First, rid yourself of the idea that you will do something when you can get ‘the whole job’ done.  That rarely happens.  Paint a room every season; wash a couple windows every other week.  Oh….and about vinyl-clad maintenance-free windows:   They get mildew and dirt on them; however, with a little ‘Fantastic’ or similar product, they wash easily.

Streaks on your roof:  I am about to have someone give me a price on my roof.  I’ll let you know the result when it’s finished.

I read statistics created from information about cost of maintenance on homes and the result seemed to be that you have to plan on spending , annually, about 1% of the value of the house.  I think that is accurate.

Happy spring and summer cleaning!     Mariah

Remember, Grand Prix night (BIGGG JUMPERS) is Thursday evening,

May 28th at 8 p.m.

Horse People:  I’ve just discovered Equine Exchange on Rt. 23 in Coventryville.  In addition to nice quality consignment items, they handle blanket-washing, blade-sharpening, leather repair, etc.  Actual address is 1503 Ridge Rd.,Pottstown mailing address.  At Rt. 100, travel West on 23, about a mile or so past that wonderful little tea room that’s on the right-hand side.

Cheese Lovers:  Read about CURDS:  What a shock I had the other day.  I traveled up Rt. 401 to take Rt. 23 into Morgantown because I had to pickup my husband’s re-soled shoes (more about this in an upcoming blog) and I decided to return by way of Rt. 322, actually making a circle to return home.  I remembered, in the past,  seeing a  sign with “Cheese” scrawled across it.  I remembered an Amish dairy farm  at the end of a long lane.  Alas!  It was gone.  However, about a mile before getting into Honeybrook Boro, I saw a very pretty sign, “September Farm” (cheese).  Okay, I’ll turn on Mill Rd.  About a mile up, I turned into a farm.  There was the prettiest little cheese shop with French glass doors; clean, beautiful, could have been on the Main Line (That was the shock!)  They have a huge window where you can look in and see the cheese being made.  (Made from their own cows; 50 head of Holsteins).  They just happened to be in the process of making CURDS because a customer had ordered them.  Have you ever had curds?  I hadn’t.  Oh my gosh!  They were fresh and warm and totally divine!  If you get out Honeybrook way, the number is 610-273-3552 in case you want to order curds!

Tip:  Mold can form easily in anyone’s basement.  A dehumidifier is part of the answer; but, the cheapest solution is to keep air moving with  two or three fans running all the time.  If you see a little mold, mix a little  household bleach and water in a spray bottle.  Spray liberally and rub with a cloth.  You may have to do this a couple times.

In addition to tips and guidance for Buyers and Sellers, I will be adding comments and opinions about restaurants (BYO’s, too!) cost-saving suggestions, train information into Center City Philadelphia, used book stores, tack shop information for horse enthusiasts, and more.