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

Friday, November 6, 2009

Boat Buying Facts

By Rutger Wilsensop

The wild card is, of course, whether or not the previous boat owner did the proper maintenance of the boat. Prior to buying you should always get the boat surveyed to be sure that it's in reasonable condition. This way, you'll know your getting a great used boat. Searching for a finance for your boat? Take a look at same day loans

Buying used is great for some, although it isn't always the most glamorous decision. The oceans and lakes are filled with boaters who are far wealthier than most. Many boaters go well beyond their means and finance their boats at extreme levels.

Although rare in the normal cruising market, aluminum is very popular with the construction of top quality custom built yachts. If you are looking for an aluminum constructed yacht, always make sure that it wasn't constructed by an amateur yacht builder - as this can cause major problems later on down the road.

The most popular choices of yacht rigs include sloop, cutter, and ketch - in that particular order. Sloop has the virtue of simplicity, while ketch and cutter rigs will split the sail plan into more easily managed areas. A ketch rig can sail under mizzen and headsail alone, while cutter rigs can offer a simple twin headsail with downwind option.

New boats can lose half of their value in less than 2 years. With a used boat, the previous owner has already fixed the problems that are associated with new boats. The previous owner has also already hassled with the dealer to get the warranty service taken care of.

A boat trailer is something you really can't go wrong with, as it is a dual purpose device. It provides a convenient way to store the boat, and also allows you to explore new areas by taking your boat down the road. Good trailers must perform both duties equally as good.

A used boat will already have scratches and dings, so you won't feel half as bad when you add a few of your own. When you purchase your used boat, you should leave at least a grand to outfit the boat and make any necessary repairs.

A used boat will normally come with dock lines, life jackets, spare props, a radio, safety equipment, and other nice additions. New boat owners will have to pay hundreds of dollars for these kinds of things.

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5 Things You Must Know Before Buying Any Usher Cologne!

By Jon David

1. The Fragrance

Women find the fragrance of User cologne to be a very compelling and attractive scent. The blend of pineapple, melon, verbena top notes, lavender, violet leaves and white pepper heart notes and vetiver, amber, sandalwood, musk, black suede and classic wood end notes bring compliments from women and enhance any man 's masculinity.

A bottle of Usher cologne represents strength and sensuality. As inspired by Usher's experience when singing beautiful songs, getting a wisp of Usher Cologne is like being on a journey into something mysterious and exciting.

2. Usher, The Man Behind the Cologne

Usher's full name is Usher Raymond IV. He was born to User Raymond III and Jonetta Patton on October 14, 1978, in Dallas Texas. His mother later moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee where Usher grew up with his mother, stepfather and half brother. At the age of 6, Usher began singing and by the age of 9 he was singing in the church choir that his mother directed. Usher was supported and encouraged by his family to showcase his talent at every opportunity.

Usher's family moved to Atlanta, Georgia so he could pursue more singing opportunities. At the age of thirteen, he was discovered as a singer and started making his ascent in the music industry.

Usher is not only a singer, he is also an actor, producer and shrewd businessman. His immense list of credentials were added to in 2007 when Usher took the plunge into the perfume industry. His cologne, Usher for Men demonstrates his passion and love for music and life .

Usher is not just a singer, he is a man that has a vision and sees it through to fruition, daring to make his dreams come true.

3. Smells like Abercrombie ... Fitch's Fierce

Those who use Usher Cologne think that this men's cologne smells like Fierce. They are both very appealing to women and are sure attention getters. These two colognes both have fruity aromas, bringing out a fresh and clean feeling. They also have this distinctly warm, musky scent that is very intriguing and sexy which draws a lot of curiosity from women.

4. Cool and Confident Man

Usher Cologne is as cool and unique as the music Usher brings to the world. It is definitely made for men who are cool and confident at all times. It is perfect to wear for casual occasions where you're just wearing jeans, t-shirt and jacket. It is also ideal to wear at formal events where you're wearing a black tuxedo. This cologne really reflects Usher's personality and style-cool and confident.

5. Women Love Usher Cologne

The scent of Usher cologne is loved by women and not just because of the man behind the fragrance; it is the pure virility of the cologne that drives women to the edge of desire. The can feel the mystery that is wrapped in the combination of subtle musky yet fruity scent.

When it comes to the cologne that will bring the women of your dreams in for a closer inspection of you, then Usher cologne is one of the favorite choices. The sexy, luxurious scent really tunes in the senses of women.

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Alternative Electricity Generation Is Perfectly Feasible

By Bart Forcey

Alternative electricity generation is the wave of the future and will be very important for providing electricity years to come. Specifically the focus has moved from burning fossil fuels to using renewable energy sources. Burning gas, coal, and petroleum currently produces the vast majority of all electricity generation. Some renewable energy sources include hydropower, solar energy, biomass and wind power. There is a lot of research being applied to renewable energy sources.

Alternative electricity generation should be embraced because it is extremely environmentally friendly, as it does not produce any waste products. Fossil fuels will one day run out and as those fuels diminish the price for energy and electricity produced form those products will increase dramatically. To access electricity that is affordable as well as good for your family and the planet alternative renewable sources will have to be utilized.

Electricity has recently been generated from slow moving water. This is a brand new are of research that transforms the vibrations in the water, for example from swimming fish, and turns it into energy, which can be converted to electricity. Over 15 billion individuals could be supplied with electricity of only 0.1% of the oceans currents were accessed for energy production. This method of alternative electricity production can supply electricity for the world but it can certainly supply a large amount of electricity.

The development of solar cells is reaching new heights as MIT has produced a solar cell that is 50% more effective then current solar cells. They have also reduced the cost of the solar cell as the silicon found in the cell makes prices increase. Their new cell uses 1% refined silicon making it much more affordable as well as providing more power per area or solar cell.

It is quite possible that waste will be turned into an alternative electricity source, as a new waste to energy project will take care of much of the waste disposed. Garbage is a problem to the environment and this is a great renewable options. Municipal trash is burned to produce steam and electricity. This has been know to produce electricity for over 100 years yet it has not been a popular source of electricity. This is a fantastic way to get rid of landfills and produce electricity at the same time.

Burning garbage may seem to be a cheap way for alternative electricity generation, however, the feasability of this option remains to be seen. The danger of creating noxious fumes or further contributing carbon emissions currently outweigh any benefit to the reduction of municipal landfills.

Wind power and solar energy are the most effective alternative electricity generation methods but some cutting edge technology focuses on harnessing the energy from the change of pH between the soil and trees, cyanobacteria, and more. There are many areas of renewable energy yet to be discovered and it is with hope that world embraces renewable energy production over the consumption of fossil fuels.

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What is the Importance of a Baby's Birth Month?

By Edie Mindell

While the first six months of the year carry many pastel-colored flowers, beginning July, bright colors become the most common. Summer brings more joy and color into the picture and fall follows summer with intensity and power.

Julys birthday flower, the larkspur"or sometimes called the delphinium"denotes the sensitivity of an open heart and portrays strong bonds and attachments of the soul. The name delphinium coincides with its many dolphin-shaped flowers that are attached to the long, upright stem. The color of the flower can vary between red, yellow, purple, blue, or white, and each flower has five petals. The five petals meet and join together to form a concave flower with a spur at the end, hence the name larkspur. Larkspurs convey a lighthearted emotion and a feeling of levity.

The gladiola gives those born in the month of August a title of courageous and brave. The Latin word gladius is the direct translation for the word sword, and the gladiolas sword-shaped stems are a visual representation for that. Symbolically, the gladiola represents moral integrity and strength. An extended meaning for the gladiola makes reference to its sword-shaped stems and its ability to emotionally pierce the heart with its stunning beauty and grace; infatuation is one of the feelings that this unique flower depicts.

Septembers aster is lush, rich, and exerts wild and unconventional beauty. Asters have strong association in the mythical world with magical powers and supernatural abilities. A long, long time ago it was believed that when aster leaves were burned, their fragrance would drive away any sort of evil. Now, this flourishing flower signifies abundant love and profuse elegance.

The essence of autumn is captured in Octobers birthday flower, the marigold, which was once called Marys Gold by Christians. The marigold contains rich and intense colors that are bold and daring; brilliance and luminosity are characteristic of its breathtaking blossom. Marigolds are symbolic of affection, fondness, refinement, and grace.

November brings quite an interesting and unusual flower like the chrysanthemum, which is a symbol for the sun. Long ago, chrysanthemums are said to have held high positions in ancient cultures. The Japanese culture associates chrysanthemums with utmost perfection, and today, these flowers are linked to a long and healthy life. Chrysanthemums literally stand for optimism, hopefulness, and cheerfulness.

December is filled with good tidings and joy; the poinsettia is the perfect flower to portray the seasons greetings and good cheer. Known as the Christmas flower, the poinsettia is deep but bright red, and its petals are long and beautiful. Legend has it that poinsettias began as little weeds, but, when a humble, little girl placed these weeds on the church alter, they transformed into beautiful poinsettias! They began to bloom and exert a brilliant shade of red and carried charm and grace. This Christmas flower is the perfect symbol for merriment and joy during the holidays.

From January to December, flowers are great representations of feelings, emotions, and characteristics that can bring a special touch to your special baby shower!

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Don't Create Another Horror Story - How To Engage Great Interior Designers

By Nataly Andrews

Trusting the renovation of your house to an outsider is a difficult decision. Hence it is very essential that the contractor is judiciously selected before the renovation begins. There are many building contractors so making the right decisions will stop you experiencing another house renovation horror story. Here are some top tips to support you make the best decision as fast as possible.

Before you appoint a contractor for your renovation project, list out all your needs, as it is essential to take this decision with care so that the renovation proceeds exactly as you desire it to. Prior to the appointment of a contractor, follow the suggestions given below to ensure that you do not eventually take any incorrect decision.

You should start the process by discussing about it with your family and other close acquaintances. Verify if the projects that those contractors have handled are similar in nature to what you are planning for your home. You can search for a contractor by referring to the Yellow Pages or use a good search engine on the internet and look for 'Renovations Singapore'. However, these sources should never be believed without verifying their information.

As a next move, tell the contractor about your plans for your house. You must discuss all your needs at this stage to ensure smooth work in future. You should select a contractor having a high level of commitment towards his work and who is easy enough to communicate with. If you are not quite satisfied with the amount of interest he shows in the job or in your creative inputs, it would be advisable to look for another contractor.

Go ahead and visit the houses he has refurbished in past and interact with the people he has done renovation for to get a better picture of his quality of work. His work should demonstrate the type of skill and experience you want, based on which you can put your money and your house in his hands.

After you have the best man you should negotiate with him about the fee and to do this effectively, you should know the current market prices for similar projects. Once you have discovered a contractor at an affordable price, you can proceed with the renovation project.

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Teaching The Kids To Cook? Kids Love Making Homemade Candy.

By Peter Bertonich

School holidays have arrived, the kids are home. But occasionally mom isn't quite so delighted. What are you going to do with the kids? How will you keep them entertained? Teach them to make homemade candy.

Everyone loves homemade candy, (well any candy really, homemade candy is just the best). Kids especially just love homemade candy, especially if they have made it themselves. Homemade candy isn't that hard to make if you start with one of the easier homemade candy recipes, and the kids just love getting into the kitchen and doing it themselves, then eating the results.

Just last night I was watching the looks on the faces of my kids as they licked out the bowl, and it was hard for them to wait until the candy was ready to eat before they raided the box.

I really think it's important to get the kids cooking early. The earlier the better. They will start to enjoy the results and the process and start learning some skills. And making homemade candy is the very best place to start.

And it seems to me that the art of cooking is slowly declining. I believe that they are even making new homes now with no kitchen. But it's sad to think that so many kids will never learn the joy of a family day spent with everyone in the kitchen.

But remember, always allow more time for the process than you could imagine that it would take. Teaching kids to cook takes time. And makes mess. Expect to be cleaning up plenty of mess if the kids are young, that's just how it is.

And there's one golden rule. When you have a good recipe always double it because if you've got a family there never seems to be enough. Everyone wants more.

And it's not just the kids that love homemade candy. It makes a fine gift for friends and family, and it's something that the kids can give that they really did make themselves. And grandma will just love getting candy from the grandkids.

So if you've got kids, and you're looking for good ideas for things to do in the school holidays, get them making some homemade candy. It starts them off learning a skill they'll use all their life, the skill of cooking.

So go grab some homemade candy recipes and get the kids making mess in the kitchen. Get started, but don't eat all the candy as soon as you've made it like we did last night.

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4 Fun Ideas for Group Christmas Presents

By Ellie Evergreen

This Christmas you are scrambling to find all the items on your children's wish list. But why all the hustle hurry? A great idea to add to your holiday shopping is a gift that all your kids can use and enjoy. There are some great benefits for doing this. You can save money by buying one big gift and buying smaller ones than they might have originally wanted. You are giving your kids something that have socialize and work together. Also if it is something they can all play you can join in from time to time and make it a family affair. Of course different families have different circumstances. However, here are some suggestions that may give you an idea of what to look for as you do your holiday shopping this year.

Multiplayer game consoles. One of the biggest innovations is that some video game companies have adapted their software and hardware for more multiplayer play. This is a huge development considering that the preponderance of games are single player or can only have other players join through online play. A great example is the Nintendo Wii. While not the high definition powerhouse its competitors are, it is a system quite adapted to group play. The innovative motion sensor remote and other accessories makes playing most video games easy to learn. It also has one of the widest selections of multiplayer games from it popular Wii Sports to Mario Galaxy. If you want a system with games all your children can enjoy this is definitely one to look for. Even if you don't decide to go with this system XBOX and PS3 also have multiplayer party games that your entire family can enjoy.

A simpler gift idea is board games. Board games are great because they need a lot of people playing to really work. They can also be educational and great enrichment teaching your children leadership, strategy, and decision making. They also are incredibly cheap for the amount of fun they provide. Some great games are Life, Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble. If you already have some of these games. Try getting new updated versions. Monopoly has different versions of the game for just about everykind of interest. There is even a new electronic Monopoly that eliminates the messy confusion of paper money and use credit cards.

While it also deals with video game consoles musical games are fast becoming popular and are great group games. Video games like rock band has a group of people work together to play famous rock hits. While the extra equipment needed to play is costly, It will more than pay for itself with the good times your children will enjoy playing with each other. There are also great karaoke games that can be played a recent favorite are the High School Musical karaoke games that have players perform songs from the three movies.

The last idea is to invest in play sets. Playsets can be anything from a swing and playground set to a tree house or play house. The idea is to give your children a place to play and exercise their imagination. Once again, the cost while higher for one item than normal gifts, actually offers net savings when the cost is divided among each child. You find you are actually spending less than what you would per child on their normal presents. To add to the Christmas magic you can include a magic key from Santa which you can order online.

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Engagement Ring: Absolutely Elegant

By David Harfield

There will be a million and one thoughts racing through his mind, when a man has made the decision to to propose to the woman in his life; the most pressing one will probably be, will she say yes?! However, another important consideration, one that is integral to the entire proposal will be the type of ring that he chooses.



Choosing the best ring for you is a tricky business and if one lacks the proper guidance it can be a virtual minefield of sizes, shapes, not to mention price tags. Some lucky men will have the invaluable guidance of their future wife actually picking the ring out for them, however for the more romantic grooms-to-be that are out there, here is some advice on choosing the best engagement ring.

The first thing to sort out is how much you are willing to spend on the engagement ring; it is tempting to blow as much as you can on the ring, yet this might not leave you with enough for a honeymoon!

Although it can be safely assumed that your fiancee would not complain if you spent a little more, traditionally, it is thought that two months salary is a good guide as to how much you should spend on an engagement ring.

Pick a reasonable bracket that you are willing to spend within and try to stick to that as much as possible; of course, if a real bargain comes up then you should definitely snap it up immediately and on the other hand, if there is a ring that you are aware of that would make your fiancee overjoyed that is a little out of your price range, then it is probably worth saving for.

Once your price range is decided, it's time to get shopping...window shopping, that is; compare the entire market, from fancy jewellers to thrift shops and consider every ring going. Real bargains can now be found in online jewellers, with many sites offering discounts for buying online, something that should definitely be considered.

To narrow down the options for engagement rings, try and find out what type of metal your future wife likes the most; this can be done by rooting through her jewellery collection or confiding in one of her friends and getting her to act as a spy...just make sure you can really trust them not to spill the beans.

Finally, the most important element of choosing an engagement ring is that your whole heart goes into it; this may sound very cheesy and a little 'Hollywood', but if you put as much love, care and attention into picking the ring as you have put into your relationship, then there is no doubting that you will make the right choice.

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