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, January 6, 2010

Office Design Facilitating A Smooth Workflow Can Raise Productivity Of Your Company

By Carol Woods

The interior designing of an office has become very significant as companies face increasing pressure to enhance their productivity. By making use of appropriate office design that gives special focus on workflow, it is possible to ensure that the functioning of the firm happens without much interruption, thereby guaranteeing greater output.

A good office design takes into account a number of components including floor plan, furniture and IT equipment to create a friendly work environment for the employees as well as the consumers. Every aspect has a bearing on the workflow and the work delivery and consequently on the productivity of the company.

Attaining an efficient workflow implies ensuring easy and smooth movement of men and materials in the office. This implies that a great deal of focus should be on the layout of the office in order to make sure that movement from one part to another needs least amount of energy and time. If the office comprises of two or more levels, then having a lift is a prudent decision by the employer. Further, the corridors should be sufficiently broad and should have carpets in order to prevent accidental falls.

Communication between staff is highly important for workflow in a firm and therefore there should be as less divisions as possible within the staff area. This can be achieved by using cubicles rather than separate rooms as far as possible. When rooms are to be made then glass partitions should be used so that it appears that there are no divisions.

Cooperation plays a very important role in the functioning of an office. To give opportunities to staff for sharing ideas and keeping each other updated, you must have conference rooms. These rooms must have a sufficient seating capacity and should be equipped with all the necessary technologies that are used in meetings today like computers, projectors and telephones.

Along with allocation and delivery of work, a proper workflow also takes care of the implementation of work. Ergonomics have a crucial role to play in ensuring that the employees are efficient by taking care of their physical well-being. You must thus take care that the design of the workstations has been approved by an ergonomics expert. The most important component in this respect is the chair, whose height as well as other features must be perfect.

If the office has a good workflow then it will make a big difference to the performance of your firm and will ensure the welfare of the staff. Hence, it is wise to think about all the above factors when starting office design.

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Getting Started With Food Photos

By John Billy

Were ever your focus you will find food photography. We are fenced in a sea of it. Open a magazine or newspaper and it will be there squeezing its mouth watering images out at you moving your taste buds into action.

If you think that food photography is very difficult and that you could never snap like the professionals you could surprise yourself. Like most types of other picture taking, a lot of the effects come from technique which can be learned.

As we all know - light is King in the world of photography. Getting the lighting right is always the number one concern. Take time to make sure your have plenty of light.

One of the best places to photograph food is by a window where there is abundant natural light - perhaps supported with flash bounced off a ceiling or wall to give more well-balanced lighting that cuts out the shadows. This daylight helps to keep the food looking much more natural.

If you are going to be doing a lot of food photography then consider creating a food light box to make your job simpler and quicker. This consists of a framed area covered in diffusion screens with lights behind on stands or attached to flexible tubes so you can move them easily into position. The food sits on a plain smooth single coloured background cover that is usually white so there is no background to remove with Photoshop later. Make sure the cover is easy to wipe in case of food splashes.

Slow shutter speed is king for food photography to capture the depth of the image. Make sure your camera is well mounted on a strong tripod and of course you should be using a shutter release cable to stop any camera movement resulting in blurring.

The props that you use with food photography are what can bring it to life. Choose your props carefully. The props are usually what sets an amateur food photo aside from a professional food photography.

Use professional equipment when you do food photography and you will see the results. Using good quality lighting and a high quality camera are the main equipment your will need. You have to use a SLR camera with food photography if you want to get the best results. You will need to be able to zoom in and control the shutter and aperture settings to capture the full depth of the image.

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Tips On How To Have A Successful Wedding Photography

By Delila Anderson

Your wedding photographer might be the most significant person in your wedding group besides the individual actually performing the ceremony. This is the person who carries the responsibility for recording the memories of your special day, and making sure that every important moment is photographed. It is very important that you check first the work of different photographers so you will be able to pick out the best one whose style and vision matches what you want to have on your wedding day.

For a smooth running photo session, here are a few tips:

1. Write down all the shots you hope to get. Specify exactly what you want. List exactly who should be in the pictures at specific times and places. It is necessary to determine the amount of coverage you prefer as well. The wedding day can be divided into four photographic sessions which are: the pre-wedding photos, the ceremony, the organized set shots or location shoot, and the reception.

2. Keep the lines of communication open! Instruct people where to go and when to be there for the photographs. Ensure that everyone knows where to go, at what time, and what they should wear.

3. Ensure that the wedding photographer comprehends all your requirements which should be agreed to in writing and signed by both parties.

4. Respect the procedures. Of course, this day is yours. However if you are having a chaotic experience, just think about what the photographer is going through trying to capture all of the chaos in the midst of him for a photo. Members of the bridal party, family members, friends, relatives -- everyone is standing around, chatting and generally getting in the way.

Adherence to the preceding outline will allow you to relax while ensuring everything happens as it should. You can make certain that the ceremony begins with no delay and that everybody arrives at the reception with plenty of food to go around. Treat the wedding photographer well, as he has the responsibility for recording your day, and you will like the results.

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Screen Printing Tshirts So You Can Use As A Corporate Gift

By John Wong

Printing is a process of creating images and text, usually using ink, paper and a printing press. Over time, printing technology has developed significantly. Various techniques are available, but screen-printing is used most of the time.

Screen-printing, or silk-screening, is a process ideally used on fairly flat surfaces. In this procedure, a fine mesh screen is secured snugly across a sturdy frame, with the screen masking the region which remains unprinted. To make the print, the screen is positioned atop the material along with a swath of dense ink. Using a squeegee tool, the ink is pushed through the screen part. The ink soaks into the region that is not masked, forming the print, while the masking keeps any ink from making contact, resulting in distinguished areas. Next the printed material goes through a hot passageway until the ink dries and it is ready to be packed up.

For more than one color, this procedure is repeated with additional screens. For example, a print of four colors will be created with four different screens; this is either done on a rotary press or by hand to ensure that the screens are aligned correctly on the image.

There are diverse methods of masking a screen. The simplest thing to do is to employ masking fluid right onto the screen. This process works very well for two-color graphics, while a photosensitive emulsion procedure is utilized for jobs involving multiple colors.

Screen-printed T-shirts using plastic inks are often stiflingly hot if you aren't sure of what you're getting as you order. For more subdued and vintage-looking screen-printed apparel, inks with a water base might be preferable. For a bold and heavy printing, application of plastic-based inks using heat might be a wise choice.

Many printers prefer the plastic-containing inks for several reasons: they are easier on the printing equipment, their colors are brighter, they are heavier and more visible, and they are more durable than thinner inks. Plastic inks may begin to show cracking after only a brief period of time. Natural inks look better and last longer than synthetic ones.

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Ways Of Making Imaginative Designs For Table Top

By Bryan Taylor

Old kitchen tables can be easily worn out, most particularly the table top. Other people tend to purchase new tables to substitute the old ones, yet, there are also people who redesign their old table top and discover them very appealing. There are also companies who deal with kitchen overhaul. You can ask them a couple of things on remodeling your kitchen and also recreating a new look for your kitchen furniture.

You can replace old table top with hard wood, stainless steel, glass, or granite materials, whichever fits with the rest of your kitchen surfaces. Table tops can also come in several shapes. Round or oval shape has more advantages in kitchen area. There are no sharp corners in round and oval shapes that can hurt you and your children. You can also easily add space for extra person joining your group.

Make a new table top built from tiles. Place the tiles on table top and cut the excess tiles. Utilising a tile file, smooth the rough edge of the tiles. With ceramic adhesives at the back, stick the tiles on the table top. Apply grout on the tiles and into the gaps. Wait for 2 days, then apply a sealer.

Create a new look for the table top using a fabric. Cut the fabric that will fit the size of the table top. Bond the fabric to the table top using decoupage glue and apply high-gloss shellac to protect the cloth. Use tacks or cut glass to border the fabric on table top.

To make a new look for your wood table top, try to refinish it. Scrape off the old finish with a scraper, then, smooth it with sandpaper. Use polyurethane coating on the table top. Allow it to dry. Then, apply the second layer of polyurethane coating. Let it dry again, and then put on the third layer of coating.

Now, new designs for table top developed. Apart from its functionality for cooking, writing, and eating, it may also be provided with integral power points, and possibly even a sink with water and drainage outlets. It can also be secured solidly to the kitchen floor.

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Quality Time With Your Kids

By Edie Mindell

We love to spend time with our children and bond with them everyday. But as career-oriented and working moms, we rarely have the chance to do so because of our hectic schedules. We long to be with them for every minute of their lives, but we simply can't. We just can't find much available time to do so.

Because of our hectic schedule, we are already tired and exhausted whenever we go home. And one of the quickest and simplest form of bonding we could give our children is watching television together. Just by doing so, we think that we have already spent time with them. Watching tv is our way of bonding with them, at the same time, we get to relax our tired body.

Watching tv can be fun, but letting your children watch too often for you to spend time with them is not quality time.While watching tv can be educational especially if they are watching informative programs, too much of it is not a healthy bonding for you and your children.

TV can give useful information, but toddlers learn best by actual touching, tasting, smelling, hearing, and seeing. We say it is educational, but if we are perfectly honest with ourselves, the real reason we allow our children boob tube time is that it is convenient. The colorful, flashing images grab their attention and glue them to their seats. We get to cuddle them without worrying about keeping them busy. TV gives us the luxury of low-maintenance quality time.

But most of the time, despite the convenience, we still feel bad about boob tube bonding. So we often rationalize- we think of the hundred and one things that our precocious children are learning from TV. Unfortunately, there is increasing evidence of the harmful effects of TV on little children.

TV does not allow experimentation- they passively watch the images and absorb pre-processed facts. They can't interact with it, and because there is no interaction, there is no feedback. A habit of passive learning dampens curiosity and weakens problem-solving skills. Children grow used to being given information, not actively processing experiences for hidden facts and concepts.

The bottom line is, you don't need energy to watch TV, but you do need to invest time in support activities to glean any educational value from what your toddler watches. A 30-minute Barney tape on numbers has to be accompanied by games and activities where you and your children learn to count together.

Having quality time with your kids does not rely solely on watching TV. There are a lot of fun and educational activities that you could do together to strengthen your bond. Playing is one important bonding activity that you could share with your children.

There are a lot of educational toys available in stores and even online that are great for your children. For your toddlers, Ride-on toys and pedal cars are a sure hit to them. Toddlers love toys that are mobiles. You can bond with them by teaching them how to play and ride on those toys. Its double the fun and enjoyment, plus educational benefits that could help your children in their learning stage.

Being tired and exhausted is not a reason to disregard your time with your children. Spending quality time with them is the most important aspect of a good parenting.

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Your Good Driving Habits Could Save You A Lot

By Adriana Noton

The driving habits that you practice could mean the difference between life and death in many situations on the road. A lot of people just don't think ahead at what the consequences of their bad habits behind the wheel until it is too late. Make sure that you don't practice bad habits while driving your car is super important.

Cell phone use while driving is being prohibited in more and more places around the globe. There have been many people who lost their life in a car accident due to their use or someone else's use of a cell phone while driving. Driving should be a time when you are completely focused on the road and other drivers around you, not the latest gossip from your friend on your cell phone.

Cell phones are great for an emergency, but they are not great for texting while driving down the road. Texting takes your attention away from the road worse than talking on the phone does. Texting is considered one of the most dangerous driving habits out there and is fast becoming illegal every where you go.

Many car accidents are caused from someone following too closely behind anther driver. This is also considered one of the most irresponsible driving habits that you could have. You can never tell when the driver in front of you may have to come to a sudden stop.

Some bad driving habits can cost you a lot more in gas. You should always pay attention to the limit and stay at that speed. If you drive over 60MPH, you are doing nothing more than wasting gas and risking lives. Going this fast won't get you to your destination that much faster so it is simply not worth having an accident over. Driving too fast will also cause your car to use much more gas than it needs to.

No one likes to get stuck in traffic. The worst part of this, however, is the gas that you are wasting while your car idles. If you would like to stop your bad driving habits, you should start by avoiding high volume traffic at all costs. You should always try to take detours that will steer you away from the traffic jams.

One driving habit that could cost you a lot in an accident is forgetting to turn on your turning signal when you plan to make a turn. If you are slowing down, this may not be enough of a warning to drivers behind you that you are going to slow enough to make a turn. There have been many wrecks due to someone nut using their turning signal at the appropriate times.

You need to always make sure that you and everyone else in your car put on seat belts before that car moves. There could have been many people still alive today had they just simply put on their seat belt before getting on the road. This is especially true of children who are just getting into the car belts. As a parent, you should always check that their seat belt is fastened before you drive.

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Tables Create a Fun Day For a Child

By Edie Mindell

Add a bit of light and a few sound effects and watch the fun grow. Your baby can roll, sit and even step a bit when holding your fingers or clinging to the couch. It might be time this year to get a Christmas gift that will really get the party started. Babies love lights. Toys that blink or flash stimulate brain function and really hold your little one's attention. You probably already have a variety of toys that come equipped with a light show. The addition of a few sounds and strains of music take the fun to another level.

Yet all the lights and sounds in the world are often no match for the simple pleasure of standing and moving. Babies who have reached the cruising stage are not content to sit in one place and rattle the same toy no matter how many lights it has or different sounds it makes. A cruising baby wants action!

This is where toys that come in the form of a table come in. There is a type of musical lights and sound table to suit any parent or baby's wildest Christmas dreams. A few of the more common varieties are simply activity tables that stand about a foot or so off of the floor. These elevated toys have knobs and buttons for your child to press, open, roll or slide. In addition to the gadgets for baby's play your child can now stand and shimmy all the way around their little table. Babies love to press the buttons that play music then perform their own dance routines while using the table to steady themselves.

Has your baby already shown an interest in a certain cartoon character or song? There are tables that incorporate most of the major baby friendly cartoon shows and songs. The familiar colors and sounds enhance baby's interest and play.

One of the perennial favorite light, sound or musical play tables for little ones are tables that include a miniature key board. It is never too soon to create a love of music in your child. Who knows where this early piano tinkering will take your child?

Parents often think about fun and learning. Babies just want to have a bit of fun. There is a table for that! In fact there are many, many tables that not only stimulate play, but also help your child learn a variety of basic facts. Some tables come with buttons shaped like each letter of the alphabet, as your baby presses these buttons the letter's name is said. The same holds true of shapes, numbers or animal sounds.

To get the most for your money look for tables that grow with your child both in terms of height and interest. Some tables have different program settings that will change the function of buttons and sound effects. This means your baby will move through the cruiser and toddler stages and not become bored because even for youngsters variety is the spice of life.

For mommy and daddy's sanity, look for tables that are equipped with volume controls as well as an off button. If your child loves this toy as much as most babies do you may soon wish it wasn't quite so loud. You will also want to consider how the table is powered. How long do the batteries last? How many, what type and what is the cost of the batteries it uses? Many toys requiring batteries are left lifeless and useless once the batteries wear out if the cost and ease of replacement is too high.

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