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, December 10, 2009

Designer Handbags are All The Rage

By Glenn Reyes

Without a doubt, designer handbags are all of the rage! Girls appear to collect them the way young boys collect cartoon books. Without a doubt, there is a purse to suit your many styles and moods, from classy and stylish to adventurous and playful. Designer handbags all have unique traits that distinguish one brand from another. Designers purposely create unique symbols or details to intensify the variations between themselves and other designers.

Louis Vuitton is one of the most popular and best-selling handbag designers. These bags are famous for the high standards of quality and state-of-the-art artistry put into each and every design. Stylish, but astonishingly leading edge, Louis Vuitton guarantees perfection in his bunch of top of the range products. Uniquely branded with a patterned design, Louis Vuitton purses tower above the competition.

Chanel purses are widely known for their clean lines and top spec materials. The polished chain and bold brand symbol on every bag sets them aside from their peers. The clean lines and easy femininity of these designs makes them both accessible and functional for regular use or a night out in town. Chanel purses are known for their sophisticated designs, neutral colours, and their oh-so-popular brand power. A girl cannot fail with Chanel.

Coach handbags are famous for their soft, pliant, glove-tanned leather. In recent years, Coach designers have developed to explore varied shapes, styles, and materials without sacrificing the principles of classic design. At the same time, there are a few things uniquely Yankee about these superb purses. Coach has developed into an easily-recognizable brand of superior quality handbags.

Burberry handbags are known for their distinctive plaid pattern. Their handbags come in various sizes and shapes, and there is sure to be one to please even the most distinguishing shopper. These purses are designed for a woman that is both strong and sophisticated. Burberry purses have become extremely popular in recent times, especially with younger girls looking to explore more traditional designs.

These are but a few of the designers producing quality merchandise for the masses. There are as many designers as there are purse styles, but you are bound to be pleased with anything produced by the designers discussed above. They're the giants of the fashion industry right now. With the latest release of their latest designs, you may be the first of your friends to possess one. Cheerful shopping, ladies!

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The Development of Trucks During the Great War

By Charles Fisher

An immediate demand for mechanical military transport following the declaration of war in Europe was partly solved by a considerable influx of well-engineered cross-country trucks from the United States. Those countries that had prepared in advance by introducing "subsidy" schemes soon found they were in a far superior position to those that had not. Despite this, problems abounded.

Steam-powered vehicles such as traction engines had been used on a small scale in earlier situations, but the internal-combustion engined truck had never been used in war conditions, and weaknesses in design were soon apparent. These included insufficient power, lack of ground clearance, and poor protection of mechanical units from the ravages of water and mud, for which the Flanders battlefields were soon renowned.

There was, however, another major problem that few had foreseen. Both sides in the conflict used many components supplied by firms on the opposing side: German-manufactured Bosch magnetos were used almost exclusively by the Allies, while German forces relied largely upon British and French manufactured Dunlop and Michelin tyres. Luckily, the Bosch magneto had been developed jointly by Robert Bosch and the American Frederick Simms, and German supplies were replaced by magnetos from the Simms Magneto Co factory, Watsersing, New Jersey.

At this stage it is worth looking in depth at some of the "subsidy" schemes operating at the time. The instigators of this idea were the Germans who, in the years prior to 1914, had been building up their military reserves. The German scheme is understood to have applied to any truck which an operator was prepared to release to the military upon mobilization. The operator received an initial grant of 150 towards the purchase of the vehicle, followed by a subsidy of 60 for each of the next four years. By the time war was declared, some 825 "subsidy" trucks had been released to the German Armed Forces.

A similar scheme was organized by commercial vehicle industry. The British government offered the purchaser of an approved vehicle a subsidy. However, the vehicle had to be handed over to the authorities within 72 hours of mobilization.

One of the most advanced British "subsidy" types was the 3 ton Dennis `A'-Type, although the `L' or `RAF'-Type Leyland was certainly the best known. The Dennis had considerable influence on British truck design after the war, its most striking feature being a rear axle with removable upper casing containing the worm shaft, worm wheel, differential and bearings, thus enabling the entire final-drive mechanism to be inspected or replaced without disturbing either the chassis or the wheels.

Leyland Motors, on the other hand, built both a 1 1/2-tonner and the 3-ton 'RAF'-Type, while Albion supplied 6000 "subsidy" vehicles, and the Associated Equipment Co Ltd over 10,000. Many of their London General Omni-bus Co `B'-Type open-top double-deck buses were also commandeered and ordered to the Front. The standardization of models and components required by the British "subsidy" scheme enabled so-called cannibalization to take place to keep transport moving, whereas the adoption of any suitable vehicle by the French and German forces gave no such advantage.

As the war progressed, so British forces began to take delivery of new American-built trucks designed specifically for arduous work. Amongst these was the Mack `AC', nicknamed the "Bulldog" because of its snub nose and rugged construction. Ultimately, this became so well-known by its nickname that the bulldog was adopted as the Mack logo, which it remains to this day.

Some American manufacturers, such as General Motors, were now concentrating almost exclusively on the construction of military vehicles, while certain European manufacturers, such as MAN, Magirus in Germany or Societe d'Outillage Mecanique et d'Usinage d'Artilleries (Somua) in France, were building their first trucks in an attempt to turn the tide. Indeed, Somua was established for the sole purpose of building army trucks.

Throughout the Western world, factories not involved in the manufacture of military trucks were turned over to the production of armaments such as shells, firearms and aero engines, while others manufactured both military vehicles and also armaments.

Many American-built trucks saw service not only in Europe but also in the Mexican border campaign of 1916, when the United States government waged war against the Mexican bandit Pancho Villa. This served as a proving ground for these trucks, many of which were later shipped to Europe for military service. At this time, few US-built military trucks were standardized, and it was not until the development of the US Quartermaster Corps's `B'-Class heavy truck, known as the "Liberty", that proper standardization occurred.

On the civilian front, gas was used to combat the lack of petrol, and in the United States the 1916 Federal Aid Road Act was instrumental in establishing a new interstate highway system which contributed greatly to the development of American commercial vehicles. With a rubber tyre shortage, particularly in Germany where manufacturers had relied upon British and French made supplies, unconventional steel-wheeled vehicles, sometimes incorporating metal plates backed by small leaf springs, appeared for a short while, but these were mainly for heavy tractors used for hauling artillery.

Developments in commercial vehicle design, such as the use of shaft-drive, glass. windscreens and electric rather than acetylene lighting, were now creeping in from the passenger car side and, although apparent in many light commercials, it was some years before these were adopted for the heavy commercial market. Pneumatic tyres were also becoming commonplace on lighter types but, again, were to remain a rarity on "heavies" for some time.

While the war did much to establish new standards for commercial vehicles, military vehicle requirements were far different from those used on the public highway. High payloads and economy were more important to civilian operators than high ground clearance or all-wheel drive. Thus, with a return to peace, much re-organization was necessary.

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How To Benefit The Best Out Of The Kitchen Showroom

By Matthew Kerridge

Renovations can really overwhelm people. This is especially true of the kitchen renovation. In order to help yourself, you should use kitchen showrooms to make the best decisions. It will help you stay focused to successfully accomplish this task.

For one thing, the kitchen showroom is equipped with various styles of kitchens that could very well end up being the one of your dreams. Secondly, not only are you able to see it and feel it, you'll also be able to put yourself in it and imagine this particular one being installed in your home.

They can also be a great help with regards to the placement of appliances. For those people who have lived in a home that has an original kitchen, it can really open their eyes. The truth is, most of these kitchens were put together without much thought put into it. However, today there are many professionals that work together to produce very efficient and functional kitchens.

So, along with design, you'll also be able to see the various materials that are used in the construction of the cabinets. You get to see and feel firsthand, whether you like wood, and if so, which particular type of wood. You can also benefit from learning about the different stains and colors that will blend in well with your overall scheme in that particular room.

Look inside all the cabinets and drawers in order to benefit from seeing firsthand how storage solutions have really changed in the kitchen. Designers and cabinetmakers are constantly improving their designs to maximize storage within the cabinets. Today, more than ever, we need more space to store the many items we keep in our homes, and more particularly in our kitchens.

In addition to that, you will be able to understand the pricing of cabinets and all other decorating items that are used. This will help you to make decisions that are based on your budget as well as your needs. We often have bigger dreams than what we can really afford, so this will put it into perspective.

Therefore, if a new kitchen is what you need, you must go to as many kitchen showrooms as possible. This way you will ensure that you are making the right choice for what you can pay, as well as the right style to suit you and your home.

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Buying A Battery Mobility Scooter

By Jacob Snell

Whether you've been disabled since birth or recently sustained an injury or illness that has taken away your freedom to roam, you may find aid from a battery mobility scooter. These great technological devices give you the power to get where you want to go without assistance from others. No longer will you be limited in your movement with a mobility tool like these.

You deserve the opportunity to get out and enjoy life, just like everyone else. Don't let a disability come between you and quality of life. There are affordable solutions to your mobility needs. Whether you need something simple to get you from point A to point B or a more advanced means of getting around, you can find what you're looking for in battery operated scooters.

Looking for the best there is in battery operated mobility? The Eclipse is the king of them all. With the Eclipse, you can travel up to 18 miles on a single charge. The Eclipse fits neatly into your car boot and is quickly assembled so you can get on with your day. You'll enjoy the most comfort from the Eclipse's padded arms and easy to move seat. You can take the Eclipse out shopping, out on the town or all about your office complex.

The Buddy has a range of up to twelve miles and has an optional charging adapter that lets you charge your batteries up while they are not attached to the scooter. This is perfect for trips out of town.

You'll have ease of forward motion even in close quarters with the RWD's 24 inch width. You'll be out and on the go wherever you want to roam with the RWD.

The Buddy is the perfect model for your daily mobility needs. Get around quickly and effortlessly with this model that gives you long range and good speed. It's the easiest model to get in and out of your car boot. No other battery mobility scooter gives you the form and function that the Buddy provides for such an affordable price.

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Save Money On Cheap Holidays And Cruises

By Carole Hills

When most people think of cheap spain holidays, what comes to mind is usually basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there's a lot more to cheap caribbean cruises than just the basics.

Cheap Holidays and Independent Travel is a simple, fast and effective way to find a budget holiday abroad departing from any UK airport. All the major holiday companies in the UK are listed, the countries they travel to details of the cheapest deals available. Cheap hotel accommodations are one major way to cut back on the biggest expense of any holiday, freeing up more money for those evening restaurant meals or the round of ice creams in the afternoon. By looking for cheap hotels you have extra money available for all the other activities your destination has to offer.

Travel with your favourite airlines under your budget. It is possible to enjoy amazing holidays without paying high prices. Travel agents are possibly trying to recoup lost profits by exploiting their target consumers, and it also demonstrates that shopping around is even more essential than ever. Travel agents started to make their own holidays for clients as the main holiday companies reduced the commission they were willing to pay to agents. The company is committed to bringing only the top of the line services that our VIPs deserve.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole story from informed sources for cheap spain holidays.

Travel agencies would love to welcome a group or a family who would stay for a longer period of time than those who would stay just for the weekend. That is why travel agents would want you to have the long holiday packages even if it would mean a bargain on your part. Travelling has become the part of life that is a good way to relax body as well as mind! Nowadays, people plan their holidays from time to time and thus, they think of cheap holidays that can help them enjoy holidays without disturbing their budgets.

Travelling can be stressful, especially if you're going with young children in tow. Use the search to find cheap holidays abroad departing last minute or in the next 12 months. Travelling through Asia is an experienced traveller or college student should embark on at least once in their lifetime. When you travel to Asia through a semester abroad in China program or a vacation to the beaches of Southeast Asia, you'll quickly notice there are so many things to see and do, many of which can't be fit in during your time there. Travellers cheques are a much better option than cash when you are on your holidays because if they get lost or stolen they can easily be replaced. This means that you won't have lost all that money that you worked so hard for.

Travel agencies are offering deals to countries such as Egypt where a six-night holiday with board and flights can cost SR2000, which is less than a hotel room for six days in Jeddah or Abha. Travellers cheques can be pre-ordered from your bank and delivered to home or collected from a branch. Each cheque has a serial number and this should be noted down and kept in a safe place. Travel agents had already authorised for this downturn though a rebate seen in a initial entertain was aloft than approaching with a British opting to stay in a UK. This was meant to be a year where a British would outlay it in a UK as well as mangle a direction to go abroad as a must.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points on cheap spain holidays covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what's important about cheap caribbean cruises.

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Ideas For Using Kitchen Tiles

By Homa

Tiles are one of the most important kitchen decor since they decide to a large extent how the kitchen ultimately looks. It is the versatility of the tiles that gives it such wide ranging influence. There is such a huge variety in tiles, in terms of color, texture, size and shape that an endless number of patterns can be woven from it. If tiles are given their due, then no two kitchens would look alike.

Some Kitchen Tile Tips

Always use tiles from different materials like ceramic, stone or glass to give the kitchen the correct appearance. The doors should contrast with the color of the kitchen floor. That way the kitchen would look bigger. The colors of the walls, floors and working surface should not be coordinated. To create an impression you should go for contrasting or accented colors. While doing the tiling, remember to color the grouting. A contrasting grouting color would make the kitchen more attractive but show up grouting faults. While a coordinated grouting color would give the kitchen a seamless look.

The type of tiles used depend depends on where it is being used. Backsplash tiles should be easy to clean and maintain. On the other hand flooring tiles need to be strong and long lasting since they undergo the maximum wear and tear. Glass therefore cannot be a flooring tile and is used only as an accent tile on the floor. The color of floor tiles is also important. Dark floor contrasting with colors makes the kitchen look bigger.

Walls are the right place to weave your best patterns. They provide enough space for a pattern of your choice, if it is affordable. The counter top tiles should be able to stand up to the high heat and be strong, relatively long lasting, non-porous and fairly easy to clean.

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