BRING HOME THE BUTTERFLIES

Nothing adds to the beauty of a flowering garden more than butterflies fluttering about on a warm summer day. If attracting butterflies to your garden is what you'd like to achieve, there are a few things you can do to accomplish this. Butterflies have a very keen sense of smell and can smell flowers many miles away. If the right flowers are planted in your garden, then butterflies are going to flock to it. Not only does smell attract them but colors do as well. They tend to like purple, yellow, pink and white flowers.
To attract butterflies, you will need to keep a few things in mind. Butterflies need sunshine to keep warm, and most of the flowers that attract them need sunshine, too. Make sure when you select a location for the garden that it's in a sunny area. Adding rocks and bricks for the butterflies to bask in the sun will keep the butterflies close to your yard.
When selecting your plants, choose a variety of plants so that there are always flowers blooming at all times during the summer. If you plant all of the same type flower and they bloom and die, the butterflies will leave. Here are some of the plants that attract butterflies the most
Daylily
Iris
Lavender
Milkweed
Petunia
Phlox
Asters
Butterfly bush
Heliotrope
Cosmos
Clover
Zinnia
Different breeds of butterflies will be attracted to different flowers so keeping a variety of flowers will also bring in a variety of butterflies. Butterflies need nectar to live so keeping a constant supply available will keep the butterflies in your garden all summer. They will also need water so place a plate with water on it so the butterflies can get a drink when they need it. Keep in mind that the types of flowers you select will depend on whether the butterflies begin to lay eggs and then reproduce in your garden. Watching a caterpillar transform into a butterfly is one of the most fascinating things to witness. If you have children, this can be an educational experience you can share with them.
The biggest problem people encounter when trying to attract butterflies is that some gardeners will use pesticides to control garden pests. If you're trying to attract butterflies you can't use any pesticides at all. The poison will kill the butterflies off as well as the other insects. Weed killers will also harm butterflies so avoid using them as well.
For those that live in an apartment and don't have access to a yard, you can make a window box and plant flowers for the butterflies. Because of their sharp sense of smell, the butterflies will find the flowers you plant in there even if you live higher than the first floor. Just make sure you place the window box in a sunny area, and make sure it's secured. I've known people who have had window/flower boxes on their balconies that attract butterflies as high up as the 10th floor. For an altitude like that you need to put up something as a wind shield because the butterflies wings are fragile and high winds will damage their wings.

Original painting by Beez

REMODELING HELPS

10 THINGS EVERY REMODELING CONTRACT SHOULD INCLUDE:

The contract is a critical step in any remodeling project; it holds the job together and ensures that all parties agree to the same vision and scope. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (http://www.nari.org/) spells out the key elements that every remodeling contract should have:

1. The contractor's name, address, phone number and license number.

2. Details on what the contractor will and will not do.

3. A list of materials for the project in your contract. This includes information about the size, color, model, brand name and product.

4. The approximate start date and completion date.

5. All required plans. Study them carefully for accuracy. Insist that you approve them and that they are identified in your written contract before any work begins.

6. Written notice of your right to, without penalty, cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.

7. Financial terms, spelled out in a way that you understand. This includes the total price, payment schedule, and any cancellation penalty.

8. A binding arbitration clause, which you'll need in the event a disagreement occurs. Arbitration may enable you to resolve disputes without costly litigation.

9. Everything you've requested. Consider the scope of the project and make sure all items you've requested are included. If you do not see a specific item in the contract, consider it not included. Never sign an incomplete contract.

10. A warranty covering materials and workmanship for a minimum of one year. The warranty must be identified as either "full" or "limited". The name and address of the party who will honor the warranty (contractor, distributor or manufacturer) must be identified. Make sure the time period for the warranty is specified.

HAPPY EASTER

Happy Easter!

What a glorious day of celebration today is! Alleluia!

I hope today brings renewal in your life....and a time spent with family and friends.

BUZZING ON THE POSITIVE SIDE!

With so many negatives swirling around these days, I wanted to share a positive "buzz" that appeared in my "Houston Realtor" magazine this week.


Since January 2009, Houston has received the following accolades:


1. Site Selection Magazine named Houston the "Top Metro Market" for corporate location and expansion activity.

2. Builder magazine called Houston the healthiest housing market in the nation.

3. Business Week named Katy as the second fastest growing residential community in the U.S.

4. BusinessWeek.com listed Friendswood as the most affordable suburb in Texas in 2009.

5. The Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate ranked Houston as the 8th best investment market in the world.

6. The Allied Van Lines' 41st Annual Magnet States Report named Texas as the No. 1 destination state for residential relocations for the fourth year in a row.

7. Forbes ranked Houston as the 6th strongest housing market in the country.


If you are in Houston, be thankful. We are in better shape than most city economies in this Nation.

WELCOME TO HOUSTON!! YOU WILL LOVE IT HERE!

Houston is a dynamic, culturally diverse city that amazes visitors and natives alike with its ever-changing and infinite variety of attractions. Houston is an easy place to call home. Houston was ranked the #1 Best City to live by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. As the fourth-largest city in the United States, Houston has been also called "America's booming opportunity city" by The American Magazine. Houston has one of the best and most affordable Real Estate markets, strong job growth and a broad-based and growing economy. The oil and gas industry, the strong health care job base and international trade, along with the can-do business atmosphere, position Houston as a leader.

Original Painting by Beez

PICK ME UP!!!

Want a quick and easy pick-me-up for your home? Painting is your answer and some smart prep work will make a huge difference in the quality of the results.
1. Get the surface ready. You want paint to glide on smoothly, so be sure the surface is clean before you begin painting. Remove any handprints, dirt or scuff marks. Lightly sand any glossy spots to avoid streaks.
2. Select a paint sheen and color. Ooolala .. so many choices! Many paint stores are making it easy to narrow down your choices by offering small trial sizes so that you can test the color at home and look for variations in daylight and night. Lighting has a big effect on the way color appears. Remember: Higher sheen paints tend to offer more durability than flat paints, so use them in high-traffic areas. Stain or low-lustre finishes offer more warmth and depth than a flat paint. Consider a high sheen on the ceiling which offers good reflection in the room.
3. Don't go CHEAP on paint! It's always tempting (especially these days) to save a buck, but it might not be worth it on paint. Painting is a big job, so you want the expense and quality to show. The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, a national painting education group, recommends purchasing high quality acrylic latex interior paint, which will go on smoothly and allow for easy soap and water cleanups.
4. Choose the right paint tools. If you're using a roller to paint, select the right length of roller nap cover for proper paint coverage. The smoother your painting surface, the shorter the nap should be. Use synthetic materials, which are made from nylon or polyester, when applying latex or water-based paints.
Source: The Rohm and Haas Quality Institute http://www.paintquality.com/

BEAT THE STRESS!!! SOUND BODY TRAINER

Taking a break from real estate blogging today....here's a Buzz from Beez about lifestyle!

Everyone these days seems to be dealing with some sort of stress; whether the stock market is playing havoc with your savings, you feel your job is in jeopardy, kids are driving you crazy or whatever the stress factor might be. Exercise can help alleviate stress while also creating a healthier body and lifestyle.

I, personally, don't like to go to a fitness center or gym...nor do I want to pay for it month in and month out. I have an alternative I'm going to share with you. http://www.soundbodytrainer.com/

You get downloads to your MP3 player, vdeo MP3 or CD player from this website for a nominal one year subscription. It includes Strength Training, Yoga and Street Spin. It's been created by Traci Godfrey who has been a Personal Trainer and Lifestyle Coach in New York for 20 years. I'll let the website tell you more about her qualifications and the program itself.

If you travel frequently and miss your exercise routine when you're away from home, this is perfect for you. Simply take your IPOD and you're good to go...ANYWHERE YOU GO!

There are demos on the website...so log on to http://www.soundbodytrainer.com/ and check it out for yourself!! And then leave me a comment on my blog...I'll be interested in your thoughts.