Wood decking in your garden can add beauty to your home, but only if it is well-maintained from year to year. In the case that your deck is showing signs of weather and wear, some simple maintenance together with a new coat of stain or sealer can make it look new again. The job is one that can be easily carried out over a weekend or 2 of DIY. 

Before you start, remove everything from your decking. You will need to sweep the entire area to eliminate any leaves, twigs, needles or branches, plus debris that is lodged between boards. Clean the deck well with decking detergent (available at most home centers and hardware stores) and follow manufacturer instructions on best use. Ensure the cleaner you are going to use is ok for that type of deck. A stiff bristle broom will be helpful when eliminating mildew stains, ingrained dirt and grime. 

When the deck is clean and dry, examine the state of the wood. Are there any boards that are loose, raised or have splinters? If there are they must be fixed. Does the wood look worn? A little sanding will help to revive the wood and raise the grain for better stain absorption. 

Tools and materials 

*Stain/sealer 

*Rubber gloves 

*Paintbrush 

*Roller with extension pole 

*Goggles 

*Rags and drop cloth 

Directions 

1. Choose a weekend when the forecast is for dry weather, and if possible, try to avoid staining in sunlight. (Always test the stain on a small area and let it dry to ensure the color is the one you wanted.) 

2. Use a bristle brush and start by heavily coating the open-end grain of the boards. Then brush two to three boards from one end to the other in long, smooth strokes. To avoid lap marks, ensure the edges stay wet so that wet stain is brushed into wet stain. 

3. Apply one coat of stain and wait for it to dry. Remember more stain is not always better. In the event you over-apply, stain may peel or crack when unprotected against moisture, or may possibly not dry properly. allow the stain dry for 2 days before using the deck again and before you return your garden furniture. 

Seasonal maintenance will help to keep the wood deck in peak condition. As a general rule, if you see that the deck is repelling water, the existing stain is still doing its job.

 

Everybody thinks about the big essentials when moving into a new home: painting, purchasing furniture, getting on with roommates. Although these things are important, there are also smaller items that are just as necessary to have around in case you need them. 

You may not appreciate this today or tomorrow, but you will at some time. So, be prepared just like a good scout. The hardware store should carry everything in this list. 

Screwdriver, hammer and wrench 

Every home must have a little toolbox, but at the bare minimum you'll need this trio of tools. Imagine: How would you hang pictures with no hammer? How would you assemble your furniture with no screwdriver? How would you adjust your bicycle saddle with no wrench? 

Tape-measure 

If you're shopping for furniture, you'll need to know exactly much space you have to fit in a bed, couch or dining room table. And when you're hanging pictures, you will want to make sure that you are centering them. A tape measure can assist you with all these jobs. 

Scissors 

Scissors are highly underrated. You can use them to open boxes which are shipped to you, cut tags off your brand-new clothes, open that impossible plastic vacuum-packed container around the new earphones you purchased - In other words scissors can come in handy for a number of things so it is therefore sensible to purchase a sturdy pair. 

Bulbs 

The lightbulb burns out in your windowless bathroom. If you have bulbs stored in a drawer you will be able to solve the issue within 3 seconds. Otherwise, you will end up showering in the dark before you can go out and purchase some bulbs. Consider getting some now, before really becomes a problem. 

Calculator 

Maybe you can use an application on your phone or perhaps your computer, but whatever it is you will need a way apart from using your mind and your rusty grade-school algebra to complete math. For example, it's unlikely for you to do your taxes without a calculator. And will your roommates 
trust your long division whenever you split common expenses with only paper and pencil? Be certain and buy a calculator. 

Flashlight 

If the power goes out, you will be glad you have one. Enough said. 


When you are planning to move into a new home, it is a good idea to ensure that you have these essentials, so that you can solve any problem that may arise as you are settling in.

 

Images of past and present form the latest exhibition at The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands called 'Now & Then'. It is an extraordinary merging of the past and the present through the magic of modern technology. Any history buff familiar with the Cayman Islands, should make visiting this exhibition a priority before it ends on 11 December. 
To see these archived pictures set inside shots of the same locations, but in the present day, is a fascinating experience. 
Photographs from the National Archive and the Cayman Free Press Steinmetz Collection, were replicated and digitally merged by photographer Courtney Platt, who took all the recent photographs in the exhibition. 
The Cayman Islands National Archive plays an essential role in documenting the evolution of Caymanian society by preserving and contributing to the individual and collective memory. 
There has been an positive reaction to 'Now & Then' since it opened to the public on 12th October, and Natalie Urquhart, director of the gallery, said she has been thrilled to see residents and visitors enjoying it so much. 




Source:compasscayman.com

 

The pig roast on the Camana Bay beach, which this year was billed 'Islands Luau', is an important annual fundraiser for Feed our Future and although it is held rain or shine, the event planners certainly hope for a dry day. 
During the 2011/12 school year, Feed our Future was able to provide about 20,000 lunches to 120 students in 11 different schools in Grand Cayman. 
This year, with heavy rains falling around George Town for much of the afternoon, it didn't look like they'd get their wish. But the skies cleared allowing the guests to enjoy an evening of food, fun and music. 
This years roast-off, which was voted on by the guests, pitted Feed our Future director Anthony Lawson and his 'Smokin' Bros' team of Cody Bush and Tony Catalanotto against Joey Hew and is 'Hew Done' team of Keith Griffin and some of the kitchen staff at Brasserie. 
Eventually, the Smokin' Bros team won the competition by just two votes. 
Chairwoman, Stacey VanDevelde said the organization had this year found even more children in the schools who weren't getting enough to eat. 




Source:compasscayman.com