Timeless Country Style Bedroom Sets

By Kelly Kim

If you've at all times wanted the warm and comfortable appeal of country home dcor, you'll take pleasure in bringing it right into your bedroom. Since a country motivation is oblivious to time, expect your country bedroom furniture to stay perfect any time of the year.

When working on a country interior, bear in mind those window treatments at all times play a good part in achieving the right look. There are in fact many different styles that work well with this design concept but they should all work better in consonance with the other hues in the room. If you're strict about that country appearance you'll have to veer away from contemporary prints as they are apt to puzzle the whole country effect.

A great idea would be to have plain, shimmer curtains and lots of stout upholstered furniture all over your bedroom. You can also invest on great, country-inspired beddings and pillows and knickknacks in your room. Just remember to keep the patterns and colors along the country effect you want to create. Those vintage pieces you can find in most flea markets should do great in providing a wonderful concluding finish to your design. You'll be thrilled how you can get a really good-looking bedroom by just by getting old items and maybe repainting them with a color that matches your scheme.

To create that designer appeal you'll probably want to add in a lot of wood or tin details to go with your bedroom furniture. When designing a country interior, a lot of it will depend on color so if you desire your design on a straight path, fuse to your grays, beiges, rusts, blues and reds and greens.

Your flooring can also obstruct with the total look, but you'll be safe with some real big rugs or mini carpets with a country design. Plus, you'll also want to consider the lighting fixtures. You can have a chandelier in your bedroom or a small, handy lamp.

You definitely won't want to forget your walls. Play them up with country decors such as antlers, for example, or country-inspired paintings. These will really add that unique spark of country into your bedroom design

About the Author:

Regardless if it's a spring or platform bed you're looking for, you'll want to take a pick among widely available country style bedroom sets to pull that exact effect together and make your room into a true country haven you'll love to keep coming home to.

Selecting An Auto Technician - Are Certifications Important?

By Rand Stuck

This question apparently occurs to a lot of people who believe its a waste of money to consult a certified technician when it comes to their vehicles. Why not simply call in the neighborhood quack, who has always proved useful with a set of tools, instead? Well, there are various arguments against, but the strongest come in the form of the test lineup and mission statements of ASE (The Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) and I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair). These are the two most reputable organizations that certify auto service technicians after conducting tests. Go through the brief backgrounds of each organization, their respective mission statements, and finally their test line-ups.

ASE (The Institute for Automotive Service Excellence)

Until a little over three decades ago, there was no way of making a distinction between professionals and amateurs when it came to auto technicians. Obviously, a solution had to be found. And so was born, in 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent, non-profit body. Today, the ASE counts almost 420,000 professionals as its certificate holders, working in every possible sector of the automotive industry, including car and truck dealerships, individual garages, fleets, service stations, and more.

In order to obtain ASE certification, applicants must sit for one or more of the ASEs 40-plus tests, which are sorted into different areas of expertise for automobile, medium/heavy truck, truck equipment, school bus, and collision repair technicians as well as engine machinists, alternate fuels technicians, parts specialists, and collision damage estimators. A successful candidate needs to pass at least one exam and make available proof of at least two years of relevant work experience, whereupon he becomes ASE certified. This is not a one-time certificate, though. In order to remain certified, technicians with ASE certification must take a retest every five years. The ACT, which operates various academic and occupational testing programs, is in charge of the tests, and they are organized twice a year in over 800 locations nationwide. The exams impose strict quality control by testing candidates mastery over job-related skills and are not easy to pass. In fact, something like one in three candidates fails.

Needless to say, a consumer stands to gain much from ASE certification. For one, it can become a measure of the knowledge and skills of a technician; second, it tells you a lot about a repair facilitys quality if it displays the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence logo on its signs and advertisements.

ASEs mission: To improve the quality of automobile repair and service through the testing and certification of repair and service professionals in the automotive industry.

In order to understand the process of ASE certification and testing, have a look at the tests as outlined on the organizations website (www.ase.com):

Auto/Light Truck: A1 Engine Repair; A2 Automatic Transmission/Transaxle; A3 Manual Drive Train and Axles; A4 Suspension and Steering; A5 Brakes; A6 Electrical/Electronics Systems; A7 Heating and Air Conditioning; A8 Engine Performance

Alternate Fuels: F1 Light Vehicles-Compressed Natural Gas

Medium Heavy Duty Truck: T1 Gasoline Engines; T2 Diesel Engines; T3 Drive Train; T4 Brakes; T5 Suspension and Steering; T6 Electrical/Electronic Systems; T7 Heating, Ventilation, & A/C; T8 Preventive Maintenance Inspection

Parts Specialist: P1 Med/Hvy Truck Dealership Parts Specialist; P2 Automobile Parts Specialist; P3B Med/Hvy Truck Aftermarket Parts Specialist (Brakes); P3S Med/Hvy Truck Aftermarket Parts Specialist (Suspension and Steering); P4 General Motors Parts Consultant

Advanced Series: L1 Automobile Adv'd Engine Performance Specialist; L2 Truck Adv'd Elec. Diesel Engine Diagnosis

Collision Repair and Refinishing: B2 Painting and Refinishing; B3 Non-Structural Analysis and Damage Repair; B4 Structural Analysis and Damage Repair; B5 Mechanical and Electrical Components; B6 Damage Analysis and Estimating

School Bus: S1 Body Systems and Special Equipment; S2 Diesel Engines; S3 Drive Train; S4 Brakes; S5 Suspension and Steering; S6 Electrical/Electronic Systems; S7 Air Conditioning Systems and Controls

Engine Machinist: M1 Cylinder Head Specialist (Gas or Diesel); M2 Cylinder Block Specialist (Gas or Diesel); M3 Assembly Specialist (Gas or Diesel)

Truck Equipment: E1 Installation and Repair Specialist; E2 Electrical/Electronic Systems; E3 Auxiliary Power Systems

Specialty Test: X1 Exhaust Systems

Now lets take a look at I-CAR

Created in 1979, I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) is also an international, non-profit training organization dedicated to improving the standard, safety, and efficacy of auto collision repair.

To that end, I-CAR promotes the concept of Outward Vision, which is a concept that aims to define the Ideal State of the collision industry as far as technical training is concerned. In this regard, I-CARs definition of the industrys Ideal State is:

That every person in the Collision Industry has the necessary technical knowledge and skills relevant to their position to ensure a complete and safe repair. I-CAR continues to develop and deliver technical training programs to professionals in all areas of the Collision Industry. Furthermore, I-CAR provides a communication forum for anyone interested in proper collision repair. Finally, that I-CARs primary funding is derived from student tuition and services, insuring that I-CAR can remain unbiased in developing courses and services on an industry-wide basis.

The I-CAR Mission Statement:

To research, develop, and deliver quality technical educational programs related to collision repair; to raise the level of available knowledge and recognize professional achievement; thereby improving communication throughout the Collision Repair, Insurance, and related Industries for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.

The following are some of the training courses offered through I-CAR for collision repair technicians:

Identification and Repair Decisions; Adhesive Repair; Welding Repair; Repair of Padded Dashes; Refinishing of Plastics; Analyzing Damage; Creating a Damage Report Manually; Creating a Computerized Damage Report; Safety & Environmental Practices

Understanding Automotive Finishes; Preparing the Surface for Refinishing; Preparing the Equipment, Paint Area & Refinish Materials; Tinting; Applying the Finish; Blending;

Solving Paint Application Problems; Finish Defects, Causes & Cures; Detailing; MIG (GMAW) Welding Cutting & Heating Processes Advanced Welding Methods; Damage Analysis; Straightening Structural Parts; Full & Partial Panel Replacement; Stationary Glass Replacement; Restoring Corrosion Protection; Preparation Panel Replacement and Alignment; Working with Trim and Hardware; Metal Straightening; Using Body Fillers; Door Skin & Intrusion Beam Replacement; Quarter Panel Placement; Moveable Glass and Hardware.

If, after all this, you still think it worthwhile to have an unskilled and unqualified amateur have a look at your car, just to save a few dollars in the short run, the call is yours. However, it is obvious that the importance of a certified and professional technician is immense when it comes to protecting and maintaining your precious vehicle. And whats more, such a technician will always keep himself updated on the latest happenings in the automotive industry, which means even the newest makes and models are safe in his hands. So do not leave your car vulnerable to undue risks. Consult a professionally certified technician today.

About the Author:

Rand Stuck is a master mechanic with over 13 years experience working on BMWs and currently manages the BMW parts department for an online parts retailer. You can find more Repair and Maintenance information at AutoWerks Parts & Accessories

Car Spray Painting With Paint Primers and Paint System

By Will Yonder

Novices that're entering into painting a car for the first time, don't realize that there are several primers and paint systems available. There are choices that've to be make as to which ones to go with. It must also be realized that a few of these systems can be chemically volatile, and must be utilized with extraordinary caution. That doesnt mean you should be dubious about using them, it means that you must know what you are doing and apply the right precautions.

There're the air dry kind of cellulose systems for repair, then there're 2 pack products. These are much more durable and professional but are the ones that demand caution.

For the primers there's the etching primer. This's a primer base to which a kind type of acid is added. You could purchase some one step primers that also come in aerosol form but they don't do quite the similar high quality job that the commercial acid based ones do. Make sure you to follow the directions precisely as the product says.

Other type of primer you may hear about or even need is the wash primers. These dont have whatsoever fillers and are applied in one wet coat over any of the areas displaying the bare metal. The etch primer fillers are a bit different because they have numerous basic filling qualities. These are applied in 2-3 wet coats, allowing 10-20 mins between every application.

A heavier type of primer fillers or surfacers are available that contain filling products. Nearly all the sprayable products are designed for filling small surfaces and scratches not dents, holes our deep scratches.

Air dry is more often your primary cellulose kind products. They dry fast but they dont have the identical ability to fill the area. You could also run the risk of it shrinking once it dries.

You would need to determine if youre satisfied working with the light aerosol fillers or if you want to go with the more extreme 2 pack primer fillers. Remember these've to be mixed exactly according to directions, and applied as said in the instructions. There are health risks that you got to safeguard against as well. In the long run they do give a much superior finish, but you have to decide does the job you are doing require this. If not then stick with the aerosol products. But then, if you're not familiar at all with primers, then perhaps you can get a couple of expert help or advise on the matter.

Be it which type you decide to go with , they all have the number of applications that will be needed. Then they would instruct you on what your future steps are after drying for instance how many coats are needed and how much sanding is required.

There're new products coming out on the market constantly. It's always a great idea to check with your supplier as to what they recommend. They're normally well-versed in the products they carry and can give you some really good advice.

About the Author:

Discover the secrets of custom spray painting and car bodywork repair with Mario from SprayPaintSecrets. Download your *free* car touch up paint videos and paint repair techniques from the site now.

Arkansas Olympics

By Mara Hernandez-Capili

The Olympics is an event held where countries all over the world participate to stand up for their countries pride. But these medals represent pride of the countries who participate; they do their best to train and show the whole world about their skill and talents. Of course medals are won Gold for the top winner second has silver and third has bronze.

This is the main cause of the Arkansas Senior Olympics it is just one of the groups that has been organize to make events particularly games and form into an Olympics activity specially catered to our elders. They give our elderly an outlet to show that despite their age they still have innate pride and them and this can be showcased in forms of games and sports. They have a lot of games that are shared by its participants; examples are 3 on 3 basketball, archery, bowling, golf, tennis and even weight lifting.

For recreational events they have basketball shooting, daisy air gun, the standing long jump, the one mile mixed relay and many more; all to promote camaraderie between the elderly of the State of Arkansas. Also this is to promote the betterment of the health of our old folks. And to give them time to mingle around and build relationships with each other.

They are governed with a good group of board of directors and executive staffs who help promote the vision and mission of the group. They have Frances Barger who achieved the 2006 Glenn Cunningham Track Award for showing outstanding performance in the track events in national and state games. Actual achievements are actually made by the participants of the Arkansas Senior Olympics. This organization showed a lot of support to our elderly and helps them show that despite their age they still have it.

About the Author:

Mara Hernandez-Capili is a writer and a researcher on events in Travel and Leisure. Visiting events such as craft fairs will open one's spirit on the beauty of the world beyond home's borders. If youre staying in the US, the author suggests checking out craft shows for entertainments to make your stay worthwhile.

Searching for Pre-Owned Cars in Orlando is Simple Finding Certified Used Cars in Orlando Made Easy

By Andrea Hardaway

Finding pre-owned cars in Orlando has is getting a lot easier thanks to the internet. Of course, not everything about finding cars online is simple. If you know the trick, though, you can find Central Florida pre-owned vehicles with no problem. You just have to know where to look.

There are dozens of ways you can look for used cars online. You can easily search on one of the major search engines, but that can bring up lots of irrelavent page results, and many of which are not going to help you at all. Instead of finding the car want you are more likely to spend your time surfing through pages that offer you nothing that you need.

Another option is to find websites that advertise pre-owned vehicles. Now, while this is better than a simple search, you still can waste a time just trying to find cars in your local area. After all, you probably do not want to travel to Colorado just to pick up your next car, truck or SUV! You want Orlando pre-owned cars that are in your area.

That brings us to the best solution - a website that only lists cars in the Orlando area. A specialized site like this is the best place to look for certified used cars, or any car you want to buy. All cars will be in your local area, and you wont have to worry about find a car you love and finding out that its located on the other side of the country.

You might question why you would want to go online to look for a car in the first place. That is actually quite simple. Going online to search for Orlando pre-owned cars allows you to search for a car at any time of day that is convenient for you. You will also have a chance to easily compare cars. Plus, you can see a wide range of cars from all over the Orlando area, too.

If you were to try to see the amount of vehicles you see online in person, you could spend weeks trying to see them all. In that time most would be sold or you might waste time running all over the city only to find that no one has what you are looking for.

By using an online source that features only local used cars, you will save time. You will also find it is less stressful to shop this way. Instead of running all around you can find just the cars that you are really interested in. Then you can go check them out in person. It is just, generally, a better option in finding a car.

Part of the difficulty in finding Orlando used cars is the searching. It can be hard to find good certified used cars or even just a used car that meets your standards. If you use an online local resource to search for cars you will find the right car for you in a fast, simple way. It will take most of the struggle out of car buying and you may even find car shopping online to be a fun experience.

About the Author:

OrlandoHasCars.com is the best online resource to finding used car in orlando fl, Florida.

Brighten Up Your Home With A New Ceramic Kitchen Backsplash

By Adam Barak

If you are looking for a great centerpiece for your kitchen then you may want to consider installing a Ceramic kitchen backsplash. You may purchase ceramic backsplashes in a huge selection of differing designs and colors. Some of the choices that are available to you with regard to the ceramic backsplash are listed below.

6 X 6 Ceramic Tiles

These are the most seen when you are investigating a ceramic standard backsplash. You can get 6 X 6 tiles at any home and garden store. They are also the most affordable when one wants to start adding a ceramic kitchen backsplash. They do require an investment of time to place on the wall and must be attached just as you would any other sort of tile. You are better off to get a person who knows the ropes when installing a Ceramic Kitchen Tile Backsplash, since an error can show up easily. If you want to install it on your own, start at the central focal point in the kitchen and measure. Utilize spacers to separate the tiles as you adhere the tiles to the wall using tile cement. Always start at the focal point when installing tile, since it is likely that the spot you are tiling is less than perfectly square.

10-Inch Ceramic Tiles

This might be a superior option when you want to make a ceramic backsplash. You can tile these yourself or you can hire someone to lay these tiles. This size is a bit more expensive than the 6 X 6 tiles, but they are more modern and require less work to install.

12-Inch Ceramic Tiles

This is also known as quarry tile. It is hefty tile and is the most current choice for floors in kitchens. You can also decide to lay these tiles as your ceramic kitchen backsplash.

Mosaic tiles

Mosaic tiling involves little pieces of tile that are fit together, most often to form some type of pattern. This can require extremely complicated work and is quite detail-heavy. If you are the artistic type and want a truly individualized ceramic kitchen backsplash, you might want to go for mosaic ceramic tiles.

The reason that people choose a ceramic backsplash is that it is simple to keep nice as well as being looking lovely. You can opt to use many varying designs when it comes to the backsplash, and choose from different tints and even grout colors. You may want to pick neutral colors when you lay a ceramic kitchen backsplash. This is because it is very time-consuming to remove this sort of tile from the wall and you will wish this project to last as long as possible. Colors are "in" one year and out the next, so you will not know what will work the next year. The color that you think is great this year may be terrible the next. Because of this, you may want to investigate the charms of a neutral Ceramic Kitchen Tile Backsplash in your cooking area. It is nearly effortless to clean and will look amazing on the wall near your oven.

About the Author:

Adam Barak is a writer for a web based project that educates consumers on the benefits of installing a kitchen backsplash. It really is a great way to add value to your home!

Gift Baskets Are For Men Too

By Grace Landers

Sometimes it is difficult to come up with just the right way to connect with your Dad. One idea is to give him a gift basket filled with things that will lead to the two of you spending time together. What a great way to celebrate Father's Day!

Gift baskets are so much more diverse than they used to be. Now you can find a basket to match what your Dad most enjoys, from golf, to coffee, to chocolate, and gourmet food. You can easily order a basket online and have the basket delivered in no time. Some baskets even offer next day delivery.

Consider choosing a Golf Gift Basket. Such a basket will include golf specialty gifts, allowing you and Dad a chance to get out on the golf course. You may get a variety of golf related gifts from chocolate golf balls, to tees and balls, to a game of play on his favorite golf course. This is a great way to prep Dad for a day of golf.

There are also Fishing Gift Baskets and Fishing Creel Baskets. This gift will give Dad a chance to get out on the lake. Even better, you and Dad can spend a day fishing together. A Fishing basket usually includes fishing creel, snacks like candy and crackers, and even a photo frame in which Dad can display his big catch.

If Dad likes Italian food reward his taste buds with an Italian Food Basket. Bring home the taste of Italy by giving Dad a basket filled with pastas, specialty marinara sauces, red wine vinegar, and a nice bottle of wine. Italian spices and treats can also fill the basket. Dad will enjoy a night of cooking and feasting using the treats from his Italian Food Gift Basket.

A Movie Night Popcorn Basket provides a great way to hang out with Dad. You can prepare a basket to provide a movie and snacks to enjoy together at home. Pack a popcorn bowl with microwave popcorn and movie candy. Pick a new movie and put it in the basket. Spend time with Dad enjoying a movie.

Remember to include items that create reasons for you to spend time with your Dad. Spend a day on the lake fishing or on the golf course. The most important thing is to spend time with your Dad, even if you are staying home and eating or watching a movie. Let gift baskets lead the way to time with Dad on Father's Day.

About the Author:

Learn how to start a gift basket business today. Also read more about gift basket ideas.

Picking the Right Dining Room Furniture Means You Need To Know Your Style

By Henry Francis

Picking the right dining room furniture is a big investment that requires careful planning. You need to understand whether youre buying an heirloom that will passed down for generations to come or a piece of contemporary dining room furniture that you might sell when you decide to move to your next home. Either way all the experts suggest that you should get a good idea of your style before you make that big purchase.

And although some people might not know where to begin, getting an idea of the style that suits you is a lot easier than you might think. In several easy stages, youll quickly learn what kind of dining room furniture will suit you best.

* Take a look around the space where you think the dining room furniture will go and look at whats on the walls. Will the dining room chairs that you think you might want fit with the photographs? The difference between getting formal dining room furniture and country dining room furniture could come down to what you have on those walls. For example, abstract art reprints would look much better with the contemporary dining room furniture layout.

* Walk around your house and make note of the last thing that you bought. If the last major purchase is something different from your usual style ask yourself what it was you liked about it. Your plans for decorating a formal living room could change drastically with your answers. If you have one purchase that is radically different from all the others, you could be ready for a complete makeover with your new dining room furniture.

* Go to the room that you like more than the others and take a look around. Ask yourself what it is about this space that makes it different and what the elements are that put you at ease. When youre able to identify what you like best, you might want to try and repeat that with the new fine dining room furniture youre looking for.

Its important to keep in mind that dining room furniture is a major purchase that requires planning on your part. Well before you take a good look at any of the online retailers that are available, you want to make sure that you know what youre looking for, and that you have a sense of your own style to use a yardstick.

About the Author:

Henry Francis is a professional dining room furniture appraiser. Hes been dealing with fine dining room furniture for years.