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, October 21, 2009

Ensure Your Security With An Apartment Security System

By Joe Costalo

Wherever we live, our houses are the place that we store our most precious items. We work hard to collect the nice things in life and need them to be safe at our homes. We lock our doors and windows when we leave or when we retire to bed at night to make certain we and our possessions are safe. If you live in a studio, a residence security system is a great idea.

There are various rules for which types of alarm systems you may have in a loft. If wires need to be run and a hole has to be drilled to run the line, the alarm company will have to get authorization from the landlord. If the landlord does not give them the authorization that they want your choices in the alarm system might be limited.

As long as the landlord gives the permission you can get an alarm system just like someone who lived in a house. You may have monitors on your doors and windows that may alert the alarm company if somebody attempts to break in. In most cases you will have a key pad just within the door that will be used to arm and disable the alarm system.

All that you need to do is punch in a code as you leave the studio and shut the door behind you. The alarm will then be armed. When you come home you will unlock the door and instantly go to the alarm box and punch in a code to disarm it.

If somebody was to try to break into the loft, a particularly loud alarm will sound and alert the people next door that there's an intruder. The alarm company will also get notice and will immediately call the authorities and have them come to your residence to provide help.

If the alarm is set off on accident, say you forget to bump in the code after you open the door, you will need to contact the alarm company and tell them that it isn't a critical situation and that you are alright. Be careful because some alarm firms charge a further fee for a fake alarm call.

Installing a loft alarm system will help you keep your belongings and family and friends safe from the perpetrators that may come to your door or window. All that you need to do is check with the landlord to determine if they have any restrictions on the type of alarm that you can install.

About the Author:

The Dazzling History of the Necklace

By Jo Archibald

Take a closer look at history and you'll find out how necklaces played their part as a form of ornamentation to people. Frequently, they were used to distinguish one culture from another.

Archaeologists and historians proved that necklaces have been actually used 40,000 years before we originally thought it was. They dug out a cave in South Africa that contained about 41 mollusks and were put together just like a necklace 75,000 years ago.

Prior to this, archaeologists used to believe that the oldest record was from 30,000 B.C. The artifact was made out of animal teeth, stones, claws, shells and bones strung together, akin to the idea of modern necklaces.

In 2500 B.C., gold was used to make necklaces. Evidence was obtained from Ur. Later, Sumerians started to wear neck jewelry out of copper, colored stones and other precious metals.

The ancient Egyptians were more advanced with their designs. They started devising single beaded necklaces, to more intricate designs. They also made wide collar ones - typically used by the affluent individuals in the society. These were usually heavily adorned and became substantial in their outfits.

The classic Greek period of 480 to 300 B.C. approx gave rise to three-dimensional neck jewelry. These were designed with a chain of flat ornaments. When Alexander the Great rose to power, the Greek Empire was flourishing with gold. These were used to make necklaces and still continue to happen today.

Contrary to the Greeks, ancient Romans never really wore jewelry. They established statutes that indicate the amount of gold a woman is allow to wear or lays to rest with. In the first century, Romans carved jewelry form precious stones in either rectangular or circular.

When the second century ended, piercing came to be. This method created a lace result to golden necklaces. The most renowned design was the chain with varied colored gemstones linked together by gold. Subsequently, putting on a number of necklaces at once became increasingly common among women. This gesture depicted social status. On the course of the next several years, its popularity started to diminish but redeemed itself by the end of the 14th century.

In the current trend, necklaces are worn by all sorts of persons. One of the most beloved and sought after gifts from children is the stringed macaroni necklace. Every mother appreciates this for they know it depicts sincerity from a child's pure heart. There are many different explanations why people wear necklaces. One is because of beautification while others wear this for religious relevance. Examples of these are crosses and images of saints.

Necklaces survived the course of our long history. Chances are they will continue to play their part in the jewelry industry. And to retain its versatility, it'll be ceaselessly restructured. It is not impossible for it to revolutionize further because it has been made out of teeth, animal bones to precious gemstones, from macaroni and shells to simple metal and beads. Only our imagination can take us further.

About the Author:

Harry Potter Party Supplies - For Magic Moments At Any Party

By Rand Fortescue

When planning your child's birthday party you should make sure that the theme is something that they really like and are interested in. Most children these days are into Harry Potter. You can start planning your child's party by buying Harry Potter party supplies and you will have the best party you've ever had. It really can be that easy.

Planning a party can get frustrating but if you know what you need and what you need to do then it can be easy. Start planning right away and setting a budget and timeline. The first thing that you will need to do is to go shopping and buy some Harry Potter party supplies. Check out websites such as Amazon and eBay as well for better deals. Get the basics- table cloth cover, napkins, plates, cups, streamer, etc. Then all you need are some fun activities for the children to do, some games and a few decorating accessories.

Before you do anything else, you will need to have invitations. Many Harry Potter party supplies have coordinating invitations, but you can easily make fun, personalized Harry Potter invitations that the guests will love. You can put Harry Potter pictures on them and even a picture or two of your child. Get creative. You can use card making software and have your child help you make them and design them.

You will need to get some accessories along with your other Harry Potter party supplies. Twinkling party lights, spider webs (quilt batting), jars of potion (colored water) and plastic frogs can all be used in the party's decor. Just use your imagination to create the right ambiance for your child's party and they will have a great time.

Before the guests arrive, have your child make each guest a wand and cape. Present these to the guest when they first arrive. It will help them to feel more a part of the party and really get them into the mood. Have a sorting hat ceremony and put each child into a house. Make badges out of paper and yarn.

You can even have craft stations where they make different Harry Potter accessories. Make a golden snitch pin with white craft foam, gold pompoms and pins. Get creative. There are so many ideas for crafts on the internet if you do a search. Make several craft stations for the guests and let them rotate each craft.

Harry Potter party supplies can make your child's party really special. You child and friends will love the party if you just put a little bit of thought and creativity into it. With all the accessories available, you can definitely find something that allows everyone to participate in the fund.

About the Author:

Learning to Enjoy Leisure: The Way Different Countries Drink Their Coffee

By Damian Papworth

Clueless about the best way to meet people and get to know a new city? There's a simple way to figure out where the best spot to go later in the evening is, or better yet, to understand how things work. Just head to a local cafe, and get the best insight on how the country you're in operates. Learn if people are leisurely or rushed just by watching them drink some coffee.

You see, the caf? lifestyle is more than just a reflection on how the locals like their coffee (one sugar, two sugars, milk, no sugar). It lets you know how people value their time, how a day actually moves, and whether or not you're going to find yourself waiting a long time for your friends to show up. In places like Western Europe, it's literally possible to sit as long as you like, sipping on a cappuccino, watching the action of the city go by. In Italy, if you meet a friend for coffee and don't stay for a couple of hours, they're going to think something is terribly wrong. After all, where could you possibly have to rush off to?

A number of countries are rather relaxed, but others even elevate their culture from simply enjoyable to intellectually important. Over by the university on the left bank of Paris, a number of tourists flock to the cafes where Sarte and other existentialists wrote some of the most important books of the 20th century. In a city like Paris, the caf? lifestyle is about something more than just leisure. It's about valuing the time to think and create on your own, but also thinking that is an exchange that can happen out in public.

A couple of cities in The United States are a better look at what could have been, or rather, what was before Starbucks made carry-out to-go coffee the thing that everyone needed and wanted. At a couple of regal cafes in New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, you'll get laughed out the door if you try to order a "tall" anything. Families who came to the States managed to order large machines from the old country that make seriously great drinks, so it's possible to sit for awhile and enjoy a decent coffee and a sandwich with the other people in the neighborhood who value such things.

Probably the biggest difference from country to country is what comes with your beverage. In the States, there's not going to be any free snacks coming with your cappuccino or latte, but elsewhere in the world, a cafe wouldn't think of serving you just a coffee. You see, the caf? lifestyle in places like Buenos Aires, Argentina, will practically give you an afternoon snack. Order a coffee--any coffee--and not only will a nice Italian-style espresso-based beverage come out, it will be accompanied by a glass of sparking water, at least three packets of sugar, a couple of tasty cookies, and sometimes a variety of chips or crackers. Likewise, if you're in Paris, it's sometimes cheaper to just go with their special, which means that your coffee always comes with a croissant or cookies.

And that's the thing about the caf? lifestyle: if you're from a more rushed country, there's something so amazingly freeing about having the time to just hang out and relax and observe somewhere else. Because if you're used to coffee in a cardboard cup that doesn't taste particularly great, it's pretty amazing not just to taste genuinely coffee, but to actually change the pace of your life, even if it's just for a vacation.

Perhaps some of that culture will rub off the places that it doesn't exist already. Starbucks, after all, has made it acceptable to want something with espresso, and maybe the slow food movement in The States will carry over to beverages in public. A number of bloggers and internet fiends are making it slightly more acceptable to sit in a public place and still be a responsible adult, so long as there's a computer in front of you and you look busy.

So the next time you're on the road, be it in your own country or around the world, if you want to get to know a little more about the city or country you're visiting, head to any old cafe. The best way to get acquainted, after all, is by steeping yourself in the caf? lifestyle. Who knows what traditions you might pick up and take home with you.

About the Author:

Wireless alarms offer protection for your home and family

By Matthew Kerridge

Having your home protected with wireless alarms could be a great choice for you and your family. With crime on the rise due to the poor state of the economy, more and more people are turning to theft than ever before. An average burglary costs the owner $2000 in missing merchandise or cash. Don't let yourself and your family suffer this kind of loss when all you may need is a little protection.

Older systems are better than nothing, but these new wireless systems are now more reliable and more advanced than any alarm systems before them. These wireless systems work on batteries so you don't have to worry about them going out if there is an electrical problem. They are also easier to install than other systems and won't take a lot of time to set up.

Doing a little research goes a long way. There are plenty of options and companies that will provide valuable information on these security systems just by simply searching around online. From differences in price to differences in the functions they perform, there are a wide variety of security products available for you to choose from.

There are wireless alarms and then there are hard wired security systems as well, and each could have advantages and disadvantages. Always be sure to ask questions about any system you are interested in so that an expert can give you the information you need to make an educated decision. There are many companies that have experts on hand to help with your questions and can give you valuable advice on any hard wired or wireless security system.

A hard wired system is usually the best call when building a home. The wireless systems are likely the better choice however in a home that already exists. There is no need to drill any holes or have to rip down any walls to get the system installed. Simply find where you want it and stick the pieces to the wall or windows and your done. Installing a hard wired system will require more work and more time to get installed, but in the case of new construction will be easier because the system can be installed prior to the walls going up.

There are wireless alarms that can protect your car, keep track of the whereabouts of your children, and even protect yourself with a wireless keychain alarm. The wireless alarms you buy for your home can be attached to your windows or doors and can even be bought with motion detectors. The choices of wireless alarm products are many, and they can help you feel safe no matter where you go.

Get the information you need and see if getting a wireless alarm system is something that is right for you and your family. The cost of the system is nothing compared to the price of keeping your home safe and your family protected.

About the Author:

Online Auto Auctions Affordable Price

By Barry Penn

Purchasing vehicles from the seized car auction has been the trend these days because their prices are considerably affordable, and apart from that they are of high quality. These auctioned cars are held in custody by the different government agencies due to some violations to the existing law. Government offices that handle this matter include the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs Service, Small Business Administration and other agencies. Such cars technically don't have legal papers to certify ownership.

Some of the reasons that led the cars to be confiscated include the people's inability to pay their tax accountability, others simply failed to continually pay their instalments to banks and lending companies. Government offices decided to sell the seized cars in order to avoid spending money for the storage space and aside from that the maintenance cost is increasing. It just turns-out to be a financial burden after all, that's why going on a public seized car auction has become a solution to the problem.

The great thing about public car auction is that you can take your pick on which car model you would like to buy. They usually sell-out brands of cars such Toyota, Mitsubishi, Ford, Nissan, Honda and a lot more models which you will probably get to like. This is the best option for the car buyers to choose because these cars are not only in near-new condition, but are also way cheaper as compared to the prices at the car shop. Additionally, they are as low as 80 to 90% off the market price which basically sounds way practical and convenient.

On the other hand, with the aid of the Internet these days, online auto auctions can definitely save anyone as much as 75% on the original price of the vehicle. The great thing about these auction cars is that most of them were rarely used; it's like purchasing a brand new car from a certain car showroom. Online auction is a much better option because you don't have to leave home anymore, all you have to do is visit a reputable website which absolutely provides you the quotations and price lists of your desired car.

It is well-guaranteed that the public car auctions are of tremendous quality which you will not totally regret after purchasing one. They practically have low mileage and have quality parts which will definitely amaze you. What you can do to find the best site for such services is to register to various online car auction sites until you stumble upon the site which basically offers what you exactly need.

Getting low-priced, yet top class cars is very possible with the help of the online car auctions. You will for sure get some deep discounted prices way lower than the original market rate. Some of them are even enhanced with sports rims, new engines, and other things. Before anything else, you have to decide what kind of car you exactly want to own, and then you proceed with the deal. Online car auction is certainly a big opportunity where car buyers can make a fair business transaction from.

About the Author:

Sure Clip Review: Is It Any Good?

By Kate Woodward

Nail clippers came to the world in 1896 thanks to the exploits of a man named Chapel Carter. Its purpose was to cut toe nails and finger nails and nail trimmer is another name given to this mechanical device made out of metal. Also, nail clippers generally have another tool that is attached to it which helps in removing the dirt that is present under the nails. A pocket knife can be used for the same purpose if the tool does not come with the clipper.

A mini file is usually attached to nail trimmers so that the user can smooth any rough edges on the nails. If a jagged edge is there on a nail of there is a missing end, the file can smooth the edges so as to not cause further injury. Concave and convex are the two types of head shapes nail trimmers come in. Toenail trimming is usually done by convex ended nail trimmers. The cutter part of the nail clipper can be parallel or perpendicular to the main axis. Lever and piler are the two varieties of nail clippers we get nowadays. Also, nail clippers now come completely covered by plastic except for the head so as to look less menacing for those who have cutting related phobia.

For personal hygiene, or for pedicure and manicure purposes, shaping and trimming of the nails are done. But nowadays, with the many metro sexual males that thrive in our society, these practices are not meant for the women alone but for the men as well. Nail trimming can get especially difficult if we do not have a proper view of what we're cutting, especially with regard to toe nails. Also, most of the time, cutting thick toe nails is a daunting task thanks to the narrow heads clippers come with. Moreover, if there is no grip on the nail clipper, cutting can get even more difficult as our full attention will not be on the nail, but also on ensuring we have a tight grip. Thanks to Sure Clip, we can say goodbye to all those troubles and much more that plague nail cutting nowadays.

The Sure Clip Nail Clipper

Regarded widely to be one of the most complete clippers the world has experienced, the Sure Clip Nail Clipper comes with various add-ons that ease the process of nail cutting. With its 3x magnifier, apart from the regular filing and clipping options, the Sure Clip Nail Clipper makes visibility problems a thing of the past. A nail catcher, a stainless steel blade and a diamond edged built in file are the three standard nail care options available to you. The add-ons, apart from the magnifier, include a wide rubberized grip that ensures you have greater control over the clipper. This ensures trimming the nails of babies and the elderly a safe and easy process. The stainless steel blade gives you accurate cuts. Toenail tear can also be forgotten thanks to the wide clipper head. Moreover, the magnifier comes with a light so cutting in the night would be as easy as doing the same in the morning. Also, the nail catcher is a welcome addition as all the nails get collected in one place which makes disposing them so much easier.

A nail buffer is also included with Sure Clip which helps in keeping your nails shiny every time they are cut. An overnight foot repair cream that helps heal foot cracks in miraculous fashion is also included.

About the Author:

Baby Gifts is Not All That Matters - You Need Great Food

By Edie Mindell

One of the components that guests look forward to the most is, of course, the food! Contrary to popular belief, baby shower food does not have to be pricey or expensive to make. This article will provide some easy-to-follow baby shower menu recipes that are sure to awe all your guests. These recipes will make people believe that you spent a fortune on the menu, yet they will cost a fraction of what people generally spend on catering for events like showers.

Some of the easiest appetizers and snacks come already pre-made! Buy refrigerated croissant dough, biscuit dough, and cookie dough. Use baby-themed cookie cutters like diaper and baby bottle shapes, and roll croissant dough in the shape of diapers. You can also use pastel-colored sprinkles for the cookies to add a cute touch. These snacks are easy, inexpensive, and delicious!

Another idea is to make adorable, little baby-themed cupcakes. Buy cake mix and add the other ingredients as directed on the box. Bake in cake cups and decorate with frosting and sprinkles. A couple of drops of food coloring can be added to plain, white frosting to create light, pastel colors. Heart-shaped cupcakes stand out a bit more and look beautiful, but the size and shape of the cupcakes are entirely up to you.

The next recipe is a delicious and colorful salad recipe. This recipe is nutritious yet very appetizing, and will definitely be loved by all the ladies! In one or two large salad bowls, mix 2 to 4 bags of spring mix lettuce (depending on the size of your shower and the number of guests), 1 to two small packages of baby tomatoes, 1 to 2 cups of diced cucumber, " to 1 cup of shredded carrots, 1 to 2 cans of canned, sweetened tangerine slices, " to 1 cup of raisins, and " to 1 cup of caramelized pecans. Serve chilled with honey mustard or a sweet style vinaigrette.

An amazing fruit salad, popular in parts of Latin America is made using strawberries, mango, melon, sliced bananas, grapes, sliced oranges, sliced apple, and sliced pear. You can adjust the types and variety of fruits to fit your taste. Mix all the fruit pieces in a large decorative bowl and generously drizzle with sweetened condensed milk. Add caramelized almonds if desired.

A fabulous spinach dip that can be served with both corn chips and crackers calls for 1 " cups of real mayo (you can use light mayo if preferred), " cup of softened cream cheese, 1 package of frozen spinach (cooked and drained), " cup chopped green onion, " teaspoon of salt, " teaspoon of pepper, and parsley to taste. Combine all ingredients and serve warm. If desired, you can melt Mozzarella or Parmesan cheese over the dip before serving. Provide an assortment of crackers and crunchy corn chips to eat the spinach dip with.

These easy to follow, pre-made recipes will take up almost none of your time, and are guaranteed to bring compliments!

About the Author:

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