Time to spiff up the curb appeal...

My mom and dad are in the process of updating the exterior of our house. They've been doing quite a bit of stuff but the thing mom likes the most are the flowers they planted. She said it adds curb appeal. I wasn't sure what that meant so I did some research and found out what a great thing curb appeal is....especially for mom's sellers.

Flowers are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to make the front of your house look inviting and instantly increase the curb appeal of your home. Without any real landscaping at all, flowers can transform a rather drab and dreary looking front yard into one that looks colorful and lush. Especially during spring and summer, you should take advantage of the season by planting pots and flower boxes.

You should choose colorful flowers that will be in bloom during the time you're selling your home. Planting the flowers in planter boxes and pots is easier than planting them in the ground and lets you more easily place them where they can have the most visual impact. You don't need to have a green thumb, or spend a lot of money to get great results either. Visit your local home improvement center or nursery and they will be happy to advise you of the best flowers and plants for your purpose. You can put together several very nice planter boxes and pots of flowers for well under $100. And it's easy!

One of the nice things about using flowers in this way is that you'll see the results immediately. And so will buyers visiting your home!

I think my car trips with mom are over....

I'm a little depressed. My mom and dad usually take me with them to run errands throughout town and I LOVE it! I get to bark at everyone in their cars and see tons of fun stuff...it's a blast. My mom said that since gas prices are so high that she wouldn't be going on as many errands in the car. Instead, my mom bought a brand new bike. She said she's going to be biking to places that are close and only driving to places that she absolutely has to. Bummer....and her bike doesn't even have a basket for me!

As I sat pondering all of this I decided to do some research and find out who else is getting a little tired of paying more and more money every single time you have to stop at the gas pump to fill up? Although not directly related to the real estate or mortgage industries, continually rising gas prices are hurting us all.

Gas prices are up 19.9% from what they were last year. A month ago, the nationwide average was $3.246 a gallon.

Gasoline prices normally rise during the spring as people travel more. However, the record pump prices have also been supported by high crude prices as shrinking profit margins cause refiners to pull back on production.

Higher gas prices are affecting (although not directly) our children as well. The cost to fuel the buses that carry children back and forth to school has jumped 35% over the same time a year ago, and that's 35% less money schools have for teachers, computers, and whatever else our children need to become well educated.

It seems higher gas prices have affected more and more industries including the airline and mid-to large sized automobile industries.

I wonder if mom and dad will take the boat out as much this year? I love going on the boat with them.

Where will it all end? I just want to get back to the good ole' days with car rides with my mom and dad.