Break the Mold!

A rut can lurk underneath even the most comfortable lifestyle. Sometimes, it can be easier to stay with what feels familiar, rather than take the initiative to make adjustments. Change can seem a lot harder when things are going well. Indeed, such comfort can add to the unease, as we are likely to feel guilty and critical of our dissatisfaction, appreciating how fortunate we are compared to many others.

Are you finding reasons to DO instead of not to do? One of the reasons people choose (and everything is a choice) to stay in situations they do not like is because they are afraid of losing something or someone. They do not specifically fear change, but they fear what familiarities they may have to let go of. You may have an image of yourself that will be shaken if you make different choices. You may have 'investments' in time, money, energy, relationships that you don't want to let go of. What are you afraid of losing, or who, if you take a risk, and make different choices.

The good news is, getting out of a rut can be as simple as getting a new haircut, or as involved as going back to school. But both start by taking that first step. If you start your sentences with, "Someday, when," you're putting your life on hold. What you have is NOW.

You can't focus on all the things that aren't right in your life and expect to fix them over night. Aim for small achievable goals, this way you can't fail. AND, try to remember to have some fun on the way. Otherwise, why bother? So call your hairdresser. Apply for college. Begin a workout routine. Sign up for music lessons or write that book you?ve been thinking about. NOW is a great time for new beginnings, so take that first step today. Get up, get going and get out of your rut. When you face your fears, experiment with new approaches, and then take consistent action, no matter how small the steps, you will feel a sense of empowerment and increase your confidence.

Feeling like you are stuck in a rut can suck all of the energy out of you. Don?t stay in it. Just make some simple changes to bust out of the mold and then be on your delighted, invigorated way! You can do it!

Mary Kay Buttery, 2006

"I wanted to live deep, and suck out all the marrow of life."

Henry David Thoreau

Mary Kay is a natural healer, passionate that people discover simplicity and fulfillment in their everyday experiences. She facilitates live events and is available for private and phone consultations. Be sure to visit her website and sign up for her *FREE* Monthly Newsletter, which is filled with inspirational, motivational and helpful information on creating a life you truly love. If you want Mary Kay to speak at an event in your area or you want to contact her: call 702-239-5451 or e-mail marykay@sfgtd.com

Black Mold Removal And Small Bathroom Remodeling: How To Keep It Out

Black mold is a fungus that spreads relentlessly in your bathroom

Very few bathrooms escape the dreaded black mold fungus. Sooner or later it finds a nice damp corner of your shower or your walls and begins to grow. Slowly at first then before you know it it's all over your beautiful bathroom. Black mold is notoriously difficult to get rid of and control but a cure is possible. I reveal the secret below.

How to spot black mold in your bathroom

Well it's difficult to miss it. It's a black blight, which starts in corners and cracks then grows along joins and seals. The bigger it gets the faster it grows It loves to follow the lines of silicon sealer and grout between ceramic tiles. It seems to get inside the silicon sealer even the fungal resistant kind. It can turn your lovely bathroom into a dirty pit if you don't do something about it quickly.

General measures to keep black mold out of your small bathroom

There are some common sense things that you can do to slow down the march of the black mold in your bathroom. Black mold thrives on moisture so keep your bathroom well ventilated. Open windows and doors after use and wipe down surfaces to encourage them to dry faster.

Wiping down all ceramic surfaces with a dilute solution of bleach every few days will also help to slow down the growth of the fungus.

Traditional remedy for black mold in the bathroom

The traditional cure for black mold has been to cut out the affected areas of sealer and grout and any bits of wall covering that is contaminated. Wash the whole place down with a dilute solution of bleach and then re tile, re grout and re seal. This cures the problem for a while but sooner or later, usually only a few months or weeks later, the black mold returns.

This is a very frustrating cycle to be riding on because you have to keep doing it. Many people eventually just give up and the black mold takes over.

The secret that can banish black mold from your small bathroom

Black mold in my small bathroom had been defeating my efforts to keep it under control and finally I decided to remodel the whole bathroom which I thought would get rid of it forever. Was I wrong! I managed to keep it out for a few short months but somehow it found it's way in again.

I cut out and replaced the contaminated silicon sealer but this only slowed it down. Then someone told me about a product called 'Mold and Mildew Remover'. You simply spray it onto the affected areas then leave it for 3-5 minutes before rinsing it off. This sounded too good to be true but I thought that I would give it a try anyway.

The person that told me about the product also told me that the secret was to be patient with it and not expect to see instant results from just one spraying so I set about treating the affected areas of my little bathroom 2-3 times a week and watched what happened. After the first month I dropped the treatment to 2-3 times a month.

The results were nothing short of amazing and fantastic. I thought that I saw an improvement after the first week and after the second week I was convinced that the black mold was at least not growing any more. After a month the patches of black mold were definitely smaller than they had been and after 6 months they are nowhere to be seen. They have completely vanished and I'm so very pleased with it.

Get the full story of how I beat the black mold in my small bathroom in the article Small Bathroom Black Mold Removal

How to fit a shower into a very small bathroom Small Bathroom Shower at www.bathroomsremodeling.this-info.com Steve Gee

STUDIES INDICATE BLACK MOLD CAN IMPACT YOUR HEALTH:EFFECTS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO LESSEN THEM

Mold is a fungus growth, which begins with a minute spore. Toxic black molds can be found anywhere a dark and damp environment allows them to grow. Spores can be breathed in, absorbed through the skin or ingested on our food. Young children, senior citizens and anyone with immune deficiencies caused by disease, chemotherapy, etc are particularly vulnerable to grave illness following exposure to microbial contamination.

Laboratory studies in animals and at the cellular level offer supporting data for the direct toxicity of fungal spores and mycotoxins in mammalian lungs (University of Connecticut Health Center Report in 2004). A health study by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health links adult-onset asthma to workplace mold exposure. And in 1997, the Centers for Disease Control announced an apparent link between mold contamination in homes and cases of infant pulmonary hemorrhage.

Other common effects from molds are pneumonitis, upper respiratory problems, sinusitis, dry cough, skin rashes, stomach upset, headaches, disorientation and bloody noses. Severe exposure can lead to internal bleeding, kidney and liver failure and pulmonary emphysema. There are numerous reasons for the rising occurrence of mold and mildew in our homes, one of which is the federal regulations pertaining to energy conservation call for new construction methods and materials, meaning that homes don't "breathe" as freely as before, trapping moisture vapors inside the building. As a result, mold remediation and prevention have become hot topics in both the health and building industries.

What are we supposed to believe and what should our next move be to defend our families, and ourselves with all the media exposure to toxic mold in the last year or so? First, we must take this threat seriously. If you see mold in your home, get it tested as soon as you can. Get your home tested if you have a family member with an unexplained illness, respiratory irritation, rash, etc that seems to get better when they are away from home.

Controlling Mold Growth and Exposure

• The way to control indoor mold growth is to limit dampness, there is no realistic way to get rid of absolutely all mold and spores from the indoor environment
• There are air purifiers and cleaners on the market that claim to help lessen quantities of mold spores in the air, do your homework, these might also be of help
• Reduce indoor humidity to prevent mold growth by: using air-conditioners and de-humidifiers, and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, cleaning and dishwashing
• Clean and dry any wet or damp building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth
• Use water and detergent to clean mold off hard surfaces, and dry completely
• Do not install carpeting where there is a continuous moisture problem
• Remedy as soon as possible, any moisture or leakage problems in your home

Article By Adam O'Connor, Keep Your Home Free of Mold

Toxic Mold Lawyers Will be a Lot Busier Soon Due to Hurricanes in the Gulf and Flooding in the East

About ten thousand toxic mold lawsuits are currently pending in the United States, and the number is likely to grow rapidly in the wake of hurricanes in the US Gulf Coast and torrential rains in the Eastern United States. But homeowners and renters may need a toxic mold lawyer even if their residences haven't been flooded.

Recent studies have found evidence that there is less of a connection between certain health problems and toxic mold than was previously believed. Nonetheless, in the wake of flooding on the US Gulf Coast and in the Eastern United States, the number of toxic mold-related lawsuits is certain to increase.

Toxic mold can grow anywhere in certain conditions.  And if those conditions were created or allowed by a home builder or landlord, home buyers and tenants may have a right to sue and can seek a lawyer who specializes in toxic mold litigation.

How Can You Be Sure You Need a Toxic Mold Lawyer?

First, establish that you have a toxic mold problem.  Be sure you have plenty of facts to back up your claims.

If you want to do an initial mold test of a property at a low cost, consider using a do-it-yourself mold test kit. There are a number of inexpensive commercial mold test kits available.  

Find a Certified Mold Inspector to thoroughly inspect and test the home or building in question.

Hire a Certified Mold Remediator to develop a well-thought out, factually-strong mold remediation protocol plan with a realistic estimated remediation budget for taking care of any mold problems discovered by the Certified Mold Inspector.

After you've done these things, you'll have the facts you need to present to a toxic mold lawyer.

What makes a good "toxic mold lawyer?"

First, look for a lawyer who has experience in toxic mold cases.

Your toxic mold lawyer should already have an established network of inspectors and expert witnesses they can bring to court to testify for you.

How to Help Your Toxic Mold Lawyer Win Your Case

Once you choose a toxic mold lawyer, be prepared when you meet to discuss your toxic mold case for the first time.

• Explain to the toxic mold lawyer, clearly and simply, what you want to happen as a result of your toxic mold litigation.
• Have a list of questions ready about your legal rights in a toxic mold lawsuit.
• If possible, bring a chronological "journal" of facts about your situation: dates when you first started noticing health problems,
  specific symptoms of health problems, dates and times of doctors' appointments and doctors' recommendations, and clues that you had a toxic mold problem like greenish-black growths in basements and bathrooms.
• Have copies of the tests results and a remediation plan mentioned above available for the toxic mold lawyer to review

Details like these can help your mold lawyer understand your situation and what needs to be done, which in turn will save time for your mold lawyer, and make it easier for your toxic mold lawyer to begin working on your mold case.

Where to Start Looking for a Toxic Mold Lawyer

How to Find a Toxic Mold Lawyer provides a resource website focused on toxic mold information, including a section on finding a toxic mold lawyer.

George McKenzie is a freelance writer and CEO of Mastermind
Learning Systems http://www.mastermindlearning.com. He's a
former TV news anchor and radio talk show host.

Testing For Stachybotrys Mold - You Will Most Likely Smell It First

Testing for Stachybortrys mold is what professional technicians test for in homes and buildings. This is because the Stachybortrys mold is also called black mold and cane be very toxic. This mold is a greenish black slimy mold that is most often found on cellulose products, such as wood and paper. It does have a strong smell, so one clue you should do some testing for Stachybortrys is the strange musty smell that you get.

You can do you own Stachbortrys black mold testing by using a special mold testing kit. This will save you a lot of money that professional testing for Stachybortrys mold costs and you do the same thing. In the testing kit for black mold, there is a petrie dish containing a disc. You won't have to touch any black mold when you use this kit, so there is no danger involved. You just expose the disc to the air for about two hours and them close the lid to let it incubate for 48 hours. When you open it after that time, if there is a fungus growing on the disc, then this means that you have mold. It may or may not be black mold.

The main thing you have to look at when testing for Stachybortrys mold is that if you can smell mold you do have a problem. It is not enough to do the Stachybortrys black mold testing and to clean up the mold. If you have a problem with black mold, it means you also have a problem with water or moisture and this needs to be addressed. If you don't look for and solve this problem, the mold will only come back. Testing for mold is only part of the solution. You also have to do testing to find how the water is getting in.

Sometimes the testing for Stachybortrys mold is only easy to solve. The problem causing the black mold could be condensation building up on the pipes in your basement or it could be the result of not having enough heat in the basement. However, there are times when the Stachbortrys black mold testing calls for extreme measures for you to get rid of the mold. If, for example, the source of the black mold is the underlay under the carpet, this means you will have to take up all the carpet and throw it away. Just testing for Stachbortrys mold will not help you get rid of the toxic mold in your home.

To find out more about Mold Removal visit Peter's Website The Mold Removal Guide and find out about Mold Testing and more, including Mold allergies and toxic Mold

What Exactly Is Crown Molding?

By definition, a molding is an ornamental piece of wood, metal, or plaster, used to decorate or outline something. It can be used on the interior or exterior of a home. Moldings frame walls, ceilings, windows, and door openings. Examples of moldings used to decorate with are baseboards, crown molding, and chair rails. Today, I want to talk exclusively about crown molding as a decorative architectural choice.

Crown molding, also referred to as crown moulding, or cornice, is probably the most important architectural accent used to detail any interior space. Most interior designers today would agree that every room can be improved with the use of crown molding. Crown molding smoothes the transition from the wall to the ceiling and does a wonderful job of defining the architectural style of a room. The size and style of crown molding used may vary widely, from a simple cove in a farmhouse kitchen to a large built-up cornice in a grand entry.

The initial use of a cornice in building design is anyone's guess. By the time the ancient Greeks had gained power, rules had already been created to define the use and design of crown molding. Originally, it was used as a structural element to help support the weight of the roof. It also served to keep water away from the building, thus protecting the lower walls and the foundation. However, the use of cornice as a decorative element was not considered any less important than it's more utilitarian functions. Most of the ornamental design patterns that you see on today's crown molding originated from the ancient Greeks. Egg and dart, dentil and acanthus leaf are the most obvious examples and these were used extensively in ancient times by both the Greeks and the Romans.

With the rebirth of the arts in the Renaissance period came a renewed interest in classical architecture as well. The rules of the classical orders were applied to the interior decoration of rooms. These were the rules of "3". A column, the basis of classical architecture, is divided into 3 parts: base, shaft and capital. The base and the capital were then further divided into 3 parts and prescribed rules applied to the relationship and the proportion of these divisions as well. The same divisions that apply to a column are also applied to the wall. The wall is divided into the baseboard, the wall and a crown molding. The lower wall can be further divided into the base, dado and chair rail. Finally, the upper wall is divided into the picture molding, frieze and crown molding.

When beginning any decorative project to include several types of molding, it is recommended that you choose the style and size of crown molding first, as it is the most prominently displayed. Then select the rest of the moldings to match. Regarding the proper sizing of the crown molding, advice is abundant and many guidelines have been written. Most often the advice directs you to select the size of the crown molding based on the height of your ceiling. This may be a common approach to this aspect of the design process, though, as larger crown moldings have often been used to impressively decorate rooms of more modest proportions. What IS important is to properly scale the casings and other moldings to the size of the crown molding that you wish to use. When choosing crown molding for your interior, feel free to select the size and style that YOU like. Historically, larger crown moldings were more frequently used than what is recommended today by many interior designers. Change is anticipated as the current architectural renaissance continues and more designers and homeowners endeavor to add warmth to their homes and to personalize their interiors. So have a go at it and don't be intimidated . You are limited only by your imagination.  Patricia Tomaskovic is President of http://www.goceilingmedallion.com.