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, July 8, 2009

Divided Styles

By Cathy Smith

A home is a place where each and every member of the family spends a substantial part of their lives together. While family time is important, it can also become a little overwhelming if each person doesn't have his or her own space. Whether you use individual bedrooms or just areas within the living room to divide each family member's space, try to create zones where each person can showcase individual style and personality.

This makes our home a huge chunk of our lives. Even as adults when we already live separately and move in different circles, coming home to our family's home is like no other. For our children, the home is a place where they can just be. Hence, it is the perfect place for them to express themselves. A home, even a family house can still be an extension of each family member's personality. Have you ever been to an ancestral home? You might know the feeling of seeing each person's mark on the different spaces in the house.

Decorate your home as a family. Let each one make a mark in the house and not just in their bedroom. Interests, style and preferences vary but allowing each one to show themselves in the choice of color, design, materials or decorations makes a house your family's home. Various themes can be applied in different rooms, accessories can be decorated or materials used depending on the design preferences Bottom line - let each one have a say in decorating.

Making use of decorations is the easiest way to put together your differences. If your children love colorful items, you can show colors in the fabrics such as pillow covers, area rugs and cushions. If you're more into the subtle shades however, paint the walls a neutral color or choose furniture with dark colors. If some like contemporary pieces and some like the coziness of country style, compromise with the use of decors. For instance, hang modern wall decors in the living room and make your kitchen a country-decorated space.

If you're not too keen about a drastic makeover such as wall repainting or furniture shooping, you can stick to accessories. These smaller items do a lot for transforming a living space. Area rugs are popular home accessories. With the wide selection in colors and designs, expressing a favorite color or style is possible. Area rugs are ideal decors too for bringing together the other decorative elements in a room.

Chilling out at home won't have to be limited to just locking yourselves up in your respective bedrooms. Each room in the house should be an ideal place for the family. It doesn't matter if the kitchen is your turf or the den your husband's. Every nook in the house should be a territory for everyone. By doing these simple steps, your place will be a reflection of multiple personalities...in a good way, of course.

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Why Drafting Tables Are Still Being Used Today

By Bart Icles

Drafting tables are multi-purpose desks that are usually used for writing, reading big books, sketching, and drafting purposes that require accuracy and precision. Drafting tables are also known as drawing tables, drawing boards, architect's table, etc. Their history can be traced back to the pre-industrial and the industrial eras. Even up until today, even with the existence of drafting software everywhere, they are still being preferred by seasoned draftsmen.

The art of draftsmanship was at the peak of its evolution during the industrial age. At this time, the popularity of drafting tables is also at its peak. To be able to become effective, there is a need for drafting tables to be adjustable so that it can maximize the comfort of the artist or the draftsman using it. It has to be in a comfortable working angle to be able to make sure that the creative juices of the artist is fully maximized.

At the beginning, ornate and heavy wood are the ones being used to make drafting tables. They are more showy and have a classy look and feel to them. However, because of the pressing needs of the industrial era, drafting tables were manufactured in a more conventional manner to be able to meet all the needs of anybody who will be using them. This is when steel and plastic drafting tables began to be manufactured.

Today, with the emergence of new technology and drafting software, computers are the main things being used by draftsmen. However, there are still certain drafting tasks that can only be done using the traditional way. Because of this, draftsmen still make it a point to value their drafting tables and are still maintaining them.

Antique collectors value antique drafting tables because of their charm, and of course, they are still very much functional albeit being difficult to transport. They are able to contribute a certain aura of sophistication and class to any room that they are a part of. On the other hand, modern drafting tables, although they do not really hold a candle in terms of the beauty and the charm of antique ones, are really functional and can more or less be portable and they also lend an aura of intellect into any room that they are found since draftsmen are known to be skilled people. Whichever type of drafting table you would choose to suit your needs, you are assured that you will be able to get the job done just the way you want it done.

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Does Spending On Halloween Make You More Patriotic?

By Benedict Fisher

One of the big questions after the terrorist attacks on WTC in the United States was, should we continue with our ways knowing full well that there should be more things done to prevent the WTC tragedy from happening again?

Halloween back in 2001 was still happy, but many people were already beginning to raise their voice against the pointless consumerism that abounded.

Halloween and Patriotism

How is patriotism viewed in the United States? In such a large country with a trillion dollar economy, spending is tantamount to patriotism. When you spend your hard-earned money, you keep the economy going. When you spend money, you keep the small and large businesses operating.

In effect, the whole system is maintained because people are letting go of their money. When a season like Halloween is not suddenly questioned, the commercial establishment recoils out of fear. If no one wants to spend, what would happen to the businesses?

In this view, the defenders of Halloween are quick to denounce the one-sided analysis of people regarding the consumerist activities of people during Halloween festivities. They say, well, spending money is tantamount to pledging alliance to the flag of the US.

Whether this view is true or not, it does make a little sense.

"Sorry, I don't buy that."

But people were no longer amused. According to Kevin Horrigan from the newspaper Post-Dispatch:

"Take the dough you'd spend on Halloween candy and send it to the Red Cross. How about $1.9 billion instead?"

It's a fact that Halloween in America seems to make everything it touches look very commercial, and may run contrary to the values that many people hold. But the supporters of celebrating Halloween say that it's a bad idea NOT to celebrate Halloween, since it will ultimately leave the country open to more terrorist attacks.

Subsequently, making the country vulnerable will cheapen the deaths of the victims of 9/11.

Economic interest

Of course, Halloween is a prime point for those interested in the vicissitudes of economic interest in the United States. Halloween is a retail-based industry. The industry thrives on individuals going out of their way to go to shops, stores and malls to buy their Halloween stuff.

What happens when the Halloween industry suddenly disappears? The economy may slow down as a whole.

These "main cogs" are the large companies that produce most of the money. The economy depends on these big companies. This is the reason why the US government is quick to lend out bailouts to keep these big companies from collapsing.

Because when the big businesses go down, the employees and all the small enterprises dependent on the big businesses would also go down fast. It's not about selfishness, really. It's more about preserving a slow machine, so that you won't have to contend with a completely broken workhorse.

Today, people have returned to the former habits of spending during Halloween, largely because the memory of 9/11 has toned down a bit. Let's hope this keeps up.

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Simple Steps For A Bathroom Makeover

By Rob Connely

If you're considering renovating your bathroom but you're after a low-budget decorating plan, here are some ideas for you:

To initiate the makeover of your bathroom it is necessary to decrease clutter. Take everything out of your cabinets/vanities and countertops. Go through all the products and decide what you really need. The items that are a must have store them temporarily in a spot where you can easily store find them later. Everything else you don't need get rid of it. Figure out a plan to get organized. Next, you will head to your favorite discount store for storage devices. Look for plastic boxes, storage bins, drawer dividers, and clear cosmetic bags. These can come in different colors so if you find a set you really love consider adding their color scheme to your bathroom.

Towel bars will be a great addition also. It is amazing how much adding a towel bar can change the bathroom. If you have the space available, put up a bar for each person in the family. This is a way for you and you family to remember which towel belongs to whom and which towels are clean or dirty. When you hang the towel racks be careful where you place them. Do not place racks to close to heating vents. When the towel is hanging you don't want it right over the vent. If you do not have room for towel racks, another option is to buy some decorative hooks to go by the shower. These can be used to hang robes as well as towels.

Design the bathroom with stenciled patterns on the walls, window, mirror and/or ceiling. Repainting might cost you some, so a simple artwork on the walls can also make the bathroom look better. A good idea for a wall decor is a nice photo or painting.

Because changing the flooring costs a lot, a good cleaning and the addition of an area rug will make the bathroom look good as new. Even better, you'll have a fabric that will absorb spilled water on the floor from your showers and that will keep your feet warm from the cool tiles. Be sure to purchase an area rug with the right size. If you have a big bathroom, then the size isn't really a problem, but if there's limited space, make certain that the rug fits right on the spot.

Finally, stenciling is a creative way to upgrade your bathroom from plain to chic. You can stencil patterns on the walls, mirror, ceiling or window. You can also repaint or polish the cabinets for a brand new look.

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Somethings You Should Know About Your Three Year Old

By Terry Stanfield

Watching a child grow from a tiny newborn into a curious toddler is an amazing experience, and teaching toddlers the many skills they need to learn is a rewarding job. By the time a child becomes a toddler they are ready to explore the world around them and are beginning to grasp basic verbal, physical, and social skills. Three year olds have very different needs than younger toddlers and strengthen the skills that they have learned since birth.

There are some common traits that most three year olds share although every child is different and develops at their own pace. If your child is soon to be three, here are six things you should know about your three year old.

Many children, especially boys, aren't ready for potty training until they're three. Many parents expect their children to be potty trained by three years old but many children aren't ready to begin the process until age three, and this is perfectly normal.

Three year olds are learning new words every day and are usually talking in 3-5 word sentences. Because they are learning so many new words it is normal to stumble over words but this is not stuttering and usually does not indicate a problem.

Some parents of toddlers are inclined to talk down to their child using overly simplified words or "baby talk." However, the best way to help your three year old develop proper speech is to talk with them using regular language with plenty of descriptive words.

Most three year olds enjoy imitating people and animals, especially those they are around on a daily basis. Three year olds will mimic what they see during play and will begin to emulate people that are close to them.

By age three children begin to develop the social skills necessary to play cooperatively with other children. Three year olds begin to share, take turns, and can tolerate delayed gratification, most of the time.

Three year olds also start to develop vivid imaginations and will often engage in imaginative play. They enjoy making up stories, pretending, and acting out their favorite books, stories, and TV shows.

Three year olds are still developing many important skills as they learn about the world around them. Teaching toddlers skills such as using the potty, how to play cooperatively, and the correct use of language become easier for three year olds who have developed the attention span and understanding needed for these tasks.

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Why Buying Quality Products Will Always Serve You Better

By Alexis Tierce

The Draws of Purchasing Really Cheap Stuff

It's a cinch to purchase inexpensive items. We are overflowed with it, and every shop and sale is totally loaded down with insanely low-cost imported stuff.

We know why such costs exist, of course-inexpensive foreign production plants and huge quantities naturally drive the price lower, until one evening we are buying flatscreens or flatware sets for the price of three hours' pay.

It's very challenging to resist this temptation, especially when the abundant quantity of selection in any market means that searching for a properly-made item among all the others can become quite impossible.

How is it that We Differentiate Between Top Quality and Cheap Nowadays?

This marvelous bounty of products means that, as always, there are people out there who want to take advantage of you, the consumer.

With millions of items being manufactured in far-away factories, it has become more difficult to determine which ones are truly excellent, and which products are simply pricey. Especially when we talk about products like PCs, there are no artisan computer producers out and about, making their own by-hand systems and pricing them at a premium.

And there are dozens of producers who are subscribing to the essential codes of marketing, knowing that if you set the price of an object much higher, such a heftier price can impart its better value. So it's rather difficult to understand the difference between good and bad.

Any Time We Purchase Stuff Like This, Quality Truly Does Mean Something

But there are specific things wherein quality really does matter, where purchasing a great thing is going to save you from replacement in the upcoming years. Things which are still created by hand, using vintage methods, are the top examples to think of. Look at a set of knives--what other thing can you purchase that will actually endure for dozens of years?

There are a million little sayings in the world that say the same thing: if you take the fast way out and get really cheaply, you'll finally see yourself paying triple when it's all done. It's relatively on the money as a slogan. And it's doubly true for goods that were years-ago created entirely by craftspeople but are today entirely industrialized.

Look at something such as Leather, as an example. You can go to any mall in the world and find a billion leather wallets. Half of them will not be true leather, and many of them will not be made with a notion of real quality. You need a true, direct vendor of top leather products for that.

Purchasing Real Quality Helps Out the Environment.

There's a different realm where purchasing quality goods truly is important-I'm talking about the environment. If you're constantly re-buying your leather wallet each 3 years, what are you thinking of doing with your old wallet? It's not typical you plan on recycling it-it's most likely in pieces and is on the truck for the land-fill.

Now extend that out across all the objects you buy: flatware, laptops, even houses-all of these raw materials are getting placed into products that, for some reason, just aren't as quality as many others, and hold a much more grand chance of getting launched into the dump sooner rather than later.

Hence getting quality goods and paying a small premium doesn't just save you bills in the long run, it aids our environment, as well.

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State Records - Government Public Records

By Chris Jensen

Many people might be surprised to know that they leave something of themselves behind every time they transact business in government offices. Information This is what they leave behind every time they sign government forms. These forms will be filed in stockrooms to form part of official government public records.

This makes government public records a prime source for information. It can be used in a wide range of purposes such as for employment background checks or even to just searching for a long lost friend or relative.

Genealogists also use government public records to build the family tree of their clients. Birth records, death records and even school records are all part of the volumes of paper work that could be found in the governments information trove.

Government public records could be easily accessed or requested for free when you go to the government office where the record could be found. However, this will take time to process and might be hard especially if you dont know which government office to go to. With the advent of the Internet, there are also some government offices that have made some of their public records searchable online. Finally, there are information brokers/ companies who have created databases of public records where you could easily access it online for a minimal fee.

Government public records are a great source of information about a persons personality. It could help individuals and companies alike in conducting their business efficiently. With the increasing use of the Internet of many state and federal offices, information from these public documents have become more accessible for all of us thus putting information within our reach.

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Garmin Nuvi 1390T - Buy Discount Garmin 1390T For Sale

By Chris Jensen

Looking for a GPS that you can use as tool for land surveying, commerce, map-making, scientific uses, tracking, surveillance, and the likes? Then Garmin Nuvi 1390T is for you. It's a GPS that is remarkably functional for it can be a tool for almost anything.

Indeed, the Garmin Nuvi 1390T can be a tool for almost anything because of its amazing features that include high-sensitivity traffic receiver, city navigator 48 states NT maps, pedestrian navigation, public transit mode, and turn-by-turn directions.

Basically, the high-sensitivity traffic receiver has a widescreen and ultra-slim design, enhanced user interface, ecoRoute, and text-to-speech. The city navigator 48 states NT maps include millions of name-searchable points of interest. The pedestrian navigation has optional CityXplorer maps. The public transit mode provides options to users whether to navigate using suburban rail systems, buses, tramway, and metro. The turn-by-turn directions come with spoken street names.

The Garmin Nuvi 1390T is worth having. It can be so good. It can serve some various purposes, truly it is remarkably functional.

Right now, the Garmin Nuvi 1390T can be found in stores online just like Amazon. However it can be expensive but of course it has what it takes to be expensive.

If you are really looking for a GPS that you can use as tool for land surveying, commerce, map-making, scientific uses, tracking, surveillance, and the likes, you just have to consider Garmin Nuvi 1390T. It's what you are actually looking for. Grab it now in stores online just like Amazon. You will never regret.

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