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Here's the Mini-Skinny on Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

Saturday was the first lazy day we've had around our house in the last 4 months. It was late afternoon and I had that restless feeling of wanting to actually accomplishing something. What came to mind was the painful experience of the last two times we went on a family trip and opening my bag to find two t-shirts and a pair of pants that I don't fit into. (Pause: As an absolute luxury, Kristin will sometimes throw together essentials for me before a trip. No spouse should be ever do this for a mate, and such a gesture should never be criticized because after all, why should I have clothes in my closet that I cannot wear.)

Since the last time we connected through the blog and enewsletter I have been to the National Remodeling Show in Indianapolis and have become a Certified Renovator through the EPA's Lead Safety program. I have one mental picture that I'd like to share with you in response to these two experiences.

Right now we're 3 days into a 10 day universal bathroom retrofit. We finalized the agreement last Friday and then we started on Monday. It made me so happy to be so efficient in our design process and then to have the resources to get the job done immediately. If "universal" is a new word to you, it just means making a bathroom so easy to use literally ANYONE could use it. Here's how we're helping this particular client:

I'm sitting in our living room at home and it's dark in here. It's dark because the $125 low-voltage light fixture we had in here burned out 12 months ago. 10 months ago we replaced it with another $125 low-voltage light fixture and wouldn't you know it...2 weeks ago it stopped working. In hindsight, I should've just bought the $250 fixture from a specialty lighting store versus the "cheapy" fixtures I bought at a big box store.

Last week I was in a safety seminar that our staff attends annually and as we were moving through slides I grabbed my smartphone and posted these 10 Safety Tips on the ThompsonTrio FaceBook page. I have not posted the catastrophic photos that illustrate the importance of these tips as a courtesy. Here they for the benefit that heightened awareness will bring you. Safety Tip #1 - Ladder 4:1 Rule - means don't make your ladder angle more than 75 degrees. If your ladder is 10ft tall, make sure the base of the ladder is at least 2.5 ft from the house. Safety Tip #2 - Cut away from your body and hands so you don't stab yourself with a utility knife. Safety Tip #3 - Don't use a flat head screwdriver to pry stuff. Use a flatbar or prybar. Screwdrivers break. Safety Tip # 4 - Duct tape is not a suitable fix for cracked handles on a hammer or sledgehammer handle. Safety Tip # 5 - Spend $10 on safety glasses that are comfortable and may even look semi-cool. If they aren't comfortable...you won't wear them. Safety Tip #6 - Don't ever let your skin (fingers/body) come within 3" of a saw/power cutting blade. Use a push stick when using a table saw. Safety Tip #7 - Take off your rings and watches before doing ANY carpentry or home repair projects. Pay $30 to have your rings re-sized so you can easily remove them. Safety Tip #8 - Remove strings from your hooded sweatshirts that you work in. Make sure your work clothes are not loose or "holy." :-) Safety Tip #9 - Your children, grandkids, spouse, and friends want to be able to talk to you when you're 60 yrs old so wear good ear protection when u work or even mow the lawn (only $10). Safety Tip #10 - When you rent equipment please pay attention to the operation & safety instructions. It will speed up your learning curve, you'll get more work done, it will keep you safe! There you have it. Safety tips that are commonly avoided and very cheap personal insurance.

Here is a recent Q & A conversation.

Ben will be a part of the Mecosta Chapter of Green Built Michigan's "How to Integrate GREEN into Remodeling" event on November 6, 2009 from 8am - noon.

I want to credit Builder Track with some amazing information. Even with all the horrible economic news out there I heard an astounding figure this past week. There was $17.5M of project in excess of $50k+ in our target area (Kent County) YTD 2009. If you are a tradesperson or builder who just happens to read www.bensbetter.biz then I'd like to send you to this resource that you need yourself. http://www.buildertrackreports.com/Home_Page.php

This weekend I was with a friend whose husband may take a job as a collegiate sports statistician. It got me thinking about a few relevant statistics. I have between 250-350 unique conversations with people like you about homes like yours on an annual basis. About 100-150 of those conversations are 20 minutes or less via phone, 75-100 are 90 minute consulations and the balance are somewhere inbetween. Add to that the 250+ annual calls Pat, Sandie & I field on the Newsradio WOOD 1300Home Improvement Show and that's about 170 hrs each year talking about homes like yours. Our mission: To help you Love Where You Live with information & advice or by directly helping the design-build remodeling clients of Thompson Remodeling. I make the time in my schedule to talk to people like you everyday so why not make it a conversation with YOU. 616-942-1866 is the office line.

I am a man of many particularities. I hate stinky towels! If I were to finish my shower and grab a towel, I would immediately hold it up to my nose and give it a sniff. If it does not smell fresh and wonderful my body reacts with an uncontrollable shudder and on my worst days a girlish scream.

Saturday morning is a time of hope and powerful aspirations - connect as a family, enjoy time outdoors, or insert hobby here. And then, as you perk up during your first cup of coffee, you realize it's not just raining, it's pouring outside. Here are 5 projects you can do without leaving the house.