Month: June 2014

Good Clean Fun With The Installation Of A Gunite Swimming Pool

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When summer approaches homeowners look towards ways to keep their children safe, active and at home.  Often times this can include installing an in ground cement and plaster finished pool.  Having a gunite pool installed at your home is a lot simpler and more affordable than ever before.

When it comes to in ground or above ground pools they are incredibly similar in normal operations.  Both pools require filtration to be keep the pool free of debris, chemicals to maintain the ph balance, maintenance to keep it clean as well as basic surface cleaning.  One basic difference is that in –ground gunite swimming pools require maintenance on the pools plaster coating where as above ground pools will need thorough inspections of the vinyl lining.   The rest of the pools regular maintenance stays about the same.

1)      Debris will float on the surface of the water no matter what type of pool you have.  The first task is to remove the debris with a pool skimmer.  Pool owners should keep up on skimming their pools.  It should be done once or twice a day.  This also keeps the job from becoming overwhelming.

2)      Both vinyl and plaster pools alike need to their walls to be cleaned.  By scrubbing the pool sides with a plastic-bristle pool brush you prevent algae and debris from sticking to the sides and staining the pool.  Move the brush in a circular motion around the entire lining of the pool. This will clean the sides without causing damage to the lining or plaster of a pools surface.

3)      After you scrub the sides of the pool with the plastic pool brush wait ten to fifteen minutes for the dirt and particles to settle on the pools bottom.  Vacuum the pools bottom slowly taking in all of the debris that has been rustled up.  By moving the vacuum slowly you will avoid stirring the dirt up and it is more efficient at getting all of the debris. Brush and vacuum the pool every week to keep the pool clean and as fresh as possible.

4)      Add the correct chemicals to balance the chlorine and remove the algae.  Follow all of the instructions while using pool chemicals.  Make sure to spread the pools chlorine around.  Dilute the chlorine as you add it to the pool avoiding staying in one place.

5)      Test the pools water ph and alkalinity levels once every two weeks.  Chlorine levels should be maintained around three parts per million and ph levels should read between seven point two and seven point six.

6)      The filtration systems should be cleaned thoroughly each week.  The main filter on the pool should be checked and emptied daily.  This is where large debris will end up.  Many people find critters that have drown in the pool in the filtration system.  So be aware that this may happen to you

7)      Keep the pools filtration systems running at least eight hours a day to keep the pool circulation and filtering regular and the water as fresh as possible for your swimming adventures.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Pound Pool Plastering

, , , , , , ,

The Truth About Men Going Through A Divorce

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it comes to the image of men in divorce the perceptions is far from reality.  What we envision is that all men going through divorce dump wife number one for a hotter, younger version in wife number two.  We see this in every Hollywood story but the fact is that movies and Hollywood are far from real life. The truth is that most marriages end not because the man has decided the marriage is over but in fact the woman.  Two-thirds of all divorces in the United States are initiated by women.

The truth is that divorce often hits men far worse than women. They are emotionally unprepared and the support for men going through a divorce is far from what is available to women.  Yes, the truth is that most men fare better financially in the process however when it comes to the emotional toll men are hit harder than the portrayed images we have comes to see.

Men often take the marital failure personally and believe that they should have been able to fix it before it became unglued.  Fixers by nature, men have a difficult time admitting defeat.  Divorce is often seen as defeat.  Many men also don’t seek the emotional support that is needed with everything that divorce throws at them.  They are under the illusion that support makes them seem vulnerable and week and therefore tend to take internalize the pain. This leads many into self abuse such as drinking and drugs to cope.

Men don’t handle being alone.  The statistics show that after divorce men are more than eight times more likely to take their lives than their female counter parts. After divorce men that are alone often suffer from depression and typically end up in a new relationship; often times a relationship that is doomed from the beginning because it is only based on them not wanting to be alone.

When it comes to men going through divorce there is a stigma that comes with it; a code of masculinity.  This stigma comes with divorce, being fired from a job and any situation that is seen as failure to a man.  Thankfully many men do hit a point that they understand that the only way to move forward it to seek out support and counseling.

I have talked with many men after getting emotional help to allow them to move forward in their lives after divorce.  A majority of men start to understand what their marriages were missing and gain the knowledge to correct the problem.  Men often feel that if they would have had this emotional support in place before the divorce that more likely than not they would have been more apt to work with their spouse to save their marriages.

We often don’t realize it isn’t what we are giving it is what we are withholding that keeps us on the same page with our spouse.  Men see this through the emotional grieving process.  It is not the income they provide, the big house, the nice car but instead the attention their family craved that would have saved their marriages.

Longton DM, a subsidiary of Longton Law Offices is a divorce attorney specializing in Men/Dad’s in divorce.  For experienced representation throughout the divorce process in Trenton, Michigan and the surrounding area you can find more information at http://www.michigandivorcelawyerfordad.com.

Longton Law

, , , , , , , , ,

Changes To Your Life After Divorce

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The beginning of any new relationship is filled with blue skies, warm fuzzy feelings and all the best of emotions we can feel.  As we go through the relationship process there are ups, downs and everything in between.  Then one day the euphoria returns when you get engaged, plan a wedding and then get married.  This is when the ups, downs and everything in between phase starts all over.  There will be more highs, the birth of a child, there will be more lows, the death of a parent and there will be plenty of everything in between.  Learning to live and grow through all of that is what many couples find to be overwhelming which leads to our incredibly high divorce rate here in the United States.

If you find yourself experiencing the pain involved in the divorce process it is significant that you remember that this process will also be filled a mix of emotions.  Many men find themselves in a situation of little support while being determined that they need to maintain their masculinity. To many men this means not seeking the emotional support they need to grieve the loss of their marriage. There are many ways that your life with change after your divorce.  Thinking about the positives that will come from the process may help along the way.

The way that you go about making decisions will change all together once you are divorced.  You don’t have to come to a compromise any longer. The choices you make will all be your own.  Yes, you still have to think about how your decisions will affect the people around you including your children but there will be no more “we” in the process it will be all you.

Your priorities will shift.  Every moment will not be filled with wife, kids, house work and bills.  You will have time to think about what you want.  You will begin to realize you have control over things you never did before like what time you head to the gym, when you eat dinner as well as what you choose to eat.  Your personal feelings will matter again.  You won’t always be so overly concerned with what you are doing affects everyone else.  You will regain some personal freedoms that just aren’t available to you when you are married.

Your goals, dreams and desires will completely change.  Not every hope for the future will be surrounded with compromise.  After divorce you aspirations will change and for once you can begin to dream about your future and what you alone are dreaming of.  This can be thrilling and scary for newly divorced men especially a man that became used to focusing on the desires of his wife and family.  My advice, embrace it and charge forward.

Take time to take care of your emotional needs.  Seek support and counseling if needed.  Don’t become part of the two thirds of divorce men that sink into depression and don’t seek help to move through the grieving process of their lost marriages.  Seek support and be part of the one third that embraces the newly single status.  Be the father you desire to be for your children while being true to yourself.

Longton DM, a subsidiary of Longton Law Offices is a divorce attorney specializing in Men/Dad’s in divorce.  For experienced representation throughout the divorce process in Trenton, Michigan and the surrounding area you can find more information at http://www.michigandivorcelawyerfordad.com.

Longton Law

, , , , , , , , ,

Divorce Attorney Litigate Towards Quicker Michigan Divorces

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When your marriage is done and over all you are looking forward to is getting the divorce finalized however when you have a spouse who is dragging their feet it is often easier said than done.  Many women that have met with their divorce attorney want to know how they can get their divorce finalized quickly.  Waiting around for it to be over and done is mentally exhausting, time consuming and financially draining.  Below you will find tips to help you through the divorce process if you find your ex-partner to be dragging their feet.

The first piece of advice is to just get it done and over.  Do everything within your power to speed the process up on your end.  Until the divorce is over you will not be able to get on with your own life and moving on. When it comes your turn to process paperwork, meet with your lawyer or be somewhere when you need to be; do it straight away and without delay.  The quicker you get your end of the divorce taken care the faster it will spur the process along hopefully giving your ex the push they need to speed up their end.  When divorce drags on it drains you financially, hurts your children and keeps you from moving forward.

Be clear with your ex that this is it and it is over.  Every relationship has a deal breaker.  If you have reached your deal breaker and the end it here be clear.  State in direct terms what the deal breaker was and how it was broken.  This should clearly state why the divorce is happening.  This faces the divorce and the marital deal breaker head on.  There are no questions and therefore there is no ground to stand on for a possible reconciliation.  This should lead you to a hassle free divorce.

People become greedy when it comes to divorce.  If you are looking for a speedy divorce the last thing that can happen is greed.  You need to divide the marital aspects without dragging on about who gets the sofa and who gets the chair.  I know it is easy to want to get the most out of your marriage as far as possessions.  This is seen as a way to get back at your ex for the hurt and betrayal but in the end moving on is what is important in divorce not who was awarded an extra dresser.

When the end finally comes be ready to set your-self free until then hold off on getting involved in another serious relationship.  Ending one relationship is tricky and time consuming enough but involving another individual in that process can often take it to the next level of confusion and delay.   Take care of your-self, learn to parent on your own and move on living your life.  Try to adjust yourself to your new single lifestyle including your financial situation.  Don’t rely on income from an ex in the form of child-support or alimony.

In ending your marriage in a speedy fashion the above advice and from your divorce attorney should help you maneuver through the process of divorce without too many delays and hiccups.

Longton DM, a subsidiary of Longton Law Offices is a divorce attorney specializing in Women/Mom’s in divorce throughout Trenton and the surrounding Michigan areas. Find us at http://www.michigandivorcelawyerforwomen.com.

Longton Law

, , , , , , , ,

Getting Set Financially After Divorce

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it comes to divorce the reality is that it does not matter who filed it will be an incredibly difficult time in your life.  It is important that, as a woman, that you get yourself set financially.  If you file, if he files it is all the same, you need to get yourself in a position that you will be able to support yourself and your children with or without the help of your ex.  When it comes to the dos and don’ts of finances in divorce there are a few tips to take into consideration either before you file for divorce or right away after he has filed.

First things first, head to the bank and separate all of your joint bank accounts.  When separating accounts it is best to start fresh at a new bank for your personal accounts.  This is important as it protects you and keeps your accounts protected.  When separating be careful as greed often sets in along with the urge to wipe out all financial assets.  This is easily avoided by creating your own personal account.  Even in the most amicable of divorces financial issues arise.  Do not assume because you are getting along for the moment and acting like mature adults that your divorce will continue down the same path.

The next financial aspect that needs to be looked after is joint credit cards.  It is important to call creditors where joint accounts exist and explain that you are going through the divorce process.  You will want to cancel all joint accounts while opening one in your own name.  Don’t wait on this.  As your mate is beginning a new life it may seem reasonable to them to charge their expenses during the divorce.  If this occurs you are on the hook for at least half of this joint debt.

It is a good idea to start keeping track of any and all money that is being spent in a financial journal.  If you have kept track in writing and have a good solid record of receipts it gives you credit when explaining your living expenses during the divorce. This gives your attorney the edge when discussing how joint money has been spent throughout the process and helps to make sure remaining funds are divided fairly.

When you are certain a separation and divorce is inevitable start writing down a list of questions you need addressed.  As it is when you go to visit the doctor, your brain goes stale when it comes time to get answers to the thousands of questions you have.  Keeping track along the way will help ensure everything is covered and addressed with your divorce attorney.

When looking to find a divorce attorney that specializes in women’s needs in divorce it is important that you look at their record in court and mediation. As with any professional services that are sought feel free to ask for referrals.  Attorney consultations are often free.  Meet with several attorneys that specialize in women going through the divorce and get a feel for how each will represent your needs throughout the divorce.  You will be working one on one with this person to achieve a post divorce life so be sure you are comfortable discussing everything with this person.  Unfortunately, your entire life is on display when going through a divorce.

Longton DM, a subsidiary of Longton Law Offices is a divorce attorney specializing in Women/Mom’s in divorce throughout Trenton and the surrounding Michigan areas. Find us at http://www.michigandivorcelawyerforwomen.com.

 

 

 

Longton Law

, , , , , , , , , ,

Adding Luxury Along With Safety To Your Home and Landscape With An Electronic Entry Gate

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Aluminum entry gates and fences welcome visitors that are invited into your home and garden.  It leaves those that weren’t invited on the outside looking in.  Gates are pivotal at intersections where there are driveways or paths that intersect the fenced area.  Electronic gates ease entry within these spaces with the use of gate operators and entry control systems. There are so many different options available in fences and electronic entry gates that the sky is truly the limit for homeowners.  Aluminum gates and fencing are the most maintenance free option for homeowners however wood often serves as an inexpensive alternative.

When adding a gate to your driveway you are looking to add either a swing or sliding gate operating system.  The option you choose for your driveway will depend on the landscape.  Most often sliding electronic entry gates are the best way to go as they do not require additional flat space in front of or behind the gate to open.

Adding a gate to sidewalk entries and side yards you are most likely not looking to add a gate operator.  You are looking at a gate that can be accessed to enter and exit the property while containing small pets, animals and children when it is shut and locked.  Most pedestrian gates operate in a swing fashion and are designed to open into a space.  This adds to the inviting sense landscaping should give to guests.

When looking into options into electronic gate entry and different access controls consider all the options involved.  There are a number of different options when considering the installation of a new electronic entry aluminum driveway fence.  Look at the variety of colors and styles that gate posts and automation systems are sold in.  Your landscape and gate needs are totally different than those of even your closest neighbor.  For your gate and fence needs you will want an electronic gate contractor to come out and offer you a quote that involves several different options pertaining to the different gate and fencing options available today.

When it comes to gate operators that will open and close your gate you are looking at a few options ranging from solar powered, electrical or a combination of both working together.   Solar panels save money on operating expenses however many homeowners prefer to hardwire the gate operator systems as this is the most reliable options in electronic driveway gates.

When purchasing and installing electronic gates and fences there are a variety of materials to consider including wood, vinyl, wrought iron and aluminum.  Each offers advantages and disadvantages that are unique to the material.  Installing an electronic gate is best left to fencing professionals as it requires an abundance of landscape manipulation as well as electric wires run.  Fence professionals have training in all areas surrounding the installation, upkeep and maintenance needed when it comes to electronic gates as well as fencing.

The greatest advantage to a driveway gate and fence system surrounding your home is the privacy that it gives you with the freedom and safety being enclosed offers.

SAC Fence Michigan offers a variety of electronic entry gates, access control entry systems and fence options for homeowners to choose from.  You will find a variety of fencing options online at http://www.sacfencemi.com/.

SAC Fence

, , , , , , , , , ,

Growing A Lush Green Lawn

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Green lush lawn is something all homeowners dream of.  Summertime is filled with backyard picnics and serves as the backdrop for many games of bocce ball and horseshoes. Whether you hire a professional lawn care company or you do it yourself here are some things to consider in your quest to have the perfect lawn.

The first rule whether your lawn is mowed by a professional landscaping company or by you yourself is the one third rule.  The one third rule states that cutting more than a third of the grass blades length with cause undue stress to your lawn.  When your lawn is cut too short it can become burnt by the sun and will eventually being incapable of thriving.

The next rule of thumb when it comes to landscaping, lawn care and the length of your blades of grass it is pertinent to understand that the longer your grass the deeper the grass roots will be.  Roots that are deep within the soil will withstand times of drought better, as well as pests and diseases.

When it comes to mowing your lawn and the lawns appearance a sharp mower blade will help.  Clean cut grass with a sharp mower blade gives your home and landscape the curb appeal all homeowners’ desire.

The next step in having a healthy lawn is to fertilize.  Fertilizer gives your lawns appearance a fresh, green, crisp look.  The time to apply fertilizer will defer between areas so it is crucial that you check with a lawn care professional to ensure that you are applying fertilizer at the correct time of year to obtain the best results possible.

When it comes to diagnosing problems within your lawn consult with a professional lawn care provider.  A number of issues arise with lawns throughout the season including brown spots from fungal diseases or insects.  To care for these areas or to prevent them all together be sure to contact local lawn care professionals for advice on treatment or to conduct proper treatment for your lawns care.

When it comes to watering your landscaping and grass make sure that you are deep watering.  All landscaping needs to be encouraged to develop and grow deep roots.  When watering note that one inch of water is required to actively grow twelve inches of soil.  Deep watering every three days is better for your lawn than infrequent watering every day.

The irrigation of your lawn is just as important as any other piece of your landscaping.  A great way to check to make sure the entire lawn is irrigated properly is to purchase five straight sided cake pans and place them throughout your lawn.  When watering it is important to take note of how much water is accumulating in each pan.  If the pans are getting the same amount of water throughout the lawn you are sure to have adequate irrigation systems in place.  If this is not the case you will want to adjust your sprinkler system or meet with a lawn care specialist to discuss better placement of your lawns watering system.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties.  For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

 

CBA Outdoor Services

, , , , , , ,

Factors In Choosing An LTL Freight Carrier

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it is time for your business, no matter how large or small, to find an efficient way to ship less than truckload freight there are a number of factors to consider.  Listed below are just a few considerations to take into account when looking to save your company money while still providing excellent customer services and LTL shipping services

First consider transit time.  When it comes to shipping your goods from your place of business to your customers, or the time it takes to receive goods from a vendor consider the amount of time you that is works most efficiently for your business. If you need goods shipped quickly you will need regional and multi-regional shippers over long haul shippers which offer longer transit times.  Take into consideration that shorter routes don’t cover the distance longer routes do so if the goods need to be sent a fair distance from where they are this may not be an option for you.

Consider the geographic coverage that is available with the LTL shippers you are looking into for your less than truckload shipping needs.  Most LTL freight carriers ship regionally with direct pick-up and delivery services. When you understand the area in which your LTL shipper ships to and from you are better able to find a carrier that suits your company’s exact shipping needs.

When deciding upon an LTL carrier look at their service performance record.  On time pick up and on time delivery are two very different things when it comes to customer satisfaction.  Both equally important however measured differently.  Note that most services can be guaranteed by carriers by paying an additional expense. Check with carriers that you are considering for your businesses shipping needs to locate a shipper that has at least a ninety percent on time delivery and pick up history with in the areas that your business services.

Before you sign on the dotted line with any LTL shipping freight carriers check out the amount of liability insurance coverage that they provide.  Reputable carriers will offer coverage equivalent to ten dollars per pound being shipped.  This is a base rate.  Insurance coverage can be increased with different premiums.  Many things will come into play when looking at insurance coverage options available for your LTL shipments including whether you are shipping new or used goods, different freight classifications as well as the care needed throughout the shipping process.  Items that are incredibly fragile, easily perishable or extra-large will require special handling.

The last consideration after all of this is factors involving pricing.  Many companies find this to be the most important factor of all however in my opinion this is the least important factors as all.  When it comes to pricing the true price of shipping comes after the consideration of the above as well as discounts, base rates and net price.  A discount of sixty eight percent at one carrier could be less of a net price than a discount of eighty percent through another LTL service carrier.

Jefferson Diversified Group, LLC is a Global Logistics expert offering LTL shipping and more. Check out available rates today at http://www.detroitltl.com/.

Detroit LTL

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Computer Virus And Adware Infestation Removal Techniques

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When your computer is infected by a virus or other malware there can be huge security risk to the data stored within your computer including a lot of personal information.  It can also have extreme effects on the performance of your computer and hardware as well as the fact that is can be incredibly difficult to get rid of.  Computer viruses are difficult to get rid of and virus removal on computers is incredibly tricky and should be left up to computer repair specialist.  If you have a nasty computer virus infecting your computer here are some proven ways to save your computer.

The first step in any and all virus removal techniques is to backup all of the data on your computer.  This should happen before the virus removal process starts.  This will help to make sure that the data is backed up and that anything of value will not be lost if in fact the computer needs to be reformatted.  This will allow you and your business to get up and running without a lot of time invested.

If you are trying to remove the virus on your own without computer help or a virus removal technician the next step is to check for outside factors that could be slowing down your computer and giving it the same effect that would occur if it is in fact infected with a computer virus.   Some issue that could affect your computer if indeed is not a computer virus would be issues with memory, storage, adware and of course any number of issues.  Hardware and failing hard drives could also slow down a computer and corrupt the files on the computer giving the same effect as a computer virus would.

Having anti-virus protection installed is super important when it comes to protecting your computer and eliminating computer viruses.  When one does slip through however there are a number of things to do to remove the threat from your computer. There are a number of free and paid versions of anti-virus computer protection that can be installed on your computer to keep it out of harm’s way.  Consider options such as Microsoft Security Essentials, Kaspersky and BitDefender.

You will also download a number of anti-malware programs that will allow you to scan your computer to eliminate any potential threats  These programs pick up things that anti-virus protection do not always catch.  Consider Malwarebytes Anti Malware as well as Adwcleaner and Spybot S&D.  Having and installing a variety of anti-malware programs will allow you to eliminate hazardous programs, tool bars, down loads and so much more before you install them on to your hard drive.

If the virus is affecting your ability to download these programs then you will need to use a USB card to install them.  The problem is that most serious infections have already overtaken your computer and need professional computer virus removal.  Once you have done this and the virus is removed then having these programs and using them regularly will keep your computer free of viruses.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

Creative Programs and Systems

, , , , , , , , ,

Home Improvements That Increase Your Home’s Value

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Are you looking to sell your home this summer? There are some minor tweaks that can really add value to your home.  Inexpensive upgrades may not increase the value of your home however they can help you sell your home faster.  When looking to sell your home quickly here are some tricks that can improve the time it takes to sell your home.  There are also some improvements that hurt you when going to sell your home.  Here is a list of things to think about when working to sell your home before summer ends.

One thing to make sure of is that you don’t improve your home in ways that will not matter to buyers.  When looking to sell your home, before starting any home improvements talk with local contractors and professional realtors.  They will help you better understand the desires of buyers in your particular area. If buyers are looking for extra bedrooms or bathrooms you will know how to change the space you have to fit those desires.

One area in which homeowners often upgrade unnecessarily is high end appliance and fixtures.  While in certain homes, within certain areas this may be a necessity for many homes new appliances from well-known name brands are better than top notch quality, super technical appliances and upgrades.  Instead of high quality appliances, purchase decent appliances and use the extra money to inexpensively update carpet and deep clean grout.  The cleaner, more maintained a home the easier it is to sell.

The layout and use of rooms is another thing that helps sell your home quickly.  If you have a spare room but buyers are looking for nurseries manipulate the space to resemble what they are looking for.  Change the homes layout and use of space to meet the buyer’s demands in your area.  Office spaces may be a must for buyers in one area while game rooms may be what is needed in other areas.  Your realtor will help you to understand what local home buyers are looking for in your home.  The layout of your home should be changed to meet the buyer instead of what was convenient and needed for your family while you lived within the space.

De-clutter and minimize in every room.  Your home should be free of personal litter and knick-knack.    Take your space back to the basics.  Create a home where buyers can see themselves and not just your family.  When buyers are looking to purchase a home it is important that they can see themselves and their belongings in the home.

Other cheap alternatives to making home improvements without too much outlay are new ceiling fan blades, touch up paint on the exterior add touches that buyers in your area are looking for.  Don’t put on a ton of money upgrades when you are looking towards your future in a new home.  Room additions, kitchen renovations, bathroom remodels and basement remodeling are all projects to be left to the new owner. Save your money and only take on the small renovations that will make a visual difference.

The Home Doctor, based in Livingston County including Brighton and Howell Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from bathroom remodeling to age in place home modifications.  Contact http://glenmillerthehomedoctor.com/ today all of your home renovating needs.

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

, , , , , ,