The Boy Scouts of America began on this day in 1910, and ever since their motto "be prepared" continues to be good advice, whether you're hiking through the woods or on your way to the hardware store to pick up a whatchamacallit. If it has happened to you, you're not alone. All too often homeowners jump in the car and head for the hardware store or home center without a clear idea of what they want or need. When they get there, they're dazzled and confused by similar-looking products and technical jargon. The answer is to study the task at hand and make a detailed list. Write down all part and model numbers. Take the broken stuff along to get a perfect match. Too big to lug or difficult to remove? Make a sketch, or better yet, take a Polaroid picture. "Be prepared". And that's the On The House tip for today.