What’s in Your Toolbox?

While we don’t all aspire to be the next Holmes on Homes or Bryan Baeumler, most of us want to be able to handle at least   a few simple DIY projects by ourselves. That might involve hanging a picture, putting up a shelf or tightening a loose screw or two. Where do you start though? It doesn’t always have to be the Yellow Pages.

Don’t let the experts scare you. With the right tools, many DIY projects can be handled by yourself with ease. The trick is to have the right tool for the right job though. And what tools are those?

10 Essential Tools For A DIY Tool Kit

• Hammer:

  Forget your high heel shoe, the end of the tool box or the heel of your hand. You need a hammer in that tool box for almost every project you can think of. From hammering nails to removing them, a hammer is one of those tools that every good handyman or woman must have.

Screwdriver:

A screwdriver is almost as important as a hammer when it comes to essential tools. The thing with screwdrivers though, is that you must have the right one for the right job. My suggestion to you is to pick up one of every kind; slotted (flat head), Robertson (square head) and Phillips (star head). Remember that screws come in different sizes too, so spend a bit more to invest in different sizes of screwdrivers. The wrong size might find you spinning your wheels with nothing to show for it (or stripping the screw and creating a bigger problem to deal with)!

Level:

If you are hanging a picture or adjusting the height of a table, you will need a level to ensure that you are on an even keel. Eyeballs might seem to do the trick at times, but I wouldn’t be too sure.  Just wait until the pencil you place on your “flat” surface refuses to stay put and then tell me how “level” your surface really is.

Measuring Tape:

The standard rule of thumb is to always measure twice and cut once. If you need to measure three or four times though, a measuring tape will be your best friend. It ultimately save you time, materials and money, when you don’t have to keep running back to the store to pick up a little more lumber after cutting it too short. Again.

Pliers:

I am not talking tweezers here, ladies (kidding!). You should probably invest in needle-nose pliers (for small spaces, wiring and more), as well as vise-grip pliers (to hold something in place or just as easily used as an adjustable wrench, pipe wrench or ratchet) . Pliers are your go-to tool for tightening and/or loosening that which you wish was otherwise.

Cordless Drill:

I am including the cordless drill here, as I use it all the time. Don’t just think of it as a souped up screwdriver. You can use it on 2x4s, drywall or to scare away the cat when she is wondering what new fool project you are starting. It can drill in a screw a heck of a lot faster and tighter than with your hand-powered model, thus making it worth its weight in gold. You won’t regret getting one. I promise you.

Utility Knife:

They might not seem like the most glamorous tool to purchase, but the humble utility knife comes in pretty handy when you need to cut up cardboard, open stubborn packaging or scrape some pesky thing. It is a tool that just can’t be replaced when you need it!

Keeping Cool in the City

Well, mixed blessings this week. We got the first long weekend under our belts before water restrictions kicked in. Not exactly a great way to head into another hot weekend, but it seems it can’t be helped. Hope you got the pool filled and ready to go, as until the City of London fixes that broken water main out near Mount Carmel, there won’t be any water to play in. Well, not much anyway, as the city is asking everyone to conserve their water use and is doing their part by shutting down all the splash pads in London.

So how else can one stay cool when the weather man is suggesting more temperatures in the high 20s? Don’t worry. There are lots of ways to keep cool in London, Ontario this weekend!

 

Keeping Cool in the City

GRICKLE GRASS FESTIVAL

If you have an interest in sustainability, you like good food, local beer and spirits, plus you enjoy live music and local art, then this is an event not to be missed. On Saturday, May 26, 2012, the Children’s Museum will host the third annual Grickle Grass Festival. As you might guess by the venue, the festival is a family affair with daytime fun for everyone and adult entertainment after dark.

And how does the Festival promote sustainability you wonder? Well, daytime programming revolves around green transportation, growing your own food, arts & crafts made from recyclable materials and an overall focus on physical activity and wellness. ReForest London will be on hand selling trees outside all day too! Plus, there will be face painting, cooking demos, book giveaways by City Lights Bookstore and so much more.

The daytime activities wrap up at 5pm, but the fun doesn’t stop there. At 8pm the doors to the Children’s Museum open up again, but this time it’s for the adults to enjoy. There will be live music on all floors and dancing just might happen. Work up a sweat to the likes of Skeletones Four, The Allens, Thesis Sahib, Indian Handcrafts and a whole slew of other artists that will be playing throughout the night. If you work up an appetite, don’t fret, as Growing Chefs Ontario will have food on hand, served with reusable plates and cutlery. All proceeds go to Growing Chefs Ontario and the Children’s Museum, so stop by and support this local event!

 

HOMES OF DISTINCTION

How about a little self-guided tour of six beautiful and distinct area homes all in the name of feeding children and nourishing hope? That is the mandate of the May Court of London during their annual Homes of Distinction Tour, and they are hoping that you will support them in this worthy cause. From 10am-4pm on May 26-27, the participating homes will open their doors for you to explore. The Carolinian Winery is also participating this year, with food and refreshments being served throughout the day. All money raised goes towards the May Court School Nutrition program, which provides food to over 90 schools for children in need.

As a real estate agent, I have a natural inclination to want to peek into people’s homes, so you just might find me somewhere along the route this weekend!

 

LABATT BREWERY TOUR

If that all sounds nice, but air conditioning is what you are really seeking, then a tour of the Labatt’s Brewery just might be the ticket! For $10, you get a two-hour tour of the hometown brewery where John Kinder Labatt began his beer empire over 160 years ago. You have to book your tour in advance and wear closed toe shoes, but that is a small price to pay for a souvenir t-shirt, product sampling and the chance to explore the facility that produces over 1 billion bottles of beer annually. That is a far cry from the almost 1,000 bottles that were put out in its first year of production! I am feeling hometown proud just at the thought of all those frothy suds being created just down the street. I just might have to book me a tour today!

Cheers, to another great weekend in London!

Early Summer Projects

For the first weekend of summer (at least by Canadian standards), I have to say it was a pretty sweet one. How many of you made it up to your cottages or trailers to open them up for the season? I hope that you didn’t have to spend all weekend cleaning cobwebs, before getting to enjoy the beauty weather we were graced with. For those of you who stayed in town, raise your hand if you managed to get your pool open (Ok, what’s your address?). I jest, but I would be more than happy to try out your new diving board, if you need a hand with that.

The start of the summer season doesn’t always go smoothly though, I do realize. Sometimes you discover last year’s hose has a split in it or the barbeque just might not make it through another season. I hope you made it to the LCBO before you started your projects, as sometimes a drink is all that rewards you for your efforts when simple projects go awry. How long is your list of projects around the house now? Maybe you need to make another run to the beer store and hardware store before the next weekend is upon us. Let’s start with that list though, shall we?

Early Summer Projects

 

• As you will be standing in front of it more days than not when the mercury climbs, it is time to thoroughly clean your BBQ and its lines. Install new burners, briquettes and dump or replace your grease pan, as necessary. If rust is materializing, thoroughly clean your barbeque, then apply a fresh coat of paint. It will be good as new in no time, so don’t forget a trip to the butcher for some steaks on your way home from the hardware store!

• Now take a look at your deck. Are there any punky boards that are in need of being replaced? Do you see the odd nail or two sticking up in spots? Grab your hammer and give them a smash. Will you be picking slivers out of your feet all summer from the rough spots here and there? Think sandpaper my friend. Could it use a fresh coat of stain or sealant to extend its life? Perhaps it is time to get on that too!

• While you are thinking wood, cast your gaze to the fence. The same story goes here. Do you need to reapply stain? Are there any boards or sections that need replacing there? Don’t forget that good fences make for good neighbours, so make sure you maintain yours.

• How about a wander through your gardens now. Have you staked all those tomatoes that you planted last weekend? Victoria Day weekend traditionally marks the last of your frost warnings, so it is time to get your annuals in. What about putting up a trellis for your roses, peas, beans and clematis. Don’t forget to put rings around your peonies or other bushy plants that might fall over when they get bigger later in the season.

• If you have one, it is also a good idea to check your sprinkler system to make sure that all your sprinkler heads are working properly. Straighten any heads that are leaning. Replace broken or malfunctioning heads as necessary. You will be glad that you did, when you don’t have to worry about pulling a tangled hose all over your yard in a few weeks.

• Another way to reduce your workload in the garden this summer is by applying a layer of mulch around your plants. This will help to keep precious moisture in and those pesky weeds to a minimum. You and your plants will appreciate this as the long hot days of summer hit.

 

Have fun with that my friends! And don’t forget to make sure your Air conditioner is working too. I suspect it is going to be a hot one this summer!

Long Weekend Fun in Your Neighbourhood

Hello Summer!

This weekend we roll into the first long weekend of summer by celebrating Victoria Day on Monday. Canadians itch for the feel of sunshine on their faces after a long winter and this weekend is shaping up to offer lots of it, according to the Weather Network.  I for one hope the weather man is correct this weekend, as many of the local seasonal attractions will be opening their doors for the start of summer fun. I know many of you will be headed out-of-town to open cottages, trailers or looking forward to the first camping trip of the season, but if you are sticking around London, here are a few options of where to go for summer fun this Victoria Day weekend.

LOCAL ACTIVITIES FOR LONG WEEKEND FUN

East Park

Race into summer this weekend with a trip to East Park! You know summer has arrived, when the Go-Karts hit full speed ahead in the east end of London. That’s right, this weekend you can hit the driving range, play a round of golf or mini golf, practice your swing in the batting cages, and of course enjoy everything that the indoor attractions have to offer in the INTENCITY, after spinning around the Go-Kart track. Unless you can convince the powers that be to open up the waterpark, you will have to wait until May 26th, but there is still plenty to keep you busy in the interim. FYI; a season’s pass will get you access to the park anytime you want all summer long. Just saying!

Fanshawe Pioneer Village

As of May 19th, Fanshawe Pioneer Village will also open its doors for their 53rd season. You can wander through the village on a self-guided tour, through an example of rural living in this area from about 1820-1920. You can peek through the schoolhouse or church, watch people dressed in period costume tend the garden or work at the sawmill, or even stop into the general store or cafe to purchase handmade treats, gifts or snacks. On Monday, May 21st celebrate her royal majesty the Queen the old-fashioned way. There will be historical games, speeches and a vintage game of baseball all in celebration of Queen Victoria’s birthday.

Storybook Gardens

The park itself may not close during the off-season, but certain sections of it does. With all the sunshine that is forecasted for this weekend, the re-opening of the splash pad will be a welcome thing to area children and parents alike. Along with the splash pad, the ferris wheel will begin spinning again on May 19th for another season. The train, carousel, swings, elephant ride and super slide are all open for fun in the sun as well. Don’t forget to check out Pirate Island, Old McDonald’s Farm and the maze. If you go, make sure that you stop by to say goodbye to the harbour seals too, as their last weekend at the park is May 26-27, before being relocated to the St Louis Zoo.

Play On!

If you are looking for something a little different this weekend, how does Canada’s favourite pastime of hockey sound? On May 19-20, 2012, all across Canada there will be a street hockey tournament to beat all games. And right here in London, Ontario, players will be grabbing their sticks for London’s 6th annual weekend hockey game. This year, Victoria Park  will host Canada’s largest Sports Festival, with divisions for all ages, genders and skill levels. If  London’s own hockey league, the London Knights, will be there, maybe you should be too! See you there!

Outdoor Decor

This is what we have all been waiting for my fellow Canadians. The days are counting down to the first official weekend of summer. As of 5 o’clock on Friday, May 18th, 2012 Victoria Day weekend begins. I know that vehicles will be packed and ready to head out-of-town for camping and to cottages and trailers both near and far. For those that aren’t headed out-of-town though, there is still lots to look forward to. I wouldn’t be surprised if a pool or two gets opened between now and then, plus I bet garden stores will be jammed with folks looking to pick up tomatoes, cukes and more to safely plant their annual veggie gardens. Hello Summertime!

While it might sound like a lot of work, I suspect there will also be lineups at area beer stores, so that people can celebrate the long weekend with a “pop” or two. After all that gardening, spring cleaning of the cottage/trailer or setting up of camp, you will deserve it! Once you finally get a chance to relax, you will relish all the hard work you have put into your space, so take the time to spruce it up nice. As summer only lasts a short couple of months, you might as well enjoy the outside world while you can. Here are some suggestions of how you can spruce up your outside world;

Decorating Out-of-Doors

Planters

• Place a decorative planter beside your front door, or on either side of your driveway, to invite guests into your home in a welcoming manner
  • Use trailers, grasses and annual flowers that compliment your home’s colour scheme and bloom all season long. Don’t forget to take your lighting into consideration, choosing appropriate plants for the planter’s location. If you aren’t sure, ask  a representative at your local garden centre for suggestions on what plants compliment each other in which lighting. (ie. begonias do well in partial shade, petunias like the sun and many vines will tolerate sun, to partial sun)
• Think vegetable gardening a la container
  • Planters aren’t just for flowers anymore. Tomatoes will happily grow in large planters, as will a basil plant to compliment it. Pretty much any herbs lend themselves well to container gardening and you can even design your container herb garden with a purpose in mind (ie. Italian pot of basil, parsley, sage & thyme or a tea pot of chamomile, mint or lavender). Peppers also take well to container planting, as do radishes and most lettuce varieties. If you choose specific varieties of plants, like bush-style squash or cucumber, you can avoid long vines to contend with, although pole beans are quite happy snaking up trellis of some sort.

Seating

• Plastic lawn chairs will work in a pinch, but there is so much more available nowadays in outdoor seating choices that why would you ever bother with them? Think benches, swings, chaise lounges, outdoor sofas and loveseats, plus a wide variety of stylish chairs and ottomans that are now on the market.
  • Place a bench at the back of a garden with a meandering pathway that leads you to it, for an outdoor oasis in the midst of your garden
  • Locate a hammock or bench swing underneath a shady tree for you to relax on after a long day of gardening
  • Arrange an outdoor sectional on your back deck, with a storage ottoman to rest your feet on and the barbeque close at hand for outdoor entertaining

Dinnerware

• You might not want to traipse your fine china out into the back yard every time you want to dine al fresco, so think about purchasing some sturdy, yet attractive dinnerware to dine off of this year.
  • Decorative melamine plates, bowls and cups can add a pretty air to your outdoor meal and come in a wide variety of styles and colours to suit every taste
  • Cutlery caddies can live outside with forks at the ready whenever dinner doesn’t call for finger food
  • Drink dispensers can be filled with water to ensure that you and the kids can grab a drink whenever the need arises, ensuring dehydration doesn’t spoil your summer fun