A new year and a new decade. What are your dreams and goals for this year? Dreams are great. Think big and when you have your dreams make them into goals. The bigger the goal the better. If your goal is too small you may never get to it. But if it is big and something you really want, you can work towards getting it done.

A few keys to completing your goals:

• Break your goal into smaller tasks - it feels great to get things completed and make progress on your goal
• Set dates to complete tasks and goals - setting a date provides good pressure and helps you progress on your goal
• Write your goal, tasks and dates down and post it somewhere you can see it every day - this will reinforce your goal and keep you focused
• Keep track of when you complete something on your task list - this will show your progress on your main goal
• Don't be discourage if you miss a date on your list - don't give up, reevaluate and set a new date

One goal this year is to complete a new deck on the back of our house. Last year we completed our building deck plan and this year we will complete the deck. My first task is to complete my task list for this goal.

All the best in 2010 and good luck with your dreams and goals this year!

Peter

(ARA) - Woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers have been using electric routers for nearly 100 years. They are great for shaping edges in wood or plowing out mortises for hinge installation — and many home improvement enthusiasts have purchased a router specifically for one of these purposes. Unfortunately, after that first job is done many routers end up in storage seldom to be used again.

The router is probably the most underutilized tool in the average home workshop, according to Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, a manufacturer and retailer of router tables and accessories. When attached to a router table, however, a router can become a do-it-yourselfer's most versatile instrument..

 "A router table lets you use a wider variety of router bits and dramatically increases your level of precision," says Scott Baumeister, head of router merchandising for Rockler. "It literally opens up hundreds of new ways to leverage your router."

Here are a few examples Baumeister suggests:

Working with long, narrow, or small stock.
Some pieces, like the thin boards used to make moldings and trim, are nearly impossible to work with a handheld router. "A router table frees up both hands so you can hold on to the work piece and manipulate stock of all shapes and sizes," he says.

Creating customized decorative moldings.
Nothing finishes off a room like sharp looking molding. A table allows you to shape your own profiles with specialized router bits. "It's a great way to save money and spruce up your decor."

Squaring up boards for making wood panels.
With a table, a fence, and a few easy-to-find accessory shims, a router can actually take the place of a dedicated jointer. "This is especially useful in smaller shops where saving space is a top priority."
 
Creating raised panel doors.
These popular doors, made up of a large center panel set within a four-piece frame, require a table to use the specialized rail-and-stile router bits that create the complex joints between the frame and panel. "Using a table is the only way to do it safely."

Speeding up the joinery process.
Cutting grooves, slots, dovetails, and other joint-components is part of the router table's stock in trade. "You would be amazed at how a decent table and a few bits can speed up some of the most fundamental woodworking operations."

The list goes on to include everything from making custom handrails for stairwells to simulating the look of louvered doors for beautiful money-saving shutters. To learn more about what router tables can do, visit the education section of Rockler Woodworking and Hardware's website, www.rockler.com.

Router tables come in a wide range of sizes, capabilities, and price levels. The most basic shop-made tables are little more than flat-topped boxes with wooden fences and a hole for the bit, while the most advanced are machined from ultra-durable composite materials or cast-iron and are precision engineered for absolute accuracy.

When looking for a table, be sure that it won't sag under the weight of your router and that its surface is big and flat enough to suit your needs. Other key areas to note include: material durability, accessory compatibility, and resistance to vibration.

An easy-to-follow shopping guide is available at www.rockler.com, as is Rockler's recently expanded selection of router tables and accessories.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Wrought iron stair rails have really stood the test of time. They have been around for generations and they are still going strong.

And they are strong so that makes a lot sense. The wrought iron stair rails add a touch of traditional style to just about any home. They also serve a practical service as well.

Many people need quite a bit of support when going up and down steps. Many rails used today provide support but they can also be very bulky and overwhelming to a small space. Wrought iron stair rails provide excellent support without taking up too much room and without being too big.

Even with all of the benefit of buying these rails when a friend was looking at them I was still apprehensive them. First of all they cost a little more than their wooden rails. But they require a lot less maintenance and they are more streamlined.

To continue reading this article click - wrought iron stair rails

(ARA) - The fall leaves have fallen and before you know it, winter snowflakes will be flying. But before the next change of season arrives, there are a few things you should do to make sure your house will make it through the winter and have an easy transition to spring.

Here are some of the more important tasks you should put on your to-do list:

1) Inspect all your doors and windows to make sure the caulk and weather stripping is intact. If they are worn or cracked, replace them; and if you don't already have them, install storm windows to keep the heat in and the cold out.

2) Clean and put away outdoor furniture and kids' toys. Start by spraying them down with water to get off the surface dirt, then rub on some CLR Outdoor Furniture Cleaner, which is specially formulated to remove outdoor dirt and grime quickly and easily from a number of different materials, including plastic, resin, wrought iron, metal and wood. Once clean and dry, wrap the items with plastic and store them someplace dry for the winter.

3) Clear gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris that can clog your gutters leading to ice damns in the winter. Repair or replace sagging gutters and reattach loose downspouts.

4) Make a visual inspection of the roof to make sure there aren't any missing or cracked shingles or tiles, or vents that have become detached. Flashing, the thin metal strips around vents and other roof openings, should also be examined for leaks.

5) If you use your fireplace frequently, schedule an annual cleaning with a professional chimney sweep. Make sure he or she checks your chimney for loose bricks, crumbling mortar joints and missing caps while there.

6) Check to make sure you have adequate attic insulation.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, up to 45 percent of a home's energy loss is through the attic.

7) Turn off the water supply for exterior faucets before the first frost to prevent pipes from cracking, and take the time to clean off the mineral deposits encrusted on the outdoor faucet spout with CLR . The fast acting, powerful formula will remove calcium, lime and rust deposits with no rubbing or scrubbing required. It is safe to use indoors too.

By taking these steps now, your home will make it through the winter unscathed, and come spring, all you'll have to do is unpack all the stuff you put away and enjoy the sunshine. No repairs will be necessary.

For more household tips, to see what other CLR products can do for you, or to locate a CLR retailer near you, log on to www.jelmar.com or call (800) 323-5497.

Courtesy of ARAcontent