A 27 year-old woman from Allentown, Pennsylvania has not only forgiven the mother who abandoned her at birth, but is now welcoming her into her life and calling the reunion “pure joy.”
Monthly Archives: March 2014
How Insulting!
“Happy are you when you are insulted for the sake of Christ,
Read the rest…
Pope Francis Meets with President Obama
Pope Francis met with President Barack Obama in the Vatican for nearly an hour this afternoon for a discussion that remains largely private.
Sick! Police Find Razor Blades Glued to Monkey Bars
A two year-old boy was injured in an Illinois playground on Monday while playing on monkey bars in a local park that had been booby-trapped with razor blades.
Knock, Knock – Improving your property value
Your home is in the perfect location, came at the perfect price, with the perfect lot. (Yay southern exposure!)
But the home itself? Perfect isn’t the adjective you’d use. But you knew that moving in, and now you’re ready to start making it just right.
But where to begin? How about with data? Data is that friend who tells you like it really is.
Because while any home improvement that brings you joy is priceless, not all add as much home equity as you might expect.
The “Remodeling Impact Report” from the National Association of REALTORS® has tons of data on how much improvements cost — and how much of those costs you can recoup.
#1 New Roof
Image: Eddy Garcia
If you find yourself sprinting for the buckets when it starts to sprinkle, getting a new roof should be your No. 1 to-do. Measuring rainfall from the indoors isn’t cool. There are several reasons why a roof might need to be replaced. Circumstances like storm damage, fires, and old age are common reasons why homeowners reroof their properties. Common signs that indicate you need to replace your roof include old age (Around 20 Years), shingle damage (warping, buckling, curling, etc.), excessive shingle loss, damaged roof valleys, water leaks, mold growth, shingle granules inside gutters, and noticing a bouncy or spongy feel when walking on the roof. When you’re choosing your roofing contractor, ask for references. You’ll definitely want to see examples of their work on local homes. When giving an estimate, a contractor will come to your house to inspect your roof, have a peek at these guys for the best roofing contractor. He’ll come up with a number that factors in the cost of materials and labor, including the cost of stripping and throwing away the old shingles. The estimate should include the cost of removal and disposal of the old roofing material. If not, ask about this to avoid surprises. There is a chance that there will be some unforeseen costs in the project, so it is good to avoid as many of these as possible. After the visit, they will send you a written contract. A contract from a roofing company should include a description of what is to be done, as well as when it is to be done and a schedule for payment. Having it all in writing can protect the homeowner later on. Be sure to shop around before settling on a specific contractor, as prices can vary considerably. Insulation іѕ аn essential раrt оf еvеrу home. Thіѕ іѕ required fоr various reasons. Sоmе require іt tо insulate thе house аgаіnѕt weather whіlе оthеr mіght need іt tо make sure thаt loud noises dо nоt reach thеіr house оr thеіr room. Go through Insulation4US.com site for more information about the Corning insulation.
The cost: $7,500
The return: 109% at $8,150
Considering it’s what’s between you and the elements, it’s a no-brainer.
Not sure if you need a new roof? Signs you might include:
- Shingles are missing, curling up, or covered in moss.
- Gritty bits from the asphalt shingles are coming out the downspout.
- The sun’s shining through your attic.
- You notice stains on ceilings and walls.
- Your energy bill is sky high.
#2 Hardwood Floors
Image: SL Interiors
You flip on the TV to see that your fave home reno-ing duo is it at again, flipping a ranch that’s stuck in the ‘80s.
They make it to the living room, pull back the dingy carpet to reveal hardwood floors in great condition. They’re psyched — and for good reason.
Hardwood floors are a timeless classic. Refinishing is a no-brainer. Neither will you regret adding new hardwood floors if you have none.
The cost to refinish: $2,500
The return: 100% at $2,500
The cost to buy new: $5,500
The return: 91% at $5,000
#3 New Garage Door
Image: Sunwest Garage Door
No surprise that a garage door replacement project made it onto this #winning list — a new garage door provides a big boost for your home’s curb appeal at a relatively modest cost. Of course it’s not only about the door, your entrance needs to be in good condition, without visible cracks, this paving company can easily help you with that.
The cost: $2,300 (for a two-door)
The return: 87% at $2,000
There are options galore, too. A host of factory-finish colors, wood-look embossed steel, and glass window insets are just some of the possibilities that’ll give your doors bankable personality.
Violent Video Games Fuel Aggressive Behavior in Children
A large study by researchers at the University of Iowa has concluded that children who repeatedly play violent video games learn thought patterns that stick with them and influence their behavior as they grow older.
Justices Gruel Both Sides in Hobby Lobby Case
The morning after pivotal hearings took place at the Supreme Court challenging the Administration’s controversial birth control mandate, court watchers say the decision could go either way.
Are Epigenetic Supplements Worthless?
J asks: “I have recently come across a company that sells nutritional supplements that was taken by JPII. About two years ago this company has gotten involved with epigenetics. Explained to me as natural supplements that can flip the switches on the genome from unhealthy to healthy positions. Are these products ok to take?”
Indiana Scraps Common Core
The state of Indiana has become the first 
to drop out of the controversial Common Core curriculum, a move many believe will “open the floodgates” for more states to follow.
Oceans of Mercy
Return, says the Lord,
