KITCHEN REMODEL RETURN

Kitchens are the primary target of home remodels because they are the heart of the home and offer great returns on investment. Typically kitchen remodels return between 75 and 80 percent on money invested. Smaller and simpler undertakings seem to be a better value than larger and more complicated undertakings.

One way to ensure that you get your moneys worth is to use a professional designer that can insure you know all options available and guide you to make the best ones for you. Another way is to use a professional cabinet installer so that your investment is handled and installed properly and warranties are maintained.

If your remodel requires more than a couple of different trades you may need to look into getting a good licensed contractor. They will likely have the right people on staff for your project or know who is right for you. Also if you use a contractor they are your first line of recourse if anything goes wrong. They schedule the job and make sure all work is up to code and completed according to current standards and practices.

Do it right the first time!

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NB

CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR.

Just a few things to think about.

Hire a contractor who shows up on time for the estimate and seems professional and knowledgeable. Make sure the company you choose has the resources to complete your project on time. The company you select should routinely produce the quality of work you are expecting to receive (choosing the lowest price you can find will likely yield workmanship on the lower end of the scale).

Be prepared to pay a deposit up to 50 percent of the total price to initiate your contract. It will cover the contractor's large expenses like construction materials, cabinets, flooring, fixtures and crew to start your project.

Don't hire unlicensed contractors to do the job. If you do, you will have no recourse should you be unhappy with the job or should you have code or permit violations cited by your county.

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NB

MAKE SURE THEY'RE QUALIFIED!

THIS IS A FUNNY EMAIL THAT I RECIEVED A WHILE BACK AND IT MAKES A GOOD POINT ABOUT BEING QUALIFIED....... OR NOT! IF SOMEONE IS DOING WORK FOR YOU MAKE SURE THEY ARE QUALIFIED FOR THEIR SAKE, IF NOT YOUR OWN!


New Mexico Chili Cookoff

If you can read this whole story without laughing, then there's no hope for you. I was crying by the end.


Note: Please take time to read this slowly.
If you pay attention to the first two judges,
the reaction of the third judge is even better.


For those of you who have lived in New Mexico , you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the Santa Fe Plaza Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chile taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield , IL


Frank: “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off.. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table, asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native New Mexicans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy; and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge #3.”




Here are the scorecard notes from the event:

CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These New Mexicans are crazy.



CHILI # 2 - EL RANCHO'S AFTERBURNER CHILI
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they sa w the look on my face.




CHILI # 3 - ALFREDO'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now.&nb sp; Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting sh*t-faced from all of the beer.




CHILI # 4=2 0- BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. This 300 lb. Woman is starting to look HOT ... Just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?



CHILI # 5 - LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Jalapeno peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very im pressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the jalapeno peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw them.




CHILI # 6 - VARGAS VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY
Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I crapped on myself when I farted, and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snow cone.



CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be

in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt.&nb sp; At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing. It's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.



CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI
Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy

enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor fella, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?< /FONT>
Judge # 3 -- No report.

Obviously this poor guy wasn't qualified. Make sure the company you select to do work for you is qualified!

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NB

I'M GLAD I DIDN'T HOW ABOUT YOU?

I'm sure glad I didn't buy any of that Chinese import drywall how about you? Man those people have real problems. That stuff is emmiting all sorts of toxins into the air (carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide, hydrogen sulfide). Homeowners are being advised to move out, gut their homes or bulldose them and start over. The problem is that products imported from other countries are generally not held to the same standards as products produced here in the United States.
I'm sure glad I didn't buy any of those Chinese import cabinets how about you?

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NB

CAULK THEM NOW OR PAY ME LATER?

No one wants to give money away right? One often over looked item in a home is the condition of your countertop caulking. Everyone assumes the counters were caulked when they were installed and never need to be bothered with again but that's not true. Caulking only lasts so long and should be inspected and repaired as needed to insure a good moisture seal to prevent top damage.

Five dollars worth of caulking and 20 minutes now can save hundreds or even thousands of your hard earned dollars later.

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NB

NO TO THE NAYSAYERS!

Have you ever wondered how much different our lives would be without all of the doom and gloom that is heaped onto each of us each and every of our lives? If there was only half as much positive energy directed towards solving problems as there is towards reporting the negatives in our lives we'd all be so much better off. If you prophesy doom and gloom then you stand a good chance of receiving it!
Without all the negative press about the state of ours and the global economy things would have turned around much quicker and stronger. Try not to dwell on the negatives of life and instead put stock in all the positives. Pray for the negatives and thank God for all the positives in our lives. Just say no to the naysayers, change the channel and be thankful for what we have!

Thanks for listening
NB

BARGAIN TIME!

You know that times are tight and the economy is in bad shape right? Well the economy officially bottomed out a while ago and things are slowly getting better. Many people are still out of work and many businesses are still slower than they would like to be (mine included)! What about everyone that wasn't layed off or radically affected by the economic crash? There were people that cut back and stopped spending because they were scared of what might be coming or what they might need later and I don't blame them a bit for it. As the economy is clawing it's way back (and it is) these people are the ones that can return to normal spending habits the easiest and quickest and by doing so help dig the country out of this crisis. There are many bargains around to be picked up by anyone that is in good enough financial shape to do so and in turn help everyone. I'm not encouraging dept but I believe the economy is stable enough now to somewhat support a return to normalcy for anyone who can.

Thanks For Listening!
NB

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