TVT 7/3/23 The Valley Trader of Central Pennsylvania

a call from Hawaii about one of my ads.

LT Antiques - 2 Apartment for Rent - 04

Man looking for a 1 bedroom apartment. Has a friendly medium size dog. Age 67 on disability so can pay up to $700 a month.

Williamsport only. 570-974-1120. ufn

Autos/Trucks - 07 53 Old Vehicles plus $1,000 - $5,000 or less. Too sick for hobby. 570-538-3464. 6/26

Auto/Truck Accessories - 10 For sale parts: 1997 Buick la Sabre, complete and ready to part out. Call 570204-9626. ufn

Boats - 8

Minn Kota Trolling Motor, 50 lbs. Trust, $250.00. 570-3223256. 7/3

Campers, Motor Homes, & Rec. Vehicles - 11

1995 Chariot Park Model Camper, furnished, 34’x12’, w/loft, computer or office room, sunken BR, tinted living room window, furnished 8’x34’ porch

Many More EMAIL: dheltman@verizon.net

1840 LIBERTY DRIVE • WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701

sunscreen, 10’x20’ carport, 10’x20’ new shed. Make offer. 570966-6220. ufn

Farm & Garden - 23

Yard Sales - 25

Guns, Etc. - 26

As new Glock Model 19 Gen 5 MOS with Halosun 507K Green

Valley Vehicle Fin er VALLEY HO E IMPROVEMENT VALLEY AUCTIONS VALLEY HEALTH

Dot optical sight, Trijicon HD night sights, Tac Flat Trigger Kit; safety plunger upgrades. 30 rounds fired for magazines function. Pictures available. $695. Phone or let message. 717480-6481. 7/17

Crassman, Co 2, Mo#150, 22 cal. with metal case. $140.00. 570-809-1579. 7/3

Help Wanted - 28

Experienced Sales

Person to handle our Montour & Columbia Co. area. Very good commission structure. Send resume to The Valley Trader, Sales Position, PO Box 392,

Lewisburg, PA 17837

Sales Rep Wanted: Expanding sales force in Lycoming & Clinton Cos. Sales experience necessary. Must have car & valid Driver’s License. Territory & account list provided. Send resume to: The Valley Trader, Sales Dept., PO Box 392, Lewisburg, PA 17837 or email to: thevalleytrader@ yahoo.com

Help Wanted: Part time Graphic Designer position. 24-35 hrs. over 2 wks, but mostly on week 2. Must be able to work in a high speed environment. Be literally your own boss, but work easily with others. This may lead to a fulltime position in the future. Send resume & portfolio to: The Valley Trader, PO Box 392, Lewisburg, Pa 17837 or email: the valleytrader@ yahoo.com

Household Furniture - 30

Montgomery Ward Air Compressor, runs good, $75.00; Road Master Tow Hitch, $300.00. 570-5471986. 7/31

Miscellaneous - 35 Golf Clubs for sale: PXG Irons 0211, 6-PW, Graphite SR. Shaft 60A. 570-4900776. 7/10

Larson Storm Door with screens & hardware, in very

good shape. 90 3/8”H x 36 3/8”W. 570-7428810. Your offer. 7/24

768 Feet 2x6 Tongue & Groove Decking or Flooring. 570-3600077. 7/3

Motor Homes - 36

1976 Motor Home, 23’, roof damage, good 360 engine, 36,000 mi., good tires. $600.00

570-568-6823. 7/10

Rentals - 38

For Rent: West Milton plush 1 bedroom apt. 1 mile in country. No smoking or pets. $625/mo.

570-568-6823. 7/10

Motorcycles - 39

Pets - 40

English Setter Puppies, 3 males, 5 females, $900. each. 570-441-8840. 7/24

Chain Link Dog Pen, 4 separate panels, 6’ x 10’. one with door, large dog house. 570-490-8910. 7/10

Austrailian Shepherd Puppies, red murrels, red trib. $750-$800. 570-5686823. 7/10

AKC Poodle Pups, ass. colors, 1st shot, wormed, Standards & MOYEN sizes. 2 are Merle. $950 - $1,200. 570-205-6442. 7/3

WANTED - 50

Looking for small Upright Piano. 570-713-8109. 8/14

Tall, attractive home owner Seeks single lady, 60-70, for companion with drivers license. 570-538-3464. 7/3

WANTED: Metal Bed Frame Full. No mattress or bed springs needed. 570-966-0098. 7/10

How to decide if a home remodel makes financial sense for you

(BPT) - There comes a time when every homeowner looks around at their house and ponders a few upgrades. Sometimes, those ideas turn into full-on renovations as you reimagine your space to better meet your lifestyle. But before you start calling contractors, ask yourself: Does remodeling make financial sense?

VALLEY HO E IMPROVEMENT VALLEY AUCTIONS

decide if a home renovation benefits your home and your finances.

Identify your wants vs. needs

How

necessary

Here are three tips to help you

are the improvements you want? Some home projects may end up costing you more than the value they provide. That doesn’t mean certain projects aren’t worthwhile.

“Home renovations come in all shapes and sizes. For some, it may be about the investment and increasing the home value, for a good few it might be about what looks the best, while others might not have a choice,” said Adam Fingerman, assistant vice

president of equity lending at Navy Federal Credit Union. “Whatever the reason, it’s always a good idea to understand how a large renovation might impact your finances and the overall value of your home.”

Know your budget

Consider creating a chart with all of your cost estimates, and include columns for high, mediumand low-cost options. Don’t forget supplies for do-it-yourself projects and always allocate a certain percentage for unexpected expenses.

Also be sure to get estimates from different

Unlocking hidden potential: 5 ways to elevate your laundry room

To make it easier to use your new sink for washing your pet or anything else, choose a handshower or faucet that functions well and looks even better. KOHLER’s Awaken four-function handshower provides advanced spray performance with three distinct sprayswide coverage, intense drenching or targeted - with the smooth rotation of a thumb tab.

airy.

(BPT) - When you’re seeking ways to optimize your home, it’s easy to overlook the humble laundry room. But there are many ways to improve your experience of this room, making it more functional and attractive. A beautifully appointed laundry room is a sight to behold, helping to transform ordinary tasks into enjoyable routines.

If you’re ready to turn your laundry room into a space you love, consider these upgrades.

1. Shed some light on the subject

Is your laundry room too dark? Improving the room’s lighting will make daily chores easier to do while also making the room feel more bright and cheerful. You may need to add several recessed lights to really see well, especially if there’s no window, and coolercolored LED lights can help you sort colors better.

Consider adding a window if possible, or enlarging an existing window to boost natural light. Applying a fresh coat of lightcolored or white paint can also make any space feel open and

2. Make it functional and multi-purpose

Every good laundry room needs a utility sink deep enough to soak soiled clothing. How about a sink you can also use to bathe your dog? You can create the perfect pet beauty parlor with a 12” deep Cairn Utility Sink from KOHLER. It offers a generous workspace, along with a stainless steel utility sink and accompanying wash bin. Both slide on the ledge in the sink, so you can tailor it to suit your needs. The offset drain increases the sink’s workspace as well as potential for storage underneath. Its soft curves and matte finish add beauty to any room, and you can choose one of six colors to suit your design: White, Black, Taupe, Grey, Graphite, Brown and Black Plum. The sink is made of KOHLER Neoroc composite material that’s extremely durable and will resist scratches and stains.

Leverage the new Inflation Reduction Act to go green and save big

(BPT) - In August 2022, the U.S. government passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a comprehensive energy policy bill that provides a record $370 billion for climate and energy initiatives. The act, focused on clean energy and climate change, has wide-reaching implications for individuals and families across the country.

VALLEY HO E IMPROVEMENT VALLEY AUCTIONS

Specifically for homeowners, the IRA comes with incentives to upgrade and install environmentally friendly equipment and appliances throughout their home. By taking advantage of the tax credit, homeowners can reduce their tax bill by up to $3,200 and offset some of the upfront costs of making energyefficient home improvements.

The following tips help to break down how homeowners can leverage this new piece of legislation and its home energy incentive programs.

* Tax Credits - The IRA extended and enhanced a tax credit, the Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Credit (EEHIC). Previously this type of credit was the Non-Business Energy Property Credit, which was restructured and expanded as part of the new law.

Federal tax credits can be leveraged for the next 10 years, until December 31, 2032, and apply to the purchase and installation of highly efficient products, including HVAC equipment.

Homeowners can earn up to $2,000, or 30% of the cost of the product and installation, for heat pumps; $600 for highly efficient furnaces; and $600 for qualifying air conditioners. There is a yearly cap on the tax credits of up to $3,200, and the credit cap resets every year. So, a homeowner can replace one system, such as a heat pump, one year and

other equipment the next.

* Rebate Program - The High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) Program provides point-of-sale consumer discounts to enable lowand moderate-income households across America to electrify their homes. The program covers up to 100% of electrification project costs (up to $14,000) for low-income households and 50% of costs (up to $7,000) for moderate-income households. Eligible homeowners can receive:* Up to $8,000 for all-electric heat pumps

* Up to $4,000 for an electrical load service center upgrade

* Up to $2,500 for electric wiring

* Up to $14,000 maximum for all eligible measures HEEHRA can stack with federal energy efficiency and electrification tax credits.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of the two incentive programs within the IRA, here is a quick checklist on how homeowners can best leverage the IRA:

* Meet the necessary requirements: In order to qualify for the credit, homeowners must meet certain requirements, such as using products that adhere to specific energy efficiency standards. The amount of savings an individual can expect depends largely on the type of appliance. One must obtain a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement - a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit. Rheem, an innovator in manufacturing HVAC equipment, has a number of heating and cooling devices which qualify for the tax credit.

* Assess your current situation: Homeowners may benefit from the IRA’s tax credit for energy audits. Hiring a qualifying inspector and conducting a professional energy assessment of the home can help provide a roadmap and determine all the areas where savings can be leveraged.

Dive In - Understand the two homeowner incentive programs - Tax Credits and Rebates. The IRA created these two initiatives to empower homeowners to install high-efficiency equipment. Additionally, in some cases, the qualifying equipment may be different.

Continued from pg 6

* Upgrade heating and cooling appliances: Natural gas prices are continuing to rise, making energy-efficient upgrades to products like heat pumps an efficient and cost-effective choice. For water heating, this tax credit gives homeowners equal to 30% of installation costs for qualified highefficiency products, up to: $600 for gas-fired tankless and gas-fired tank type storage water heaters; and $2,000 for ultra-high-efficiency heat pump water heaters. Owners can also consider installing a geothermal heat pump in their homes which could entitle homeowners to a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the cost, including installation, with no upper limit.

VALLEY HO E IMPROVEMENT VALLEY AUCTIONS VALLEY HEALTH

Once homeowners take the necessary steps and feel empowered to make equipment changes, they can expect to see the following benefits:

* Save money on federal income taxes: By taking advantage of the tax credit, homeowners can reduce their tax bill, providing big savings for their family.

* Reduce energy bills: By making energy-efficient

improvements to their homes, homeowners can reduce energy usage and lower their monthly utility bills.

* Increase the value of a home: Energy-efficient upgrades can make homes more attractive to potential buyers, who may be willing to pay more for a home that is eco-friendly and has lower energy bills.

An increasing number of homeowners today are concerned about the impact they are having on the environment. Seeking home solutions that are energy efficient and lower emissions, while utilizing IRA incentives, makes it easier for homeowners to win on all fronts. In addition, when considering making the switch to energy-efficient products, leading manufacturers, such as

Rheem, also provide details on a variety of other incentives that can be leveraged. By

making energy-efficient home improvements, homeowners can save money while reducing

their carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Or consider the Crue touchless pull-down sink faucet with a three-function sprayhead. The Crue faucet collection represents a true high point in user-focused, sophisticated plumbing design. The contemporary silhouette - a simple arched spout and single lever handle - offers a straightforward style that adapts to nearly any room design, and the touchless functionality makes tasks simpler.

3. Get organized

- ideally with space inside for added storage.

VALLEY AUCTIONS

Increasing shelving and/or cupboard space is always smart for a laundry room upgrade. If you select open shelving, use matching baskets, boxes or trays to create a unified look. Make sure to include a large drying rack to hang delicates and other items that need to be air dried. One idea that’s seriously trending is combining the laundry area with the mudroom, which helps contain the mess coming in from outside. When designing your mudroom/laundry room, make sure to provide sturdy benches for sitting and removing boots

Not just for kitchens anymore, installing an island in your laundry room is a great way to provide the perfect folding space - and another opportunity to add more storage underneath. Limited space? Consider using a rolling kitchen cart.

VALLEY HEALTH

4. Elevate the situation

One way to truly elevate your laundry room is to put your machines up on pedestals. This option not only makes maintenance and cleaning a lot easier, but is also much gentler on your back - you’ll do a lot less leaning and bending over every laundry day.

5. Flaunt your style

There’s no reason your laundry room can’t also be pretty. Consider bright paint colors or whimsical wallpaper when you’re giving the room a makeover. Fun art accents and even a whiteboard or chalkboard for laundry

instructions (or playful notes!) may encourage more family members to join the laundry routine.

Even achieving a couple of these upgrades can make a big difference in how you use and perceive the humble laundry room. Following through with all of them might just make it your favorite room in the house.

fully Insured

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LOOK LEAP

WHEN

REPLYING TO A LBYL AD BE SURE TO MAKE ALL CHECKS OUT TO THE VALLEY TRADER. EACH REPLY

IS

$4.00.

You must renew your ad every 2 issues for it to run in the next issue. And it MUST be written. Ads are not taken by phone. Please note that no ads for alternative lifestyles will be placed anymore. Ads will be placed according to publisher’s discretion.

Must be 18 or over to use this column.

ATTENTION NOTICE

If you send us an ad to run in this section, you must include your real name and address or we will not be able to print your ad. No one ever knows who you are except for the person who handles the replies in my office. Thank you for understanding in this simple matter. Did you meet someone or go further with your relationship? We want to know. Send us your testimonial.

Testimonials: (Looking for some new comments of success)

Fall 1991 and January 1992 Testimonials: My cousin and his new wife (both in their early 40’s) were visiting my mom, my sister, and I. My sister asks, “So, how did you meet?” They kind of giggled and asked each other, “Should we tell them?” They said they met through the LBYL column. My sister and I decided we would try our fare at meeting “Mr. Right”. (BTW, my cousin and his wife are still married and hopelessly in love.) My sister didn’t have much luck, but in January 1992, I saw this ad that kept drawing my attention. As described, he really wasn’t what I was looking for, but... We met later that month for the first time; got engaged in 1993 and married in 1994. We will celebrate our 25th anniversary this October and we have a 23-year-old daughter who lives out of state. Thank you, LBYL! Mr.

& Mrs. J.N. 4/4/17 Testimonial: I placed an ad 1/2/94 and met the love of my life. He has 3 boys and I have 3 girls. We were married 8/26/95 and now we’re the Brady Bunch. Thanks for helping us find each other. KP/DP

I will always be grateful to your paper Valley Trader. My husband DH wrote to me and we have been happily married almost 12 wonderful years. We’ve been through many trials and joys and so glad we found each other. K.W/K.H.

“Thanks Again Valley Trader, Friends! Years ago I put an ad in your paper and we were married almost 20 years & then our lord called him home.” -HR

“My brother met his wife Bonnie through your column. They have a son named Jake! He’s our pride and joy!” –CW

L.B.Y.L. Readers: It would help a lot if you put your town location in your ad. Distance is important when replying to an ad. Thanks. – The Valley Trader

PLEASE RESPOND – We have had several people who have responded to personals in our column, and received no response in return. We would like to request that you send at least a post card to each and every response you receive, just out of courtesy to those taking the time to write you. Also, don’t forget to include either a phone number or address in your letter when responding to an ad.

IN ORDER TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN IC RESIDENTS AND OTHER RESIDENTS WE HAVE DECIDED TO PUT EACH IN THEIR OWN SECTION. Tired of not meeting that special someone at work, at the bar, or wherever you have been looking? Look no further than Look Before You Leap men and woman our other supporting single services. We want to help you! What do you

have to lose? Just your loneliness. So do it. Send in your ad or send in a response. See directions at beginning of section on how to be a part of the Look Before You Leap.

Regular: SEEKING NICE

CHRISTIAN WOMAN. DWtCM, nonsmoker, healthy, 70, looks like 50, 6’0”, blue eyes, gray hair, sensitive, kind, caring, loving, gentle, likes many things, prefers fine arts. Send recent photo. GD26992

11/6

Male looking for a girl in her 50’s or 60’s to be friends first. MI27030

7/24

IC’s:

SWtFIC, soon-to-bereleased, green eyes, long auburn hair. Will relocate. Spontaneous adventure seeker. Seeking dependable fellow traveler. Funloving, open minded man. JS27004IC SWtFIC, 58, looking for a friend, possible relationship. I’m Indian, funny, loving, & very serious about a relationship. Serious replies only. BJ27005IC FIC looking for an older gentleman to hold me tight & enjoy my cooking. I enjoy flea markets, yard sales & country living.

MR27006IC

FIC, 5’2”-190, 33, looking for an older man who likes the outdoors, likes to travel & who wants to take care of my every want & need.

MB27007IC

FIC, pretty, fairskinned, 28, nice build, pretty smile, looking for a faithful male companion. CP27008IC FIC, beautiful, 28, golden complexion. Seeking male companion. I’m tall, slim, brown eyes, dimples, long curly hair.

CH27009IC

FIC, 48 yrs. young, looking for an older gentleman to cuddle & explore. Hopefully much more. Let me bring out your spontaneous side.

MR27010IC

FIC, come & see, be free to meet me. Seeking men for fun,

future events, pleasant, outgoing & responsible, generous, affectionate.

KE27011IC

FIC, looking for a pen pal. DH27012IC

FIC, seeking friends w/ benefits. Check me out, pics only on Facebook. Soon to be released. Lets meet, write now.

KE27013IC FIC, 48 yrs. young looking for an older gentleman to cuddle & explore, hopefully much more. Let me bring out your spunky side.

MR27014IC

SFIC, 50, lonely lady, sick & tired of being sick & tired. Looking for someone to have support from for time remaining of illness. My clock is ticking & I don’t want to die alone. If anyone would like to reach out & get to know me & be friends, maybe more, I’d be so happy...

LR27015IC

FIC, I am a lifer looking for a connection...37, 5’4”, green eyes, curvy & fun loving. Searching for someone to talk TV shows with, do video chats, maybe meet in person & talk on the phone. It’s been hard connecting with the outside world since Covid shut down. RO27016IC

FIC looking for an older gentleman to hold me tight & enjoy my cooking & company & laughter, flea markets, country living. RM27017IC Wanted one great guy for SWtFIC, affectionate, intelligent, athletic. Come see me, write for pics. EK27018IC SWtFIC, open, outgoing, very fun person. Honesty & loyalty is the key. Hit me if that’s you. SL27019IC FIC. Looking for a friend? I’m 48 yrs. young & looking for someone that’s honest & not abusive. Is there any good men still out here??? MR27020IC Young 62 yr. old FIC looking for you to correspond with. Great body, personable, honest, loyal. JH27021IC FIC, 64, caring, compassionate, honest

& loyal. Seeking a man to correspond with. Waiting to hear from you.

JS27022IC

FIC, 33, looking for an older man to take care of me & who likes to travel & likes the outdoors. MB27023IC SWtFIC, 58, Irish & Indian, looking for friendship, possible relationship. Salt & pepper hair, hazel eyes, curvy in all the right places, funny & full of life. BK27024IC

SWtFIC. Ready to meet? Let’s do it, come see me, hot, sweet fun. Affectionate, sexy, fun. Write for pics.

KE27025IC

FIC, 33, looking for an older man who likes the outdoors & wants to take care of me and who likes to travel. MB27026IC FIC, sexy, smart Italian Princess looking for my prince. Love to laugh, talk & to share a bond with. Willing to relocate. Will try anything new.

JB27027IC

Let’s get it on. SWtFIC, soon to be released seeking potential partner, naughty, affectionate, fun, sexy, for same. Come see me for pics.

EK27028IC SWtFIC, green eyes, long auburn hair, soon to be released. Will relocate. Spontaneous, adventure seeker, loves to travel. Seeking dependable, fun loving, loyal, open minded man.

JS27029IC

SFIC, 43, long dark hair, blue gray eyes. Love outdoors, travel & animals. Looking for a friend, possible long term relationship. AS27031IC FIC, Pretty woman seeking man for affection, fun, travel, good times. Must be noble, generous, open minded & available for only me. KE27032IC SWtFIC, fun, flirty & sexy, upbeat, very loyal & honest with lots of love to give. Seeks kind, loving & genuine man and a forever home.

HC27033IC SWtFIC, 56, salt & pepper, widow, looking for a chance at love again. I’m fun, free

& ready to mingle. Serious responses only.

JS27034IC

WtFIC, looking for an older gentleman to hold me tight, enjoy my cooking, cleaning and enjoy flea markets, yard sales & country living.

MR27035IC SWtFIC, green eyes, long auburn hair, soon to be released. Will relocate. Spontaneous adventure seeker. Love to travel. Seeking dependable fun loving, loyal, open minded man.

JS27036IC

FIC. Are you lonely?

Do you need a friend?

Would you like someone to communicate with? I would like to hear from you. PJ27037IC SWtFIC, 58, looking for a friend, possibly a relationship. Will relocate if need be. Irish & Indian, funny & very lovable. BJ27038IC WE DO NOT RUN ANY IC-LBYL ADS WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFYING NUMBER. THESE MAILINGS ARE RETURNED BACK TO US, NON DELIVERABLE. ALSO YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR MAIL FROM LBYL. Inmates, seems you may need to be on some kind of mailing list at the prison. Inquire at your place.

The Valley Trader would like to thank everyone who places an ad in this column and also the people who respond.

The number of responses we have been receiving has been GREAT!!!

If you meet that “special person” from communicating through our column, let us know. Did you marry? Are you dating? We would like to know! Write us a short note we can print. Of course, we’ll only print it with your initials.

ATTENTION: We have no control over where our Look Before You Leap ads arrive from, and being a free press, we will place them in our column.

Lay Tile Like a Pro 11 steps to update bathroom flooring

(Family Features)

Updating the flooring can help infuse new life into tired, outdated bathrooms. For an upscale, polished look that doesn’t have to break the bank, consider installing tile flooring.

Before you get started, you’ll want to make some decisions about the look and feel of your flooring:

Ceramic or stone? Weigh factors such as porosity, how slippery the surface may be when wet and how well it retains heat or cold.

Ultimately, your decision hinges on the needs and uses of your family.

Complement or

contrast? Define the overall style you want as well as the colors and tones that will help best achieve your vision.

Big or small? Generally, the

SUDUKO

larger the tile, the fewer grout lines, and too many grout lines in a smaller space can create the illusion of clutter. However, smaller

Continued on Page 12

THEME: MOVIE ANIMALS

ACROSS

1. Deli side

5. *”Breakfast at Tiffany’s” animal

8. Songs for one

12. What formica and biochemical have in common

13. Prefix for partly

14. Dark

15. Crew equipment, pl.

16. Steinbeck’s “East of ____”

17. Golf shirt

18. *”Marmaduke” animal

20. *”Away & Back” animal

21. Game “field”

22. Slightly insane

23. Casual top

26. Vending machine

30. Rocks, to a bartender

31. Bowling prop

34. Lush

35. Trots and canters

37. Broadcasting medium

38. Inflammatory swelling

39. Highland tongue

40. Sock pattern

42. Bring into play

43. Go back over

45. Theater passages

47. Part of a cheer

48. Lump of anything

50. Milo and Otis, e.g.

52. *”Dunston Checks In” animal

56. Wheel on a spur

57. CISC alternative

58. Private theater box

59. Resembling wings

60. MacFarlane or Rogen

61. Go-____

62. *Bullseye, Hamm and Lotso Bear, e.g.

63. Lyric poem

64. Immediately, doctor’s jargon

DOWN

1. Air quality concern

2. Fibber

3. Farm measure

4. Sushi condiment

5. Natural moth repellent

6. To change, as in the U.S. Constitution

7. Fork prong

8. *”Harry Potter” animal (2 words)

9. Earthenware pot

10. *”Born Free” animal

11. I in T.G.I.F.

13. Administer diazepam

14. When Cinderella wins

19. Civil wrongs

22. “Some Nights” band

23. *”Life of Pi” animal

24. Close call

25. Bank job

26. Gossamer

27. Cry like #5 Across

28. Liquorice flavored herb

29. Hues

32. Backgammon predecessor

33. *”Babe” animal

36. *”Anchorman” and “The Wizard of Oz” animals

38. Kundera’s “Unbearable

Lightness of ____”

40. “That feels good!” exclamation

41. Set in motion

44. Like a go-getter bird

46. Lies in ambush

48. Wept

49. It makes waste?

50. Singular of #17 Across

51. Home versus ____ game

52. Guesstimate phrase (2 words)

53. To perfection (3 words)

54. Taj Mahal city

55. As opposed to gross

56. *”Willard” animal

Continue from Page 4

contractors and compare them. Carefully check references and business licenses.

Explore financing options

Ideally, you’ve already established a home improvement savings plan. But if you’re planning to borrow, explore your financing options through your trusted bank or credit union.

“Think about the size of your project, whether or not you’ll have ongoing expenses, and your current finances,” said Fingerman.

For example, Navy Federal offers members various options for funding home improvement

projects, such as home equity loans, home equity line of credit or personal expense loans. Members also have access to a wealth of information to help them make informed decisions about the right financing products for their home improvement goals.

Home renovations of any size - large or small - can be overwhelming.

Consider these tips to help make it easier and more affordable in the long run.

Navy Federal Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA. Equal housing lender.

tiles can eliminate the need to make multiple awkward cuts, and small tiles are perfect for creating accent patterns or introducing a splash of color.

When you’ve got your overall look and materials selected, keep these steps in mind as you begin laying the flooring:

1. Prepare your subfloor. Use a level to check for uneven spots; you need an even surface to prevent cracks in the tile or grout as well as rough spots that could pose tripping hazards. Use patching and leveling material to create a consistent surface. Apply a thin layer of mortar then attach your cement backer

board with screws. Cover joints with cement board tape, apply another thin layer of mortar, smooth and allow to dry.

2. To ensure square placement, draw reference lines on the subfloor using a level and carpenter square. Tile should start in the middle of the room and move out toward the walls, so make your initial reference lines as close to the center as possible. Mark additional reference lines as space allows, such as 2-foot-by-2-foot squares.

3. Do a test run with your chosen tile by laying it out on the floor. There are color variations in most tile patterns, so you’ll want to verify each tile

AIRPORT & TRAIN TRIPS

blends well with the next.

4. Mix tile mortar and use the thin side of a trowel to apply mortar at a 45-degree angle. Use the combed side to spread evenly and return excess mortar to the bucket. Remember to apply mortar in small areas, working as you go, so it doesn’t dry before you’re ready to lay the tile.

5. When laying tile, use your reference lines as guides. Press and wiggle tile slightly for the best adherence.

6. Use spacers to create even lines between one tile and the next, removing excess mortar with a damp sponge or rag.

7. As you complete a section of tile, use a level and mallet to verify

the tiles are sitting evenly.

8. Let mortar dry 24 hours before grouting.

9. Remove spacers then apply grout to joints, removing excess as you go.

10. Allow grout to dry per the manufacturer’s instructions then go back over tile with a damp sponge to set grout lines and clean grout residue.

11. Once grout has curedusually at least a couple weeks - apply sealer to protect it.

Find more ideas and tips for

updating your bathroom at eLivingtoday. com.

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