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Dog Training - Teaching The DROP Command

Have the puppy on the leash with the dog standing at Heel position on your Left side.

Say Stay and step in front of your dog. Kneel down and placing 2 fingers inside the pups collar say Drop, and gently pull the pup into the dropped position, this is with the dog lying on its tummy back feet tucked under and front paws extended forward. Immediately give strong praise of Good Boy or Good Girl, but do not allow the dog to break position!

When your puppy seems steady or comfortable in the Drop position, tell him Stay - then get up and move back a little. If the dog moves say No - gently and place him back into the Dropped position. Once the dog does this praise him warmly. Repeat up to four times the first day.

Continue to practice the Drop, Stay adding it to your regular twice-a-day training routine and shuffling it in with Sit, Stay and Come.

When working indoors on the Drop you will probably not need the leash. But when used, the leash may make your puppy feel training is more serious. Put it on and let it hang or hold it, whatever works for you. When you say Stay and back up, you can pick up the leash handle and take it with you. When you do practice Drop outside, the leash ensures you are in full control.

He may resist wanting to lie down outside on the first few tries. Assist him - and then make your Stays brief until he gets used to doing this command anywhere with relative ease.

Start to increase the time of the Drop/Stay indoors. Have the Stay last five seconds, then one minute, then ten minutes. Do not break the dog because you see he is starting to get restless or starting to get up.

If he gets tired or bored, stop the training for that day and resume the next. Persist with this and you will soon have a dog that is a joy to own!

Steve Gaskin is an author of Dog Training Articles - he and his wife own and breed Staffordshire Bull Terriers. For more information on dogs and dog training - for Ebook reviews and a FREE Home-made Dog Food Recipe visit: http://dogloverstoolbox.com

posted by xnrr @ 9:46 PM 0 comments

Is Data Backup Worth the Hassle?

Over the years, individuals tend to accumulate a huge amount of data, mainly text files, family pictures and emails. Corporate companies generate even more data, including everything from customer records, research results, financial statements, architectural drawings to other intellectual property.

The value of this data cannot be underestimated. It can be worth its weight in gold and more for many companies. Some data just cannot be replaced. Who can bring back lost digital photos of the first steps of your baby? How can the loss of archival records of the last four decades be compensated? It is not possible.

Most of the data is usually stored on computer hard disks that can accommodate a whole lot of information. Commonly available hard disks have the capacity of 160 GB, though if one really needs them, those having a staggering capacity of one terabytes are also available in the market.

Manufacturers take great care to make their hard disks as reliable and sturdy as possible. However, they still represent a very complex piece of machinery and there are many things that can go wrong.

Hardware and Software Failures: Hard disks are not as reliable as they are assumed to be. They are very sophisticated pieces of engineering that can go kaput for a variety of reasons. They may stop working due to hardware failures like a malfunction in controller card, circuit board or spindle motor. Additionally, the read / write head, that is suspended less than a hairs breadth over the platters, may come crashing down. Then there are software errors like deleted partitions, corrupted system files and virus attacks.

Disasters: Many companies are struck by natural or man-made disasters every year like fire, flood, storms, lightning strike or even a terrorist attack. When this happens, the computers are damaged quite badly and the work of the entire organisation comes to a grinding halt. They face tremendous losses as employees sit idle, work piles up and data recovery companies start their painstaking work on damaged hard disks.

On-site Data Backup

On-site backups are the most common way of storing data for companies as well as individuals.

CDs: The capacity of compact discs is not much just about 700 MB but they are great for storing text and picture files. Rewritable CDs make an ideal choice to take daily data backups if your data needs are not huge.

DVDs: These are the bigger cousins of CDs. They can hold up to 4.7 GB of data. This is a very good capacity for individuals to hold their critical data. DVDs are rewritable and their cost has crashed.

Tape Drives: Most organisations today hold their archives and daily backup in tape drives. These are quite inexpensive, can be used again and again, last for a very long time and commonly have a capacity of up to 20 GB.

Portable Hard Disk Drives: These are stand-alone drives that have recently been introduced as a viable backup media. They normally have a capacity of 160 GB and come with software that takes automatic backups at periodic intervals.

Remote Data Backup

On-site backups have one flaw they do not protect data against disasters like fire, floods, storms and earthquakes in which the whole office building may get destroyed. Usually, on-site backup media is stored inside the same office and when the entire building is devastated by a disaster, original data residing in the computers as well as its backup, both are lost.

That is why many vendors have started offering remote backups. In this, the data stored on your computers is sent every evening by wires to remote servers of the service provider for safe-keeping. This backup data can be accessed only by the client through a secure password.

Data Recovery is Expensive

Data backups, though they look like a hassle and a waste of money, can be life-savers. Indeed, according to statistics, one out of four companies that lost all their data, goes belly up in the next few years. It is difficult for most companies to get back on track after they have been hit by a data disaster.

Data recovery is an expensive proposition. The cost of extracting gigabytes or terabytes of data from damaged hard disks can burn a large hole in a companys pocket. And then, too, there no surety that all the data can be successfully recovered. Data backup is like insurance it seems a burden in ordinary times but is great to have in an emergency.

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see http://www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk

posted by xnrr @ 3:30 PM 0 comments

Entryway Benches - Simple Yet Practical

With their combined elegance and functionality it is no surprise that entryway benches are gaining such increased popularity and are finding their way into more and more homes.

Entryway benches are made in various styles to cater for a wide gamma of needs, existing decors and personal tastes and preferences.

For a contemporary look in your entryway hall you might like something along the simple lines of the Luxury Espresso Wooden Bench. With its straight and clean look and wide seat it provides comfortable seating without overpowering the space of your entryway.

If your prefer an antique look to adorn your hallway then try the wonderfully elegant Ashland Wooden Entryway Bench that will make a lasting impression with its intricate carvings and heirloom look.

For those homes where extra storage space is necessary then why not consider the Ryder Wooden Storage Bench. Not only does it provide an immediate seating place upon entering your home to remove your shoes but it also features three storage drawers to help keeping your entryway neat and tidy.

And for making a grander impression while providing a warm welcome that all your visitors and guests will delight in perhaps you would like to incorporate a Hall Tree Entryway Bench. For instance the Province Hills Hall Tree is fantastic for providing a combination of seating, hooks for hanging your coats and bags upon entering as well as a spacious storage bench for bulkier items that usually crowd your entryway.

With such a large variety of styles, designs and materials to choose from and with prices ranging from approximately $100-$600 it is certain you will find the right entryway bench to not only highlight your hall but offer you additional seating and valuable storage you and your family will truly enjoy for years.

Teri Romer is the creator and owner of Grab a Chair, a site dedicated to the pleasure of sitting and helping you find the right chair to enjoy your relaxation. Whether it is an entryway bench you need or a dining chair you are certain to find the right chair to meet your personal tastes and needs. At Grab a Chair you will see a growing number of categories and articles relating to chair products and their special features. For more information please visit Grab a Chair.

posted by xnrr @ 12:28 AM 0 comments

The Hottest Summer Vacation Casino Destinations

Some of the best summer vacations can be found at the casino destinations around the world. Naturally, because of the comps available, casino destinations prove to be an excellent value for the people who are looking for the best casino destination deal. You don't have to look very far for the best vacation deal when traveling to a casino destination because deals are everywhere you look!

Take this tip; summer vacations to casinos can become all-inclusive if you gamble. Casinos will give you your rooms, food, free drinks, show tickets and even golf and gift shop comps. You just need to know where to start. You can find yourself in the realms of luxury in many of the casino destinations. For instance, you will discover that you can stay in luxurious accommodations and dine in some of the best restaurants all for the cost of your gambling budget. Casinos will give you a number of perks and they are yours for the taking so ask for them by name! You can expect free accommodations, free meals in the best steak houses, and so much more.

Tunica, Mississippi is rapidly becoming a favorite among gamblers and golfers. You can visit Tunica and discover a lifetime of fun waiting for you near Memphis, Tennessee. You can visit Las Vegas for gambling fun, golf, world-class resorts and some of the best shows in the world. Try on Monte Carlo for a vacation to paradise or check out the Bahamas if you want a casino destination which will likely take you back again and again. The Bahamas use similar comp programs to those you would find in Las Vegas. You should also expect some fabulous European vacations at casino destinations just get online and start your search.

Casino destinations are wonderful summertime vacations for everyone and very often these casino resorts are catering to families and will likely keep you and your family entertained for virtually free as long as you are gambling daily and playing several hours at a time.

Casino destination vacations will be one of the greatest vacations you could ever hope to find. Once you decide on a casino destination for your summer vacation, tips for a cost effective trip can be found online and in numerous books in book stores. If you don't know how to gamble, check out some of the online casinos before you go to learn some of the games or for the best excitement, log onto to a poker room and learn the exciting Texas Hold'em game before you travel. People will love to show you how to play live poker once you arrive to your casino of choice but if you learn online first, then you won't have to worry about learning in live games because you will already know!

Once Biloxi, Mississippi and Gulfport return their casinos to the grandeur of before, you'll want to plan a casino destination vacation to Biloxi and help support the rebuilding of a wonderful city which was hit by Hurricane Katrina. This area was once one of the more beautiful casino destinations with lively Las Vegas style action 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Casino destinations can be great summer vacations for couples, singles and families. From Las Vegas to the casinos of Europe, you can find trips to casinos as summer vacations all-inclusive and a great value for your vacation budget.

If you would like to learn about some other family vacation ideas, or you would just like to read some more articles about helpful family vacation tips then you need to visit: http://www.YourPerfectFamilyVacation.com

posted by xnrr @ 9:17 PM 0 comments

If You've Hit Your Golf Driver Perfectly Once, You Can Do It Every Time

Picture yourself standing on the tee box of your favorite short 4 par. You've got your driver in hand. This hole is designed with risk-reward written all over it. If you hit it long and straight, you can get very near or maybe on the green with your driver to set up for an easy birdie. If you mis-hit it, you are looking at hazards or o/b and a balloon score.

You know the correct play here is to pull out an iron and lay up for a 100 yard shot to the green, but you just can't bring yourself to do it. You say to yourself, "What the heck, I'm going for it".

Because, after all is said and done, the idea behind playing golf is to have fun and if taking chances on the golf course and sometimes beating the odds is your idea of fun, who's to say that you are wrong about that? Myself, I'm more interested in playing for score than going for broke, but hey, that's just me. I will support anyone anytime who wants to go for the difficult tee shot with the possibility of pulling off an unbelievable shot as long as they are willing to gracefully accept the consequences of missing it .

What's the point to all of that? THE DRIVER IS KING of the golf bag! Driving the golf ball long and straight is the holy grail of almost all amateur golfers. Some will even leave a golf course happier if they were satisfied with the way they hit their driver than if they had a great score. Yet, we are constantly reminded of the old saying:

"Drive for show, and putt for dough"

Greg Norman disputes this old saw by saying in his book SHARK ATTACK: "Don't ever sell me on that line. If you can't put your tee-shot in play, the smoothest stroke in the world won't help you enough. To my mind, the most important shot in golf is the drive".

Do you feel better now? I do, because he isn't the only one who has made these types of remarks about driving. Furthermore if you really think about it, the importance of the driver and getting off the tee safely with some distance is probably greater for higher handicappers than the better golfers as the larger portion of their shots are spent in just getting to the green.

So what can we do about it short of another set of golf lessons? Plenty! Start off by getting a new driver, plain and simple. The new technology is light years ahead of the #1 wood of just 3 years ago.

Also, we must be able to direct our mind so that our brain and muscles are in sync and harmony in successfully pulling off this very violent of sports acts with the driving tool.

How to do all of that?

We must first understand how our DESIRE to hit this little white golf ball is translated into the correct contractions of muscles in a timing sequence that moves the driving club in the direction that will contact the ball squarely and with great force to achieve the outcome we want.

It's not that complicated. We are beings uniquely capable of original thought that comes from what we call our conscious mind. We create a thought there that is then communicated to our subconscious mind to make the act happen. What? Our subconscious mind makes the driver hit the ball? Yes! Here's proof:

The last time you rode a bike, did you have to say words to yourself to get your leg to push on the pedal? Did you have to tell yourself that you now have to balance yourself with a thousand small muscles all acting independently? Did you have to tell your left arm muscles to contract and your right arm muscles to release contraction in order to make a left turn? Of course not! You just thought very quickly with your conscious mind what you wanted to do and then it turned the accomplishment of that desire over to the subconscious mind. The subconscious then made it all happen.

This is no small feat to send a zillion electrical impulses out in a precise order in order to cause another zillion muscle fibers to contract or relax at the perfect time. This is the wonder of our bio-computer called the BRAIN.

So, what about all that golf advice about setup, position at the top, swing checkpoints, follow-through, etc? This is what you probably thought you would be reading about right? Folks, it's all good, however, it's sometimes too much for us to handle and causes us "paralysis by analysis". We need to work a plan that will give us maximum return for minimum effort and time. Most of us just don't have the time to go practice the multitude of advice we have been given on the swing and that is the only way you are going to improve if using a mechanical approach to improvement. A better, more time-efficient system, is a MENTAL one:

Remember this:

"The quality of our golf game is determined by the quality of our communication with ourselves."

Our subconscious mind controls all of our involuntary (don't have to think about) functions like breathing and heart rate but it also runs extremely complicated physical motions as long as it has been taught how. Hitting the driver is at the height of complication for the golf swing since we are expecting maximum force and speed coupled with keeping precision. After all, we could have pretty good precision when we have a 1-foot putt right? And we can lift our heaviest weight when we aren't concerned with whether or not we are going to drop it or not. We intuitively know that the harder we exert force on something, the less precision we have in that act. When using the driver in our golf game, we must realize a few key points in order to maximize our efficiency on the tee box.

1. The subconscious mind is the expert at swinging the driver, not the conscious.

If we have hit a great drive in the past, then our subconscious mind knows how to do it again. It knows the correct number and sequence of muscle contractions and nerve impulses required to repeat that great drive. All that is required is a clear communication of the desire to the subconscious mind. This is achieved with visualization prior to the actual swing.

2. The conscious mind tends to get in the way and must be given something to do to keep busy so that it doesn't interfere with the subconscious mind's work.

Once the desire has been communicated, you should think something simple during the swing like maybe singing a song or, a simple count of the actions of the swing as they are happening (ie 1.backswing, 2.top of swing, 3. forward motion, etc.). Or continue with the visualization of the ball flying exactly as you planned it in the middle of the swing. Or, you may be able to utilize self-hypnosis and concentrate directly and solely on that ball to put yourself in a zone-like state for the duration of the swing. Many golfers do this without even knowing it but it can be developed further with knowledge and effort in this area. (my website has free ebook on this).

3. There is a point of exertion of force on the driver that if we go beyond it, then our probability of keeping our precision is drastically reduced.

This falls under the Law of Diminishing Returns and is best explained by this analogy: how many cooks can you put in a kitchen before they start bumping into one another and actually start reducing their output as that number is exceeded. This point is different for everyone, but, most importantly: This point is at LESS FORCE than you think for most golfers who have trouble with their driver. In other plain terms...hit it solid first and then harder second.

Everything written thus far was with the intent of convincing you of this inescapable fact of hitting the driver. If you aren't convinced, then you won't take action. The actions required don't take any of your time but they do require consistent effort throughout your day. Golf is unforgiving to the lazy person but generous to the focused one.

So, make every effort this month, or this week if you have an upcoming round you want to get ready for and repeat to yourself (communicate with your subconscious mind) that you first and foremost always hit the driver square and on the sweet spot.

Say it to yourself at least one hundred or so times in a week (this is a lot easier to do than you are thinking right now). Picture in your mind what it would look like, how it would feel to have your drives go straight every single time. Zoom in on your driver about to make contact with the ball in your mental movies. Do this everywhere, anytime, but especially before falling asleep. Keep doing it on a consistent basis. Isn't that what we are striving for in golf - consistency? We have to build it into our way of thinking for it to happen out on the course.

There are many ways to effectively communicate with your subconscious mind. Basic affirmations and visualizations just described is the simplest. Once your subconscious accepts the idea as internal truth (and it must if you are persistent in convincing it), you will see dramatic improvement off the tee.

Visit Craig Sigl's website at: http://www.break80golf.com It is dedicated to score improvement for golfers with little time to practice. Download free ebook "How you can play better golf using self-hypnosis". Sign up for ezine "The Very Busy Golfer." Articles on golf equipment and free golf games.

posted by xnrr @ 6:21 PM 0 comments

Alphabet Gift Basket

In our family, birthdays have always been a special occasion for my mother. She enjoys giving presents, but she loves opening them even more, especially presents that are thoughtful and unique.

This year we wanted to do something different to make her birthday memorable. The whole family chipped in to prove that the alphabet could be just as much fun, even for someone who long ago left school and has long mastered the art of reading. Using the alphabet as our guide, we made up a gift basket of 25 small and one big present all in all, one present for each letter of the alphabet.

We added to the cheer by making her "work" for each present. She had to solve a riddle for each letter of the alphabet. An example of one of the riddles is the one we used for the jelly: "Add boiling water and cold temperature to turn this powder into a sweet temptation."

Below is the list of gifts we packed into the alphabet basket
A: Aromatherapy oil.
B: Bath salts.
C: A fragrant candle.
D: A recipe for a date pudding.
E: Easter egg, as her birthday was close to the Easter weekend.
F: Fizz balls for a nice and relaxing bath.
G: A small gift voucher for her favorite store.
H: A tube of hand cream.
I: An invitation to a coffee date.
J: A packet of jelly.
K: A loving kiss from my father.
L: A raspberry flavored lollipop.
M: Milk chocolates, one of her strong favorites.
N: A floral nightie for the cold winter.
O: An orange.
P: A packet of popcorn.
Q: A quiz cut from an old magazine.
R: One red rose.
S: Scented body spray.
T: Travelling rug to keep her warm while watching television.
U: Unlimited hugs.
V: A vitamin enriched drink.
W: The big one, which was a watch.
X: An old Xmas card from one of her sisters.
Y: A South African magazine called "Your Family."
Z: A plastic zebra toy.

This was the best present ever! My mother, who also happens to be a sentimental person, cherished the notes with the riddles on for many days. She will always remember her alphabet gift basket.

I am sure that, upon receiving such a special gift, your mother (or grandmother) will feel just as loved.

This article was written by Benetta Strydom, site owner of Crafter's World Online. Visit her site at http://craftersworldonline.com This article may be freely reprinted, as long as the site credits, including the URL, are added to the bottom of the article.

posted by xnrr @ 9:45 PM 0 comments

Blind Pilot Paper Airplane Game - Fun for a Birthday Party!

Are you planning a party for your kids and need a fun game for them to play? Here's a quick, fun and easy paper airplane game to play while you are transitioning to another activity. The Blind Pilot game offers a lot of giggles and grins for the little pilots-to-be...

Here's what you'll need:
- a paper airplane per person [your choice of paper airplane(s)]
- chalk or tape to mark the end point or target of some kind
- pad of paper and pencil

First, have your contestants make easy paper airplanes of their choice. (You can learn how to make 10 great designs on the Easy Paper Airplanes Website - just follow the link below.)

Next, line up your contestants with their paper airplanes and aim at a target or a finish point with their eyes closed.

You'll need someone to be the monitor who will record the following:
- who throws the closest to the target
- best nose dive
- highest paper airplane flight
- best landing
- shortest paper airplane flight
- longest paper airplane flight

As the monitor/recorder, you can make 6 contests using the above criteria. Or you can make up and add your own categories.

What makes this game fun is watching the contestants do it with their eyes closed. As a variation, have them throw the planes with their eyes open and record the difference in the flight categories.

This works well for a birthday party for kids, but don't limit yourself... If you need an outside classroom activity, or a team-building event, why not use this fun paper airplane game?

Happy Flying!

Sara Gray is a Mom and graphic designer with a love for anything made of paper. She's created a fun place to learn all about Paper Airplanes, its history, interesting facts, loads of fascinating tidbits of paper airplane lore, fun games, activities, and crafts, and offers free downloadable paper airplane designs at Easy Paper Airplanes.

posted by xnrr @ 6:55 PM 0 comments

A Guide to Online Bachelors Degrees

In the past, a degree was a badge of distinction. While it still has some of the same allure today, a degree is now considered almost a necessity to make a satisfactory living. In today's competitive world, continual learning has become an integral part of success.

People serious about financial stability will find the time and exert the effort required to achieve a degree.

Individuals who were thrust into the demands of life and family responsbilities before being able to complete college in the past were at a decided disadvantage because it wasn't feasible for them to go back later and get that degree.

Thankfully, with the advent of online bachelors degrees afforded by educational institutions who have acknowledged complicated life situations such as job and family committments, people can now go back and finish that degree and move ahead in the world.

Pursuing an online accredited bachelors degree enables students to move beyond the limitations and inconveniences of attending a college campus, or university.

In short, online bachelors degrees afford people the flexibility of setting their own pace.

However, if you want your degree to be recognized by employers in the real world you should make sure you focus only on an online accredited bachelors degree. Accredited universities are the most prestigous. There are some unscrupulous degree mills out there who will take your money and offer you worthless degrees.

One should not assume that just because typical B.S and B.A degrees require 4 years that you will necessarily spend the same number of years getting an online bachelors degrees. Indeed, if you really push yourself, such degrees can be achieved in as little as 18 months.

It is determined that individuals attaining a bachelors degree make on an average $20,000 more dollars a year than those with only a high school diploma or equivalent.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average annual income for high school graduates is $27,038. However, those with a bachelors degree enjoy a starting annual income of $51,206.

Online learning presents a prospective future, but there are certain universities one must know to look for. It is essential the university chosen offers a legitimate online accredited bachelors degree program.

Getting that bachelors degree can mean not only more money and a better life for you and your family, but more pride and an immense feeling of accomplishment.

Discover the best online bachelors degrees programs at http://www.accredited-online-university.com

posted by xnrr @ 4:04 PM 0 comments

What Does An Electrician Cost?

When you need electrical help, an electrician is your best choice. Of course, you have to pay for them, so what kind of expense are you looking at?

There is no definitive guide to the price of electrical work done by a qualified and licensed electrician in the United States. The price of their services and of electrical work in general will vary widely from electrician to electrician. It will also vary from area to area. Competition is generally good for the consumer and shopping around for a good price for your electrical work is going to enable you to find the best price.

Price is only one factor to consider. The importance of quality electrical work demands that you consider skill and experience on at least an equal footing with price. Reputation is important to any tradesmen and there are always ways of determining the reputation of an electrician before you engage his services. It is a good idea to do this before you need to do it. It is much like having a family doctor. A good working relationship with an electrician should be established before an emergency situation arises. This would be even truer with a contractor, of course, but applies to a homeowner as well.

The electricians price will usually be broken up between labor and parts much like an auto mechanic. The majority of electrical work is going to require materials. Even troubleshooting jobs will uncover faulty equipment that needs to be replaced. The electrician will often have a mark up on equipment, but also purchases it in bulk and at a discount. Even with a mark up, the cost passed on to the consumer would likely be lower than the cost of purchasing the equipment in advance. Also, when the consumer purchases the equipment himself, he is giving up one of the advantages of the experience of the electrician and risks getting the wrong item for the job.

Labor costs can vary widely from electrician to electrician as well. Larger electrical firms calculate labor charges based on the hourly wages of the electrician. This figure is marked up sufficiently to cover the wages plus the additional costs of an employee. It will also include a profit margin for the electrical company. Individual electricians set their own hourly labor rate based on their experience and the competition in their local area. Often, labor rates will be at a premium for emergency jobs on weekends or after hours. Often there are call out charges for these unusual situations.

There is no doubt that electrical work is not inexpensive. The prices charged by electricians sometimes tend to encourage some to attempt to do jobs themselves. It would be well to consider that the electrician is earning his money for his experience. He has undergone a great deal of training and understands the code requirements of your area. He also understands how to perform his work safely, and to ensure the safety of the work he does. In other words, the electricians price is worth it and can be considered money well spent.

Find an electrician at ElectricianCompanies.com.

posted by xnrr @ 1:15 PM 0 comments

How a Head Cold Got Me Married -- Short Version

Now that Im settled, I must reflect on my past as a happy-go-lucky single. How can I forget the many times Ive misled myself into a mans loving arms, and how much I loved every minute of it?

Why, I squirm as if caught in a velvet trapwell, I could, but my second husband is standing right behind me and might ask me what Im sitting on.

I loved my first husband, a wonderfully funny Jew whose parents had fled the Holocaust as kids. After a dozen roller-coaster relationships before my first real commitment, he was the only man I ever truly loved (Remigio, dont look over my shoulder!)

Anyway, several years and sanity-defying relationships later, I landed in a seat in front of Him 2 in a Certified Nurse Aide class, next to a perking coffee pot.

My first husband thought he lucked out marrying his attendant. Gary was dying. I fell in love with his stubborn courage. He was the first person who ever needed me. After he died, I had a tragically brief affair. If I write about everything that happened, itll make an excellent trashy novel.

But Remigio stopped my new single life cold by kicking the back of my chairHARD! He distracted me from talking to a middle-aged black lady, catching me in the middle of sniffling at her. I had a head cold.

I had been taking it out on Grace, who was overweight, casting her sidelong glances and sniffing loudly, while considering fetching her a cup of coffee. The pot was brewing close to me. It wouldve been hard for her to squeeze between the plastic seats. I began getting her coffee.

Sometimes I added creamer. I stirred it with the plastic stir sticks. She would ask me to add a sugar packet, please. But our relationship was rudely interrupted by the entrance of Remigios foot through the back of my plastic chair.

Turning around after the kick-off, I faced a flatly Philippino cold stare. The face, however, reminded me of a Middle-Eastern teacher Id noticed at Ohio University, back in the 1970s.

I gulped, So howre you doing? My Mom told me to be friendly to handsome strangers. And then Remigio smiled back. We got married, and near Christmas day three years later we were blessed by our Princess Angela, nut-brown as her Daddy and sporting my chipmunk cheekbones.

I guess Id suggest more single ladies try sniffling at people to see whose attention they attract. If so, it helps if you fetch cups of coffee. It soothes peoples tired, ruffled feathers.

Be sure and add cream and sugar.

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posted by xnrr @ 10:27 PM 0 comments

Scrapbook Furniture - Ideas For Organizing

If you are a scrapbook enthusiast, then you know how those scrapbook supplies can add up quickly. Before you know it, you will have a variety of papers, embellishments, tags, stickers, adhesives, and punches. The problem is, when you accumulate a lot of the necessary supplies for making your scrapbook pages, it can become very frustrating if you have to hunt around to find where you stored your stuff. The answer lies in making an organizational method for your supplies, so that when you are ready to make a scrapbook page, you can find what you need easily. Here are some ideas to help you organize your scrapbook materials.

Use stackable paper trays. These are perfect for storing those 12 x 12 sized papers. These units are expandable, so you can add more as you need them. You can easily see what papers you have, and they keep the papers from being bent or otherwise damaged. These units are not expensive and are a definite need for the serious scrapbooker.

Invest in a pen caddy. This organizational unit is the perfect solution for those journaling pens. These units have lots of room for all your favorite pens and keep them within reach for quick journal entries. They are a great way to organize writing tools for your scrapbook pages.

Collect some divided compartment boxes. These are perfect for storing your embellishments. You can find these at any scrapbook store or even any craft store. You could also use a fishing tackle box which will work just as well. Just make sure the dividers are sturdy so that the compartments stay in place. You can find divided compartment boxes that lay flat or are tower type units. Make sure you have multiple drawers and compartments for storing your ribbons and other embellishments. Depending on how many supplies you have, you may want several divided compartment boxes where you can organize your supplies by theme or even by brand.

Depending on your scrapbooking needs, you may want to invest in one of the large wall units specifically made for storing scrapbook supplies. These units feature shelves for stacking your 12 x 12 paper, drawers where you can organize your stamps and punches, as well as book shelf space to store your completed scrapbook albums. Many of these units are easily customized, as you buy them as separate pieces and can arrange them in various combinations until you have achieved the desired effect.

Dee Marie is a successful freelance writer who enjoys scrapbooking. You can read more ideas on a scrapbook paper organizer at http://www.scrapbooking-bug.com.

posted by xnrr @ 7:40 PM 0 comments

Jaques Tissot - Short List of Works

Jaques Tissot was born in 1836 and died in 1902. He lived a full life and was usually surrounded by one controversy or other. The controversy usually related to his art although there were a few personal controversies. He loved to paint women in costumes, and many critics thought this was simply a bad reflection on the nouveau-rich. These criticisms did not seem to matter to him. He was an enigmatic man who made friends easily and an excellent host who entertained often. His shrewd commercial instincts that he learned form his father stood with him all of his life. He was able to produce an income almost anywhere.

The following is a date listing of some of Jaques Tissots works:

1878October.
1869At the Rifle Range.
1872Autumn on the Thames.
1881Quiet.
1878In the Conservatory.
1878Spring.
1877The Widower.
1879By the Thames at Richmond.
1881Goodbye, on the Mersey.
1885Letter 'L' with Hats.
1874On the Thames
1879Orphan.
1879Going to Business.
1885The Shop Girl.
1885The Political Lady.
1862The Return of the Prodigal Son.
1885Women of Paris: The Circus Lover.
1877The Gallery of H.M.S. 'Calcutta' (Portsmouth).
1874The Ball on Shipboard.
1875The Bunch of Lilacs.
1876The Picnic.
1882Hide and Seek.
1882The Garden Bench.
1885The Traveller.
1885The Artist's Ladies.

He was from a devout Roman Catholic family and when he met and fell in love with an Irish divorcee, and lived openly with her, the tongues wagged. He was totally committed to Kathleen until she committed suicide after a prolonged illness. He was devastated and even his painting style changed to more religious works.

His paintings hang in galleries around the world. Many of his paintings have been produced as prints or cards and are available from many places.

The possibility of obtaining any of the great artworks by this artist is quite small, although from time to time they become available, but usually one needs to bid against international galleries for the artwork. Prints and cards have been produced by many suppliers of these works and other masters. For more information on the old masters and painters of the 18th century, go to http://uniquevintageprints.googlepages.com

posted by xnrr @ 3:45 PM 0 comments

Wedding Planning - Tips on Sending Our Your Invitations

So you have decided to accept his offer and become his bride. Now you need to decide who is going to share this momentous day with you.

The guest list has been prepared and now you have to design your wedding invitations. Here are some suggestions that will help with this sometimes-difficult task.

If children are also to be included, consider including them in the invitation to their parents, e.g. Mr and Mrs John Citizen and family. (Or you could name their children individually. If they are older say Teenagers you might consider sending them their own invitation. This has the added advantage of making them feel important and grown up and they will love you all the more.

If however you decide that you don't want children at the service you must be specific so that no misunderstanding happens and no one is offended. Make sure you make this quite clear on the invitation e.g. "Sorry adults only." If you would on the other hand consider children at the function but not the service, you could make a not of this somewhere such as the response card or again on the invitation.

Lots of your friends of course are probably still single, and you may not know if they have a partner, this is covered by add "and Guest" on either the invitation or perhaps on the outside of the envelope, giving them the alternative of being accompanied. Your envelope could be addressed for instance, " Mr, John Citizen and Guest"

Please don't forget that on average up to 10% of the people that respond in the affirmative will not in fact come to the wedding. Another 20 odd percent will not make it to the function. If you are planning a catered sit down style dinner you will have to account for this. Or you may consider a buffet style meal.

Sometimes people decide that they will want some people to come to the reception but not to the service and vice versa. Then of course you will need two types of invitations. One that includes reception information and the other that does not.

You will find that there will be people who don't reply by the reply date. Some of your close friends might consider that you would understand that they would be coming. If someone on your list does not reply, don't be hesitant in giving him or her a call. They will love you for it and it will help with you plans.

This is very important, you must organise the printing of your invites at least four to six weeks ahead of when you plan to mail them. Check you calendar and get this right. I know a little of how the printing industry works and you will most likely have problems. Double check everything and then check it again before you hand it to the printer.

This will be your wedding programs, your invitations, response cards, envelopes and anything else you might decide on. This applies whether you're having them done professionally or if you are printing them yourself. Be particular with the spelling.

Make sure you have spare envelopes and cards because you will make some mistakes. There are usually some errors made in addressing them.

Give people at least a month to six weeks notice; make sure you post the invitations at least this far ahead of the wedding date. Make it quite clear that you would like a reply at least three weeks before the wedding day. This gives your expected guests plenty of time to reply and allows you better time frame to settle on the final arrangements.

It is imperative that you let your guests know what the dress code is. If you plan outdoors or somewhere different like the beach or in the mountains, they will want to dress accordingly.

Remember there are a million things that need to be done, and just as many that can go wrong. Proper planning is the thing that will make your dream come true.

For more information on wedding planning GO HERE

Helen Reid has been married to her childhood sweetheart for over 30 years. Has been acknowledged as expert in cake decorating and has a deep interest in craft and art. Has wide experience in catering and function planning and the hospitality industry.

posted by xnrr @ 10:25 PM 0 comments

Wu-Long Tea Helps Reverse the Signs of Aging

As we grow older, the effect of free radicals takes its toll on the body mainly in the form of aging. Actually in the past 50 years, free radical research has strongly concluded that free radicals are a major factor in aging and the visible signs that go along with it. Other diseases related to aging and caused in whole or part by free radical damage are cancer, Alzheimers dementia, arthritis and inflammatory disease and heart/artery disease.

These free radicals are produced by stress, pollution, eating processed foods, chemical additives in many of the foods we eat etc..

Many of the visible signs of aging, such as dark spots and wrinkling of the skin, have been strongly linked to increased levels of free radicals invading our body... day in - day out. The damaging process is certainly a gradual one.

Fortunately you can take action to reduce the amount of these nasty, damaging substances in your body by increasing the antioxidant level in your body without drugs. Antioxidants are the best defense against free radicals.

One of the best and enjoyable methods is to drink Wu-long tea (oolong).

Wu Long tea is rich in these 3 substances: catechins, theaflavins and thearubigins. These substances act as antioxidants, which destroy free radicals and are completely natural. Be advised, grocery store versions of Wulong or any teas have much lower levels of these antioxidants because the leaves have been extremely processed. The oxidation process reduces the catachin level. To get maximum potency and value of Wu Long tea I suggest you find a good online tea store and not waste your money on pre-packaged name brand type wu-long tea.

Also its nice to know there are no side effects to drinking Wu-long tea; it tastes great and is good for your soul! You are doing yourself a favor every time you drink a cup.slowly undoing the effects of aging.

http://www.wulongtea-info.com is packed with more information on WuLong tea - including details regarding other health benefits , tea preperation and more: please visit:wu-long tea Find the top online tea outlets selling the best wu-long teas: How to buy wu long online

posted by xnrr @ 2:12 PM 0 comments

Jaques Tissot - Short List of Works

Jaques Tissot was born in 1836 and died in 1902. He lived a full life and was usually surrounded by one controversy or other. The controversy usually related to his art although there were a few personal controversies. He loved to paint women in costumes, and many critics thought this was simply a bad reflection on the nouveau-rich. These criticisms did not seem to matter to him. He was an enigmatic man who made friends easily and an excellent host who entertained often. His shrewd commercial instincts that he learned form his father stood with him all of his life. He was able to produce an income almost anywhere.

The following is a date listing of some of Jaques Tissots works:

1878October.
1869At the Rifle Range.
1872Autumn on the Thames.
1881Quiet.
1878In the Conservatory.
1878Spring.
1877The Widower.
1879By the Thames at Richmond.
1881Goodbye, on the Mersey.
1885Letter 'L' with Hats.
1874On the Thames
1879Orphan.
1879Going to Business.
1885The Shop Girl.
1885The Political Lady.
1862The Return of the Prodigal Son.
1885Women of Paris: The Circus Lover.
1877The Gallery of H.M.S. 'Calcutta' (Portsmouth).
1874The Ball on Shipboard.
1875The Bunch of Lilacs.
1876The Picnic.
1882Hide and Seek.
1882The Garden Bench.
1885The Traveller.
1885The Artist's Ladies.

He was from a devout Roman Catholic family and when he met and fell in love with an Irish divorcee, and lived openly with her, the tongues wagged. He was totally committed to Kathleen until she committed suicide after a prolonged illness. He was devastated and even his painting style changed to more religious works.

His paintings hang in galleries around the world. Many of his paintings have been produced as prints or cards and are available from many places.

The possibility of obtaining any of the great artworks by this artist is quite small, although from time to time they become available, but usually one needs to bid against international galleries for the artwork. Prints and cards have been produced by many suppliers of these works and other masters. For more information on the old masters and painters of the 18th century, go to http://uniquevintageprints.googlepages.com

posted by xnrr @ 11:44 PM 0 comments

Affiliate Marketing Exposed (Seriously)

Warning: If you are a flag waving, card carrying member of the Affiliate Marketing fraternity, this article will seriously trouble you. It is based on a quite lengthy comment by a highly successful marketer who was contributing to an ongoing discussion at the Warrior internet marketing forum.

The topic being discussed was whether affiliate marketing or product creation was best. There were keen advocates on both sides, as you'd expect.

The most telling blow in the whole discussion came from one chap, a highly successful marketer. Let's call him Andy. If you've been around the Internet Marketing scene for any time, you'd probably know his real name if I mentioned it.

Andy shared the fact that he had paid out a FIVE FIGURE SUM in affiliate commissions last month. That is, his affiliates had sold enough of his products that Andy had paid at least $10,000 in commissions (perhaps a great deal more) to those affiliates. That means his sales figures last month were at very least $20,000 if he is paying commissions of 50% which I believe he does.

With sales figures like this, and the fact that he uses his own name at the Warrior forum (he is not hiding behind a pseudonym), Andy has significant credibility.

So I paid special attention to what he EXPOSED, which in my words was this:

* Product owners would prefer you focus on affiliate marketing because you will promote their products.

* Product owners don't want any new competition, so they encourage you to promote their stuff rather than create your own.

Not ice that in all of this, there's nothing about what is best for YOU.

Andy also made the point that his highest earning affiliates all have their own products or services or they are experts. Think about that.

Andy's recommendation is to create your own products and supplement the income that comes from them with affiliate recommendations.

Finally, let me mention "HOME BUSINESS PROFITS START HERE". In this FREE report you can discover the secrets to building a profitable home based business. Please collect it now at http://HomeBusinessWinners.com before I replace it with another gift.

Article by Gary Harvey of HomeBusinessWinners.com - Secrets To Building A Profitable Home Based Business, Revealed for FREE.

posted by xnrr @ 9:23 PM 0 comments