Frost still grips much of the northern hemisphere, and many home-repair buffs will begin to feel a bit of cabin fever as the winter months plod along.

That pent-up energy can be put to good use planning the list of home repairs to make once springtime debuts again this year. The lead time will allow for multiple trips to the hardware store at your leisure and time to carefully examine the impact winter weather might have had around the homestead.

Start with a general walkaround the exterior of your home, reviewing the gutters, masonry on walls and stairs, window frames and the home's foundation walls. Cracks in the masonry or peeling paint around the windows are a clear indication that some patchwork will be needed before spring rains hit. | more

Sloppy weather can transform the lovable family dog into a footprint villain, farming tracks across an otherwise pristine landscape of living room carpet. Owners find themselves in a tangle of legs, arms and tails, by the back door, wresting with an animal that by instinct does not enjoy having their feet grabbed and wiped clean. Not only does this aggravate both parties involved, it still requires the maintenance of the towels which almost always wind up on the floor wadded in a ball.

A more sophisticated approach can mitigate this seasonal tussle, using strategically placed mats, barriers and treats to keep your dog in the right area. The key is to try and maximize the amount of steps and the amount of time your dog takes on the mat area. | more

Is your bathroom awash with stacks of personal products, gadgets and other related personal items? Here's a quick exercise to streamline the clutter and reclaim the bathroom to its former glory.

Start by separating all of the items in your bathroom into two categories: frequently-used items and rarely-used items. Make sure you rifle through all of the vanity drawers, closets and shelving, placing everything into the two groups.

Wipe down all of the newly-cleared surfaces and dry off with a towel. Take the time to put fresh liner in the drawers and on the shelves. Now take only the daily-use items and place them back on the shelves or into a convenient vanity drawer. Consider using decorative dispensers that match the bathroom decoration instead of the commercial containers for shampoo, crèmes and other liquid soaps. | more