Q: I've got a 2-year-old, and 18 months ago I moved into a gorgeous ranch home built in 1950. Money is tight and I don't want to make mistakes. The house needs a new roof. I climbed into the attic ...

She spent thousands on planting trees, lining the house with pot plants, installing air conditioning, and putting two whirlybirds on the roof — mechanical vents that spin and remove hot air. ...