We Have a New Name!

South Texas Home Services has a new name!
We are now SOURCE HOME IMPROVEMENT LLC !
Same ownership, same great personalized home remodeling and repair service.
Check us out at www.sourcehomeimprovement.com and
call Robert now for a FREE ESTIMATE at 210-722-8429

Humming Birds

It's just so wonderful when you can look out your kitchen window and see hummingbirds at a feeder you've put up, or feeding on the flowers of plants that you have planted yourself. We did this in the last month and within a week we had hummingbirds coming to the new feeder we put up. Here is a picture of the feeder we bought, and the hummingbirds seemed to really like it. We filled it with a pre-mixed nectar concentrate that you mix with water - very convenient!

We have had non-stop hummingbird traffic since we bought it from our local Lowes. There are numerous plants that attract hummingbirds also. Your local nursery can help you with picking out plants that are attractive to you and the birds. A few we have planted in are yard that are also drought tolerant and deer resistant are, you guessed it, "hummingbird bush", LOL. Robert and I get great pleasure from seeing the local wildlife in our yard, and helping to sustain them too. :-)

July 4th Holiday

We got a last minute invitation to go to Horseshoe Bay, Texas, so we'll be back Sunday nite!

Our impromptu trip turned out to be a very relaxing, luxurious few days with some wonderful people. We had planned to stay home and do some landscaping around our home, but couldn't turn down this chance to spend quality time with my husband's side of the family. We don't often do things this last minute, but it actually was exciting that way. We all need a break in our routines to refresh ourselves and make things new again. And after being away a few days, you always appreciate coming home too.

More Sleep Tips

Since I'm even more tired tonight (yawn), I thought I'd give you a few more tips for a good night's sleep. One is to turn off the TV and computer at least 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime. This will slow and calm down your mind and body systems. A good Feng Shui tip for the bedroom is if you have to have a television in the bedroom, to keep it behind closed doors in an entertainment center or armoire. Another is to never have a mirror facing the bed. Both of these situations cause the release of energies opposite to that of restful sleep. The Feng Shui way to remedy the TV and mirrors is to cover them at night with a sheet, towel, or blanket, etc. It sounds a little wierd, but it really does give you a better night's sleep. We've tried it, and it does make a difference.
Sleep well!

Sleep Sanctuary

As I sit here trying to think of what to write in my blog, sleep comes to mind, LOL! We often underrate the importance of a good night's sleep in our extremely busy lives. I know I feel the best when I can get at least 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep a night. There is a little mind trick I use to help myself sleep really well. After turning out the light, lay on your back, really relax, and take at least 3 long deep breaths. Then say this to yourself either quietly out loud or in your mind:
"I always fall asleep easily. I sleep deeply and soundly all night and awaken rested, refreshed and ready to have a wonderful day."
I will repeat this to myself at least 3 times before I turn over and go to sleep. You can also add in the time that you would like to wake up. It works every time for me!
And it also helps to have a bedroom that is decorated in really nice soothing patterns and colors with luxurious items that you love. Aim to get a nice calm, relaxing feeling by just walking into the room. A simple dimmer switch really adds to that feeling. This is another area where Feng Shui can work wonders. Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary.
Nitey night! |-) zzzzz

Feng Shui and Your Home

Just about everyone has heard of Feng Shui. It can be said that it is the art of placement of things in and around your home in such a way to provide a positive energy flow. Feng Shui is based on the five elements of metal, wood, water, earth & fire. How these elements relate to one another help you determine how to arrange and choose items and colors to decorate your home. It can be somewhat confusing at first and requires a little bit of study to understand Feng Shui. But with some reading and perhaps a class, anyone can start to Feng Shui their home and have great results. My favorite source for Feng Shui information is Kathryn Weber, author of The Red Lotus Letter E-zine. I have taken a couple of classes from her and also had her come out and do a Feng Shui consultation at our home. I know from personal experience that she is one of the best around, and has the credentials to prove it. Sign up for her newsletter and get a lot of great free information on Feng Shui: Click here for The Red Lotus Letter
:-)

Easy Home Improvement Projects

Here is a great article I found recently:

Tips to Do Easy Home Improvement Projects
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Cindy_Heller]Cindy Heller

In your entire life your home is the most expensive thing you will ever buy. It is also where you spend most of your time. You do not need very much time for the most easy home improvement projects though many people like to spend the evenings and weekends fixing up their place.

It is no different when it comes to your home decor that everyone likes a breath of fresh air. You'd love to redecorate after seeing the same stuff in the same place for years as they are boring except you don't have plenty of money to spend on these extra frills. Here are four easy home decorating tips for any one on a budget as follows:

Rearrange

You can breathe some new life into a drab room just by changing the position of some pieces of furniture or framed art. Widen your horizons to other rooms, the basement and even the patio and garage. You need not limit yourself to swapping between pieces in just one room. An example of a home decorating tip would be simply swapping window treatments between rooms and switching an end table for a plant stand and vice versa can give a new look without spending a penny.

Thrift Stores and Garage Sales

As you've heard the adage never underestimate what you can find at a thrift store; one mans trash is the others treasure. Often people just want to get rid of stuff as people moved or downsized. They are not in the market to make money and so a great and easy home decorating tip is to get a lightly used recliner or dresser for a very good price. It may not be new technically, but it is new for you.

Paint

Paint, a famous home decorating tip is by far the cheapest way to provide a new look to any room. Select a similar shade in a national brand and give all five walls (yes, include the ceiling) a new coat instead of choosing a designer Ralph Lauren color. White walls are so out of fashion that even if you want a neutral color, shades of taupe, tan and beige are the way to go. Look for the 'oops' section in the pain department to save even more. They often have cans of paint at drastically reduced prices because the colors wee not matched correctly for the original customer.

Accessorize

Adding decorative elements is another home decorating tip. You can add splashes of color around the house with funky or classic accessories that can instantly change the mood of a room even if you do not have the budget for new pieces of furniture. A new throw, some toss pillows, a new wall clock or frame, the possibilities are endless. Go with the theme of your room or with the season and indulge a little to get a lot.

Help is Available

It's time to start looking for federal help if capital is a problem. The federal government has grants that can be utilized by people for home improvement projects. These grants need not return and can ultimately help you add that room and change the decor like you've always desired. You'll first need to prove that you need the money and you'll need to provide a list of exactly what you plan to do with it so as to qualify for a federal grant for home improvement projects

How about a loan if you don't qualify for a grant? Home improvement loans can help those who don't possess money for home improvement projects immediately. You can pay the loans back in installments. Surf the internet or visit your bank to find loans for home improvement projects. Just ensure that you select a loan longer than you plan to stay in your house. You would essentially be paying for home improvements that you will no longer be able to enjoy.

Since the money aspect is out of the way, what about the knowledge? Simple just visit your local home improvement store. The staff working there will be happier to assist you with ideas and even home improvement project companies who can help you where you need it most. Even though you have never held a hammer before, these companies can assist you with all your home improvement projects.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit [http://www.homesrenovations.net]Homes Renovations to learn more about [http://www.homesrenovations.net/menards-home-improvement.php]menards home improvement and other home decorating tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_Heller http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-to-Do-Easy-Home-Improvement-Projects&id=1257090

If you need help in the San Antonio, TX area with any home improvement project such as those listed above, call Robert at 210-722-8429 or email him at robertpcastillo@prodigy.net for a FREE ESTIMATE. www.southtexashomeservices.com