Home Depot’s fourth-quarter sales increased 13.9% to $18.2 billion, as the company’s comps increased 7.1%. The company posted net earnings of $1.0 billion in the fourth quarter, up 31.9% compared with last year’s fourth quarter.

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Lumberyard owners and suppliers focused on three wide-ranging front-burner regulatory and legislative issues during the 2013 Legislative Conference here in the nation's capitol.

Reform of the Environmental Protection Agency's Lead paint rule was among the three high-priority items, along with preservation of the mortgage interest deduction and creation of online sales tax parity.

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It’s the can’t-miss style event of the season for high school students from coast to coast: prom night. And whether they dream of rocking colorful couture in a bold, bright pattern or sporting a sophisticated solid shade, students can show off their individual style in a whole new way when they enter the 13th annual Stuck at Prom® Scholarship Contest.

The contest, which begins March 11, invites high school students across the United States and Canada to create original prom looks using the Duck Tape

® palette of hundreds of colors and prints – and gives them a chance to win a $5,000 college scholarship when they do. From funky frocks to outrageous accessories, the contest awards students for expressing their individual fashion sense and unique style.

And if they’re looking for a little style inspiration, this year’s entrants can turn to a recent episode of Lifetime’s hit series, "Project Runway," which featured a group of up-and-coming fashion designers working in teams of two to design and create one-of-a-kind prom dresses – each one made primarily out of Duck

® brand duct tape.

"With the long history of the Stuck at Prom

® Contest and our recent participation in ‘Project Runway,’ Duck Tape® is really emerging as a cutting-edge material in the world of fashion," said Scott Sommers, director of marketing, DIY Tapes, for ShurTech Brands, LLC, the marketers of Duck Tape®. "We're looking forward to seeing how this year's entrants incorporate our trendy Duck Tape® colors and prints to create personalized prom fashions."

The Stuck at Prom

® entry period starts March 11 and ends June 10, 2013. A panel of judges will then choose 10 finalist couples based on workmanship, originality, use of colors, accessories and use of Duck Tape®. Those couples will be narrowed down to grand prize, second and third place winners during a public online voting period on StuckAtProm.com, which will open on June 13, 2013, and end on July 8, 2013, with winners announced on or about July 11, 2013.

The Grand Prize winners, as well as the school that hosted the prom they attended, will each receive a $5,000 scholarship. The second place award is $3,000 for each of the students and for the school that hosted the prom, and both the students in third place and the school that hosted the prom will receive $2,000. The remaining seven couples in the judge-selected Top 10 will each receive a $500 scholarship, as well as $500 for the school that hosted the prom. In addition, a new "Singles Category" and six "Honorable Mention" categories offer even more chances to win.

Students interested in entering are required to submit at least one photo showing them wearing their Duck Tape

® prom formalwear and complete all required registration information at www.StuckAtProm.com  .

To view entries from past participants or for additional contest details, visit www.StuckAtProm.com.

An inexpensive way to give your family room a quick facelift is to start by painting one wall a contrasting color. You also might consider adding a color on the ceiling rather then your typical white. Simply changing out the lampshades to newer styles can also make a big difference.  If your sofa and chairs are beginning to look tired try buying new throw pillows it will make the furniture appear in better shape.  An area we have a tendencies to look past is the window treatments so change for a fresh look.  Something that will not cost you a dime is to simply rearrange the furniture.  If the wood furniture is old and tired think about painting the furniture rather then stripping and staining it.  This will save you time and give you a new look.

I am always discussing drainage away from the slab or basement of a home to prevent leakage. Drain tile or pipes usually surround the home and move water away from the foundation. Over time they may get clogged or tree roots begin to grow into the separated seams of the pipe.  In severe cases the pipe becomes separated and no longer is joined together because of soil settling.  You may try using a cutting tool at the end of a drain auger to cut through the mud but it may  stay open only for a short period of time.  You would then need to replace that broken portion of pipe.  To determine the location rent a camera that can be run through the drain tile. This will save you a lot of digging and expense.

Sanding drywall can be a messy chore if you are living in the home.  The dust that sanding creates can be as refined as talcum powder.  If you are remodeling your home and you are hanging drywall and taping and mudding the seams this can be a real mess when it comes to sanding it smooth.  Here is my recommendation for turning a messy project into a project that can be tolerated.  Use drywall  sand paper that is made of screening material. Then get a special 3x9 sanding block that can be attached to a wet dry shop vac.  The sanding block has holes in the surface that will transport any dust into the shop Vac. So you have the sanding block with Shop Vac hose attached and start sanding. The dust is delivered right to the vac and is never in the atmosphere.

When working  with a ladder always let someone know that you will be using a ladder in case of an accident. Old wooden ladders can be wobbly and not recommended because they can be difficult to balance. I recommend a fiberglass ladder and pay attention to the weight limitations on the label of the ladder. Always inspect the ladder for defects or loose bolts before climbing on to it. When setting the ladder on the ground, jump on the first step to make sure it is on solid footing.  Half inch plywood placed under the ladders legs will help in soft ground. Remember the three point rule when on the ladder. One hand and two legs should always be on the ladder. Many injuries happen when reaching away from the ladder. It is always a good idea to have someone hold the ladder when climbing.