DasHaus December 2015/January 2016
Personal touch Family remodels, gives home new personality.
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CONTENTS
It’s a new year...........4 How can you help yourself live healthier and wealthier in 2016.
At home6
Ladder love..12
Ladders aren’t just for climbing anymore.
James and Taryn Leiker work to give house a personal touch.
Das Haus is published and distributed by The Hays Daily News, 507 Main, Hays, KS 67601. Find it online at www.HDNews.net/DasHaus. Copyright © 2015 Harris Enterprises. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Das Haus is a registered trademark of The Hays Daily News. Printed by Northwestern Printers, 114 W. Ninth, Hays, KS 67601, northwesternprinters.com. Publisher, Patrick Lowry, plowry@dailynews.net Advertising Director, Mary Karst, maryk_ads@dailynews.net Designer, Nick McQueen, nmcqueen@dailynews.net Account Executives: Joleen Fisher, Ashley Bergman, Eric Rathke Creative Services: Juno Ogle, Mallory Goeke
Upgrade time....14 Don’t wait to install upgrades for winter weather.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Linda Beech is a family and consumer science agent with K-State Research and Extension in Ellis County.
Tribune News Service
Resolutions for health and wealth
A
s we end one year and prepare to start the next, many people begin thinking about resolutions to improve their lives during the coming year. Losing weight, exercising, saving money and paying off debt perennially top the list of desired changes. Most people think of health and wealth as separate goals but, in fact, both aspects are closely related. Want to be more healthy and wealthy this year? Consider these 10 strategies:
B uild ‘ health capital ’ Good health is an asset to your financial situation. It decreases the odds of costly medical bills today and/or later in life. Eat nutritious meals, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and manage stress. Without good health, you can’t earn an income and build wealth. D on ’ t
4 DAS HAUS December 2015/January 2016
burn your money Quit smoking or don’t start. An average pack of cigarettes costs $6. Multiply $6 by 365 days and
you could save $2,190 a year, plus interest — not to mention all the positive health effects. Invest $2,190 in a mutual fund averaging 7 percent and you’ll have $138,515 in 25 years.
J unk the ‘ junk food ’ Just cut it out: Soda, fast food, cookies, chips, etc. Not only will you lose weight (trimming 100 calories a day = 10 pounds of annual weight loss), but you’ll pocket the savings. Save $7 a day on high-calorie foods and drinks, and you’ll have over $2,500 in a year. G et with a program Enroll in a community or workplace wellness program with accountability and incentives, if available. Studies have found that people who get rewards to lose weight or quit smoking are often more successful in changing behavior. >>>>>>>>>
Take control People are more successful savers when they “pay themselves first” by having money automatically deposited from their paycheck into a savings account. Taking control of your health might include choosing smaller meals, substituting fruits and vegetables for snacks and asking for sauces and salad dressings on the side. Stay healthy
to work longer Maintaining good health increases the odds of being productive and working as long as you want to, instead of retiring because you have to from illness or disability. This can translate into thousands of dollars at retirement.
Don’t skip the small stuff
Little things matter! Healthy habits that save dollars over time include washing your hands frequently to avoid the expense and lost work time of flu, cold or food-borne illness and flossing your teeth to help prevent periodontal disease.
Do something every day Improve your health and finances with small daily activities such as exercising 30 minutes, drinking 8 glasses of water, saving pocket change and tracking expenses. Ramp up already positive behaviors by walking more steps each day, cutting spending and increasing savings. Make prevention a priority
run, inadequate sleep, inactivity, and overwork has a way of catching up with people. You’ll likely pay the price in medical bills and/or lost productivity. Make the time for healthy meals, sleep, relaxation, and exercise. Want to improve your health and personal finances? Take the Personal Health and Finance quiz at http:// njaes.rutgers.edu/money/health-finance-quiz/ to assess your current daily health and wealth activities.
When you’re done, you’ll receive separate scores for daily health practices and daily financial practices and a total combined score. Doing even one of these 10 recommended practices is a great way to get started on the path to better health and improved financial security. Small changes do make a difference to improve your health and increase your wealth in the new year.
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This includes annual physicals, screening exams, immunizations, and regular dental and vision checks, all of which can help avoid high-cost medical expenses later. To save money, take advantage of free or low-cost worksite or public health services such as health fairs and drive-through flu shots.
Don’t sacrifice health for wealth The Roman poet Virgil said, “The greatest wealth is health.” Don’t pursue financial success at the expense of your health. A lifestyle of eating on the
KITCHEN SUITES
785-625-3278 1-800-248-3270 1224 E. 27th Hays, KS
Express your style
AT HOME
Couple transforms house to fit their style.
Personal
touch
W
hen James and Taryn Leiker made the decision to move into town from their home on James’ family farm south of Munjor, they wanted to find a house that was not only appealing, but capable of transforming into a warm and welcoming space featuring their family’s personality. After looking at several properties in Hays, it was the house built in 1948, at 106 W. 17th, with the exaggerated chimney, stained-glass window and eye-catching, cherry red front door, that immediately began to feel like home. “We love the curb appeal, and the chimney and fireplace are what drew 6 DAS HAUS December 2015/January 2016
us in,” James said. “The chimney is 10 or 15 feet taller than it has to be.” With ventilation between floors, the fireplace heats the entire house in the wintertime, which was a huge selling point for the couple. Perhaps most appealing for Taryn were the home’s constant surprises and unknowns. The house has 2,700 sq. ft. of livable space, with an additional 600 sq. ft. of storage space, according to James. “We love the unpredictable,” Taryn said. “When you walk in the house, most people don’t realize there’s a second floor, a basement, or the space that’s in the house.”
Story by Maggie Gebhardt Photos by Jolie Green
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After purchasing the house in April 2010, renovations quickly began, and on the Fourth of July, the family of five, which includes James, Taryn, their 11-year-old daughter Reece, 7-year-old son Channing, and 12-year-old furry companion Chica, made the move into their new home. “The biggest thing was that when people walk in that door, we wanted them to feel comfortable and welcomed, because that’s how our family is,” Taryn said. “It’s really important for us that people feel at peace, and that our home is warm and inviting.” To create this place of comfort, many changes and updates took place, and roughly five years later, the family is looking back on how far they have come after adding their personal touch. “We’ve really been able to put our own stamp on it,” Taryn said.
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“We’re not big believers in everything has to be new; old is still good.” James Leiker, home owner
Sprinkled throughout the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home, projects have been completed symbolizing the teamwork between husband and wife. Taryn dreams up creative ideas for furniture designs and draws them out, then James goes to work building her vision. “We’re not big believers in everything has to be new; old is still good,” James said. “It’s just about repurposing it.” And repurpose he has. Whether it’s shelving, dressers, bed frames, benches or desks, James has handbuilt and crafted furniture items that can be seen in practically every room.
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“It’s all scrap lumber or reclaimed lumber from the family farm,” James said. “You’ll see barn wood that is really barn wood. It’s not purchased barn wood that is actually plastic.” The family room features a large, multi-colored, stained-glass window, located on the front of the home, which faces 17th Street. “It’s the original – you can actually see the thumb printing,” James said. “Every stained glass window usually tells a story, but unfortunately, we don’t really know what the story is.” The rounded, cherry red front door has caught the eye of many passersby over the years, according to the Leikers, who said it is one of their favorite features of the house.
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“It’s very characteristic. I can’t say it’s the original, but I know they don’t build them like that anymore,” James said. “It’s a solid two inches thick.” Perhaps featuring most of the family members’ personalities are the bedrooms. The Leikers describe their son, Channing, as a child with the mind of an engineer. His bedroom is themed with a concrete, industrial appeal, complete with a lego wall, and bed and desk built by James. “We encourage our kids to use their minds and be creative,” Taryn said. “The house is usually a mess, but in the best way, because the kids are really expressing themselves.”
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Their daughter, Reece, has dreams of becoming a marine biologist, so her bedroom is a tropical theme, with a large handcrafted shelf exhibiting knickknacks from various family trips including Costa Rica, Brazil, the Bahamas and Hawaii. Surrounded by seashells, starfish and ocean decor, an entire wall in Reece’s room displays a photo from where the family visited in the Bahamas, which on a daily basis brings back to life the memories of a family trip the 11-year-old holds close to her heart. Taryn and James’ bedroom includes a bed James built, with storage shelves underneath, a prayer corner, and family memories sprinkled around the room. The bathroom off the master bedroom is accessible through a sliding wood door constructed of hay wagon wood James said traces back to the 1920s. Some parts of the wood even still contain imbedded hair from when cows rubbed against it. The bathroom features a steam shower, a window into the bedroom, and cabinetry by James. Over the sink, a mirror, also surrounded by the same hay wagon wood, is brightened by a unique variety of gleaming bulbs that hang from above. “It’s kind of like your own spa,” Taryn said of the bathroom. The unique bathroom lightig complements the many other light fixtures designed and constructed throughout the home by James and Taryn, many of which are made from a variety of mason jars. Displaying even more of their personalities, on nearly every wall throughout the home, handwritten quotes can be found, usually within picture frames where one would expect to see photos. “We’re really about having a positive mindset and an uplifting mindset, so something you’ll see around the house are quotes,” Taryn said. “We want to always have a mindset to work harder and just be the people we want our children to be.” “If you keep them positive, they will grow up to be positive people,” James said. In the backyard, the Leikers have herbs they planted and use, including oregano, tarragon, sage, chives,
horseradish, parsley, rosemary and jalapenos. The home still contains a common property garage, one of approximately six similar situations in Hays, according to James. “We split the garage with our neighbor,” Taryn said. “Half is ours, half is theirs and there is a cinderblock wall down the middle.” The couple is currently preparing for expansion and significant landscaping outside the home, with plans to extend the yard, re-fence,
and add a garage with an upper level studio. In the last five years, many changes have been made to express who the Leikers are, creating a comfortable, warm and inviting atmosphere, with happy memories in nearly every corner. “So many families just exist in a home together, but we interact and really are involved in each other’s lives,” Taryn said. “There’s a bit of us in every single room, and that’s what I love most.”
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Berry Berry Quite Contrary Kayla Berry is a stay-at-home mom who enjoys creating, decorating and re-purposing old furniture and decor.
Loving Ladders L
adders are everywhere these days. They no longer are just used for hanging up Christmas lights or changing a light bulb. Ladders can be used to hold blankets in a living room, towels in a bath room, used as a shelf for picture frames and other knick-knacks, etc. Here are two ideas using an old ladder:
10 DAS HAUS December 2015/January 2016
Ladder on a Wall I put Vaseline on areas where I wanted a distressed look, spray painted it white and then scraped off the parts where the Vaseline was. The Vaseline makes it easy to get a distressed look and the paint comes right off where you put the Vaseline on. You can also use a candle stick if you don’t have Vaseline. Rub it on the parts where you want
distressed and the paint will easily come off. I attached the ladder to the wall by just screwing it into the studs. The unique, large shelf cost me under $10.
Ladder on a Porch I love ladders on porches. I wanted to brighten up our porch so I did this simple project. All you need is an old ladder, white paint, large number stickers or stencils, black paint, Mod-Podge, and a paintbrush. I painted the steps white and let it dry. Mod-Podge your black stickers onto the steps or using your stencil, paint the numbers on. Let dry and you have a unique, decorative ladder.
Cold weather preparation
Don’t delay on upgrades Think you missed this year’s season to make energy efficient exterior upgrades? Many homeowners are reluctant to start exterior remodeling improvements in the cooler months because they worry about the potential to let in a draft during the installation process. In reality, this is one of the times of year you will most feel the effect of an upgrade to energy-efficient windows, doors and insulated siding, and the remodeling can be done with minimal impact on the comfort of your home. Here are a few reasons not to delay:
Timing Winter can be an ideal time to initiate upgrades. By taking care of your project now, you avoid the busier spring season. Plus, the sooner you make enhancements that increase efficiency and comfort, the sooner you can reap those benefits. Why let another winter pass you by feeling chilly in your home and paying for wasted energy?
14 DAS HAUS December 2015/January 2016
Installation Process Innovations in home remodeling are making year-round upgrades easier than ever. For example, Window World, America’s largest exterior remodeler, can use one-to-one window and door installation methods, meaning one unit is replaced at a time. By fully sealing the perimeter inside and out using caulk designed to withstand temperature
extremes, installation professionals can minimize a home’s exposure to the elements during the replacement process.
Superior Products The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that nearly 50 percent of a household’s annual energy consumption goes to heating and cooling. The right exterior updates can offer curb appeal while also keeping your home comfortable. Today’s highly efficient window systems can provide substantial savings for your home. Check out new technologies, such as SolarZone Low-E Glass, which uses a microscopic, metallic coating on the interior surface of an insulating glass unit. This coating keeps your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Such glass packages also include features like argon gas between the glass lites, which has a low thermal conductivity and high density, making it an ideal insulating agent. Another efficient enhancement you shouldn’t delay is insulated siding. It provides a thermal barrier between you and the outside elements, helping to lower energy bills throughout the year. In addition, the insulative backing improves durability, minimizing the appearance of common dings. Don’t wait until the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming to improve home comfort. StatePoint
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