If you are like me, you have built up a list over the years of certain contractors to call when an unexpected repair is required. I have one for heat and air, another for appliances, and luck would have it that we know an electrical contractor as well. Finding a paint contractor is often one of the hardest things to do. I can handle the smaller jobs around the house, but there are some jobs that I just don’t have the right tools and equipment to handle. I only have one ladder, and it gets me to the gutters around the first story. The second story gutters have been neglected. Gutter cleaning is on our to do list this year.

The internet has provided opportunities for both customers and contractors. People in need of a particular service can use the web to search for a contractor that has taken advantage of internet technology to promote their business. There are also sites that provide home owners the opportunity to review a contractor they have utilized. Whether you are looking for a contractor in Salisbury, MD, or you need to hire Fort Worth Contractors, ClickSmart has a list of certified experts who are properly licensed in their state and are in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. When you need a reliable contractor, check with your friends, and then check on the web.

There are some jobs that require just the right tools. I have the usual collection of screwdrivers and wrenches along with other odds and ends. A few years ago I got one of those bucket organizers that fit into a 5 gallon bucket, one that used to have drywall compound in it. It worked OK for awhile, but eventually it lost its organizer status and just became a bucket of tools. One of my favorite tools is an old Craftsman wrench that has rotating socket heads on both ends. I found a new tool that is similar to it, and I guess it was used for oil pan plugs. I also have a set of Black and Decker Firestorm cordless tools that includes a drill/driver, circular saw, reciprocating saw, jig saw and flashlight. I hate to admit that they don’t get the attention that they should. I used to do more work around the house, but most projects are on the back burner for now.

I would like to be able to do more repairs on the vehicles that occupy our garage. On a couple of occasions I have gotten into a project that wound up being a little outside the ability of my limited tool collection. The car repairs would be much easier with a nice set of Air Tools to help break loose those tough to reach bolts. Something about the sound that air tools make at the car repair shop give the feeling that things are getting done right. I got stuck in the middle of a brake repair that would have benefited from an air impact wrench. I wound up taking it to the repair shop to finish the job. It would be handy to have a media blaster around to help refinish some of the metal that is rusting on our deck furniture and grill too. I guess I will just have to make a list for the next occasion that warrants a gift to good old Dad.

We have an interesting decoration on the ceiling of our home office. It can be seen in the picture accompanying this post. The decoration resembles an electrical box that would accommodate some type of fixture like a Ceiling fan . This decoration has been in place for a period of time that can now be officially measured in terms of years. It is one of the little details that didn’t get finished when the home office was created. We have recessed lights for general lighting, and a track light over the work table, but the ceiling fan is still on the to do list. My better half will soon be establishing her own work from home space in our office, so I think it is time to tackle the ceiling fan conundrum.

In order to solve the dilemma of selecting the appropriate ceiling fan for our application, I consulted the extensive offerings of CeilingFanWarehouse.com including Hunter ceiling fans, which have long set the standard for this product, and Emerson Ceiling Fans from one of the great household appliance and technology companies of our time.

The home office ceiling fan does not need to be a decorative piece, so I am going to go with a Hugger Style fan, and the Warehouse has some sleek concept fans that will fit the bill. This ceiling decoration will be off the to do list in no time.

We have been in our house for about ten years now, and some of the blinds on our windows are starting to show their age. I found a web site called SelectBlinds.com where I can do some shopping for new blinds. My favorite kind of blinds are the Cordless Cellular Shades. I have seen these installed in another house, and I think they would look good in our living room. SelectBlinds also offers Roller Shades, which we have used in some of our bedrooms. Roller shades are a good choice for rooms that need to be darkened, and they are also pretty easy on the budget. I need to put together my shopping list soon, so I can take advantage of the free shipping offer during the month of May. I wonder if my better half would like to get window shades for Mother’s Day.