It is quite simple to repair a hole in a Sheetrocked wall, however there are minor differences in methods of repair depending on how large the hole is.
With small holes, simply apply a little joint compound or wall putty with a small putty knife or trowel. Let dry, then sand lightly and paint.
First clean out the hole and surrounding area of any debris and loose sheetrock. Then apply a mesh tape, specifically manufactured for sheetrock applications, across the hole. Use your putty knife to ensure that it is applied evenly on the wall surface. Next apply a liberal amount of Joint Compound over the hole and mesh. Let this set for 1 to 2 days.
After the initial coat has been applied and has had time to fully dry, apply a second skim coat of Joint Compound over the area. However, this time spread the Joint Compound over an area that is 2-3 times the size of the original hole. Basically you want to flare out the area that you are repairing so that it will blend in nicely with the rest of the wall. Again let the area dry for a day.
Finally lightly sand the area and apply one last skim coat over the area. Again spreading the Joint Compound out a little further than the last application. Let the Joint Compound set up one more day, sand lightly and then paint.
With large holes, I recommend cutting out an area such that a new small piece of sheetrock can be applied to the 2x4 studs. For example, I would consider putting in a new 16x16 piece of sheetrock for a hole that is greater than 2 in diameter and less than 16 in diameter.
The best method to remove the piece of damage sheetrock is to use a Carpenters knife (razor blade) and score the area where you want to cut out. Repeatedly apply the knife until you have worked your way through the sheetrock. When complete, you should have about ½ to Ύ of the 2x4 stud showing on each of the two exposed studs.
Note: Care should be taken to ensure no wires are cut behind the sheetrock when cutting out the damaged piece.
Next, cut a piece of new sheetrock to the size of the hole, and secure with sheetrock screws or ringed sheetrock nails.
Next, tape the cracks with the mesh tape material mentioned above. Then as described earlier, apply three skim coats of Joint Compound, with each successive coat getting flared out further. Make sure you wait for the Joint Compound to dry before applying the next coat. Perform a final light sand after the final coat has been applied and has had time to dry, and then paint.
About The Author
Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com.
Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Skyrockets
by: Jeannine Virtue
Today more and more adults are looking at their newly
diagnosed ADHD children and seeing a bit of themselves in the
symptoms. More and more adults are looking at the ADHD
advertising aimed toward adults and putting the pieces of a
distracted childhood into perspective. And today, more and
more adults are flocking to the doctors office looking for
help in managing their ADHD symptoms.
In fact, according to recently released data from Medco Health
Solutions, one of the countries largest prescription benefit
manager, adult use of ADHD medications has doubled since the
year 2000.
According to IMS Health, a pharmaceutical information and
consulting firm, sales of ADHD drugs soared from $759 million
in 2000 to $3.1 billion in 2004. As drug makers continue to
make receive approval specifically to market to adults, the
market for ADHD drugs could easily double.
Doctors currently treat about 1 percent of adults, which
translates to nearly 1.5 million Americans aged 20 and older
who take ADHD medicine. These figures, as well as other
studies, dispel the earlier beliefs that children with ADHD
would outgrow their ADD by adolescence. It is estimated that
about 50 percent of adults still have problems with ADHD that
affect their present functioning. And now, many are staying on
their medication beyond adolescence.
Attention Deficit Disorder, which is more commonly diagnosed
in children, has become a growing problem in the workplace.
Chances are, if you work in an office setting, you’ve spotted
a few of them. They may have symptoms that include fidgeting,
difficulty staying on task and missed deadlines. The ADHD
adult might seem uncomfortable at meetings that require
sitting still for extended periods of time. Their desks are
often in disarray and interrupting colleagues is a common
annoyance.
Below is an adult symptom test with a symptom list unique to
the Attention Deficit Disorder adult. Test yourself with this
self symptom test, along with the Attention Deficit Disorder
symptom test for children. This self symptom test is not a
diagnostic test but a source of information for the adult
trying to determine if Attention Deficit Disorder might be
present in their adult life.
_ An internal sense of anxiety.
_ Impulsive spending habits.
_ Frequently misplace the car keys, your purse or wallet or other day-to-day items.
_ Lack of attention to detail.
_ Frequent distractions during sex.
_ Family history of ADD, learning problems, mood disorders or substance abuse problems.
_ An attitude of “read the directions when all else fails.”
_ Frequent traffic violations.
_ Impulsive job changes.
_ Trouble following the proper channels or chain of commands.
_ Trouble maintaining an organized work and/or home environment.
_ Frequently overwhelmed by tasks of daily living.
_ Poor financial management and frequent late bills.
_ Procrastination.
_ Chronically late or always in a hurry.
_ Spending excessive time at work due to inefficiencies.
_ Inconsistent work performance.
_ Frequent mood swings.
_ Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships.
_ Sense of underachievement.
_ “Thin-skinned” - having quick or exaggerated responses to real or imagined slights.
_ A need to seek high stimulation activities.
_ Transposing numbers, letters, words.
_ Tendency toward being argumentative.
_ Addictive personality toward food, alcohol, drugs, work and/or gambling.
_ Tendency toward exaggerated outbursts.
_ Tendency to worry needlessly and endlessly.
According to a 2005 Harvard Medical School study, Attention
Deficit can have a very significant economic impact on
employees. According to this study, household income for high
school graduates with ADHD is almost $11,000 less than a
person without ADHD. And college graduates who suffer from
ADHD have an income nearly $4,000 less than their counter
parts.
Adequate treatment can greatly improve many facets of the ADHD
adult’s life, including relationships, parenting skills, job
performance and even sex lives. That said, ADHD treatment does
not always include the use of pharmaceutical drugs. Using
natural approaches to treat ADHD are highly suggested for
adults who have tried the ADHD drugs to little satisfaction,
adults with a history of drug or alcohol abuse and adults who
simply want a more healthful and less damaging way of managing
their health.
The Attention Deficit Disorder adult can find help naturally
without the side effects of ADHD medication by incorporate
diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications.
Regular and vigorous exercise can be very helpful for the
Attention Deficit Disorder adult. To keep the brain
functioning at top performance, an ADHD diet packed with brain
boosting essential fatty acids and amino acids is a must. The
ADD adult can also meet these crucial dietary requirements for
Attention Deficit Disorder by taking a high-quality
nutritional supplement to ensure that they are giving the
brain the fuel it needs to function properly.
An adult with Attention Deficit Disorder might find it
beneficial to enlist the help of a coach. A coach is a close
and trusted friend, co-worker or therapist whose specific
function is to help the Attention Deficit Disorder adult stay
organized, on track and focused while providing encouragement.
If you or someone you love experiences problems with
impulsivity, disorganization, procrastination and
hyperactivity and other symptoms from the following list that
significantly impact daily life, seek out a safe treatment
plan to alleviate the problems. You won’t be sorry.
About The Author
Jeannine Virtue is a freelance writer who focuses on health related issues. For information about effective and natural treatments for Attention Deficit Disorder and Depression in adults and children, visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center at http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com.
When in 1996 a local Secondary School opened, the staff decided to create a tradition to prepare Christmas Hampers for those in need. Each advisory class (of around 18 students G9-12) would adopt a family to help out. The students only know how many in the family, ages of the children, and whether they have any food allergies. Every year, 65 ?70 hampers are delivered to families. Inside each hamper is a note from the school principal wishing the family a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy new year. It explains how the hamper was put together by the students and adds (I quote) " We hope that this hamper will bring you joy at this special time of year as it was put together with much love and care"
What would you think the experience of delivering a hamper would be? In my minds eye I would imagine this scenario? knocking at the door, and seeing the face of the mother light up, excited voices and delighted faces of children gathering at the door to receive the four or five large boxes, all wrapped in Christmas paper being delivered. I would imagine seeing the relief and gratitude on the mothers face, perhaps moist eyes, as she realizes there will be plenty of food to go round this Christmas. She may feel, perhaps, amazement and a little overwhelmed that total strangers would go out of their way to be so generous. Seeing those things would be all the reward those students needed for their selfless giving, and what a memory to have in the impressionable teenage years.
Unfortunately this imagined scene is not reality in the experience of the school. One of the teachers told me one of three things normally happen. When the hampers are delivered (either by the teacher or a trusted Grade 12 student), sometimes there is a thank you, sometimes a terse “put it over there”, and sometimes no one answers the door.
Now I understand that it’s is embarrassing and humbling to receive, and many people find it very difficult, and may not be able to show their appreciation in person. There are other ways to show gratitude and say thank you, a thank you note to the school, a phone call or a letter. Sadly this seldom happens. I was shocked!! The school has probably prepared over 700 hampers since 1996, and seldom received any acknowledgement whatsoever. The teachers reassure the students that the hampers were appreciated, and the school keeps on giving. At this time the students are planning how they can help the victims of the tsunami. The teacher’s comment "The students are amazing!"
There is a well-known saying that it is better to give than receive; I would say that it is also easier to give than receive. I don’t know why it is so hard to show real appreciation when we receive something, but it is not just a cultural or generational problem.
In the gospel of Luke we learn that it was difficult over 2000 years ago. Leprosy is a terrible disease that eats away at a person’s flesh, and is very contagious. In biblical times there was no cure. To have leprosy meant living outside the town, being ostracized from society, no longer able to live a normal life with your family, maybe never being able to hug your children, only being able to speak to them or see them from a distance. If you had leprosy you had to walk about warning people by ringing a bell and shouting ‘unclean, unclean’ so people would keep away from you. Can you imagine living like that! Jesus met ten of these lepers one day, and told them to show themselves to the priest, as they went they were healed. Not only was the pain and suffering gone, but also it also meant, their life style was to be transformed, they could be reunited with their family, work, and be part of community again. Luke’s account tells us that one of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He THREW himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Luke then added, ‘and he was a Samaritan,’ an enemy of the Israel, who would not know or worship God. Only one out of ten showed gratitude for such a huge life-changing miracle!
We are so blessed by God and by the people around us. Yet in a society, which seeks ‘instant’ satisfaction, it is easy to take many things for granted and not really demonstrate appreciation. We are raised to say ‘thank you’, but so often it comes out of our mouths automatically with out really thinking about how grateful and appreciative we are. Our society has much expectations- good service, to be served, to have meals, to be warm and comfortable in a home, and because we’re used to this kind of life style it’s easy to lose a sense of gratitude and appreciation. Saying thank you is sufficient, and is the right thing to do, yet have you considered how by going out of our way to show appreciation we can bless others and make them feel valued. When we show appreciation, we can make such a difference to someone’s day. A thank you note, a surprise gift, a letter commending good customer service to an employer, or a smile and a word of appreciation to the cashier at the checkout are some of many ways we can show gratitude. Often showing appreciation, a short time after someone has blessed us, touches a person’s heart, as it demonstrates that what he or she did was noticed and appreciated. It costs us so little to take a moment to take someone aside to say thanks, you did a good job, and yet it can mean so much!
Being a thankful people is God’s heart for us. Scripture tells us many times to give thanks, give thanks to God, and also to those around us. To be known as a person who is thankful, showing gratitude and appreciation for all things that we have been given reflects God’s love to the world around us Our life is a gift, our health, all we have, and all the ways that people serve and give to us are gifts, not rights we can demand or expect. Col 2v7 encourages us to be overflowing in thankfulness. Let 2005 be a year when we grow in our thankfulness, and take more time to show others our appreciation for them as individuals, and the things that they do.
Barbara White, a former Principal and teacher, is now president of Beyond Better Development. As a speaker and author, Barbara brings her passion and expertise to work with people to help them grow towards excellence and their unique potential in their personal and professional life. For more information visit her website, http://www.livingbeyondbetter.com and sign up for her free newsletter “Growing Beyond Better”.
barbara@livingbeyondbetter.com
Have you ever thought what you would do without your Grandmom ? She’s the one that always stands beside us and gives us the cookies on the side? She fills in when Mom can’t. She’s the one that will spoil us rotten given half a chance. God thought enough of us to give us three earthly Guardian Angels if we are lucky enough when we are born all three are living. So many times, we forget Grandmom on Mother’s Day.
I am following my guidance in the writing of this article because Grandmom’s need to be exalted…not forgotten. Remember what I stated previously… God loves us enough that we are personally given this earthly Guardian Angel. Think about this for a moment… allow the monumental impact of that statement to sink in and all that encompasses. The one person that will always love you no matter what. As we get older we don’t think we need Grandmom quite as much as we did before and we generally take her for granted … She will always be here? She’s behind the times. Maybe sitting in a nursing home hoping someone will remember she is there. Will they come today? Will they call today? Do I matter anymore? Is it any wonder our elderly suffer from so much depression?
Grandmom’s are still Mom’s… they have a son or a daughter that happens to be your Mother or Father… then they have a Grandson or a Granddaughter that happens to be you. You have always come first with her. The apple of her eye. The one she could do all the things with that she didn’t have time with your Father or Mother because she was busy raising them full time… She loves you with unconditional love… remember that.
So you may have let her down once or twice, did she let you know or just give you a hug and a kiss and look upon you with those loving eyes of her’s?
Mother’s day is coming up May 8th. and what will you do for your Grandmom ? Will you remember to pick up the telephone to make the long distance telephone call to Grandmom who is now in the nursing home or lives just around the block that you haven’t seen or talked to in several weeks? Maybe Granddad isn’t here anymore and she could be very lonely, no matter the conditions take the time to reach out. Grandmom won’t be here forever and there may not be many tomorrow’s so let her know she is loved.
Will you remember to order, purchase or make a special gift for her? To send her a Mother’s Day card that isn’t an e-mail? To get in the car and make the 3 hour trip to Grandmom’s to just let her know how special she is to you… loved, honored and respected…
Remember…
God loves us enough that we are personally given an earthly Guardian Angel…
‘Grandmom’
One of God’s greatest gifts to us.
Let you be the reason for the smile on her face and the glow in her heart… you remembered.
© 2005 Sharae Taylor
Sharae Taylor is a well known Intuitive Angel Artist whose paintings are in world wide collections and her works have been exhibited with other well known Angel Artists Andy Lakey ,Donna Terody Sheratan,Gary Markowitz, past art editor of “Angel Times” magazine and K. Martin Kuri, Angel Artist and Author. Sharae has also participated in many Angel Expos and Angel Conferences with other well known Angel Authors like Alma Daniels author of “Ask Your Angels” . Her Angel paintings are featured in the newly released “Angels” DVD by Llewellyn and New World Music and was featured in the February 2005 issue of http://Planetlightworker.com. Sharae is a published author in magazines and ezines. To view Sharae’s Angelic art and for further information visit her website at:http://www.angelsbysharae.com
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