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

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Five Ways To Help Sell Your Own Home

By Sean Patrick

So you've decided to sell your own home! Chances are you're looking to save some real estate commissions and no one can blame you for that - it's a tough economy out there. It's critical that you have a few tips that will help you through this procedure.

The for sale by owner process doesn't have to be as complicated as some people make it out to be. The good news is that the owners of a home know it better than anyone else - including a real estate agent. If you due proper due diligence and understand the market in your area you'll have an advantage over other people who are simple plucking a number from the sky and praying that their house sells quickly!

These 5 steps can help you sell your own home quickly and efficiently:

1. If your home is clean, chances are it will show better than a dirty one. Pretty simple right? A clean home makes the sellers look good - it shows potential buyers that you've cared for the home and are proud of its appearance.

2. Staging is also very important. No need to rent furniture as you should leverage what you already have in the home. Pay special attention to kitchen and bathrooms as these areas actually sell the entire home - they are the most important aspects of any home and buyers will note this.

3. Market your property realistically. Many people ask way too much for their homes and thus never sell! Even if they do receive an offer chances are if it is priced too high in this market the borrower's bank will shut it down in the 11th hour - this is the last thing you want. Be sure to do your research and you can even hire a Realtor to do a CMA (competitive market analysis) for you. Otherwise you can always have it officially appraised - however, this might cost a few hundred dollars out-of-pocket.

4. Use a low-cost FSBO service. Although this might cost a few extra bucks, placing your home on the local MLS is a smart idea - chances are lots of Realtors will show your home and you don't want it to be hidden from the very people who have direct access to the money (buyers).

5. After receiving an offer, hire an attorney. For a couple hundred dollars you can find an attorney in your local area to "facilitate" the real estate contracts. If you're not a professional chances are you might need some help and it makes a significant difference to have someone on your side who is "representing" you, and it will cost a lot less than a real estate agent!

Start with these 5 tips - research, do your due diligence, and gather the proper information needed to sell your own home. Saving tens of thousands of dollars by selling your property rather than hiring an agent is an exciting journey - but does require some homework. As mentioned before, the homeowner knows their home better than anyone else - and chances are they can sell it quicker if they simply have the right tools to ensure a good, quick sale!

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Solar Powered Lights

By Matt Skall

A lot of people who want to add some landscape lights to their yard usually do some landscape preparation to see where they would like the actual landscape lights. Most of these preparations and plans are designed around one hardware element, the electrical wires that give power to the lights. This feature alone makes it so that people have to change desired light placement just to meet the electrical needs of the lights, or to not have to undertake a huge digging project to bury the wires underground. Well there is an answer to this frustrating process, solar landscape lights.

Solar lighting in landscapes has been around for a little while and there are a few ideas we have in helping you select the perfect light fixture for your yard. Like we mentioned before, solar lights are neat because you now can place them anywhere without worrying about wires. This gives you total creative freedom when designing your landscape lighting plan.

You can find a good solar light fixture kit from $50 -$80 dollars that will suffice all of your needs. Make sure you research the light brands and refer to our website as we have lots of information regarding light fixtures.

Another thing to understand is that not every day is going to be a clear sunny day. Because of this, you need to make sure you pursue a solar light fixture that needs minimum sun to charge the battery, or find a light that only takes a few hours to charge fully as this will help your lights to work even in rainy or overcast days.

The last item and best feature of all about solar light fixtures is that they pay for themselves. You can have a very neatly lit up yard by relying on the free power of the sun and it's rays. You will save money yearly by not having to pay out out a nickel to run your beautiful landscape lighting fixtures.

We hope these tips help you on your journey of finding that perfect light fixture.

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Understanding the Basics of Silver

By Ronald Jamison

Silver is the most plentiful and least expensive of the precious metals. The largest silver producing countries are Mexico, Peru, the US, Australia and Chile. We get silver from silver that is mined directly and also silver that is mined as a byproduct of gold, copper, lead and zinc mining. Silver also comes from silver extracted from recycled materials. Most of the silver supply is in silver bullion stocks.

Silver has superior properties that make it a highly desirable industrial component in manufactured products. Some of its unique properties include beauty, strength, and sensitivity to light. It is also malleable and has the ability to endure extreme temperature changes.

Silver is used in for many different things and some of the traditional uses include; coins, photography, silver jewelry, and silverware and table settings. Silver has been used as a medium of exchange since 550BC, and until the 19th century most nations were on a silver standard with silver coins forming the main circulating currency. Today, Mexico is the only country currently using silver even though it is in small amounts. Metals such as copper and nickel are the more commonly used metals for coins today.

Silver based photography is based on light striking sensitive silver halide crystals suspended on a film. Approximately 5,000 color photographs can be taken using one ounce of silver. The use of silver based imaging has been decreasing because of the growth of digital photography. This technique is still used for medical x-rays in some countries because of the low cost and high accuracy.

Silver Jewelry is highly prized for its brilliant luster and malleability. Pure silver is known as 999 fineness, and is almost tarnish proof but is too soft to use in jewelry. Silversmiths alloy silver with other metals such as copper to harden it. Sterling silver is 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Sterling silver is a standard for silver jewelry. Sterling silver is also the standard for silverware, bowls and decorative items such as picture frames.

Silver is used in many industrial products, such as batteries. Rechargeable and disposable batteries can be manufactured with silver alloys as the negative side. These batteries are more expensive but are superior to non-silver batteries. The most common of these types are the small button shaped silver oxide cell which are used in cameras, toys, hearing aids, watches and calculators. Silver oxide batteries are beginning to replace lithium-ion batteries due to environmental and safety concerns.

Steel ball bearings can be electroplated with silver to give them greater fatigue strength and load carrying capacity than any other type. These types of bearings are used in jet engines. Silver brazing is the joining of materials when done above 600 degrees Celsius and soldering when done below that temperature. This produces a naturally smooth, leak proof, and corrosion proof joint. Silver brazing is widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration and for electric power distribution. It is also used in the automobile and aerospace industries.

Silver like gold is used for a variety of things. Most people only think about silver being used in jewelry and for coins. Sterling silver is not only very beautiful but also used in different types of products.

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Picking the Best Radar for Your Automobile

By PeeJay Latombo

People have different opinions on what makes the best radar unit for your automobile. Of course, there are different benefits inherent to all the different varieties of radar detectors, and it comes down to what your wants and wishes are. Use this manual to help decide on the best radar for you.

One of the first things you have got to balance is how much you are able to afford to spend. The best radar for some people is the most affordable, while for others it is the strongest and therefore the most costly. Think about how much money you have to spend and you'll be able to make a fast judgment on some of the available styles.

For example, the mounted radar units are always rated as being the best radar for complete protection. They are small and hidden away and they are extremely powerful, offering protection against all or most kinds of radar and laser detection. However, their price and their permanency are drawbacks that many people don't want to deal with.

Corded radar detectors plug into your cigarette lighter. For many people this is the best radar choice because the units are very powerful, and don't cost a ton of money. However, the drawback is the cord running to your outlet and the visibility of the unit itself.

A cordless radar detector is the best radar option when you want the flexibility of being able to move the unit from one vehicle to another. This also allows you to easily store the unit away in a moment's notice, without any signs being left behind. This will help appease law enforcement as well as protect you from thieves.

While these different styles all can be the best radar for different people, there are many other technical considerations you should pay attention to as well. One of the most important is the overall sensitivity that your radar unit features, as well as its sensitivity to different wavelengths and styles of radar and laser.

On top of sensitivity, you also need to give attention to selectivity, which is just as important. You can consider the selectivity of your radar as the intelligence of the unit. It's what separates the real signals it is receiving from random electromagnetic waves and other noise. Even the most sensitive radar unit won't be the best radar if it has poor selectivity, resulting in many false alarms.

You have a lot to think about when it comes to which is the best radar for you and your automobile. You've got to consider the price of different options, as well as the additional benefits that different styles have. The best radar will have a robust and broad sensitivity, and will also have a best selectivity to prevent fake cautions that direct to complacency and bother for you.

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Growing Up A Bonsai Tree

By Nancy Jones

Growing bonsai trees is a favorite pastime for several people in different parts of the globe. As against the universal delusion, growing bonsai trees are not all that difficult. It is quite straightforward to get trained in the skill of growing bonsai trees for beginners or people with knowledge in bonsai growing and taste success.

Bonsai trees for beginners or people knowledgable with the art can be developed either from seeds or cuttings. Irrespective of which form you pick, you will find the effort will be meaningful and satisfactory. But, it is extremely essential for you to study how to develop bonsai trees so that you can achieve this eventual fulfillment.

Be it the recommended bonsai trees for beginners which are comparatively simpler to grow or the other kinds of bonsai trees, there are a few fundamentals which you require to be acquainted with to bring it up successfully. You could consider it like the upbringing of a small kid. All that you have to do is to make certain the following:

Spot: Bonsai trees require adequate air and sunlight to develop well and stay strong. It is best to develop them outdoors, but, if you would like to bring them up within the house, situate them near a window where they can acquire enough sunlight. Otherwise you place leave them outside for quite a few hours in a day. An additional option for inside upbringing is to choose a variety that will require lower amount of sunlight. The better you are able to duplicate its natural environment, the more likely that it will grow and become fully grown well.

Water: As bonsai trees are grown in pots or trays, you have to make sure that the soil never dries out or remains saturated with water. The recommended thing to do would be to provide them with small quantities of water frequently.

Soil: The right amount of soil is also mandated. There is also special bonsai soil available which can be made use of.

Nutrition: Utilize water soluble fertilizers for your bonsai. The kind of fertilizer relys on the kind of bonsai tree that you are developing.

Other major requirements: Pruning of the tree at the starting of the growth season; generally at the time of spring and summer. Sustain the root such that it does not become pot-bound. Giving the right kind of shelter and regulated situation or temperature (if required) at the time of extreme weather circumstances; especially in autumn & winter. Examining periodically for insects

With the right information and appropriate care, you can bring up your bonsai into a wonderful looking, precious asset.

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Why Do Women Want Two-Piece Tankinis?

By Alexis Miller

What is a woman looking for when she's shopping for swimwear? I would have to go with "great fit." That, in my mind, is the number one concern, follow closely by how the suit looks. So, seeing how fit and style are the most important factors, why would swimsuit companies produce suits that you have to buy the tops and bottoms separately?

I shouldn't have to address that here. If you are a woman that has been through the process of purchasing and fitting a swimsuit, you'll know innately. The buying and fitting process is exasperating.

Tankinis have become super popular across the world. They seem to fit what a woman really wants. The fit well and they look stylish. They're really the only style that makes perfect sense for most women. It's too difficult to find one-piece suits and most women don't feel comfortable walking around half-naked in a bikini.

A woman may need a suit which she might wear in the privacy of her own home. Then she would have the suit she would wear at the beach in front of others. What is great about Tankinis is you can coordinate your favorite suit for all the different occasions you might need one.

You can even wear the full top with your less than full bottoms at home. Go with a longer skirt to go over top while in public, and you can change it up to add a skimpier top to the skirted bottoms for a nice change. The options are endless with tankinis.

The reason swimsuit companies now offer this style should be self-evident. No one who has bought swimwear will need to be told why this option is available. Tankinis offer us solutions never before available and we should be truly grateful to those designers of this wide array of beautiful and colorful dreamy swim gear. The biggest problem you might face is deciding you cannot afford to buy them all.

Be aware though that finding a tankini that fits just right might still be an issue. My guess is that after shopping for just a few minutes, you'll find what you want. If all else fails, just abandon that lines and the crowds and hop online.

By shopping online you'll never have to hit the lines at the department store or fight the crowds. You'll be able to shop in the comfort of your own home. Oh, and you'll never have to face one of the ten-sided mirrors that make you wince as you see yourself. Tankinis are awesome.

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Wine Club Memberships Make Great Gifts

By Pat Johnson

Many people consider enjoying a meal with the right glass of wine to be a trivial thing, but not everyone is confident in their ability to pair wine with food. Fortunately most wine club gift memberships provide the kind of background and training that helps the recipient match their selection to the perfect food or meal. This is where my experience with them has served me well.

A majority of gift memberships will come with a host of informative materials. Also you can save a bundle simply by drinking that month's selection depending on what your needs are. I'm here to point you in the right direction. In addition, as a member you are sent many other gratuities including newsletters and notifications of tasting events, recipe books and suggested complimentary foods.

Most of the red wines they will send you come replete with a dossier detailing information from growing conditions, aging process and the awards garnered by that particular vintage. I think that is a secure investment. It is a really fun way of getting into this hobby and is a refreshing change.

Think of all the great conversations you could have with the recipient of a gift membership. Buying a wine club gift certificate gives you one more thing to discuss with those who share a common interest with you. Broadening your knowledge in this area allows you to have even deeper or more meaningful discussions.

All the details of the product such as its price, quantity, its manufacturer, etc are provided on the respective web sites. These and other criteria are used to select which wine will be chosen for the month. Cheap wine should not outperform the finer vintages, but make no mistake, you can definitely find some reasonably priced gems.

A really good gourmet wine club tasting membership should also give you some varieties and options as to the types of wine you're interested in. Well, here is my reply to that statement: variety is the spice of life so obviously this is important and plays a big part.

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Learn More About HO Model Trains

By Ferdinand Emy

Model trains have been around for nearly as long as actual trains have. They have been designed and manufactured by companies from different parts of the world, with very distinct specifications. This is remarkablely true for models built in the first decades of the last century.

As time passed by, scales and standards were established between companies that produced model trains and accessories for them. Companies who started working with other companies had to establish standards in order to make products and accessories that were compatible.

On the other hand, the flea market and the customers discovered that they liked some trains good than others, and so the specifications that were preferred stayed, and those that weren't tended to disappear.

Scales are one of the most common standards that are utilised for model trains. A scale is a measure of the relationship of dimensions of a model train compared to a actual train. It is measured in ratios. A ratio comprises of 2 numbers separated by a colon. The first number is Always one, while the second number represents how much of a given measurement corresponds to real dimensions.

For example, a scale of 1:40 means that if a good number ofthing measures one inch on a model train, it'll measure 40 inches on a actual train

The most common scale utilised in English speaking countries is the HO scale. HO model trains utilize this scale to keep their proportions equal to the proportions of the trains they are representing.

Although the nomenclature is HO model trains, in the United States of America, Japan and Australia, the rest of the countries know it as H0 model trains, with the letter O replaced by the number zero. Both nomenclatures HO model trains and H0 model trains pronounce the letter O or the zero as oh.

HO model trains use a scale of 1:87, which makes then one of the smallest model trains in the shop . In fact the term HO model trains, comes from the fact that they are almost twice as little as the O scale, which is 1:43. Therefore, they were named Half model trains, or HO model trains for short.

HO model trains are so known that there are literally thousands of models created with various materials. Prices may be as cheap as fifty or a hundred dollars or they can range up to thousands of dollars, depending on quality, materials, and level of assembly needed. Their popularity also means that its relatively easy to buy HO model trains accessories and tracks.

All in all, HO model trains are a very good choice for taking up model railroading. They may be inpricey, easy to get and with a good balance between detail and size.

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