Decorating Tips For A Home Library

By Catherine Hilson

If you have an older home that has a library room or you are one of those fortunate people who may have a mansion with its own library, here are some tips for decorating this stately room. A library can be a beautiful part of any home when decorated to accent all the best features.

If your library features big picture windows then you can use this area to place your tables and chairs for reading. Make the sitting arrangements even more comfortable when you place overstuffed chairs or a chaise lounge at the window. You will also need some small coffee tables for tea and coffee while you are reading a book. In the winter time you can place the tables and chairs by the fireplace to enjoy a nice warm fire while you are intrigued by the latest book.

Most older home libraries contain built in bookshelves. This is your time to reorganize your book collection by subject. Place a knick knack or vase in between each subject of books so you will know when it ends and another subject begins.

For an example, if you have books on travel then you can add a small miniature sized globe at the end of the shelf. If you traveled to Italy and you have a copy of Gondola that would be an excellent way to end the subject on Italy. You can place animals at the subject of animals and so on.

You may also want to consider adding an antique desk somewhere in the room. The old fashioned roll top desk would be ideal if you can find one. You can restore it to make it look new again. This would give your library a sophisticated look with class.

Area rugs are the perfect accessory for any library space. Rugs offer comfort and style to the space. Choose a rug with contrasting colors or a mixture of colors from the entire room. Paisley looking rugs or rugs that are made like tapestries would also be an excellent touch. Maybe even a rug custom made to hold the family crest and placed in the center of the room would be a wonderful addition.

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Oil Testing for Free

By Michael Kafuman

It is best to rely on oil analysis to establish your oil change interval. Of course, on many smaller vehicles that need only 4-6 quarts of motor oil, the cost of the oil analysis is nearly as costly as a complete oil change.

Of course, the result is that most folks won't pay for a "true" oil analysis - but they might be willing to perform their own "oil analysis", if they knew how it could be done. It won't give you readings as accurate and precise as results from a lab, but it can give you enough information to determine whether you should be changing your oil or not (as long as you don't push things too far).

As you read this article you'll find detailed instructions for 1 of 6 DIY oil analysis tests which you can utilize to establish the condition of your oil and whether it is time to drain it. In this way you can begin to set realistic oil change intervals for your vehicle.

You might also want to consider learning a bit more regarding motor oil and filtration in general. Quite alot of information can be gleaned from the following sites.

- The Motor Oil Bible - Over 150 pages of motor oil information

- The Motor Oil Evaluator -

- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils

The Business Card Test

This test reveals oxidation products, sludge formation, dispersancy failure, glycol contamination, water contamination, fuel dilution, and high levels of particles.

While your oil is WARM (not HOT), yank the oil level dipstick and place a single drop of oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Put your white paper/card in a location where it sits suspended and horizontal and in such a way that the oil drop area will be touching nothing - on the top OR bottom of the card. As an example, if you're using stiff card stock or a stiff business card (which you really should be) you could set it across the top of a glass.

You want to be certain that the drop dries completely before trying to consider the condition of the spot. Once all of the oil has been drawn into the pores of the paper you can begin evaluating whether or not you should continue without an oil change.

- A colorless circle or somewhat yellowish outer ring = "good" oil.

- A dense, dark deposit zone = Dispersant additive failure

- A black, pasty area = Anti-freeze in your engine oil

- Center of circle dark with distinct outside ring = Severely oxidized oil

- A dark center with surrounding rings = Fuel in oil, Fuel dilution

Information for this business card test in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000

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Southern Rose Blooming Control

By Keith Markensen

The first heavy burst of rose bloom occurs in May in most of the South, and now in June the plants are slowing up a bit, both in growth and bloom, taking a little rest for the next good spurt of bloom just a few weeks ahead.

Now the plants need regular attention and treatment with fungicides until the weather gets hot and dry. Clip off all faded flowers; in the case of the fioribundas, take off the entire head of faded blooms.

Assuming that your plants were fed in February, this is a good time for a second feeding, using your favorite plant food according to the manufacturers directions. Do not forget to use plenty of water after applying the fertilizer.

Camellias can also use a second feeding now. I do not like the idea of feeding later than July; and June is much better. This, the last feeding for the year, if accompanied by plenty of water, will encourage the plants to good second growth which will have time to harden before winter arrives.

June is also the best month to take summer cuttings of camellias. If properly handled, they will be well rooted in ten to twelve weeks. Azalea cuttings taken early this month should have good roots in eight to ten weeks.

If you use one of the fertilizers compounded especially for azaleas and camellias, it will probably not be necessary to add an acid-forming material to the soil; but if you use a standard garden plant food, you should increase the acidity of the soil by adding sulfur, iron sulfate or aluminum sulfate.

Beds of caladium planted solidly with one variety have strong appeal, but beds of mixed colors are also effective. If using a mixture of varieties, be sure to get a proper proportion of white varieties to dark ones. One white to five or six dark would probably be most effective. You should be able to buy the plants in pots from your local garden center or nursery. Be sure to learn when to repot plants and get plants that have just started growth , not those that are mature and ready to fade out.

Rooted cuttings of chrysanthemums can be planted now. There is nothing to be gained and much to be lost by setting out cuttings in March and April. Early plantings will require several more pinchings than those planted around the first of June. It seems to be more difficult to keep the early-set plants in continuous and vigorous growth than those planted later. Continuous, vigorous growth is essential for once growth is checked, the plants tend to become stunted, sometimes never recovering.

It is time now to pinch the garden type chrysanthemums for the second or third time. The more often these plants are pinched, the better they will branch; and more branches mean more flowers.

The early-flowering perennials that have become a bit dormant can be divided and transplanted now. Day-lilies and bearded and Oriental iris that flowered in March or April can be transplanted this month. Cut the foliage about halfway back and keep the plants adequately watered until they have time to become established.

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Today is the perfect time to find out more about when to repot plants . Join us http://www.plant-care.com/repotting-house-plants-why.html.

What is Milk Allergy?

By Maja Maartens

Cow's milk is one of the most familiar allergy-causing foods in children, and it's the chief cause of allergic reactions in quite young infants.

Milk allergy influences roughly speaking 2 percent to 3 percent of children worldwide, and its symptoms and signs may be awful enough to cause suffering not only for an allergic kid, but also for the child's parents. But the fine news is that the largest part of children outgrow the milk allergy by the age 2 or 3.

Allergic reactions usually happen a couple of minutes to a few hours after you eat/drink milk " but at times it can be days before symptoms and sign occur. Signs and symptoms stretch from mild to dangerous and might consist of wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems. Rarely, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis - a severe, life-threatening reaction.

Milk Allergy Symptoms

Three types of milk correlated allergy symptoms have been accepted:

1. Symptoms develop at once following consuming cow's milk. Reactions mainly affect the skin, causing hives and/or eczema.

2. Symptoms set in some hours after ingesting cow's milk. Symptoms of this type are mainly diarrhea and vomiting.

3. Symptoms set off more than twenty hours after eating/drinking. The major symptom for this type is diarrhea.

Symptoms of milk allergy can affect the skin, causing rashes or hives; the digestive tract, causing bloating and diarrhea, and the respiratory system, causing runny nose and asthma.

Here is a more comprehensive list of symptoms:

* vomiting

* hyperactive behavior

* diarrhea

* asthma

* hives

* runny nose

* rashes

* stuffy nose

* ear infections

* bloating

* watery eyes

* eczema

* allergic shiners (black around the eyes)

* recurrent bronchitis

* failure to thrive

The listed symptoms are not limited to people experiencing milk allergy. As one become familiar with food allergy symptoms, you probably notice that several foods share a variety of common symptoms, such as: bloating, rash, and runny nose.

What is the Difference of Milk allergy and Milk Intolerance?

It is crucial to differentiate a real milk allergy from milk protein intolerance or lactose intolerance. Unlike a milk allergy, intolerance doesn't implicate the immune system. Milk intolerance triggers different symptoms and requires diverse action than does a true milk allergy. Ordinary signs and symptoms of milk protein intolerance or lactose intolerance include digestive problems, such as bloating, gas or diarrhea, after consuming milk.

Milk Allergy Prevention and Cure

The only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid milk and milk proteins altogether. This can be challenging, as milk is a widespread food ingredient. Despite your best efforts, you or your child may still come into contact with milk.

Medications, such as antihistamines, may reduce signs and symptoms of a milk allergy. These drugs can be taken after exposure to milk to control an allergic reaction and help relieve discomfort. If you or your child has a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), you may need an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) and a trip to the emergency room.

If you're at risk of having a life-threatening reaction, you or your child may need to carry injectable epinephrine (such as an EpiPen) at all times.

About the Author:

Maja Maartens is extremely competent with milk allergy on a personal level and she has written many in dept articles on the subject. For an comprehensive and accurate explaination on milk allergy symptoms and how to live without milk and gluten visit her website.

Advice on Relationships-the way to Keep a Girl Content

By Henry S. Sawyer

Did you know how to keep a girl happy? Here is some advice on relationships for men.

The first advice on relationships item I have for you is to always be yourself. Many men don't feel that they are sufficient to catch a beautiful, sexy woman, so they put on a show. But a confident man is the horniest beast around. Have you ever noticed that some of the ugliest blokes have some of the prettiest women? That is because they display an amount of confidence that is more engaging to ladies than physical looks.

Next, you should do the little things. This implies offering to take her automobile in for an oil change or giving her a bag of Jelly Bellies (her favorite flavors) from time to time. Sometimes men think in terms of "grand gestures," when it's the little things add up to long relationships.

This ties into the subsequent piece of recommendation on relationships: appreciate her. You shouldn't take her for granted. Let her know that you value her.

Next up is not obviously looking at other women when you are with her. Ladies think that you are comparing her to the girl you are looking at. They do not understand the entire idea of "the day I stop looking is the day I die." This comes from the biological drive for monogamy in ladies. Ladies are looking for a lifetime partner for someone with whom they can raise children. They cannot help it. That's how evolution designed them. So minimize the ogling, particularly when she is around.

You should attempt to make her laugh. While men list good looks at the head of the things they need in a woman, ladies list a person's humorous character. So, if you would like the relationship to last, keep her laughing.

The next bit of advice on relationships comes in looking for shared interests. It's great if you got together because of a hobby or an interest, but it helps when you take an interest in a long established zeal of hers. If this implies developing an appreciation for foreign films, so be it. This shows that you care about her and she'll know you are one in a million.

Once you get the girl, it could seem like you don't have to try any more - at least as grooming goes. And, while women are less sensitive to looks than men are, they like a person who makes an attempt. So, shave on weekends. Keep in touch with the latest fashion trends for men. In brief do not get sloppy because you have landed her. You can unland her just as easily.

She's going to require to know that she will integrate you into her circle of family and family. A person must be part of her bigger life, particularly after the 1st few weeks of passion are over. So, try and get together with her girls and electrify her parents. A lady depends on her social network to validate her relationship decisions. Make an effort.

You should always be considerate of her feelings. Women are less stable than men. Part of this is hormonal. When you're sensitive to her mood, you will not get on her bad side.

The last piece of advice on relationships is to be open to trying new things. At the start of a relationship, everything is new from the types of dates you prepare to the way you kiss. But, after some time, these things become routine. If you find that your relationship has fallen into a rut, wake everybody up. Try something new. It'll go a good way to keeping your relationship healthy.

So, there are ten bits of recommendation on relationships to keep your dating life powerful. Look you blokes, these things are common sense and the truth is I kind of drove my lover out of my life because I did not concentrate on what I was doing. There is a book that woke me up written by T 'Dub' Jackson called "The Magic Of Making Up". After I read it and began applying his common sense ideas, our love life turned around. Not just that all of my personal relationships, with mates, work mates and my folks have become much smother than they were before.

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