The Sandwich Generation

Are you caught in the sandwich generation, looking after parents and looking after children?. How do you cope with it. Do you think your life is particularly stressful because of this? Many of us with unmarried children under 25 living at home are also caring for an older relative.

More women than men are caught in this trap, women who thought they would have it much easier when they got to the mid 40s and 50s. now find that things are much harder. Just when they think their children are grown up, their parents become their children.

There are various ways to deal with the sort of stress that comes from taking care of two different generations. The first all important person is yourself. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of others. Ensure you are happy with what you are doing, how you are reacting to the circumstances. Take time out for yourself and accept your feelings.

Remember your children, however old are always your children. They want to know they are loved, however many boundaries they try and breach. They may resent the time you are spending away from them, either with parents or at work. Explain your situation to them and help them understand what you are doing and ask for their help. Lots of parents don't like to ask for the children's help in this sort of situation but children will respect you for it. It will give them good values and a healthy self esteem.

Remind both parents and children who you are and that you deserve a lift. Sometime you may feel that you are being pulled in both directions when that happens, regroup yourself and remind yourself what is important and above all, never lose your sense of humor. Be patient with yourself, your parents and your children and if things get too much seek help or just take time out for you. Being part of the 'sandwich generation' means taking good care of yourself. Don't forget you are allowed to make mistakes.

Women especially can find it hard in dealing with the two generations but asking for help can make all the difference in how you communicate with your parents and children. Find someone you can 'off load' to a friend, a Coach, a guide or even clergy who specializes in relationship issues. Find out exactly what you want your future with the two generations to be like?

Would you like to know how life coaching could help you? At http://www.denisevogel-lifecoach.com you will find answers to the questions you may be asking yourself. There are some tools on my website to start you on your way and more of this kind of article.

Perhaps procrastination is your bugbear? http://www.takeactionnowblog.com for some interesting tips and a sign up box for my newsletter.

Denise Vogel is a personal life coach based in Essex who has set her sights in helping people to turn their lives around.

4 X 12 Stair Stringer Trip Hazar

Do You Want To Automate Your House?

Due to the improper use of natural resources, humanity now brazens in an imminent danger of various environmental crisis. Most of the activities that have resulted in our present state in most cases though unintentional are still very costly for the present generation.

Stringer Layout At Landing

No Money Down - How To Buy Property With Nothing Down

If you have ever watched TV after about 11:30 at night, you've seen people talking about courses on buying real estate with no money down. They show vacation paradises, gorgeous girls, fancy cars, and huge mansions. All of this is promised to you if you buy their course on making a million with nothing! If you want you can spend "only three payments of $99.99" to find out about this exciting area...OR...I'll just tell you for FREE!

One thing I must mention first, however, is that ANY information, combined with NO action, produces NO result. If I came over to your house and showed you everything in person and answered all of your questions, and then you did NOTHING.....it was a waste of time. Yours and mine!! On the other hand, if you combine information with hard work, persistence and, most of all, GUTS, you will be successful, whether you buy the courses, read the books for free at the library, or get the information from me, right here!

I mentioned GUTS because there's a price to be paid for everything. If you had a million dollars, you could buy an apartment building without hardly any difficulty. Just pick out one that you liked, had a good return, and passed a building inspection.

If you DON'T have a million dollars, what are you to do? Well get ready for some hard work, searching for the right deal. Get ready to have a whole slew of offers rejected, and maybe even laughed at. Get ready to hear some pompous real estate agent tell you (as one told me) "Son, I've been in the real estate business for thirty years now, and let me tell you, there's no such thing as a no money down deal." Get ready to work on a deal and spend time on it only to have it collapse.

You're going to put in your down payment in the form of "brain sweat equity". You're going to pay by acquiring more knowledge than others in the area of creative real estate, and by searching long and hard to find MOTIVATED sellers, ones who want to get rid of their properties desperately and therefore are willing to help you out. Most of all, you're going to pay by enduring the inevitable "start-up glitches" that ANY business or enterprise has. If it was easy to do, then everybody would be doing it, and there would be no properties left! It is this difficulty that makes it EASY, once you know what you are doing!!

OK, so here we go, but first you need to know ONE thing: IN REAL ESTATE EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE!! Let me say that again, because it is the linchpin of the way creative real estate works--in real estate EVERYTHING is negotiable!

What does that mean? Are there any boundaries? NO!! Can you get someone to carry an agreement for sale for 25 years with little or no money down and no credit check? YES!! Are there ten ads in the paper offering just such an agreement, or one? Probably none! What does that mean? EVERYTHING is negotiable! If you find a motivated seller, one who is paying every month to own 5B4that property, one who doesn't have the skills to fix it up, one who moved out of town, or the country, then he MIGHT go for it! Notice that I did not say WILL go for it, but MIGHT!

Think of yourself when you had a car that you wanted to get rid of, because it was a piece of junk. If someone approached you and asked "how much?", you'd say "$1000, firm". But you knew deep inside that you just wanted to get rid of the headache!! And if you ever had to wait for a month or two with no one buying your car, suddenly you were not quite so firm on the price! And if the alternator had to be replaced before the car could run, pretty soon you just wanted it OUT of your hands!! NOW, you're ready to accept monthly payments, maybe hold something as security, etc. You just want it GONE!

It is the same with real estate properties! They go from being our pride and joy to an albatross around our necks--then we're ready to do WHATEVER it takes to get rid of it!

These people aren't going to jump up and down and say "I'm willing to take a no money down deal for my property"! They are going to be depressed, just like the fellow with a clunker in his back yard, sitting there for months. They are going to need some convincing, but if you find the "DON'T WANTER", the most difficult part is done! Then you make offers, look closely at each property to see if you can make a go of it (that's a whole other report!) if you can get the property--some5B4times you don't want it either! Then it is just a matter of making offers, either in person, or through a realtor, until you find someone who is

ready to deal. The first time is the hardest, because no matter how many times I tell you (or the TV guys) that it CAN be done, you are going to think "not for me, not here in __________, not any more, not with my areas laws and zoning regulations, not with my personality, not with my brains, etc."

Don't you believe it! Look at all the people in the TV commercials-all types and shapes-they have ONE thing in common--they went out and DID IT!

ALL IT TAKES IS GUTS AND PERSEVERANCE!!

Here's the "stream of consciousness" of ideas on how to buy with $000.00 down, but keep in mind the whole time that IN REAL ESTATE EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE!

1) The simplest way to buy with no money down is to get the seller to carry an agreement for sale. Monthly payments for 25 years are possible if the seller has no need for the money, and can be convinced to get his 6,7,8% return secured by his house instead of buying a 4% bond.

2) If you have good credit and want to put no money into a property, try a first mortgage, Vendor carries a big second for remainder. Seller gets , say 75%, and carries 25%.

3) Again with good credit, try first, smaller 2nd, and a Personal Line of Credit for remainder--especially if the gap is only $10-15,000. This can even work for low p5B4riced properties where the first mortgage is combined with a PLC for the remainder--be smart enough to go to another bank for PLC and tell them that you're going to make an invstment with money--and don't tell ANY bank that you're doing a no money down deal!

4) Payment over time-seller wants $5,000 down, for example. How about $400 per month for a year? You're still paying it, but over time-maybe the property will generate enough extra money to pay this!

5) Back taxes-I've done deals where I've taken over back taxes due--you can pay them off at your own speed, within reason!

6) Free rent-I've done deals where the seller had office space in the building and took 2 years free rent as down payment! Can also work for multi family.

7) Upon closing there are adjustments for that months rent--close on the 2nd or 3rd to maximize this-and for damage deposits, taxes to be paid for the period owned by seller, utility bills to be paid, etc. These can add up to a large amount!

8) Since the bank starts mortgage payments one month from closing, simply by paying an interest adjustment of 2 weeks allows you to use the first months rent and apply the second months rent to the mortgage payment.

9) Borrow on insurance policy, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. If you allow the bank to secure the collateral they will be very accommodating.

10) Rack up your Visa, Mastercard and American Exp15E8res cards. A bit crazy, but I assume its a great investment!

11) Borrow from friends, relatives, boss (holiday pay?) Maybe even cut them in as partners!

12) Partners are a surefire way to get accepted for big bank loans, create enough down payments, etc. Always look for people who are interested in this area, and ask them what prevents them from buying investment properties. If its time, expertise, etc--then you have a fit! All that's preventing you is money--and you have found this great property haven't you?

13) Syndicate a group of people--say 9 investors and you get the last tenth for putting together the project--they will provide the financial strength for the loan, and maybe even the down payments! Anything is possible, remember? This is a lot of work to find these people, but VERY lucrative! Start with dentists and doctors, lawyers, everyone that you deal with!

14) Rent to buy--maybe you make payments for 3 years and then have built up the downpayment--meanwhile the property can go up in value, rents rise, and so on.

15) Option to buy--Seller keeps title and gets all revenue. You simply pay a sum for the right (make it REALLY legal!) to purchase the property at a certain sum in X years. There could be a trade for this option, example trade an item or service for the option.

16) Lets make trading an item or service for down payment its own idea!

17) Foreclosure property--maybe just before it goes into foreclosure you offer to keep up the payments and give seller SOMETHING, SOMETIME for his equity. (In a short while he's not getting anything!) Lots of work, lots of books and announcement services available.

18) Fix up damaged property--work deal with bank--example: as is it's worth $75,000, with clean up and fix up its worth 100,000--bank offers 75,000 mortgage based on future value--you have to do fix up--similar to sweat equity.

19) Lease property (ie an office building) from owner and sub lease it to tennants--must be very legal and usually needs strong rent up effort!

20) Pay someone to cosign for a loan

21) Get realtor to carry his commission as a note--they HATE this, but if its needed..

22) Balloon payment--nothing down, balance due in three years

23)Private money from mortgage brokers--ask them about it! High rate of interest, but..

24) Refinance property either before you assume it, or after

25) Find a partner where he takes writeoff for negative cash flow and you manage property--this can even work with buying your personal residence--investor is happy with $200 per month negative cash flow in return for your taking care of property, always a tennant (you) and investor splits profit when selling.

That's going to be enough to start some gears running in your head. The most important part is to keep trying, and to be creative. Combining parts of one idea and another, and always probing for what the seller wants will lead you to solutions. Always probe for ways to make both of you happy. Everyone wants all cash, right now--not everyone gets it! Think of the junker car in the back yard and look for ways to HELP the other person--they want to sell!

Most of all, keep looking! It is not a failure on your part if someone is clinging to the hope that they'll get a certain price, or certain terms. If they can-great!! If not, check back in a few months. Many properties are still sitting there and with a MUCH more receptive seller after they have the property "sitting in their backyard, rusting" (or racking up negative cash flow and maintenance and property management headaches). Try and try again!

Check online for new info and more opportunities, network with other investors, ads can be used to signal what you are looking to find, partners wanted, etc. Go to your public library for more real estate and business information. Keep your mind working and searching--keep looking for properties and more information--one idea can be worth a fortune to you --go to seminars when they come to your town--and the total adds up to the "Eureka!" screamed in the middle of the night.

Buying with a low down payment is obviously much easier than buying with absolutely nothing down, so be sure to save up your money to make it easier for you. Even a no money down deal can require cash for legal fees, closing costs, etc.

Best of luck!

Andrew Larder

Creative Real Estate Investing With Low Or No Money Down

To receive free info on no or low money down real estate investing, visit: Free Creative Real Estate Investing Newsletter

Nail Gun Safety Tips

Building Credit After Bankruptcy: Three Strategies

Here are three "Building Credit After Bankruptcy" strategies you can use to increase your chances of being approved for auto loans, credit cards, and home loans if you have a bankruptcy on your credit report:

Building Credit After Bankruptcy Strategy #1

Apply for credit where you have a high probability of getting approved, and make the payments on time. Sounds simple, but most people go about applying for credit the WRONG way and make it more difficult than it needs to be.

By the way, dont go overboard when applying for credit. The whole purpose of getting a credit card or loan is to rebuild your credit history after bankruptcy - not to get in to debt up to your ears!

Be careful about the inquiries. When it comes to some types of inquiries, too many can hurt your credit score. Other types dont matter.

Building Credit After Bankruptcy Strategy #2

Another way to rebuild your credit after bankruptcy (one my favorite) is to add years of positive credit history to account. You can literally add a number of new positive items to credit your report. Its 100% legal but the technique is not widely known. When it comes to building credit after bankruptcy, this is a strategy you will want to consider. I don't have enough room to go into detail on it here, so I'll save it for another article.

Building Credit After Bankruptcy Strategy #3

Of course, cleaning up inaccurate and obsolete negative information on your credit reports is critical when building credit after a bankruptcy. And you dont need to use a credit repair company to do it. You can do it yourself and save a few hundred dollars. Just remember that you need to know exactly what to do.

For example, there are three ways to dispute information on your credit report. If you want to correct errors on your report FAST then theres a certain way you need to request your reports.

Heres another example: There may be some collection accounts or charge offs on your credit report that don't belong there. You need to know what to look for to determine if that's the case or not - and how to dispute such an item if it is. Most people would look at these items and not even realize they dont belong there.

Remember: When it comes to building credit after bankruptcy you don't want any inaccurate or obsolete information on your credit report!

I can keep going but I think you get the idea. There are a number of pieces you need to pull together when you are rebuilding your credit after bankruptcy.

But its worth it. After all, if you can increase your credit score, and building credit after bankruptcy plays a key role, then you could literally save up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in extra interest and other finance charges when it comes to future loans and lines of credit.

================================================================

Copyright (c) 2006 Innovative Solutions Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

DISCLAIMER:

This information is designed to provide only a general overview of the subject matter herein.

This information is provided with the understanding that neither the publisher nor author is engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought.

Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss or damages, including but not limited to special, consequential, incidental or other damages, caused by the information contained herein.

================================================================

About the Author: R. Lawrence Anderson is author of After Bankruptcy Credit Solutions, which shows individuals how to qualify for credit and loans after bankruptcy. For details visit: http://www.bankruptcy-credit-solutions.com

Safety Hazard Under The Stairs

Cod Supply - Under Threat

Why is there a problem?

Because supply isn't limitless. The Northern Cod Fishery off the eastern Canadian coast use to yield over 100,000Tns per year but then collapsed to practically nothing in the early 90s. Quite simply without proper management of the fisheries across the oceans the same will happen elsewhere.

Cod - What is it?

There are two types:

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) - comes from the Atlantic, funny enough, and is the most favourite fish eaten in the UK - accounts for approx 21%of sales volume across all of retail, catering etc.

Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalis) - comes from the Northern Pacific It is wild caught (there are some tentative attempts to farm it), it spawns in the spring and can line to the age of 25 years reaching close to 100Kg.

Cod inhabit the northern shallow shelves of the Atlantic and Pacific. And the species form massive discrete shoals that stick to a certain part of the ocean - they have their own spawning areas etc. These shoals, or bio stocks, are approx 24 in number and each shoal corresponds to one of the 24 stock management units assessed and measured by the different international organisations (eg The UNs Food & Agricultural Organisation, European Union, etc.).

Who is doing what to conserve stocks?

Fisheries management has to balance sustainability and fishermen's livelihoods. So, catching plans take a long 5-10 year view to slowly rebuild but to keep fishermen in business. Closer to home, the following are being implemented by the EU in the North Sea, Irish Sea, West of Scotland etc:

Reductions in the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) - the TAC reduced by a further 13% in '07 vs '06 in some of our local fisheries

Using larger mesh sizes so the smaller younger fish escape

Reducing the number of days boats are allowed out fishing

Protection of spawning grounds

Graham Keegan

CEO Exciting Foods Ltd

Home Mold Test Kits

American Indians and Plants in the Great Basin of North America - An Ancient Relationship

Originally, many scholars viewed the possibility of this ancient relationship with some skepticism, primarily because of the early anthropological work of Julian Steward, and the overall general unfamiliarity with the Great Basin environment. Rather than according the American Indians of the Great Basin the knowledge and cultural sophistication they deserved for sustainably and symbiotically living in their homeland, scholars hypothesized that indigenous Great Basin peoples were:

1) the least developed in terms of cultural sophistication and complexity,
2) had only recently migrated into the Great Basin from more resource rich areas, and
3) had little or no knowledge of Great Basin ecology. Therefore,
4) they were a dying cultural group that required little or no consultation in contemporary Great Basin resource issues.

As researchers began to actually work with Great Basin peoples, and slowly learned the epistemic value of their traditional ecological knowledge, a very different understanding has emerged. It became apparent that the Paiute, Shoshone, and other indigenous people of the Great Basin have been in their traditional homelands for thousands of years, and that their traditional lifeways and the general Great Basin ecosystem were only recently disrupted by Euroamerican colonial processes. Further, it became clear as more research was conducted that an ancient relationship between American Indians and plants in the Great Basin existed, and that knowledge from such a relationship could offer insights into restoring the Great Basin ecosystem and other natural resources problems currently at issue.

The Great Basin is a region encompassing more than 115,800 square miles between the Sierra Nevada of California in the west and the Wasatch Range of Utah in the east. The region is bounded to the north by the lower Snake River plain in Idaho and to the south by the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. Composed of a series of large, internally draining basins in which seasonal lacustrine marshes and lakes form, the Great Basin has historically provided a rich variety of resources that American Indians have relied upon for 10,000 years or more. Furthermore, these seasonally dry and sparsely vegetated basins are geographically divided by a series of north to south mountain ranges that historically provided resources in a seasonal cycle from the basin floor to the upper mountain slopes. As a result of this geography, perennial mountain streams form each spring that historically provided a number of riverine based floral resources. By knowing the environment, weather, and geography of the Great Basin, American Indians could successfully find plant resources at all times of the year. Evidence for this ancient and symbiotic relationship comes primarily from archaeological and ethnographic data, although biological data also supports these conclusions.

The archaeological evidence, which has become more refined and extensive since the time of early theories discussing American Indians of the Great Basin, argues that American Indians and plants of the Great Basin have shared an 8,000 year or longer relationship. In the eastern Great Basin, for example, the earliest evidence of people in the area comes from sites located along prehistoric lakeshores in the basin floors where people subsisted largely on seasonally available lacustrine resources. Later, evidence indicates that Great Basin peoples began to also utilize upland regions that were situated in the pion-juniper ecozones, allowing access to sage and grass communities as well as higher montane resources. Faunal and floral macrofossils, coupled with pollen analyses from across the Great Basin, further evidences a dependence on wetland food resources augmented with small seeds from dryland plants beginning in the early Holocene (9600-7000 years ago) and continuing into the ethnographic period. Although other resources apparently fluctuated over time in the diets of Great Basin peoples, plant-based resources remained constant.

Not only was plant-life exploited for subsistence purposes, but peoples of the Great Basin also used floral resources in the construction of shelters, mats, clothing, and especially baskets. The exploitation of plant-life in the construction of baskets was so important, in fact, that it has been possible to identify at least three distinct basketry manufacturing regions. Each region had special characteristics that delineated it from other basketry manufacturing styles, such as in the northern Great Basin where at least 13 different basket wall-construction techniques have been identified over time. These include at least six different coiling techniques and seven basic twining methods such as close simple twining, close diagonal twining, and open simple twining.

Beginning in the 1800s, however, contact with Euroamericans and their cultural products (i.e., diseases, material goods, weapons, horses, etc.) resulted in a disruption of the millennia old relationship between American Indians and plants of the Great Basin. This disruption was rapid and severe, as thousands of Euroamericans entered the Great Basin to begin agricultural, industrial, or resource extraction endeavors. These processes and events, such as the now famous Comstock mining explosion, or the development of the Newlands project near present-day Reno, or the massive cattle and sheep ranching operations that took place in the early and middle twentieth century, completely disrupted the ancient symbiotic relationship between American Indians and plants in the Great Basin.

These colonizing processes of the 1800s radically changed the ecology of the Great Basin. The seasonal marshes and lacustrine resources were either trampled, drained, or consumed. Large areas were transformed into agricultural fields that produced non-indigenous agricultural products. Giant mines and their waste transformed entire mountains and watersheds, polluting the land and making it impossible for the native plants to grow. As a result of these and many other processes, the relationship between American Indians and plants of the Great Basin has been seriously tested. Unable to access traditional resources and areas, much of this relationship has been maintained through oral traditions, ceremonial and religious practices, and in the minds and hearts of tribal elders. Today, however, there may be hope for reinvigorating this ancient relationship once again.

Great Basin peoples are beginning to establish cultural programs that teach their youth ancient cultural values and knowledge. Environmentalists and resource managers are attempting to clean up mines and restore watersheds, and applied and action-oriented social scientists are advocating for the inclusion of Great Basin peoples voices in resource issues. Together these processes bring hope to a formally bleak picture. By working together, it is possible to once again allow this relationship between American Indians and plants of the Great Basin to flourish. Through communication, consultation, and collaboration this relationship can not only flourish, but it can be strengthened by the addition of all voices involved.

My name is Peter N. Jones, Ph.D. I am a social scientists with the Bauu Institute in Boulder, Colorado where I work on environmental, psychological, and social science issues. I have written numerous articles and two books: Respect for the Ancestors: American Indian Cultural Affiliation in the American West and American Indian mtDNA, Y Chromosome Genetic Data, and the Peopling of North America. I am also author of Indigenous Issues Today a syndicated news blog.

Home Mold Test Kits

The Website Traffic Problem - Solve It In 2 Steps

So ultimately you have your website up on the internet and you even have the products and services that you want to sell on your site.

Now you are anticipating a huge number of people to visit your site and buy your products.

Now I am going to tell you a secret which you will not hear from most internet marketers. It is very simple to manufacture a product and design an excellent website.

However, it will not be an easy task to draw a huge number of people to your website, particularly if you are new to all this.

In order to promote your website and increase the number of sales within a week you need to select from to alternatives:

1. Incur huge expenditure to draw a huge number of people to your website.
2. Take out some time and attract traffic to your site without paying a dime.

The decision is in your hands.

Given below are the alternatives that you have:

1. Marketing articles - Such a type of website promotion is a continuous process and you do not have to pay for it. Write articles of good quality and submit the same to article directories. You should have a resource box on your articles which would include a link that would direct the users to your site. Here is where you will be able to earn money for submitting good articles to website owners and directories. When your articles circulate on a number of websites then you can expect increasing number of visitors to your site for free. Such an alternative would assist you in obtaining immediate web visitors once your articles get published by the ezine publishers that have a huge number of people.

2. Pay per Click Search Engines - Probably the finest way to draw a huge number of visitors to your website is to advertise your website on PPC engines. Needless to say, you will be able to attract targeted traffic to your site. However, the drawback is that to begin using PPC there is a learning curve. It is important that you examine your website thoroughly to find some good income from pay-per-click. You can expect to get high credit card bills if you begin to spend money without testing your site. You will find that there are a number of people who have made big money with this technique and there are also people who have lost a lot of money as you need money to test and obtain a lot of visitors. To obtain excellent outcomes you need to convert your website exceptionally well. Be ready for this and utilize it if you have the required funds to test and spend.

Here we have discussed about two great ways in which you can begin your promotion operation and wait for your web traffic to increase.

After reading this, you need to decide whether you want to opt for free advertisement or pay a little money to test. No matter which alternative you follow, begin today itself and climb up the stairs.

Swati Banerjee is the owner of Writing Ink, a web content management firm based out of India, that services clients from across the globe. Please take a minute to visit http://www.writing-ink.com to experience how the bright young minds here make magic with words!

Impact Of Heat On Metal
Basementconstructioninclaysoil

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)

What is Canine Hip Dysplasia?

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a congenital disease that mainly affects large breed dogs. The word "dysplasia" means improper growth. Hip dysplasia can be described as a faulty or abnormal development of the hip. In CHD, the hip becomes loose and wobbly, eventually leading to a form of arthritis which is commonly referred to Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). The degree of lameness that occurs is usually dependent upon the extent of arthritic changes in the hip joint. So too do environmental conditions such as amount of physical exercise, and weight gain contribute to the disease, and bring out symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Canine Hip Dysplasia?

The symptoms of CHD depend on the severity of the dysplasia. Another factor is the whether or not degenerative joint disease (DJD) is present. Dogs less than 1 year old have a tendency to have periods of acute bilateral (or unilateral) lameness in their rear legs. Older dogs with CHD exhibit rear limb lameness with an obvious weight displacement to the forelimb (front paws). Furthermore, the signs of lameness become more obvious with exercise or after a minor trauma. Again depending on the degree of joint destruction, visible signs vary.

Typical signs are

- Generally less active.

- Problem with stairs.

- Less jumping

- Trouble rising, or laying down.

- When running will exhibit a A Bunny hopping @ gait

- Painful reaction to the extension of the rear legs.

- A faint popping sound coming from the hip.

Are All Dogs at Risk Canine Hip dysplasia?

CHD can occur in any dog. However, large breed dogs are at a higher risk. The Orthopedic Foundation of Animals (OFA) believes that some of the breeds at highest risk are:

Bulldog
Pug
Otterhund
Clumber Spaniel
Neapolitan Mastiff
St. Bernard
Boykin Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel
American Bulldog
Newfoundland
American Staffordshire Terrier
Bloodhound
Bullmastiff
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Rottweiler
Chow Chow
Old English Sheepdog
Kuvasz
Norweigan Elkhound
Giant Schnauzer
German Shepherd
Bernese Mountain Dog
English Setter
Black and Tan Coonhound
Shih Tzu
Staffordshire Terrier
Welsh Corgi
Beagle
Briard
Brittany
Bouvier des flandres
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Curly Coated Retriever
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Portugese Water Dog
English Springer Spaniel
Pudel Pointer
Irish Water Spaniel

How is Canine Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed?

Initial assessment involves taking a history of the dog, and examining obvious clinical signs. The only real way to see if a dog is suffering from CHD is through X Rays. If found early enough in pups, surgery can correct the problem.

What Is the Treatment of Canine Hip Dysplasia?

Treatment for CHD can be as mild as recommending rest, or as severe as surgery, depending on the severity of the dysplasia, amount of DJD, the age of the dog, the size of the dog, and many other factors, treatment will vary.

Possible Conservative Treatment

- Weight monitoring

- Moderate exercise

- Pain relief medication

- Joint and health supplements

Possible Surgical Treatment

Currently there are three main surgical procedures used in for the treatment of CHD.

Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO)

In this procedure, three separate bone cuts are made in order to free the acetabulum component (the socket or cup) of the hip joint from the rest of the pelvis. The acetabulum is then rotated to provide better coverage. A bone plate is secured to maintain this new position and allow the bone cuts to mend. The procedure is for large breed dogs, no older than 10 months of age. Candidates for this surgery must only have mild CHD and no arthritis present.

Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)

In this procedure, the head of the femur is removed. The residual portion of the femur forms a false" joint with muscle, tendons and ligaments. Even though the false joint is not as superior as the original, most dogs experience a great reduction in pain. This particular surgery is far more effect in smaller dogs, with most experiencing an almost normal function of the hip.

Total hip replacement (THR)

In this procedure the head and neck of the femur are both replaced with either stainless steel or titanium implants. This surgery is used on young dogs who have fully matured developed physically. THR is also used in older dogs who weigh a minimum 40lbs. If done correctly, the procedure can be very successful; however it is only done by a select few, and is very expensive.

Is There Any Way to Prevent Canine Dysplasia?

CHD is a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Responsible breeders are working on reducing the chances of CHD by breeding dogs that are less likely to produce pups that will have the disease, by better sceening methods.

Environmental factors do NOT cause CHD. Instead, they bring out the symptoms in a dog that already has the disease. Responsible owners can help dogs with CHD by addressing these environmental variables. By closely monitoring a dogs diet, for example, owners can insure that a pup will not grow too fast, or become over weight. Here is a list of variables that can be controlled in order to nurture a dog with CHD.

- Limit rough play, jumping, climbing stairs or slick floors.

- Monitor food intake.

- Calcium supplementation (may increase the bone remodeling).

- Forced running for any distance, especially on tarmac, asphalt or other hard surfaces

- Have your dog certified by The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)

Ths website only provides BASIC information about Canine Hip Dysplasia. your veterinarian is always your best source of health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information about CHD and its prevention.

For more great articles and tons of other great info visit our Dog forum, visit Ron's blog or visit our Pet blog

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Dog Training: Dog Gates

Dogs as they say are mans best friend. True enough, you cannot question the loyalty that dogs demonstrate upon their masters. They are also very affectionate as well and could even sense if something is bothering us. You may observe that quite often when you come home from a hard day at work, your dog will immediately approach you as if sensing you need some comfort or company. Many of us may have dogs in our homes or are planning to have one. It is important that we properly train our dogs to ensure not only their very own safety but most importantly for you and your familys protection.

You are in charge

Being the master of the house, it is important that your dog is aware of where he stands as a member of your family. You have to let him know who is boss and that you dont want him bossing around. Your dog needs to be educated with the house rules to avoid encountering future problems. You wouldnt want your dog to be going wild, tearing at your sofa upholstery, chewing at your expensive shoes or worse getting violent and destructive which could be dangerous for you and your family. There even have been cases of dogs getting hostile to the point of sinking their teeth onto their very own masters. You have to demonstrate upon your pet that only you and your family members have the authority to have unlimited access inside the home. Your dog needs to be aware of his limited physical access and that there may be certain areas that he is not allowed entry. It is crucial that you do all these while your dog is still a puppy for as we all know it is indeed difficult to teach an old dog new tricks.

Use dog gates to train your dog

Your dog may feel some fret or apprehension when you try to isolate him or restrict his movements inside your home especially if your dog is used to being at your side most of the time. Your dog may feel abandoned and may wonder why you had to leave him shut out of your room or left inside the living room with the door shut while you are in the kitchen preparing a meal. It may be hard at first for them to understand why they are being restricted. Using dog gates could help you train as well as restrict your dogs movements without making them feel any trouble or perplexity because the dog can see you right through the door gates. You can find numerous indoor gates that would fit your need from short gates for small dogs and tall gates for the big dogs. Most indoor gates are designed not to harm your flooring or walls.

These dog gates are also important to prevent your dog from falling or tumbling down the stairs especially if your dog is still learning how to ascend and descend your staircase. If you allow your dog upstairs, putting a dog gate on top of the stairs will let your dog go down with you by its side so you could make certain that it makes a slow climb down.

If you are concerned with how the indoor dog gate will look inside your home, you dont have to worry for you can find numerous types in a style and design that will surely fit with the decorations inside your home.

Do you want to know more about dog care or anything about the crazy world of dogs? Visit us or share your opinions at the worlds best homepage or free content resource

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Vista - Right Way To Go?

Vista... What can I say about Vista? For one it has a nicer look than Windows XP, but looks aren't everything, sadly, but you can also get a program called Vista Transformation to make Xp look like Vista. Vista also has a nice search application, but as many Mac users would say "Mac had that years ago". I used Windows Vista for around 2 months.

The whole time I felt like I was trying to balance myself on a ball. Feeling as if it would crash any second. One wrong move and I'm done for. I felt safe on XP... maybe safe isn't the right word to use while talking about Microsoft. Maybe I should say I feel safer on Windows Xp.

Vista has had a number of problems with drivers not being available for certain programs. This will hopefully be figured out by the time SP1 (Service Pack 1) comes out for Vista later this year (2007) which I think by then or hopefully before then it will be figured out.

At this point many people that I've spoken with that own or at least have used Vista have said it was a terrible time. The 90% of them have uninstalled Vista and installed another operating system or have downgraded back to XP.

One day...a day that will soon be upon us Microsoft will soon not support Xp and then we will all have to give into buy Vista. Some of us might not, we might give into Steve Jobs and buy a Mac, and then again we might go for Linux. For those of you who only know of Mac and Windows there is an OS that is 100% Free. Yes, no lie. A free OS.

Though it is different then Windows as you will eventually learn the OS. Until Vista becomes more secure for the normal everyday user I would recommend stay with Windows Xp or whatever you are using currently. So in the end would I use/try Vista again in the future..

Yes, why not, I could use another headache.

Safety Hazard Under The Stairs

The Real Secret of the Law of Vibration

Since ancient times the human race has known that there is a power that humans can use to exert control. This power is said to be able to control everything from the minds of other people to circumstances and even physical things. This weird and uncanny power was often mislabeled as evil; called by many opponents as witchcraft.

In those days one major religion was taking over the world, and force was used to convert any who did not readily express their belief and fidelity to that religion. Those superstitious people were afraid of anything that could not be explained. More often than not those who knew how to use this power were wrongfully accused by the religious people and were badly mistreated as well as executed. Oh what a wonderful place this world would be now if those people had become teachers instead of bonfires.

The trouble lies with those that stick to their dogmatic belief that only religious leaders know the truth. They believe that the mind is only a confusing theory, an improbable fairy tale that is sinful. These religious types also believe that to use your mind for anything other than worship is some sort of unforgivable sin that will result in eternal punishment.

So what is this power that has been so mislabeled, abused, and maligned? It is now known by modern science as the Law of Vibration, and is the foundation of the Law of Attraction. This natural law exists right alongside of other better known laws such as; magnetism, cohesion, heat, electricity, and gravity. It is not newly discovered it has been known for all time. The only problem is that it was suppressed by those who sought to control the human race. Only the upper class of societies was allowed to learn this great knowledge, and they kept it closely guarded; not only to have a better life, but also to avoid being burned at the stake.

Somewhere inside your body just below the heart is an area known as the Solar Plexus. This area is a great junction of nerves as well as arteries. This is your center, your home of the soul. Think of it this way; the old saying of rely on your gut feelings is a true teaching. Yes your mind is an integral part of the whole vibration process, but it is your center, some call it your heart, which holds the power. Many people make the error of trying to use only their mind to create their reality, but until you have integrated with your heart, you will experience limited, if any success.

Science has discovered that underlying all forms of matter there is an underlying energy of vibration. This is not metaphysical theory but is scientific verifiable fact. Everything in the universe is vibrating, from the atom, the molecule, to mountains, and every living thing; there is a vibration. It is the difference in the rate of vibration that determines its form. Slow vibration manifests as a rock, fast vibration registers as wind, very high vibrations register as sound, and all the layers and spectrums in between. In short all things are manifestations of the eternal energy from which all things precede.

Now here is the piece of information that will cause you to shift your paradigm; thoughts and feelings are vibrations. Through the use of your own rhythmic output you attract similar vibrating things into your reality. This is a skill that once learned and mastered will greatly enhance your life and all those around you.

The mind produces thought, the heart produces emotions. When the two parts are working together they create an energy that is transmitted into the universe just a surely as a sound wave. This thought wave will travel for infinite distances and will attract things that are of similar vibrating frequency. These things that are attracted to this thought wave will move towards the source of the thought vibration and grow stronger in the process. This results in the apparent manifestation of things into ones own reality.

Without getting into too long of a discussion, as there is not room here, the things that are attracted to you are the things you have generated thought energy for. Often times we have many things that we do not really want or desire in our life. It is because we worried that something might happen and did not want it to happen, but because we kept worrying, to be exact; generating a thought wave, we attracted the very thing we worried about as that is the way the Law of Vibration works. So learn how to worry about what you do desire and not what you do not desire.

There is an exact and reproducible method of generating thought waves that bring about the desired results. There is many a recipe, of sorts, if you will but learn them and use them for your own improvement. There is also a certain skill to using these recipes. These can be easily learned, and as long as you follow the proper process you will get the desired results. Like all things in life the more you practice the better you become. This knowledge brings strength to the user of it, giving you the ability to do as you will.

Be Blessed

Ralston Heath recently retired from 25+ years of active duty. Now that his life is his own again, he is working to share with the world all he knows. Check him out on his blog http://manifesting-dreams.blogspot.com

www.staffofpower.com/manifesting.html

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Log Home Designs

If you are looking for log home designs, then you will find many floor plans to choose from. Many people, when they're looking for something special, draw up their own plans. However, there is a drawback with you designing your own in that they cost a bit more than if you chose one of the designs that have been already tried successfully. There is one thing about using plans already used, which is that they will work even if you just make a few changes to them to suit your taste. You will find that already existing plans will be cheaper and faster.

If you decide to go with plans that have already been tried you can start by looking online or in the stores. Take your time and look through them until you find some you like. If you narrow it down to a few then check them over when you have the time to arrive at the plan that will be ideal to suit your taste and needs.

Another way to find plans is to contact some manufacturers and request some of their brochures and review some of their floor plans. A great idea if it is possible is to visit some of these manufacturers in person. Then you can speak to the salesperson and ask the questions that have been going through your mind. Most of the staff is friendly and quite willing to help with your choices. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the manufacturer that you chose to build your home.

It is also important that you check out the manufacturer that you chose to go with. You need to make sure that it is a reputable company. When this is done then you can ask them if you can make changes to the floor plans. Make sure you check into the prices while you are there and get a good idea of what this will cost and be sure there is no hidden cost.

For lots of information on log home kits and related topics, visit DIY and Remodeling at www.diyandremodeling.com

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Sales 101: Asking for the Order

Ask, and you shall receive, a biblical principal that offers some of the best sales advice for beginning salespeople and experienced sales professionals alike. The best sales presentation imaginable generally will not yield the desired results unless the salesperson asks for the business.

Is this advice just for persons who make their living offering products and services to others for a commission? Yes, of course, but it is actually for all of us. After all, everybody sells! Surprised? Everybody does sell, although many people may not realize it at the time or think of themselves as salespeople. We sell ourselves and our ideas everyday.

In the job interview setting, we are selling the potential employer as to why we are the best person for the job. The boy who desires to date the girl he is enamored with must sell her as to the benefits of going out with him. The man proposing marriage to his sweetheart is selling her as to the lifelong benefits of being with him only. We all sell, in one manner or another, although possibly not in the traditional sense.

Selling, distilled down to its most basic roots, is simply the matching of benefits to needs and desires. The salesperson acts as the broker who is simply bringing the product or service to the table so that the buyer can be shown the personal benefits of ownership or use. Under ideal circumstances, the salespersons purpose is simply to help the buyer purchase what he needs or wants. It is a win-win scenario for both. There is no coercion.

What is missing in many sales presentations however, is the final close asking for the order. I have witnessed countless sales presentations during my career where the salesperson has done a magnificent job in making her presentation. She answered all of the objections. She probed and used trial closes along the way. At the peak of the presentation, the crescendo she says have a nice day or Ill see you next time or call me when you are ready or some other lame comment and then turns to walk away. She never asked for the order!

My sales motto has always been, Ask, or the answer is always no, and it really is. We must always perform the next natural step in the progression of our wonderful sales presentation, after the objections have been answered, and that is to ask the customer to make a buying decision now. This is the reason why there are salespeople. We would not be needed otherwise.

After all, an interested potential customer can go to the internet these days and learn just about every fact imaginable concerning our products or service. He can also examine our competitors. The customer is better educated than ever before. The salesperson must be at least as well educated as her customer as to the features, advantages and benefits of her own products and services, as well as those of her competitors. Keeping these facts in mind, what then is the role of the salesperson? Salespeople exist to close the sale. That is all.

As salespeople, if we fail to ask for the order, seldom will we actually receive the business and related commissions we desire. So... "Ask, and you shall receive."

Daniel Sitter is the author of the breakthrough e-book, Learning For Profit, the revolutionary how-to book providing simple, step-by-step instructions to teach people exactly how to learn new skills faster than ever before. It is what the author calls a skinny book, a new generation of e-book designed for busy people. Containing no filler or fluff, it gets right to the point with no wasted time. It can be read easily and quickly on a computer, a PDA or printed for later reference.

Visit http://www.learningforprofit.com/ or contact the author directly. This e-book is currently available from C|nets download.com, the authors web site and a variety of online book merchants. Mr. Sitter is also a contributing writer for several online and traditional publications.

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PopularMechanics.com - Home Journal: Home How-To Central

Informative articles on automotive technology, car parts, do it yourself repair, and used cars.

Lets face it. Starting a new business is no easy task. From legal considerations to financial planning, new business owners have a lot to worry about.

One of the most important steps a new business owner must take, and perhaps one of the most overlooked, is choosing a company logo that is visually compelling and speaks the language of your business. Having a great company logo is the first step to successful business branding.

If you are starting a new business, consider choosing a ready-made logo to save time and money, without sacrificing quality or design.

Some advantages of choosing a ready-made logo:

Choices: One of the best aspects of purchasing a ready-made logo is the amount of choices a new business owner has in terms of logo design. Its easy to find what you are looking for: Simply browse specific logo categories to find the design that is right for your business. Most companies that offer ready-made logo design give you the opportunity to customize your logo with different fonts, colors and backgrounds. Turnaround time is usually within a few business days, as where commissioned logo design can take up to weeks, especially if you are unsure of what you are looking for.

Pricing: Another fantastic aspect of choosing a ready-made logo is how inexpensive it is to get what you want and what you need. Prices for ready-made logo designs usually range from just $100-200 dollars. In comparison, prices for commissioned logos usually range from $250 and up. Most professional design firms offering ready-made logos will also include complete copyrights transfer upon purchase of your logo.

Professional designs: Most ready-made logo design firms offer professional quality designs as well as years of design experience. Make sure that when purchasing a ready-made logo, you have access to the appropriate professional file formats, including .EPS, .JPG, .GIF, .WMF and .BMP. Having your logo in a number of different file formats will ensure the proper usage of your logo in regards to print media, the Web, etc. So if you are thinking about starting a business, or have just started one, a professional ready-made logo may be the path to getting your business off to a great start.

http://www.logodaisy.com

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Non Compete Agreement: How Does A Non Compete Clause Affect You?

A non compete agreement or (no compete clause) is often used by employers to protect themselves against their staff leaving their company to join another company (ie. a competitor).

The fear is that when leaving the company, an employee could take assets with them to their new employer that would hurt their current employer.

Imagine for example you sell plumbing equipment and have built up a significant customer base while working there and decide to leave your employer to join a rival plumbing supplier in a similar sales role. If you took all of your business from your current employer to your new company, it would certainly hurt your current employer very badly.

As a consequence, companies typically try to protect themselves from such things happening and a non compete agreement is one way of doing so.

Here are some examples of non compete agreements that Ive seen included in job offers:

A non compete agreement that prevents the person from working for a direct competitor for a certain period of time ie. one year.

A non compete agreement that prevents or limits the geographic area in which the person works for a competitor.

A non compete agreement that limits the industry or trade that a person can work in for a period of time ie. one year.

What should you do when faced with a job offer that contains a non compete agreement?

First and foremost, a non compete agreement is a legal clause so your best bet is to consult a labor lawyer or someone else who is qualified to determine the validity of the clause and whether or not you should be concerned about agreeing to it.

Dont assume you understand legalese (ie. lawyer language) if you dont!

If youre already employed, are considering leaving your employer and are concerned about a non compete agreement that is already in place in your employment contract, you should again consider consulting someone with professional experience in this area before doing anything.

The last thing you want to do is anything that could be construed by your current employer as being a breach of your employment contract with them. Ignorance on your part (ie. I didnt know what I was signing) is not a good excuse.

If in doubt, consult a lawyer.

Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter who wants to help you find your dream career.

Free newsletter: Separate yourself from other job searchers by signing up for his free monthly newsletter: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com/dream-career-finder.html

Free 5-day course: Sign up for The Effective Career Planner, Carls free 5-day course: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com/effective-career-planner.html

Please feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website but please dont change any of the content and ensure that you include the above bio that shows my website URLs.

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MLM Training Tip - Mentoring Leaders to Success

As network marketers, don't we all want a large organization made up of successful and productive team leaders? Mentoring our downline in order to effectively create leaders who can take care of their own groups is the only way to build a large, massive organization.

What is the difference between distributors and leaders?

Distributors are only temporary in any organization. Sometimes they work hard and build downlines, or they may chose to simply be a wholesale user of the product. Eventually, they may even quit. Distributors are going to take what they want and then get on with their lives, but leaders are going to stay with you and your business for a long time.

Having a lot of distributors may create a good bonus check, but they will have to continuously be replaced as time goes on. Over time, replacing these individuals could become a full time job, diverting you from your primary purpose of building a large, profitable, high retention organization.

Are you a leader?

Network marketing success is built on good relationships and leaders know that in order to be effective they must understand how to connect with people and get them to know and trust you. Leaders know that building relationships takes time and effort, but it's a worthwhile investment in the future of the entire team's success.

Regular communication with your team members is essential. A good upline leader knows that regular communication shows the commitment they have to their downline's success. It also shows and mentors them in how to effectively communicate and relate to their own downline.

Leaders listen to people and really hear what they say about what's important to them and what their goals are. They know that if they can discover what motivates their downline, they can help them to achieve their goals.

All of these qualities produce actions that are essential for creating a line of effective leadership in order to keep the process of duplication in motion.

What is duplication?

As any leader knows, any company is ultimately a reflection of its leadership, and network marketing is more about leadership than it is about anything else. Duplication is the ability to lead by example and teach your downline to replicate the same methods you use for success and, in turn, be able to pass that knowledge on to their own team.

It's really very simple - people, helping people, helping people. As a result, you will start to see growth in your group that you had absolutely nothing to do with.

Build People. People will build your business. Your first commitment must be to your people, not to personal profit. Network marketing is a teaching and mentoring business. The key is to work with your team and give them the training they need to become successful in order to keep from having to rebuild your downline time and time again.

Do you have a mentor?

You must have a mentor to be a mentor. Everyone in network marketing should have a mentor - someone who has already learned valuable lessons from trial and error and can pass that knowledge along to you. Someone who can say, "Been there, done that, got the t-shirt," without you having to do their laundry!

Duplicating a proven method for success is the only way to assure an organization that is made up of successful and productive team leaders, and it all starts with your own effective leadership. Be a mentor with a servant's heart!

Terry Montague is a successful network marketer and MLM mentor. Her objective is to provide as many people as possible with valuable information and equip them with skills for success in order for their dreams to become their reality. Download her Free eBook or visit "The Full Monte" for more tips and resources.

Safety Hazard Under The Stairs

Cod Supply - Under Threat

Why is there a problem?

Because supply isn't limitless. The Northern Cod Fishery off the eastern Canadian coast use to yield over 100,000Tns per year but then collapsed to practically nothing in the early 90s. Quite simply without proper management of the fisheries across the oceans the same will happen elsewhere.

Cod - What is it?

There are two types:

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) - comes from the Atlantic, funny enough, and is the most favourite fish eaten in the UK - accounts for approx 21%of sales volume across all of retail, catering etc.

Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalis) - comes from the Northern Pacific It is wild caught (there are some tentative attempts to farm it), it spawns in the spring and can line to the age of 25 years reaching close to 100Kg.

Cod inhabit the northern shallow shelves of the Atlantic and Pacific. And the species form massive discrete shoals that stick to a certain part of the ocean - they have their own spawning areas etc. These shoals, or bio stocks, are approx 24 in number and each shoal corresponds to one of the 24 stock management units assessed and measured by the different international organisations (eg The UNs Food & Agricultural Organisation, European Union, etc.).

Who is doing what to conserve stocks?

Fisheries management has to balance sustainability and fishermen's livelihoods. So, catching plans take a long 5-10 year view to slowly rebuild but to keep fishermen in business. Closer to home, the following are being implemented by the EU in the North Sea, Irish Sea, West of Scotland etc:

Reductions in the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) - the TAC reduced by a further 13% in '07 vs '06 in some of our local fisheries

Using larger mesh sizes so the smaller younger fish escape

Reducing the number of days boats are allowed out fishing

Protection of spawning grounds

Graham Keegan

CEO Exciting Foods Ltd

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Where To Find Cheap Marble Tile Flooring Materials Online

Marble is a trusted material for flooring and wall tiles, as it has always been so for centuries. Invigorating the beauty of one's home through utilizing marble tiles for flooring helps to create stunning front terraces and uniquely designed living rooms and foyers.

Today, there are a lot of marble floor tile designs, as well as online stores where consumers could choose designs, ask for advice, and purchase the tiles. Whatever the color, design, price or which store you buy them, marble floor tiles perfectly compliment a small home, as well as a large estate.

Popular Marble Tile Designs

Marble floor tiles these days have a wide offering of designs and color patterns. There are tiles that are available polished, tumbled or honed. Honed marble tiles are utilized to provide more floor traction, whereas polished tiles are used to provide a more elegant look, however they could become slippery when wet, necessitating the placing of bath mats to prevent accidents.

Tumbled marble, on the other hand, with its old-world feel and rustic look, is also becoming a popular design for homeowners.

How To Get Advice On Buying Good Marble Floor Tiles

With the proliferation of hundreds, or thousands of online stores selling marble flooring material, it would be best to seek advice from industry experts and long-time dealers and manufactures, in order for consumers to to get the best tile materials at the most affordable, and cost-effective prices.

Wherever you may be located, one good start in asking for reliable consultation and advice is the local chapter or the office of the Marble Institute of America (MIA), which is a nationwide industry association. The association's website helps consumers get advice on tile cleaning and care, installation guidelines, as well as finding reputable tile contractors and dealers nationwide.

The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association, is also a good industry group that would assist homeowners regarding the rules and practices covering the aspects of floor covering. Another reputable organization would be the National Tile Contractors Association (NCTA). This organization is committed to improving the floor tile installation industry, as well as helping consumers have informed choices regarding tile flooring materials and installation options.

Tile Colors And Prices

Marble tiles are generally utilized for both interior and exterior flooring applications. Floor tile sizes usually range from 305 x 305 mm, 500 mm, to 800 mm free length. The tile finish could also differ from polished, gauged or beveled.

Natural stones, such as marble and limestone, have prices ranging from $5 to $20 per square foot, and are more preferred in higher-priced renovations. Glass tiles on the other hand, can range as much as $25 to $50 per square foot, depending on the design.

Among the different marble tile colors sold in stores are white, red, black, mottled and banded gray, pink and green. For each color noted, there may be some variations in the mixtures or texture, and these are mostly available at your neighborhood home dcor shops or in hardware stores online.

Marble Tile Flooring - http://tilenet.net

Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company

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How to Hit Fairway Woods and Long Irons

We would all love to be able to get within 100 yards of the green when we tee off. Unfortunately this luxury is not always possible and most of us will have to reach for a long iron or fairway wood several times during a round of golf.

This is often a frustrating situation to find yourself in. Even though on a par 5 it would be quite common, when teeing off on a par 4, we are aiming to get within an easy shot with a 7 or 9 iron or the green.

So when you find yourself having to take a shot with a fairway wood or long iron on a par 4, it is often because you have made a mistake.

So one of the first things to do is take stock of the situation and try not to get angry with yourself. This only leads to lack of concentration and more mistakes. And you don't want to be taking 2 shots with your long iron or fairway wood!

The second thing to do is to take a normal address position when setting yourself up for the shot. Treat this shot like any other shot and don't let using the long iron or fairway wood intimidate you. Fear will also create more mistakes and frustration.

Next position the ball slightly back and take a full backswing. Because of the design of fairway woods and long irons, you need to hit the ball at the bottom of the swing, instead of the descending blow of the much shorter irons.

Also, while setting up your swing, think about aiming to clip the top of the grass. Unlike shorter irons, your long irons will not create the deep divots and you will achieve a greater impact.

I believe that the main thing to do is not to panic when you find yourself in this situation. Fear arises from lack of familiarity with having to use the long irons and fairway woods, so take time to use them at the driving range.

Also, if your driving range has a grassed section, spend plenty of time creating a set up that will work for you when you hit the golf course. Next time you are reaching for the long irons or fairway woods, it won't feel like the first time!

Find out more about hitting with long irons and fairway woods, and get some tips on how to hit with these clubs more effectively.

Building Your House Help

How Using The Right Ladder Can Make Those Jobs Easier

Ladders come in a variety of styles and heights, and it's important to choose one that meets the needs of the task you're performing. Safety should always come first when using a ladder, so it's necessary to make sure you use the right ladder for the job. For instance, an extension ladder is suitable for reaching those high spots when decorating or cutting tree branches. But trying to reach up too high on a step ladder can be hazardous and lead to accidents. On the other hand, step ladders are ideal for those odd jobs round the house, from changing a light bulb to hanging curtains.

Extension ladders are used for all kinds of outside jobs, from professional window cleaning to painting gable ends of buildings. Aluminum ladders are commonly used, being lightweight and easily portable. However, a fiberglass ladder, although much heavier to move, is safer to use in the vicinity of electrical cables. Well-known manufacturers that sell a range of quality ladders include Werner Ladders and Wing Enterprises.

Inside the home, ladders come in handy in a number of situations. For instance, if you have high book shelves, fitting a rolling library ladder makes it quick and easy for you to reach those top shelves. Library ladders are generally made from wood, and come in a choice of colors and finishes to blend in with your dcor. Another place where a fitted ladder comes in useful is in a loft hatch. An attic access ladder makes it simple for you to utilize that extra storage space in the roof.

Whatever your requirements, from doing DIY in the home or garden, to reaching high shelves, there's a ladder to meet your needs. Choosing the right ladder for the job can help make your task much simpler.

Caroline Smith is a regular contributor to GetLadders.com - an online resource offering a range of ladders including attic ladders, the Little Giant Ladder and more.

Step Ladders

Stepladders are ladders with wide steps that are specifically designed to provide foot comfort while climbing or standing. Stepladders are mostly used for painting, repairs, industrial work and household jobs. They come in an A-shape model with either one side having steps or both sides having steps. They are made from steel, wood, aluminum or fiberglass. The steps are lined with corrugated rubber or have slip-resistant texture. Generally, the depth of steps ranges from 3 inches to 10 inches. If the steps fold up, it becomes compact to store the ladder. The foot of the ladder should have slip-resistant molded footpads or rubber cups for better grip. Usually step ladders range from 18 inches to 20 feet height. Stepladders can carry up to 375 lbs of weight, depending on the model.

Some stepladders have a high railing for support at the top and wheels for rolling at the bottom. A few have an adjustable height of about one foot that can be incremented or reduced per requirements. A platform on the stepladder provides an ideal working place to keep tools and materials. Most stepladders can accommodate accessories that can be used while working. The assortment of accessories consists of paint can/bucket hanger, conduit holder, tool holder and ladder caddy. A special type of stepladder that can fold up to the length of a step is known as the Telescopic stepladder. It uses a patented lock and release mechanism for opening and closing the ladder.

Even though stepladders provide a better standing space, they must be used carefully. There should not be any extra loading on the side, since they can easily overturn. Stepladders can be purchased at a hardware store or over the Internet.

Ladders provides detailed information about ladders, pool ladders, boat ladders, step ladders and more. Ladders is the sister site of School Playground Equipment.

Do It Yourself Home Help

How Using The Right Ladder Can Make Those Jobs Easier

Ladders come in a variety of styles and heights, and it's important to choose one that meets the needs of the task you're performing. Safety should always come first when using a ladder, so it's necessary to make sure you use the right ladder for the job. For instance, an extension ladder is suitable for reaching those high spots when decorating or cutting tree branches. But trying to reach up too high on a step ladder can be hazardous and lead to accidents. On the other hand, step ladders are ideal for those odd jobs round the house, from changing a light bulb to hanging curtains.

Extension ladders are used for all kinds of outside jobs, from professional window cleaning to painting gable ends of buildings. Aluminum ladders are commonly used, being lightweight and easily portable. However, a fiberglass ladder, although much heavier to move, is safer to use in the vicinity of electrical cables. Well-known manufacturers that sell a range of quality ladders include Werner Ladders and Wing Enterprises.

Inside the home, ladders come in handy in a number of situations. For instance, if you have high book shelves, fitting a rolling library ladder makes it quick and easy for you to reach those top shelves. Library ladders are generally made from wood, and come in a choice of colors and finishes to blend in with your dcor. Another place where a fitted ladder comes in useful is in a loft hatch. An attic access ladder makes it simple for you to utilize that extra storage space in the roof.

Whatever your requirements, from doing DIY in the home or garden, to reaching high shelves, there's a ladder to meet your needs. Choosing the right ladder for the job can help make your task much simpler.

Caroline Smith is a regular contributor to GetLadders.com - an online resource offering a range of ladders including attic ladders, the Little Giant Ladder and more.

Bathrooms

Utilize Your Hot Tub Regularly

Available in plastic, ceramic, or wood and others, hot tubs have become the need of the hour with its specific usage. Imagine, how convenient it will feel, relaxing and having a light bath and balancing your mental pressure. Many hot tubs feature jets that keep the water fresh and provide a soothing massage to people seated near them.

Hot tubs are a great way to a healthy living. The warm water and high power jets also provide therapeutic for people suffering from soaring muscles or arthritis. It will also help you to reduce your stress levels, lessen chronic pain, and help cure sleeplessness. Hydrotherapy can create long lasting therapeutic results.

Looking for a cool hot tub for private use? Well, you can actually find a lot of hot tubs catering different needs and requirements. Buying of a hot tub can be deciding upon the amount of the budget you are having. Therefore, make sure you choose the right size has the right water quantity and gives you the right effect that you are looking for. This process can be suitable for both the buyer and the dealer, but it is better than buying the wrong tub and either having to return it or live with it.

Usually, portable hot tubs are considered as one of the bets options. They are suitable, cheap, light in size and just worth. You can get a number of entertainments through your good hot tubs. A backyard hot tub can be a great way for a family to relax and spend time together. Couples can share romantic moments in hot tubs as well. Hot tubs are great at pool parties, too.

A good hot tub is the perfect exercise pool for its users. Therefore, the need is to get the best one to get the ultimate feeling of relaxation and total satisfaction.

Myself author of Special Spasearch magazine http://www.spasearch.org, a hot tub resource planning guide for portable hot tubs, hot tub spa. Get online information on hot tub manufacturer, covers, spa covers and accessories.

Do It Yourself Home Help

Marrying Style with Practicality

Practicality is highly overrated sometimes. When you focus only on what something can do for you, it lessens the overall enjoyment, doesnt it? When youre trying to remodel your bathroom, wouldnt it be nice to create style without caring about practical details? At the same time, if you achieved both, wouldnt that be the best of all possible worlds?

Looking at your needs and wants

Every bathroom-remodeling project starts with determining what you need. But when youre looking for style too, its time to get out that list of wants youve been holding onto.

For your needs, youll want to ask yourself:

Does my bathroom function properly? Should anything be replaced?
Are my bathroom fixtures and furnishings out of date?
Do I need more space or just different storage options?
What kind of budget do I have?

In terms of your wants, the questions are a bit more fun:

What kind of theme would I like?
What styles appeal to me?
Are there any trends Id like to follow?

Once youve answered these questions, its time to start shopping for a way to combine your two goals. Remember to take measurements of your space before you go so you know what will or wont fit within its confines.

Practicality and contemporary style go hand in hand

Whats great about current bathroom-remodeling trends is that designers have begun to understand that customers want it all. Beautiful bathroom mirrors now conceal medicine cabinets while vessel bathroom sinks add counter space and hidden shelves for storage. A tropical-looking vanity table brings the islands into your home and provides room for your familys shampoos. Footstools can have removable tops that conceal extra soaps or cleaning products. A towel rack can match your Parisian theme by including details of the Eiffel Tower on either the hardware or your towels.

Other ideas include:

Over-the-toilet cabinet designs that offer vertical storage space
Stylish shower fixtures that hold toiletries
Hidden compartments in decorative accessories

Making your needs and wants match

The bathroom that contains a stylish look as well as ample practical features is one that has successfully married the two. Heres how you can make sure that youre keeping these two areas in balance:

Decide what you need
Decide what you want
Shop for style that accommodates your practical needs
Find ideas in magazines or online
Look at other bathrooms to see how they handle space
Remember that there is an option for everythingyou just need to know where to look

Visit www.KitchenAndBathWarehouse.com for a large selection of bathroom mirrors, vessel bathroom sinks, vanities, and accessories that will make your practical and stylish sides happynot to mention your wallet.

Elliott Williams is VP of Marketing and Public Relations at Kitchen and Bath Warehouse Publishing. Before coming to K&BW, he had his own home-remodeling business for 15 years. You can learn more about interior decorating and remodeling, particularly kitchen and bathroom design, at: www.KitchenAndBathWarehouse.com

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Garage Door Repair

Sometimes, your garage door is not functioning the way it should. For simple problems, you could almost certainly do some of the fixing yourself. Here are some common garage door problems you can repair yourself:

Your garage door goes up and down by itself. No, its not the bogeyman. The explanation is actually simple there must be someone in your neighborhood that uses a security or access code similar to the one you are using. This can cause interference with your radio receiver. Radios in police cars and airplanes also have the same effect. How do you make sure this does not happen again? Simply change your code.

The process for changing a security or access code differs from one garage door opener to another. As a general rule, you just need to hold the transmitter close to the openers box and push a certain transmitter button for thirty seconds (consult your manufacturers manual to find out what button to hold down). Most openers that are new models are equipped with a rolling code that changes automatically once the transmitter is used.

Your garage door goes halfway down and back up when you try to close it. In this case, you might y be using a garage door that has a safety sensor system that detects if there is any obstruction to the door coming down and tells the machine to pull the door back up. Your door automatically opens up again when it senses any obstruction a bucket or broom, maybe. Just remove the obstruction and your door should again work perfectly.

This problem may also happen if your sensors lenses are dirty, dusty or has a condensation built up (sometimes spiders web). The system will think that something is in the way, causing the door not to close. Keep the lenses clean.

Nothing happens when you press the transmitter. If you suspect that your transmitter is not working, you may want to change the battery or look for the power source to see if it is working. If this does not fix it, your transmitter might be damaged and needs to be replaced. Call the service company.

Garage Doors provides detailed information on Garage Doors, Garage Door Openers, Garage Door Repair, Overhead Garage Doors and more. Garage Doors is affiliated with Garage Door Opener Parts.

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