Make 2010 the year to get ‘er done! All of those little jobs you’ve been putting off around the house. Stop whining and just do it!

1. BEWARE THE FROZEN PIPES! Don’t let it happen to you. Have you turned off the main water supply to your garden hose? Are there any exterior pipes that need looking into? Are your interior pipes in a warm room or well insulated? Ya know, they do sell foam pipe insulation. Get friendly with that. You can also buy electric heating cord to wrap around pipes just in case the situation calls for it.

2. INSULATE! INSULATE! INSULATE! This is a frigid winter. What the hell are you waiting for? Your rooms may be well insulated (or not) but don’t forget crawl spaces in your attic and basement. If you can’t get to it, rent a machine and blow in insulation.

3. MIND THE GAP! Caulk is your friend. And that Great Stuff….ooh, that’s a keeper! Fill spaces around your windows, doors and molding. If you can’t feel the draft, you know the candle trick, right?

4. OUTLET INSULATION. Believe it or not, cold air can come through electrical outlets. You can buy outlet insulation pads at any hardware store. On a difficulty scale of 1-10, this is a zero.

5. PLASTER TOUCH UP. Ok, it’s not all about cold weather. You’ve been looking at those cracks in the ceiling all year? Get off your arse, chase them out and patch them up. The plaster fairy god mother ain’t coming to help out any time soon.

6. PAINT! Do as I say and not as I do. Once those plaster spots are finished, don’t leave them sit for another year. They are meant to be covered with paint.

7. YUCKY GROUT. They sell these things. They’re called grout brushes and some genius invented them. You can screw them onto a paint pole or mop handle. Use elbow grease and/or bleach and your grout should shine again. IMPORTANT! You’re not done yet! Seal the grout before use so it doesn’t soak up moisture and dirt by the next day.

8. DID I MENTION THAT CAULK IS YOUR FRIEND? How’s that caulk looking around your sink, bath and countertop? Yeah, I thought so. FYI, you can remove nasty old caulk with a heat gun.

9. GUTTERS. Oh screw it, it’s too cold to go up there now. You should’ve thought of that in the fall. Hopefully you did so when the snow and ice start to melt, your gutters aren’t clogged.

10. PESKY PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL. Leaky faucet? A light fixture with one non-working bulb? Clogged drain? Loose outlet? Bet you have it in your power to do any of these. No more procrastination. 2010 is the year!

* The WTF photo above IS NOT of my house. It’s in a work place. Let’s see if the manager comes forth.