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, July 11, 2009

Experiencing the Beatles Up Close

By Mara Hernandez-Capili

The Beatles had been the founding fathers of present day rock and roll. Their influence had rooted itself in to the music of today's generation and while other people would not notice this, fans of the Beatles would very well jump into it. They were respected, well-known, highly acclaimed, popular and enjoyed being looked up by their peers.Their achievements remain unparalleled and no one as of now, could be compared to the achievements the Beatles had received. They had their humble beginnings in Europe, during the 1960's but through this, they managed to spread their tunes far and wide, even across the globe! Pop charts and record sellers could not keep up with the demand of Beatles music the people were asking them of.

There are a lot of hard core fans from across the country and around the world. Music touches the lives and the hearts of millions of people, and the music that the band had made exists for that. It has transcended the limit of time, gender and culture, being hailed as the proponent of music universally accepted everywhere. It is a mystery that leaves experts baffled throughout the century. The fandom this group had initiated still exists even up until today. Memorabilia, trinkets and relics of the day's old are now one of the hottest things being marketed and passed around, making it a niche of its own. Who knows when this obsession will turn into real life business.

There are a lot of events being held in honor of this great band. But we have one event that is garnering huge waves from across the country and that is: "The Beatles' Experience". This event is the culmination of all Beatles events. This is where sight, sounds and action come together to promote the band of all bands.

The Beatles Experience event pits off band after band, whose music has been influenced by the Beatles. Rock and roll, and all other various music genres come together to relive the experience of going into a Beatles concert. The 60's look definitely doesn't cut it, but you're here for the music, right? And so much more for the sights, and the sounds of the concert area.

The Beatles will remain a huge hit for the fans, and for the years to come it certainly is. Fans will keep this alive, for the next generation to appreciate. And by the looks of the previous concerts, this will go on for a very long time. Not that people are complaining ;). Good music is hard to come by.

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The Cathedral of Havana: The Most Beautiful Church.

By J. M. Maurette

It is not possible to mention the beauties of Havana without including The Cathedral Square. With its cobbled streets and beautiful facades it captivates visitors from all over the world.

In earlier times it was named Plaza de la Cinaga (Swamp Square), and later on "Plaza de la Catedral", it is a place that has much to do with the beginning of Havana, founded on the 16th Century in the proximities of Havana's harbour.

Late in the 18th century and after many refurbishment to a religious building which eventually became The Cathedral of Havana Cathedral the Square was to be known as The Cathedral Square. The Cathedral it self is just amazing. On its facades the best baroque architecture of Havana can be appreciated which contrast with its complete Neoclassic style in the interior. Beautiful buildings surround the this church harmonizing with the splendour of the square.

Numerous important gatherings take place in this astonishing little spot of Havana. Festival, music concerts and gala dinners for important groups have found the perfect venue in Cathedral Square. The weather is always nice and the atmosphere can not be better. Surrounded by a magnificent architecture and serenaded by some always excellent Cuban music can be the ideal perfect evening.

As a special feature, one of the nearby alleys is the seat of the most famous Cuban restaurant: La Bodeguita del Medio which reaffirms its quality after serving for more than 60 years since its foundation.It is an emblematic restaurant for the Cuban tourism, with the walls full of around two million autographs of all clients from different time periods, and photographs left by outstanding figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Mario Benedetti, Pablo Neruda or Errol Fryn.

The list of celebrities is long, including cinema artists, painters, politicians, dancers and musicians, both foreign and Cuban, where this country's national poet Nicols Guilln (deceased) had his space too.

Since very early in the mornings the square becomes crowded with tourists who come to take pictures, visit the Cathedral or any of the palaces around it. After much wandering around you can seat at El Patio Restaurant whose tables are spread all over the square and enjoy the people passing by.

A word of advice is to find a hotel in the old town, there are about 15 of them and they are very small, cosy and boutique hotels with very affordable prices. Santa Isabel and Florida hotels have both the best standard of service and location. Every thing you need to do or see will be walking distance from your hotels. At the end of the day you do not want the hassle of having to take taxis while on your holidays.

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Divorce Records - The Divorce Records Review

By Chris Jensen

Household arguments and bickering seem small when compared with a true crisis situation for a couple or a family. A crisis is a result of a crucial change in the normal course of family events, such as divorce. Divorce is a true crisis situation which is increasing in occurrence and is under control only in countries where it is legally restricted. The Divorce Records give us an illustration of the reality, as well as the ugliness, of divorce.

Why do people get divorced? Oftentimes, the explanations offered by divorcees to lawyers or judges could well be stereotypical, convenient answers. This is to avoid drawing the process out any longer than is necessary. But according to psychotherapists, divorce is often the result of communication problems, problems of authority, unrealistic expectations, and sexuality.

Divorce, complex as it may seem, can be prevented. Resolving conflicts, communicating constantly and effectively, sharing authority and duties, not having too idealistic concepts of marriage, keeping your sex life alive, and exchanging loving and romantic feelings are some of the ways in which divorce can be prevented. These methods, as you can see, focus on the couple and are done inside of marriage.

The Divorce Records serve as a preventive method for divorce. Unlike the guidelines stated above, looking through divorce records can be done even before a person enters the uncertain confines of marriage.

Divorce records are important to investigate if you are thinking of getting closer to some one as they contain valuable information such as the names, marriage date, place of marriage, financial information, alimony, custody, filing number, final decree, and the names and birth dates of any children involved. Divorce records include information on who pays who what and what led to the divorce.

"Look before you leap", some people would say. For all of you who are in love and who think about marrying, look through the Divorce Records before you take a leap.

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Why Not Shop Online?

By Steve Persipidus

Internet shopping can give you a sea of goods and services at discount prices. Because of this, online shopping is becoming the number one form of shopping.

As retail stores are shutting their doors, online malls are growing rapidly. As this occurs it becoming increasingly difficult to find what you are looking for at retail stores because their inventory is shrinking.

Last weel I found an advertisement at a retail store that had a backpack I was looking for. I though this was great because I thought I could save a little money with the sale. However when I got there the store only carried one color and it was not the color I was looking for. The sales associate at the store told me they could get one in about a week.

I left the store and did what many other have done. I went online and ordered one at a cheaper price. After the order went through the pack was at my door in four days.

In my opinion this is part of the problem of why retail stores are not retaining customers. Yes the economy has a part to play, however if the store does have what you want then why shop there. As the financial pressure grows the store with poor service and lack of inventory will sink.

It does not matter what you are looking for. Whether it is a necklace, perfume, computer, toy, or video games; Online malls offer just about everything.

Finding an online mall that offers wholesale pricing is icing on the cake. Most web malls are set up similar to department store or the specialty retail store you are used to. In my opinion why shop anywhere else.

My only suggestion when shopping online is to find that mall that fits what you are looking for. Just as you would if you were shopping retail, not everystore has what you need. By shopping online you will save time, gas money and lower your stress.

As the online shopping experience continues to grow coupled with the poor economy, you will see many more retail stores shut down. With this in mind, be aware that if you purchase a product from a store and it comes with a warranty, be sure that your warranty will be honored if they shutdown. Otherwise you are paying for a warranty in the price that means nothing. Online is the way to go.

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How Hardwood Is Better Than Laminate

By Ryan Inderwiesen

Having a wood floor in your house can make the value of your home go up. If your planning on installing a wood floor, there are tons of products to choose from. You have your hard wood, laminate, and parquet. My family has been in the flooring business for 25 years and know what it takes for a good quality floor. We specialize in hardwood in the Houston area. We also install laminate and parquet. When you go with a hardwood floor, you are investing in a product that is going to last a life time.

Hardwood floors can make a room feel different than carpet or tile. Just looking at a well put together floor can change a persons mood. Most people that are in the real-estate business can tell you a hardwood floor can be a great selling point to a buyer. Some hardwood floors are as old as 100 years. There is no-way that a laminate floor will ever last this long. Hardwood floors can get scratch, as many floors do. This can be caused by furniture being moved, dogs, and even your lovely children's toys. The best thing about this type of flooring is the fact you can re-sand, re-stain, and alter the look if you so choose. Hardwood is more expensive to buy than laminate. The price can range from $4 - $15 a square foot. It all depends on what type of wood you buy. Installation is usually $1.50 - $5 a square foot.

Laminate floors are a cheap alternative to hardwood. If you have done research then you know that the warranty on laminate flooring only goes up to 25 years. That is only if you buy certain types. The bad thing about this type of flooring is, you can NOT refinish it. These types of flooring come already finished, all you do is snap the pieces in place. This can be tricky because if the tongue on the board breaks then that board may not be completely grounded. If the board is not tight then the floor can warp causing ripples.

The difference between the these two products are worlds apart. If you have the resources to get a hardwood floor done, it is worth it. Just a reminder: there are some types of wood out there that are cheaper, like white oak or pine.

If you want a floor that is going to last, then go with hardwood floors in your home. Not only are you going to have a floor that looks great, but can also be altered over time to fit your home improvement imagination.

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Pantry Shelving - 9 Ways To Get Organized

By Ned Dagostino

Chances are you'd love to save money by shopping at one of warehouse clubs, but since you have to buy items in bulk, you might not think you have enough storage space available. Perhaps you just need to get your pantry organized. And adding pantry shelving just might free up the space you need.

It doesn't matter if you live in a large home or a small apartment, proper shelving will increase your storage space by making sure you use all your available space well.

Certainly organizing things such as small bottles, canned food, and even large juice containers presents a challenge. And the first step to meeting this challenge is with the use of proper shelving.

But you have plenty of options to make better use of the space in your pantry.

1) Use door and wall racks. If you're looking for the perfect place to put small items like small baking items (muffin cups etc.), envelope mixes, spices and the like, these racks will work perfectly. Just remember that you'll need a door that swings out. If you have a sliding door, these won't work.

2) Use under shelf baskets. Looking for a place to put your kitchen hand towels, paper plates or even china? If you have wide shelves already installed, just install these sturdy baskets underneath one.

3) Stacking shelves will help you get the most out of your available space. They come in different heights and lengths. Just stack them up for a great place to put canned food.

4) Wine drinkers will appreciate this one. Get yourself a portable wine rack. If you've got the space to put it, this is a great way to keep all your wine or other bottles organized.

5) A D-shaped shelf will work great in oddly shaped cabinets in the pantry. They are a great place to store things like cake mix boxes or canned good. And they make the items easy to get to since they all turn independently.

6) Another great way to store canned goods is by using gravity feed racks. These stand upright. If you use a lot of the same item, simply place the cans in the top of the rack, and pull one out at the bottom as needed. The others will simply fall into place.

7) Tier organizers will let you easily see the small items that fit well on these. They are perfect for storing spices.

8) Pull out shelves make it easy to reach items in the back. Put these into a cabinet or on an existing shelf. You'll save a lot of space, plus it will be easy to get to something in the back. Just pull out the shelf, take your item, and push it back in when you are done.

9) Finally, turntables or a lazy susan will fit into many different sized spaces. They simply turn in a circle, which allows you to use all the space and easily reach something in the back by just spinning the turntable around.

All of the above ideas can help you get organized. And all can look great as well. Experiment a little and find what works best for you. Soon you'll be getting the most out of the available space in your pantry.

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What All Homeowners Need to Know About The Home Valuation Code of Conduct and It's Adverse Effects

By Tracy Anderson

The Home Valuation Code of Conduct or HVCC went into effect on May 1, 2009. This new standard for how appraisals are to be processed for any Fannie Mae or Feddie Mac loan was designed to curtail mortgage fraud. It was agreed to by Fannie and Freddie and the Office of Federal Housing Oversight in exchange for the cessation of Andrew Cuomo's (Attorney General of New York) investigation into the appraisal practices of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (GSEs or Government Sponsored Entities).

The HVCC is an effort to clean up the mortgage industry. Although there are many good initiatives in this new code, there are many unintended consequences adversely affecting home buyers, home sellers, mortgage brokers, agents and appraisers.

Any person that is compensated on a commission basis when a loan is closed is strictly prohibited from communicating with or selecting an appraiser. All the business relationships that have been developed over the years based on professionalism, quality and timeliness are now meaningless. Instead, appraisers are chosen from a preapproved list or from an independent Appraisal Management Company.

When an appraisal is ordered, the appraiser puts the report in the name of the lender making the request. If the lender is changed, a new appraisal must be requested in the new lender's name which increases the costs to the buyer and the time to close. A buyer may be hesitant to change a lender with whom they are dissatisfied because of the potential increase in costs and time. If the buyer has a rate lock, they may need to extend the lock for longer periods of time.

Most sellers are not in a position to reduce the sales price of their home to accommodate a low ball appraisal, so the contract falls apart. Consequently, a seller's only option is to appeal the low appraisal. May's statistics for new and existing home sales were up, but still fell short of market expectations. The National Federation of Mortgage Professionals, The National Association of Realtors and The National Association of Home Builders are pointing to issues with the Home Valuation Code of Conduct for this shortfall.

Appraisers are now the only industry with restrictions prohibiting communication with their customers. Remember, appraisers may not communicate with agents, loan officers, mortgage brokers or real estate brokers because they are paid on commission. Just as real estate agents pay a portion of their commission to their brokers, appraisers are required to pay approximately 40% of their income to the Appraisal Management Company with whom they work. These restrictions on communication and compensation could drive many experience appraisers out of the market and a time when we can least afford it.

CNBC interviewed several agents across the country regarding the low ball appraisals. Agents and brokers believe that 1 in 4 transactions are being adversely affected by the Home Valuation Code of Conduct. Therefore, NAR (National Association of Realtors) has requested that HVCC rules be suspended for 18 months to cut down on these negative results

The truth is that appraisers are caught between lenders and regulators who want conservative appraisals and buyers, sellers and agents who just want to conduct business. Lenders and regulators want foreclosures and other distressed properties to be used in the appraisals. Buyers and sellers just want to buy their dream home or sell their existing home and move on. Prior to all this free money in the mortgage industry, a home was worth what someone was able and willing to pay for it. Oh, how I long for the good old days!

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Cure Your Phobia Instantly - How To Cure Phobias

By Chris Jensen

If you have wondered how to cure phobias, then fortunately for you, there are methods already available in the medicine world such as pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and behavioral therapies. Getting into detail to each method would prove that phobias are more or less dependent on a person's acceptance of his or her condition and one method might not work for you or it needs to have a combination of more than one technique.

Phobia is defined by a fear that is described as not rational and exaggerated and would cause a person to avoid that thing, person or situation which causes that reaction. It usually draws out distress and anxiety from the affected person and may manifest in a form of panic attacks and a person's inability to function normally.

A suggestion on how to cure phobias is by classical conditioning, an approach that deals with having to undergo the same feeling with the same event in a repeated process until both may already be coupled together and become a habit. This is with the help of a conditioned stimulus that when gradually let go would actually aid in the behavior becoming a habit, something which comes naturally.

Sedatives are also another another suggestion on how to cure phobias. There are various sedatives that are acceptable in industrial settings or in the workplace and other public places. Examples are Remeron, Xanax, Benadryl, Riperdal, Lunesta, and Thorazine to name a few. Still, you have to consult a professional psychiatrist or clinician in order to prescribe these medicines and to make sure that the treatment you are taking is suitable for you.

Sadly, though, there are some people who have financial constraints that hinder them from having therapy, whether it is through psychotherapy or through medication. And more often than not, people who have problems with money are those people who suffer much from mental disorders such as phobias. However, not many people realize that one way to cure phobia instantly without any monetary issue is through self help techniques that can be paired with medicines at a reasonable rate.

So, I laid down some of your options on how to cure phobias, now it's up to you on what to decide you'll take on and help yourself.

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