August 1978

7 WAYS TO READY YOUR CHILD FOR SCHOOL

When your youngster enters school for the first time, the transition from home to school can be crucial-- for you as well as your child. An exciting new world is opening up for the youngster, and as parents, you want to help your child enter that world confidently and happily.

Pool heat and water saver

Garden care kit

Hot air popper

Gas detector

Houseplant helpers

Scalding preventers

Scooping scale

TIPS TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

A REGULAR FEATURE DESIGNED TO MAKE AROUND-THE-HOUSE JOBS EASIER FOR YOU

A HUTCH/BUFFET YOU CAN BUILD

You don't have to be an expert cabinetmaker to build this hutch/buffet. The basic structure is plywood, and all of the framing members between the doors and the drawers have simple butt joints toenailed with fourpenny finishing nails. The elegant cornice and the rich-looking paneled doors and drawers are easily fashioned from common cabinet moldings.

CONTEMPORARY SLEEP SPOTS

LIVE IT UP IN A LOFT

There's something therapeutic and almost magical about being able to retreat to a lofty perch away from the cares of the day. And that magic works on more than just your disposition; your budget also benefits when you tuck extra living space into a loft rather than adding on.

YOU CALL 'EM WEEDS... WE CALL 'EM HOUSEPLANTS

How can you transform a Cinderella weed into a conversation piece? It's simple. Just pick out a deserving specimen, pot it up, treat it gently, and proudly display it indoors.

WHERE CAN YOUR MONEY EARN THE BEST INTEREST?

How can you get the best yield possible on your savings, without undue risk-- and also have funds available for immediate use when needed? Your best strategy is to utilize several different savings vehicles at once. Here's what to consider.

How to stretch a small house

HOUSEPLANT HOW-TO

How to replace your car's exhaust system

A breakdown of the exhaust system is not only annoying, it's downright embarrassing. Your car begins to run with a throaty, bulldozer-like roar or your muffler emits nerve-jarring scraping sounds as it drags down the road. Immediately other drivers (including policemen) know you have neglected an important part of your car.

Man-made fibers

It pays to be knowledgeable about man-made fibers because they play such an important role in home furnishings products. Today 70 percent of the fibers used by United States textile mills and nearly all surface fibers for carpets are synthetically produced.

GARDENING IN AUGUST

When you think about garden bulbs, are tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils the only plants that come to mind? Well, now's the time to broaden your horizons by planting a collection of colchicums and fall crocuses. These pint-sized members of the bulb family rarely get over ten inches tall, but they're big on color during the fall when few other plants are in bloom. And best of all, you can plant them now for a welcome show of color this season and in years to come.

HOW TO TURN A GOOD ROOM INTO A GREAT ROOM

Many decorating schemes can be classified as "good," but few are individual and exciting enough to quality as "great." The reason for this, we believe, is that most people tend to play it too safe when decorating.

The Flamboyant Perennials

If you want breathtaking color for your yard next spring, plant some Oriental poppies now. These old-fashioned favorites aren't what they used to be. Today's plants range from ten-inch dwarfs to three-foot giants, and they come in a rainbow of colors.

How to make the most of a MINI-KITCHEN

Making a minuscule kitchen work like a charm isn't easy but it can be done-- and here's the proof. These two families started out with undersized, underachieving kitchens, and they turned things around by using ingenious space-saving techniques.

How to plan A BLOCK PARTY

Is the time-honored tradition of neighborliness becoming extinct in America? People nowadays do tend to remain aloof, even when they live cheek by jowl. But there is a way to transform a row of houses into a close-knit community-- and that's by throwing a block party.

RETIREMENT PLANNING START NOW TO BUILD FOR SECURITY LATER

What with inflation and recent rumblings about social security and pension troubles, you may think your chances for a comfortable retirement are slim. Or, you may be so caught up with the demands of the present that retirement isn't even in your thoughts.

MIRROR MAGIC FOR DOORS

Here's a bright way to give a new lease on life to a dull or battered set of doors. And you don't have to be a master craftsman to do the job. All you need is patience plus skill with a saber saw and a glass cutter.

How to cope with common pet emergencies

When an emergency comes up involving your dog or cat, there's no time to wonder what to do and no room for guesswork. Being aware of the basics of pet first aid will equip you to take quick and effective action-- which may save your pet's life.

Choosing Needlepoint Thread

There's more to selecting needlepoint thread than just picking a pretty color. Factors such as durability, workability, and suitability to your project must also be considered. Here are some facts to help you choose wisely.

Sizing up upholstered furniture

A sofa or upholstered chair is a major investment that should pay off in many years of service. To help you choose wisely, here are some important points to check before you buy.

Look out for carpenter ants!

Though not as sneaky as termites, carpenter ants are just as capable of damaging your house. Fortunately, though, the ants can usually be detected before your floors begin to sag if you keep an eagle eye out. Here are some tips to help you seek and destroy these potential home wreckers.

How to prevent wood decay

Wood is one of nature's most beautiful and versatile construction materials, and it's relatively low in cost. But even wood isn't perfect. Its big weakness is its inability to ward off moisture.

FAMILY VACATION GUIDE TO THE BEST OF BERMUDA

It's easy to understand why the Bermuda Islands are a traditional honeymoon destination. The tiny archipelago is set in splendid isolation in the Atlantic Ocean some 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina. And the Islands are enchantingly beautiful. Despite Bermuda's limited size, a visitor can nearly always find a pink-sand beach cove where not another person is in sight.

Better Homes Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence. If not delighted, each company will happily refund your money.

The Man Next Door

The current rash of science fiction movies doesn't excite Len Lundy at all. He says a spaceship chase just can't compete with the drama of a tricycle's running over a cat's tail while the baby is eating and spitting spinach and the first grader is crying because she's going to be late for school.