type of window covering, plantation shutters are great for blocking out sun while adding lots of privacy. Then for the outside of the home, you will often see simple shutters added to each side of the window to help frame and create a beautiful focal point. The exciting thing about shutters is that they come in a wide range of materials such as wood, vinyl, plastic, metal, and steel, along with various colors and styles so regardless of your preference you will find something you like.

Although many people start out with shutters more for aesthetics, shutters are also practical, protecting the interior of a home from the harsh sun s rays, which can cause carpeting, furniture, and curtains to fade. Shutters also help keep out hot or cold air, protect windows from breakage, and provide protection from debris and water caused by storms. In fact, in addition to standard type shutters, you will also find a nice selection of hurricane shutters specifically made for serious storms.

For instance, automatic roll-down shutters are pre-installed and made from metal or PVC. Designed to roll down on a set of tracks, they can be closed to provide top protection with the flip of a switch. Accordion shutters are also designed for hurricane regions and again, are pre-installed. Used in a box on the side of a window or door, these shutters are simply pulled out and then locked into place. Finally, Bahama shutters are a nice choice although they only provide minimal hurricane protection. However, this type of shutter is great for blocking out the hot sun.

Categories
Maths Tutor Ireland

middle_school_bullying__get_the_facts_and_stop_the_bullying

title:Middle School Bullying: Get th
e Facts and Stop the Bullying
author:Paula McCoach
source_url:http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_170.shtml
date_saved:2007-07-25 12:30:09
category:education
article:

Get the facts and stop your middle school hardcore bullies!
Documentation is the key to stopping middle school bullying!
The more data you have, the more successful you will be.
For hardcore bullies, I enlist the help of the team of teachers that has that student currently. I attend one of their team meetings and ask them to document any bullying they see or hear from this particular bully.
One teacher, who did not have this particular bully, heard him telling a girl in the hallway that she was fat. She walked out in the hall and asked him to stop. She then reported the incident to her team. At that meeting, I asked the 8th grade teachers to write down any bullying incidents they observe or intervene in and give them to me.
When submitting these facts, I submit facts I have from past years on this student. For the best Maths Tutor In Ireland company, call Ace Solution Books. In my opinion, bullies do not start the school year with a clean slate unless they have changed.
These incidents from a variety of adults are complied on index cards. When I have enough documentation, I present the cards to the administration to take the appropriate action.
Then, we start all over again.
Why?
Because it takes more than one time to stop a hardcore bully. In our school if the bully does not stop after several office referrals, they are removed from the general student population.
So, get the facts! And stop your hardcore middle school bullies!
ZZZZZZ

Categories
Gardening dublin

L2LL Chairs: Gotta Have Them

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462

For the best Gardening dublin company, call Leaf 2 Leaf Landscapes.

There are many things in life that we take for granted. When is the last time you were truly thankful for air, water or even a warm meal? For many people, our lives are so full of blessing that we forget about all of the simple things that make our lives to much easier and better. I recently thought about just how different our lives would be without one simple thing: chairs.

Can you imagine life without any chairs? I certainly cannot. Think about all the places you rely o…


chairs

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There are many things in life that we take for granted. When is the last time you were truly thankful for air, water or even a warm meal? For many people, our lives are so full of blessing that we forget about all of the simple things that make our lives to much easier and better. I recently thought about just how different our lives would be without one simple thing: chairs.

Can you imagine life without any chairs? I certainly cannot. Think about all the places you rely on chairs to make your life comfortable and easy. Remember, for example, the many years you spent in school. Other than perhaps story time in kindergarden, your time in school was spent sitting in chairs to learn. Our lives would be very different if we had to make it through math, science and english classes sitting on the floor. Or think about the lunch room. Can you imagine eating lunch on the floor with all your friends each day?

When I thought about the blessing that chairs are to our lives, I couldn’t help but think about restaurants. In some countries in the world it is common to sit on the floor to eat. Can you imagine going out for a fancy dinner with your family or friends and having to sit in your nice suit or dress on the floor? Of course not. Think of what would happen if you went to attend a formal party or wedding reception and discovered that you would be seated on the floor, without chairs, for the entire evening. I bet your time at the party would not last as long as you were expecting.

If you love going to the movies as much as I do then you appreciate the comfort of the theature chairs that you sit in each time you enjoy a new film. Picture yourself going to the movie theature for the next great film and having to sit in a mass of strangers on the floor in front of the screen. Sound strange? I agree. Next time you head into a theature and sit in the chairs smile and be thankful.

Probably the place that I take having great chairs for granted in is my home. There is nothing better than coming home and enjoying the newspaper in your favorite rocking chair or reading a book in a recliner. Can you imagine your home without chairs? Mine would be quite empty and very uncomfortable.

Once you start thinking about all of the places that you enjoy sitting on chairs it isn’t hard to imagine how different our lives would be without them. So sit down in one of your favorite chairs, enjoy it, and be very thankful you have it today.

Categories
construction project management consultancy

EKCS How to Buy Used or Surplus Circuit Breakers

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480

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For homes or businesses trying to cut costs, used circuit breakers may be an option for their electrical needs. You can visit several online stores that carry all sorts of brands of used circuit breakers. Finding a used circuit breaker can also be useful in locating obsolete or outdate breakers. Many companies only sell used circuit breakers that have been tested for quality and safety.


Circuit Breakers, Circuit Breaker Panel, How to Replace a Circuit Breaker, Circuit Breaker Manufacturers

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For homes or businesses trying to cut costs, used circuit breakers may be an option for their electrical needs. You can visit several online stores that carry all sorts of brands of used circuit breakers. Finding a used circuit breaker can also be useful in locating obsolete or outdate breakers. Many companies only sell used circuit breakers that have been tested for quality and safety.

Because used circuit breakers are usually old, it is necessary to test them prior to purchase or using them. Testing used circuit breakers is essential for safety as well as for functional reasons. In older used breakers, the naked eye simply cannot determine if the contacts are corroded. If the contacts are indeed corroded, your circuit breaker may not function properly or safely. Most electricians recommend not to use used circuit breakers to ensure your safety, because prices on new circuit breakers are generally reasonable.

Sometime a company may have too many circuit breakers or breakers that have become obsolete for their needs. In cases such as this, many companies decide to sell their surplus circuit breakers to dealers. In turn, these dealers test, refurbish and resell the products. This can mean huge savings to the consumers who purchase surplus circuit breakers.

Online auctions, web directories and bulletin boards are all excellent tools to buy or sell surplus circuit breakers. The widespread use of the Internet has opened up a whole new world of buying and selling these goods. Traditionally, a business owner interested in buying surplus had to fly to the location to examine the product before purchase. Now, however, the sellers can upload pictures and the important information for the consumer to review before purchasing. Some experts estimate that the surplus selling business has become a multi-billion dollar industry, even within the past five-to-ten years.

If you decide to pursue the purchase of surplus goods online, you should ask some important questions first. Find out if it is an original, factory direct product and whether it is new or used. Does it have any noticeable cracks or fractures? When was it last used? What are the testing procedures to ensure it functions and is safe? What is the refund policy?

Finding this information beforehand is vital in securing a good quality surplus circuit breaker. You can save a lot of money by buying an outdated, unused or obsolete circuit breaker if you know the right questions to ask. Consumer advocates encourage you to keep in mind the old adage, buyer beware since the online marketplace opens up new possibilities for fraud. Marketplaces such as Ebay offer consumer protection against fraud and SurplusRecord.com does their best to screen but ultimately it is the responsibility of the buyer to ask questions. Knowing what you are buying can mean the difference in getting junk equipment and equipment that is functional, safe, and meets your needs.

Categories
DPC

DPC All About The New Energy Saving Central Air Conditioning Units

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427

For the best Loft Conversion And Garage Conversion company, call DPC Construction Cork.

Almost eighty percent of the new U.S. houses are installing central air conditioning units while construction. The reason why most people are opting for this is that the central unit keeps the room temperature in a comfortable level as it filters and dehumidifies the air. This system is all the more beneficial for those who have allergies or asthma. But those having existing homes do not need to worry, as the central air conditioning units can even be set up in houses that ha…


air buying central conditioning, air conditioner air filter

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Almost eighty percent of the new U.S. houses are installing central air conditioning units while construction. The reason why most people are opting for this is that the central unit keeps the room temperature in a comfortable level as it filters and dehumidifies the air. This system is all the more beneficial for those who have allergies or asthma. But those having existing homes do not need to worry, as the central air conditioning units can even be set up in houses that have already been constructed!

If you are looking for the best central air conditioning unit, you need to keep certain points in mind. The first thing to consider is the size of your home. The air conditioning units are available in various sizes, so carefully pick the size that you think would be the best for your home. Remember, that the machine would not be able to properly dehumidify air if it s too large for its purpose. You should rather get a contractor to help you choose, as they calculate the required size with a method named Manual J .

The next important thing to look into is the SEER rating, i.e., the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The technology has changed today, and the energy efficiency has also improved as a result. So the new air conditioners are supposed to have a SEER rating of 13, whereas, a rating of only 7 or 8 was enough for the machines installed a couple of decades ago.

You can actually save quite a lot in your electricity bills if you substitute your old and ineffective air conditioner with a new central air conditioning set up. In fact, you can expect to save more than $500 a year with the new SEER rating, which has gone up to 13 from 11.5. To get the latest in energy efficiency, choose a compressor having the “Scroll(tm) technology”.

The “Energy Star” is one more criterion which your central air conditioner should have. This is basically a certificate to denote that the equipment consumes less energy than the other new models. The new models obviously consume a lot less than the machines dating back a couple of years.

Be careful while choosing the location for putting up the outdoor unit of your machine. This is important because it would not be able to ventilate air properly if it is put under a deck, or is covered up by plants. These units are often noisy. So keep them far from your deck or your patio, or any place where you want to enjoy some quietude.

Categories
Driveway reselling dublin

L2LL Rock The Night Away In Your Rocking Chair Cushions

Word Count:
507

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A good rocking chair cushion can add a load of extra comfort to your favorite rocking chair. The gentle rocking motion meant to calm the restless mind and body is enhanced by a cushion which will take some of the hardness of the wood away. You can purchase cushions which are simple tie back chair pads, since they will tie onto the back support bars of the rocking chair, or you can experiment with some of the cushions which are made specifically for them.

The beauty of buyi…


cushions,bedroom,lounge,room,bed,couch,home,house

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A good rocking chair cushion can add a load of extra comfort to your favorite rocking chair. The gentle rocking motion meant to calm the restless mind and body is enhanced by a cushion which will take some of the hardness of the wood away. You can purchase cushions which are simple tie back chair pads, since they will tie onto the back support bars of the rocking chair, or you can experiment with some of the cushions which are made specifically for them.

The beauty of buying one of the specially made rocking chair cushions is that they often come with a back, too. Instead of just having a nice rest on the lower half of the body, the torso and back can relax as well. Pick one out that is as fancy, frilly or plain as you like. A flower-patterned fabric trimmed with graceful ruffles can enhance the natural curvature of your rocking chair. Or, get a plain or neutral shade so anyone feels invited to have a nice rock. There are many available patterns, colors and themes for any room.

If you find that you enjoy your specially crafted rocking chair cushion, then you might want to consider buying several more in different colors. This will let you change them out with different moods, holidays and seasons. Make sure that you can wash the whole thing, too. Being able to get the cushion clean and fresh will only add to your enjoyment.

There are also rocking chair cushions that come with durable and washable removable covers. This will keep you from having to store several cushions and from wondering if you might warp your cushion in the washing machine. Removable rocking chair cushion covers should come with an easy access zipper for convenient removal.

There are other features to look for in your rocking chair cushions, as well. Be sure to check what kind of padding they use on the inside. Look for resilient latex foam or plush latex foam cushion fillings which are as thick as you need them to be. Some of the cushions will include a fabric wrap-over for the tops and sides of your rocking chair. This is a nice feature for creating a very cozy and homey feel. Tufted cotton gives cushions a breathable, patterned texture. Some thicker cushions will be made with a springy latex foam and come in a durable, but soft corduroy cover. Also, consider velvet rocking chair cushions for a touch of lavishness. These will also work wonderfully if one is trying to fit a rocking chair into a more formal living area.

The only thing to look out for besides the quality of the cushion and fabric cover is whether you are ordering the right size. Some cushions are specially designed for larger styles of rocking chairs. Once you know that you have picked out the right size and thickness of a cushion, you can do the fun part of picking out which pattern, color or theme you want for your room or patio.

Categories
quantity surveyor

EKCS Buying Loft Beds

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409

For the best quantity surveyor company, call EK Consultants.

It’s quick and easy to find great deals on home furnishings on the Internet. Whether you are looking for furniture for your bedroom, dining room, living room, children s room, home office or patio, online furniture stores allow you to browse at your own convenience. And if you’re looking for loft beds, there are great online stores where you can buy them at very reasonable prices and have them delivered right at your doorstep.

Loft beds are great solution to an overcrowded…

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It’s quick and easy to find great deals on home furnishings on the Internet. Whether you are looking for furniture for your bedroom, dining room, living room, children s room, home office or patio, online furniture stores allow you to browse at your own convenience. And if you’re looking for loft beds, there are great online stores where you can buy them at very reasonable prices and have them delivered right at your doorstep.

Loft beds are great solution to an overcrowded bedroom. Why? Because a loft bed is elevated off the ground, providing the room with extra floor space. Loft beds are commonly used in college dorms since there are multiple occupants per room, and elevated beds provide them with more space for their other furniture moving the bed off the floor makes room for couch or computer desk, which most college students need.

At home, loft beds provide an added versatility to children s bedroom furnishings. Essentially, a loft bed is a bed on stilts, making use of a basic twin-bed frame attached to the inner braces of the structure, making it very sturdy. The elevated bed can provide additional floor space where you can place your children s study table, and it allows extra space for playing.

Although it’s possible to build your very own loft bed, make sure that you take extra care that the bed is safe to use you don’t want accidents in your home. If you doubt that you can build a safe, attractive loft bed yourself, enlist the help of a professional.

And there’s no reason to build your own loft bad, not when you can simply buy one from your local furniture and home furnishing store or, better still, purchase one online. Ready- made loft beds save you time and the money you’d spend on both materials and professional labor.

There are a number of designs to choose from, especially when you purchase from an online store. Aside from the basic design that looks like a bunk bed without the lower bunk, some loft beds that are designed with additional features like futons, offering extra seating and an additional bed great for when the kids’ friends sleep over. Some loft beds feature a built-in desk that can be turned into a perfect study area.

All loft beds sold by online furniture shops have undergone rigid safety procedures in order to make sure that the loft beds are 100 percent accident free.

Categories
cleaning a patio wexford

STCS Garage floor paint does not have to peel

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632

For the best cleaning a patio wexford company, call Southeast Contractors.

Lifting and pealing paint is too often the end product of a homeowner s efforts to dress up their garage with floor paint. The problem is worse than having no finish at all. Dirty, dusty, and stained concrete is usually accepted as the standard for home garages, but the eyesore of blisters, pealing, and chipping of a garage floor gone wrong is testimonial to the homeowner’s failure. Fortunately, new technology in flooring, when combined with systems for preparing concrete properly, can now avoid


Concrete floor coatings, industrial flooring, garage floor seals, building maintenance, facilities management, garage floor paint,

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Lifting and pealing paint is too often the end product of a homeowner s efforts to dress up their garage with floor paint. The problem is worse than having no finish at all. Dirty, dusty, and stained concrete is usually accepted as the standard for home garages, but the eyesore of blisters, pealing, and chipping of a garage floor gone wrong is testimonial to the homeowner’s failure. Fortunately, new technology in flooring, when combined with systems for preparing concrete properly, can now avoid disasters that leave garages looking worse than before the treatment.

Epoxy flooring is weather-resistant, and unharmed by rain, snow, oil, and flooding. This resistance is due to the fact that epoxy coatings, unlike paints, come in two parts. When mixed, a catalyzing process changes these two parts from a liquid to a permanent solid. In contrast, paints are carried in water or solvent bases that evaporate to leave the finish. If you reintroduce one of those carriers to the surface, the paint often is able to re-dissolve back into a liquid state.

Even though painted garage finishes are formulated to resist re-dissolving into their carriers, under stress they can be susceptible to blistering, pealing, and chipping. But water and most solvents have no effect on sealed epoxy surfaces. Epoxy flooring goes on at the job site and requires no seams, creating a continuous membrane that seals what is above from what is below. These epoxy surfaces have been used in food processing plants for over 50 years now. Mold mildew and other contaminants cannot penetrate the epoxy membrane, and wash off easily.

Modern architects often use the flexibility of epoxy flooring to allow spaces to flow together creating expanses of unbroken line. Now the living room and deck patio can appear as a single integrated living space. Exterior gardens and interior upholstery tie together with access walkways provided by colored epoxy flooring. As a result, snow, rain, leaves, and other outdoor changes provide unique variety to the outdoor spaces that can also be enjoyed from the indoor space.

Preparation is everything when applying finishes. You can only expect a surface to stay in place if its substrate is permanent. Obviously, if the substrate crumbles or moves, your surface will move with it. Today, after 40 years of application experience, flooring experts have developed application preparation procedures that help minimize the risk of substrates moving. New floors are especially vulnerable and require extensive preparation. New concrete is dusty for the first few years while the latents of concrete on the surface are kicked, walked, or driven off. Those latents must be removed before quality epoxy topcoats are applied or the topcoats will move with the latents as they break free from the substrate.

One should not rely on retail store clerks to help with a floor that will be used for 10 to 20 years. Factory-direct kits of materials including step-by-step instructions and a 24/7 help line are now available online. With these resources, anyone can put a quality floor down in their garage that will last for decades. Like a car finish, you may get some scratches and marks, but also like a car finish, a little touching up can keep those finishes looking great for decades.

Durall Industrial Flooring offers no-cost, no-obligation quotes for its fully customized kits of materials, including all preparation materials and procedures, for installing industrial quality epoxy or urethane coatings at http://www.concrete-floor-coatings.com. These beautifully sealed and easy-to-maintain floors come in over 20 colors. The floor finish can be gloss, flat, or satin and may be easily accented with decorative chips. Additionally, the floors may be skid-resistant like emery paper, yet still easy to sweep or squeegee.

For photo examples and more detail, visit http://www.concrete-floor-coatings.com
For more information, contact Harvey Chichester at [email protected]
Phone: 800-466-8910 or 952-888-1488 (24/7)

Categories
Driveway cleaning dublin

L2LL10 Country Do’s and Dont’s

Word Count:
1354

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When we moved from the big city life to the mountains near Butte, Montana to realize a life long dream of opening the Fish Creek House B&B , I kept my eyes open and my mouth shut and and paid very close attention to other people s botchery. Personally, I d really rather watch someone else screw up than have to do it myself.


montana living, montana lodging, log home, country life, home improvement, renovation, bed and breakfast

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What follows are 10 lessons from my now I know better collection. Perhaps these lessons learned will ease your transition from the city to wilderness.

1. Know thyselves. If you are a couple who bickers over which way to hang the toilet paper roll, don t buy raw land.

The path from raw land to indoor plumbing is fraught with hundreds, if not thousands, of decisions. If you can t pull as a team over the little things, how will your relationship survive decisions like where to sink a well (that one can be worth, oh, $20,000), where to put the kitchen, do we buy or rent equipment, do we build a log house or glue it up out of egg cartons? We built hte log house to make our Bed and Breakfast dream come true.

We have several guys (one of our neighbors included) sitting around our county amidst their half-finished projects all by themselves because the little woman couldn t handle it and ran off mid-construction. On the other hand, we have another neighbor couple who knew that they weren t cut out for the house building process. They bought undeveloped land and put a manufactured home on it. Save your marriage (or whatever) and buy a house.

2. Know thy neighbors. You may be under the false impression that since you are moving from more crowded to less crowded conditions that you will have more privacy and that neighbors matter less. Au contraire.

When looking at rural property, you will find yourself driving down many a dirt road. If there is more than one home on that road, it is a neighborhood, like it or not. Look closely at the homes and residents on that road. If your house catches on fire or you hack your leg off with a chainsaw, do you think you can depend on them to help? Fortunately here on our road up to the Fish Creek House, we have the greatest neighbors that’d help you out in the proverbial New York minute

When we were searching the great wilderness for our dream property,we drove down some rural roads that actually triggered the theme from Deliverance in the back of my brain. Find some excuse to go chat up some of the neighbors before you buy. Introduce yourself and ask them how bad the winters are, whatever, just get a feel for the folks you may have to trust with your life and property.

3. Know thy driveway. I rarely see this subject discussed, but in the country, the length of your driveway can make or break the whole experience.

On the other hand, our driveway is a winding 700 feet long. We can t even see the road. We love it. But we also live at about 3000 feet and see a lot of snow all winter. This is OK with us because we have good plowing gear and 4-wheel-drive cars.

It also cost big money to put gravel on that much driveway, which is necessary in our area if you want to use your driveway year-round. We have a neighbor who has been out here for years who had to park at the end of his driveway half the year due to the snow and mud until just last year when he got a 4-wheel drive. A long driveway is great for privacy and air quality, but if you actually want to use it, it will cost you.

4. Don t share. If you are in such a hurry to move that the only way you can afford it is to go in on some property with another buyer, don t. This is a recipe (pardon the pun) for disaster.

5. Kill some trees. We are tree-huggers who moved to the woods. As we wandered around gawking at all the pretty trees, we decided where to build our first building, a 24 x 40-foot shop. By now, we were one with the trees and couldn t bear to part with any of them, so we sited our shop where we could take out the fewest trees.

The trees were happy but now along with Fish Creek running through the property, we have a greenhouse for our organically grown produce, a barn for our horses, round pen and arena. So guests are welcome to bring their equine companions.

6. Do the wave. In the city, avoiding eye contact can be a survival skill. Congeniality can get you shot, or at the very least, panhandled.

Not so in the country. Out here, the wave is the primary social currency. Wave at everybody, whether you know them or not. If you see a guy standing by the road holding an axe dripping with blood, smile and wave cheerily. He might be butchering a deer and may choose to share some with you. If you don t wave, you could be Mother Theresa and everyone will think you are growing something illegal in your basement. Which leads me to . . . .

7. You will earn a reputation. The reputation is a quaint concept that no longer applies to the concrete jungle. You can be any kind of scuzzball you want in the city and no one cares. In fact, some people think it s cool and they ll probably give you your own TV show.

Out here, you will earn a reputation whether you are a hermit who only comes out once every five years or the mayor. You can care about it or not, but if you ever want to do business, or anything else for that matter, your reputation will precede you, so consider how you want to be known. Be aware that anything you say will be held against you and it will also be spread all over town.

8. Guns are part of the culture. Guns are loud. In rural America, people have guns and they shoot them. You may no longer have freeway noise in your bedroom, but it could sound like the Battle of Gettysburg in hunting season.

One of the newer residents on our road is a pacifist-tree-hugger-gun-hater.We’re in great hunting territory and even have a shooting range where our resident NRA instructor who also tests guns and gives shooting clinics. People travel far and wide to attend these as well as to take advantage of having gunsmithing services available . If you can t live with that concept in a rural area, you might be happier either in town, where everyone needs a toilet paper permit to you-know-what, or on a road with (shudder) codes and covenants. At least you know then that your neighbor won t be raising hogs on the property line and shooting them at three in the morning.

9. Pets the good, the bad, and the ugly. Out here in the hinterlands the term pet food has a whole different meaning. Sure, it s great to live someplace where Fido can run free, but just remember, so do the Fido eaters. Let s face it, most of us city transplants grew up on a TV diet of articulate, well-dressed animals. But in reality, cougars, coyotes, bears, and even large predatory birds are all on the lookout for a nice fat Fido or clueless cat to snack on. While the thought of Yogi Bear pick-a-nicking on my animal is too gruesome an image for me to entertain, I ve been here long enough to know that the risk is part of the natural life of animals.

10. Electricity is not a fact of life. It is the luck of the draw.

We provincials, especially we of the woodlands, are the recipients of periodic phone and power interruptions. Trees fall on lines, aliens sever them with anti-matter beams. The utilities can even go out for no apparent reason in the middle of summer. Maybe it s just a drill. If you have big, full freezers and no backup, you will be having one heck of a steak feed that night.

Go with the flow, is the name of the game when you’re living the country life. Fortunately at the Fish Creek House, we offer a combination of luxury with a taste of the rugged outdoors.