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

Monday, March 23, 2009

Maintenance To Delay Treadmill Belt Replacement And Repairs

By Chloe Adisson

Treadmills, just like other machines, need constant care and maintenance, too. The part that gets worn out and need replacement regularly is the treadmill belt. The degree of damage, however, may vary for home and commercial use.

For treadmills that are used daily at home, usual lifespan would be between 2 and 3 years. For serious runners, the treadmill's life is shorter. So if you hope to make your treadmill's lifespan a little longer, it is important to maintain it properly.

Basic maintenance tips:

- Treadmills need to be lubricated at least once a year. This is if its usage is only minimal, say 3 to 5 times a week and you're only using it for walking and jogging.

- Lubricate your treadmill at shorter intervals if you're a serious runner. Depending on the nature of your speed, distance, and inclination, the average maintenance should be every 6 months.

- Use the appropriate lubricants. Every treadmill's manufacturer has a specific lubricant. However, there are also those that don't need any lubrication. Make sure to use the correct one or else, contact your dealer.

- Consult the user manual. This is very important. Proper maintenance and treadmill belt replacement procedure is found in the treadmill's manual for you to use. Take time to read it and understand.

Taking care of your equipment will eventually result to its longer lifespan. In fact, maintenance is always an advantage as it prevents damages from happening soon. If ignored, you will find that a treadmill belt replacement can be very expensive.

How can you tell if your equipment is in good condition? Before a repair or a replacement or parts like the belt is decided, inspection is conducted. Below are some of the common and obvious things done in troubleshooting a treadmill.

- Belt and Deck Inspection - Centering and Tensioning Test - Belt Slip Test - Speed Test - Adjustments of the Belt

Of course, there are more parts. If you are not sure about how these things are done, it's best to call the repair center or customer service to assist you. It may cost you a few bucks but it's safer and reliable.

Although a treadmill belt replacement is the common problem in problematic treadmill equipment, not all repairs need replacement of parts. Here are some of examples below on repairs between those that need treadmill parts replacement and those that don't.

Repair of your treadmill needs parts replaced when:

- The running board is broken - The console is faulty - The motor (heart of the treadmill) is the problem - Belt is faulty

Repair of your treadmill do not need parts replaced when:

- The belt is just slipping - The belt is not centered and tensioned properly - The treadmill only needs recalibration

Ask your service center for a routine checkup. Familiarize the type of replacements and repairs too. This way, you will understand the complexity your treadmill's problem better and perhaps delay the treadmill belt replacement even further.

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Hardy Vines for the Landscape in Central US States

By Keith Markensen

Vines For gardeners who live in THE CENTRAL STATES

WINTERCREEPER - There are two varieties of this broad leaved vine or ground cover worthy of attention. The first is the purple-leaf wintercreeper, Euonymus Fortunei colorata, whose foliage has a purple cast; the second, the big-leaf wintercreeper, Euonymus Fortunei vegetus, noted for its attractive bright green rounded foliage and bitter sweet like fruit in fall. Both are tolerant of most any soil, prefer a north or east exposure and cling to walls or trees by root-like holdfasts reaching up 25 feet or more. As ground covers they grow a foot or so tall. The nice thing about them is that they will grow in shade and can stand root competition from trees. Regrettably they cannot be recommended for the coldest or the warmest parts of the region.

BALTIC IVY - The hardiest variety of English ivy, Hedem Helix baltica, will climb up walls or tree trunks 25 feet or more and also makes an interesting 3 to 5-inch-deep ground cover. It will grow in practically any soil and prefers a north or east exposure. The foliage is medium sized and prominently veined.

BULGARIAN IVY - This ground cover or vine, known as Hederia Helix Bulgaria is as hardy as Baltic ivy and requires the same soil and exposure. Its distinguishing feature is its large leaves that give the plant a rather coarse textural effect. Some training may be required at first to make it climb.

JAPANESE HONEY SUCKLE - This vigorous twining vine needs pruning and clipping to keep it in bounds. It will quickly drape a trellis or fence or form a dense ground cover, being especially good for erosion control on steep banks. Known as Lonicera japonica Halliana, it is evergreen in the southern part of the region while in the north it is considered semi-evergreen, its foliage turning bronze and finally dropping in late winter. It likes sun or part shade and does well on even the poorest. soil. The flowers are very fragrant.

LALAND FIRETHORN - Commonly seen as a shrub, Pyracantha coccinea Lalandi is most decorative when trained on a wall or trellis where its branches up to 8 feet long are splayed out to show off white flowers in June and bright red fruit in fall. It does best in the warmer parts of the region where it is evergreen but is also good in protected locations in the north where it is considered semi-evergreen. For best results give it a well-drained soil in full sun.

CANBY PACHISTIMA - This neat plant growing to one foot high has dark green finely textured foliage. As a ground cover or as a low hedge plant, it is excellent among trees or shrubs. You will find it listed as Pachistima Canbyi. It prefers a moist but well-drained soil and year-round shade. It is not recommended for the drier and colder parts of the region.

JAPANESE PACHYSANDRA - Forming an evergreen carpet 10 inches high, this fine flowering vine plant thrives in all but the driest and coldest sections of the region if given year-round shade. It spreads by underground stolons and prefers a moist well-drained soil. Many people know it by its scientific name, Pachysandra terminalis. Among other flowering vines it is one of the best ground covers available.

COMMON PERIWINKLE - For locations where lawns are impossible to maintain Vinca minor comes to the rescue. It is a rugged plant but cannot, however, be walked upon. It likes a light, well-drained soil in full or part shade and under favorable conditions will grow 10 inches tall. There are several horticultural varieties, one of which has bright blue flowers; one with pure white flowers, and a third with purple flowers.

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Wearing Sunglasses Makes You Look Good and See Good

By Tamanna Moores

Most people suffer from head aches at one time or another, and many individuals in the USA tolerate migraines, extending in frequency from several times a year to once a month or more often. In many cases, a migraine or severe headache pushes the sufferer into isolation until it goes away, damaging their power to work, socialize, and generally live life to its fullest.

What most individuals dont already realize is that many migraines and headaches can be precluded through the frequent use of a good set of dark glasses! Regardless of whether Its the summer solstice or the frigid depths of winter, a high quality pair of dark glasses is a very useful preventive health item as well as a fashion accessory. Since bright light can trigger migraines, headaches, and lead to tension and other disorders, a good pair of dark glasses can significantly improve your quality of life, as well as preventing nasty eye degeneration that can eventually lead to blindness.

An effective pair of shades should halt both UVA and UVB rays, but new research suggests that High Energy Visible (HEV) light may also contribute to eye disorders, particularly in children. There's still insufficient data on this subject, but some manufacturers now design to block out UV rays as well as HEV light, reducing your changes or visual damage from light sources.

To ensure that you are doing all you can to look good and to see good, make sure that your shades are actually certified to protect you from damaging UVA and UVB light. Get your glasses from a proper manufacturer. Don't assume that just because the lenses are dark you will be protected. Make sure that you are not, unknowingly, harming your eyes.

UV light damages your eyes little by little. The eye damage builds up until you have measurable difficulty in your ability to see. So protect your eyes by wearing a top quality pair of sunglasses. Protect your children's eyes early. Let's face it, there aren't many ways in which you can look cool and do the right thing by your health at the same time!

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Vehicle Insurance Quote

By Franz Brezick

There are a lot of cheap car insurance companies today. Car owners think that by simply purchasing from these companies, they can realize a lot of savings. The reality is that this is not always the case. Getting the cheapest car insurance policy requires one to shop and compare vehicle insurance quotes. Comparing vehicle insurance quotes enables car owners to get the most affordable car insurance policy that the market has to give. Experts suggest comparing at least three vehicle insurance quotes in order to have a good chance of bagging the most affordable car insurance. The Internet is a good way of shopping and comparing vehicle insurance quotes.

You may be surprised to learn that there are car insurance policies that are twice as pricey as compared to those offered by cheap car insurance companies. Car owners who do not request and compare vehicle insurance quotes are often those who purchase pricey car insurance policies. This is why it is vital to shop and compare vehicle insurance quotes because it allows car owners to get the cheapest possible car insurance policy without sacrificing the features. Naturally, those who get cheap car insurance quotes realize better savings in the long term.

It is recommended that car owners request and compare at least three vehicle insurance quotes. This gives them a good idea on how low the prices can go for a certain kind of vehicle insurance policy. It is also advisable that car owners visit three car insurance comparison websites. Doing such enhances the chances that car owners bag the most affordable car insurance.

The best thing is that you can get multiple quotes at the comfort of your own home. All you need to do is open your computer and visit these websites.

Speaking of websites, there are tons of car insurance comparison websites in the Internet today. These websites allow car owners to compare vehicle insurance quotes without spending a lot of time and money. Convenience is a major reason why car owners prefer to compare vehicle insurance quotes by browsing car insurance comparison websites.

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How To Take The Best Care Of Your Rug

By Holly Sparks

Rugs are a big expense and you want to make them last for a very long time. With the proper care and maintenance you can make any rug last for years while looking great and keeping your floor warm.

When you are placing your rug for the first time, put a rug pad under it, irrespective of the flooring underneath. Not only does a rug pad hold the rug firmly in place, it reduces the amount of wear and tear on the rug and helps keep it looking better longer. A rug pad should be between 3 and 6 mm thick and should support the entire area of the rug. It should be replaced whenever it wears out.

When it's possible rotate your rug to increase the life of the rug. This will help you avoid high traffic areas that sometimes tend to wear down quickly leaving a path in your rug. It will also avoid sun fading if it is located at a window with direct sunlight.

Cleaning your rugs can save them. If you cannot clean your rug then it would be a great idea to hire a professional to come in and clean it for you. Their equipment can help clean the rug in no time and leave you with a fresh clean rug ready to last you a few more years. Over time, dirt and grime can wear down the fibers causing it to crumble. It can also change the look and feel of the rug.

Avoid vacuum cleaning delicate rugs whose fibres could get damaged with the force of suction. When you are drying a rug, don't hang or drape it - it should be laid flat on the ground and care should be taken not to step on it until it is completely dry.

If the rug is in front of a window you need to have a full length curtain on the window that can help shield the sun from directly shining on the rug. This will help preserve the life of your rug and keep the colors bright.

Avoid pulling on your rug when you are moving it. Instead roll up the rug then transfer it. You will also want to avoid folding the rug before moving. When you fold a rug it can cause the fiber holding the rug on the back to tear. This can also cause creases that will not come out. If you are moving a rug out of the home it's best to place the rug that is rolled up on top of your furniture pieces instead of setting furniture on top of the rug. When you are ready to unroll the rug note any corners that fold up. Place a book or other heavy object on each of the rolled up corners to help anchor them down for a few days. If you see any creases they will fade away the more you walk on them.

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Activities and More at Mississippi Craft Shows

By Rick Amorey

Mississippi is known for being a place interested in literature and music. The famous Mark Twain novels, Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, were set along the Mississippi River, as a famous example. Mississippi has also embraced other forms of art, and the strong religious traditions of the people have inspired amazing works of art which have been shown all over the world. The blues, of course, is a form of music that has been historically attributed to the Delta river musicians.

But of course, the State of Mississippi caters to arts and crafts as well, and not just to music and literature. If you're in the market for new and offbeat decorations for your home, then you've come to the right place. Mississippi is home to the Mississippi Crafts Center, which might be a good place to start looking. But if you're mood demands a bit more exciting, then fairs and festivals are just the thing for you.

On the other hand, you may just want to immerse yourself in the culture and arts that is available in Mississippi. You can also do this when you go attend the fairs and festivals. When you're there, you can search around for interesting things, and all the while your other senses will be treated to music and the general sound of merriment. It's an experience definitely worth your while, and you're sure to find something of interest while you're there.

On the off-chance, perhaps you're an artist yourself? And looking around at all the wonderfully crafted items have wet your interest in making a few pieces of your own? Well, why not? Religious art from Mississippi have strongly influenced outsiders to create works based on them, and have had them shown all over the world. It's worth a try

Whether you're just looking, hunting for particular items, or feel the desire to show off a talent or two, it's really very simple to take part in these fairs and festivals. If you're just looking and hunting, a simple search online will yield the info you need. If you want to show your work, then contacting the event organizers will be your next step. But whatever you may want to do, you'll be sure to have a blast at Mississippi fairs.

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Honeymoons and exotic luxury holidays

By Peter Jenkins

As a specialist for luxury holidays and honeymoons, the Free2.co.uk website has something to offer everyone. Whether you are looking for twin centre honeymoons to the Far East or relaxing luxury holidays to the Maldives and Mauritius there is sure to be something to fit the bill.

The website has special feature pages for honeymoons to the Indian Ocean islands of the Maldives, Mauritius and Zanzibar and special offers for twin centre honeymoons and luxury holidays to the exotic Far East.

As a specialist for honeymoons and luxury holidays, Free2 is able to provide a variety of extra honeymoon benefits including romantic beach dinners, free flowers and wine for your room and special hotel discounts.

With a call centre based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, Free2 holidays is open to take your enquiries 9am - 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am - 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays. You can send enquiries for luxury holidays and honeymoons to Free2 by e-mail via the company's website www.free2.co.uk or alternatively call them on the free-phone number they provide.

Whether you are looking for honeymoons or multi centre luxury holidays to the Middle East, Far East, Caribbean or Indian Ocean, Free2 has a team dedicated to each destination so you can be sure of receiving the best possible advice.

Free2 luxury holidays and honeymoons are members of the Freedom Travel Agents consortium and part of the Co-operative Group Ltd. All luxury holidays, honeymoons and twin centre holidays featured on the Free2.co.uk website are fully ABTA and ATOL protected.

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Rug Terminology: The Basics

By Adam Everson

Knowledge is power. Being informed about things you are interested in, especially if it involves shelling out some cash can do you some good. If you're planning to purchase new rugs for your home or are just a fan of these decorative materials, here are some rug essentials for your reference:

Let's start with the weave aspect of rugs. First, is Aubusson weave, which is known as tapestry weave by many. This technique is a French method that weaves the materials with the use of the hand, and has started as early as the fifteenth century. Antoinette, Josephine and Maison may be famous names in history, but they are also some of the popular Aubusson designs.

Another kind is the Flat weave, which refers to weaving without piling or knotting. Some well-known designs are the Navajo rugs, Kilims and Dhurries. Aubusson rugs are also of a flat weave kind because of the absence of knots in the their style.

Pile weaving meanwhile, is the opposite. Rugs are made by knotting. Thus, the other name of knotted weaving.

Carding refers to a process where wool fibres are smoothened by tugging them trough paddles with spikes.

Denier is a unit of measurement for the thickness of yarn. A thick yarn or fibre is said to have a high denier, and vice versa.

Flat weave refers to a kind of weave on a rug that has no pile or knots. Kilims (striking rugs with geometric patterns from the Near East), dhurries (wool or cotton rugs from India, generally with a floral pattern) Navajo rugs (made by the Navajo Indians of America) and Aubusson rugs are all flat weave rugs.

An Axminster is like a carpet or a type of loom. It was discovered in a town in England called Axminster, thus the likeness in name.

Knot count - this refers to the number of knots in one square inch of a rug. In the assessment of rugs, one of the first things experts look at is the knot count. The quantity can determine the quality of the rug.

To know more about rug-making elements, familiarize yourself with these words, starting with Denier. This is a unit of measurement used for the yarn's thickness.

In addition, the number of knots in one square inch is called the Knot Count. This is a measurement frequently used to know the quality of the rug. Persian rugs to cite an example, are evaluated through knot counts.

A medallion is a circular or elliptical design element in the middle of a rug.

Needlepoint rugs are rugs that have yarn worked into a canvas lattice.

A circle on the center of a rug, often in Oriental designs may have caught your attention. It is called a medallion.

Pile weaving refers to creating a rug by forming knots. This common method of rug manufacture is also known as knotted weaving.

Warp refers to the stationary yarn on the loom, strong fibres that form the skeleton of a rug. Weft is the yarn that runs across the warp, giving body to the rug.

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