As the end of February draws near, this is the week to tackle all things hidden, beginning with....smells. Once the month of March begins, you'll need to create a home that does not smell of fried foods, ethnic foods, and other strong food scents. If that is a love for your family, the weather has finally permitted outdoor preparation. Move your frying to your grill and shut the doors to your home very tightly when cooking outdoors. Although you may find the strong smells

This week it's time to take an honest look at your outdoor spaces to be sure they are in great condition for your Masters guests. Begin by looking at your seating areas. Is your grill in excellent shape? Do you need to order replacement parts and give it a good cleaning? How are your cushions, chairs, pillows? We launder our outdoor throw pillows and respray them with water repellent. Cushions can be cleaned with a mixture of dishwashing solution and water and left to d

This week, you'll hit your living areas. Start with your living room. Take the cushions off of the couches and chairs and use a vacuum nozzle to get in between those spaces most of us don't want to think about. However, if your renters lose their keys between your cushions, you don't want to be embarrassed. Enlist the help of family members and....drum roll here....move the couch and vacuum/mop beneath it. WHAT? Yes. Just do it. (We joke that we only rent our house so

Welcome to February! You have this month and next to get your home fully ready for the tournament. This month, you will concentrate on the overall picture, focusing on the "forest" vision of your home. In March, we will zoom in to the "tree" level. Week one of February means hitting your storage spaces and laundry area. If you have a garage, pull the cars out and really sort through things. Do you need to donate rarely used sports equipment? That old spare tire? Sort t

It's cold outside and a bit too early to plant anything that might freeze, However, it's the best month to tackle your work indoors and really review your home, jotting down any items that may need professional attention. Start by picking up a pad and paper and going room to room. Is everything in working order? If you have rooms you don't use, flip on lights, open the blinds, look at the vents, check the paint for chipping, etc... This is the time to get a repair person