Use that extra hour to get prepared for the holidays

That extra hour you'll get from turning back the clocks before you go to bed Saturday night is not an invitation to stay in bed longer, the way Anna Osborne sees it.
Precious time like that can be used to take care of jobs you've neglected, said Osborne, office manager for The Maids in Concord, which also serves north Charlotte.
“This is the time of year when we recommend deep cleaning,” Osborne said.
With the holidays right around the corner, you could get the hardwood floors polished, shampoo the carpet, or clean the oven and refrigerator. Better now than when guests are days away from arriving.
Some of the items on The Maids' semiannual cleaning checklist also might help you keep a healthier home. Wiping dust from heat registers and ceiling fans is among those jobs. See The Maids' list at www.maids.com/cleaningtips.
Design event
Hughes Kitchen & Bath Collection will host a Lunch and Learn event featuring Kallista products, as well as inspiration from designers sucUse that extra hour to do a little cleaningh as Barbara Barry and Michael S. Smith, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 6, 16235 Northcross Drive, Huntersville. RSVP by Nov. 4 to Cassie Abernethy, cassie.abernethy@hajoca.com or 704-309-0725.
Share your renovation story
Tell us in 500 words or less what problems you've had at home, how a building or renovation project addressed those problems, and what advice you have for others who may be considering a similar project. Send your story and pictures to home@charlotteobserver.com. We'll choose one of those stories and send the brave survivor a $25 gift card.
Karen’s blog: http://homelifeclt.blogspot.com; on Twitter @sullivan_kms