Pavers are actually quite easy to install and really only require one tool to be rented, a plate compactor. The heavy work is in excavating the area to about 6 and 1/2 inches below grade and moving the dirt. Then you build up the base with crusherun/crush&run which is a crushed stone. Build it up in 2 layers running the compactor over the area. A homeowner can use a 4 foot level and a 2x4 board to help get the crushed stone base to a proper pitch and close to even. Remember that the base should extend about 6" beyond the last paver.

The exact level surface is then done using 3/4" iron pipes. You will need at least 2 pipes. Lay the pipes across the base and check with a level to see if you have the proper grade. Use a little sand to adjust the pipes. With the pipes set, you begin shoveling the sand into the area and with a straight board, you screed (drag) the sand. You are left with a perfectly level surface of sand. As you move along, remove the pipes and fill the gaps with sand. Remember to not walk on the sand once it is screeded.

For a larger patio, we usually work in sections laying pavers as we go so that we can then work off of the already laid pavers. The chosen pattern will dictate any cutting. For a few cuts, a grinding wheel on a circular saw will suffice. For lots of cuts or cutting curves on a patio, a large gas powered cut-off saw with a grinding wheel or diamond wheel is necessary. We also use a large sliding table tile saw to custom cut some pavers.

Once the pavers are all laid, install the edging strips. Then, run the compactor over the pavers to bed the pavers in the sand. You will have a perfectly level and smooth paver patio/walk. It does not require setting each paver individually. While compacting, you will sweep regular sand or polymeric sand into the joints. If polymeric sand, follow the manufacturer instructions on sweeping, compacting, and wetting.

See the following photos for the process. As an example of how fast pavers can be installed, 3 of us installed the paver walkway seen in the photos in one day. We followed the same path of an existing paver walkway that was improperly installed. The one day included all excavation and all installation and clean-up.

starting to grow when I thought I was smarter than Mother Nature Herself and decided they needed a "Boost" I sprayed some misted Miracle Grow for flowering plants and I thought that they would get HUGE...They shriveled up and DIED! I managed to salvage the melons and while not ripened fully, had a decidedly sweet exotic flavor! I salvaged the seeds and this year, I came up with this bright idea. I made this trellis like runner from spare wood in my garage and some nylon string. I'm going to let them come out of the pot again and NO EXTRA JUICE this time. There used to be an above ground pool in the area I picked and aftyer good rains, it holds the water for a couple of days so I know the mystery melon will have plenty of moisture and holding it's little blooms in the air, in theory, it should lay me down some pretty melons for me to identify! The center bar is a piece of half inch water pipe with gutter spikes holding the string like a guitar in case they get heavy and droop...I can raise the center PVC to accomodate the streched string! I'll keep everyone posted and maybe someone knows what exactly they are! Best to me! JL

grocery? How can you pick the ripest one?

There are two reliable methods:

Yellow Belly

Examine the underside of a melon. Ripe ones will have a cream or yellow belly, unripe ones will be white or green.

Slap Test

Ripe melons will sound hollow when you slap them. But what does "hollow" sound like?

Practice on your body. Give your forehead a couple of light slaps. Repeat on your chest. Repeat on your stomach. Notice how the sound changes for each one. The sound your stomach makes when slapped is the "ripe" sound you're looking for.

It's best to compare three watermelons side by side. You'll easily be able to pick the one that sounds most hollow when slapped.

Magazine - Here is the link to the article and the digital edition of their magazine (Page 27) - http://www.atlantahomeimprovement.com/

The article link on the website - http://www.atlantahomeimprovement.com/home-i...

my favorite- DH installed rope lighting on a dimmer switch for ambient lighting on the ceiling during movie nights. Very cool feature and very easy to create with a little trim and some paint. You can see more photos here at my blog: http://unskinnyboppy.blogspot.com/2011/12/fi...

this thing will fit 5 drills, or 3 circular saws, or somewhere in the tens of thousands of drill bits.

(Contest ends Monday at midnight.)