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

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Looking For Bathroom Decor?

By Don Pedro

Bathroom decoration is not of the least interest as it is the place that can give you a really comfortable and relaxing feeling. A nice environment in the bath can be attained by choosing a nice arrangement to decorate the room. When its about bathroom redesigning one needs to keep the balance among the fixture and the theme of the room as well as maintain the harmony within.

Bathroom redesigning takes great deal of creativity. A nicely decorated bath always tells about the good taste and freshness of the owner. It reflects your personality. So you need to choose the suitable planning when redesigning your bath. Some beautiful arrangement plans can be found in the interior magazines.

Lighting is a major fact for bathroom redesigning. The interior of a room is presented to you differently because of the difference of luminosity and style. Bright light is needed in case of larger baths. There wall scones can be used along with ceiling lights. And for the smaller rooms one can use wall scones only.

Bathroom fixtures can vary greatly in price. Only the price of a plastic cabinet can range from $5-3000 or more. Ordinary plastic cabinets which are sophisticated enough to fit any bath can be found at a reasonable price. On the other hand, there are luxurious antiqued cabinets as well which will cost you much more.

Bathroom hardware are essential parts of the room and should be matched with the other elements, colors and lightings of the room. Hardware varies in price. It can be bathroom doorknobs, or faucets, whatever, a minor hardware can change the ambience for the bath.

Individuals can make bathroom decoration plans or it can be taken from online dcor sites or interior designing magazines. Redesigning tips abound in the internet. You can even find the best tips from your next-door neighbor sometimes.

If you want the redesigning done professionally, there are many decors available in every locales. They will offer you their pre designed templates or will create completely new plan for your bath. You can also modify any designing that you prefer and they will do the job accordingly. A nicely decorated bath will not only relax your nerves it will also help you a feeling of freshness.

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Massage Chair Review: Sanyo HEC-SR1000K Massage Recliner

By James Knolan

Sanyo has a full range of massage chairs in their product line. We are going to take an in depth view of the entry level model for Sanyo. The model SR 1000K is the subject of this product review. Our reviews are systematic and we judge any massage chair is five critical areas. We give a point rating of up to twenty points per area for a total possible score of 100. This is the SR-1000K massage chair recliner by Sanyo.

Warranty Coverage & Customer Service: We know you want to jump right into the features and functions, so we will put this first. The warranty coverage for the SR 1000 is very good for an entry level chair. The reason is Sanyo gives the same warranty for all their chairs. That is positively great for the SR1000. You get the following warranty: 3 years on the roller mechanism, 1 year parts and labor and 1 year of in the field technician service. Customer service is improved with a national call center. We rate this chair a 19 in this category.

Comfort & Ergonomics: The science of ergonomics is the study of things can be designed to fit the human body. In other words, we have natural ranges of motion and buttons, controls, etc. need to be within those ranges. The buttons on the remote are a decent size for most fingers. The main power is located on the side of the chair which is ergonomic but you still have to remember. The leg rest has a foot extension that needs to be flipped by your feet. Sanyo could work these things out a little better in our opinion. We give it a 17 overall.

Ease of Use: With so many features being added to today's massage chairs, we find some remote controls overly complex. This can be very frustrating to new users. The chair should be simple to use and intuitive to understand. The Sanyo SR-1000 comes with an advanced remote that has many features. It does take some time to get accustomed to it as a series of buttons may be required to get it to do what you want. We do like the light level indicators which helps you see the intensities. We give the ease of use a 16.

Key Features: There are 2 electronic features integrated into the SR-1000 that just stand out in this chair. There is a physical shape sensor and a stiffness detector. The physical shape sensor detects how your body is positioned in the chair. If you move, then it changes the massage to better target your new position. The stiffness detector is actually based on lie detector technology. It monitors your pulse and sweatiness. We don't know if it knows you are lying! Anyway, somehow it knows where this nervousness originates from and it goes after those areas. The SR1000 earns an 18 for these electronic device features.

Massage Therapy: The Sanyo SR 1000 massage chair has the capability to massage your back, neck, shoulders, calves and feet. We consider a full body massage chair one that also has a seat massage which the SR1000 lacks. The SR 1000 comes with 2 automatic programs. One is for a more soothing massage and the other targets you after more vigorous activity. There are 3 manual massage techniques and there are 3 manual courses. The manual courses enable you to target a particular area with a massage treatment. You also get your calves and feet via the leg rest. The SR 1000 rates a 17 for massage therapy.

The Sanyo SR 1000K scored 87/100 points in our rating scale. The SR-1000 has some very unique electronic features for an entry level massage chair. It has one of the strongest warranty coverage for its price range. The foot massager can be hidden from view which adds to the aesthetics of the chair. The chair comes with a nice wood accents adding to its design flair. The massage therapy is effective. This is certainly a great value for its class. If you are looking for a massage chair recliner in this category the SR-1000K certainly merits your consideration.

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Some Nice Ideas For Preparing Seafood

By Sandy Mitchell

I only had about half my day to plan and prepare a dinner party for twelve people. I did not have even one idea yet and I was a little apprehensive.

This wasn't any normal dinner party; this was for all of my husband's business partners. If I wasn't able to pull this off, he could lose a big upcoming deal, and there would go that new house that we were looking at.

I pictured the layout of all of the rooms with the vision of my plans for each one. I scoured the cookbook for any ideas that I thought would make an elegant presentation, but everything I saw seemed to be cheap and mundane, so I started to worry.

If I had served something humble and homey like roast beef or meatloaf to these guests, we would be stuck in a rut living a life of poverty. As I flipped through a few more pages of the book, I had a revelation. I needed to concentrate on the seafood recipes because seafood is always elegant and the perfect meal to serve.

There was a local fish market not that far, and it had just about anything a girl could dream of. Since I couldn't just order 'take-out', and had to make something amazing, seafood would be the way to go on this one! I stared at pages and pages of great choices.

Elegant seafood is more than shellfish with so many choices of fish based seafood recipes. Most of the recipes use cod, Chilean sea bass,red snapper or haddock, but I was surprised that all things tripe were suggested as other good choices. When I created that meal, I felt like a famous television chef.

Of course, an obvious choice to make a good impression would have been a recipe using lobster. However, I noticed that there were some very interesting crab based dishes. I could still make something fabulous with the look and feel of fancy restaurant food that must have been catered. I'm thrilled that I selected a seafood recipe!

The party went smoothly and turned out to be one of the best affairs I'd ever hosted. Without the incredible food, I'don't think we would have closed the deal. My husband was thrilled becasue his salary increased. I'll forever be grateful that I decided to go with seafood . I really think it made all the difference.

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Ready to Hand You Classy, Unique Pearl Jewelry

By Erwin Rostuzing

The usual finds for pearl jewelry are stud earrings, bracelets and strands or necklaces, but what do you do if you are tired of the typical pearl jewelry? Well, designer pearl jewelry may be just what you need to enhance your pearl jewelry collection. Fortunately, you do not need to travel overseas to find the best pearls and unique designs.

In fact, finding designer pearl jewelry is probably closer than you think. Now, if you have the opportunity to travel to Japan at some point, keep in mind that Japan is one place where you can find a multitude of pearl jewelry designs. But, for most not planning a trip to Japan, finding a quality pearl jewelry designer does not have to be a great challenge.

It really isn't, actually. Think about how unique you want the piece to be. This will help determine where you should focus your search. For example, if you are seeking a single carat diamond ring with small embedded pearls, a custom design jeweler can certainly help you. It is important to have at least some knowledge about pearls before you meet with a jeweler so that you can be sure to get exactly what you want. The ability to have an educated discussion with the jeweler makes the entire process much easier for all parties involved.

Pearls are graded by size, color, luster and smoothness. The smoother and whiter the pearl is, the better grade but luster cannot be overlooked as it is the iridescence found on quality pearls. If it is flat and has no luster, it is, quite frankly, not a good quality pearl. Regardless of size, if it does not have shine initially, then it never will have the shine most seek in a pearl.

Further, cost and size are interrelated when it comes to quality pearl jewelry, but this does not imply that small pearls are of a poor quality. The pearl's size should enhance the main jewelry piece, not detract from the entire design. If you want a pearl to accent a single carat diamond ring, you are likely not going to want a large pearl even though the larger pearls are more expensive. It is important to consider the entire jewelry piece to be designed.

Once you have found the right jewelry designer, you are one step closer to making your dreams come true and finding the perfect pearl jewelry design to add to your collection. In a few short weeks, the jeweler will be ready to hand the original design to you so you can begin wearing you unique piece and enjoy the known elegance and luxury of pearls but in your own special way. A simple strand of pearls can turn into a jewelry piece with flair never to be matched.

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Picking The Right Deals While Shopping Online

By Rebecca Holman

Once upon a time the concept of online shopping was all about convenience and ease of access. Now with the looming financial crisis of 2008 casting a pall over this holiday season, it has become about saving money. The closer we get to "Black Friday" the concerns about recession are taking their toll on the once easy credit, free spending that has been part of the past several years. In order to get a corner on the market more and more retailers are hoping that their loyal shoppers go to their Web sites to do their on line gift shopping. In return for this loyalty they offer promises of discounts and special - online only deals.

The stigma of shopping at online malls is a thing of the past. Gas prices and the convenience of shopping at work to save time is now the common reason cited for the movement away from brick and mortar. Not to mention you are avoiding the horrendous holiday shopping frenzy at crowded malls. If you are new to online shopping then the word for the day is to work to research and find the best offers. So you need to know what is out there before you make your decision. So before you just start Googling all kinds of items and then jump at the first deal, here is an online shopping 3 point guide to keep in your mind:

1. WHEN & WHERE TO BUY - Think about the brick and morter stores you like to frequent so that you can get a feel for what you are looking for. Think of the clothing or handbag brands that you appreciate and then head on over to Shopping.com to begin your research. If it is toys you want go over to Amazon and look at their hottest toys. If you are still going to shop Sears and Target, see what deals they have. Once upon a time they offered discounts for shopping on line, now the opposite may be true as the crowds dwindle at the brick and mortar, they may want reward you for coming in, so find out. Compare, Compare, Compare

When you notice your local brick-and-mortar stores start to advertise their Day after Thanksgiving or "Black Friday" deals in your paper you should start your Google campaign. Begin looking for deals as the days march down to Thanksgiving. You want to look at places like Amazon.com. Buy.com and Overstock.com. These online shopping companies aggressively begin setting out deals that are trying to beat the offers of physical stores.

2. GET IN ON THE DEAL - Choose sites along the lines of Shop.org or Dealnews.com and CyberMonday.com. These offer up guides for getting the best deals on Black Friday and beyond.

The optimal way to do your online shopping is to find portals like Market America. This type of site offers an all in one experience. A shopping portal like this that is powered by Google search and that has thousands or top brand retailers can save you both time and money. Many of these types of portals will offer you savings for shopping there. As technology gets more savvy they can also offer a single check out option for all your purchases across multiple stores. So you can shop at Sears, Wal-mart, Target and Neman Marcus all at one place.

3. ONLINE-ONLY STORES - You should make it a rule to check exclusive online retailers like Amazon.com, Overstock.com and Buy.com. They don't have the same overhead as a chain with lots of overhead in the physical building. So often these online dealers can offer better and cheaper prices for the same or similar products. Also check out new sites like SmartBargains.com or 6pm.com, for fashion or NewEgg.com for electronic. There is lots to choose from this year.

One final tip is to just be cautious and protect yourself. It is worthwhile, if you are leery to stop by bbb.org, the Better Business Bureau website. There you are able to check on many retailers and you can see what their satisfaction rating is. No complaints then they could be a good deal, but they could also be too new on the scene so tread lightly at new shopping portals. If you are new to online shopping it is better to stick with sites have been around for a few years.

Make your list, check it twice and check your budget. Get your credit card out and start Googling, there are great deals to be had. The stores are desperate for your business. Just don't get carried away with online sales and max out your card. Stick to your list and a budget. It is easy to be tempted by all the shiny items before your eyes.

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Are Hybrids An Excellent Choice For Their Resale Value?

By Roman Robinson

Hybrid cars are all the rage. They have a certain mix of trendiness and social awareness that is popular among celebrities and normal folks alike. Automotive manufacturers are quickly catching on to the craze and offering a large variety of hybrid models. In addition to being trendy, popular and environmentally conscious, hybrids also have another great selling point- they have excellent resale values.

Proponents of the hybrid craze like to emphasize that hybrids will not save all buyers money, though advocates of these vehicles insist that in many cases a used hybrid can sell for as much as a brand new one. Hybrid supporters also point out that in many cases, the vehicle does not instantly loose value the second the buyer drives it off the lot.

Hybrids also impart a feel-good factor onto their drivers. Many buyers want to do their part to be more environmentally savvy and hybrids allow consumers to take the next step towards going green.

Here's an interesting example: In 2005, the MSRP for a new Toyota Prius was $22,546. According to The Kelly Blue Book, the resale price for a 2005 Toyota Prius with all the same features is $25,470. That's a resale value far superior to any other traditional gas-only vehicle. While resale prices vary for different hybrid makes and models, the Prius has retained the highest value.

But what if the Prius is not your style? Well you're in luck! Automotive manufacturers are designed all kinds of hybrid vehicles to suit the wide preferences of drivers. In the market for an SUV? Check out Ford's hybrid Escape. GMC and Chevy are developing their own hybrid pick-ups for those who prefer trucks. Honda offers the Civic hybrid as well as the popular Accord in a hybrid model. The best-selling Toyota Camry offers buyers a hybrid version of their favorite model too.

As technology advances, expect to find an even wider selection of hybrid vehicles. Not only will these popular cars, trucks and SUV's save you money at the pump, you will also be doing your part for the environment. And when it comes time to trade in your hybrid for a newer vehicle, be prepared for a very attractive resale value.

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Baby's First Christmas

By Geraldine Dimarco

When you are on the hunt for your baby's first Christmas stocking you will probably find a ton of options. Choosing a baby stocking that is a real keepsake is a little more challenging. In order to make sure that you invest in the right item for your baby's first Christmas stocking try a little browsing before buying.

Almost any place that you will find assorted decorations will sell a Baby's First Christmas ornament. They have pink ones for girls, blue for boys, animals, religious - anything you could want. My daughter was six months old when she celebrated her first Christmas with our family and I cannot tell you how many people got us a Baby's First Christmas ornament as a keepsake. Each one that I received was different and I loved them all. My absolute favorite one was a little star that allowed for you to put a tiny photo inside of it. The year was on it and her name had been engraved. Tears came to my eyes when I saw that particular Baby's First Christmas ornament sitting in a gift bag.

Many new mothers like to put a lot of time and effort into creating a keepsake for their child's collection. Most of these moms will crochet a blue or pink baby's first Christmas stocking for the special commemorative holiday. The colors do not have to be pastel, either. You can choose different shades that reflect the holiday season as well. I would love to be one of those moms but I have trouble tying my shoes let alone crocheting a baby's first Christmas stocking. Some of us may have the good intentions but we are really doing everyone a big favor if we buy the finished product outright.

My First Christmas Keepsake boxes are great for storing cards and other family mementoes. There are also boxes to keep baby's first hair curl or tooth. Baby can have his or her own stocking with their name on it. Pewter mugs and breakfast and dinner crockery sets are popular too. Sterling silver keepsake spoons or photograph albums or photograph frames are another baby Christmas gift idea. Relatives or friends may want to buy baby a bible or scripture book.

Some more unconventional presents are gaining in popularity. These are not ones that baby can unwrap but they do last a lifetime. For a memorable baby Christmas gift, there are companies that sell an acre of land on the moon or Venus. The gift contains a deed certificate and a property map showing the location of the land and detailing the mineral rights. In similar fashion, it is possible to name a star in honor of the new arrival. This comes with a presentation box, containing a certificate with the star's name, a sky chart and a star plotter. For a more down to earth present, there is a dedicate a tree gift pack and baby helps conservation by having a tree planted in his or her name.

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The Whole Idea About 'Dream Dinner'

By Peter Hallway

The term 'dream dinner' may bring to concious mind a hone date at a candlelit table, violin music in the background, with the meal capped by a engagement ring concealed in the champaign glass. Having said that, dream dinner is even bigger and quickly spreading from mouth to mouth. It involves prepared menus and places where people go to acquire instruction in preparing them. A lot of people ask, why didn't I think of that?

City residents especially are busier than ever before. Work and school and a variety of other activities for family members mean it's harder than ever to eat well . Aside from the fact that there are mountain of ready made foods out there, home cooking is still the best. When the agenda is full, however, will people give up their jobs or their self made meals? This franchise comes to the rescue.

It works something like this. Customers select up to 14 menu meals every month. Number of servings determines cost of each meal. Now while still at the store, they cook. Cooking experts supervise in either exclusive or normal cooking sessions. It's as if a cooking show host comes out of the television set to show people how to make the meal.

It's not as costly as it sounds. The more people purchase the more they save, so all 14 meals are about $3.5 per serving not reckoning sides and other items like salads. A total of about $5 per serving isn't a tough value to pay for a good meal. That's a great deal for the food addition the cooking instruction

These locations are franchises people own. It has its problems. The food and menus are fine, but the franchise owners may have a problem. Forbes Magazine profiled Dream Dinners in March 28. But, the story is conferred from a different side of angle. It expanded very quickly, attracting entrepreneurs with its unique concept. But many of the franchisees lost their shirts after only a short time, which meant the business plan may be flawed. Forbes claims the franchisees were sold a account of goods when it came to the claims of wild success.

Let the franchisees and the company worry about the controversy, for the Dream Dinners is just what the chef ordered. That concludes this article, I hope you found the information helpful.

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If You Are Unable To Be There But Want To Show You Love Them Then Send -