Where Do Miniature Pinschers Come From?

If you own a Miniature Pinscher, you?re probably well aware of some of the characteristics that are attributed to this great dog. The various ways in which they communicate and act not only reveals a lot about the type of dog they are, but also gives some insight into the background of the dogs. If you really want to understand where your Min Pin is coming from, knowing the history is the place to begin.

The breed of Miniature Pinschers was first developed in Germany in the 1830s. They were bred with German Pinschers, Manchester?s, and Dachshunds in order to give them specific characteristics as a working dog as well as companion. They became so popular so quickly, that they were soon known as the king of toy breeds, a name they still carry today.

The idea behind Min Pins was to create a smaller breed of dog, mostly to be used on ships to catch vermin. As most would think, it would be better to use cats for this purpose. However, the cats that were used were not able to go onto the ships because of the way the wood from the decks affected them. The best solution was to breed a smaller dog that could take the place of the cats. When the changes in the dogs began to be made the breeders went after two things: a smaller size and a high amount of energy to help out on the boats.

The Miniature Pinschers quickly grew into a companion dog as well as a hunter of vermin. The size of the Min Pins became attractive to the women in Germany, as most saw them as good house companions as well as hunters. Because of this secondary thought, the dogs quickly moved into being bred to become even smaller in size. This is where the dogs were bred with Dachshunds in order to create a red color and small structure to the Min Pins. Of course, the concept of having a smaller dog is just as attractive to men now as it was to women then. Miniature Pinschers are known to have characteristics including being a more fearless and energetic dog, something that many men may like in a smaller dog.

These are the origins which have allowed Miniature Pinschers to gain some of their major attributes that some may notice today. The first of these attributes is that Min Pins are loyal companions to their owners, even more so than some other dogs. The second is that these dogs were bred in order to find and catch vermin, meaning that they will chase smaller animals and have also gained the attribute of being able to dig in order to find the rodents. This also means that your Miniature Pinscher has a higher amount of energy and will most likely need something to do even beyond the walks that you want to take them on.

Even though the Miniature Pinscher breed was created by combining breeds and ideas from men, these dogs have achieved some of the greatest attributes of dogs. If you like a higher energy animal and are also interested in one that you know will stay by your side as a companion, then Min Pins are the way to go. The beginnings of these dogs and how they came about has led to their greatness.

About the Author: Taylor Coburn is the Miniature Pinscher Aficionado. His Web site offers you information geared toward preventing health and behavior problems and to helping you have the happiest, healthiest Miniature Pinscher companion possible. Register today for his free tips and mini-course at www.My-Miniature-Pinscher.com

Time Out for Adults

?Get down from the table top right now! What are you doing? Floors are for standing on, tables are for eating. You need a time out, young lady. You go to your room and think about how you have been acting today.?

So little Mary, 4, goes to her room with a sulky look on her face, but is quickly lost in a game with her dolls and toys. When her mother comes to tell her that she can come out, she is so engrossed in playing that she barely looks up, completely forgetting why she was sent to time out in the first place.

So, does time out work for children?

Yes, but only when it is age appropriate (one minute for each year of age) and then followed by a discussion at eye level of why the action was unacceptable. There has to be some conversation or connection to the actual event or misbehavior for it to be used as a teaching tool. It has been my experience that the consequences need to be tied in some tangible way to the mistake in order for the discipline to become long lasting. Perhaps a more effective teaching discipline would be to have Mary scrub the table and chairs.

When the room is in chaos, the kids are fighting, the phone is ringing, the potatoes are burning and the baby is crying all at the same time, the natural reaction is to explode. Even the act of seeing the bike in the driveway, again, is enough to make the blood boil and the steam come out of our ears.

However, I am convinced that parents need to step back at times and reflect on the fact that they are teachers who are training the next generation, instead of giving in to the impulse to scream, smack or threaten. Step back to see a new perspective.

It is better by far for you to give the child some warning and say ? I am so angry right now that I am afraid I will say or do something that would make both of us sorry, so I am going to go in the bedroom and calm down for a few minutes. Meet me in the living room in 15 minutes and we will discuss it. But, in the meantime, I strongly suggest you not bother me and that you spend the time thinking about solutions to the problem.?

When you feel tense, try saying calming things to yourself aloud: ?Things will work out, it is not worth a stroke? ?I want to have the misbehavior stop, but not damage my child?s spirit? ?That was a rotten thing for her to have done, but she is not a rotten child? ?She is a good child who made a bad choice? Is this worth ruining the evening over? This too (or two, in the case of toddlers) shall pass.

Relax somewhat by taking a deep breath to the count of four, hold for the count of four and release to the count of four, while you are thinking or saying aloud ?Be calm?. Now, do it again at least three times. You can feel your muscles unwind and your head clear somewhat. You will feel more in command of your voice and your actions.

Focus on solutions, not excuses

In 15 minutes (often you don?t get the luxury of one minute for each year of age, but wouldn?t it be nice?) you will have calmed down some and the child will be ready to offer solutions. Do not allow him to offer excuses, only solutions. Allowing him to own the problem and the consequences makes it a much more effective learning experience for both of you. Taking time out before a discussion gives both the parent and the child time to regain some perspective and come up with a much more meaningful solution than one handed out in a moment of anger.

An example from one mother

Sandy, Mother of 3 shared with a parenting class some excellent advice on dealing with children;

Many times when the kids seemed to have 'an attitude' that I knew could rapidly lead to a confrontation, I made them go in the kitchen and have a peanut butter sandwich or some cheese and crackers and then meet me in 20 minutes to discuss things. Frequently, they were simply hungry or thirsty and needed to get some protein and carbohydrates in their body to regulate the blood sugar. It is amazing how many arguments were forestalled by a full belly. Finding out that active 11-13 year old boys needed 3,000 calories a day to operate and grow, explained why they were cranky a lot!

Take an adult time out to regroup

You have my permission to take a time out whenever you need it. Children need firm and kind discipline and we can't offer that when we are angry or out of control ourselves. A few minutes of reflection, prayer or deep breathing can give us a new prospective on life and the crayon drawings on the living room wall.

You do the most important work in the world and twenty years from now, it will be a funny family story about Mary on the dining room table. In reflection you will both realize that tables can be washed or even replaced, but close relationships and respectful guidance are priceless.

Judy H. Wright? 2005 www.ArtichokePress.com

Judy H. Wright is a parent educator and PBS consultant whose passion is working with Head Start staff and parents as well as child care providers. She wants to encourage a climate of mutual respect and nurturing to all. She salutes those who work with children, either in their home or as a profession. For more a complete listing of articles, books, cd's, workshops and speaking engagements, see www.ArtichokePress.com. Be sure and sign up for the free ezine, The Artichoke, finding the heart of the story in the journey of life.

Furniture For The Bedroom Dining Room and Kitchen

In the last of this series on home furniture we're going to cover the bedroom, dining room and kitchen.

It's strange how most of the time we spend in our bedrooms is sleeping and yet some of the most beautiful furniture made is for bedrooms. The beds alone come in so many shapes, sizes and styles that you could write a book on them. There is probably nothing more beautiful than a canopy bed but there's more to your common bedroom than just the bed.

Most bedrooms sandwich their beds between a couple of night tables, especially if you're a couple. Lamps, alarm clocks and photos are what you'll most commonly find on these tables which are almost always a matched set unless you buy your pieces separately.

Finishing off the bedroom decor is usually a tall dresser and a long dresser. These are also a matched set to each other and the end tables. The dressers are where most of your clothes that don't need to be hung are kept such as socks, underwear, and other unmentionables.

Even the largest bedroom is relatively small compared to the rest of the home so these pieces are relatively small. Of course once the drawers are filled it takes an army of moving men to budge them even two feet. Moving to the dining room this is also a relatively small room. Your common dining room has a dining room table which can be made of a number of materials similar to the materials that living room tables are made of, wood, glass, etc. Dining room tables however are almost always rectangular in order to accommodate a standard party of six. If more room is needed many dining room tables pull apart in the center allowing you to insert what they call leaves. These leaves can increase the size of the table by a good 2 or 3 feet.

Around the dining room table are the chairs, which are usually a matched set unless you buy them separately. Most dining room chairs are honestly not very comfortable and not meant to be sat in for long periods of time.

Rounding out your dining room is usually a china cabinet, credenza, sideboard, server, and serving cart. These are used to store your china, silverware and other items used when offering up a gourmet meal to your guests or even just to your family. It's also funny how not a lot of time is spent in a dining room yet the furniture we put in it is nothing short of exquisite.

Finally we arrive at the kitchen. Another room we don't spend a lot of time in and ironically most of the items in a common kitchen are built in. The amount of furniture one would buy for their kitchen amounts to a kitchen table and a few chairs. Of course for people who have no dining room then this can get a little more elaborate, incorporating some of the furniture one would find in a common dining room. Instead of a round kitchen table which all that would fit in a common kitchen one might find a longer dining room type table if room permits.

Possibly in one last article we'll cover odds and ends type furniture found in less common places in and around the house such as patios, yards and game rooms.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Furniture
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Your Home is Your Fortress: the Art of Garden Fencing

Garden fencing is not just a simple way to protect from ruthless invaders. It has become a form of art, a nice addition to the whole decoration of your house. Garden fencing adds to the look of the garden itself. Even if your garden is perfect, with the rarest exotic plants and the most beautiful flowers, an ugly fence can spoil the effect. That is why, garden fencing is regarded as an artistic sphere, where you can express your individual taste. There are many ways to make the fence of your garden. Here are three popular types of garden fencing, which you may use to make your garden prettier.

Wood Garden Fencing. Wooden lattices are best to use if you want to retain your privacy but still allow some parts of the garden to be viewed by passers-by. Lattices are also perfect for the climbing plants. Using them as trellis, you can help your vines grow stronger. You can also use lattices for the morning glories to climb and make a delightful picture when they bloom. Wooden lattices also provide a hiding-place from the wind. You may use lattices in other ways: for example, two lattices can be put close together, 6 feet apart from one another. Use a twine to attach them on the top and soon a beautiful arc of leaves will be formed when the vines grow higher.

Patio Wall of Garden Fencing. Patio dining with the family can be really pleasant and relaxing. To create a patio place you can also use garden fencing. Dig a hole and attach a metal trellis near the dining table to signify the borders of the patio. Then use your coiling roses, tying them with a twine to the trellis. Soon you will have a naturally divided place that can become the family dining room when it is warm.

The last type of garden fencing to be presented is Border Edging. You may construct border edging using whatever materials you like. It has versatile possibilities of personal expression. You can use wire garden fencing to divide some special areas, or outline one corner of the garden using cast iron border edging, or use garden plot to stress on a certain border. Another possibility that border fencing offers, is to use vivid plants for defining certain areas. For example, a hedge or a bed of flowers such as marigolds sown on curved line to produce a zigzag border. Or redwood blocks or cedar shakes create beautiful natural borders that can be used in variety of ways.

As you may have noticed, making your garden a showplace is a highly provocative procedure. Use your own imagination. Combine the three types to set something really unique, that would make all your neighbours go red in the face. You may soon gain the reputation of the master of gardens amongst your friends. Garden fencing is a field, where you can be yourself and use your ideas in creative ways.

Article by Robbie Darmona - an article writer who writes on a wide variety of subjects. For more information click Garden Fencing

11 Tips for Stripping Wallpaper: How to Get Rid of Ugly Wallpaper!

I broke my promise to myself and stripped wallpaper again. The only reason I did this is for $100,000 profit. My family and I did not have time to wait for professional help. We sold our investment property before finishing the work and needed the home ready for appraisal.

While stripping the wallpaper, I realized that many homemakers get wrong advice for this horrendous task. After years of experience on over 30 houses, I offer my tried and best tips:

1. Use a clothes steamer or rent a professional steamer
2. Soak a large section of the wall
3. Run a Paper Tiger scoring tool across the damp section
4. Steam the section again
5. Spray the section with fabric softener and hot water
6. Score the section with the paper tiger again
7. Steam again
8. Remove any curling edges (sometimes large areas peel off)
9. Scrape with a six inch sheetrock blade
10. Repeat the above steps on the section until most scrapes off easily
11. Scrub with hot water, TSP, and a sponge with a scratchy surface

Cautions: Use the Paper Tiger gingerly so you don't scratch or gouge the walls. Use gloves with the harsh chemical TSP.

Don't live with ugly wallpaper any longer!

P. S. Please email me if you have any additional tips on stripping wallpaper that would help others!

Copyright ? 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.)

Jeanette Fisher loves to help home makers create homes for glorious living. For free ebook on Interior Design Psychology go to http://www.joytothehome.com

Americans Have Never Had It So Good

American families have never earned more income than they do now, according to a longitudinal study by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics which was released on June 30 this year. The study also said that American families have never spent less on necessities or enjoyed a higher standard of living than they do right now. This leads to one inescapable conclusion: American families have never had it so good.

The Bureau labeled its report as 100 Years of U.S. Consumer Spending: Data for the Nation, New York City, and Boston, and it marks the first time that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has examined an entire century of data instead of just a year..

The 70-page report reveals that there is very little that has stayed the same in the last 100 years as far as Americans' income and spending patterns are concerned. In many ways, the only thread of commonality between U.S. households in 1901 and in 2002-03 is their geographic location, the report said.

It listed average annual household income at $750 in year 1901, with 9.5 percent of that amount earned by children, for an average family of 4.9 people. Of this amount, 79.9 percent was spent on food, clothing and housing. By 2002-03, the average American family earned $50,301 a year and statisticians no longer mentioned children as income producers. The average household had shrunk to just 2.5 people and only 50.1 percent of the annual income was spent on food, clothing and shelter. Based on the value of the dollar in 1901, 2003 households would be earning $2,282 a year in real terms or a three-fold increase over 1901 totals.

Food was the single biggest expenditure of families in 1901, accounting for 42.5 percent of annual income. On the average, jobs paid less than 30 cents an hour, and with bacon costing 13 cents per pound, butter at 27 cents per pound and a dozen eggs for 22 cents, food in 1901 was expensive compared to today's costs. Credit for that goes to mass production which has made food more readily available and cheaper. For example, in 2002-03, the cost of food only took up 31.1 percent of a family's earnings.

A hundred years ago, nearly every American ate his meals at home, but by 1961, they were spending 21 percent of their food budgets on restaurants. Meanwhile, only 19 percent of Americans owned their own homes in 1901 compared to 67 percent in 2002-03. The number of single-person households has also grown steadily from 16.8 percent in 1960 to 29.5 percent in 2002-03. Perhaps the one area that bucks the trend is in entertainment. The average US household spent 5.4 percent of total expenses on entertainment during the Depression years of 1934-36, a figure that has actually fallen to just 5.1 percent in 2002-03.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Employment, Business, and Finance

Homemade Stained Glass Window Christmas Treats

These Christmas treats are brilliant festive fun. They look really cool hanging from the Christmas tree with the fairy lights shinning through them, and they taste great too! They are great fun to make, and make the kitchen smell like a sweet factory - Yummy.

What you will need...

1 packet of frozen pastry. Allow to fully defrost, see the back of the packet for instructions.
1 Bag of clear coloured boiled sweets. Cardboard

What to do... First, whilst the pastry is defrosting you can be designing and making stencils. You could try a star, a Christmas stocking, a Christmas tree, a bell, a sprig of holly, anything festive and with a Christmas theme is great. The stencils need to be simple and they need to have hole inside them. If there is too much detail they might break whilst you are making them. Make sure as well that your stencil is an appropriate size to hang on your Christmas tree. Once you have cut out your Christmas stencil leave it on one side until later.

Set the oven to 180?C/350?F/Gas Mark 4

Line a backing sheet with greaseproof paper

Lightly dust the surface with flour to prevent the pastry sticking and roll out the pastry thinly with a rolling pin. Lie your stencil on the top of the pastry and carefully cut round it with a knife. The knife doesn?t have to be very sharp, pastry isn't hard to cut.

On the top of each shape you need to make a small hole to thread some ribbon through later so that you can hang the treat on the Christmas tree. Use the handle of a teaspoon to just push into the pastry to make a small hole.

Place your cut out shapes on the paper lined baking tray, so that they don't touch.

Roll your pastry trimmings up into a ball and re-roll the pastry. Cut out as many Christmas shapes as you can, and keep re-rolling the pastry trimmings until all the pastry has been used.

Bake the Christmas shapes in the oven for 8 - 10 minutes.

In the mean time...
Rinse the rolling pin because you?re in for a smashing time! Place a wrapped boiled sweet onto a chopping board and tap it with the rolling pin to smash it. Once broken, unwrap the sweet and collect the broken sweet pieces on saucers, keeping all the colours separated. All the sweets need to be broken up.

Keep an eye on the time.

Take the pastry shapes out of the oven. Add different coloured crumbs of sweets to each hole in the pastry shapes. Colours in the same hole will merge. Experiment and see what designs you can make. Do be careful because the baking tray and the pastry will be hot.

Put the treats back in the oven for 2 minutes to let the sweets melt.

Take the treats out of the oven and leave to cool. Peel the treats off the paper and serve or thread ribbon or string through and hang them from your Christmas tree.

S. Roberts writes for The Christmas website http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk where you can have a free email sent to your child from Santa Clause himself. If you publish this article, please link back to http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/christmas-fun-stuff.html Thanks!

Strategies for Choosing a Name for Your Baby

What's in a Name?
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet.
--From Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

Of course, new mothers and fathers know that there is a world of difference in naming your baby Rose as opposed to Skunkcabbage. When it comes to naming your baby, names do matter ? and you want to choose the one that means the most to you. Parents may choose a name for its meaning, for its cadence, or for its history. No matter what you decide to name your baby, always consider the child.

Before you put the name on the birth certificate, ask yourself if the name is easy to spell, if the child will get teased, if the child will even like his or her own name. Your baby's name is not only important to you, but also to your baby.

Strategies for Choosing a Name for Your Baby

Before you go name-hunting, you want to think about the kind of names you want for your baby. Are you going to choose a name that has been in your family for generations? Are you going to name your child after a favored television or movie star? Some parents name their children after favorite characters from books.

If there are names that you like, jot them down. When you hear a name that strikes a chord with you, write it down and keep all your potential names together in a notebook. You can cross off names that you decide not to use, and narrow down your list little by little. If you hear a name that you like, don't be afraid to ask how it's spelled. Write down any name that sounds good to you. Later, you and your spouse can discuss the names on the list.

Baby books and Internet sites abound that are filled with baby names. On some sites, you can look up names to find out what they mean, or what their origins are. Some people like to know what their names mean, so you want to choose wisely if meaning holds any weight with you.

Your Baby's Name

While strategies for choosing a name for your baby may fill your head for many months, the name you choose for your baby will follow him or her for the rest of their life. You want to choose a name that sounds pleasant and that you think your child will like as much as you do. Remember, you're going to say that name many times in the next forty years or so ? so choose wisely! Select a name that you, your baby and your family can live with. Consider its sound, because that is an important aspect of any name. Keep in mind that your baby's name is the very first thing that will define them as a person. Pick a name that means the most to you, and sounds the best to your ears. Take your time in choosing a name, and make sure that you and your spouse are both involved in strategies for choosing a name for your baby. Both parents should participate in the naming process, because babies cannot choose names for themselves.

Jacqueline Courtiol, M.A. Ed. is a teacher, business owner and mother. She is the developer of a colic remedy used by pediatricians, doulas and mid-wifes. Colic Calm Gripe Water is also highly effective in the treatment of acid reflux discomfort in babies. More information can be found at http://www.coliccalm.com

Bringing the Newborn Home

Receiving the gift of children seems too wonderful and delicate for our unskilled hands. Parenthood can seem daunting when you are alone with your newborn for the first time. There?s no owner?s manual. The staff at the hospital will wish you well. They will say their good-byes, collapsing your support group, and in this void parenthood takes on new meaning. What does this cry mean? How can I help my baby get to sleep? How will I know if their crying means they are sick? Am I caring for them properly? What will happen if I do it wrong?

These questions are daunting, but don?t panic. Cherish these historical moments. Your baby?s childhood will accelerate. Soon they will be a toddler, and then they will storm through pre-adolescence and become a hormonal teen. Before you know it, they will be grown. So take it slow. Sing a few lullabies to your newborn. Whisper hushes of peace to them. Let them know everything is all right. This will soothe parent and child.

So don?t worry about not knowing everything about parenting. No one begins the journey of parenthood with everything figured out. Nothing worthwhile comes to us overnight. So enjoy the journey. Do the best you can. Love like a parent. Love like a friend. Love will be your gift back to your newborn. And love will be enough, as love always is. You will be a great parent!

Robert Stofel has published four books and numerous articles and short stories in literary journals, such as Zone 3, Aura Literary Arts Review and others. You can sample more of his writing at his website http://www.robertstofel.com

Trouble Finding That Last Minute Gift? Here Are Some Tips!

It?s down to the last minute, crunch time. You procrastinated all week... no, all MONTH long and you still don?t have anything for mother?s day, father?s day or your Aunt?s birthday. What about the office party next week? Or what about your girlfriend??? Here are some tips to analyze your situation and to make the most out of a last minute gift purchase.

What does the person like?

Sounds pretty simple, doesn?t it? Don?t think in terms of gifts, though. Think in terms of what you know this person likes to use, do, read or cook with. Do they have a hobby? Do they enjoy doing something outside? Focus on what they like to do, then think of a gift that will match that description. It normally doesn?t have to be a big gift either, something small to accommodate their hobby or likes will be generously received as it was given.

Should it be a big present or small present?

I?m not talking size here either, folks. Money. Do you spend a lot or a little. If the last minute gift is for your grandparents, then you don?t have to spend a lot. Consider something of a keepsake value that your grandparents would like to have. They can NEVER have to many picture frames with you and your family in it. Trust me.

However, if the person you are buying the subject matter for is your girlfriend or wife, boyfriend or husband, think again. If you have a remarkably down to earth mate, who doesn?t believe in materialistic goods, then you are one lucky person. Focus on a keepsake gift as well. What do they like? Do they read ? Have they been talking about a particular book for the longest time that they haven?t had a chance to read yet? What about sports? The cost of a minor league ticket to a ball game is fairly inexpensive these days. Your boyfriend or husband may appreciate that.

If they are of the materialistic type, good luck. Do NOT spend a ton of money on something until you think it through. Body skincare products, tennis bracelets, and necklaces go a long way to show that you put some thought into a gift.

Or try getting away for a weekend. The cost of a nice hotel room will seem like the perfect get a way gift that didn?t take to much effort to do- lift the call and make the last minute reservations now!

Either way, a last minute gift is not something hard to find. Don?t get overwhelmed by what you have to do, instead, take a deep breath- get a card for them, something they like and something that shows that you put some thought into it. That?s really what the gift should symbolize.

This article was created by these website article creators, for this last minute gift website. Contact them today for more information

The 7 Key Features to Folding and Flying the Perfect Paper Airplane

The 7 Key Features to Folding and Flying the Perfect Paper Airplane

• What type of paper is the best to use? Any 8 1/2 x 11 inch white sheet of paper can be used. A thicker paper, such as, photo printer paper provides for better creasing and alignment.
  

• How do I make my paper airplane perform loops and curls? For most planes, fold the tips of the wings up slightly. Do not bend too much or your plane climb slowly and then will come to a quick crash.
  

• What happens if my paper airplane flys to the left or the right? Make sure the center body of the plane is straight and aligned.
  

• Why does my paper airplane crash so quickly? Much of the time your paper airplance was not folded tightly causing too much drag on the unaligned body. Make sure to make tight folds, which create a streamline flying machine!
  

• How can I get my paper airplane to fly higher? A trick is to throw the plane in the direction of the wind blowing towards you. It will actually lift the plane upwards and may even levitate for a bit, but will not give you farther distance.
  

• How can I get my paper airplane to perform dives? To make your paper airplane dive, go quickly down towards the ground then pull up before crashing, hold your plane as high above your head as you can or throw off of a high area. Good places can be your balcony, stairs or even a stadium. Make sure you fold the tips of the wings up, then point the nose DOWN towards the ground and drop the plane - don't give a thrust.
  

• How can I make my paper airplane perform a backwards dive? To make your plane fly down then loop upside down and backwards, hold your plane as high above your head as you can or throw off of a high area. Good places can be your balcony, stairs or even a stadium. Make sure you fold the tips of the wings up, then point the nose UP towards the sky and drop the plane - don't give a thrust.

Kathy Taylor is the author of the bestselling eBook Paper Airplane Central which has 20 differnt designs for folding paper airplane, from simple gliders to extreme stunt planes.
http://www.paperairplanecentral.com

Overseas Shipping for Students and Small Movers

For students - There are 3 broad categories to consider when shipping overseas

*Excess baggage - If you have a small amount of baggage, phone around to see if an airline will extend your baggage allowance. You may need an official letter from your college, and you may well not get enough extra allowance, but it's worth a go.

*Boxed and single items which do not include furniture, and which exceed your baggage allowance.

*Furniture
If you wish to ship furniture, expect costs to get expensive. It will need to be professionally wrapped, possibly crated, and may require 2 or more men to handle it at every stage. You will probably need to share a sea-container. You should investigate delivering to, and picking up from, the shippers depot for savings.

You will require Quality packaging

Maybe you have seen those airport baggage handlers throwing cases around... The cartons used for shipping are extra durable...and you need to pack them very thoroughly.
The packaging you need will probably not be available from the mail order companies listed elsewhere on this site. Their boxes tend to be thin to save costs. There are however, good quality suppliers listed

You should consult your shipper, who may supply cartons, but it may be a good idea to stack one box inside a larger one for extra protection. You should pad the space between them, possibly with old clothes.

Make sure The shipper provides you with an inventory form to complete, together with labels.

How to save on shipping costs

1) Obtain more than 2 written quotes

2) Deliver and collect from the shippers depot, or investigate the cost of having a small removal firm deliver/pick up at each end and compare that cost to the shippers charge. (or you could hire a van)

3) Air freight is charged by weight, and you may have a choice of tariffs depending on how quickly you need your property shipped. sea freight is charged by volume and is slow

4) Advertise (on the message board) for partners to group up a load (and search for shippers who will offer a discount).

5) Investigate your insurance options: Self packed items may be excluded from breakage cover, and you should try to avoid sending fragile items - if possible take them with your hand luggage. Beware of 'exlusion', 'excess' and 'limits to liability' clauses in any policy you pay for. As always, there is no substitute for proper and (over protective) packing.
The cover you must have is for complete or partial loss or destruction, or the insolvency of a carrier or storer, which may cause your property to be impounded.

You could contact the 'British Association of Removers' at info@bar.co.uk or consult a good insurance broker - possibly your student specialist.

I have included some specialist small move shippers at http://www.student-movers-forum.com/Overseasshipping.html You can read advice on small moves, packing and insurance, at http://www.student-movers-forum.com.

Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter

Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, fireplace or clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.

These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in -- costing you higher heating bills.

Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.

But what can you do about the three largest ?holes? in your home -- the folding attic stair, the fireplace and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.

Attic Stairs

When attic stairs are installed, a large hole (approximately 10 square feet) is created in your ceiling. The ceiling and insulation that were there have to be removed, leaving only a thin, unsealed, sheet of plywood.

Your attic space is ventilated directly to the outdoors. In the winter, the attic space can be very cold, and in the summer it can be very hot. And what is separating your conditioned house from your unconditioned attic? That thin sheet of plywood.

Often a gap can be observed around the perimeter of the door. Try this yourself: at night, turn on the attic light and shut the attic stairway door -- do you see any light coming through? These are gaps add up to a large opening where your heated/cooled air leaks out 24 hours a day. This is like leaving a window open all year round.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.

Fireplaces

Sixty-five percent, or approximately 100 million homes, in North America are constructed with wood or gas burning fireplaces. Unfortunately there are negative side effects that the fireplace brings to a home especially during the winter home-heating season. Fireplaces are energy losers.

Researchers have studied this to determine the amount of heat loss through a fireplace, and the results are amazing. One research study showed that an open damper on an unused fireplace in a well-insulated house can raise overall heating-energy consumption by 30 percent.

A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces.

Why does a home with a fireplace have higher heating bills? Hot air rises. Your heated air leaks out any exit it can find, and when warm heated air is drawn out of your home, cold outside air is drawn in to make up for it. The fireplace is like a giant straw sucking the heated air from your house.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, a fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.

Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts

In many homes, the room with the clothes dryer is the coldest room in the house. Your clothes dryer is connected to an exhaust duct that is open to the outdoors. In the winter, cold air leaks in through the duct, through your dryer and into your house.

Dryer vents use a sheet-metal flapper to try to reduce this air leakage. This is very primitive technology that does not provide a positive seal to stop the air leakage. Compounding the problem is that over time, lint clogs the flapper valve causing it to stay open.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape.

About The Author

Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover and a fireplace draftstopper. To learn more visit www.batticdoor.com.

mark@batticdoor.com

Time Stress and a Baby

The main thing we noticed since having a baby is that time is a more valuable good. We do not have enough time for many things or time is really tight to accomplish certain tasks before the next feeding time has come. Think about feeding. The little one needs to be fed every 3 hours. Take approx. 15 minutes for the preparation, diaper change, cuddling, etc. before the actual feeding. Now take 30 minutes for the actual feeding, burping, holding and interacting with the baby. This really leaves you with approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes (if all goes well, the baby goes to sleep and does not wake up, etc.)

So, what can you really in a little more than 2 hours? Think about it. If you have to go somewhere you have to dress the baby, put him in the car seat, pack a diaper bag, etc. and you lose even more time. Shopping 15 minutes away from home suddenly becomes a challenge because your available time is suddenly less than one hour. Did you ever wonder why you see so many Moms speeding on the highway? Well, there you go .....

After realizing how much (or better how little) time a new parent has available it can be a good thing to time certain events and use the results to plan your day or week with the timing results. A well planned week with plenty of options to switch items around will reduce the stress level significantly. Always keep in mind that the baby sets the rules and that things take twice as long as they used to do before you had the baby. Planning daily and weekly events gets important in areas like buying food. Usually it does not work very well to push the grocery shopping from Monday morning to Friday afternoon the same week.

Writing down the tasks and appointments for the next week every Sunday might be a good option for you if you feel really stressed during the week. Try to combine shopping and other errands you need to run. A 5 minute extension of driving distance to a second store with a 15 minute extension of shopping time can save you a complete trip the next day and take out all the trip preparation from your schedule. Instead of rushing to run errands the next day you could have one trip (which most likely stresses you out anyway) with combined tasks. This tactical approach can result in less wear and tear on yourself and on your baby. It actually can save you money and resources (gasoline, wear and tear on your car, etc.).

All parents (including myself) often tend to forget these simple things when it comes to planning the day ahead. Get back some time for yourself and spend it on things you enjoy.

About The Author

Christoph Puetz is a successful Entrepreneur and international book author.

Websites operated by Christoph Puetz are Pregnancy Announcements and First Time Pregnancy as well as Marketing Help.

This article can be published by anyone as long as the resource box (About the Author) is posted on the website including the links. These links must be clickable.

Gas Fireplaces in Bedrooms

We're often asked about installing or renovating fireplaces in bedrooms. Here in Richmond, Virginia it is a controversial issue as building inspectors sometimes don't like the idea due to safety concerns.

Please be assured that we, too, feel that safety is the utmost concern with any fire. However, we also appreciate a homeowner's desire to install or restore a bedroom fireplace for the warmth, charm and romance a fire offers. A fireplace can be as safe in a bedroom as in any other room of your home.

What About Vent-Free Gas Appliances in Bedrooms?

This issue is particularly misunderstood. Vent-free appliances in bedrooms must be a wall hung heater and must be under 10,000 btu's.

**A vent-free log set that is under 10,000 btu's is not allowed because it is not a wall mounted appliance.

**Vented appliances in bedrooms are NOT limited to the 10,000 btu rule, unless the bedroom is considered a confined space, as defined below.

The building inspector in your locale has the ultimate approval for fireplace installations. It is helpful to ask which code is applicable in your locality to determine which code he or she is quoting. For example, a direct vent fireplace may be allowed while one with an open fire is not.

The International Fuel Gas Code, for example, states:

SECTION 303 (IFGC)

APPLIANCE LOCATION

303.3 Prohibited locations. Fuel-fired appliances shall not be located in, or obtain combustion air from, any of the following rooms or spaces:

1. Sleeping rooms.

2. Bathrooms.

3. Toilet rooms.

4. Storage closets.

5. Surgical rooms.

Exceptions:

1. Direct-vent appliances that obtain all combustion air directly from the outdoors.

2. Listed vented gas fired room heaters, listed vented decorative gas appliances and listed decorative gas-fired appliances for installation in vented solid fuel burning fireplaces, provided that the room is not a confined space and the building is not of unusually tight construction.

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The following information is extracted from the Gas Hearth Appliance Training Manual published by the Hearth Products Association:

Listed Appliance:

Equipment or materials tested to required standards by a testing organization.....Assures suitability for use in a specified manner when equipment installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructons.

Listed VENTED gas appliances will be either:

Room Heater:

Must meet the federal efficiency mandates of the Energy Conservation Act and meet efficiency standards based on an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) based on btu input.

Must have a vent safety shutoff system, designed to stop gas flow to the main burner if the appliace is not connected to a venting system or if the venting system is blocked.

Decorative Appliance:

Is not designed for heating its sole or primary purpose is aesthetic enjoyment

Is not required to meet fuel efficiency standards

Cannot use a thermostat to control operation of the flames

Decorative Appliance Installed in Solid Fuel Burning Fireplaces

Standard Z21.60 sets forth requirements for appliances installed into an existing fireplace:

The appliance can only be installed in a non-combustible solid fuel burning fireplace that has a working flue.

There must be a permanent free opening (usually the damper) of a minimum area determined by appliance input rating and chimney height.

The chimney damper must be fixed in a manner that maintains the minimum permanent vent-free opening.

A fireplace screen must be inplace during operation.

What is a Confined Space?

A confined space is defined by the National Fuel Gas Code as a space (or room) with less than 50 cubic feet per 1,000 btu input of the appliance.

Example:

Can a listed decorative gas coal basket with 25,000 btu input be installed in a 12' x 15' room with 8' ceilings?

25 (thousand btu input of the appliance) x 50 (cubic ft required per 1,000 btu input) = 1250 cubic feet.

Length x width x height of room gives the total cubic foot area. 12' x 15' x 8' = 1440 cubic feet.

The room area in this example is 1440 cubic feet this appliance needs 1250 cubic feet of area. The appliance could be installed in this room based strictly on the limitations of a confined space.

Note that the building inspector or other authority having jurisdiction in your area should be able to provide you:

Which code is used in your area.

The specifications required and allowed per that code.

The interpretation, if needed, of that code.

Means of implementing that code for your particular installation.

Inspection of your installation to determine that it was performed in accordance with applicable codes and according to manufacturer's installation instructions.

Further Advice. For Installations in Bedrooms or Any Other Room in Your Home:

Heating appliances, decorative gas appliances and their chimneys/venting systems should only be installed and serviced by a qualified technician.

Always follow manufacturer's installation instructions.

Only perform installation in accordance with your local codes.

Apply for a building permit, if required or available, and have the installation inspected by the building inspector.

Notify your homeowners insurance company that a new installation has been performed .

Make sure and have the appliance cleaned and serviced annually to help assure proper performance.

*This article copyrighted by THE FIREPLACE CHANNEL

Karen Duke is a fireplace, chimney and hearth industry expert of over 25 years in both the retail and service sectors. She is a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and has numerous hearth industry certifications. She is the founder and webmaster of http://www.TheFireplaceChannel.com and she is the co-founder and webmaster of http://www.TheVictorianFireplace.com, which is one of the largest online fireplace retailers in the world. She makes her home in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Karen's contact information can be found on either of the above sites.

Bean Bag Chair Filling Is It Really Beans?

Have you ever wondered what exactly is inside a bean bag chair? Is it really full of ?beans?? The truth is, not all bean bags have the same filling.

LoveSac Bean Bags

Of course, let me first state that LoveSac does not make what we generally think of as ?bean bags.? Theirs are the bean bags of the future ? over-sized and overly comfortable. No one could mistake the ultra-comfortable shredded polyurethane foam as ?beans.? When you lie on a LoveSac oversized sac, it completely forms to your body. But it will also bounce back to its original shape with ease ? the high quality foam will not go flat.And for shipping purposes, the sacs can be smashed down to a shrunken size ? and then refluffed when unpacked. Again, these oversized sacs are not your typical bean bags. Many other companies ? realizing the brilliance behind LoveSac -- have started making their own foam bags, too.

Traditional Bean Bags

More traditional bean bags are filled with polystyrene pellets. In fact, the very first bean bags ever mass-produced (back in the 1960?s) were filled with polystyrene beads ? these beads are super light, making the bags very mobile. Polystyrene originally come in sugar form ? steam is blown into the sugar to expand it. Unlike the oversized, foam-filled bags of LoveSac, these bags tend to flatten out over time. The polystyrene pellets break down relatively quickly ? especially when under pressure. Also, these squishy little pellets tend to be noisy. If you are sitting in a bean bag, watching a movie with friends, you will be aware of your every move? and so will your friends.

Another difference with this bean bag filling is that it does not mold to a body like polyurethane foam does. And if you have ever owned a traditional bean bag, you probably remember how at first just a few of the little white pellets would somehow escape from the depths of the bag, but eventually, they were everywhere! It is very common to have to refill this type of bean bag.

Make Your Own Bean Bag Chair Filler

So, the abovementioned bean bag chair fillers, polyurethane foam and polystyrene beads, are what you will find in most store-bought bean bags, there are multiple options as to what you can fill a homemade bean bag chair with ? you use some of these fillings as extra fill for your current bean bag chair.

If you want, you can go ahead and fill your bean bag with beans! It is appropriate, isn?t it? You can find some dried beans or rice and fill your bag up with them ? of course, these food items might attract some pests. Also, you need to watch out for moisture. Something else that you might consider is wood shavings. Perhaps you have seen the pet beds that come filled with wood shavings. Cedar shavings have a very pleasant smell, as well. For some added fluff, why not use feathers from old feather pillows? Or you could try nut shells, Styrofoam or plastic pellets, or polyester stuffing. Be creative with your bean bag chair filling!

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on bean bags, please visit Bean Bag Source.

Make Your Home's Style Unique With Mix and Match Decor

You see it all the time in retail discount stores: Color coordinated decor for just about anywhere in your home. And some of the designs are quite pretty. In fact, some people become obsessed by them. They're usually really cute, come in a variety of colors, shades, patterns and designs, and they just plain make decorating easy. There's no guesswork - everything is matched for you automatically. But there's also no unique style. No sense of you in the finished style. If you mix and match styles up a bit though, you'll end up creating something that's just right for you, your home, and your style preferences. Here are a few tips on doing that.

1. It's ok to start with a cookie cutter design style, pattern, or color theme you've found in a general store. These are actually great starting places for getting new decor ideas.

2. Try choosing just one or two matching items from the store. For instance, let's say you plan to decorate your bathroom in a sea green color scheme. You'll find plenty of really nice shower curtains to fit this color scheme well, so choose one you like. If you just can't resist... go ahead and get the matching accessories too, such as the toothbrush holder and soap dish.

3. Now most likely the ready made design of your shower curtain has traces of other colors mixed in. It's common for instance, to see blues, tans, yellows and oranges in a sea green coordinated bathroom set, because these colors tend to be seen when you're actually at the sea or ocean. So they compliment each other.

And this is a key decorating point: Your room colors don't have to match exactly. They should simply compliment each other. So in our sea green bathroom decor example above, it would be perfectly natural to add a set of solid tan colored towels, burnt orange wash cloths, and a throw rug with touches of blue in it. If the blue doesn't seem to fit quite right for your tastes, then try a deep forest green colored rug instead.

4. Try different color shade combinations. If you're using primarily green in the bathroom design, try both a light and dark shade as previously mentioned. Test the colors out though, because sometimes one shade doesn't sit well next to another. Sometimes you can tell this instinctively by holding two items of different shades together in the store, but other times you'll need to actually buy the items and test them in the actual room itself. Anything that doesn't quite look or feel right in the overall room design can simply be returned to the store.

5. Work with what you have. In our bathroom decor example, the shades of green might not work well if you have pink walls and aren't able to change them when you're redecorating. If you have deep, dark wood cabinets and other accessories, the darker green shades might make the room seem a bit too heavy and dark once you have all of the new decorations in place.

6. Don't be afraid to try mixing decor styles. It's ok to have a Southwestern style towel set in the same bathroom as a seaside designed shower curtain for instance, because both styles tend to use earth toned colors.

7. Last but not least: If you can't find decor styles you like at regular stores, try shopping around at yard sales and flea markets. Even if you find just one interesting or unique piece that really catches your attention - that's a place to start. You can create an entire room's unique design and decor style by simply working from the color and style of that one piece!

Remember that decorating your home is all about you. Your likes, dislikes, and lifestyle are what's most important. So be sure to inject a little bit of your own personality into the decor of your home, and your friends and family will be envious of your unique, stylish look!

? 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network - http://www.diyhomedecorating.com - a large and growing home decorating and decor website featuring articles, tips, advice, and popular home decor shopping.

Dog Training: Teaching Your Dog the Sit Command

Teaching your dog the sit command could be one of the most useful commands you ever teach him. A poorly trained dog is a direct reflection on you the pet owner and how much care about your dog. In fact an untrained dog becomes a nuisance to its owner therefore the dog and owner become unhappy. Whether it's a puppy or a fully grown dog you can teach them to sit with a little effort on your part.

Have you been putting it off because you think your dog will never be able to learn a new 'trick'? Don't put it off any longer. Start teaching your dog how to sit today.

Use some of these tips to teach your dog to sit:

You are going to need some treats; unfortunately this is always the best way to get a dog to do something you want! You can use anything you know your dog enjoys: biscuits, chewy treats or household items.

The main goal is to get your dog to sit when you use the word. One way you can gradually get your dog used to the word is by saying the word when the dog is sitting anyway. Dog sits down - you say sit and praise them.

You will also need to practice this every day by doing the following:

- Call your dog and offer them the treat. Let them sniff the treat and get excited first!

- Slowly move the treat until it's over the dogs head. The dog will naturally move into the sitting position.

- It's important that the dog associates the activity of sitting with the treat, the praise and the action of sitting. Try to get your timing right.

- Keep bribing the dog and gradually decrease the size of the treat. Keep enthusiastically praising the dog.

- Repeat this exercise a few times a day. Don't overdo it - you want your pet to think of it as fun.

- Try to practice around mealtimes when your dog is hungry; this will make him keener for the treats.

- Have the treats easily accessible, don't fumble around - the treat needs to happen as the dog is sitting.

- Don't push your dog?s bottom down; this won't work because your pet will associate the action of sitting with having you push his bottom to the ground. If this really isn't working you might want to consider obedience classes with other dogs.

- End each training session on a positive note.

Teaching your dog to sit using these positive reinforcement techniques will strengthen the bond between you. Consider it time well spent.

Once you have mastered the basic command 'sit' it should be quite easy to train your dog the other basic commands. Sit-stay, down 'heel' and 'come are some of the most useful commands. Use the treats in a similar way. Training your dog is an ongoing process. You want to keep praising your dog regularly and never associate anger with the dog?s reaction to your command.

Make use of every new situation to train or put your training into practice. The most important part about learning how to sit - is that the dog sits under a variety of conditions. Sitting in new environments, around other dogs, around new people, when the doorbell rings etc.

Training your dog well is one of the most important things you can do for your dog. Besides having a well behaved dog you will also have an obedient dog. Dogs function as part of a pack - and you are the leader. Your dog will be better adjusted and happier if they know their place in the pack. Your dog is by nature keen to please you. Be a great pack leader and start teaching your puppy to sit today!

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu?s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide.

What is the Right Plant and Where Do I Put It?

Know if your plants are disease-susceptible. Your choice of plants used in your garden is as important as the soil that you put those plants in. Select plants that are disease resistant and they will be much more easy to maintain and will give you the look you are wanting. Food for thought is use plants that are native to your area.

The experience you get will tell you which are the troublesome plants. Obtain your plants from reliable sources and ask those people for their suggestions. They should be happy to help you because of return sales. The local cooperative extension service should provide much needed info for you. Some catalogs will list disease resistance plants.

Experience will eventually tell you which plant diseases are most troublesome in your region. Your local nursery and cooperative extension service are also good sources for information on local diseases and disease-resistant plants. Seed and nursery catalogs often list disease resistance in plant descriptions.

There are resistant varieties that exist for such diseases as apple scab, armillaria root rot, bean mosaic virus, blueberry mummyberry, cherry viruses, juniper tips and twig blights, lilac bacterial blight, powdery mildew, pea enation mosaic virus, potato scab, black spot, rust, tomato fusarium and root-knot nematode, fireblight, verticillium wilt, and other diseases.

What does the wrong exposure do to your plants? Take a long look at the conditions you have in your garden and choose your plants accordingly. Plants are usually clearly marked whether they prefer sun, partial shade or complete shade.

Shade plants grown in sun turn yellowish and grow poorly. They will get a sunburn which will develope dead spots on their leaves. Avoid south or west exposure.

The sun lovers are often stunted and spindly when grown in the shade. If they grow at all, they are usually weak looking and have few leaves. Reduced flowering on many plants may result from shade placement.

Use water conservation landscaping whenever you can. Most gardeners in drought climates have come to realize the importance of water conservation.But in areas where water is plentiful, however, waste in the garden is way too common. We take our water supply for granted by wasting more than we ever need and in many areas, more groundwater is pumped than nature can replace through precipitation and runoff.

Why not use drought-tolerant plants. These plants grow well with little water once they are established. Mulch every plant you have.

Some grass species need less water than others, but lawns generally need a large amount of water to stay green and growing. If you replace the grass with drought-tolerant ground covers or flowers you'll save a large amount of water and even - money. If you can click here to read a funny story that hits the nail on head for what I am saying here.

Probably your favorite plants will have high water requirements. By grouping and mulching these plants allows you to irrigate them together, thus reducing water waste.

What about fruit-pollination requirements! Many beginning gardeners are confused when their fruit trees fail to bear fruit. Could be a pollination problem.

Certain types of trees produce bigger and more abundant fruit with cross-pollination between different cultivars. The others, cross-pollinating is mandatory to get any fruit at all.

Learn a fruit's pollination requirements before planting. If your space is limited, pick a self-pollinating fruit, such as European-type plums or almost any of the peach cultivars.

Pollination will not happen without insects, butterflies or hummingbirds. When chemical pesticides are routinely used by a neighbor or yourself, the honeybees and other pollinating insects can be reduced so that fruit production suffers. Go organic.

This article is provided courtesy of http://www.basic-info-4-organic-fertilizers.com

You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the URL remains intact.

Take Your Chime!

The origins of the windchime date back thousands of years, when chimes and bells were used as warning signals immediately prior to the events of uncontrollable forces. It was believed that God's wrath brought windstorms, snow storms, hurricanes, fires, erupting volcanoes, avalanches, tidal waves and so forth. Thus, it came about that still today, they are known to bestow peace, good fortune and happiness.

Even at weddings, church bells are rung before and after the ceremony, forming a protective, sacred space. They promote relaxation, a willingness to listen and they are mood and atmosphere changers, stimulating creativity and uplifting feelings. In addition, windchimes shows that they have always had healing effects as they reportedly relieve fatigue and restore vitality. Their tones calm minds and awaken spirits. The resonance and vibration of sound releases stress and emotional blockages in the body. There are various types of windchime, from pipe to bamboo through to the basic bottle! There is no specialist piping required, indeed some of the nicest ringing pipes are often originally intended as commercial grade electrical conduit and chrome plated piping for sink drains.

Second hand bottles make an excellent and very cheap version of the windchime. The only expense will probably be the purchase of an electric kiln and bottle cutters, but should an individual decide that the creation of this type of windchime can be a nice little earner, then the outgoings will soon be recouped and a second income could be developed. The bottles are all around us, in gutters, waste ground, or simply out of the re-cycling bins. Local markets, festivals and craft stores will always be excellent venues for attracting customers.

Mick Burrows writes for http://www.must-winchimes.com

Point yourself in the direction of this site to find out more about windchimes!

Picking The Right Paint For Your Bedroom

Painting Your Bedroom is an inexpensive way to get a whole new look, however some people find it to be an overwhelming task to choose a color or type of paint. Many simply stare at the thousands of color swatches in the store and then walk away confused without ever picking out a color!

If you want to paint your bedroom, the first step is to select a range of colors or color theme. That way, when you go into the store you can narrow down your selection of color swatches to those in that general color shade.

If you want your bedroom to evoke a certain mood, some colors have shown to be better at evoking certain emotions or moods. Calming colors are soft colors - blues, greens, and lavenders in a muted shade. Anything too vivid or bright will not be calming. If you are decorating to have a calming effect these colors go quite well together. You could punch it up a bit with some brighter accents in the same colors but with a different tone. I like a sage green for the walls with some light sky blues and lavenders sprinkled around the rooms Bedding, wall coverings and flooring can be a solid color to keep the calm mood going. Accent with candles and perhaps a table top waterfall.

On the other hand, you might want to paint your bedroom so that it energizes. Maybe you want to wake up in the morning ready to go! Then you might want to try bright colors like reds and yellows with maybe a bit of orange thrown in. I love the look of deep red walls even if it may take several coats to cover! Yellow and orange make a nice color combination - maybe a bit 70's so you could do a nice retro design with these colors. Tone it down a bit by using brown as an accent. Of course, you can always use red with black and white for a classically contemporary look. And there?s always a white room (bedding, walls, and floors) with bright red, yellow, blue and orange accents for a mid century feel that will liven up the place.

For a more elegant type of bedroom, you may opt for tans of off whites. These can match very well with some darker, rich colors like maroon, gold, or even black. Use some deep jewel tones to create a romantic but calming feeling. Gray and brown can be a nice modern color palette ? use deep colors not light and you will be surprised how this can give the room a cozy feel that is a bit more modern.

Another choice you may have to make is if you want to use traditional paints or get an effect on your walls with special effect paints. You can add texture to your walls with paints that have texture build in, or use special paint to get the look of marble or old world plaster. Some of these use solvent based glazes and others have specially made paint just for that particular look you want. A trip to your local Home Depot will find these paints as well as free classes on how to apply them.

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs And Decoratins where you can find out more about bedroom decorating themes selecting paint for your bedroom.

Figurine Collecting

Thousands of people enjoy figurine collecting. It is an easy hobby to undertake and has become even easier with the use of the Internet. In fact, figurine collecting has become increasingly popular now that there are so many fast and simple ways to get one's hands on collectibles. No matter what one's figurine collecting preferences are, the chances are good that one's favorite figurines can be found on the Internet.

Figurine collecting can be done from home with Internet access. The first way to begin shopping for various figurines is by using an Internet search engine. When using a search engine to begin figurine collecting you will need to know what kind of figurines you are looking for. For example, if you are looking for Hummels, a particularly popular figurine because they increase in value, you can simply use the search engine to find them. You can also find shops specialising in figurines in this way. Once you do, you can browse through the online catalogues and choose your figurines.

Be sure that you carefully note the dimensions of any figurine you plan on purchasing. In essence, figurines can look far larger online then they really are and you don't want to be disappointed when you receive yours because they are smaller than you first imagined.

You may also want to become a registered member of an online auction site and get your figurines that way. When you become the member you can place bids on various figurines and if you are the highest bidder the figurine is yours. Just be careful not to overbid or bid an amount that you cannot possibly afford. The biggest mistake with online bidding is being overzealous. Be careful, know what you are bidding on and what it is really worth before you start the process.

The variety of figurines that you will find will truly astound you. You can get animal figurines, themed figurines, holiday figurines and more. Or you can buy figurines that have been in existence for quite some time and add to the collection on a regular basis. You can even buy pewter figurines of mythical creatures and the like. Once you have established a collection you will have quite the heirloom to pass on to future generations as many collectible figurines increase in value.

You can get a guide that will advise you about various figurines and their worth. Usually such guides offer you the name of the collectible, the series, the condition it should be in when you buy it and its estimated worth if you buy it in mint condition. Not unlike coin collecting, there is a science to collecting figurines and the more you are drawn to the hobby of collecting, the more you will want to learn about it.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Figurine Collecting
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Attracting the Next Generation of Crafters

The craft and hobby industry is currently experiencing growth, in large part due to the baby boomers nearing retirement and having some spare time on their hands. These are the customers that we have had for years, and they will continue to buy from us, they may even begin to buy more once they find a few extra hours to craft. But if you are looking to grow your business, how do you find new customers? The answer is to figure out how to sell to these boomers? children and grand children.

The problem is, most adolescents and young adults aren?t going to drop the remote or Playstation controller and pick up a knitting book. So how do we bridge this gap? The two main aspects we will focus on are education and marketing.

Education is the key to growing you business with the youth of today. However, the way that this younger generation learns has changed. This generation is unlikely to teach themselves to crochet through a black and white pattern book. They search out information over the internet, not the phone book or library. They learn by watching DVDs, not reading books. They don?t get information through newspapers, but through pod casts, television, and the internet. If you would like to reach this audience, you have to be seen where they are looking. Creating a website is a good starting point. If don?t have the budget for a website, an alternative is to make your store a My Space page (www.myspace.com), which is extremely popular with the youth. The best part, it?s free!

The 14-34 age group also need to feel included and valued in the marketing of your store or products. For example, if a grandmother were watching a television commercial about the latest video game, she would be completely uninterested because the market for that commercial is young people that are her grandson?s age. The opposite is true as well. When the grandmother is reading her craft store mail out flyer, the grandchild would be left uninterested because it is not marketed towards him or her. For young adults to feel included, they need to be shown that this market wants their business and values them as customers. It could be as simple as having a young staff member to establish a younger presence in your store. You could also include a photo of a few younger people crafting on your next poster or mail out.

Our goals are to educate the youth and also make them feel welcomed. Hosting crafting classes specifically for this age group covers both of these goals. They are learning to craft and by welcoming them into your store, you are making them feel very included. However you must make these classes to suit their tastes. Shorter, more relaxed classes are what they are looking for. Some ways to make the atmosphere more youthful is adding music in the background, making the class more of a socializing event (party), and having a younger instructor they can relate to. Make your classes cheap or free, keeping in mind you aren?t trying to make your money off the classes, you are trying to make these new crafters who need product loyal shoppers of yours. After all, you helped them learn this great new hobby! And of course, make sure you drop your class flyers off at all the local junior and senior high schools!

Attracting these younger customers to your stores now will not only increase your current business, but it will keep your company healthy for generations to come, until today?s grandchild is tomorrow?s grandparent

Reeve Bunn is the general manager of Mathew's Craft and Hobbies, a supplier of crafting products in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. You can learn more about them at www.craftandhobbies.com

Holiday Pies: What Every Gastric Bypass Patient Should Know

We all know we shouldn?t reach for the holiday pie after Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) ? it?s against the rules and the potential to make us sick is very high. If that?s not enough to motivate restraint how about considering the nutrient analysis of some favorite American pies. Take a look and see if it is really worth it to taste that full-fat, full-sugar dessert:

(Based on a 1/8 slice of the pie)
Pumpkin Pie: 461 calories, 21 grams fat, 9 grams protein and 60 grams carbs

Pecan Pie: 436 calories, 17.2 grams fat, 3 grams protein and 67 grams carbs.

Apple, Blueberry or Cherry: 340 Calories, 16 grams fat, 3 grams protein, 46 grams carbs.

Coconut Cream Pie: 485 Calories, 25 grams fat, 6 grams protein, 48 grams carbs.

Chocolate Cream Pie: 401 calories, 21 grams fat, 6 grams protein, 50 grams carbs.

Top that slice o?pie with real whipped cream ? add another 104 calories, 11 grams fat, 41 grams cholesterol and a gram each of protein and carbs.

I?m laying down my pie fork right now! It?s just not worth a taste of pie to risk being sick, uncomfortable or worse weight gain. (I know ? you can?t gain weight with one taste of pie ? but I have never been able to restrain myself to one taste. What about you?)

Still don?t want to go without pie this holiday season? Here are two sugarless and relatively safe dessert recipes for celebrating LivingAfterWLS style. Indulge with caution ? though they do not contain sugar they are sweetened with artificial sweetener and contain high amounts of fat, calories and carbs.

Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin

1 can (12 ounces) evaporated skim milk

3 eggs

5-1/2 teaspoons Equal? for Recipes

or 18 packets Equal? sweetener

or 3/4 cup Equal? Spoonful?

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions: Roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie pan. Ease into pan; trim and flute edge.

Beat pumpkin, evaporated milk and eggs in medium bowl; beat in remaining ingredients. Pour into pastry shell. Bake in preheated 425?F oven 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350?F and bake until knife inserted near center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Nutrition (1/8 slice of pie): 175 calories; 8 grams protein; 22 grams carbs; 7 grams fat

Chocolate Cream Pie

Ingredients:

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

1/3 cup cornstarch

1/4 to 1/3 cup European or Dutch-process cocoa

10-3/4 teaspoons Equal? for Recipes

or 36 packets Equal? sweetener

or 1-1/2 cups Equal? Spoonful?

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 cups skim milk

2 eggs

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla

8 tablespoons thawed frozen light whipped topping

Equal? sweetener can be substituted with other sweetener products. Nutrition contents might be different from those listed below.

Directions: Roll pastry on lightly floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie pan. Ease pastry into pan; trim and flute edge. Pierce bottom and side of pastry with fork. Bake in preheated 425oF oven until crust is browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Combine cornstarch, cocoa, Equal? and salt in medium saucepan; stir in milk. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, whisking constantly. Boil until thickened, about 1 minute.

Beat eggs and egg whites in small bowl; whisk about 1 cup chocolate mixture into eggs. Whisk egg mixture into chocolate mixture in saucepan. Cook over very low heat, whisking constantly, 30 to 60 seconds. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

Spread hot filling in baked crust; refrigerate until chilled and set, about 6 hours. Cut into wedges and place on serving plates; garnish each serving with dollop of whipped topping, if desired.

Nutrition (1/8 slice of pie): 188 calories; 7 grams protein; 25 grams carbs; 7 grams fat.

Kaye Bailey ? 2005 - All Rights Reserved

For more terrific WLS Friendly Recipes Link to LivingAfterWLS

Bartering: A Modern Day Phenomenon

Back in the early days of America, families didn?t have much in the form of money. What they did have was skill, creativity, and a desire to help each other out. Most of us know of the ?doctor? who is paid for his services with chickens, apples, or bread.

Bartering has deep roots in all of society. If you needed something and didn?t have the know- how or money to do it, you could always find someone who wanted something you had or could do and thus ?barter? for it.

Ahhh, the good ole? days when life was simple and trust was a family value. Did you know that in 2005 there are secret moms, dads, grandparents, and even children trading ?aka? bartering FAIRLY in the U.S.A.? Did you know that it even occurs on the World Wide Web?

The following tips might help you weed through the online bartering system:

1. Find a site or group that allows bartering

a. Do a google search for trade/barter/swap groups

2. Become a member

3. Make contacts and relationships with members thus getting to know whom you are doing business with.

a. Read ?feedback? of the people you are doing trades with. This is positive or negative feedback of past trades that people have had with the potential trader.

4. List your needs and what you have to trade.

a. Some Trading Lingo: ISO= In Search Of; DISO= Desperately In Search Of; FS= For Sale; FSOT= For Sale Or Trade; PPO: Paypal Only; FFS: Free For Shipping;

5. Make the verbal/electronic agreement (details of trade)

a. **Warning- as with any contract over the Internet you need to use caution. Buyer/Trader Beware. You are trading at your own risk.

6. Ship the package out

a. You will want to ship the cheapest way possible. Get Delivery Confirmation so you and the receiver can track the package. Insurance is left up to the receiver.

7. Now just wait for the postal carrier for your trade.

a. In the ?trading? world this has become known as ?stalking? the Postman.

8. WARNING: Trading can be addictive!!!!

Bartering is not limited to online groups. All across America woman are forming groups/clubs and having ?Bare Naked? parties. These consist of women and children and unwanted clothing.

Here is how they work:

1. Gather at someone?s home (you will be trying on clothing so unless you are comfortable with undressing in front of everyone?s spouse, it might be best for them to ?hang out? somewhere else.)

2. Bring unwanted clothing, clothing that doesn?t fit, shoes, etc?

3. ?Bare Naked? and proceed with trying on of outfits, shoes, etc?

4. ?If the shoe fits? as they say, It?s yours!!!

5. Participants usually receive number of articles that they bring. I.E. if you bring 5 articles, you leave with 5 articles. This of course can be left up to the individual group.

Another phenomenon sweeping our nation is called ?All Things In Common?. This originated out of ?needs? at a local church. Once month members gather all their unwanted items and bring them to the church.

Members draw a number, this dictates their turn in ?shopping?. Once everything is displayed and totals calculated (how many you brought is how many you get to choose)?The ?shopping? begins. Members are chosen one by one randomly to ?shop?. They choose the number of items they brought and then the next ?shopper? goes until all have shopped.

With everyone thinking about how they can minimize their impact on the earth, bartering is the perfect solution to a big problem. Freecycling is one of the largest online bartering systems going today. (http://www.freecycle.org) Freecycling came about by offering your goods for free instead of heaping it onto our over crowded landfills. Thus ?another person?s junk is someone else?s treasure?.

Freecyling is now all over the United States as well as Canada. You can join a local group or if there is not one locally, start your own. Here is how it works:

1. List your ?haves? online or in a printed bulletin like PennySaver

2. Someone who ?wants? your item will then contacts you to set up a time to pick up said item.

3. You get rid of something, they gain something and everyone is happy?including mother earth.

4. **WARNING: Always use caution with dealing with strangers online and offline.

In conclusion I would like to point out the dangers of relaying personal information on the Internet. Buyer/Trader Beware!! Safety and Common sense do need to be used with dealing with people we don?t know.

Ways to get around this is to set up drop off points at public locations. Another way could be to start a group at a college or high school and open it up to the public once a quarter. You can even start a group among your circle of friends. Any way you choose to implement this newfound ?JOY? will be surely worth it in the end. Stay safe and Happy Trading!!!

Resources:

Amity Mama?s ? A place for crunchy moms to gather, talk, sell, and trade http://www.amitymama.com

Natural Living Swap ? A yahoo group, just formed, swapping Waldorf, and Natural living items
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naturallivingswap/

Free Cycling- National Recycling/Freecycling group online and locally(in some locations)
http://www.freecycling.org

Swap Bot - a new program that tracks your swap for you. The account is free and you can participate in swaps or host your own.
http://www.swap-bot.com

? 2005

Sara Duggan lives with her family in California. She loves to crochet and write in her spare time. Need to investigate a direct sale business? visit Direct Sale Opportunities site at http://directsaleopportunities.com

Exotic Flowers: Luxurious and Impressive for Your Home and Garden Decor

There are several types of exotic flowers to best suit any occasion. And of course, depending on your personal taste, you will want to choose the best exotic flowers you can obtain to be the perfect flowers, the most adequate for the purpose they will be serving. For example: at someone?s funeral, you may want to choose bouquet of flowers that the deceased would have loved. Here are some other examples (after all, these flowers are for happy occasions as well as the more tragic ones.

Musas:

The Chinese Musa flower is a stunning example of the kinds of exotic flowers that are perfect for gardens or bouquets.

Calatheas:

The exotic flower called the Genus Calathea is in the Marantaceae family of plowers, however it differs from other genera. The Marantaceae family of exotic flowers, in which Maranta and Ctenanthe are included, are unbranched inflorescences cone-like clusters.

The calathea comes from tropical South America, Calathea, it has about three hundred different species. These flowers love the shade and humidity, they are virtually all grown in much of the world only indoors. These flowers require full shade from the sun. However, if they must, they can handle a small amount of morning sun. These exotic flowers need their soil to be moist but well-drained soil, the use of a fertilizer is recommended.

When, on the rare occasion that these exotic flowers are grown outside?you must be sure that they are healthy, they must be free from all pests and diseases. Some of calathea will die midwinter, but will return again midsummer.

Cymbidiums:

Cymbidiums contain approximately forty-four species they are found in the tropics of the old world. The elegant, large flowered types of cymbidiums come from the higher regions of the Himalayas, and they must be kept in cool conditions in order to bloom well.

Dendrobiums:

Dendrobiums actually have about one thousand different species in their enormous family, they have countess hybrids as well. However, there are many varied growing conditions for this type of exotic flower. It is recommended that one establish from where in the world, and at what altitude their plant is accustom to, in order to determine how to best take care of the plant.

Miltonias:

Miltonias are referred to as the Pansy Orchid sometimes. There are approximately ten different kinds of species, and miltonias are found primarily in Brazil, therefore they are warm-weather flowers, and there are many hybrids with wonderful fragrance, because the militona is such a fragrant flower to begin with. These flowers will add a wonderful sensory ambiance to their surroundings, because in addition to their scent they are extremely pleasing to the eye.

Odontoglossums:

Odontoglossums also have a wide range of species, approximately 0ne hundred and seventy-five. These exotic flowers originated in the mountains of South America, as well as in higher altitudes and are used to wet clouded forests. Thus these wonderful flowers must be tended to under cool conditions, many hybrids exist as well, so there are many types to choose from.

Oncidiums:

These are among the most popular exotic flowers and there are approximately six hundred different species in existence. They come from the tropics of the Americas, and few of them even grow in high altitudes, these also must be supervised under cooler conditions. Fortunately, the hybrids are more tolerant than the species, you will find that this is true for most plants.

Paphiopedilums:

Paphiopedilums, the root word being Paphinia?who was the greek Goddess that the Romans later named Venus. Around sixty species exist, coming from Asia India and New Guinea. There are species with mottled leaved which need to be kept in warm conditions. And the paphiopedilums that are plain leaved and single flowered require intermediate/cool conditions, and plain leaved multiflowered species have to have warm environments to survive.

Phalaenopsis:

Phalaenopsis, or the exotic flower that is often called the Moth Orchid comes from Java and the South Seas, the Phillipines and Queensland Australia. Therefore, they are definitely warm weather growers, and they do prefer to be in the shade. Phalaenopsis would make the perfect houseplant, they are very free flowering and also make great gifts.

Vandas:

Vandas have approximately fifty species. Several hybrids have been derived from the tropics, Asia, and the orient?as far down as Australia. These hybrids require a warm environment that includes plenty of bright light. Many people hang them in their homes or gardens from wooden baskets.

Water Gardening:

Water Lilies and Lotuses are a beautiful touch to your pond, or waterfall etc. Major cultivars of water lilies and lotuses?almost all of which are hybridizers?explore the best landscapes in which to grow these exotic flowers.

Nymphaea and Nelumbo:

The genera Nymphaea and Nelumbo are beautiful species of exotic flowers, other genera in the waterlily family include Nuphar, Victoria, Euryale, Barclaya

Draecena:

Draecena (otherwise known as the dragon?s tree) is an exotic flower that neither requires regular watering, nor does it need much light at all. It?s a symbol of power and prosperity. These flowers may live up to one thousand years. A perfect gift for yourself or a friend or family member who does not have that much time for gardening, but would love to have a beautiful garden, however small, and something elegant and exotic to pass on for generations to come.

Anyone can add a striking touch of color to their home, or even the office with the elegant of wild exotic flowers. Exotic plants and flowers add a beautiful touch to any garden, home, patio or yard, as well as weddings, celebrations, banquets, and more solemn occasions.

5Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on gardening please visit Exotic Flowers.Exotic Plants and Flowers.

A Dog For All!

Dogs have been around for as long as man can remember. And for many of us that's a good thing because our lives have been made that much richer. There seems to be a breed to suit just about anybody. Good job because some of us are hard to please.

Obviously it depends where you live as to just what dog you can have. It's no good owning a great big dog like the mighty St Bernard if you live in a flat on the 5th floor of a high rise. Apart from it being cruel it's just not practical in any way shape or form.

No if that's you then a much much smaller dog like the Chihuahua or a Pug or a Jack Russell is the order of the day.

Obviously another thing to take into consideration is the costs of dog food and the like. You don't need me to tell you that big Bernie is going to woof down more chunks than little Chuiy.

Chihuahuas eat very little, but feeding costs can still be a bit high, since these dogs are often picky eaters. Recommended feeding for Bernie though is up to 4 cans (13.3oz) of a high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food. This dog can eat 8-12 cups of food a day. Ouch!

If you're looking for a dog somewhere in the middle then a Dalmation just might fit the bill. The Dalmation is a 45 to 65 pound dog that stands 19 to 24 inches in height. This dog is well muscled without being overly bulky or stocky and has loads of energy. A great dog to go for if you want a jogging partner.

Mr Rottweiler or St Bernie need a good sized yard to exercise in. Also remember these dogs as a puppy are still quite big dogs, so if you've got little toddlers yourself just be careful they don't get knocked over or sent flying in some cases.

By the way don't get hoodwinked by what you see in the films, Rottweiler?s, Doberman Pinscher's and the like aren't vicious dogs unless trained to be so. They can be the most loving and most gentle of pets, but they can be highly wary of strangers.

The Chihuahua on the other hand is just right for an apartment, weighing in as little as just one pound and being around 5 inches high.

Nevertheless these tiny dogs, (one of the world?s smallest breeds) don't believe what they see in the mirror. They actually think they are as powerful as something like a Rottweiler, you've just got to admire these little critters and you can't help having a little laugh to yourself when you see them yapping away in a threatening manner against a much bigger dog.

Wouldn?t you know it with a name like Chihuahua this little guy just had to come from Mexico?

Steve Jones is the owner of pictures of all dog breeds website.

A Guide To Help You Teach Your Children Positve SelfImage Through Fitness

Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not easy and can cause any parent a lot of stress. There?s so much to worry about ? dating, drugs, alcohol, sex, school grades, just to name a few. But one crucial element often gets overlooked until it manifests itself in extreme ways (like through an eating disorder). I?m talking about self-image. It?s extremely important that parents ensure that their children have a positive self-image, especially in relation to their body.

The key to ensuring strong self-esteem and a positive body image starts with the parent. If you don?t feel positive about your self-image, then how can you expect your children to? While this is important for both genders, it is especially critical for raising a healthy daughter. And beginning the lessons when a girl is young is imperative, so don?t wait until it?s too late ? teaching your daughter to feel good about her body needs to start at a very young age.

Eating disorder experts say girls are developing eating disorders as young as 5 and 6 years old. And a recent study indicated that 70% of the sixth-grade girls they surveyed said they began worrying about their weight between ages 9 and 11. Why are so many young girls thinking that they are fat? Many are obsessing about their weight because they have parents who are preoccupied with their own poor body images.

While the statistics are disheartening, the good news is that there?s a lot that can be done to help our children have positive self-images. And, even small changes that parents make can help. Here are few tips to help your children avoid warped and negative body images:

• Establish a ?no diet talk? rule. When your children are nearby, DON?T talk about dieting or how fat you feel! This is extremely important. Remember, kids are listening all the time (even when you think that they aren?t ? especially then). So, even though asking your spouse or friend ?do I look fat in this?? may seem innocent, it can have a life-altering effect on your kids when they repeatedly hear it.

• Parents aren?t the only adults that influence their children. Set the ?no diet talk? rule mentioned above for all adults that are around your children. This means you shouldn?t allow your friends, parents, siblings, neighbors, or anyone else to talk about being fat or being on a diet when they are around your children.

• Set a good example. If your children never see you engage in fitness or if they hear you complain about working out, then they are going to have a negative image of exercise. Let them know that you workout to stay healthy, to be strong and to have more energy and stamina (so you can keep up with them)!

• Get your kids involved in sports. Experts say that playing sports really helps build confidence and improves self-esteem (especially for girls).

• Teach your children to include physical activity as part of their daily routine. But don?t force them to exercise. Make sure that the physical activity is seen as something fun to do rather than teaching them to think of exercise as a necessary evil. Good activities include taking a nightly family walk, turning off the t.v. and instead turning music on that you all can dance to, or taking a weekend family bike ride.

• Try to prepare (or if you are short are time purchase) healthy meals. And teach them the importance of good nutrition. Don?t let them have the misconception that there are ?good? and ?bad? foods. If a kid thinks that candy is a ?bad? food, then naturally they will just want it more. Just try to encourage your kids to eat a balanced diet each day and to eat sugary and/or fatty foods in moderation.

Remember that something as small as talking about losing weight in front of your kids can have very detrimental effects on their self-image as they age. Damaging behavior learned from a parent at a young age can take years for a child to overcome. So, the sooner you start incorporating the tips above into your life, the better for you child. But don?t forget that it has to start with you ? make sure that you are incorporating healthy fitness and eating rituals into your daily routine and that you have a positive body image (no matter what your size or shape is)!

About The Author

Lynn Bode is dedicated to helping people get fit. Through her website company, www.WorkoutsForYou.com, she offers affordable online exercise programs to help you lose weight, tone-up, build muscles, increase stamina and more. Custom programs for all fitness levels. Vist the site for a Free sample workout.

info@workoutsforyou.com

Asian Lily Beetles A New Garden Threat

Anyone genuinely interested in Nature - while perhaps naive enough to believe in its absolute innocence - might think the small, bright fiery-orange beetle that's suddenly materialized in their gardens is strikingly beautiful and perfectly harmless. About the size of a rather narrow ladybug without spots, it almost sparkles as it seems to sun itself on the leaves and emerging flower buds of Asiatic and Oriental hybrid lilies.

In fact, the appearance of innocence and beauty is totally misleading...if not downright deceptive. Early spring sunbathing is clearly not what it has in mind! Lilioceris lilii. Asian Lily Beetle, aka Lily Leaf Beetle, is focusing its entire attention on filling its belly and finding a mate. When those two primary goals have been fulfilled, watch out! Your beautiful lilies are about to vanish. And if you have no hybrid lilies but concentrate on growing fruits and vegetables, your tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers (nightshades) are in serious jeopardy.

Where did they come from? Asian Lily Beetles first appeared in Boston a little over a dozen years ago, probably stowaways in plants imported from abroad...quite possibly China. Rapidly spreading throughout Massachusetts and points north, by 1999 they had worked their way up the New England coast to Brunswick, then inland areas...finally reaching the Mid-Coast and more than a few miles inland to the west, devastating lilies as they traveled. Now they have occupied very nearly every agricultural and horticultural area in several eastern states and three Canadian provinces and, in my opinion - and that of a great many other horticultural/entomological professionals - will soon surpass the populations and crop damage done by the dreaded Japanese Beetles (Popillia japonica).

Adult Lily Leaf Beetles over-winter in the soil or in un-cleaned-up plant debris after fall frost. Following emergence during early spring, they mate and quickly deposit between 200 and 300 tiny dull-orange eggs on the undersides of leaves, in clusters of two to ten. Hatch occurs in five to ten days after which larvae feed for between 16 and 24 days, growing rapidly to about twice the size of their parents. It is at this point that they are feeding heavily. Highly vulnerable to predacious insects during this soft feeding stage, larvae cover themselves in their own sticky, mud-like excrement (droppings) as a highly effective defense against attack. Most gardeners describe them as looking like small dirty slugs. If you scrape the feces away, you'll see a soft, dull-red beetle whose wing cases have as yet to harden.

At about this point, larvae either crawl or drop to the ground where they pupate in secreted cocoons. In under 25 days, a fully mature adult emerges to begin the process anew. There can be as many as three such generations in a single season. To make matters worse, it is possible for female beetles who have deposited their eggs for the current season to survive a second winter and lay another huge clutch of eggs the following year. Allow me to do the math for you: One mature female beetle x 200 x 200 x 200 = 8,000,000 at a minimum. And that's in our short New England growing season. Alfred Hitchcock would've had a field day with those numbers!

What else will they attack? An all-time dietary favorite is fritillary (Fritillaria sp.), but are most often seen on Asiatic, Oriental, and tiger lilies (Lilium sp.), lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), Solomon's seal (Polygonatum multiflorum), certain vegetables, and occasionally other common garden perennials when their favorites are either not present or already consumed.

How are they controlled? Best of all is daily scouting of your garden, hand-picking or knocking adults into a jar of soapy water, or spraying with one of the products described below. There are two natural pesticides effective in the control of Asian Lily Beetles:

1. NEEM, a biochemical pest control substance extracted from the tropical Neem tree. It affects the insect while in its larval stage by interrupting molting, and may also serve to repel adults.

2. PYRETHRIN, a product extracted from common painted daisies (Pyrethrum sp.), may be sprayed on plants to control both adults and larval stages. I consider Pyrethrin to be the best choice.

I have also noted that RESMETHRIN - a synthetic form of Pyrethrin found in formulations for garden foggers - destroys the larval form.

All of these insecticides are commonly stocked by large, retail garden centers, and less reliably at big-box stores. As always, read and observe all labeling information. Wear protective gloves when handling or applying, and wash thoroughly when the job's done. Even though they're considered natural, there's no point in taking any chances with your health or that of your loved ones.

One last thought: The true key to controlling population numbers of this new and highly destructive villain in your garden, in the words of Alistair Mad-Eye Moody of Harry Potter fame: CONSTANT VIGILANCE! We must be ruthless and unyielding in our search for and destruction of every Asian Lily Beetle we encounter! The future of hybrid and tiger lilies in our gardens depends on it.

To view photographs of Asian Lily Beetle go to http://www.HillGardens.com/asianlilybeetles.htm

Fred Davis is a Master Gardener, Master Composter, lecturer, and long-time nurseryman. He and his wife, Linda, own and operate a popular perennial nursery in Palermo, Maine. He is also author of the book, Keys To The Garden Gate - Saying Some Things That Need To Be Said