Tamara L. Waters

Featured Home Improvement, Arts & Entertainment and Crafting Contributor
Living in Small Town, IL
Total page views: 270,458
Published Content: 415
Fans: 272
On AC since: 01.13.06
Bio:
Tamara is a Home Improvement Featured Contributor and an Arts & Entertainment Featured Contributor on AC as well as a Top 1000 Content Producer. She writes a weekly column for a local newspaper in Marion, IL and writes for other websites including Demand Studios, Helium and Examiner. She is a movie and television buff with a special interest in vampires, werewolves, zombies and other things supernatural. She enjoys doing home improvement projects and gardening at her own home and writes about her experiences. Her knowledge of home improvement comes from her hands-on experiences with building and construction. She has experience in plumbing, post-frame and stick-frame construction, log cabin building, old home remodeling, deck building, and many other aspects of home improvement. The only home improvement project she prefers to avoid is anything that requires being on a tall ladder or scaffold, otherwise she's willing to try her hand at anything that involves building, remodeling or improving. She considers herself to be quirky, fun and easygoing and even a little bit weird but quite lovable. She is available for private writing projects by emailing tamaralwaters@yahoo.com
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Education/Experience:
college - 2yrs, journalism major
Motto:
I'm just sayin'
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Displaying Results 1 - 200 (of 415)
Did you miss those Super Bowl commercials and simply want to watch them again online?
You want a garden but don't have a lot of space - what should you do? Here are three ideas for easy gardens in small spaces.
Looking for Indianapolis Colts merchandise?
Looking for New Orleans Saints merchandise after the team's Super Bowl XLIV win?
Warren Sapp was arrested February 6 in Miami Beach stemming from an incident with his girlfriend.
A major snowstorm hit the mid-Atlantic region on Friday and residents of southwestern Pennsylvania have reported at least 17 inches of snow, power outages and treacherous conditions.
Fans are wonder if vampire Eric Northman (played by Alexander Skarsgard) will get naked for the third season of True Blood.
I don't care much for instant hot cocoa mixes. You know - the kind that you simply add to hot water? I much prefer stovetop hot cocoa and the recipe I came up with is simply delicious.
Americans were hopeful that Groundhog Day would give hope for an end to winter, instead they turn to violence when the groundhog saw his shadow.
Looking for ways to keep your house warm while not breaking the bank with high heat bills? Here are a few tip for reducing heat loss and air infiltration in your home.
Do you love the ads shown during the Super Bowl? Here are some commercials that really need to be made just for Super Bowl Sunday.
Links to websites offering printable coloring sheets, crafts, activities and online activities for Groundhog Day.
Just as you wrap yourself in a warm quilt to get cozy, you can cover your windows with window quilts to keep your home toasty warm.
Make draft stoppers to help reduce heat loss and air infiltration along the bottom of your exterior doors.
Don't forget your mail won't run and many businesses, services, and governmental agencies are closed on federal holidays. What are the federal holidays for 2010?
The Bounce Dryer Bar is a new product for keeping your clothing fresh-smelling, soft and static-free.
My left-handedness has created a miscommunication between my brain and my body.
Plan a Chinese New Year party for fun and learning.
Add some color to your yard with a butterfly bush. The butterfly bush can be propagated using simple methods.
The kids will love making this simple paper lantern for Chinese New Year.
The chatter among my class died as we watched the footage and what had happened sank into our brains. This was our Kennedy assassination - our moment in history that we watched with a mixture of sadness, grief and confusion. . .
Use recycled items to make this educational game for your kids.
A poem for AC's content drive to help Haiti.
I decided to treat my three kids to see Tooth Fairy on a Saturday afternoon - it was well worth the price of admission.
Looking for a few ways to update and refresh your home without the expensive and time investment of a remodel? Here are a few home improvement face lift ideas.
The Wal-Mart clown commercial is one of the funniest I've seen in awhile. I hope it means there are great commercials planned for Super Bowl Sunday.
Are you wondering when the second season of True Blood will be released on DVD? The scheduled release date is in May.
Catch up on what happened on the first two seasons of True Blood before True Blood season three airs in June 2010.
A few simple home improvements can make a senior's home more livable for a longer period and allow the senior to retain their sense of independence while helping family members feel assured they are safe in their own home.
January 21 is National Hugging Day. Here are several types of hugs you can implement to celebrate.
Dealing with criticism as an online writer requires a thick skin. I am working on it.
Zombies? Here are a few explanations of those undead flesh eaters.
Sometimes the harshest words are those you need to hear. . .
It may seem silly, but General Larry Platt's song is a sensation - and a brief moment of respite from the heartwrenching news from the Haiti earthquake. Includes words for "Pants on the Ground."
Even if you don't like football, you can appreciate these great football movies.
Ladies, nobody warns you before you tie the knot that your husband will suffer from Chronic Brain Melting Disease. There is no cure so just deal with it.
Women who were in a love triangle with a werewolf and a vampire then chose the vampire were surveyed recently regarding their current relationship. 74% expressed dissatisfaction and regretted choosing the vampire over the werewolf.
The American Red Cross is taking donations via text message (text 'Haiti' to 90999) and other organizations are accepting online donations to assist with relief efforts in Haiti.
Looking for Valentine's Day gift ideas for your kids? Here are five cheap ones.
Robertson suggested that the January 12 earthquake that struck Haiti came about due to a pact made with the devil.
Four online sites where you can download movies for your viewing pleasure.
Here is a play list for your Anti-Valentine's Day party - songs that show the ugly side of love and remind you that, well, love bites.
Veteran actor Robert Wagner will guest star in the 150th episode of NCIS on CBS, January 12.
Daybreakers presents a future where vampires rule the world and humans hide.
Did you wonder why so many Facebook users were posting colors in their status updates recently?
Washed and dried toilet paper lumps, wolves killing cartoon characters, sex changes and broken glasses: All thanks to my migraine.
Don't break the bank or even spend a penny for updating your home's decor. Use a few of these ideas for no-cost decorating.
If you are wondering how to apply for food stamps or food assistance in Illinois, here is important information you need to know.
Residents of the southern Illinois region make plans for winter weather that is expected to move into the area on Wednesday, January 6.
I have made predictions concerning lots of stuff in 2010. I know I will be right. Read my predictions and stand in awe of my powers.
After Armageddon aired January 5 on the History Channel.
Southern Illinois, Southeast Indiana, Western Kentucky and Southeast Missouri, Middle Tennessee expect snow accumulation, single digit temperatures to move into region on Wednesday, January 6.
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich will compete with 13 other celebrities on Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice. The new season of Celebrity Apprentice will air March 14 on NBC.
Is the idea of frugality a new concept? Not really - your grandparents and great-grandparents knew all of those tricks long before you ever decided to pinch a penny.
Tips for teaching your kids about home improvement.
Here are a few basic tips for building a deck.
Your kitty loves to roam on your kitchen counters. How can you try to deter a stubborn feline from those counters?
Earthquakes struck the Solomon Islands and the coast of Ecuador on January 3 and 4, 2010. Current information about registered earthquakes can be obtained from the United Stated Geological Survey (USGS) and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
If you are interested in end-of-the-world theories and prophecies, you won't want to miss History Channel's Armageddon Week, January 3-9, 2010.
"The Wonder Kid" Travis Pastrana wowed fans at Long Beach Harbor in Long Beach, California with a world record setting rally car jump onto a barge floating in the harbor. The new world record set by Pastrana is 269 feet.
Everyone has their favorites, but these are the five Discovery Channel shows that stuck out in my mind during 2009.
A new year should begin with new hopes and expectations. . .
Fill in the gaps between the nine books of the Southern Vampire Mysteries aka Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries with this collection of five short stories by author Charlaine Harris.
All About Steve is a delightful story of learning to love yourself and embracing your quirks.
HBO's hot vampire series, True Blood, will return with a third season in June 2010. One question that fans have been asking is "Who will play Alcide Herveaux?"
Oh no! It's almost Christmas and you haven't prepared anything for your Christmas get-together! Here are a few ideas to help you out.
If you are a work at home mom, you probably wonder how you can better meet the needs of your child while you are working. Here are a few tips that have helped me as I work from my home.
Enjoy the scents of a holiday season or any season by making homemade potpourri to simmer.
A holiday haiku for winter.
Regretsy blocked on Facebook, reported as "an abusive site." Regretsy was unblocked within hours - but is this just a sign that snark is unappreciated?
I decided to replace my broken bathroom faucet rather than wait around for my husband to do it. It's an easy task to complete and truly, anyone can do it.
There, in front of me, in full color, was a toilet that was sufficiently clogged and backed up with toilet paper. Making its rounds at the top of the bowl, happily floating freely, was the largest monster poop snake I had ever laid eyes on.
That darn cat will be the death of me. Our new kitty Boo farts and screws up my computer. It's just like having another man around.
I asked a number of my Associated Content friends what they hope Santa brings them.
If your toilet isn't running properly, you can fix it yourself after you determine what the problem is.
I imagined what it would feel like to miss someone I loved. This poem was inspired by thinking about the people all over the world who would be spending Christmas without someone they care about.
Enjoy the wonderful heat wood heat can offer by properly stacking and storing your firewood.
A family of beavers moved into the creek across from my home. They've been busy. . .as a beaver.
This is a disturbing turn of events in a country that is not my own, toward a group of people that I'm not a part of. Nonetheless - I am appalled.
Use a few of these tips if you want to come back alive from a cleaning trip into your child's bedroom.
Do you have a big butt? Booty? Derriere? Rear? Bottom? Whatever you call it, if you're a fat-bottomed girl like me, you should choose jeans that will show off and flatter your scrumptious asset.
What did I think of New Moon, the latest in the Twilight Saga big screen offerings? Well, let's just say. . ."I see sparkly things." Okay?
While stating your opinion and peacefully demonstrating about government policies is a great idea, is a Die In really the right way to protest?
Don't do breast self-exams? No mammograms before 50? I don't think so - I'll grope my boobs whenever I want!
What is the difference between face-frame and frameless cabinets?
Fresh turkey for Thanksgiving. . .
Obsessive love? The Twilight Saga is fantasy - it's not real life or real love.
I recently took a haunted tour of Alton, Illinois - "one of the most haunted small towns in America."
A bit of micro-fiction. . .for those who believe in just desserts.
I went into a haunted church as a skeptic, but I left as a believer.
What you read in romance novels and see in movies and television is real - sex isn't portrayed accurately. Real-life sex requires a few considerations.
What do I want Santa to bring me this Christmas? Home improvement tools.
Autumn in southern Illinois is a beautiful time of year - the smell of the air, the chill of the nights and the feeling of the earth slowing down.
A writer's block can be a deadly thing for a writer. Here are a few tips to beat that writer's block and get those words flowing again.
Do you need a few ideas for your Christmas party?
Time to perv on the hot, sexy vampire men of movies and television.
Fear can take many forms. . .
Could your kitchen use a fresh look but you just don't have the money? Changing out your cabinet knobs and handles could be just the ticket for an inexpensive and simple facelift.
Home improvement projects don't have to stop just because it's winter. Here are some cheap indoor home improvement projects for winter.
What should you do when those Christmas lights won't work?
Don't underestimate a zombie husband - he has a few things going for him.
Did you miss FlashForward? Recap of what happened on the fifth episode of FlashForward, original air date 10/22/09.
Don't let a fire spoil your holiday celebration. Take precautions and follow these fire safety tips when decorating your home with holiday lights.
If you want to decorate your yard for Christmas but your budget is tight, check out some of these outdoor Christmas decorations that cost less than $50.
A hardwood floor is a thing of beauty, but like everything else it requires a little bit of work to keep it beautiful.
Twitter is an interesting microblogging social networking tool. I share the inane things of my life with the world through Twitter. Does that make me strange? Probably.
Add some creepy tunes to make a kids' Halloween party better.
If you plan to host a grown-up Halloween party, be sure to pick some great tunes to set the mood.
Regular maintenance for your furnace will help keep it heating your home all winter long.
You might have the power tools for the project, but do you have the accessories necessary to get the job done?
Most weapons can be rated from 1 to 10 on the "Really Dead Zombie Weapon" Scale.
Here are three easy Christmas ornaments to make.
My husband has declared that this year we will buy a new artificial Christmas tree. Here are a few tips that are helping me choose just the right artificial tree.
More questions and clues on episode 4 of FlashForward entitled "Black Swan."
I'm just a Twit and yes, I Tweet with Twitter - the Internet's microblogging craze. Here are a few thoughts on using Twitter to promote yourself.
Don't lose your mind during the holiday season - there are ways to keep from losing your sanity.
Are you ready for whatever winter will bring? There are a few simple steps you can take to put your house in order before the nasty weather of winter sets in.
A Halloween haiku
Why did everyone in the world black out for exactly 137 seconds? The third episode of FlashForward brings viewers deeper into the mystery and leaves them with more unanswered questions.
Mix up this recipe for a blood drink inspired by the hit HBO series True Blood for your Halloween party.
Postpartum Depression afflicts an estimated 13% of postnatal women annually. For me, it was a dark hole that I slid into silently.
The second episode of ABC's new hit show FlashForward aired on October 1 leaving the characters - and the viewers - with few answers and more questions.
If Murphy's Law seems to work in every day of your life, then perhaps you, too - like me - are living under a zombie curse. Here's how my week has went. . .
If you are planning to buy a dishwasher for your home, here are a few tips to help you decide which dishwasher is right for your needs.
The new ABC series FlashForward debuted September 24. The first episode, titled "No More Good Days" is aptly named and leaves the viewer anxious for the next episode.
Despite having a 10-year consensual sexual affair, MacKenzie Phillips told Oprah that her father was "a good man." Is it possible to be a good man and still have sex with your own daughter?
Facebook farmers need to spice up their agricultural role playing. How about Redneck Farm Town?
Turn your precious wee ones into undead flesh-eaters for Halloween. Here are some ideas for zombie costumes for kids.
If you want your child to enjoy reading, there are a few simple things you - as a parent - can do to encourage them.
HBO is bringing back True Blood for another season. Season 3 is scheduled to begin airing in June 2010. So what will happen on True Blood's third season?
What happens when you discover the biggest darn garden spider hanging out near you? Take a picture of course - put your life on the line!
You never know when a water leak will occur, but planning ahead and knowing how to deal with a leak can keep it from become a disaster.
Cartoon Network aired the new live action movie, Scooby-Doo: The Mystery Begins on September 13. How did that mystery-solving gang get together?
It's the end of another season for the folks of True Blood - but certainly not the end of the story. What happened? Read and find out.
September 11, 2001 impacted people in many different ways. Here are several thoughts from various writers regarding September 11 and personal patriotism.
Turn yourself or your kids into zombies for Halloween using a few simple makeup tricks.
"They said Frick had buried people alive in those caskets. . .those poor folks had beaten their fists bloody on the inside of those things 'til they'd died. . ."
Ricky Chekevdia was discovered Friday, September 4 in a small, secret room at his grandmother's rural Southern Illinois home.
Dill is an easy plant to grow in your garden. Dill will attract butterflies and is a beautiful addition to your landscape as well as a useful crop.
Dill is an easy plant to grow and it can be a great choice for a container garden.
An evil clown, a haunted school and a haunted hayride offer some terrifying times in Southern Illinois.
Oh those crazy folks in Bon Temps! Frenzy is right - things are getting just plain nutty!
A zombie can find a useful place in society if given the opportunity. There are a number of practical uses for zombies around the home.
I never thought giving up caffeine could put my life at risk. Well, maybe not my life - but kicking caffeine has certainly put me into some humiliating spots.
I may not make enough money from writing to pay all of my bills, but I am able to do special things with my kids!
Repairing those old windows instead of replacing them can save you some money and help you go green, all at the same time!
Oh the residents of Bon Temps are up to their necks in trouble - and not just from the vampires! With only two episodes left, what happened on episode 10 of True Blood?
What's going to happen to the folks of Bon Temps and the vampires who know and love them? The final episode of True Blood season two will air September 13 on HBO.
Ahh, you know how it is - that closet is a black hole. Time to get it organized with some shelving.
Replacing an old shower head that is leaking or uses too much water is an easy DIY project.
It takes some planning, but it is possible to paint the vinyl siding on your home.
Tips for repainting your home's exterior trim.
I dug my own garden pond myself - with the help of three children and an enthusiastic dog. Installing a garden pond isn't hard to do - it just takes a little planning and some effort.
A good set of stairs is a necessary part of any deck or porch - both in terms of safety and aesthetics.
Adding landscape lights to your garden is first an issue of personal safety and second an issue of attractive garden design.
If you plan to upgrade your kitchen cabinets, there are a few things you'll need to think about and a few decisions you'll need to make.
It's time for an update on that old bathroom vanity that is still in good condition. Paint is the perfect choice. Here are some ideas for painting your bathroom vanity.
Your bathroom is outdated and positively stale, but you don't have the time and money for a complete remodel. What do you do?
Doing a complete remodel on your kitchen can be a pain - here are a few ideas to update and refresh your kitchen without remodeling.
An organized mudroom can help a busy family stay on track with daily life. Here are a few tips to get your mudroom in order.
Don't be a doofus like me; play it safe while doing work in your yard. I'll tell you right off - don't wear flip flops while using the weed trimmer.
True Blood episode 9 simmers to a hard boil as Sookie and Eric's relationship takes a change that doesn't please Bill.
A reciprocating saw is a great tool to have in your home improvement arsenal.
As the days get shorter and cooler, it's a great time to get outside and do some fall landscaping projects.
It's that time again: Time to put the perennials to bed for the winter. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
You never know what's on the other side of a knock at the door.
Things just keep getting weirder and weirder on True Blood. What happened in True Blood, episode 8? Read and find out!
"Officer, that's not my porn! Honestly! The cat downloaded the porn. . ."
True love has bloomed on the set of True Blood. True Blood stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer have announced their engagement.
Feeling a little anemic and in need of some True Blood? Here are a few sites and ideas for feeding your need.
It's not a fun home improvement project, but it's essential. Fixing a leaking roof can't be put off. Once a roof starts leaking, more damage to the roof and your home is inevitable. Fix it quickly and stay dry.
Here are a few tips to help you prune your climbing roses.
NCIS returns on September 22 with its seventh season. What will happen?
True Blood episode 7 - Release Me, original air date 08/02/09.
Know how to recognize the signs of a sick cat. There are a number of subtle changes you might notice in your cat - any one of these could indicate a sick cat.
Do you love hummingbirds? Here are a few tips to draw these fascinating little birds to your yard and garden.
Things start to get weird on True Blood - from danger in Dallas to bizarre behavior in Bon Temps. What happened on True Blood, Episode 6? Read and find out.
The Colony - a new reality show - debuted on The Discovery Channel on July 21. The Colony follows 10 people who try to survive the breakdown of society. Do you think you could survive?
They might be cute and cuddly, but cats can certainly make a mess in a garden. Here are natural ways to discourage and deter those little critters.
True Blood episode five - Never Let Me Go - follows Sookie and Bill as they become more deeply involved with the Dallas vampires while things heat up in Bon Temps.
If you love HBO's hit series True Blood, you already know who Sookie Stackhouse is. Did you know that the first season has some serious departures from the original book, Dead Until Dark?
In episode 4 of True Blood, season 2, Sookie travels with Bill to Dallas to carry out an assignment from Eric.
After being appointed to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Obama, Illinois's Roland Burris has decided not to run for election to the office in 2010.
The times they are a changin' - but are we hurtling toward Armageddon - or as some are proposing, Obamageddon?
Long before True Blood's vampires, Nosferatu was the bad boy bloodsucker.
So what the heck is it? Is it a symbiote looking for a host or something undergoing a transformation in an egg sack?
"Thank you" seems woefully inadequate to say to the military personnel who fight to protect my freedoms.
The Pittsburgh Steelers rule the world of football. If you don't believe it, here are 10 reasons why you are fooling yourself.
What did Michael Jackson mean to a 12-year-old girl? A great deal and his death brings a twinge of sadness.
Whether you plan to complete large home improvement projects or simply want to make small repairs around your home, a basic tool kit is a must-have. Here are a few tips to help you put together a basic home improvement tool kit.
Last week, the family and I (along with my parents) took a two-day excursion to Holiday World Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana.
I recently visited Holiday World Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana with my family. These are some of the pictures I took during our visit.
My latest addiction - my CrackBerry - oops, I mean my BlackBerry Curve - needs a name. Help a gal out?
There are many colorful and season choices for fall wedding flowers. Here are a few suggestions.
Looking for some theme ideas for your fall wedding? Here are a three ideas to get you started.
Outdoor play equipment is a must-have for any yard frequented by children. Here are a few tips to help you choose outdoor play equipment.
Think you're cheap and live frugally? You're not a truly twisted tightwad living to your cheap potential until you implement one or all of these 11 cheap and frugal tips.
Looking for a fun chemistry curriculum for your homeschool? Check out Friendly Chemistry.
A rare weather event occurred on May 8, 2009 in Southern Illinois. Major damage occurred with wind gusts measured at over 106 miles per hour.
The Venus Spa Breeze razor head is a two-in-one product: Shave gel and razor head.
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