Really?  I guess I can somewhat understand that sentiment.  If your house is a disaster and you go through blood, sweat and tears to get it clean, that process (and the end result) can be invigorating.

Here’s the rub, though: That process—even the very thought of it—can also be daunting.  That’s why so many people procrastinate on large-scale cleaning jobs like spring cleaning until, well, summertime… even fall.  Heck, until next spring!

You just gotta love spring for cleaning, though.  After all, it’s a time for renewal.  For cleansing.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com

For dust and pollen GALORE…  24/7.

Source: thegreenbacksgal.com

It’s about not only clearing the clutter, but cleaning on a deep level.  So if you typically dust, mop, clean your kitchen and bathrooms and vacuum every week, you may take it up a notch in the spring and take care of some of these oft-neglected chores, such as:

Take a tooth brush to the grout in your bathroom tile (though this guy looks way too happy here…)

Or a scrub brush to your baseboards…

Source: makingroomfor.blogspot.com

And while you’re at it, rent a carpet cleaning machine and give your carpeting a thorough soak…

Source: ctmaintenance.com

Scrub your stovetop grills and clean your oven…

Source: bellabeforeandafter.blogspot.com

And now that winter’s done, clean the soot out of your fireplace and chimney…

Source: decoradventures.com

Wipe down your walls…

Source: buzzle.com

And don’t forget your dryer vents…

Source: ductcleaningco.com

And how about a springtime duct cleaning, just to cap it off.  (Yuck.  Are you telling  me that my air ducts look like the valley of the shadow of death, below??)

Source: abatement.com

Are you exhausted yet?

Okay, who am I kidding?  Really?  Who wants to (who CAN) do all of that?   (I know, I know—there ARE some of you out there raising– waving– your hands right now.  Just sit down.  I’m not talking to you.)

My advice… wait for it…

Hire a pro.  Some may do all of the above; others may do none of it (though I do believe there IS a price for just about anything.)

But a good house cleaning service, carpet cleaning company or window cleaner can do wonders for your mood.

Not to mention your soul.

Like the way the woman in this commercial was motivated to change the exterior or her home, all because of a pair of earrings…

But sometimes you have a project based on pure need, rather than inspiration.  Take pest control, for example.  Unless you want little critters crawling and flying and biting their way across your home, garden and loved ones, you need to take action.  (Hint: Kudzu is all about helping you find the right pros for these kinds of tasks, too.)

Not all pests are bugs, in the true sense of the word… as in, “These things really bug me!”  Some  are truly valuable to our eco-system.  And some, like these insects below, are truly beautiful… (Talk about inspiration!)

I have no idea what this guy is called, but he is gorgeous in the most eccentric way…

Source: http://www.designswan.com

This, of course, is your everyday ladybug…

Source: http://www.designswan.com

And something called a banded demoiselle…

Source: http://www.galleryofpix.com

And here’s what’s called (I kid you not) “yellow-winged darter”…

Source: http://www.galleryofpix.com

A scarce swallowtail…

Source: http://www.galleryofpix.com

And a couple of absolutely spectacular butterflies…

Source: Marcofolio.net

You can’t miss these colorful guys…

Source: Marcofolio.net

Source: Marcofolio.net

(The one above is actually a type of praying mantis.  Amazing.)

Okay, getting back to reality.  SOME pests really ARE pests, like the (ouch!) dreaded red ant, so common in the south.  (Stay away from those anthills!)

Source: http://vinsonlab.tamu.edu/ants.htm

By the way, in case you need more reasons to detest fire ants, keep in mind that they both “bite” AND dig into flesh with their horny little feet.  And apparently do so with great relish.  Maybe a little mustard, too.  (Sorry, couldn’t resist…)

Below is a gentler soul– the carpenter bee.  Now keep in mind a carpenter bee isn’t really harmful to people, or to most of your home and garden.  That is, until it decides it wants to burrow into your deck or other wooden structure around your home.   In that case, you need to call a professional.

Source: http://www.bee-pollen-health.com/

Ugh.  The dreaded fly.  This reminds me of that old movie (appropriately titled “The Fly”).  Those eyes.  Those wings.  The little voice yelling, “Hehhhlp me”!  (Sorry, I digress…)  What ARE flies, anyway?  Annoying.  Just plain annoying.  ‘Nuff said.

Source: http://www.drmcbug.com

Even worse is the cockroach.  In some areas of the south, “tree roaches” (which look exactly like their city-dwelling cousins) are also called palmetto bugs.  And they are HUGE.  Because I’ve lived in both big cities and the south, I can’t deal with either type.   If they’re in my house, I want them gone.

Source: Robertspestcontrol.com

At last.  We come to our summertime favorite, that loveliest of lovelies (insert dripping sarcasm right here)—the mosquito.  Here in Atlanta, it will be prime-time mosquito season pretty soon.  I actually saw my first mosquito of the season two weeks ago on a tennis court around dusk, and it was as big as a full-grown moth!  (And I know many insects have tremendous value, but I can’t honestly think of anyone who thinks mosquitoes have any redeeming qualities whatsoever.)

Source: Modernpest.com

So many pests, so little time.  There certainly is no shortage of not-so-pleasant bugs to contend with at this time of year.  (Although in the eyes of their mothers, they’re all beautiful.)

Now’s a great time to find a top-rated pest control professional, though.  (And what better place to do so than at Kudzu?)

Tile as a flooring choice is fantastic– especially if you have kids or pets because it’s long-lasting and tough as nails.  (Not to mention the fact that it can be great for hiding minor flaws and those annoying specks of dirt that crop up every minute of every day.)

Best of all, you can install designer tiles (hand-painted like the ones below or otherwise) and lay them out in a customized pattern to produce a floor or wall that transforms into a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Source: http://www.westsidearttiles.com

And tile can be used anywhere.  Below is a great use of tile in a cozy little attic space…

Source: www.houzz.com

And tile can be made from hard materials, or soft… like the tile on the garage floor below…

Source: http://css2psd.com/

Glass tile can add brightness and sparkle to a kitchen backsplash…

Source: www.home-indoor.info

And can add depth above a countertop, and can create the look of stacked bricks…

Source: bhg.com

Source: bhg.com

A listello border can be added to either wall or floor tile, to break up a monotone (and potentially monotonous) color scheme…

Source: bhg.com

Of course, if flooring’s your thing, you just can’t beat tile (unless we’re talking hardwood, of course).  Speaking of hardwood, the following is actually vinyl tile! (It’s defined as tile because of the way it’s installed.)

Source: alibaba.com

Another example of vinyl flooring—this one would be great for a playroom…

Source: materialicious.com

Here’s an example of concrete tile—the use of horizontal and vertical patterns can really add dimension to one room, or can be used to separate two rooms (or areas of one room) beautifully.

Source: concreteflooringss.com

And talk about beautiful, this Minton floor resides In the U.S. Capitol building…

Source: aoc.gov

Here’s a beautiful entryway that showcases stone tile so effectively…

Source: kcrock.com

Check out this stone tile—between the walls and the floor, it creates a ton of character in this home.  And that custom medallion… priceless.

Source: elitewoodflooring.com

At last we come to ceramic tile… what many people think of first when they think “tile flooring.” (Great pattern and colors here, by the way, and it carries through all the way up the garden tub steps.)

Source: ceramic-tile.com

More ceramic for a patio floor and enclosure (note the custom inlaid designs on the walls)…

Source: jerusalempottery.biz

What a dramatic use of porcelain tile—this flooring really makes a statement!

Source: Myhomeandgarden.com

By the way, in case you didn’t know, porcelain is ceramic’s distant cousin.  Both are made of clay, but porcelain is actually made from a more purified and refined clay.  So it’s a lot more durable and dense.

A post on tile wouldn’t be complete without a shout-out to marble…

Source: homesandgardenjournal.com

Just keep in mind that marble does need a lot more maintenance than ceramic or porcelain.  It needs to be sealed—not only after installation—but after most major cleanings to maintain its lustrous appearance.  It’s also very porous and a lot more sensitive to temperature changes.

But, oh, it is gorgeous… especially when inlaid as a marble “rug” as shown here…

Source: designinteriorideas.com

Finally, just  a quick peek at how tile can be used in all sorts of decorative ways, from table tops and chair backs…

Source: colorbakery.com

… to knick-knacks, bookends and wall hangings…

Source: colorbakery.com

A nice way to end this…

Source: smalltowndesigns.blogspot.com

I’ll have more on this popular option, in a future blog post.  Next week, we’ll be all about bugs.  Yes, you read that correctly… bugs.  (It’s officially springtime, you know!)

In the meantime, if you’re looking for a reputable flooring contractor (for tile or otherwise), be sure to start by searching on Kudzu.

Scratch that.  They actually look very happy throughout the spot and clearly spent a fortune on their outdoor renovation when all was said and done… adding that Japanese garden and bridge and who knows what else.  So what was my point again?

Oh yeah.  When it comes to your home’s outdoor space, a little inspiration really CAN go a long way.  Inspiration can have you outside this weekend, adding an immense vegetable garden to your back yard (with or without its own dining space, as shown here, from House Beautiful):

Of course, sprucing up your outdoors could mean something a lot more elaborate—a project that will probably require a professional landscaping service.

But you can save some money at the onset and start by sketching out a rough plan of what your “dream” landscape would look like.  You can also download a set of free plans from sites like Better Homes and Gardens.

Obviously, your costs will be determined by how much land you have, whether or not you’re doing any hardscaping and what kind of plants and materials you use.

So what follows is a little landscape inspiration.  Start with a BIG idea and then whittle it down from there, depending on your time and budget.

This country house, below, inspires me.   (And I’m always in awe of how a great design can transform a patch of land– a small portion of the entire lot, really– along with some rocks and stones, plants and flowers into this kind of a lush and picture-perfect landscape!)…

Source: houseplansandmore.com

Here’s a city house with fantastic curb appeal…

Source: myohiolandscape.com

Next up: A house in the ‘burbs that uses LOTS of different types of shrubbery (and even some vines) to perfectly accent this Tudor)…

Source: HGTV.com

Of course, this post wouldn’t be complete without a shot of a postcard-ready home with the proverbial white picket fence…

Source: empirelandscaping.com

And I couldn’t resist sharing this absolutely gorgeous, jazzed-up entryway (LOVE the colors, the accent trees… ALL of it!)…

Source: lhdesignbuild.com

Here’s a great before-and-after (see inset for the before) from a landscaping company…   Talk about curb appeal!

And take a look at a few retaining walls and borders– they not only serve a purpose, but also add dimension and depth to a landscape…

Source: klinelandscape.com

Source: louisvillelawncare.co

Source: allanblock.com

Source: davidsonlandscape.com

And the addition of a patio (with or without a built-in fireplace!), deck or outdoor water feature can create a true oasis in (or, rather, outside) of your home…

Source: ourbackyardoasis.com

Source: aboutpatiodesigns.com

Source: continuous-home-improvement-help.com

So in the spirit of “spring cleaning” and “getting organized” for the season, I thought it a good time to ‘fess up to that little tidbit.  I also thought it might be a good time to INSPIRE you (and maybe, just maybe, motivate myself) to get things organized at home– whether you’re a pack rat like me or not.

We’re currently trying to organize our unfinished basement, which has become a disaster of a storage area over the last few years.  (I’ll spare you any photos—if I had any, they’d be gruesome.)

But here’s one that’s close to what ours looked like last week (found on this site)…

Actually, this screen shot is a little extreme… even for me.  I tend to be more of a disorganized packrat behind the scenes.  So in other words, things look all tidy and nice on the surface… but, oh, what lies beneath!  (Hmmm… they say you ARE your surroundings.)  But I digress…

I think it’s the same “they” that doles out that kind of advice who also says that when you’re trying to organize your home, you need to start in small bites or chunks.   That means don’t set aside a whole weekend for organizing your entire home.  It ain’t gonna happen.  And if, by some miracle, you DO get your entire home organized in a weekend, then it wasn’t that disorganized to begin with… and/or you pulled a string of back-to-back all-nighters and are heading to the office or to the school PTA meeting on Monday morning with a de-cluttering nightmare of a hangover.  Not good.

So be kind to yourself.  Start with a pantry.  Or a closet.  Say to yourself, “I’m going to turn my pantry into a place I’d LIKE to go on Saturday afternoon.” Then get to steppin’.

Here’s a pretty good example of a “before-and-after” pantry.  The “after” is a definite improvement with the wicker baskets.  Especially if you have wire shelving.  (If you do, you KNOW how those small boxes and bottles tend to constantly fall over. ) But there is still too much of a mish-mash of non-related bottles and jars on that lower shelf for my taste.  (I may be a packrat, but I’m still pretty persnickety…)

Now here’s MY kind of pantry, photo courtesy of HGTV.com… (not that mine looks anything like this, of course!)  See the sliding baskets and drawers?  Not to mention the WOODEN shelves.  Everything is grouped together so, *SIGH*, neatly…  A slice of organizational heaven!

And here’s a before-and-after on a closet that shows what a little time and a couple of extra shelves will do (a company called Clutterbusters was the organizer)…

There are, of course, a myriad number of ways to organize.  I personally like the “4-pile” approach.  So when removing all of the junk from these closets and other spaces, sort it all into separate piles as follows:

-          Treasure (keep)

-          Trash (self-explanatory, no?)

-          Donate/sell

-          ? (This is your “not-sure-what-to-do-with-this” pile… so you don’t get hung up making the decision!)

Back to pictures of organizational mayhem.  Here’s a split-screen shot of a closet in a kid’s room.  Rather tidy “after.”  Looks like all that was needed here was an additional hanging rod and some clear plastic crates…

(By the way, for a quick look at closet organizing AND ideas for closet systems, watch this video.)

Anyway, you get the point.  Start with the smaller areas.  Do one of those for a couple of hours each day.  THEN move onto the bigger stuff… like the dreaded kitchen…

There’s a lot going on in the “before” above, as posted on HGTV.com.  (Hint: Store things within cabinets—not outside of them.) Much cleaner “after” look below.  (Yes, it is the same kitchen.)

So “piles” aside, it’s pretty clear that a huge part of getting organized comes down to adding or changing your storage resources.  Meaning that shelving and bins and baskets can do wonders, as seen in this garage organizational system cobbled together with great Container Store finds:

And here’s a nifty solution to organize an entryway or mudroom (LOVE that blue beaded-board wall).  Here you’ve got keys, a calendar, notes, tickets…and, of course, assorted notebooks, toys and other must-haves for the busy family.  Add a shoe bench and a unique umbrella stand underneath and you’re in business…

So circling back to where we started– that disorganized basement… I just had to share this “re-run” of a fantastic finished basement, originally found on this blog– complete with pristine workout room and uber-organized play area for the kids.  (Dare to dream!)

Ready to get going?  I can tell you–  I’m on it.  Ready to roll.  No more Mrs. Pack Rat.  (My husband is just laughing and laughing right now cuz he’s not buying it…)

Of course, if organizing your home seems like a miserable, tedious chore (it’s because it is!)—AND you want to keep your weekends free—there are plenty of organizational pros that you can find right here on Kudzu.  Be sure to check them out.  (And if a deep Spring cleaning is more up your alley, find a housecleaning service while you’re at it.)

When it comes to what we do here at Kudzu, “inspiration” can mean actually (finally!) getting those pesky little household tasks on your to-do list done…

OR it can mean installing a new pond in your backyard after being so in awe of the “Water Lilies” painting at last weekend’s Monet exhibit…

Or, like the cool Oxford-shirt-wearing mom in Kudzu’s aforementioned TV spot, it can mean desperately wanting new countertops after seeing the cover of your child’s astronomy book. (Actually, “desperate” is probably not the right word for her.  Pensive. Daydreaming. Wishful. Those might work.) No, desperate is really on ME—I actually want those new countertops (desperately!), but not because of my son OR his book. (He’s 8 and doesn’t even take astronomy yet.)

I want new countertops because mine are 15 years old and NOT granite (or Silestone, slate, recycled glass, quartz or any other jazzy kind). Mine are 15 years old and white. Oh, and did I mention they’re LAMINATE? Sturdy, yes. Affordable—sure. But elegant? Eye-catching? (Stain-resistant?) Uh, not so much.  Not my 15-year old stuff, anyway. But laminate has come a long way, baby.

Take a look at these, courtesy of Formica…

(Yes, that IS laminate.)      

And so is this.

And so, remarkably, is this.

But getting back to other types of countertops– if you’re thinking about new ones (as I clearly have been), what follows is a little “inspiration” for your kitchen’s soul…

Glass.  A-MAY-zing. That’s all I have to say about these. Made from recycled glass—what’s not to like? These are from Thinkglass. They’re certainly gorgeous, but you couldn’t pair these with white cabinets (like mine) without making your kitchen look a bit… well, sterile. But they’re so beautiful and “peaceful-looking”– like having an ocean in your kitchen! Not to mention the fact that they’re eco-friendly. (Wait, wasn’t “A-MAY-zing” all I was going to say on the subject? Oops.)

Here’s a soapstone countertop with oiled finish, courtesy of Dorado Soapstone. Sleek. Elegant. Nice.

This is also soapstone with a more natural finish. Reminds me of a slate hearth. Good touch for a kitchen that leans more rustic…

Next up: Concrete countertops— one of the strongest materials around.  However, keep in mind that concrete isn’t stain-resistant because it’s so porous. Keep it sealed, though, and it can last for 20 years or  more.

Red quartz. How snazzy is this?  (This beauty was made by Caesarstone and installed in HGTV’s Green Home in 2010.)

Paperstone. That’s right—made from a composite material… basically recycled paper!  This example’s from Paperstone Products.

Copper countertops. Be careful with copper—it’s extremely vulnerable to scratches. So as long as you don’t use your countertop as a cutting board (like we do at our house– tsk, tsk), you should be okay.  You have to admit– copper’s unique. (We like unique.)

Wood. Yes – plain ol’ WOOD. These are NOT your mama’s butcher block countertops from the ‘70s. Stunning. Great for a kitchen island, if not your entire kitchen.

Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to world-famous Corian—still popular in many homes today, thanks to its durability and low maintenance…

And here’s another recycled countertop– this one’s by Cosentino. 75% of it is made from a variety of recycled materials such as broken mirrors, windshield glass, ceramics and more. It’s also non-porous and resistant to scratches and stains.

Finally, this post wouldn’t be complete without a look at some granite options. Granite’s still wildly popular in most areas of the country, despite the many, MANY other materials that are desperate to compete with it. (There’s that word again.)

While we’re on the topic of granite, here’s my beloved Uba Tuba—what my husband and I have been leaning towards for our renovation this spring. Our inspiration? Seeing this same countertop choice displayed in the home of our good friends. (Sometimes that’s all it takes.)  See the subtle flecks of silver and copper and gold embedded in the black stone?  Little flecks of heaven…

Uba tuba aside, I will say I’ve fallen a little bit in love with some of the recyclables out there (like that A-MAY-zing glass). Hmmm…

Feeling inspired? If new countertops are in your future, be sure to search on Kudzu for a reputable local dealer or installer. (And don’t forget to read the reviews!)

* Gosh, remember when we started?  I was a different person then (or at least my house was).  Faucet leaks.  Wood rot.  No ceiling fans and no screen door.  Things have changed.  Repairs have been made (well, not the doorbell yet–sorry to my friend who stood out there for ages with his famous white chocolate mousse holiday gift recently).  Items have been knocked off my to-do list.  And  most importantly, I’ve finally accepted the blatantly obvious fact that yes, indeed, I am now a grown-up and it is time to stop being in denial about things like regular home maintenance and repair.  I’ve also figured out that I actually do have my own personal style tastes, which run toward some freaky combo of “reclaimed barn” and “ultra-modern” (with lots and lots of color), and that perhaps my dream home would actually be a restored carriage house down a cobble-stoned lane in New York City (I started following Brooklyn Heights open house alerts and subscribed to Edible Brooklyn somewhere around July, even though I live in metro Atlanta) or the HGTV Green Home 2012 in nearby Serenbe–it is being billed as a “farmhouse with a modern twist.” (Sign me up!)

* I tried to showcase a wide range of lifestyles, from “traditional families” to the sandwich generation to empty nesters to those coming up with their own solutions to a tough economy and changing needs. I threw in the “dream stuff”–the gourmet kitchens, home spas and theaters, and enviable basements and backyards–with even a celebrity stop or two: see Oprah’s house here, and Things Are Looking Rosie (Plus How to Find Real Star Power Right Where You Live).  But I also stressed how much a can of paint can transform a room, how clearing out clutter and loving what you have can change a point of view, or how hanging a simple hammock can make you feel suddenly rich.

* And mostly, I “leaned green.” If it was reclaimed, reused, recycled, or repurposed, it caught my attention, even that darn recycled street sign chair that, let’s admit it, is probably not all that comfortable, but yes, I still love it (here is a picture of a whole dining room set of them, including the table).  Non-toxic solutions, from no-or-low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to organic gardening just plain fit with my feelings as a mom trying to build a healthy bridge to the next generation.  I even gave you some tips for getting involved beyond your home to create  healthier communities–see (1) Embrace What May Be a Better Way to Live at Home and in Your Community, (2) The State of Growing Local Food in Cities around the Country–and in Your Backyard, and (3) Make Your Home Easily Livable and Endless Lovable (and Give a Gift to the Street–because, frankly, we’re all connected (and I believe that’s part of being neighborly).  But, granted, even all that had its limits as my budget doesn’t always allow me to make what I think is the best choice (that darn water heater purchase comes to mind).  (Let’s face it–we’re doing our best.)  If you’re interested in more tips and stories about a mom’s journey to live more sustainably (or just grow a fresh vegetable or two), you may be interested in my book.

* My favorite post of the last 12 months on this blog, however, was this one: A Lesson from Steve Jobs.  I received the new book about Steve Jobs as a gift this holiday season, and I am finding his story to be particularly inspiring as I set off on a new phase of my own journey.

* Maybe one day I’ll have solar panels on my south-facing roof, or reclaimed wood floors on the old linoleum in the kitchen, or packed boxes ready to go to Brooklyn after the girls are grown and gone.  But for now, we live here.  We live here.  In all its mess and imperfection.  In all its need of repair and renovation.  In all its glory, which became clear to me just this week when we returned home from a stay at a log cabin in the mountains (pictured) and smiles broke across all our faces as we rounded the corner and we saw what we had left behind just a few days earlier.  Home.

And so, I will keep tapping into Kudzu for local service pros who can help me get my to-do list done and get on with my life (after working at a computer all day as a professional writer, I like to get outside and garden, as pictured here at a nearby park), and who can help me keep dollars circulating in my local economy (now, that’s sustainability).  And now, a new year dawns.

* Speaking of drums, it looks like I have somehow managed to miss the The Muppet Movie!  This is shocking news, as The Muppet Show was my very favorite show for years when I was at that impressionable, oh, let’s say, college age.  After growing up in a household where my father worked for an insurance company, that show swung my eyes open to the fact that people could have jobs in creative fields, and actually had an impact on some of the work decisions I made since then. Having a home office and spending my days writing?  It definitely had something to do with Animal, who was the passionate drummer in the Muppets gang.  Now, as for not seeing the movie (even though, somehow, miraculously, the rest of my family has seen it), I guess I’ll catch it on DVD in our “home theater,” which is pretty much simply our little living room repurposed with a couple of recliners and my husband’s terrific surround-sound.  You don’t have to go whole-hog (like this home theater) to enjoy Miss Piggy!

* Atlanta’s mild weather this week gives me one last chance to make my home “tight as a drum,” to increase our energy efficiency (and stop throwing money out the window–literally).   This requires one thing and one thing only–weatherstripping (here are some tips).  Well, if you want to get fancy, you can also get some outlet covers.  (You know that breeze you feel by the exterior-wall outlets?  You shouldn’t feel that.)  Okay, between you and me, here’s the problem with weatherstripping–it’s that word (weatherstripping–ugh, sounds like such a chore–it needs a marketing overhaul) and the fact that almost every type I’ve used over the years eventually falls down.  (I have yet to be the Playful Parent this year, by the way.) Quick note–if you do achieve the “tight as a drum” goal, be sure to open a window or door (hurray for my screen door!) every day or two to air out the place as indoor air is typically about 90% more polluted than outdoor air.  Lovely, huh?  Go toxin-free in your home as much as possible in 2012 and you will most likely feel a difference.

* And finally, I’d like to close off this series with one home trend you can feel free to ignore–muted wall colors.  Unless you truly love muted colors (does beige seriously give you goose bumps?), please don’t feel like you need to stick with them in order to please future home buyers.  Chances are you are going to do a fresh coat of paint when it is time to sell anyway, so why not live with what you love?  It’s just paint.  Go bold, go big, go with low or no-VOCs (now in bright colors–thank you, Benjamin Moore), and go where the beat of your own drum takes you.  Try it on one wall in one room (most kids love bright colors in their rooms–go for it like this mom did) and tell me you don’t feel a bit more like Animal (in a good way–not the anger-management-problems part).  And in this world of rules and regulations, where 60 million of us live in neighborhoods with homeowners associations where we have to choose from an approved color palette for our home exteriors, doesn’t beating your own drum every now and again simply feel great? (Quick aside–if your homeowners association hasn’t updated its architectural standards with our changing times and environmental issues, it may be worth a chat–see Permeable Pavement, Recycled Milk Jug Fences, Clothes Lines, and Updating Your HOA’s Rules for some conversation starters.)

As Henry David Thoreau said ever so eloquently: “If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away.” May I add that if a mom hears a different drummer, and has drummed up something spectacular for her home (a music room, a home theater, some brightly-colored walls), let her search for service pros on Kudzu who can help her never miss a beat.

* If a little time off for the holidays is music to your ears, perhaps you’re a music-minded person (like my husband and daughters).  Music fills our house all the time, between my husband’s hobby of collecting (and blasting) film score recordings, and my daughters’ dabblings in the keyboard and guitars.  Since I am such a terrible singer, some smart music teacher way back when pegged me as perfect for the flute (keeps me from joining in on the lyrics, no matter how strong the temptation), and one of my most beloved gifts in recent years was a Native American flute (that I still haven’t really learned how to play, I must admit), and somewhere along the line, a few instruments from my favorite shop for gifts, Ten Thousand Villages, joined our family orchestra pit (Chilean rainstick, anyone?).   Yes, it would be nice to have a separate music room where all these instruments could live happily and neatly, but “all over the place” works, too.

*Are you prone to pipe dreams (which, by the way, are “unrealistic hopes or fantasies,” originally fueled by opium)?  Ideas run the gamut from saunas to stand-alone offices (that post has one of my favorite home offices ever), tree houses to espaliered fruit trees (I am so close to doing that), or even half-pipe skateboard ramps, if you have someone in your household so inclined (such as this 41-year-old dad). Well, guess what?  People actually do add these elements to their homes (so let’s just stop calling them unrealistic), and they don’t always cost a fortune. Maybe 2012 is the year to make your dream come true.  What’s one small step you can take to move your dream forward?  Start there.

* And now, the flip side of pipe dreams–pipe nightmares, and frankly, almost all homeowners have one at least once in their lives (although, may I remind you that Kudzu’s Must-Do 52 weekly enewsletter told us to insulate the pipes months ago).  Granted, it’s been spring-warm here in Atlanta (so warm, in fact, that dandelions are growing, right now in December), but one look at the USA TODAY weather map makes it clear that most of the United States is, well, freezing.  Let’s hope you’re curling up by the fireplace with some warm, fresh-baked cookies right about now, and not taking part in a twist on 11 Pipers Piping and fixing frozen pipes!  If you do need to thaw frozen pipes, however, take these tips.  Too late for the thaw because water is all over the floor?  (That line actually rhymes if you’re a native new Yorker, as I am.)  I’m afraid it’s time to, shall we say, “pay the piper” and it’s on to the flood restoration experts for you.  (Speaking of “paying the piper,” if you were going to “pay” for all the gifts in the 12 Days of Christmas song this year, it’s up to $101,000, according to this recent article in the New York Times).

Need help remodeling, making your pipe dreams come true, or fixing your pipes (or the damage they’ve causes)?  Find service pros you can trust on Kudzu.  And don’t forget to “pipe up” about companies whose services you’ve used and leave helpful reviews so others can make informed choices, too.

* Want to spend less time leaping up and down and more time leaping at opportunities?  Commit to “getting your house in order” in 2012 so that you are agile and ready when opportunity knocks (Kudzu’s Must-D0 52 helps–just start back at the beginning).  And that means fixing things (like my still-broken front doorbell and some newly-discovered wood rot), clearing out clutter, organizing closets so you can get to that interview suit quickly, and spending some time planning for small changes that can make a big difference in your enjoyment of your home.  Common ideas include adding a fire pit, creating a garden (see my easy mailbox garden), turning the basement into a party room, or even simpler actions like installing a screen door (this was something I put off for years and now I’m enjoying a nice, cool breeze and the sweet sound of a gently slamming door that reminds me of my childhood as my daughters go in and out).  Want a huge improvement you can do in about five minutes for less than $100?  Hang a hammock between two trees (see My Kingdom for a Moment of Silence).  You’ll thank me for this one for years.

* Want to take a break from thinking about anything (including your home) for a few days as we wind down the year?  Kick back with a book, such as the Ravenous Rendezvous romance series, featuring, ever so conveniently, Ten Lords-a-Leaping (I don’t really read these kinds of books, but, let’s face it, The Essential Urban Farmer, which I am currently reading, doesn’t exactly fit into my Lords-a-Leaping theme).  And, no, you don’t have to give this thought right now, but wouldn’t a cozy book nook be nice, or even a free-standing book nook out in the woods, like the one pictured?  See more pictures of it here, and let’s just swoon a little over it for a moment.

* And, finally, guess what?  As luck would have it (at least for the sake of my little 12 Days of Christmas series here on Hot Off the Vine), 2012 is a leap year!  That means, of course, that you get an extra day.  How are you going to use this gift of time?  You have two months to think this one through.  Why not get your to-do list cleared so you can say “ta da”instead of “to-do” that day and, yes, kick back in your hammock or book nook, or simply leap for joy (like this mom).

Don’t take a leap of faith when you hire local service pros to help you get your to-do list done, or make your home design and decorating dreams come true.  Go to Kudzu, read reviews, and find people you can trust.