Thank You

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! Your support is greatly appreciated.

Moving the Menagerie

Dear Homeowner,

Moving can be stressful for you and your family members, but it's especially hard for pets who have no idea why their world has been suddenly disrupted. These tips assume you are moving your pet by car. If you need to transport your pet on an airplane, check carefully with the airline and your veterinarian for restrictions and precautions.

• Before you move, get a copy of your pet's complete medical history, a certificate signed by the veterinarian stating the pet is in good health and a sheet stating when and where the pet was vaccinated for rabies.

• On moving day make sure your pet is wearing some kind of I.D. tag with your new address and phone number.

• Pack your pet's bed, toys, brush, dishes and bottled water. You'll need a leash and collar as well as a scoop and bag for cleanups after roadside exercise breaks.

• Feed your pet at least two or three hours before you leave and keep its meals light during the trip. If the pet suffers from motion sickness, your veterinarian may be able to provide something to help.

• Plan short rest stops for at least every three hours, plus a couple of play periods each day.

• Never leave your pet in an unventilated car, or for more than a few minutes in a ventilated one.

• Unpack your pet's things as soon as you can. Make sure the pet knows where its new feeding and sleeping areas are.

• If your pet's behavior alters dramatically in the first few days, chalk it up to the stress of moving. If problems persist, contact a veterinarian.

For more moving tips, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

House (Plant) Calls

Dear Homeowner,

All houseplants require proper light, humidity, water and food, but what's great for one plant might be deadly for another.

Light

By learning your plant's light requirements you can match its needs with a window that provides the proper exposure. Plants needing high light prefer an unobstructed east, south or west window. Plants needing medium light prefer light levels within 10 feet of a sunny window. Plants needing low light prefer a northern or shaded window.

Humidity
To boost humidity, set plant containers on trays filled with pebbles and water — but don't let the pots themselves sit in the water. It also helps to group plants together.

Water
Add tepid water until it drains through the hole in the bottom of the pot and shows in the saucer. This ensures that the entire root area receives a thorough soaking. The roots need air, too, so be sure to empty the saucer twenty minutes later.

Food
Feed plants monthly according to fertilizer package directions or twice a month at half the recommended rate. Do not fertilize plants from September to April unless they're under artificial lights.

Bringing home a new plant
Expect your plant to drop a few leaves as it adjusts to its surroundings. Hold back feeding because the nutrients in potting soil will be adequate for at least six months. Also, isolate arrivals for a few weeks to make sure they are not hiding insects.

For more home and garden tips, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

25 Year Service Award (Congratulations, Val O!)

Promoting Your Garage Sale

Dear Homeowner,

If you want your next garage sale to be a huge success, put some time and effort into promoting it.

· Plan your advertising strategy well in advance and spend your advertising money wisely. Shopper-type publications, community television stations and your local paper are generally good bets. Call these companies early to get policies, prices and deadlines.

· Look for free advertising sources such as bulletin boards in local businesses and friends' company newsletters. Create a sale flier and distribute it around your neighborhood to boost attendance.

· Arrange for your ads to appear the days of the sale as well as the day before. The ad should cover the basics including the date, time and address of your sale. If your home is hard to find, include directions. Adding certain words like huge, bargains, antiques, consignment-quality and designer will help your ad grab shoppers' attention.

· Make signs and post them along important access routes on the days of the sale. The signs should be written in a simple block style and have letters large enough to read from a passing car. They should point the way to your house and include the date and time.

· On the sale dates, folks driving by are basically window shopping. Using flags, balloons, promotional signs — anything that can make your sale stand out — will attract attention and invite people to stop.

· Keep a consistent look with the decorations on your signs so that your house is easily identifiable.

For more information on holding a garage sale, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.