So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Christian Book Author Reviews - Renner - McDowell - Swindoll

By Michael Bradley

"Paul" by Charles Swindoll

The life of Paul is narrated in this book by Mr. Swindol. In this book about Paul, who I believe is the greatest apostle of the NT, provides facts about him as well as details of his journey and adventure with the Lord. In this story, there are many lessons to learn and applied in one's personal sojourn with the Lord.

"David: A Man of Passion and Destiny" by Charles Swindoll

It was King David who ended up as being regarded to be one of the greatest kings ever to rule Israel. It is believed that God had given King David two great favors of the highest compliments when He declared that David was a man after His own heart as well as having declared that King David is a man who can do all of the God's will for his life.

"Handbook of Todays' Religions" by Josh McDowell

This is a fantastic reference book for those of you who would like basic information on not only on all of the major false religions of the world,
but also on the many different areas of the occult and New Age Movement. This book even goes into some of the basic secular areas such as atheism,
Marxism and secular humanism. Very solid book that provides a wealth of information and knowledge right at your fingertips on all of these different
areas. To be forewarned with knowledge is to be properly armed - especially in the type of world we live in with so may people falling into some
these heavy demonic areas.

"Sparkling Gems From the Greek" by Rick Renner

This book is an excellent daily devotional. Rick Renner is one of the very best teachers in the Body of Christ. In this gem of a book, he has a
specific teaching for every day of the week. What is unique in his teaching style is that he will translate words from the original Greek that the
New Testament was written in.

There are 365 days of devotions that are featured on this book, corresponding to the 365 days in a year. There are in-depth Greek word studies that allow readers to gain a deeper understanding on some specific words that were used in the Scriptural verses. The Bible simply encourages us to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and meditate of the various teachings and writings.

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How To Prevent and Treat Cold Sores The Natural Way!

By Tom Mulligan

While cold sores are a pretty common complaint, knowing this isn't going to make too many people feel better about having this unattractive, uncomfortable condition. Even if you happen to suffer from cold sores, you can cut down on the length of time it sticks around; and you may even be able to prevent one form happening in the first place.

Typically, a cold sore will go away on its own in a week or so. But if you happen to have a cold sore, you'd probably like it to go away a lot faster than that. If you get cold sores, you know how they have a habit of showing up at the most inopportune times. To get rid of cold sores faster, you can do a few things to help. It all begins with an understanding of how cold sores work.

You can't cure cold sores per se, since they are a viral (herpes simplex) infection. The infection can't be treated with antibiotics; but you can treat the symptoms and make your cold sores go away faster, even prevent them.

You can prevent outbreaks even though you can't actually get rid of the virus. Outbreaks can be healed quickly; sometimes as fast as 24 hours. We started this website in order to help people treat and prevent cold sores - we know what a hassle they can be.

There are around 40 million people who have a cold sore outbreak each year. Cold sores tend to appear on or near the mouth. There are many factors which can increase the likelihood of an outbreak, however, all of these factors have to do with a weakened immune system. Stress, lack of sleep, a poor diet and an immune system compromised by fighting off another disease (the common cold, for instance) can all lead to an outbreak.

Cold sores start with feelings of itching or tingling. Then the area will redden and swell, resulting in the eruption of the sore itself. The sore usually goes through an oozing stage, then dries up and forms a thin scab. Of course, if you bite the sore, break through it, or are prone to scratching, you could do more damage and cause it to take longer to heal.

Most of us would rather not use costly prescription medications to treat our cold sores. Besides, these medications don't work any better than home remedies in a lot of cases and you'll have to go to your doctor to get them. You can use home remedies to get rid of your cold sores quickly.

Vitamin C can boost your immune system, and topical creams like aloe vera, lip balm, and salve can reduce the chance that your cold sore will dry out and split painfully. If it does, try an analgesic. To make your cold sore go away faster, consider taking L-Lysine. This substance promotes the healing of tissue and occurs naturally in the body.

Generally speaking, you can help prevent cold sores by staying in good health, eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep. If you have been ill or overworked, a cold sore could be on its way. Treat yourself well and you can keep these sores from coming up in the first place.

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How To Repair and Service Your Vintage Model Trains

By Mike Hughs

Say you are a Lionel trains enthusiast, restoring and servicing your Lionel trains is a typical section of your hobby. You want to sustain your trains reckoning sharp and operating better for the most enjoyment. Say you intend to deal your trains, and then maintaining them at their greatest is a essential to receiving a great price. Most Lionel train restores can be done decently there in your private home. If you do the restores yourself, you can keep money on mending accounts, and revel the satisfaction of keeping those sweethearts looking great!

Here are some tips for some of the most common Lionel train repairs :

Say your train appears to be lagging, the reason is in all probability because there is several grease, rust, or oil develop on either the track or the wheels of the train. These build ups can affect the link between the track and the train. If there is not a good link, so it doesn't run as well.

Cleansing Dusts From The Track and Wheels

If you see some rust, use numerous sand paper to get rid of it. If there is awful build up, you can use a alternative knife to scrape off the widest part of it. Instead, you can use rust remover. After you remove the rust, saturate a soft cloth with light oil sprayer, and rub the track with it. And So buff it with a fresh division of the fabric.

Say you see whatsoever greenish or crusty white build up, this is oxidisation. Just soak your track in oxidation remover for a few minutes, and then carry through with the fresh oil spray and buffing.

Be certain you do not ever practice steel wool on your tracks. Small molecules of the steel wool will come off and then stay to the track. These particles will get picked up by your railway locomotive, and could cause plenty harm to ruin it.

If you have whatsoever obstinate stains of grease, a hard eraser will eradicate them.

Follow the same operation for the wheels, but a Q-Tip loaded with the oil spray functions best for cleansing the stain from them.

Repairing The Track Pieces So They Fit Together Snugly

Different 1 of your average Lionel train repairs is getting the areas of your track to fit tightly unitedly. Over time, the connecters tend to become slightly bent, loosening up the connections. When you encounter this problem, use needle nose pliers to cautiously bend the connections back into place. When you have them back where they should be, your track pieces will fit snugly as one once again.

Repairing The Cars

Keeping your cars in tip top shape is likewise essential. Stain and oil can build up in these also. Utilize the light oil spray to clean them. Say you need to utilise some oil to small moving parts, use a toothpick to transfer a average drop of oil to where you need it. You do not want to overdo it in utilising the oil.

At One Time your car is clean, check it for bent or broken pieces. If some thing is bent, you may be efficient to apply needle-nose pliers to softly guide it back.

Most of the time you can replace any parts that need replacing yourself. Ordinarily they are related with average screws. Merely unscrew the region and screw the fresh portion into position.

Where Do You Find Replacement Parts?

You can find replacement parts to complete your Lionel train repairs at your local hobby shop or specialty Lionel stores.

One excellent resource for your Lionel train repairs is LionelManuals.com.

They sell a 2 CD set that includes extensive illustrated repair instructions, blueprints, parts lists, and a parts and accessories catalog. They cover all Lionel trains manufactured from 1906 to 1986. These manuals make do-it-yourself Lionel train repairs easy, no matter which model you need to repair. You can become a pro in repairing your Lionel trains yourself with LionelManuals.com.

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Nothing Says Cozy Like a Homemade Cookie in Alabama!

By Kristin Ross

Definitely, in every state there should be at least some people who enjoy making homemade crafts: whether it is knitting, sewing, baking or even woodworking. Making crafts is a wonderful, fulfilling hobby to take up, but why keep all those skills confined to your own home? All over the country, there are crafts and trade shows held from time to time to showcase people's skill in those arts.

But how do you go about this without much knowledge of what festivals to join in your own state? What about closer to where you are for your convenience? You'd need a database for the crafts and trade shows and festivals happening around the state.

You would need to network efficiently with other people participating and organizing these fairs to get wind of the latest happening in Alabama. But what if you're new to all this? You would be clueless on what step to take regarding participating in these events.

A database would really be useful-- and there's one for all the crafts and trade fairs and festivals in every state. As for Alabama, there is also a calendar for all these events that would surely be helpful.

Why not augment your income by doing what you enjoy doing best by joining these events? There will always be people who'd love the taste of a homemade recipe for a cookie, the delicacy of hand-made items and even the intricacy of wood sculptures. Maybe you could make it big in Alabama with your skills!

Make your life simpler by joining a service that keeps you updated on all these fairs and festivals happening in Alabama. You'd be able to share your talents easily and make some profit out of it, too.

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S Scale Model Train Set - Lionel Toy Trains

By Ernest Perry

In this article I am going to be talking to you about the S-scale or the S-gauge model train. This is a model train thats scale is 1:64 in size. It's popular because it fits between the HO and O model train scales. It can meet the requirements on a scale which is larger then the HO scale, which is considered too small for many hardcore model train fanatics.

It is how ever smaller then the O scale for model trains, which is good because it allows your track layouts to be laid out in a smaller area of space. As we all know, space can be at a premium when it comes to model trains and having space around the home. There is nothing more annoying then having a vision for your model train layout but not having enough room to implement it.

The S-gauge series of model trains has been around for nearly 100 years, but it did not really become popular until the creation of the re designed American Flyer model of trains. These were first produced by a company called A C Gilbert. They were based in Connecticut in the USA in the mid 1930's. Funnily enough it was one of the companies that was not hit hard by the recession, which just goes to prove how crazy we model railroaders really are!

The American Flyer model train, the train that has become so popular started its life out as a clockwork model train. It then became later an electric train. At this point it was dramatically redesigned to fit its new power mode. Gilbert's design for the new American Flyer was a huge hit. The American Flyer and the model trains build by A C Gilbert were built on the S-scale, how ever they ran on the O-gauge tracks which were standard at that time.

A decade or so later, A C Gilbert changed it up again. They designed and re designed it. They re designed the tracks for the S-scale model trains. Taking it away from the more traditional 3 track rails which were the ones used in the electric model trains of the day.

In general the three track rail back then would have two outer tracks for the wheels of the model train, and then the 3rd track in the middle would be the one carrying the current from the electricity to power the model trains motor.

The three track model was not very similar to the real thing how ever the two track rails were very similar and become very popular. The two track rails had a more realistic look to them and they made the layouts seem more real. This is because they were starting to look like real train tracks.

These tracks were developed for the smaller S-scale model trains and it allowed the model train tracks to have more realistic layouts with more curves and curves of different radius's. This was much better to run the popular and newly re designed American Flyer on.

Most of the baby boomer S-scale fanatics would have had their first taste of that scale with the hugely popular American Flyer model train back in the 50's. This was a very popular Christmas present. At this time, the American Flyer was also competing with another popular model train series, the Lionel model train. These two were the big dogs in the market at the time.

The S-scale model trains are still very popular including the American Flyer. They are rising in popularity with the younger generation. The Lionel company purchased the model train type from the people who purchased the American Flyer from A C Gilbert. The Lionel company was in very deep financial strife in the 60's and 70's and it went through many different sets of hands. The Lionel company still operates today, but its a totally different company from what it was.

There are still many different organizations out there today who cater to those who are interested int he S-scale model of trains. There is actually a national association called "The National Association Of S-Gaugers."

They do have a very active membership with people ranging from all ages. If you Google them you will find their website. They have activities, a newsletter, events they hold and of course suppliers for S-model enthusiasts. They have associations in the US, UK and Australia and probably more but I could not find any. There are even some Yahoo Groups on the subject.

S-scale is still one of the fastest growing scales that is within the model train industry and it's not going away any time soon. It's actually growing quicker then any other scale. It works on such less space compared to that of the HO scale. S-scale products are reliable and they are still very accurate.

It might have been a checkered past for the S-scale model train, but it's not going anywhere soon and its a good way to start with your model train hobby.

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Getting the Best Deal on American Auto Insurance

By Thomas Kielez

The cost of American auto insurance policies varies not only from insurance company to insurance company but also from policy to policy within the same company, so it pays to do a little research and to understand the how the insurance industry works before buying auto insurance. You can get a lot of answers to your questions by contacting insurance companies directly by phone or online. You can also get information about different American auto insurance providers from your State Insurance Department.

Much as in other areas of the world, American auto insurance is designed to protect drivers from suffering a financial loss or from being held liable if they cause an accident. When choosing an insurance company for your auto coverage you should first consider the financial strength of each company. By checking with insurance rating companies like A.M. Best or Standard & Poor's you can make sure you are dealing with a company that you can depend on in the long run.

Some insurance companies sell policies through independent insurance agents. These independent agents represent several different companies and can provide a lot of good information about multiple providers. Other companies have their own branches throughout the country that are manned by their employees. While others simply market their policies on line or over the phone exclusively.

Besides price, you will also want to consider other factors. Does the company you are considering offer good service, answer your questions clearly and have a good reputation for satisfying claims. You may be able to get information about specific companies by checking with the State Insurance Department. It can also be helpful to ask friends and neighbors about their experience with different companies and get referrals for the companies they liked the best.

There are several ways to reduce the cost of American auto insurance. One of the most common ways is by accepting higher deductibles. Deductibles are the amount of money you have to pay out of your own pocket before the insurance policy kicks in. Compare the cost of the policy with different deductibles to see how much you can save. If you end up choosing a high deductible make sure you set aside enough money to cover it if you are in an accident.

Another way to save on car insurance is by dropping collision and comprehensive coverage on older vehicles that are paid off. A good rule of thumb is that if the vehicle is worth less than 10 times the premium you should consider dropping full coverage and switch to a more limited policy.

If you already have some other type of insurance you may want to check with that provider to find out if you can get any kind of discount for also getting your auto insurance through them. This may not always be the best deal but it is something you should check out.

Surprisingly, your credit record also affects the insurance rates you will get. The better your credit scores are the lower your rates will normally be. That means you have another reason to make sure your bills are paid on time and that you check your credit record occasionally to make sure their are no errors that are lowering your scores.

Another discount to ask about if you carpool or don't drive a lot is the low mileage discount. Not all companies offer it, but enough do that it is something you should check on if you fall in that category.

There are a few more discounts that are worth checking on such as discounts for drivers that have had a policy for many years or people who have gone through a defensive driving course. There are also discounts for young drivers who have good grades or who are at college away from home without a car.

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Smoked Seafood is a Crowd Pleaser

By Sherry Shantel

Did you love to cook when you were younger, but lately it's become more like a boring chore than something that you enjoy doing? Do you want to cook healthy and exciting things for your family, but get stymied by a busy schedule and a table full of picky eaters. It can be frustrating to try to follow what's going on in the culinary world in magazines. They're filled with glossy pictures of fancy dinners you don't have the money to afford the ingredients too, let alone the time or patients. So why not try searching online? You'll find a lot of cool new things, like smoked seafood, for instance.

Smoked seafood is an exciting new trend that can spice up everything from a stir fry to a fancy dinner party. Some types of smoked seafood, such as smoked salmon, have been around for years. Smoked salmon is a classic, but it's also a crowd pleaser, and it's an excellent way to introduce your kids to the tastes and textures of fish, getting them ready for more exotic foods. One of the easiest meals to prepare with smoked salmon is also one of the most delicious. Simply toast a bagel, slather it with cream cheese, and top with a piece of smoked salmon. Breakfast served!

Another great smoked seafood is smoked scallops. These are rather unexpected, and make a bold and exciting addition to any dish. Scallops are a wonderful seafood anyway, with a meaty texture and bold flavor, something which smoking really enhances. Having some precooked smoked scallops in the fridge will make a great surprise element to many dishes. They adding them to some pasta for an interesting contrast of textures, and a great infusion of flavor.

Smoked shrimp is another exciting new way to enjoy smoked seafood. Shrimp are already such a succulent delight that when they're smoked, it adds an entirely new and exciting dimension to their flavor. Smoked shrimp are a great addition to any type of pasta dish or stir fry. They're also great as a stand alone snack. Why not try them in a salad to add an extra punch?

Smoked seafood is also a great way to liven up a dinner party. When you want to spice things up, why not serve a smoked scallop ceviche. This new twist on a classic dish is sure to delight and please your guests. You can also serve a smoked shrimp cocktail, adding exciting flavors to a classy concoction. If you're interested in finger food, try adding smoked salmon to a cracker with some capers.

Where can you find these exciting new types of smoked seafood? Some are available in local stores, but they are sure to be expensive. For the best variety and quality, shopping online is the way to go. It will also save you time and money, both of which are always appreciated close to the holidays. Ordering online also guarantees that you'll be able to get the best deals on variety packs, with something for everyone to try.

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Coffee Powder For You

By Cedric Ebengen

Making coffee is a difficult procedure as making or preparing the food foe someone and in the other hand for some people it's just the easiest thing on earth by just adding coffee and the sugar to the hot water and by mixing it the cup of coffee is ready to serve or drink. So in which way you like it the easy way or the hard one? The choice is yours. Did you ever know that the water of quality which is used in coffee can also make difference in the taste? This is the reason you should be careful when you make coffee, and always make sure you are using best quality of water for making the coffee.

How can you make perfect coffee?

Making a perfect coffee is not that difficult at all the way you think it is. You only need to know some of the tips which are important to make the finest coffee and you can also make amazing coffee.

The first step is to see that the coffee which you will be using should have very good quality of beans. So if you want to drink a wonderful coffee than you should used very brand of coffee beans and also make sure that it is fresh beans. If once you choice a certain brand of coffee than you would always prefer that only.

Many people when bring beans they prefer grinding the whole packed and storing in the tight jar, so that when ever they want their do not have to grind. This of course saves your time of grinding it again and again but it also kill the real flavors and taste of coffee because coffee loose it flavor very easily and takes moisture. So if you want grained and keep coffee make sure that the container you used should be vacuumed tight and keep it in the dry place.

The other thing you should know about the coffee is that the quality is important than the quantity because it make you coffee strong or mild .so if you like strong or a mild coffee you should select the brand according to that. The amount of the coffee require to make a cup of coffee is always the same 4 teaspoons of ground coffee which is fresh and 6 ounces of water.

If you have an electronic coffee machine than all the time take out the paper filter and put gold tone coffee filter for real good taste and smell. To maintain the taste of good coffee have it before 20 minutes.

After some time you will surely make very good cup of coffee, without any body 's help that is only possible after you get experience and confident for the making of coffee till then you can try making good coffee with all these tips which you have got.

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