Home remodeling getting started

Home remodeling is a very common event that the home owners undertake. This is in fact true for I know that all of us want our homes to look better and be more comfortable to live in. So for those who are thinking about home remodeling, here are some of the essential guides to help you in your project. The first step to be considered for home remodeling is the home design. At first most of the people think on what way will their home look better and what is the possible design that will fit for the natural aura of the place. The concept of design for home remodeling in this sense comes in. So for the design for home remodeling you should decide if you want to hire an architect, a designer expert, or other home remodeling masters to visualize your home remodeling ideas. In such case, it is necessary to think for the design for home remodeling that you can afford and you really love. A certain rapport with the home remodeling contractor is important as well for a solid work. And then, decide for a certain budget for your home remodeling and stick with it. The second consideration for home remodeling is the implementation. In this move for you home remodeling, you must plan and review your home remodeling design with your contractor for any suggestions that will help you in your home remodeling whether about the flow or about the costs. Then choose materials and products for your home remodeling project. If possible try to select first those materials for your home remodeling project that is needed right away and those that need enough time. The time for the home remodeling contractor to come up with a detailed construction schedule and procedures and to get some construction crews must also be given attention. Another important thing to consider for your home remodeling project is the conference. It is important that in every home remodeling project, there should be a conference between the home owner, the home remodeling contractor and his job-site supervisor, the architect or designer, any other construction crews who will be working with your home remodeling project. In this case, you must take note some of the important matters involved in your home remodeling project and send memos for any possible changes from the original plan. It is as well significant that you set ground rules for your home remodeling project between you and your home remodeling contractor or the job-site supervisor, and if possible try to think for a communication plan that will definitely take place between you and your home remodeling contractor and the other important persons under your home remodeling project. In such case, the common noted primary contact person is the job-site supervisor. If you are really serious with your home remodeling project, then you should pay attention to every details or comments or questions regarding your home remodeling project. Lastly, the idea for setting up some things in your home remodeling project must also be considered. Remove the personal things from the work area and if possible you try to put up a temporary mini kitchen in another part of the house. And for your home remodeling, you should try to set up some trash bins, portable toilet, and construction fence for better movement. And make room for large belongings which are delivered at this point. And once your home remodeling is finished you might want to think about decorating it. Original home decorating items can be found at art-ickles, which sells unique handicrafts brightly colored with tropical themes.

Seo copywriting

SEO Copywriting Within this article today on SEO copy writing, we will look at the specifics of a search engine optimization world and how copywriting pertains to that. A brief introduction toward search engine optimization is that its goal is to position your website well within the search engine page ranks so that you can gain a great deal of natural traffic to your website. One important part of the high page rank work is developing good web content. The importance of copywriting within this field is that you must be creative in developing web content so that it can meet the demands of both the consumer looking for information on the Internet as well as the demands placed on your website by search engine bots. There is a great deal of writing on the Internet today which is very boring and does not interest people. The key behind SEO copywriting is that you are looking to impress both the search bots as well as the people who are surfing the Internet and stumble upon your page. You do not get a great deal of time to impress your site upon these people so what you have to say and how you say it is going to be the difference between a sale and another lost lead. If you are interested in SEO copywriting, look into some of the following sources for more information. Here is the website of one particular company where you can learn more about SEO copywriting in a tutorial forum: seo-gold/seo-tutorial/. To find many more resources, search the Internet using the following term: "SEO tutorials." You will have great success in learning more about this particular field. Good SEO copywriting focuses on many different factors such as the good web content as well as keyword optimization. Keyword optimization is making sure that your website has full use of a particular set of keywords so that when people search the Internet for these phrases, your site will be on the first page of results. This is how you generate good organic search engine traffic. This deal does go beyond just keyword optimization when looking into making a website work. Take your time to learn more from the resources that were listed above. This can give you a good idea of what you will need to become an SEO copywriter or give you some criteria on when to hire one. Just as some general information, a good SEO copywriter should help you develop a high page rank within the different search engines as well as help build the sales at your website. It is important to get traffic to your website but is also important that you have a good lead conversion ratio. What this means is that you want more people to visit your sites and that gradually more of these visitors convert to quality sales for you. By providing good content that sells, you are setting yourself up as a person who excels at SEO copywriting. Hopefully this article on SEO copywriting has benefited you. This can be a very lucrative field if you learn to market on the Internet.

The woman with angel art

I love meeting new people. There is nothing I enjoy more than entering into a totally new situation and sitting down for a conversation with a stranger. I find that strangers quickly become friends after a little time spent together and a few good questions asked. So I love it when my job requires me to travel with the sole purpose of meeting someone in an attempt to write a story about them. Recently my job granted me the wonderful privilege of traveling to Italy with the purpose of meeting a special woman, Gretta, and spending four days with her in her villa outside of Florence. The first thing I noticed upon entering Gretta's villa was her love of angel art. I thought it was strange that Gretta loved angel art. I honestly had never met anyone that chose to decorate their home in such a way. It wasn't that the angel art was tacky in any way, as I half expected angel art to be. Instead, I was surprised that the angel art was actually quite beautiful and quite fitting in that setting. Gretta, being the wonderful Italian woman that she is, insisted that we sit down for a glass of wine before touring her villa. Over this first glass of wine I became convinced that Gretta and I really would become friends. I was sure of this because I loved her Italian accent making out English words and I loved the simple way she answered my questions and asked me some of her own. When I guessed that we were nearly ready to begin our tour, I began to ask Gretta about her choice of angel art and I wondered why exactly she chose to decorate in that way. I loved the way Gretta's eyes lit up as I asked her about angel art, as if I had asked her about her first love. She immediately got up from the table and led me around from room to room in her villa, giving me great details about each piece of angel art. It was clear that she had always loved angels and so hence she decorated her home in that way because it seemed natural to do so. She believed that the angel art was symbolic of the fact that real angels were protecting her home and all of the guests that arrived there. I was blessed to be protected by Gretta's special angels. I had the most lovely four day visit with Gretta. I learned more about angel art than I ever bargained for, but I was grateful. I learned a lot, but more importantly, I made a new friend.

The importance of baby sleep

All living creatures need sleep. Sleeping gives people and all living creatures the time for the body to recuperate and regenerate. Lion's needs 16 to 18 hours of sleep, while primates, ten to twelve hours of sleep. Humans need on average six to eight hours sleep to rejuvenate. Human babies need a full eight hours of sleep and naps in between. The body uses sleep as a way to regenerate cells and refresh the brain and overall aids in the development of our body, mind, and health. During our sleep, the human body can regenerate hair follicles, fingernails, toenails and even the outer covering of the skin. This happens because of the automatic pilot that is built into our bodies. People tend to think that the body only needs to recharge spent energy on the day's work but in truth the body works the regeneration cycle much faster when the brain does not control much action. Babies therefore need their sleeping time to develop muscles, limbs, and skeletal structure. In order to achieve a good night's sleep for your baby, it is important that your baby have comfortable and inviting bedding. The secret to a good bed is one that feels just right. Beds that are to big may make your little one feel insecure. Your baby's bed should be cozy and offer security for them to get a good night sleep. Selecting the proper bedding should also be a concern. The bedding should be easy to touch and feel cozy. Bedding that is to stiff or even to fluffy decreases your baby's comfort level and therefore reduces his/her sleep time. We would want our babies to enjoy their beds and consider it a place of security. Try to make your baby's sleeping experience a pleasant one. Bedding should be inviting to the eye. There are so many wonderful patterns and fabrics on the market today that choosing the right bedding should not be to difficult. Remember that your baby needs enough rest to stimulate his/her growth and development and when this is achieved, your baby can reach his full potential.

Dating online without becoming pray for scammers

Online scammers mainly aim at people of different income levels, backgrounds and ages throughout the world. There is not any specific group which is more prone to become a prey of a scam. The practice of Scamming is successful because it looks like real. It seems to fulfill your desire and needs. Scammers always attempt to mould you by inducing your nature to create the automatic reply they need. Here are few tips how to identify and avoid scammers at online dating sites. 1. Be cautious in the dating online scene. Use your emotional intelligence. If you have an ok profile without a personal photo on any dating website you will rarely ever get any answers from females. If you get lots of love letters from attractive good looking woman, you should think yourself: Would you be able to step into love with the profile you made that fast? What is there that could make her fall in love that quickly? 2. The first thing that creates an impression that the person who is communicating with you is a scammer is the mails. Scam letters are sent to a lot of people, are very neutrally, impersonally made for bulk use. The scam-emails can often be used for both the sexes, male and female. They will mention to you that they liked your pictures or description although you don't have a self description or photo on internet. Scamming artist fall quickly in love, they will address you very quickly sweetheart, darling, baby or love honey. 3. If anyone is interested in you will get a number of questions detailed about your hobbies, life, before the individual decides to meet you. A scammer artist never asks you regarding your personal details. They will use to talk in general manner: How was your day? How is everyone at home? How are you today? Scamming letters are often a different thing from what you mention to them. If you discuss about particular your things, they will not even remember one week later and keep on saying that the season is ok. 4. If you try to keep in contact for few months and if your date shows great interest and pretends to be willing to spend his entire life with you, ask yourself why is he/she still searching for online love? People who love somebody, will quickly delete their own profile from the dating website, since it's not a big issue to post a new addition if they become single again. If you view your lover still online, you can make a new contact id as a new user from a separate email address and check what reply you get. If your mate is willing to come to you and loves you like anything, you should not get him/her two times. 5. Never send any money for tickets and visas! Go to the person's place or country and visit him/her there. Use well-established, trustworthy marriage or dating agencies for arranging and meeting trips.

Video poker why do people like it

: Yesterday, I was having a pint at my local bar when I noticed a small guy in a dark suit. Sitting to the far-right corner of the bar and away from all of us, this short man was crouched over a glowing video poker screen. Huh? It was just a few months back that casinos all over the world and especially in Las Vegas were removing poker, baccarat and blackjack tables and adding more and more slot machines instead. But then something peculiar took place. Casino owners and employees noticed that one corner of the machines was more crowded than the rest. A short examination revealed that the games allocated to the slot section was none other than video poker. So why are so many interested players preferring video poker? Here, I will try and answer some of the more practical reasons why this has happened and will happen even more and more: 1) The Odds: While slot machines offer odds that are pretty difficult to win on (and by that I mean the real big bucks), video poker machines are much easier when it comes to accumulating a large sum because it is somewhat based (even though loosely) on poker. This makes each player think that it is based on his skill more than just on luck. 2) More Choice: By this I am not referring to the pick of different slot machines, but rather to the fact that you have the choice of selecting the row to play with it whereas in slots, you have no real control after you press the button or pull the lever. It is not a secret that the principle of both these two games is to try and hit the money jackpot whether it is by getting the appropriate numbers or symbols aligned or whether it is by getting a royal poker flush. To do this in video poker, you have to pick from a number of five-hand cards. 3) Sitting Out: When playing at a slot machine, you have to play each and every time. If you want to stop, you have to clear the machine so that someone else can get a try. But this is not the case when playing video poker. This game allows you to simply sit out a round or two and then continue whenever you feel like. 4) Higher Money Ratio: Because of the chance that you can sit out any round where your cards are not any good. You have a bigger chance making an overall profit out of the time you spent playing at the casino whether it is an online casino or a land one or even whether it is just a small machine in the local diner or bar or regional gas station. 5) It is also said in many video poker circles and plenty of other articles around the web that the statistics of hitting higher paying options while playing video poker are higher in comparison to playing video slot machines. Conclusion: Not withstanding all of the above reasons, the fact that poker is very popular and slot machines too only leads me to assume that a game combining the two will be greatly appreciated by any player of either of the two games but more so by those who enjoy the drone of the machine.

How to shop online for your special mother of the bride dress

Your daughter’s wedding day is announced. She is ecstatically happy and cannot wait to shop for her wedding dress. However, you as the mother of the bride, may have doubts about finding your perfect mother of the bride dress. After all, weren’t you the one who visited countless bridal shops, department stores, and boutiques, the last time so-and-so was getting married and could not find something to wear? What about this special occasion now? Your dress has to complement the color theme of the wedding and the chosen color is fuchsia and guess what, you look terrible in pink! Fret no more. The internet revolution has been around for years and now almost everyone, including Grandmother Harriet, is really savvy in shopping online for anything and everything sold under the sun. You can be too! If you or someone you know own a computer, and you can type “mother of the bride dress” in that search box, you have opened up a new world of shopping for yourself. Here are some quick and easy tips for shopping online: 1. First of all, understand fabric types. Most special occasion dresses are made of chiffon, georgette, silk or man-made silk, organza, or crepe. You could visit a few local bridal shops to get an idea of the different types of fabrics, their quality, and texture. 2. Understand colors. Hopefully, by now, you will know what “fuchsia” or “magenta” is. Most online stores will have color swatches posted online. However, please be aware those colors are not color true (looking at a color in natural light and close-up), as you are looking into a computer screen. See whether the internet store will send you color swatches in the mail or at least, send you another picture with a close indication of the color you are looking for. 3. Know your approximate size beforehand but wait, do not use this size to order your dress as every manufacturer cuts their dresses according to their OWN size charts. Measure yourself first with a tape measure, your bust, waist, and hips, over your undergarmentspare these numbers to the manufacturer’s size chart provided to get your best size. If you are between sizes, select the next size up as the rule is “easier to take in than to let out”. 4. Have an idea what looks good on you and what do not, through previous buying experiences and you can make a sound decision basing on those experiences. If you have large hips, an A-line skirt is definitely flattering. If you have flabby arms, a long sleeve jacket is the way to go. A longer blouse or jacket, hides a problem stomach area, so on and so forth. 5. Online stores stock a wide variety of styles, sizes, and colors and typically more so than the physical stores. Their prices are on the most part, reasonable. Check on the return policy as every store sets their own. Remember that you are shopping for a “special occasion” outfit and the return policy is usually more strict than for regular everyday clothing. 6. Once you have found your perfect dream dress, you would have saved yourself a lot of time, hassle, and perhaps money as well. Online shopping could definitely be the best option for you from now on and not only for your mother of the bride dress!

More than skin deep

Most women are naturally vain about their looks. As a matter of fact, the cosmetic industry has become a billion-dollar business due to vanity or over-emphasized value attached to physical beauty. This business is all about how to enhance, modify, and improve a woman's appearance. Beauty products of all shapes and sizes, to be used from head to toe, are sold to meet the demands of an aesthetically-conscious female market. Of all the body parts of a woman, it is perhaps the skin that receives the most attention --- by the person and the companies that produce the products specifically to beautify that body part. The skin is actually the largest organ of the human body. Women pay particular attention to their skin, perhaps as much care as they put into their hair, because it is the most visible part of their body. A unblemished complexion, made more attractive and alluring by fancy dresses, jewelry and make-up, leads a woman to many doors and windows of opportunity. In a world obsessed with beauty and fashion, an attractive woman is expected to go a very long, long way in terms of her relationships, career and social life. But women's obsession over skin beauty should not only be for aesthetic purposes. The skin is the body's outer covering and functions as a protection from heat, infection, injury, and harmful ultraviolet rays. The skin also regulates body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. The skin has two main layers, namely: 1. Outer Epidermis - the outer layer of the skin mostly made up of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells. The deepest part of the epidermis contains melanocytes and these cells produce melanin that gives the skin its color. 2. Inner Dermis - this inner layer of the skin contains blood and lymph vessels, hair follicles, and glands. The glands produce sweat as part of regulating body temperature. It also produces serum, which is an oily substance that keeps the skin from drying out. When the sweat and serum reach the skin's surface through tiny openings called pores. When these pores are blocked, congested with dirt, or become infected, skin breakouts occur. Skin breakouts may come in the form of acne, pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, congested pores, and cysts. Preventing or controlling oily skin is a must for every woman, or person for that matter. Excess oil can block the skin pores and result in more breakouts. Skin care experts may opt to prescribe certain medications like oral or injected steroids, iodides and bromides to control excessive oil production. Certain jobs, usually those that involve working in the field or in hot environments, also contribute to skin problems. The unsanitary work environment prevents a person from maintaining skin cleanliness. SKIN CARE SOLUTIONS Some of the more common skin care solutions include the use of the following products: l Cleanser l Exfoliator l Moisturizer l Sunblock l Toner The use of these products help promote elasticity and good complexion. Proper skin maintenance takes more than just having a face-washing regimen. The use of these products is necessary to have a blemish-free skin. SKIN CARE TREATMENT 1. Vitamin C Antioxidant Concentrate - is proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, it helps keep a youthful glow and delays the aging process of the skin. 2. 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Oil-Control Gel - is a mattifying gel base which dissolves excess surface oil. This treatment is highly recommend for oily skin types. A thorough skin care routine is important to keep our largest organ in tip-top shape. Other skin care tips that one should consider include having regular visits to a dermatologist; drinking plenty of water; eating a balanced diet; and getting enough sleep. To prevent skin allergies, it is important to be aware about the ingredients of every skin care product you use.

London builders bathroom changes for the better

Tendencies for minimalism and antiquity penetrate even into bathroom and toilet rooms. The "antique" furniture. Ecologically clean materials slowly, but really pick their way to the bathroom. If it is the furniture, it must be wooden and covered by moisture-proof lacquer. And if it is made from wood, it must look noble or "antique". The cost of the matter: as a rule, such bathroom furniture is manufactured according to the individual order and is very expensive. In the shower as if in a sauna. If you selected the shower cabin, the fashionable shower is the shower with hydro-massage or the steam effect. Not cheap. But it is healthy, as in such shower cabins one can have acupuncture, spinal and leg massage by streams of water. As well as aroma and ozone therapy. The timers will control your stay there. Stone bathtub - warm and inviting. If you miss the cast-iron warm bath of your childhood, but want to have modern stylish new bathtub, order a bath from the artificial stone (polymeric resin, in which crushed stone (granite or noble onyx) is added). A stone bathtub is lighter than the cast-iron one, can have any desired form, keeps the temperature well, needs no coverage (after casting the product is simply polished). It is robust and only a little less harder than the natural stone. The bathtubs are resistant to the household chemistry (one can wipe them even by acetone and nothing will happen). Comfortable mini sinks. The less space the sink occupies in the bathroom, the more timely and modern it is. Due to various forms it perfectly fits into corners and niches. Designers developed another innovation - on wide boards of the "mini sink" one can place a lot of jars and bottles. Smart taps. Touch-sensitive or thermostatic mixer taps will look ideal in a modern bathroom. But pay attention that in fashion now are smooth and rounded shapes. Touch-sensitive mixer taps are equipped with an infra-red device. The sensors switch on the water, when you put your hands close to the tap. Thermostatic mixer taps have two handles, one of which regulates the head of water, and the other has a scale, with the help of which you can set the required temperature. If the temperature of the incoming water changes, the water will flow slower from the tap, but the temperature, compensated by the sensor, will remain unchanged. If this or that flow of water is suddenly cut off, water will simply stop coming into the tap. Lighting of the bathroom should be as intensive as possible and light in the proper way the individual standing in front of the mirror. Bathroom spot lighting will suit perfectly, if it is installed on both sides of the mirror or above it. The diffusers from clouded glass will have an auspicious effect on your health, saving your eyes from blinding light. Bathroom water prove spot lights are completely safe to use in your new stylish bathroom. A flower greenhouse in the bathroom. Various designs a bathroom plants make the bathroom a place for relaxation. But house plants are for some reasons rarely placed in bathrooms, despite the fact that these premises are in a dire need of softening the firm walls by the gentle verdure of plants. In fact, with the help of verdure you can make your bathroom a truly luxurious place. There are many variations of the bathroom design: from luxuriant verdure to several emphasized green spots. A big window in the bathroom is the ideal chance for planting greenery. In the warm and moist climate of the bathroom it is best to keep plants, which came to us from tropical countries. A small bathroom window somewhat limits the choice of plants, but in this case more suitable for the bathroom will be more endurable plants. If there is no window in the bathroom, don't be discouraged. There are ways to keep plants even in this case: you can buy special lamps for flowers, they are like small daylight lamps, but have a different radiated spectrum. If you illuminate the plants with this lamp in the bathroom without a window, the plants will feel comfortable. In a big bathroom with a good window you can create something like a jungle or in extreme case, a small bathroom garden. Luxurious ferns, huge leaves of philodendrons, motley aglaonema will change your bathroom design so much that you will hardly recognize it. Sprawling arecas and chamaedoreas will help to soften the cold glitter of the tiles. The role of bathroom in the modern house does not only yield to the utilitarian purpose. It is especially pleasant to take a bath, coddling in sweet-scented foam, when around you there is not only warm water, but also the bathroom atmosphere that helps to relax.

Don t go alone book review

This 284-page mystery thriller has twists and turns that will keep readers guessing right until the end. I was thinking about the book for days after I completed this review project. I knew it had to be read again from the moment I finished the last page. Handsome, well-built Michael Bannagan is CEO and founder of a successful computer company – he’s also a womanizer. Unaccustomed to hardship or a messy life, Michael is having a difficult time with his cold and beautiful wife. He’s been caught cheating, again (but he’s not the only one), and she wants a divorce. Out of the blue, he finds he is arrested for a murder he did not commit. All the clues point to Michael and he knows he is being set up – but by whom, and by how many? Are they working together? And WHY?! After all, Michael has never done anything evil in his life. Don’t Go Alone is a story of high-society - of limousines, kept wives and fancy homes. It is a story of passion and shame, of regrets and betrayal, mistakes and love… hate and revenge. This is the third book by Margaret Lenois that I have had the pleasure of reviewing. She may very well be the next female author that we see on the best selling list! ISBN#: 0-9771971-3-1 Author: Margaret Lenois Publisher: Better Be Write Publishing

Which home business opportunity should i choose

You may feel overwhelmed by the many business opportunities that are available online that it could be very difficult to decide which one would suit you best. There are several opportunities that will give you the chance to earn a monthly income from home, depending on how much effort you want to contribute to the opportunity. Many people are looking for a way to make money online to avoid a long commute to work. You also would have the ability to set your work schedule and hours as well as determine your own dress code. The challenge that internet novices face is their belief in programs that sound too good to be true. They might believe that anyone claiming that you can make a ton of money online is telling the truth. While there are home businesses that will have you earning money if you follow their program exactly, many times you will end up spending more money than you will earn. Advertising your business can cost a lot of money, however there is no question that it is a necessary cost in order to make your business grow. In fact, your business will most likely require a certain amount of advertising just to remain in business. Carefully scrutinize each home business opportunity and look for signs of its honesty or dishonesty. If you find a site that is claiming that you can make money within minutes of signing up, then it most likely is a scam. You will have more luck getting money by hitting it big in the lottery. You can make money on the Internet, however most online programs do not tell you that you will need to advertise your site in order to get visitors. You need these visitors to make your website last. Visitors turn into customers, which means that it is these very people that will determine your sales and ultimately your future. You could make a decent online income from home business programs that involve internet marketing, provided that you are aware of how this advertising method operates. All websites are looking to target potential customers and add to their bottom line. Before deciding to join an online opportunity, you should know that you will need to put in time and effort to grow your business to the point where you can really start earning residual income. Make a budget of the amount of money and time you would be willing to spend on developing your business. Give yourself so many months and if you have surpassed your money and time budget, you will know that you need to look elsewhere to earn money.

Baccarat history and american baccarat rules

If we put aside the black ties, the velvet curtains and the overall exclusive atmosphere, baccarat is one of the simplest casino games around. In addition, baccarat is a beatable game with a low house edge, which makes it one of the best bets you can make! Here you can read about baccarat history and learn how to play the game. Both the American and European versions of baccarat and the French Chemin de Fer are late developments of the Italian game called baccara, which means zero in Italian. The origins of baccara go back to an old Etruscan myth. According to the myth, a blonde virgin had to toss a nine sided die to decide on her destiny. If the die landed on eight or nine, she would have to fulfill her destiny and become a priest. If the die landed on six or seven, she would be forbidden to participate in any religious activity. If the die landed on any other number, the virgin had to walk into the sea. The Italian game baccara was popular among French aristocracy during the end of the 15th century. Baccara had evolved to the European version of baccarat, which is still played in European casinos today as well as the French variation of baccarat known as Chemin de Fer, which is mainly played in casinos in France. The American version of the game was introduced to Nevada casinos in the 1950s by Francis Tommy Renzoni, who imported the game from Havana. Baccarat still carries an aroma of aristocracy and exclusivity. In American casinos, baccarat is played in a separated area of the casino, hidden behind velvet curtains. Baccarat players are usually dressed up and the betting limits are higher comparing to other table games. In order to attract the medium budget players, a lower limit version of baccarat, called mini baccarat, was invented. Mini baccarat is played on a smaller table, inside the casino gambling area with lower betting limits than baccarat. How to Play Baccarat Baccarat is played with 3 dealers and up to 12 or 14 players. Baccarat is usually played with 8 standard card decks. Aces valued as one, face cards and ten cards valued as zero, and the rest of the number cards worth their face value. The suit has no meaning. The object of the game is to get as close to 9 as possible. The play begins by all players, including the dealer, placing their bets either on the player, the banker, or on a tie. Traditionally, the dealer bets on the banker. The dealer can be the house dealer or one of the players. After everyone has placed their bets, the dealer gives two cards to each player and to the banker. The score of each hand is calculated as the sum of the two cards minus the left digit. For example, if the sum of the two cards is 15, the score would be 5. The decision whether to deal a third card is determined by a set or rules and it is not up to the player or the dealers decision. If the score of the players hand is 9 or 8, he wins If the score of the dealers hand is 9 or 8, it is a tie If a players score is 7 or 6, he can be dealt a third card If a players score is 5 or less, he has to receive a third card If a player gets a third card and the score of the dealers hand is 2, 1 or 0, he must draw a third card If the score of the dealers hand is 3 and the players third card is any value but 8, he must draw a third card If the score of the dealers hand is 4 and the players third card value is between 2 and 7, he must draw a third card If the score of the dealers hand is 5 and the players third card value is between 4 and seven, he must draw a third card If the score of the dealers hand is 6 and the players third card is 6 or 7, he must draw a third card. If the score of the dealers hand is 7, he cannot draw a third card.

Bw pros and cons of internet ads

"Maximum Exposure on Low Cost Internet Ad" (Make the most of a low cost Internet advertising method) Advertising had long since been a major determinant of a business' success. This would include the presentation of the product / service to the consumers. What really matters is how it is presented to the target market to be able to capture it. Whatever the package, the ad media also plays a great role in determining the success of the product or service awareness. What may be its advantages over other proven medium like the best-selling TV ads? Advantages 1. Low Cost Eventhough the Internet ad might be viewed as "classy" or far-reaching, as compared to other medium, this is far cheaper than most. Internet Ad Packages are offered for as low as $29.99 for a one-month run-time period. 2. Capture market Should your product / service aim to cater to the younger generation or the corporate-oriented ones, Internet ad would be best since they would always be "hooked-up" into the net surfing sites that might have a link to your very own. Result, a great number of "hits" on your site! 2. Hassle free All you would ever really need is a PC (and some knowledge and bright ideas in forming your site) wherein you could open your site, search for the best Internet Ad package, and check / update the status of your ad. You may actually never have to leave your home to advertise! 3. Updated ads Unlike the TV ads that need to be updated on a regular basis, Internet ads may run for quite some time without the need for change. If so, change in the site is very minimal and may be done easily at home. Disadvantages 1. Scope Limited market may be captured if one would solely use the Internet Ad for advertising. Although most people now are into the use of technology, i. e. surfing the Internet, still, majority of the average consumers still relies on the old form of advertising as a means of gathering information about certain products / service. 2. Additional cost If one would enlist the help of another professional or establishment to produce the site for their product or service, this would entail additional costs on the part of the entrepreneur. Given the stated list of advantages and disadvantages about low-coast Internet Ad, an entrepreneur may now weigh in its applicability to his / her product or service. The aim of Internet ad is to offer the widest range or "Maximum Exposure" of the brand at the least possible cost. Now, does that not sound good or what?

There s a new sheriff between your ears

Deputy Dawg Days! I recently had a client that wanted to change her ‘self-esteem’. Since I have never seen a ‘self-esteem’ I had to figure out exactly what she was talking about before I could determine whether or not we could change ‘it’. Self-esteem falls into the category of metaphysical beasties that are actually a collection of actions that we try to abbreviate into a thing in order to make ‘it’ easier to talk about. My test of true ‘thingness’ is whether or not the alleged ‘thing’ can be sliced into my weekly pot of gumbo. I suspected her 'self-esteem' failed my gumbo test. After very few minutes of conversation I found that was indeed the case. Her ‘self-esteem’ was a conversational convenience, but therapeutically a major inconvenience. She had a bucket full of habitual thoughts that she would think about herself, most of which seemed uncomplimentary. By linguistically freezing that bucket of thinking (actions) into a frozen ice sculpture thing called ‘self-esteem’ she made a delightful table decoration that was very good at resisting change. Actions are almost always easier to change than things. In NLP lingo this process of de-animating a verb into a noun is called ‘nominalization’. Once I convinced her to disregard the big scary ‘self-esteem’ monster, and start examining the specific thinking that contributed to how she felt about herself, she discovered a recurring pattern. She habitually talked herself into feeling bad about herself. Many of these internal voices that she heard weren’t even hers. Some were the voices (as well as content and tone) of her parents. Some of the voices she heard were past acquaintances. Even her children got to speak their piece on the soundstage between her ears. The result was an ongoing narrative attack of her relative worth. Her internal voices rarely, if ever, made her feel good. There are a few basic points about these voices. First, she is not unique; we all seem to have them. Secondly, while we may recall the first time we heard the voice, we keep playing the voice over and over, whether in our own voice, or the original, like the proverbial, and now archaic, broken record. We do this, even though the historic incident prompting the initial iteration of the voice has long since passed. It’s like we’ve been deputized to continue making ourselves feel bad while the original speaker is off to do other things, lost interest, or even passed on. For all we know, the original speaker may even have changed their mind, and would not be caught dead saying the things we are still replaying. Complicating matters somewhat is the often-observed fact that we rarely, if ever, question the accuracy of these internal voices and the thinking that they express. If they say it, we believe it, and allow ourselves to entertain feelings accordingly. This phenomenon can be problematic until we change the content and nature of that thinking, then it is cause for celebration. If the voices started singing your praises, reminding you of the great things you have done and will do, and you accepted those voiced thoughts as readily as you accepted the less flattering thinking, then the mythical ‘self-esteem’ wouldn’t be an issue. The process we used to change the nature of the thoughts this client was busy thinking was to first change the tone of the voice talking. It is a little difficult to feel too bad when the internal voice berating you is in a squirrelly falsetto, like Alvin the Chipmunk. Then, to impact the significance of the voices even more, I asked her to add calliope circus music to the background. If you have a visual image that accompanies the critical voice, go ahead and paint clown faces on the speakers to go along with the whimsical tunes. While stopping the voices completely is difficult, changing their quality is relatively easy. Making these simple alterations in the voices helped free her from the unpleasant impact of the old voices. She was smiling. We could have stopped there, and I suspect her bucket of thoughts would have been easier to entertain. Of course we didn’t stop. Since she already had this wonderful ready-made piece of internal audio equipment playing, we decided why not use it to play some great thoughts! I had her recall some good things people had said to her in the past. I also had her make up some things that folks would have said had they known how incredible she really was. I did have to coach her a bit on this, but it’s amazing how your brain can start thinking these pleasant thoughts once the distraction of the belittling thoughts is reduced. The resulting good feelings are often sufficient motivation to keep those great thoughts coming. Of course, she may backslide from time to time, but now she knows she has editorial privileges, and can change the content, and the quality of those internally voiced thoughts any time she is ‘of a mind to’. I re-deputized her as the sheriff in charge of making sure she felt good. This is another helpful mind management tip from Richard Lefever and the brain weavers at Quit! Check out our web-site at quitsmokingoregon.

10 Great tips on cooking meals

If you are as busy as most people you are always looking for ways to feed your family in convenient, fast, yet not-too-expensive ways. Try the following suggestions: 1. Cooking several meals for the week at one time. It may take a few hours of your time up front but will pay off in the long run when you come home each evening and have a meal ready to eat in a short amount of time. Try cooking a roast and using part of it as a main meal and then using some for sandwiches, beef stroganoff or as part of a stir-fry. Fry several pounds of hamburger and make a casserole, taco meat and chili to freeze for use later in the week. 2. After you return home from the grocery store clean all the fruits and vegetables you can. When it’s time for a meal all you will have to do is cook them or add them to a salad or soup. 3. Get ideas from the cooking shows on T. V. There are great shows that show you how to make a healthy meal in a short time. 4. Develop a revolving recipe file. If you get bogged down by the idea of having to plan 30 meals a month the recipe file is for you. Let family members choose some of their favorites and put the recipes in a monthly file. Flip to day five or fifteen and there is the meal just waiting to be cooked. 5. Enlist the help of the members of your family. As soon as the kids are old enough divide up the cooking responsibilities. Let everyone take turns with specific tasks or the whole meal. Pair these meals with fruit and veggies that have already been washed and cut-up and you are ready for dinner. 6. Share the cooking with friends or neighbors. I’ve known people who cook four or five of the same meal and then trade with four or five other people. This works best when people share the same basic ideas on what they like and don’t like. It’s a great idea though for a very easy week of evening meals. 7. Save coupons for those convenience things at the grocery store. They have entire entrees and dinners either fresh or frozen. Sometimes they are rather pricy but with the coupons they are good to have on hand for an evening when everyone is running in different directions and time is of the essence. 8. It’s O. K. to eat out from time to time. Clip coupons for these occasions and if you have kids keep a look-out for the places that have special prices for children. Some of the fast-food restaurants are trying to offer item choices that are a little more healthy. 9. Many larger cities have businesses that prepare food for the evening meal. They seem expensive at first but are so convenient and available for one person or entire families. There are many menu choices and meals cooked for special diets. When you calculate the groceries you buy and the times you eat out each week, this may work for you. 10bine several of the above ideas into a plan that is best for you. It is possible with a little planning to cook meals that are quick and easy without spending hours in the kitchen every day.

Marriage in the virgin islands st. thomas weddings

To say that St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands is a beautiful place is akin to saying that Cindy Margolis is a beautiful woman. You get an idea of what the person making the statement is trying to convey, but the term “beautiful” doesn’t quite do the subject justice. St. Thomas transcends beauty and supercedes even our best definitions of the very concept. St. Thomas is home to sparkling waters, breathtaking tropical landscapes, and wonderful weather year-round. Can you think of a better place to get married? A St. Thomas wedding is an experience that will leave you reeling in romance for years to come and give you beautiful memories for the rest of your life. As with any destination wedding, the key to your perfect St. Thomas wedding is in finding the best experience at the best price. Dealing with a travel agent to put together a package for hotel and travel arrangements is always the best and least expensive way to go. The agent can find deals that simply are not available to the general public, getting you to the islands for much less than you would have thought possible. Be sure to try and arrange for one of the impressive air or sea tours of the islands while you’re at it, the US Virgin Islands possess a beauty that simply has to be experienced. For your St. Thomas wedding ceremony there are a number of options available, but a package deal will again get you the best prices on everything you need for a memorable wedding experience. Wedding planning companies on St. Thomas offer packages that include everything from photography and flowers to private ceremonies on a secluded beach and bottles of Dom Perignon. Pricing for the wedding packages varies based upon what the package includes and range from about five hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The most extravagant packages will cost you the most money, of course. Even a package worth over seven thousand dollars is less expensive than what many people pay for traditional weddings at home however, and the amenities make it well worth the cost. You don’t have to be Donald Trump to enjoy your St. Thomas wedding; however, even the least costly wedding packages make for a romantic wedding that is unlike any wedding experience you could get in your own hometown. If you’re planning to enjoy a fabulous destination wedding, St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands is well worth a look. The island offers everything that a couple could possibly desire in an exotic and romantic wedding destination while still being a part of the United States of America. For a fraction of what you might pay for a wedding here at home you can live and be treated like a celebrity for a few days surrounding the most special and romantic day of your entire life and return home with stories to tell of your incredible wedding adventure and memories that will stay with you forever.

Online sports apparel

Getting in shape is much easier when you have the appropriate sports apparel to wear. With so many online resources, you can now find almost any type of clothing for fitness and exercise, running, playing sports games, etc. Many of these items can be found online at a sports shopping mall in a variety of brand names such as NBA, NFL, NASCAR and NCAA, and at a reasonable price. Here's a quick guide to sports apparel, and how to choose the clothing and accessories that are right for you. Apparel for Playing Sports (Sports Jerseys-Apparel, etc.) When ordering items such as sports jerseys or other apparel for yourself or your team, keep in mind that the fit should be comfortable and the materials should be flexible. During any active game such as football, basketball, soccer, hockey, baseball, etc., there will be lots of arm and leg movement. Be sure to order the appropriate sizes and allow for a little moving room. Don't order items too big because the clothing could be a hindrance if it's too baggy. Spandex materials are usually popular choices for these types of sports. Track and Running Shoes If you're involved in track at school or in the professional realm, the main focus should be on your running shoes. Choose shoes that fit snug, but comfortably. The shoes should not slide on your heel, nor should they hurt your toes after wearing them for an hour or two. Be sure the shoes provide adequate support for your heels and arches. Also, buy running shoes that feel lightweight on your feet while running. Check to make sure the shoes have good treads on the bottom. Your running shoes should be a help, not a hindrance. Fitness Training and Gym Workouts At the gym, or during fitness training, buy sports clothing according to the type of exercises you will perform. For instance, wear pants that fit snugly around the legs if doing leg exercises, especially on an exercise bike or similar equipment. Loose-fitting pants could get caught in the machinery and cause injury. For aerobic-style fitness training, wear leotards with leggings, bike shorts and a jog top. Or, wear a snug-fitting t-shirt with boxer-style shorts. Don't wear clothing that's baggy, as it will hinder your body's movement. For shoes, wear aerobic shoes if possible, but avoid running shoes with heavy treads. Sports Swimwear If swimming in competitions, choose a bathing suit that promotes speed and smooth swimming. There are special types of swimsuits that have "vertical line" designs in the material to channel water away from the bodypetition swimwear should be slick, comfortable, and allow for easy body movement. To find these types of unique sportswear items used to be difficult - especially for those living in a small town with limited retailers. But nowadays, you can shop for all types of sports clothing and fitness apparel from your own home computer any time of the day or week. Online sports shopping malls offer all types of sports clothing, fitness wear, athletic supplies, sporting goods-sports equipment, sports memorabilia, and more. And, you can usually get a great price for these items online. Use the tips above to dress for sports success!

Will the democrats be able to reverse the online gambling ban

Many people were hoping that if the Democrats won control of Congress they would reverse the online gambling ban, but experts doubt they will even try or that if they do that the will be successful. Once the bill was passed and signed into law by the president, it became much harder to reverse the law. The democrats would need to bring up the law and get it to a vote, then after the vote passed it needs to go to the president for his signature. The problem with this is that the current president is the one who signed the bill into law in the first place. Another problem is because the gambling ban was attached to another bill, it means that to reverse the law the entire bill needs to be reversed, but the other part of the bill is for an increase in port security, so any congressmen who recommends reversing this law, will be going on record as trying to reverse the increase in port security. Because of this trying to get the law reversed could ruin a congressman’s chances of ever getting elected to public office again for the rest of their lives. It is more likely that it will have to wait till the end of George Bushes term in office and then get an amendment to the law that reverses only gambling ban part of the law. So if you are on Online Gambling enthusiast and you were hoping that after the election the online gambling ban would just disappear I am sorry to say you were mistaken and that you are going to have to wait a little longer, but that does not mean you need to sit quietly by. The key is to make sure that you are heard, write letters to congressmen, and attend protest rallies anything that will keep this issue in the front of the minds of the politicians so they know that just as the Republicans lost the house so can they. The republicans used the online gambling ban to try to gain votes for them in the last weeks before the election, but it backfired on them and lost them more votes then it brought in. Hopefully the Democrats will learn from the mistakes of the Republicans and will understand that banning something never works, and that it is only thru regulating the online gambling industry that will ensure that it is safe and honest to play and that no underage children manage to play. Other wise I am sure that the Democrats will also see the wrath of the American voters when it comes time for the next elections. The American people are tired of having the government controlling every aspect of their lives and I think this election may have made their point for them. So if the question is will they try to reverse the law I am sure they will try, but how successful they will be is still up in the air, and no one can really know what the outcome will be.

Help those in need with a charity donation

Many of us consider the opportunity to go to school and learn, or to have clean water and fresh food on your table something very normal, we can't imagine life without these simple things. But in many poor countries these things are considered a luxury. The children that are born in these countries have a dark future ahead of them, they won't be able to use a computer or to read a book, their only opportunity is to work as hard as they can, but their work will be hard labor. Children in the poor countries have to work at very young ages. They usually begin working at around six or eight years, and because they don't have experience they start as beggars. Then they polish shoes and sell small things. At 13 years they start working more seriously, and at 15 hard labor begins. But now, you can make something for these poor children! With the help of a charitable organization you can make a small charity donation or you can even sponsor a child. With only a few money from you can make a difference in someone's life and you can offer him/her a brighter future. By sponsoring a child you will give him the opportunity to learn, which is very important for his future. Charity donations bring books, tutoring services, educational materials and programs to the poor countries of the world. The charitable organizations that support children use your charity donations to buy books from the local bookstores, and to hire teachers. The most important thing is to learn them how to read, so this is done first. Also, each year some people volunteer to go to the poor countries and help the children there. These people make sure that your charity donations are used for a good purpose. Sponsoring a child is the best thing you can do to help improve the life of a poor boy or girl. A special connection will be established between you and the child that you sponsor. He will send you letters in which he will thank you and tell you how the money you sent were spent. Probably your picture will stand in a special place in his house. If you want, you can visit the child and his family in person. So remember that you can easily make a difference in someone's life with some money that to you may seem little, because money have different values in poor countries!

Keyword specific ads equals higher search engine rankings

Keywords are an essential component of producing a web site. These are the words which the search engines use to help categorize and rank your pages. For instance, if your website is about 'writing articles' then your keywords could include 'writing', 'articles', 'article writing' and so on. The advice from many web designers and search engine optimizers has been to find as many keywords as you can. They advise you to search for keywords using a variety of online tools and software programs which can identify leading keywords. At first sight this seems attractive, but it actually defies logic. Let's take a look at the aim of a search engine. Its job is to track down pages that meet the specific search term that a web surfer has typed in. The more closely the pages it serves up match the search term, the better it is for users. Search engines need to be as accurate as possible in delivering the right material to their users. Otherwise the web surfer goes elsewhere. Now imagine you are a search engine algorithm – the mathematical program which calculates the probability of any web page matching the search term typed in. If the page has hundreds, or thousands of keywords you'll be a bit confused. For instance, is this web page about 'article writing', or is it about 'feature writing for journalists'. They are different things. You'll end up knowing the page is relevant but not that relevant. So you rank it down the bottom. But what if the page only has the keyword 'article writing' several times? You're absolutely clear the page is about article writing and so you rank it highly. Admittedly, it's not quite as simple as this. But this is the principle of search engine technology. It is trying to find the most relevant pages that match the search term. What this means for Internet marketers is that you need separate pages for each keyword. Focus each page on each individual keyword. Use the keyword in headings, sub-headings, the page text, the page title tag and in the Meta tags. Avoid having pages which contain several key-words as that simply confuses the search engines and lowers your rankings. So forget the advice to have hundreds or thousands of keywords. Go for single pages that match single keywords and you will find your page traffic increase. This trick also works for Google Adwords. Each advert should apply to just a handful of keywords - you get much greater click through rates and therefore cheaper advertising when you only have a couple of keywords per advert. If you have hundreds of keywords you'll find you'll get greater results by having keyword specific ads, rather than one advert with hundreds of keywords. So go against the advice of filling your pages and adverts with keywords. Go specific.

Supposition and credit repair

When it comes down to it, the majority of people are always assuming, and most of them assume the worst. Creditors or anyone today all base their theories on suppositions, and suppositions have forever caused failure. When people fail to pay their bills on time, many of the creditors suppose that the debtor doesn't have the ability to pay the debt. Many creditors with the supposition that you are not capable of paying your bills will sometimes make arrangements or lower the amount so that you can repay the debt. This is one possible step to credit repair, however in this case you must contact your creditor to let them know your situation. If you have several bills on hand and all the bills are pressing, it makes sense to payoff the debt that benefits you the most. After this bill is paid you can set aside an amount the following paycheck to payoff another of the bills. If you follow this strategy it allows you to work your bills down gradually therefor repairing your credit. If you don’t have the money to repay the bill in full, atleast pay the minimum so that you can continue using the service. Most debtors suppose they are in debt and there is nothing they can do to resolve the problems that ravage their lives day in and day out. Creditors are always on their back, and their paychecks are never enough to make ends meet. This is a process of giving up on life. When we give up it usually leads to stress. The answer is often right in front of them or comes to them sometime in the future. Sometimes we see Credit Counseling or Debt Consolidation advertisments and think, "how can they help me.” The fact is Debt Consolidation is only a lead to get creditors off your back for a while. Credit Counselors are more likely to help you find a solution to repairing your credit. Credit Counselors can be the solution when you can't find a way out on your own. These professionals work with your creditors, and work toward a solution. This is absolutely a way to get creditors off your back, work out an arrangement with your debtors, and reduce the stress that comes with financial burdens. Some credit counseling services offer a low fee for their services and provide you with a financial managing solution. These services often offer help with managing your cash, as well as offering counseling to homeowners, students, and so forth. There are many solutions for debt relief so the key then is not assuming the worst. Again the important solution is paying off the debts that are the highest prioritie. If you have secured loans it is always smart to find a way to pay these bills before any others. Unsecured loans can pose a threat, but nothing compared to secured loans or debts. Some of the nonessential bills can include credit cards. Although you are responsible for this bill, the worst that happens with credit cards is that you loose your privileges.

The difference between down and out

: As turnaround investors, I prefer to invest in companies that are down but not out. This is important because a lot of times, investors misunderstood the two. Often times, these two types of companies are trading near or at their 52 week low. But the similarity ends there. Company that is Down. This is the company that experiences problem and it seems like it can weather the problem. It just needs time to right the ship and get back on track. How can we be certain that the company can weather the storm? The ultimate guideline is to look at the company's balance sheet and income statement. Does the company have a positive net cash?

Is the company expected to post a profit? If the answer is yes to both questions, then the company in question is most likely is just down, but not out. Company that is Out. This is the company that experiences problem but its future existence might be in doubt. It might right the ship but by then it might be too late. As a result, shareholders will be wiped out and lose 100% of their investment.

How can we be certain for the company that is out? Again, we have to check the ultimate guideline, which is the balance sheet and income statement of the company. Does the company have a negative net cash? Is the company expected to post a loss for the foreseeable future?

If the answer is yes to both questions, then the company in question has the high probability of being out of business. Using analogy without illustrations are confusing, in my opinion. Therefore, I will choose one company for each situation. Please do not treat this as a buy or sell recommendation.

This is merely my observation as someone who had watched these companies for a while. Pfizer Inc. (PFE) might be categorized as the company that is down. Stock price slumped to 8 year low this week due to weak sales of its drug franchises and tepid guidance. Management has refused to update guidance for 2006 and beyond due to uncertainty.

So, let's look at Pfizer's balance sheet, shall we? The latest information on Pfizer shows that the company has $ 15 Billion of cash and equivalent and $ 5.517 Billion in long term debt. In other words, Pfizer has $9.5 Billion of positive net cash. How about earnings?

Is Pfizer expected to post a loss? Nope, it is expected to post earnings of $ 1.95 per share for year 2005 or $ 14 Billion of net profit. Profit is plenty while balance sheet is solid. Pfizer clearly is a company that simply has a small bump in the road.

How about AMR Corp (AMR)? This is an excellent example of a company that is out. Looking at the balance sheet, AMR has a negative net cash of $ 9.5 Billion. What this means is that it has $ 9.5 Billion more long term debt than it has cash. Is AMR profitable? Not a chance.

It is expected to post a loss of $ 4.36 per share for 2005 or $ 714 Million. It doesn't look pretty. High amount of debt and big loss is the recipe for a company that is down. If AMR doesn't turn its ship anytime soon, it might be forced to file bankruptcy. To consistently make money, investors need to be able to differentiate the company that is down and company that is out. Weed out the company that is out and your investment return will be so much better.

Pennsylvania home owner insurance are homeowner rates going up

There has been a noticeable change in homeowner rates in Pennsylvania. The natural disasters of recent years have caused some shortages in the necessary supplies and materials to repair homes. The homeowner rates in Pennsylvania are affected because there is a higher demand for these materials and so the rates have increased. The homeowner policy was at one time one of the most affordable insurance policies on the market. In fact, it may have been under priced. The increase in rates can be offset if you use the concept of self-insuring. Self insuring is nothing more than assuming more of the risk on your homeowner policy by taking a higher deductible. The lower deductibles no longer justify the higher premiums. There are a lot fewer claims submitted on a homeowner policy as compared to the auto policy. You will save thousands of dollars over the life of your homeowner policy by using a higher deductible. When shopping for homeowner policy rates be sure and understand the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value. The insurance companies settle their claims on an actual cash value or replacement cost basis. The actual cash value settlement will estimate the replacement cost and them subtract any depreciation because of age or use. The actual cash value policies are generally written on older homes that depreciate in market value. The replacement cost policy will repair or replace damage with like kind and quality material without depreciation. The replacement cost policy is more appropriate for the newer home. It’s a good idea when shopping for homeowner insurance rates to combine your auto policy in the quote. The multi-policy discounts are significant and the multi-policy applicants are often more liberally underwritten. There are excellent discounts for burglar and fire alarm systems that have a direct connection to the police department and local fire station. Use all available discounts and be sure and compare rates with different deductibles.

Holidays on horseback

Whether you are a thrill-seeking daredevil or a committed “Happy Hacker”, there is sure to be a riding holiday to suit you . The choice of country and terrain is enormous and you can opt for a blissful week of escape from the family in beautiful and unspoilt surroundings. Alternatively, make it a family treat – even if some of the clan are totally non-horsey. The first thing to consider with any riding holiday is your true level of riding ability and stamina. A weekend-only novice will be neither safe nor happy on a mad three day gallop across Botswana. Similarly, a week trekking with beginners at walk will not appeal to experienced jockeys. The large number of riding holiday providers generally accept the following as sensible summaries of riding ability;- Beginner: A rider with very limited experience, is unable to mount and dismount unassisted, and unable to post to the trot or canter. Novice: A rider who has some riding experience, is able to mount and dismount unassisted, is in control of a well-behaved horse and confident for short periods of rising trot and canter. Intermediate: A rider with all of the novice skills, has a firm seat, is comfortable at all paces and capable of riding for several hours at a time. The intermediate rider is also able to tack up a horse if required. Experienced: A competent and regular rider who is capable of adapting to different horses in different environments. An experienced rider has soft hands and is able to control a spirited horse in open country. Other points to consider. Weight Limit Some riding trips have a weight limit which generally appears to be approximately 95 kilos (around 15 stones). In most cases you will be provided with a bigger horse and in some instances there will be a surcharge but it is always wise to contact your holiday provider as there may be a limited number of horses available for guests exceeding this weight level. Children Depending on the trip, children may join the ride. Discounts may be available in some cases. It is definitely worth checking even if the kids are staunchly anti-Equestrian as many of the holiday providers can accommodate non-riding guests. Insurance This is an absolute must for any holiday and should be an important consideration in booking your trip. Preparing for your holiday Once you have determined the riding experience, age and ability of the group members, you can go ahead and book your holiday. Whether you are experienced riders or not, you are still likely to be spending considerably longer than usual in the saddle on a daily basis so expect some aches and pains! Many repeat riding holiday enthusiasts go on several short riding weekends prior to a longer holiday so that they can really get the best out of the experience on every level. With riding holidays available in England, Scotland Wales and Ireland, we have plenty of choice on our doorsteps but there is a huge choice of trips in France, USA, and even Africa and Asia. The choice is yours….

The chase perfectcard is better than your gas credit card

The prestigious J. P Morgan Chase & Company provides global financial services. Operating in more than 50 countries, the company offers its customers a wide range of services including business, personal lending, insurance/investing and many other personal services. Understanding the needs of its customers, Chase has introduced The Chase PerfectCard. The card is for the benefit of the people who have fantastic credit and make frequent gas purchases. The Card And Its Benefits The Chase PerfectCard enables you earn good rebates on gasoline purchase and that irrespective of brand. The oil company credit cards allow the cardholders to use their card at certain gas stations only; however, this is not the case with The Chase PerfectCard TM. You can avail of a 6% rebate that is applicable to all gasoline purchases made in the initial period of 90 days. Thereafter, you will be allowed only 3% rebate on all gas purchases. You even earn a 1% rebate on all the other purchases, no matter where you make your purchases. The Other Card Blessings Apart from the rebate program, the card also offers more facilities like a maximum of $500000 in travel accident insurance, purchase protection plan, and auto rental insurance. The card has a 0% introductory rate applicable on balance transfers as well as on purchases for the initial period of 12 months based on your credit background. The annual percentage rate (APR) rises from 0% to 14.24% after the end of the introductory period. In comparison to the other gas credit cards, the APR is quite modest. You will find it convenient that there is no annual fee associated with this card. The card will benefit you immensely if you have plans to pay in full after the termination of the introductory period and make the maximum use of card for your purchases. This way, you will be able to avoid finance charges and simultaneously gain rewards, i. e., earn great rebates. The credit card also comes with benefits like a purchase protection plan, auto rental insurance and travel accident insurance. The cardholders will receive lost and stolen card replacement, emergency card and cash replacement, and fraud as well as security protection services. It provides platinum benefits concerning travel and emergency assistant services. The Chase PerfectCard enables you to enjoy a gas credit card with the rabate program making you save on fuel costs in the face of rising oil prices. Additional Advantages Like most of the other credit cards, the Chase PerfectCard also provides its customers different account related services, no liability for unauthorized transactions, a financial statement at the end of the year, and more benefits. However, you need to be careful about the applicable restrictions, exclusions and limitations. Always refer to the Guide to Benefits for the details when opening an account.

Commit a crime in thailand don t even think about it

While in a foreign country, a U. S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U. S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Thai laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. In this connection, it is a criminal offense to make negative comments about the King or other members of the royal family. Thais hold the King in the highest regard, and it is a serious crime to make critical or defamatory comments about him. This particular crime, called “lese majeste,” is punishable by a prison sentence of three to fifteen years. Purposely tearing or destroying Thai bank notes, which carry an image of the King, may be considered such an offense, as can spitting on or otherwise defiling an official uniform bearing royal insignia. The Thai Government has publicly stated that it will not tolerate the use of Thai territory as a base by groups trying to overthrow or destabilize the governments of nearby countries. Numerous American citizens have been arrested or detained under suspicion of carrying out such activities; sometimes these detentions are carried out by military authorities, and the Embassy does not learn of them until many days after the fact. Many other Americans suspected of advocating the armed overthrow of other governments have been "blacklisted" from entering the country. Americans should be aware that attempts to overthrow foreign governments by force may violate U. S. law as well as Thai law. Penalties for the possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Thailand are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long prison sentences under harsh conditions, and often heavy fines as well. Thailand also has a death penalty for serious drug offenses, and has executed convicted traffickers. The U. S. Embassy frequently does not learn of the arrest of U. S. citizens for minor drug offenses, particularly in southern Thailand, until several days after the incident. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Thai police occasionally raid discos, bars, or nightclubs looking for underage patrons and drug users. During the raids, they typically check the IDs of all customers in the establishment, and then make each person provide a urine sample to be checked for narcotics. Foreigners are not excused from these checks, and anyone whose urine tests positive for drugs is arrested and charged. Although some Thai civil libertarians have questioned the constitutionality of these forced urine tests, the Embassy is unaware of any successful challenge to the practice, and customers can be jailed if they do not cooperate.

Demystifying surround sound terminology

Demystifying Surround Sound Terminology Just in case you've been reading around and researching the many terms and topics that concern surround sound and the many surround sound systems on the market today, I thought it might be a good idea to explain some of the terminology that is floating around. First of all there are many initials names and numbers floating around when it comes to surround sound technology and equipment, it's no wonder that many of us mere mortal consumers are more than a little confused by it all. Hopefully the information you find below will prove helpful as you weave through the wired jungles of modern sound technology. The first and probably most common thing you will see in these circles is Dolby Digital. While there are many complicated definitions of this term the one that will matter most to you, as a consumer is that right now it is the leading format on the market when it comes to processing the digital data that your system will need to process. There are better brands such as DTS when it comes to musical sound for this function but the vast majority of television broadcasts and DVDs are optimized for Dolby. Speaking of DTS, at the moment they are Dolby's primary competition. While most items you find on the market such as DVDs are viewable in both DTS and Dolby you need to make sure that they system you purchase whether Dolby or DTS can read both formats for those times when your favorite flick just might not be enhanced for both. Now perhaps the most confusing of terms when it comes to surround sound systems would be 5.1. It looks so innocent just sitting there but most people are ready to pull out their hair when they realize that it really stands for a system that includes 6 speakers rather than five. The ".1" in the name refers to the frequency of the subwoofer (or Low Frequency Effects-LFE), which is .1. Despite the existence of 'better' systems on the market today, most movies are optimized for this particular set up so this will be of the most value to you with the current products on the market rather than spending more for systems that the DVD makes haven't yet caught up with. DTS ES refers to a format commonly referred to as 6.1. In this format there is one additional speaker moved to the center rear of the configuration and the two-rear left and right speakers are moved forward. And THX EX 7.1 is what happens when you add yet another speaker. There aren't too many films at the moment that use this particular format some notable exceptions would be the Star Wars movies. This means that movies haven't really caught up to the technology of either of these systems but they are on the market and some people simply must have them. I recommend going with a superior 5.1 channel surround sound system for the time being and adding speakers when there are more reasons to do so. This list is by no means exhaustive but will give you a basic overview of the information that is relevant to you as you look into the various surround sound systems on the market today. You shouldn't have to weed through volumes of confusing terminology in order to find out that the system you are interested in actually has 6 speakers rather than 5. My hope is that you can go in armed with basic knowledge that will help you make an informed buying decision. 596

Getting your credit card online

Getting Your Credit Card Online We all get credit card offers through traditional snail mail, and we all know how they work. Although many credit card offers in the mail claim that you are already pre approved, you still have to wait weeks and weeks before you hear anything back once you apply. These days are long gone though, as the Internet has made everything easier. With the Internet, you can apply for a credit card online and receive a response if minutes - instead of waiting weeks and weeks. If you have good credit, you’ll have no problems at all being approved online for a credit card. Those cards that have the best terms and rates are always available for those who have good credit. Therefore, before you apply online, you should know how good your credit is. You can always get a free credit report online, and check your credit yourself. If you do this at least twice a year, you’ll always know where you stand with your credit. If you don’t know your credit score of if you haven’t looked at your credit report in a long time, now would be the time to do so. Look over your credit report, and fix anything that doesn’t add a positive to your report. Always keep in mind that even being turned down for a credit card online can affect your credit score as well, and play a major role with future credit offers. Once you have looked at your credit report and determined how good your credit is, you can apply online for an immediate answer. No matter which credit card company you visit online, they will all ask for your personal information, such as your name, phone number, social security number, age, employer, income, and things of that nature. Before you fill out the application online for your new card, you should always go over the terms and conditions very carefully. You should look at the APR, and ensure that there are no surprises. Once you have applied, the company will use your social security number to pull your credit report and use it to determine your credibility and whether or not they can be approved for a credit card. When you begin filling out the application, you should make sure that the website you are using is encrypted. The standard encryption these days is SSL 128-bit, which ensure that the information you are sending is protected. If the website has less than 128-bit encryption, it may be possible for someone else to steal your information - which could result in identity theft. Once you have finished filling out the application and send it on, you’ll have the final decision in a matter of minutes. If you are using a credit card company with the right technology, the decision will be shown on the screen. If the decision isn’t shown on the screen, it will be mailed to you via traditional snail mail. In the event that you don’t get approved, you’ll be mailed the reason why. If you’ve been approved, you can expect to receive your credit card in the mail within a few days. Applying for a credit card online is always the preferred way to receive a credit card, as things will work much faster. No more waiting for weeks at a time to receive a response, as you’ll know instantly. There are hundreds of online credit card companies looking for your business - which gives you plenty of choices when choosing the credit card - and company that is best for you. (word count 592)

Types of baseball gloves

To buy a good glove of baseball can make a world of the difference in your play. You must buy a glove made starting from materials of quality because they will last longer and will be easier to employ. And, naturally, you ensure that the adjustment feels exact. While you can want to buy a cheaper glove - sometimes it wages right of doesn't because your play will suffer. A thing that you must make is to seek the various manufacturers and scales of price. Discover which is lit the best blow for the male. Choose some marks which call upon you move then to the store and try on the gloves. Ensuring itself they judge that the line and the line of average relationship are important. A part of Here inclines on what to seek in various types of gloves. Gloves Of Gloves of baseball Is you a serious player or the disorder right around behind the dish each of time to other? This could be a great deciding factor in your decision on which the glove to be bought as good glove of gloves of baseball can cost you hundreds of dollars. If you play only several times per year, then a professional glove of category could be too expensive for you. In addition, the gloves of good quality better are made and more durable thus it will probably last you a life. The gloves of high quality will be smelled better and functioned also better. By selecting a glove of gloves of baseball you must adapt it to your hand. The size of model of the glove is a measurement of the gloves gоtent where your wrist is jusqu with the top of the palm of the glove where your fingers start. A small glove for youths measures typically 8 with a foot, and a glove of adults has a measurement of 12 or 13 inches. Gloves Of Baseball For Women The isn't of baseball right for boys and maintaining the always young girls and women more than join this whole the American sport. There is a special challenge, in some manner that for women by making shopping for the equipment of baseball and particularly the gloves of baseball. The majority speed of baseball are a manufacturer motionless with the men with the spirit, and the women, whose hands are much smaller, can have one difficult moment finding a good adjustment with their gloves. The women making of the shopping for gloves of baseball must seek gloves designed to adapt smaller and female hand. If you are equipped with a suitable glove for the size of your hand you will note that you will play better. Seek smaller stalls of finger which will give you a better order than a belt of adjustable wrist is desirable because it will enable you to adjust yourselves with the fluctuations in fluids which can make your wrist a little larger or smaller. First Basic Gloves Any first basic player will say to you that the first basic gloves are very important when it has suddenly played the baseball. A thing to be sought in a good glove is to buy the good kinds of materials and strap which you have need in a glove to play at the first base. The most important thing is with the thnk about the way in which the glove feels. You should buy a size which feels good and is easy to handle. Important It that you can open and close the glove quickly and that your fingers have a comfortable adjustment but not too douillettement. To make shopping for the glove of right baseball is as important as obtaining the footgear or the espadrilles right. Take your time and select a good glove and you could see your play improving!

Why is my bike so slow how to rev it back up

One of the attractive things about owning a pocket bike is the adrenaline rush that speed can bring on, feeling the wind whip around you whether it is alone on a private track or in the middle of a race. Pocket bikes were built to race, they were built for speed. A pocket bike is a miniature version of a Grand Prix moter bike, so this makes sense. These bikes can be customized to go 50, 60, or even 70 miles per hour!! The current world record, in fact, is at 72 mph. So what happens if you start your bike, and it just won’t hit those speeds you know it should be? What if your pocket bike is going too slow? There are a few basic steps you can take to try and locate the problem yourself, and a brief explanation of how to go through each one. 1. ((It is important to note that you do this ONLY AFTER the bike has been turned on and warmed up already for a minimum of a few minutes)) Turn the air-intake on to open. You can find this behind the front wheel, close to the engine. This will give the bike more power. 2. Follow all the fuel tubes, and make sure none of them are pinched off anywhere. One single tube that is even slightly pinched can affect your entire performance. 3. Check the throttle cables. If they are too loose, the engine doesn’t get enough gas when you turn the throttle. 4. If this is your first bike, don’t push it. Pocket bikes need to be broken in. Don’t turn the throttle all the way for at least the first two gas tanks, if not three. In the long run, this will lead to better performance and more top notch speed. 5. Note: be very careful if you attempt the following. There is a gold screw, with a spring behind it, near the carburetor. This is the idle control. If you unscrew it by only half of a turn, it can also give you more power. If this screw is tightened too much, the bike will start then immediately switch off. If you make it too loose, the bike will jump and go as soon as you start it. Finding the balance is critical, and this is not recommended for beginners. If none of these things help, make sure to take your bike to a professional to get it running again at its optimal performance.

How to dress well like a celeb with a tight budget

Do you want to dress well like a celebrity but do not have deep pockets? Great, then here are some tips for you to take a quick look at: - First of all, know your own figure and your own style. Do not follow trends that do not suit you. Most clothes look great on models like Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer but do not look as good on us normal women! Remember how many items you bought on impulse last season? And you did not even wear them! Are they the wrong sizes? Wrong style or something you did not need at all? - Look at your closet and make a list of things you already have and you really want to keep. Then make a list of the things that you really want and do you have. We girls like buying designer items to feel good, but that habit really hurts our wallets. Particularly when you go out shopping with a friend, you feel that you need to buy something to keep your head up. Buying from a list will keep you focused and minimise costly impulse buying. - Buy the best quality of clothes and accessories that you can afford. This does not sound like a saving tip, but believe me, high quality clothes will simply look better, last longer, wear less, wash better and as a result, you will save more money than buying lots of inferior-quality pieces that will only last a few wears. - For big items like suits, dresses, coats: buy classic styles. These will stand the test of time and not date as much as clothes bought from the latest trends. Whereas for small items like bags and accessories, buy the most trendy, fashionable ones so you look up to date and go for the brightest colours (they will not make you look fat!). - Buy on sale whenever possible. You can grab the same piece for half or even less money just a few months after the celebrities. Nobody will tell you that it is out of fashion, just for a few months. You can grab yourself some really good bargains on the last few days’ of the sales in famous shops like Harrods and Harvey Nichols. And buy online, on Ebay if you are an Internet Savvy – Make sure that you do read the seller’s review and contact the seller before the sale to ensure the authenticity of goods. - Swap small items like hats and bags with your best friends (of course, those with good taste only). There is no point in spending a lot of money on something you are only going to use once (Well, it will be embarrassing if you wear the same clothes to your important parties). So share them with your friends. Ladies, dressing well does not have to cost a fortune. If you take a little time and a bit of thought to plan for your need, and treat buying your clothes like an investment.

Why you should take part in a writing workshop

Before you should decide whether or not taking part in a writing workshop is right for you and your writing you should first understand just what a writing workshop is. A workshop is an educational format where an expert shares information on a focused topic over a short period of time. Some workshops are intended to be simply informative while others involve more hands-on activities. Today there are many options for enjoying a workshop: you can attend workshops in person, view them on television or tape, or participate in an online workshop. So now that you know what a workshop is you can see how this format can readily be adapted for writers. Writing workshops can cover the basics of writing, writing challenges, topics related to publication and careers in writing, or specific research subjects. Some of these programs are featured as part of larger events, such as conferences, while some groups or individuals offer them as one-time events. Some organizations, institutes and educational programs offer workshops to their students or members while others open those workshops to the community at large. Why would a writer want to attend a workshop? What benefit could it be? Join the writing community. One of the strongest benefits you can receive from attending such a gathering is getting to know other writers. Writing is a solitary profession and can be very lonely. Enjoying the company of other writers and talking about writing with people who really understand your joys and worries can be wonderfully energizing to you personally as well as your writing. You can also make contacts that may lead to support and growth of your writing or perhaps even professional advancement. You never know when the friend you make today might be in a position to recommend you to an editor or publisher down the road. Learn something new. No matter what level your writing career there are always lessons to be learned from other writers. Sometimes there are research strategies and shortcuts or perhaps it is a method for dealing with writer's block. You can learn market news and contacts as well as important information about reviewing contracts. Workshops are generally geared toward a specific genre or market niche and offer a wealth of specialized information depending on whether you write about crime or food. Improve your craft. Generating new work or revising existing pieces is often a large part of attending a workshop. Sometimes you must bring something with you, create a project as part of the workshop or are inspired by the gathering itself. Sometimes talking with others or listening to the presenters causes you to suddenly rethink a stalled project or inspires a new one. Whatever the impetus there is definitely an increase in production after attending a workshop and that is the surest way to improve your word craft. If you have not taken part in a writing workshop in the past then perhaps you might consider doing so in the near future so you can join the writing community, learn something new, and improve your craft.

Repossession stopped why making the right choices can help you keep your home

Everyone dreams of owning their own home but that dream can turn into a nightmare often through no fault of your own. Redundancy, divorce, illness and credit problems can create a situation where you’re not able to make your monthly mortgage payments. Without immediate action, mortgage arrears can very quickly descend into full-blown repossession proceedings and the nightmare of losing your home – and any equity you have in it – becomes a reality. The good news is that help is at hand. By remortgaging your house with an experienced broker you can stop repossession proceedings in their tracks and get on with your life with a new mortgage that suits you. Read on to see how these specialist companies can help you no matter where you are on the repossession ladder. 1. MORTGAGE ARREARS Missing even just one mortgage payment can cause enormous damage to your credit rating and, unless you can pay off the outstanding amount immediately, can quickly become a real problem. A missed payment is logged as mortgage arrears – if that payment isn’t settled immediately it rolls on to the next month meaning that, until the outstanding amount is settled, you are registered as being in mortgage arrears. 2. REPOSSESSION PROCEEDINGS Missing several payments or having longstanding mortgage arrears could lead to your mortgage lender starting repossession proceedings. The first step would usually for the mortgage company to issue a claim form citing the time and date that you would be required to appear at county court. This can often be a confusing document with a great deal of information including detail of your account, description of the property, details of any previous attempts to repossess the property and details of your arrears. The claim form is accompanied by a form called an N11M “Form Of Defence”; it allows you to explain your circumstances and what you will do to resolve your mortgage arrears and has to be completed within 14 days. 3. COUNTY COURT HEARING Even if you have replied to the claim form you must attend the court hearing. Don’t expect an Old Bailey style trial – County Court hearings take place in a private room with you, the district judge and the lender’s solicitor. You will get a chance to tell the judge what measures you intend to take in order to pay off your arrears. If your offer is reasonable – for example, by agreeing to remortgage your home, they usually grant a suspended possession order. This allows you to stay in your home provided you pay off the rent plus an agreed amount toward your arrears. 4. POSSESSION ORDER If you can’t convince the court that you are able to clear the arrears – or if you fail to turn up for you County Court hearing they will issue a possession order. This gives you 28 days to settle your debt or face eviction. 5. EVICTION WARRANT If you cannot settle your arrears within 28 days OR if you fail to comply with the suspended possession order the lender can apply for an Eviction Warrant without further recourse to the courts. Once an eviction order has been issued, court bailiffs will then set a date when they will visit your property to make sure you have left. The primary aim of repossession specialists is to ensure that this does not happen.