Ever get the sinking feeling that something is nagging at the back of your head? You can*t seem to concentrate at work and all day long you thought it was Wednesday when it was Thursday? My Mom used to tell me "You can't have a great day out in the world when there is something wrong at home." I can hear her now..."Did you make your bed? Did you finish your homework? And by the way, did you fix those cracks and holes in the walls and ceilings?" Well, okay, she didn't say that, but you get my drift:

You can*t have a great day out in the world when there*s something wrong at home!

Our project this time is to fix those nagging cracks and holes in your walls and ceilings. Because of space restraints in this column we will concentrate on fixing small superficial cracks (1/8th inch wide or smaller). Next time we will repair larger sheetrock problems.

Materials and Tools Needed

1. Light Weight All Purpose Joint Compound (one gallon size or smaller)

2. Fine grit sandpaper (150 grit or higher, one sheet)

3. Plastic or metal putty knife

Steps For The Repair

First: Scrape off any loose pieces of sheet rock in the crack with the edge of the putty knife.

Second: Dip your finger in the joint compound and work it into the crack, filling every nook and cranny.

Third: With the putty knife apply more compound over the finger-filled crack and don't worry about it not being perfectly smooth (you should end with a slight bump over the length of the crack).

Fourth: Wait overnight and sand smooth the next day (be sure to sand into the existing wall texture around the repair.

Fifth: Paint the patch first with primer (interior/exterior latex) then one or two coats of finish wall paint to match. If you do not have the original wall paint you could have the color matched at the paint store and paint the entire wall where the patch is.

Now that those nagging cracks are fixed you can venture out into the world and have a great day. And, on a good hair day, maybe even find someone you can kiss goodnight!