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

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Steps to Buying Popcorn Machines Just For You

By Poppin Pete

This article will help you choose a popcorn machine that fits your needs and budget. With such a range available to you, you are probably thinking how you will ever find one that is right for you.

There are four easy steps to help you get to the one just for you: 1. purpose 2. size 3. maintenance 4. dollars

Reason: ask yourself the main reason you want this popcorn machine. If you are wanting one for a cinema, then it is pretty obvious. But you might need one for an upcoming kids party. You could have been a victim of the recession and now need to sell popcorn for a living.

Size: big or small is the question. If you want to make large amounts of popcorn, then you will need a big machine. On the other hand, if you want to have some fun with your children, a small one will probably do.

Maintenance: are you a handy person, will you be able to fix one of these yourself? For large machines it may be harder so you will need to ensure you know someone local that can come and fix it. For smaller popcorn machines, warranty will cover it. Ensure you have a good brand so that it comes with a good warranty.

Dollars: the state of the economy will probably determine what you can or cannot afford. Remember that cheaper is not always better because you want this thing to last a long time. Depending on how much you have to spend will be the reason you make the choice you do.

Plugging in a new appliance and making it run for the first time is so much fun. When you do this, I hope you are very happy with your decision. These steps will ensure that you are if you follow them correctly. Pop away!

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Free Instant Auto Insurance Quote

By Harold Chaps

Remember the last time you got an auto insurance policy? Did you have to spend hours on the phone with different agents or had to hire and deal with a car insurance broker just to get some good rates? I'm sure you would rather not go through that again, given the option. Well, the good news is that, these days, you no longer have to! In fact, thanks to the Internet anyone can now find, compare, and get the most affordable rates and policies without the help of agents or brokers!

Online Auto Insurance Quotes

The web has a lot to offer to anyone interested in getting the best rates. Most car insurance companies advertise their rates online, either through their own websites, or through one of the many car insurance portal websites that is ubiquitous on the Net. So why shop for your next car insurance policy online?

First of all, through car insurance portals one can get free instant car insurance quotes. It no longer takes hours, but seconds for you to get a listing of all the offers in your area and easily compare rates and companies for the best deal. You don't even have to leave the house, or talk to someone on the phone anymore as your computer and an Internet connection is all you'll need to accomplish this.

Another great reason to go online, aside from getting instant car insurance quotes, is the ease of getting information about details regarding a specific company's policies and terms of agreement. Most quotes you get would also have direct links pointing back to the company's website making it far easier to get the necessary information you need even before buying a policy. Also, rates vary greatly from one company to the next and that can mean hundreds of dollars more saved every year, if you know how to compare rates using online car insurance portals in the Web.

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Troubled With An Unsightly Flooring? Area Rugs To The Rescue!

By Jed Fistler

Do you have a stained carpet? Are you suffering from a poorly done tile floor? How about a scratched and dull-looking wood flooring? Aren't you just dying to have a brand new floor just like the first time you moved into your house? Or if it's an old house, the somewhat flawless floor that you frequently see in your dreams? I sure do! The problem is, I'm only a tenant and have practically no right to redecorate as I please especially if the change I have in mind involves taking out the old flooring and installing a new one.

The best solution to all of the above problems is to use area rugs. Area rugs will cover imperfections on the floors as well as the walls. They are the one cure fix for just about anything that is wrong with your house and best of all; they do not come off like a cover up. On the contrary, area rugs give your house a touch of class.

Using area rugs on wood floors - If you have wood floors that are scratched and need to be refinished but do not have the time or the money to do so, or do not want to do so because you do not own the apartment, then you can use area rugs. They are ideal in that they will not only cover up the scratches, but will also look good on the floor. You will want to put down a special guard so that the area rug does not slip when you use it on a wooden floor, unless, of course, it is very large and heavy. In such a case, a guard is not necessary.

For wall-to-wall carpeting, an area rug will still prove itself useful for covering worn- out spots as well. Carpet is nice, but when added with stylish and colorful area rugs, the room will magically change itself. I often see places in neutral wall-to-wall carpeting. It looks neat and classic. Depending on your goal, you can use bright colored- rugs for a more cheerful look or dark colors for added sophistication. Monotone area rugs especially those in classic black, gray and red can give off a contemporary look to the room.

My bathroom has tile flooring. I've complained so many times of how poorly the tiles were placed. If super glue would work, I would have fixed the problem myself. Additionally, tiles are by nature cranky pieces that color themselves over time. I'm sure you've seen the familiar yellowish or brownish streaks showing up expectedly over the years. No amount of scrubbing, brushing and disinfecting can prevent this awful truth, just like we can't avoid wrinkles and sagging skin as we grow older. Area rugs prove to be angels of decors as they can disguise the stains and yellowing, and they can prevent further tile problems as they protect the frequented tiled areas.

If you are one of the many tenants who feel hopeless about their ugly flooring and is powerless to do anything (it's all up to the property owner), or have no budget for a major home-decorating project, this article surely helps you. Area rugs are made for you! They are not only functional items but aesthetic aids as well as they provide a very stylish touch to your home.

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Things To Know Before You Buy A Tuxedo.

By Victor B. Sancharo

The market has many types of tuxedo's available today and it's good for men to know the different types. When a man is required to dress formally for certain occasions, it is important for him to know what styles are available. You can find many styles out there today that are both classic and trendy.

There are a few things that you will need to consider before you decide to buy a tuxedo. Although, you can rent a tuxedo for that special occasion, it is always good to have at least one or two tuxedos in any man's wardrobe. It is always there, ready for you to wear, whenever the occasion calls for it.

First, you will need to determine how frequent you will be wearing your tuxedo. This is because buying a tuxedo can be relatively expensive if you are looking for a good quality fabric that can last for a long time. It is also ideal to have one in your wardrobe than rent a tuxedo if you are often times invited to formal occasions.

Choosing the right tuxedo for the particular formal event is fairly simple. Light colored fabrics should be worn during the day. A light gray colored tuxedo is appropriate for a day-time formal event. An evening formal requires a darker colored tuxedo, such as midnight blue or black. In order to look your best in a tuxedo, you should carefully examine it for the proper fit, and examine the fabric for any holes or defects.

For your tuxedo to last a lifetime you must maintain it properly. Inspect it for stains or anything else that you need to tend to before the big event. In addition, it is not a good idea to fold your tuxedo especially if it is made of a good quality fabric.

Your tuxedo can be worn with a pre-tied bow tie or the actual bow itself that you may have to learn and practice to wear that. Your tuxedo can also be worn with no tie if you are comfortable doing that. It you want a different look though a black tie will be perfect for you.

Taller men who are 6' or more look best in a double-breasted tuxedo while a single-breasted one usually fits any body type and looks good. Traditional double-breasted peak, double-breasted notch, and double-breasted shawl are the traditional styles of the double-breasted tuxedo that are available.

Lastly, you should only wear a vest or a cummerbund but not both at the same time. When wearing a cummerbund, it should be facing upwards as the pleats are designed to face up. It is also advisable for you to choose a subdued color or pattern cummerbund combination when attending a more formal event.

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Acai Berry versus Pomegranate

By Carter Sinclair

Both pomegranates and the Acai berry are two power houses in the health and food industry. Both are extremely good for you and contain many vitamins and minerals. But which one is better? We're going to compare the two to help you decide for yourself.

In The Far Corner Wearing The Red Trunks We Have The Pomegranate!

The pomegranate is a sweet and tart tasting fruit that is native to Iran and northern India. There are many stories and legends surrounding this fruit, and it has been said that Helen of Troy used pomegranates to help make her more beautiful. Those legends all have some truth behind them, because the pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits on the planet. Here are some of the main benefits you get from eating pomegranates:

* Contains high amounts of antioxidants (10,500 ORAC)

* Contains vitamins A, C, E and folic acid

* Good cholesterol levels are raised and reduces plaque in your arteries

* Prevents enzymes from damaging cartilage

* Fights against cancer

* Slows aging down

Now lets see how Acai compares.

In The Near Corner Wearing The Purple Trunks We Have The Acai Berry!

Native to the Amazon Rainforests Acai is a small purplish berry. It has exploded in popularity recently around the world. The flavor is a mixture between chocolate and berries. Acai has many benefits including:

* Has a very high antioxidant count (18,400 on ORAC)

* Is a great source for essential fatty acids

* Provides a boost of energy similar to coffee (without caffeine)

* Battles against cancer cells

* Slows aging down

* Contains high amounts of amino acids, fiber, and vitamins B, E, and C

Those are some pretty powerful benefits from a little berry, but are it enough to defeat the pomegranate?

And The Winner Is...

Acai berry takes down pomegranate. It was a close decision but the break point was that Acai has almost double the antioxidant levels (18400 vs 10500) of pomegranate. Acai provides a long lasting energy boost that contains many healthy vitamins and nutrients. While pomegranate does help protect you from arthritis and cartilage damage it wasn't enough for the decision. Congratulations Acai berry!

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How Do You Clean A Wristwatch?

By Debra Brian Hunt

While cleaning wristwatches is best conducted by an expert, you can do it on your own if you like tinkering with machines .You might not want to try this at first on a costly or much-loved wristwatch that means a lot to you, since you will most likely destroy the first watch you experiment on. Get a low-priced watch to rehearsal on till you learn perfectly.

To begin with, make certain you have a place to practise. A big table that is clear will be good, or it would be even more wonderful if you have an apposite workstation in your garage where you can do this peacefully. Include a white sheet on top of the table prior to beginning, since this will not only make it convenient to see the little bits and pieces, but will also thwart parts from bouncing off the table when they fall.

Most of all, you will need exceptional lighting where you work. You should also have a lamp, (fluorescent would be best to the table so you can get some straight light. The next thing you need is a good quality screwdriver set. Make sure you get a desirable quality set since this will not break the screws on the watch.

Moreover, you should also have a tray to keep all the parts you take out of the watch on. It would be perfect if this has portions built into it, and as you strip the watch start placing the pieces from right to left so you don't get fix up later on. You also need a good pair of tweezers. This will be indispensable to handle the minute parts, and make certain you fit them back into the watch precisely.

You also need to have cleaning supplies. If you are serious about this leisure pursuit, you can obtain accurate ultrasonic parts cleaners online, but in the beginning you can just utilize Naptha. This is the component that makes up lighter fluids, and evaporates swiftly without leaving anything behind. Pour a very minute amount in a cup and then saturate all the parts in this for some time.

Then, you have to take a small brush, paintbrush, or makeup brush, and brush the parts and then eliminate them from the fluid and place them on a towel or filter paper to dry them out.

You will also need to get oil, like Moebius to oil the watch pieces. To apply this, you need an oiler which is a thin wire with a flat end. To be able to see what you are doing, you will also need to get a magnifying glass. Buy a blower to help you remove dust from parts, and get a hands remover to properly remove and fit back the posts when you are cleaning the watch.

To start off, unscrew the back of the watch and open it up. Once you have done this, you need to let down the mainspring which is what keeps the watch running. The next thing to remove is the movement, followed by the hands and finally the dial. Keep going on removing pieces till you are left with the skeleton of the watch in your hand. Now put all the pieces in the cleaner fluid and wait a few minutes.

After you are done, start placing the parts back the way you separated them ensuring you get the order right. Wind the watch and screw the lid back on and observe if it functions.

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Fixing Defective Serger Stitches

By David Trumble

Few things are more important when serging than the quality of the stitch. While sergers are a bit more complicated than regular sewing machines, they are famous for producing high quality stitches.

Seaming, overcasting, and trimming with a bunch of threads at high speeds is what serging is all about.

Sergers are well known for their professional edge finishes. There are many serger applications, but sergers cannot replace a ordinary sewing machine.

When tensions are just right and each thread lies where it is suppose to be, it is a good stitch. Things like irregularities, loops, and puckers just dont exist.

Problems with stitch quality are a major irritation for serger users. They must be eliminated in order to produce consistent high quality seams and overedge finishes. Stitch problems may include faulty tension balances, irregular stitches, set up issues, and thread breakage. These and other stitch challenges can be overcome, but they require a little common sense, serger care, and basic technique.

A common source of stitch problems relates to problems with tensions. When you suspect difficulties here, rethread and make sure thread is right. Seat the threads carefully in their tension devices. Finally, adjust one thread at a time until all tensions are balances. Use a different color for each thread to make it easier to track.

Hiccups happen. Sometimes stitches just mess up. When they do, check threading, tensions, needles, and snags.

Rethreading is often helpful. Properly balance the tensions and make sure the needles are fresh and appropriate to the fabric. If the edge is inconsistent, try pre-trimming the edge and carefully guide the fabric consistently as you serge. Try adjusting the stitch length to see if that helps. Change threads especially if you are using older thread, highly linty thread, or otherwise lower quality threads. Closely inspect the loopers, needle plate, thread guides, and presser foot for possible burrs or rough spots. Smooth off and try again.

Set up is a major undertaking on some sergers. It is easy to make little mistakes like failing to rebalance the tensions. Therefore, when serger problems after setting up new arrangements, go back and repeat the set up carefully.

Sometimes thread breaks. This can happen the second you start serging, or it can happen at the most in opportune moment in the middle of a seam. The root causes are commonly needles, threads, tensions, burrs, and presser feet. Try the following to seek a solution. Check to make sure the needles are properly seated and positioned. Replace the needles and make sure they match the fabric. Change to a larger needle will sometimes reduce breakage. Inspect the thread to make sure it is good quality and has consistent integrity.

Why do threads break? We have found several common causes, but sometimes it is the thread itself. Old, rotten, decayed thread do not perform well. Use good quality thread and see if the thread breakage continues.

Generally, when the stitch quality is less than acceptable there are some basic things to check every time. These include needles, thread and threading, tensions, loopers, snag causes, settings, and balance. Replacing needles properly, rethreading properly, and adjusting tension balance are the three basic approaches to solve stitch problems.

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Don't Rule Out Acai Yet

By Walter Fry

Like many of the other superfruits, the acai tree is native to hot, humid and tropical climates like those found in Central America, South America and Brazil. The purple berry that it produces has a berry-chocolate flavor to it. The inside of the palm, the soft part know as the heart of palm has been used in salads, eaten alone and in other dishes.

The Caboclo population in the Amazon region use the whole acai palm, mostly as part of their staple foods. It is used for many different things in the Brazilian culture, however. They use just about every part of the palm. Naturally, the acai fruit is eaten. The hearts are harvested and eaten, and the leaves are harvested and used hats, brooms, baskets, thatch for roofing, and mats. The trunk of the trees, which is very resistant to pests, is used in construction of homes and other buildings.

You've seen it on many infomercials and talk shows. The berry is claimed to have many properties that the health food buff or dieter needs. They claim it can energize you by boosting your metabolism. However, to the natives where this tree grows, their concern was using it as a staple food and other uses, since they found they could use the whole tree. They have taught its use to their children, passed down from one generation to the next.

Since the media has started promoting the berry and its juice from this tree, the farming of acai has enabled natives to create a financially richer life. What used to be a staple food for them is now a means of living. They use what they need of the tree, plant more, farm them, harvest them, and then sell them to exporters and diet food companies. The juice is very popular in Brazil. You can drink it sweet or salty, whichever you prefer. They are also now selling it in freeze dried and powder form for exporting abroad. This is one of those plants that is functional in many areas. None of it goes to waste. Now that they are farming it, the seeds are more important than ever. After they plant the seeds, it only takes a couple months for seedlings to sprout. This is considered a short time under good conditions. Any left over seeds can be ground and used in the feeding of farm animals and in enriching the soil around plants.

A couple of recent lab studies have indicated that the level of antioxidants once advertised for this berry is not as high as it was first stated. They had claimed it as being among the very highest in antioxidants, however the studies they have been performing lately in comparison to other fruits and juices, shows this berry as coming up short of the peak. It may not have as high a level of antioxidants when compared to several frozen fruit juices, red wine, strawberries, mangos, blueberries, dark-colored grapes and pomegranates. If they are correct, acai may only run on an even keel with cherries and cranberries, but is still higher in antioxidants than oranges and of course apple juice.

Some other studies have indicated that this berry may be a future treatment for leukemia, diabetes, heart diseases, other forms of cancer, and even high blood pressure. In fact, they are already using acai as a contrast agent during MRI's for gastrointestinal scans. The acai berry still packs quite a beneficial punch, no matter what the latest reports claim.

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