How to get your husband to cancel his weekly poker game

Over the past few years it always bothered me that my husband would go play poker with his friends every Friday night. Whenever I complained that it would be nice to spend time with my husband on Friday, he just complains that this is the only time he gets to be with his friends.

I decided I had to come up with a way to make him choose me over his poker buddies so I tried many different things, at first I tried by asking him to stay home so we could have sex all night. That worked a few times but then he caught on to what I was doing.

I also tried finding different events that he may want to go to like action movies, car shows and other things of that nature but there were not always things to do, so that was another failed attempt.

But after 6 months of trying I had just about given up, finally at my wits end I decided that maybe I could get real good fast I could challenge him to a game and if I won he had to stop going to his game, and if he won I would pay for him to go to Vegas I spent every spare moment I had reading everything I could find online about Texas Holdem. Eventually I decided to go online and practice at some Video Poker.

Eventually I started playing for real cash Online, and once or twice while he was at his game I would drive to one of the local casinos and play for a few hours in their poker rooms.

Finally I felt I was good enough to make the challenge. So one night I told him that I wanted him to stop going to his Friday night games and to stay home with me, as I had expected it started a big argument. I waited until he made his speech about working hard and needing some “guy” time.

So I felt this was my time to strike, I asked him if he would at least allow me to come and watch the game, to which he replied that players only as the rule and that since I did not know how to play I could not go.

So I said if he could do it how hard can it be that really got him going, so he then asked me if I wanted to make the game a little interesting with a little bet. Now I had exactly what I wanted.

I said if he won I would pay for him to go to Las Vegas alone, he did not know I had made some good money playing poker recently, and if I won he would give up his seat in his regular Friday night game.

He looked at me suspiciously at first and I thought he was not going to risk it but he said ok. He ran to the closet and grabbed his chips we each started of with $100 in chips and agreed the first one out is the loser.

Well in the end it was me that lost, but he was so excited at how good I was that he did stop going to his Friday night game, now every Friday night we go and play together at the casino. We have been doing this for 2 years now and our relationship has never been this good.

Sometimes it really is better to try to get interested in his hobby.

Perfect lingerie for a perfect appeal

Lingerie is the personal apparel that women embody and tell about her body image and her sexual power. In fashion world wholesale sexy lingerie helps in styling different attractive dresses. The wholesale sexy lingerie is designed in such a way that different style of this sexy lingerie can fit the woman in different shapes. All these dresses are not just status symbol for women but also depict the personality of the women wearing these dresses. The correct style and shape of the wholesale lingerie are very important for the proper fit. Various vendors, retailers and designers offer a variety of wholesale lingerie through different websites.

Wholesale lingerie and wholesale sexy lingerie

The wholesale lingerie collection includes stockings, pantyhose, long gowns, teddies, skirt sets, cami sets and costumes. The different wholesale lingerie options are bras, gowns, panties, camisoles and garter belts. There are several styles of designer wholesale lingerie like sports bras, strapless bras, push-up bras and padded bras. The wholesale lingerie are designed in different patterns like relaxing, loose, body-hugging tight fit, comfortable fit and slim fit. The wholesale sexy lingerie is available in different colors like red, blue, white, black, and yellow.

Wholesale evening and prom gowns

You can become the Queen of the Prom dance by wearing a suitable wholesale prom gown. The same way a classic wholesale evening gown will give you an angel look at any special occasion or wedding. The wholesale evening gowns are specially designed with care as these gowns are worn by the women on special occasions. The fabric and color of the wholesale evening gowns can be customized to satisfy personal desires and wishes of the customers. The wholesale prom gown is available with hand sewn beadwork in different fabrics like tulle, satin, organza and silks.

Wholesale sexy dresses

The style and design of the wholesale sexy dresses is such that the wearer becomes the object of envy in the parties. All of the wholesale sexy dresses are available with incredible look and finish that impresses everyone around you. The collection of wholesale sexy dresses include wedding gowns, evening and cocktail dresses, party and prom dresses that one can wear in any party to become an eye stopper. All these wholesale sexy dresses are available online at reasonable prices to the customers.

Body types and gowns:

Women should buy the wholesale evening and prom gowns according to the body type. If a woman has large bust with small waist and curvy hips then she has an hourglass body shape and she should wear halter or strapless wholesale prom gowns. But if the bottom is larger than the top then the body is pear shaped and A-line wholesale prom gowns with straight cut suits are more suitable for such body shape. Nowadays girls have boyish body shape that features straight waist with narrow hips and smaller bust and A-line wholesale prom gowns with slight fitting add volume and curves to the body. One can easily buy wholesale lingerie through various websites which is less time consuming way of doing shopping.

Picking and choosing student credit cards

Are you a concerned parent having a troubled time trying to decide whether or not to give your son or daughter the access to plastic money? Do you think perhaps son or daughter may not be able to manage their finance well? Well, you fears are not completely baseless. Plastic is a very important tool that you will need to you’re your kids. But your kids are vulnerable to the threats of financial crashes owing to their inexperience in managing finance. Many financial companies also hunt for such instances and operate in the logic of “catching them young”, so that it may mean some profit, getting hold of some off guard youngsters.

However, there are simple ways that will safe guard the interests of these youngsters. These are nothing but carefulness and precise decision-making, topped with a little value education being imparted on this naпve populace of youngsters. While many of the credit card companies will look for a chance to get the better from your ward, you can minimize the chances by selecting the right student credit card and helping your son or daughter manage his or her finance judiciously. After all, everything has a first time and no time can be better than college time, which is learning time.

In case you decide on giving your ward the access to plastic money, you have to make sure that you give them the best that is available. Remember, there is not a single best company for everyone. Everyone’s needs are different, so will be the credit cards you choose. Remember, if you feel that your ward cannot use a credit card wisely, the best option is not getting a credit card at all for him or her. However, in case you decide on affirmation, you should follow a few essential steps for best decision-making.

First, collect several applications from credit card companies, over a minimum duration of two or three months. You can begin with short-listing some applications from credit card companies that are near to your ward’s university or college. You can carry out a search online for companies issuing credit cards to get the best among deals. Get at least a set of ten options to choose from. Once you have done it, it is time to compare offers from several companies.

Comparing is the most crucial stage while opting for a credit card. Opt for the company offering minimum interest rates, low fee structure, good reward programs, low minimum balance, and so on. Also, check for reviews on the consumer websites and consider what the other consumers have to say about the company you are thinking about and about the company credentials. Try to avoid a credit card that will charge you an annual fee, because that will mean some unnecessary expense for you. Weigh your needs and only then do settle on a particular scheme or company. Avoid availing a credit card if you think you can do without it.

A student with plastic currency is comparable to a kid owning a car without license. Either he or she may end up winning a race, with proper practice, or he or she might get into a serious mess by bumping against a wall. Your role as a responsible parent starts here. The right choice of a student credit card and the proper guidance, here, is what you need. This will not only help your wards keep from wasting their resources, but also develop them into essentially responsible citizens. They will not only know where and why to spend, but also what, why and when to save.

New age spirituality - inspirational stories part 29

When that existence becomes relative, we see it as the world; that knowledge becomes in its turn modified into the knowledge of the things of the world; and that bliss forms the foundation of all true love known to the heart of man. Therefore true love can never react so as to cause pain either to the lover or to the beloved. Suppose a man loves a woman; he wishes to have her all to himself and feels extremely jealous about her every movement; he wants her to sit near him, to stand near him, and to eat and move at his bidding. He is a slave to her and wishes to have her as his slave. That is not love; it is a kind of morbid affection of the slave, insinuating itself as love. It cannot be love, because it is painful;if she does not do what he wants, it brings him pain. With love there is no painful reaction; love only brings a reaction of bliss; if it does not, it is not love; it is mistaking something else for love. When you have succeeded in loving your husband, your wife, your children, the whole world, the universe, in such a manner that there is no reaction of pain or jealousy, no selfish feeling, then you are in a fit state to be unattached.

Krishna says, "Look at Me, Arjuna! If I stop from work for one moment, the whole universe will die. I have nothing to gain from work; I am the one Lord, but why do I work? Because I love the world." God is unattached because He loves; that real love makes us unattached. Wherever there is attachment, the clinging to the things of the world, you must know that it is all physical attraction between sets of particles of matter -- something that attracts two bodies nearer and nearer all the time and, if they cannot get near enough, produces pain; but where there is real love, it does not rest on physical attachment at all. Such lovers may be a thousand miles away from one another, but their love will be all the same; it does not die, and will never produce any painful reaction.

To get more information visit : spiritual-simplicity. com

A true bestfriend

Most dogs, because of their wonderful characteristics, never fail to attract attention wherever they go. With their soft, fluffy hair, kind round eyes, cute little noses, and joyful strutting, it is not hard to understand why a lot of people easily fall in love with them. What makes them really amazing, though, is their seeming ability to show unconditional love and loyalty to the people they live with. Also, they usually project so much liveliness and playfulness that any person cannot help but feel the same way. On the other hand, their calm disposition when they are lying on their owners' lap or anywhere nearby can also cause a certain feeling of comfort and peacefulness. These are actually the same characteristics that make it so easy for dogs to create strong bonds between them and their keepers.

Dogs are observed to bring out a lot of positive feelings and reactions from people. Because of this, a lot of recent studies had been conducted regarding their effectiveness in being instruments for relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. One study stated that having dogs can actually lessen people's stress and anxiety through improving people's moods, improving their social support, encouraging them to exercise, and eliminating their feeling of loneliness. Another study showed that men with AIDS had a lesser tendency to experience depression by keeping dogs as pets. Also, dogs had been noted to provide a sense of companionship to people and are even said to improve a person's self-esteem. They prevent people from experiencing and thinking about negative feelings and ideas, thus, lessening the possibility of those people to feel stressed, anxious, and depressed.

Among the most stressful and, possibly, depressing professions there are, considering the pressure imposed upon them by other people, are probably those of Hollywood stars. Aside from the load of work that they have to handle, they also have to watch out for possible reasons that people can find and use to criticize them. Hollywood actors and actresses are actually forced to do certain things such as to constantly show happiness, to always dress well, or to lose more weight, especially when they need to appear in public, even if that is not how they really feel or what they really like. This must be the reason why a lot of Hollywood stars keep dogs as pets. They probably need these canines to relieve them from all the stress, anxiety, and depression that comes with celebrity fame and fortune. Famous actors and actresses such as Will Smith and Courtney Cox have been noted to say that their dogs help them to become more happy aside from the companionship and sense of security that these canines provide. Another article about celebrities and their dogs reported that people in Hollywood choose to have pet dogs because “they need the unconditional love and support man's best friend provides.” Among the Hollywood stars who are known as dog lovers are Paris Hilton, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, Orlando Bloom, and Jessica Alba.

Aside from Hollywood stars, other famous and powerful people such as politicians, a dictator, and monarchs, surprisingly, have pet dogs. Among those personalities are George W. Bush who has a Scottish terrier named Miss Beazley. Bill Clinton has a cocker spaniel and a Labrador retriever. Adolf Hitler had a dog named Blondi. Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Koningin of the Netherlands are also dog lovers. Dogs must have made so much difference in their owners' lives that some of them are even given large amounts of inheritance after their owners die. Luxury-hotel queen Leona Helmsley and tobacco heiress Doris Duke have been reported to have left their dogs at least 12 million dollars and one hundred thousand dollars, respectively.

How to enjoy being single in a couple s world

It’s sometimes easy to forget how great the single life can be when you’re surrounded by loved-up couples and fending off your mum’s clumsy attempts at matchmaking. What’s the problem with being single? Nothing, of course – except that sometimes the sight of your coupled-up friends all over each other , or a stranger holding hands with her boyfriend in the street, can make you suffer a sudden attack of single panic – the feeling that you’re alone in a world of twosomes. But don’t despair, you just need a dash of single-survival therapy.

Many women see being single as just a waiting period between men, but there’s no better time to learn about yourself, explore opportunities and do all the things you were too busy to do with a boyfriend. All it takes is the right mindset – so follow these strategies for feeling fabulous when you go solo.

Indulge Your Desires - When you’re single, you live life on your own terms. Meaning you can move to a new city or head off to the Caribbean for a week without having to take someone else’s needs into account. Single women who have more freedom often see more of their friends and have more opportunities to do what they want, when they want. You also have time to persue interests you may have previously put on the back burner. Let’s be honest – it’s hard to squeeze in me - time when you have a man. So take advantage of this period to travel, start a course, or go on a self-improvement kick.

Savour Small, Sexy Encounters - Cursing into a situation like a dinner party where you know there’ll be lots of couples may sound scary. But, armed with the right attitude, it’s a golden opportunity. See, unlike your attached friends, you’re a sexy agent, able to flirt around the room and flirt up storm, not having to worry about a bad-tempered partner brooding in the corner. In fact, it’s those guilt-free, ego-boosting moments that make single life so much fun (especially when you’re the envy of every ball-and-chained girl in the room). Single women are often so caught up in getting a man, then don’t appreciate the coy, carefree encounters that make being unattached exciting. So train yourself to revel in those opportunities. One you’re back in a relationship, you’ll miss that anything-can-happen rush you get from meeting new men.

Don't Give In To Brainwashing - Ask yourself this: what’s so bad about being boyfriend-free? We line in a society that sends out messages to women: while the media glamorizes being single, there’s still that old-school message from friends and family that says it’s sad and pathetic. So don’t let your coupled-up friends. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll find you a man!’ into your psyche. Tune them out and you’ll realise you’re having a good time. If you’re enjoying the single status – going out with friends, pursuing you own interests – let others know. That way, they’ll quit obsessing about your single, status and you can get back to the task at hand: flirting with the hottie who whipped up your latte.

Okay, so you've get the right attitude, but what do you say to those unwanted voices?

Your parents ask: ‘So, have you met any nice young men lately?’

You say: ‘Well, I’ve been hanging out a biker bars and AA meetings, but so far nothing.’

Your ex asks: ‘Found yourself another bloke yet?’

You say: ‘Actually, funny you should ask – I;m into women now.’

Your friends says: ‘I think you’re being way too picky.’

You say: ‘Didn’t your ex live with his mum?’

3 steps to managing skin allergies

An effective approach to managing skin allergies has three components. Firstly you must understand the condition, then you must discover if anything is triggering your skin reaction, and thirdly you must look after your skin.

Many people think that allergies only affect the respiratory or digestive systems, but they can also affect your largest organ - your skin. As with other allergies the immune system overreacts to the presence of certain substances and releases inflammation-producing chemicals. Do some research and talk to your doctor. You can be confident of controlling your skin condition better if you are sure you understand what causes it.

The second component in managing a skin allergy is identifying then eliminating the allergens and irritants that start the itching/scratching cycle. There are over three thousand known triggers for skin allergies. Many are natural, but there are plenty of man-made ones too.

A common man-made trigger is latex, which comes from the sap of the Brazilian rubber tree. The natural proteins and those added in the manufacturing process can trigger an allergic reaction. Most people are aware that this can lead to reactions if you wear latex gloves. However latex is also present in baby pacifiers, balloons, pencil erasers and elastic bands in undergarments. There can also be problems when latex particles become airborne and are inhaled. If you have a latex allergy try to avoid the material and use vinyl or plastic where possible.

Nickel is another trigger. In addition to the obvious nickel-containing metallic objects like coins and jewelry, nickel is also present in everyday objects like scissors, bathroom and kitchen cabinet handles, and zippers. Mascara, eye shadow and eye pencils also contain nickel. Experts estimate that the number of people suffering from a nickel allergy has risen about 40% in the last decade. Much of this is believed to be due to the popularity of body piercing. Some foods also have natural nickel content and people who suffer severe symptoms may need to restrict their diet under medical supervision. At present there is no way to desensitize a person with a nickel allergy. Avoidance is the best strategy.

The third component of effective management is looking after your skin. The easiest thing to do is to keep your fingernails short to reduce the damage caused by scratching.

Managing your skin's condition means firstly moisturizing and softening the skin to ensure it does not dry out. Your doctor may recommend you use topical corticosteroid preparations to control the inflammation.

When you take a bath soak in lukewarm water for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not have hot baths or showers, as the heat will increase skin dryness and itching. You can add oatmeal or baking soda to the bath for a soothing effect, though it does not help moisturize the skin.

Use a mild soap or a non-soap cleanser with neutral pH (pH7). If you wish to add bath oils do so after you have been in the water so that it can seal in the moisture. Do not use bubble baths as they can form a barrier that stops the bathwater moisturizing your skin.

After the bath dry yourself by patting your skin with a soft towel. This helps retain moisture. Immediately after drying your skin apply a lotion or emollient cream to help your skin retain the moisture.

To look after your skin you will also need to avoid situations where you will experience extreme physical contact, heavy perspiration, or heavy clothing. This may mean avoiding some sports. Swimming is permissible if you rinse the chlorine from your skin as soon as you leave the pool, and use a moisturizer after drying yourself.

Follow these three steps and you will be able to control your skin allergy and minimize its impact on your everyday life.

Exercise and children what you should know

Your child of lets say eight years old tells you he or she wants to start exercising and that he or she wants to start lifting weights. Now you might want to know if this is really a good idea, if it is safe and if it will benefit your child or if it is not something that is recommended for children to do.

The long and short of it is, yes, it is beneficial to your child to partake in a weight training program but here are some things to keep in mind when getting your child into a weight training program.

Children are not miniature adults and so you cannot use the same methods on growing children as you can with adults as children are different from adults anatomically, physiologically and emotionally. Children have immature skeletons. Their bones do not mature until age 14 to 22 years old. In girls, exercise during childhood can have critical effects on bone health that can last for their whole lives.

Children are often vulnerable to growth related overuse injuries such as Osgood schlatter’s disease. Children have immature temperature regulation systems due to having a large surface area compared to their muscle mass which makes them more susceptible to injury when not properly warmed up.

Children do not sweat as much as adults so they are also more susceptible to heat exhaustion as well as heat stroke. Their low muscle mass and immature hormone system makes it harder for them to develop strength and speed and their breathing and heart responses during exercise are different from an adult’s which affects their capacity for exercise.

Now, boys and girls can greatly improve their strength with weight training but as opposed to adults, neurological factors instead of muscle growth factors are mostly responsible for these gains. When considering a program for a child, medical clearance should be obtained first and foremost. The best first approach for designing a program is to establish a repetition range of 8 to 12 and keep the work load appropriate for that range.

Workouts should be spread out to have at least 1 to 2 full days of rest between each workout and the main focus on every exercise performed should be on form and technique, not on weight lifted. Some guidelines to consider are: warm-up and stretching should be done before weight training. Start with light loads and make appropriate adjustments from there. No more than 3 non-consecutive exercise sessions should be done in a week and see that they drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.

Always remember that if at anytime your child is sick, has an injury of any kind or seems tired or non-energetic, do not have them exercise until you are sure they are better or until they have seen a doctor and have clearance from them.

The black and tan coonhound - hunter and companion

The Black and Tan Coonhound is often referred to as simply the Black and Tan. They are a medium to medium/large working class breed that loves to work and hunt. They weigh between 55-75 pounds and reach up to 27" in height.

Recognized by the AKC, the Black and Tan Coonhound's coat is predominantly black with tan markings on the muzzle, chest and legs. Their name, of course, simply comes from their coat color. Their sleek, short, shiny coat is dense. It is easy to care for and requires minimal brushing.

Whether hunting dog or family companion for active families, the Black and Tan Coonhound will do well with their friendly, energetic nature. They are good with children and other dogs or pets. Because of their history of hunting small animals, it is best to socialize them from puppyhood with cats and other small non-canine pets. They are highly intelligent and fairly easy to train. When they are at home with family, they are laid back and easygoing. However, when they are tracking or hunting they are all business and they become very intense and energetic. As hunting dogs, they love to do their job and do it well. They should not be kept locked up inside all day and they need plenty of exercise and play. When they are outside, it is best to keep them in a fenced in yard as they have a tendency to take off if they discover an interesting scent or see a critter in the area.

Originating in the United States, the Black and Tan Coonhound was developed by crossing the Bloodhound and Foxhound. They were mainly used to hunt raccoon, but are also good opossum and other game hunters. They are known for their excellent tracking ability.

With their high energy level and love for hunting and being outdoors, the Black and Tan Coonhound needs a family that will meet their activity needs. While they are an active breed, they are surprisingly calm when they are home hanging out with their family. They make a good family companion for any family dynamic willing to give them the exercise and play that they need.

The bulgarian property market. fantastic choices- fantastic returns

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Bulgaria is currently the European property investment hotspot. Prices are rising steadily at 30% per annum and are expected to leap forward when the country becomes a full member of the EU in 2007.

Bulgaria is a truly remarkable country with a varied terrain. Not only can it offer city, coastal, mountain and rural properties but the vast amount of real estate that is available to buy, also comes with prices that will fit into everybody's budget.

Coastal properties.

The waters of the Black Sea are actually warmer than those of the along the Spanish mainland throughout the summer months. Popular investment locations are Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and Varna. Up and coming destinations include Nessebar St. Vlas and Balchik.

The developments that are on offer are predominantly designed as seaside holiday apartments. However there is also now a fast-growing golfing market that is being catered for with new developments either in construction or planned. Prices can be from as low as Ј20,000 for a studio apartment to Ј100,000 for detached villas on the golf resorts. Instant equity and guaranteed rental are also available in certain complexes.

City apartments.

Sofia as the capital and Plovdiv as the second city, are the two main areas for growth. Real estate in Sofia is currently around 25% of the cost of other European capital cities. Plovdiv is even cheaper, with prices around Ђ400 to Ђ500 per square metre.

The cities offer an excellent investment choice, with good rental expected from companies relocating to Bulgaria. Corporate lettings can offer consistent guaranteed rental with minimum risk. Prices range from around Ј30,000 for an apartment on the outskirts of town to over Ј100,000 for a city centre apartment with excellent facilities. These prices are considerably cheaper than other properties for sale across Europe.

Rural investments.

The countryside really does offer the cheapest real estate. Bulgaria is a magnificently beautiful country. Roughly the same size as the UK, the country has a total population of less than 8,000,000. The infrastructure can pose a problem in more isolated areas, and price increases will probably take longer than the more popular destinations. Nonetheless, detached properties with acres of land are readily available for less than Ј10,000.

Mountain and skiing real estate.

Bulgaria has three main ski resorts. Borovetz, and Bansko and Pamporovo. The ski season is the longest in mainland Europe. From an investment point of view, the mountaini resorts probably offer the best opportunity for a huge capital gains. The mountains only offer a small, defined area for the development. Once all the available land is built upon, all the existing properties will attract the highest premiums.

Much more informal than other European ski destinations, the Bulgarian resorts offer real value for money. Skiers and snowboarders, appalled by the exorbitant prices charged, especially in France or Austria, will be pleasantly surprised by the ridiculously cheap prices, in all the Balkan resorts. A pint of beer is around 80p and a three - course dinner with a bottle of wine is under six pounds.

The properties available also echo the fantastic value for money, at 60-70% cheaper than other European equivalents. Studio apartments are readily available for less than Ј30,000 as are two-bedroom apartments in the Ј60-Ј80,000 region. The ski season for 2006/2007 is already 75% booked and for those owning property, rental income is virtually assured.

In conclusion, Bulgaria offers a viable investment alternative for everybody. Even with the meanest budget of under Ј10,000, a fast appreciating property can be bought. For those looking to build an expansive portfolio, all the regions offer fantastic value for money and will return considerable capital gains over the coming years.

investmentpropertybg. com offer a full range of properties, that cover all areas of the Bulgaria market. Their advice and services are free. and with vast experience in the marketplace, With offices both in the UK and Bulgaria, they have a wealth of experience and handle all aspects of Bulgarian property investment.

Felix trinidad vs roy jones boxing tickets now onsale

TRINIDAD VS. JONES

TICKETS ON SALE

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2007

One of the Most Anticipated Fights Ever Scheduled for January 19th

at Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK, NY – December 8, 2007 – Tickets for the highly anticipated match between Felix "Tito" Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr. will go on sale Monday, December 10, Madison Square Garden announced today. The much sought after first row ringside seats will be available for fans to purchase via a special Ticketmaster online auction, beginning on December 10th.

Arguably the two top fighters of the past decade, Trinidad and Jones will step into the Madison Square Garden boxing ring on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008 for a featured 12-round match up. Tickets for the premier boxing event range from $15,000 to $100.00 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster beginning at 12 noon on Monday.

The general public will have the rare opportunity to participate in an online auction to purchase ultimate ringside seats to one of the sport's biggest attractions. Bidders can log onto Ticketmaster. com beginning at 12 noon on Monday to bid on tickets at the four top-level prices. Bids will be accepted until the auction closes at 12 noon on Monday, December 17th. In addition to the auction, Official Platinum Ringside seats will be available through Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange. Tickets for all other price levels will be available via Ticketmaster retail locations and the Madison Square Garden box office also beginning at 12 noon on Monday, December 10th.

"We expect this fight to be one of the hottest boxing matchups of all time," said Joel Fisher, senior vice president, MSG Sports Properties. "We're excited to bring this fight to New York area boxing fans, and via this unique partnership with Ticketmaster, the very best seats in the house will be available to anyone visiting Ticketmaster Auction or Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange."

Jones is an eight-time world champion, winning belts in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, becoming the first former middleweight champion to win a world heavyweight crown in over 100 years.

Trinidad is a five-time world champion with a stunning career knockout ratio of 80 percent that has won titles in the welterweight, junior middleweight and middleweight classes. He also holds the distinction of having defeated three Olympic Games gold medalists: Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, "The Golden Boy" Oscar De La Hoya and David Reid.

The event is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Madison Square Garden.

Make money creating wedding memorial scrapbooks

If you're familiar with creating scrapbooks then you have a work at home business waiting to be opened in your lap. Scrapbooks are a wonderful way to treasure wedding memories or the memories of a lost loved one.

To create a wedding scrapbook for a client you will need to attend the wedding or reception in order to gather photographs and quotes from family and friends of the happy couple. For this you will need a digital camera and a small tape recorder or notepad.

If the scrapbook is meant to be a memorial for someone you will need to gather photographs of the person from his or her relatives. Try to get photos from all phases of the person's life. Ask the friends and family of the person to recall their memories of their loved one.

It would be best to use a tape recorder for this for accuracy. You don't want entire chapters about the person, just words he or she said or funny events that occurred in their life.

Use the wedding's theme for the wedding scrapbook. Use items from the wedding in the scrapbook, pressed flowers, ribbons, and lace from the veil, the couple's vows, and even the groom's tie. This scrapbook will become a family treasure. You want the scrapbook to bring the wedding to life each time someone opens it.

For the memorial scrapbook try to base the theme on the person being honored. What is the one personality trait or hobby or quirk of his or hers that the person's relatives remember best? Was the person a comedian, an avid fisher, or the scholarly type? Was the person a proud veteran? Maybe he or she was a community activist.

Try to use small objects from the person's life in the scrapbook to personalize it, a bit of cloth from a favorite dress, favorite flowers, awards, the ugly tie a child bought for a dad's birthday or for Father's Day, school drawings made by the person's children.

While performing either scrapbook service you must remember that discretion is of utmost importance. For example, leave out the embarrassing remark the bride's aunt made no matter how funny you may think it. Don't include an ugly quote or memory in the memorial scrapbook. Your clients won't appreciate it.

To advertise your wedding scrapbook service create eye-catching business cards and brochures on your computer and leave them at bridal shops, at stores with wedding registries, and place ads in your local newspaper. You might try church bulletins boards as well, as long as the powers that be don't mind.

For your memorial scrapbook service leave brochures at funeral homes, place newspaper ads, and leave your card with the ministers and priests in your town. Act with respect and discretion. In other words, don't hand out brochures at the funeral.

When a client asks about your service it would be wise to have a scrapbook you've already made on hand that you can show the client to demonstrate your skill. Your client wants to know what he or she is getting in exchange for their hard-earned money.

But how much should you charge?

People are willing to pay well for a truly beautiful scrapbook of their memories. $50 to $100 isn't unreasonable for the work and time you put into the scrapbook. You could charge more for a really detailed wedding scrapbook.

Charging more for a detailed memorial album would be up to you. But it might be wise to set a fixed price for memorial albums, for example $50 for a small album and $75 for a large album.

You don't want to seem as if you're trying to gouge the mourning family as doing so could harm your business reputation. Treat the family with respect and do the finest job possible on their scrapbook. Soon word of your skill will spread to other people interested in having a memorial album created.

Put your love for creating scrapbooks to work, and one day you can create a scrapbook about your successful business that you created one memory at a time.

Discover menorca s hidden beaches

Menorca has around 200 kilometres of coastline, much of it made up of beautiful sandy coves enclosed by rocky headlands. The island has more beaches than Majorca and Ibiza put together, so it is deservedly popular with those looking for a beach holiday. Much of the south of the island, as in Son Bou and Cala en Porter, is a holidaymaker's playground, with long stretches of beach that are popular and crowded in the season, but you can head for Menorca’s more out-of-the-way beaches if you’d rather have more privacy.

Even in the south, there are little beaches such as Cala Binibeca, with a small restaurant, and Els Canutells, a small resort close to Cala en Porter. And a 10-minute drive from San Clemente, brings you to Calas Coves where impressive cliffs surround two very small beaches.

When you’ve tired of lazing on the beach, there are many interesting caves to discover. Over 100 Bronze Age caves, complete with paintings and carvings, are cut into the cliff overlooking the sheltered bay. At the eastern end of Son Bou can be found the ruins of an early Christian basilica. Finally, the charming capital Mahon, on the east of the island, has lovely Georgian architecture and second largest natural harbour in the world, second only to Pearl Harbour.

Northwards to escape the crowds

While the north of Menorca has some busy resorts, it also has a good share of the island’s uncrowded little beaches, interesting country walks, and a range of water sports including sailing. At Cala Pregonda, a 15-minute drive from Son Parc and Fornells, then a 20-minute walk from the car park, is a remote sandy beach with crystal blue waters. The rocky outcrops offshore provide good snorkelling. Take a picnic, since there are no facilities. The long sandy beach at Cavalleria is also quite isolated, and, again, come with provisions, since there is nowhere to buy food or drinks.

Not far from the lively family beach of Arenal d'en Castell with its rows of sunbeds, bars, restaurants, and organised water sports is Na Macaret, with its small sandy beach. It’s a local favourite and there are some good restaurants at the water’s edge. Just further to the southeast, near the lighthouse at Cap de Favaritx, is the lovely white-sand beach of Cala Presili. The beach is a 15-minute walk from the car park and there are no facilities, so this beach is certainly one of Menorca’s most secluded. Somewhat more developed, but perfect for small children is Es Grau, with its wide bay, sandy beach and shallow water. If you take a boat trip to the nearby Illa d'en Colom, an island in the Mahуn Bay, you’ll find a string of beautiful isolated beaches.

When you are ready to book villas in Menorca, Solmar Villas offer a range of high-quality villas, all with their own private pools, which sleep from 1 to 12 people. The villas are located in Cala Galdana, Binibeca, Binibeca Nou, Binibeca Vell, Son Bou, Belin, Cala 'n Porter, and Satalya, so once you’ve hired a car, you’ll be well within reach of Menorca’s stunning beaches.

Buying football tickets with a broker is easy and affordable

Imagine getting front row tickets to any football game that you are interested in watching in person. Imagine not just avoiding the long lines and ticket counters at the stadium but avoiding the expensive season passes just so that you can see your favorite football team play whenever you want. Imagine being able to pick up the phone (or just click over to a website) and place an order for one, two or even a group of football tickets…at a very affordable rate. Buying football tickets with a broker is both affordable and convenient and before you go out to the stadium to purchase tickets, you may want to give a ticket broker a chance.

What football games can you watch? Unlike buying tickets from an individual football stadium or team, when you go to a national ticket broker you will be able to get tickets to nearly any professional or college football game in the country. Want to watch your Patriots take on the Colts? Give your ticket broker a call and you will be able to get front row tickets. It is that easy.

Buying football tickets with a broker is easy because, well, you don’t really have to do anything. You can get tickets to nearly any sold out football game without a blink of an eye. If you heard that the local football game is sold out, don’t fret; chances are your ticket broker has a few tickets mingling around.

Buying football tickets with a broker is affordable. Sure, the prices may be priced a little bit over the retail value that they are set at in the stadium but they usually aren’t too much higher. Plus, when football games sell out, the tickets value price jumps a little higher. When you factor in the convenience level of using a ticket broker you can just count the extra cost as a service charge. Football tickets aren’t always sold at a higher rate, however because you can sometimes get lower then retail prices through a broker. If a game doesn’t quite sell out and the broker has a few tickets left over, they may want to get rid of them at a lower price…you will just have to ask!

Many people buy football tickets with a broker because it just plain works. Ticket brokers have the right tickets to the right games and in the right locations. The front row tickets, right on the 50- yard line are the ones that typically sell out immediately at the ticket box office but when you go to your broker the day before kick - off, chances are you will still be able to score a pair of tickets.

The next time you think about watching your home team play or are traveling and think about catching a football game on the fly, call your ticket broker to see just what options you have available to you. You just may be surprised.

Heaters the various kinds and usage

A heater is an essential commodity for people living in cold regions. Installing a heater inside the house becomes necessary where the outside temperature falls below -10єC. Just thinking about such low temperatures gives us the shiver. There are a variety of ways to maintain a comfortable warm atmosphere in the house.

The traditional furnace sucks in all the air in the room, heats it up, and redistributes it throughout the room. To maintain the heat in the room and prevent the fire from dying out, various fuels are used. Some of the common ones are gas, oil, electricity, wood and coal. These traditional furnaces raise the room temperature, thus making it a comfortable place to stay in winters, and also remove dust particles.

The radiant baseboard heater heats people ad objects without heating the surrounding air. It is ideal for room where it is difficult to have the traditional furnaces. More expensive than the traditional heaters, they create an ideal place to stay in winters. The electric heat pumps distribute the heated air from one place to another. The hydronic heating is an example of radiant ceiling heater or a radiant floor heater. In this type of heater, hot water flows through the tubes under the floor making it warm. These heaters are usually installed in doorways to prevent accumulation of ice and snow.

Economical to operate, the patio heaters allow you to enjoy some comfortable time outdoors during winter. Electricity or gas is used to fuel these heaters that have the capacity to warm large spaces. Central heating is an effective way of centrally heating houses and buildings. The central heater works with the help of a boiler, furnace or heat pump to heat water, air or steam. The heaters then either use a piping to distribute the heated fluid or a radiator to transfer the heat in the surrounding air.

In the water heating system, the water is flown through a heat exchanger in a hot water tank or cylinder. The water is heated there with the help of the heaters and is then distributed to different outlets in the house. Another method of heating is the sealed system. The heater is one of the essential components of a sauna bath comprising of a stainless steel material, thus giving the heater more life.

Lower your car insurance rate

If You Refuse To Pay High Insurance Rates…Here Are 7 “Bargaining Chips” you Can Use to Negotiate a Better Insurance Rate.

Lower Your Car Insurance Rate

Having a good driving record is one of the best ways to keep your car insurance rates down. Here are a few other ways to help lower your costs.

1. Shop Around

Make companies compete for your business. Prices will vary from company to company. So, be sure to ask at least 3-4 different companies for a quote. Make them earn your business.

Talk to your friends, neighbors and coworkers about their insurance policies. If they’re happy with their insurance company there is a good chance you will be too.

There are dozens of companies on line willing to give you a free car insurance quote (like FreeCarInsuranceQuotes. org and CarInsurance. com). This may be a good starting place for you. Keep your eyes and ears open for radio and TV advertisements.

Again, these agencies are willing to compete for your business; so, don’t settle.

2. Ask For Higher Deductibles

Deductibles are what you pay before your insurance policy kicks in. By raising your deductible, you can lower your insurance rates significantly. For instance, raising your deductible from $250 to $500 can reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage 10-30 percent. Raising your deductible to a $1000 could save you as much as 40% or better.

Just be sure you have the cash on hand to cover yourself in the event of a claim.

3. Have Safety/ Anti-theft Devices Installed

You may be eligible for further insurance discounts if your vehicle is equipped with one or more options: anti-lock brakes, automatic seat belts, air bags, or traction control.

Installing a vehicle recovery systems such as LoJack or Teletracer can save you up to 7-10% per year.

Other Anti-theft devices like The Club are relatively inexpensive and can also help to reduce your insurance premiums.

4. Consolidate Insurance Policies

Insuring two or more vehicles through the same insurance company can help to reduce your insurance rates by as much as 10%-15%. Covering your home through the same company that insures your vehicles can help lower your rates by an additional 10%-15%.

5. Teenagers and College Bound Drivers

Teenagers and college bound drivers may consider driving the family car instead of driving his or her own vehicle. Students attending school and living away from home can reduce their premiums by as much as 30-50 percent this way.

6. Take Advantage of Low Mileage Discounts

Many insurance companies offer reduced insurance rates to people who car pool to work or find other ways to keep their mileage low.

7. Safety Courses

Along with having a clean driving record, taking additional driver’s safety courses could save you some 7-10% on your car insurance. If you are given a traffic citation, ask about the types of courses they offer. Some states willing to keep your insurance record clean if you agree to take complete these courses.

Conclusion

Lowering your auto insurance, in many instances, is about knowing what questions to ask and what you are entitled to. Since many companies aren’t going to do your homework for you, here is the short list of discounts you should inquire about:

[ ] Low Mileage

[ ] $500 Deductible

[ ] $1000 Deductible

[ ] More than One Car

[ ] No Accidents in 3 Years, 5 Years, and so on

[ ] No Moving Violations in 3 Years

[ ] Driver Training Course

[ ] Defensive Driving Courses

[ ] Anti-Theft Devices

[ ] Safety Features (like Air Bags, Anti-lock Brakes, Daytime Running Lights, etc.)

[ ] Student Drivers with Good Grades

[ ] Consolidating Policies

[ ] College Students Away From Home

[ ] Long-Time Customers

[ ] Discounts for Non Smokers and Retirees

Deductions will vary from state to state and from insurance company to insurance company. So be sure to ask.

Also the key to lowering your auto insurance rate is not necessarily how many discounts you are eligible for. It’s the bottom line that matters.

14 get nhtsa recognition for improving traffic safety

Fourteen individuals and organizations from around the United States were recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for their accomplishments in improving traffic safety. They were given and presented with Public Service Awards by Jacqueline Glassman who is the NHTSA’s acting administration.

Organizations that were recognized held various types of work and made differences in traffic safety in their own ways. The American Academy of Pediatrics was recognized for its continued commitment to protecting children from crash-related injuries and death. The East Valley DUI Task Force of Arizona was recognized for its commitment in removing impaired drivers from the roadways making the roads safer for motorists. Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association’s efforts in promoting traffic and safety initiatives in Ohio were recognized. Mississippi Primary Safety Belt Law Team and the South Carolina Primary Safety Belt Law Team were distinguished for their leadership and commitment to the passage of the primary safety seat belt legislation in their areas. And Westchester County Probation Department of DWI Enforcement Unit made their mark for their unique and innovative programs that assisted in deterring impaired drivers.

Eight individuals were given recognition by the NHTSA. Rosalie Berquist was awarded for her efforts in preventing life-threatening injuries from traffic crashes as well as in education the public on the proper use of occupant restraints. State Sen. Con Bunde was recognized for his leadership, commitment, and assistance of the passage of the primary safety belt law. Chief Michael Capriglione of Delaware made his mark by being an outstanding leader and serving as a primary law enforcement advocate in his area. Phyllis Larimore received recognition for her dedication to promoting child passenger safety and occupant protection programs. For Robyn Litke, it was her exemplary traffic safety service to promote safety belt use as well as reducing impaired driving and underage drinking that made her achievements stand out. Tammy Ryden was awarded for her commitment to reducing traffic deaths and injuries through volunteering in educating law enforcement, students, and the public on safety belt use. Earl M. Sweeney was given due recognition for his contributions to traffic law enforcement and traffic safety. As for Greg Wilkinson, he was dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries caused by impaired drivers through promotion of use of safety belts.

Glassman mentioned during the awarding, “For every mile we travel in our motor vehicles, Americans today are nearly 20 percent less likely to die in a crash than they were just a decade ago. The people we honor today prove that every element of every community in America has an important voice in making traffic on our roadways safe.”

Keeping the roads safe also entails keeping a vehicle that is in perfect working condition. Through regular maintenance and replacing any worn out parts, vehicles could be kept in tiptop shape. Auto parts dealers like Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts make sure that they are providing their customers with excellently crafted parts like Volvo 240 series parts, 260 series parts, Volvo V40 parts and many other parts for other Volvo vehicles as well.

Experience the hospitality of a caribbean villa

You've seen the brochures and the commercials on TV, so you undoubtedly know that the Caribbean islands offer an irresistible variety of beautiful islands, delicious dishes, pulsating musical rhythms and breath-taking views. But that's not all! For the ultimate in accommodations, a Caribbean Villa is the only real choice. Here are some options.

Mountain lovers are in for a treat on the islands of St. Lucia and Dominica. If you enjoy mountainous regions then a villa on the St. Lucia hills or the island of Dominica would be perfect for you. St. Lucia has stunning hillside views by the day, and Dominica's mountain views are enthralling by the night. You may

sacrifice beach facilities in exchange for these great mountain villa's, but they have luxurious pools as substitute.

If you are looking villas that are staffed, then consider Jamaica, Barbados, Anguilla or ST. Thomas. When you plan a trip to the islands of the Barbados, Jamaica or St. Thomas, find out about the villa's with staff. Villa's on these islands usually come fully staffed with a butler, chef, laundress, maid & gardener. The staff is carefully selected and trained to cater to your every demand. Their primary goal is to make sure that you feel at home away from home.

And what about those discerning culinary travelers who are looking to have their taste buds pampered? If you are looking for exclusive world-class cuisines then the Caribbean villas on St Barts, St Martin or Barbados should would be your ideal destinations. The French islands of St Barts & St Martin offer unrivaled French delicacies with over 100 restaurants at your service. Barbados is well-known for dining par excellence. You can expect to be treated to the best selection of diverse menus. And that's not all.

Discerning vacationers in search of a luxury and intimate getaway should head for Virgin Gorda or Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands. The villas at Virgin Gorda provide excellent beach access along with memorable boat and diving excursions. You should be convinced by now that spending your vacation in a Caribbean Villa is the way to have an unforgettable Caribbean vacation.

If you are not convinced, then just remember this! Caribbean Villa rentals are no longer an indulgence exclusively reserved for the wealthy. Renting a Caribbean villa is an alternative you should seriously consider. Most villa owners retain premier management companies to market their properties and travel professionals work personally with these management companies to ensure that each detail is taken care of.

Staying in a Caribbean Villa really is the BEST way to enjoy the Caribbean!

Discover cape cod new england

Cape Cod is a narrow peninsula that stretches seventy miles out into the Atlantic Ocean. It is connected to the mainland by a pair of bridges that span the canals. Cape Cod is approximately one and a half hours drive from Boston. There are many quaint seaside villages and harbours here, fresh water lakes, and miles of beautiful scenic beaches!

The climate of Cape Cod is mild, making it a great holiday destination all year round. Typically, the sea remains warm enough to swim in right up until the middle of autumn. Cape Cod along with the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard have miles of beautiful beaches. Most beaches are open to the public, however there are some beaches that require season permits.

The islands of Cape Cod are readily accessible from the peninsula, and are great destinations for day trips. These islands were some of the first colonies formed by the English, and started out as whaling or trading posts. Now these islands are some of the wealthiest regions, with vast estates owned by some of the richest families in the country.

Cape Cod is one of the few places that the North Atlantic Right Whale can still be found, as they are one of the most endangered species on the planet. What better way to see one on your holiday than taking a whale watching cruise!

The Olde Kings Highway has been named one of the most scenic roads in the US. It runs the length of the Cape, and has many great boutiques, antique shops, and craft shops located up and down it.

Cape Cod features some of the best fresh seafood in the whole of New England, from clam chowder to fine fresh lobster, be sure to sample them at one of the many restaurants on the Cape!

All in all Cape Cod makes a great destination for your holiday to New England!

Lower your credit card apr

APR often matters the most while deciding for a credit card. It is a common (and correct) notion that credit cards with additional benefits invariably have high APRs. This is true for almost every credit card company that exists.

You may be having a credit card that has a high APR but offers you certain irresistible benefits and advantages. It may have some membership benefits that you have become so accustomed to. There can be innumerable benefits for you, but you may realize after a certain point of time that you are paying a high APR for your credit card than the other credit cards in the market. This can be a puzzling position to be in, as you do not want to lose the benefits that you are availing because of the credit card and you also do not want to pay a high APR. In this situation, is there any way to lower your APR? Well, here we discuss the possible manner of doing so.

Let us assume that you have a good credit history. In this scenario, you will surely receive lots of mails and letters informing you of various new offers and schemes. Your mailbox would invariably be filled with unsolicited letters and mails from credit card companies. Your natural instinct would obviously be to tear and throw it in the dustbin but that is not the way to do it. Check out these brochures and compare the services and APR with your credit card company. You can also check web sites and other sources for comparison between various credit card companies. Once you have done a detailed research of the credit card market, give a call to your credit card company and tell them that you got a better offer, in terms of APR and benefits, from another credit card company. It is highly probable that the executive receiving your call would try to convince you. In such a case, make sure that you talk to the supervisor who would be handling the operations. Then pass on the message that you have received a better offer from another company (probably a competitor). The supervisor may ask you to wait for some more time as there are better schemes around the corner. You have to be adamant and tell that you cannot wait. In most of the circumstances, the supervisor would cut down the APR by around 50%. Even if this happens for a period of six months, you have surely saved some money.

No problem, you can repeat the same strategy after a period of six months, unless you really get a better offer!

Search engine marketing methodology

It is difficult to maintain a web presence these days without being at least marginally aware of search engine marketing. Search engine marketing can bring your site great deal of traffic, but like any other type of advertisement, it needs to be managed carefully.

Essentially search engine marketing (abbreviated SEM) is an umbrella term for web site promotion through a search engine, whether that is through search engine optimization, pay per click advertisements or through paid inclusion. The theory behind SEM is a good one; when people use search engines, they are in a state of mind where they are looking for information. When a web surfer gets to your site via a search engine, he does not feel put upon or annoyed, which he might if he had received a piece of spam e-mail from you. By giving the searcher exactly what they want when they search, SEM can get you customers who are already sold on the type of services your provide, but just need to find you.

The best and most direct way to ensure that your website is near the top when a search string related to your site is entered into Google Yahoo or MSN, is through search engine optimization and through link building. The search engine rates your site on how closely it seems to match what the search string says, and also by how many other sites have linked to you. There are many ways to make sure your site is attractive to search engines, ranging from article writing to placing your link on directories that list similar services.

Pay per click advertising is also a main part of SEM; you can set up an arrangement where a small link to your site appears when a certain search string is used in the search engines. The best example of this sort of advertising and how it relates to SEM can be seen with Google Ads. You choose which words you'd like to bring up your ad and then, whenever anyone clicks on your link, you will pay Google a certain amount. You can set a budget to and limit how much you pay every day, and you can also experiment with the words you use to see which combinations bring the most relevant traffic to your site.

There is fairly constant debate that goes on over whether natural search results (search results that show up on their own) or paid search results are better. A blended strategy is normally best which utilizes both search engine optimization and pay per click as it encompasses both parts of the marketing mix.

Search engine marketing is one way to make sure that you get the traffic and thus the customers that you need to your site. A little bit of knowledge about SEM goes a long way, so make sure that you take advantage of this highly useful resource.

Saunas pleasure that is safe

Saunas have been used for many years as a way to relax and to improve the body’s look and feel. If you have never been able to set foot in one, then there are some things that you should know so that you can be properly prepared and so that you can remain safe. Saunas can be soothing and exhilarating when they are used correctly.

Here are some things to remember when you step into saunas:

• Realizing that it is going to be hot is important. In some cases, temperatures can range from any place between 60 degrees to 120 degrees. They are generally at about 70 to 90 degrees Celsius most of the time.

• Because of this temperature and the level of humidity in the saunas, you will find that often heat prostration and heat stroke can occur. It is important to watch for signs of these as you may not realize it if you are relaxing.

• Also, after the sauna, it is customary to take a cool shower or even take a plunge in a cool bath afterwards. The problem with this is that it needs to be done carefully to avoid the sudden and intense increase in blood pressure that can make you dizzy.

• Saunas should not be used by individuals who have a history of conditions such as stroke or hypertension because saunas can quite affect these conditions.

In many cases, saunas are thought to help cleanse the body. Some people believe that they help the body get rid of toxins that are in the pores through sweating. In fact, in some countries it is believed that saunas can help cure diseases as well! What there is no doubt about is that saunas are a great way to relax and to enjoy some soothing time. If you have the opportunity, visit one as often as you can so that you too can experience this pleasure that is like nothing else.

A take on grasses - appreciating the lowly but important garden element

When the subject of gardens and landscaping is brought to a conversation, the first things that pop into people’s minds are trees, shrubs, flowers. Rarely do people take notice of something very significant and crucial for the beauty of most landscapes – grasses. Humans step on them, children play on them, dogs roll over them, but most of the time people ignore these prominent figures of gardens and parks. Imagine how a landscape would be without grasses – it would be dull, dry, boring if not downright ugly. Without grasses, a scenery would usually not be complete.

Grasses are very useful not only for their aesthetic qualities but for some practical purposes as well. Grasses are very flexible as they can grow in almost any quality of soil more than other kinds of plants. Grasses do not need so much for them to thrive, just water is enough for most grasses to grow and make any landscape green. While many people have the notion that grasses are boring, their wide variety makes them interesting components of a landscape as they come in different colors, textures, and heights. Even when grasses die and get dry, they still have certain decorative and practical value. Grasses are very important for the environment as well as they serve as ground covering that can prevent soil erosion and maintain a good amount of water for other plants to grow.

There are many kinds of grasses each having their distinct qualities that make them worth planting in different kinds of landscapes. Here are some of them:

Bermuda grass – this is perhaps the most popular kind of grass which is extremely popular in places where the sun shines most of the time. This kind of grass is ideal for sunny areas because they are very resistant to heat and drought. This high tolerance makes it an ideal grass to cover vast tracts of lands. However, the hardiness of Bermuda also gives it the tendency to “invade” areas inhabited by other plants.

Blue grass – this is another popular type of grass that grows well during the summer being drought tolerant like the Bermuda. This is very common in the north because of its tolerance cold weather. However, blue grass can grow clumpy when not maintained well.

Bahia grass – this is very popular in the Southeastern parts as they are very easy to maintain. Bahia grass has coarse blades that are resistant to drought and shade as well as salty water and soils. However, this grass requires a lot of mowing because of its texture.

Buffalo grass – this one is very much like the blue grace and is also rather common in the Northern parts. This grass is good for parts that there is little rainfall. The appearance is somewhat a cross between the blue and Bermuda grasses. Its blue-green tinge in summer turns straw brown during winter.

Kentucky bluegrass – this is the most popular kind of grass in the north, and it is sometimes planed in the south. It is characterized to have a soft texture and a dark green shade, it is quite resilient to cold.

Bent grass – this is a perennial type of grass with a fine texture. It is known to form soft turfs that are tightly knit. This characteristic makes it an ideal grass for golf course greens.

There are many other types of grass, each grow for appropriate purposes for appropriate regions and weather conditions. There are several books and magazines for landscaping that tackle everything about grasses. There are also many online resources about the subject.

Grasses are important parts of any landscape. They add life to any dull piece of land as they provide a sense of warmth and coziness.

Home design - needing some inspiration

You will spend the vast majority of your life in your home – yes, sure, much of it will be sleeping, but there will also be plenty of times where you just sit and relax, in the evenings and at weekends. With that in mind, don’t you want your home to be nice to look at?

It’s difficult to underestimate the importance of good home design when it comes to your overall quality of life. Your home should be a place where you can relax, but at the same time get things done that you want to get done. If you’re always fighting against your home’s design to do simple tasks, it can seriously affect how happy you are with your life overall. More than one couple has broken up only to find that it wasn’t really their partner that was bothering them at all – it was the shabby home they had together.

Most people think that they can design their home perfectly well themselves, but in reality few can. You have to have a very specific idea of what you want, be able to accommodate everyone who lives there, and then actually follow through and get the job done quickly and to a high standard. If you miss one of these things out, then you end up spending years on home improvements, or with a finish you’re not happy with, or simply with a compromise design that no-one really wanted.

If you want your home designed properly, you should probably bring in a professional, who will take everyone’s needs into account and design an elegant solution to your problems. It can be truly shocking just how much homes improve with a minimal amount of professional design – it’s like the difference between an amateur newsletter and a real newspaper, or a landscape garden compared to a random set of plants. The best part is that you only really need to have it done once (at least until you move), meaning that it’s a very worthwhile investment that will likely improve not only the quality of your life but also the sale value of your home.

Acne and rosacea link to mrsa

There is growing evidence that the major cause of MRSA is the inappropriate over prescribing of antibiotics by general practitioners. This is not news and it is common knowledge that most infections are viral and do not require antibiotics.

Also it is well known that antibiotics upset gut bacteria and lead to overgrowth of the intestinal tract with fungi such as Candida which is present in everyone’s guts, but normally kept in check by the probiotic bacteria surrounding it and which also produce chemicals to keep it in check. Antibiotic use can reduce the probiotic bacteria and allow the fungus to grow which over time can lead to inflammation and misdiagnosis of IBS later in life and open another chapter in prescribing. A downward spiral we don’t want to promote. Candida overgrowth and dysbiotic guts probably affect millions of ‘20 something’s’ who have just had years of antibiotics for acne, or million of 40 something’s who have been put on antibiotics for rosacea. We have clever ways of restoring the normal bacterial balance and reducing Candida without harsh antifungals.

However the use of antibiotics for skin infections such as acne and rosacea often at low doses and often for 3 to 6 months at a time is probably the biggest cause of MRSA (multi resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in hospitals. Let me explain.

It doesn’t matter whether oral or cream antibiotics are used they cause the same problem. In acne if you have many blocked ‘pores’ (pilo sebaceous ducts) then the anaerobic bacteria propiobacterium acnes (p. acnes) can start to colonise the area under the plug and cause inflammation and damage. This bacterium only survives in normal skin at very low levels as it likes to live in an environment where there is little or no oxygen. When you create a blockage as with acne, you create the environment for p. acnes. So antibiotics can help to reduce p. acnes, but they also hit other friendly skin bacteria and herein lies the problem.

Staphylococcus epidermidis (s. epidermidis) lives on our skin and helps keep other nasty bacteria away. It likes an oxygen rich environment. The same antibiotics that reduce p. acnes often hit the s. epidermidis as well. This attack puts selective pressure on the bacteria to survive and within three or four weeks you can isolate resistant strains s. epidermidis on skin being treated with antibiotics.

Now Staphylococcus epidermidis is related to Staphylococcus aureus (s. aureus) (cousins if you like). S. aureus lives inside the body and s. epidermidis lives on the skin. They meet at places such as the nose and other entrances into the body. They can pass information to each other through the use of things called plasmids and it is highly likely information for developing resistance is transferred.

Hey presto we have started the super bug development. The acne sufferer ends up in hospital for an operation. They get a wound infection either from their own bacteria but also through other bugs already there. S. aureus is a typical bacterium that infects wounds. The antibiotics used for wound infections are often the same or similar to the one that has been used for the patient’s acne, and it is not surprising they find the antibiotics don’t work as the bugs are already resistant. This resistant strain becomes the dominant resident s. aureus in the hospital and is extremely difficult to remove and can go on to infect many other patients.

Using a product such as Aknicare which has 4 antibacterial agents which control p. acnes by changing conditions in the area under the plug rather than directly destroying it means you can prevent damage and inflammation without breeding resistant bugs. Aknicare can reduce p. acnes and all the other key causes of an acneic skin (inflammation, oil production, cell turnover) all without breeding resistant bugs.

As a final thought the main treatment for rosacea recommended on PRODIGY, the GP prescribing database recommends ROSEX creams and gels. Rosex contains the antibiotic metronidazole. Rosacea patients often use it for months and years. It works in a few. Metronidazole is also a powerful antioxidant and it is these properties that help with rosacea symptoms, not the antibiotic properties. Rosacea is not caused by bacteria. It is a sobering thought that the antibiotic most used in theatre to prevent infections during and shortly after surgery is metronidazole. Imagine if you had been using it for months or years before that operation.

It is concerning to think the antibiotic you are using today could end up leading to someone dying in hospital in the near future. Change prescribing habits for acne and rosacea now and have an impact on MRSA in hospitals.

Use Aknicare, a new medical device with a CE mark . Once in the drug tariff this should be prescribed by GPs. PCTs should act now

Why room rentals

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Room rentals? Why would you want to make your home into a boarding house? Maybe you shouldn't. I enjoyed having people living in my house, and most of them became friends. On the other hand, you might not like that arrangement. I hated being a landlord when I owned rentals that were not my home. Each of us is different.

Consider Your Room Rental Options

You don't necessarily have to live with the room-renters, so consider all the options available. You could do any of the following:

1. Rent rooms in your own home and share common space with the renters. This is what I did for several years when I was single, and it worked fine for me.

2. Partition your home so you can rent rooms without sharing common space. You'll need at least two bathrooms, and separate entrances to make this work.

3. Add an efficiency apartment for yourself, so you can have privacy, perhaps still sharing a laundry room with the renters. This is what we did when I married. It also opened up one my previous bedroom, increasing the rental income enough to pay for the new apartment in less than a year.

4. Buy a house just to rent it out by the room. This can be an excellent way to get cash flow out of homes that might not otherwise be such good investments.

5. Sublet a room in the apartment you rent. If this is okay with the landlord, it can be a way to afford a nicer apartment, or to get past financial hard times.

6. Use room rentals as a way to afford a house payment. If you are having trouble buying a home because you can't afford the payments, you can buy a home with extra rooms and rent them out.

Consider The Money In Renting Rooms

The amount you can charge for rent will vary greatly in different parts of the country. Here is what I charged renting rooms in a mobile home in a small town in northern Michigan (a few years ago):

Small Bedroom: $65 per week times 52 weeks equals $3380 per year.

Medium Bedroom : $75 per week times 52 weeks equals $3900 per year.

Large Bedroom : $85 per week times 52 weeks equals $4420 per year.

Potential Annual Income (I had a couple weeks vacancy now and then): $11,700 per year.

This was a home that I lived in, remember. I included all utilities in the rent, and I tracked my expenses closely. Including repairs to the heating system, the refrigerator and roof, as well as utilities, garbage collection, cable television, local phone service, property taxes and insurance, my costs the last year I had the house were $3,900 (I had already paid off the $253/month mortgage).

How do you figure profit when you live in the home? Renting rooms in my home probably added $300 or so to the annual costs. Heating was almost the same cost, as was garbage collection, taxes, insurance, cable television, and phone service. A little more wear and tear and a bit more electricity were the only real additional costs. In other words, almost all the extra income was profit. Or if you want to look at it another way, I lived for free and had $7800 income from the home I lived in.

Do you want to have thousands of dollars of extra income every year? What would you do with that money? Think about that, and you have the answer to why you should rent rooms.

Light your world with xenon headlamps

Lighting has certainly changed over the years...for cars, that is! No longer do drivers have to rely on halogen headlights as Xenon lighting is coming into vogue. Nor do owners have to go with stock tail lights, as European [or Altezza] lights are in fashion. Even fog lights have come a long way, baby! Let’s take a look at the newest kid on the block, Xenon headlamps, and how they can light up your world of driving.

If you could have a set of headlamps that produced twice the light of Halogen bulbs while expending only half the power, that would be a good thing, right? Yes it certainly would and that is the idea behind Xenon headlamps which are fast gaining acceptance as standard equipment on luxury vehicles from around the world as well as finding their way on certain popular, mass production vehicles too.

A key feature of Xenon headlamp technology is that they produce a clear white light closer to natural daylight, which has been proven to improve driver concentration. Lessened eye strain means that drivers can do what they need to do best: get to where they and their passengers are going, safely and securely.

Road markings and signs are easier to read with Xenon headlamps compared to Halogen bulbs. Indeed, Xenon headlamps are a strong, safety improvement as the field of vision for the driver increases sharply, thereby improving reaction time in emergency situations. Traveling along dark, unlit back roads can be a safety hazard even in broad daylight. However, with Xenon headlamps that buck you might have hit with your halogen-powered car will enter your field of vision much sooner with Xenon lights installed, allowing you to avoid potentially deadly contact [for the buck definitely!]. Popular surveys reveal that as much as 80% of all accidents occur because of poor visibility.

In European markets, cars with Xenon technology also come equipped with a headlamp cleaning system to ensure optimum visibility as well as an automatic leveling system to allow limited swiveling of the headlamp projector as you turn your vehicle. Some systems take Xenon technology one step further: Xenon Dynamic Bending Light or DBL technology are special headlamps that rotate the light beam according to the angle of the steering wheel. Working in both high and low beam mode, bi-Xenon headlamps help to enhance vision in wide curbs by up to 90%.

Naturally, Xenon technology is expensive and you cannot convert halogen powered headlamps to Xenon or Xenon to bi-Xenon...yet. However, some manufacturers are selling auxiliary lights that can be added to your bumper to give you an alternative.

Of course, price is one factor why Xenon technology isn’t yet widespread. Even on luxury cars I have seen bi-Xenon headlamps offered as an option, to the tune of $750 extra! As with all technological advances, you can expect that some one, somewhere is refining the technology – which hit the market in 1992 – in order to bring Xenon headlamps to the masses. This is good news for everyone as accidents associated with poor visibility should begin to drop accordingly.

Golf instruction recommendations

Are your golf skills up to par? If not, golf instruction can help improve your swing, and your status on the links.

With the exception of those natural born Sultans of Swat, every golfer can benefit from golf instruction. Consulting with a professional golf pro can diagnose your hooks target the weaknesses in your swing. Proper golf instruction also provides secret tricks of the game and simple mind tricks to help you better focus before and after every shot on the course.

All of the best amateur golfers on the circuit take golf instruction from the pros. You can bet that all pro golfers also received golf instruction along the way to the top. Natural born athletes like the Michael Schmidts and Michael Jordans of the world turn to pros from time to time, to point out faults like hitches in the back swing, or how they tend to look up in their short game. Even professional golfers seek out golf instruction from the gurus of the game when they're in a slump or losing distance on their drives.

In other words, don't feel ashamed if you think you need golf lessons. That's why clubs keep golf pros on staff. If there wasn't a need for golf pros, these talented individuals wouldn't be professionally trained and PGA certified. Reaching this degree of certification is no easy feat. It takes years of hard work, study and intense training to be certified by the PGA. The pros are there to give golf instruction and to plan club tournaments, run the pro shop and interact with club members. Even after they earn their stripes, golf pros keep ahead of the game by attending seminars and workshops to brush up on new training techniques.

The very pros that provide golf instruction took lessons from the pros before them. In the beginning of the 20th century, serious golfers from Scotland and England traveled to America for professional training. The PGA was established at that time, to teach Americans to play and spread the gospel of golf. Several decades later, golf is taught and played worldwide. Early golfers from the United Kingdom created some stiff competition.

Golf instruction can help your technique and bring your game up to par. Who knows, with a few lessons you could be on you're way to becoming the next PGA certified pro golfer.

Chrysler 300c the stretched version

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As automakers go, developing well received models is a chore all by itself. When a model becomes a hit, as has the Chrysler 300C, the result is favorable press coverage, high customer satisfaction ratings, and a “halo” effect that can extend to the entire product line. Chrysler’s 300C is a hit, but the German-American automaker isn’t stopping there. A stretched version of the car is being developed, one that may find a following amongst enthusiasts, but only if the price is right.

So, why would DaimlerChrysler authorize a stretched version of the 300C? For several reasons including:

The Limo Market – Although the 300C is not on the same level as the Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac DTS, the car does compete with the Ford Crown Victoria. Hence, taxi and limousine operators will be drawn to the stretched 300C as the car gives its passengers the room that they need.

The Pursuit Market – The Ford Crown Victoria is the most popular police pursuit vehicle followed by the Chevy Impala. Chrysler long ago ceded this market when they quit building larger rear wheel drive automobiles. The stretched 300C could fit in nicely and give the automaker some additional sales to boost market share. Look for a similarly stretched Dodge Charger to also be built once 300C demand has been proven.

The Luxury Market – No, the 300C is not a luxury car, but a model coming down the pike 3-4 years from now will be. Yes, the Chrysler Imperial will be returning and it, too, will be a stretched version of the 300C, but even longer and larger than the stretched version of the 300C. Don’t think for a moment that DaimlerChrysler will not be measuring demand for its new 300C to determine Imperial demand.

For the record, there are a few things that we know about the bigger 300C: the car will be stretched only by six inches and all of those gains will show up in the rear passenger area. In addition, Chrysler will not be building the stretched 300C, instead an outside supplier will handle the task of taking existing models and reworking them.

Prices for the bigger 300C haven’t been finalized yet, but they may carry a premium of as much as $5000 over the shorter model. This is a concern, however, as the price may be more than what some livery drivers could justify. Perhaps DaimlerChrysler will eat some of the costs and hold the price down to a $1000 premium. If they don’t, the company could be in for a rude awakening and find demand for the stretched 300C to be tepid at best.

Get a free google friendly website

Squidoo is a free website service. They provide you with a tag based webpage that you can use for just about whatever you choose. It can be a list of your grandmothers cooking recipes, a family tree website, a collection of pictures of your house pets or whatever you want. You just cannot post porn or hate related stuff of course.

The site is set up is such that many different areas of the squidoo site link back to your page via tags and other group links ect. The overall sitewide pagerank on squidoo actually helps each individual site's pagerank improve if the site content is kept fresh by it's owner. This creates good backlinks immediately upon publishing your first page or as they call it: a Lens. Squidoo pages are used for virtually anything. Some Squidoo pages are used for business opportunities and some are used to list grama's favorite recipes and anything in between.

Squidoo also puts Adsense ads on all lenses sitewide and splits the proceeds with the lens owner that the click came from! And remember this website site is free!

Squidoo also has pre-made modules for Amazon Ebay and others that you can add to your site and you can make money from those sales as well.

The site allows HTML in all fields of the setup process. You can see your Squidoo lens in Google within two weeks without even submitting it to a single search engine! And my site showed up in Google the second day after I made it! I just followed the prompts, and put in what I wanted to say and it was not complicated at all.

The site administrators at squidoo work hard to ensure this is a friendly community for everyone. This is very important and I must say, they do it very well.

In my case I created a site to sell products but you can use this site for almost anything. Long story short, you just cant go wrong with a Squidoo page so get yours free today! squidoo. com/raysgroup

Cheers season 2 dvd review

One of the top-rated sitcoms of the 1980s, Cheers founded the "must see" hours of NBC's prime time lineup. Following the exploits of a group of bar employees and their customers, Cheers became a regular hangout not just for guys like Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin, but for all of America as well. Bartender and Cheers owner Sam Malone is a retired pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, while he's joined by employees Ernie "Coach" Pantusso, Carla Tortelli, and Diane Chambers. A number of recurring characters seated around the bar appear in each episode. Almost every episode takes place entirely in the bar...

The Cheers (Season 2) DVD offers a number of hilarious episodes and ignites Sam and Diane's long-lasting, on-again/off-again romance. This is also the first season in which Cliff Clavin is an "opening-credits" member of the cast (even though he appeared in most of season one's episodes). Guest appearances by Fred Dryer (of Hunter fame), Dick Cavett, Harry Anderson (of Night Court fame), and Christopher Lloyd (of Taxi and Back To The Future fame) make for some memorable comic sequences. The season ends with Sam and Diane's romance on shaky ground…

Below is a list of episodes included on the Cheers (Season 2) DVD:

Episode 23 (Power Play) Air Date: 09-29-1983

Episode 24 (Little Sister Don't Cha) Air Date: 10-13-1983

Episode 25 (Personal Business) Air Date: 10-20-1983

Episode 26 (Homicidal Ham) Air Date: 10-27-1983

Episode 27 (Sumner's Return) Air Date: 11-03-1983

Episode 28 (Affairs of the Heart) Air Date: 11-10-1983

Episode 29 (Old Flames) Air Date: 11-17-1983

Episode 30 (Manager Coach) Air Date: 11-24-1983

Episode 31 (They Called Me Mayday) Air Date: 12-01-1983

Episode 32 (How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Call You Back) Air Date: 12-08-1983

Episode 33 (Just Three Friends) Air Date: 12-15-1983

Episode 34 (Where There's A Will) Air Date: 12-22-1983

Episode 35 (Battle of the Exes) Air Date: 01-05-1984

Episode 36 (No Help Wanted) Air Date: 01-12-1984

Episode 37 (And Coachie Makes Three) Air Date: 01-19-1984

Episode 38 (Cliff's Rocky Moment) Air Date: 01-26-1984

Episode 39 (Fortune and Men's Weight) Air Date: 02-02-1984

Episode 40 (Snow Job) Air Date: 02-09-1984

Episode 41 (Coach Buries a Grudge) Air Date: 02-16-1984

Episode 42 (Norman's Conquest) Air Date: 02-23-1984

Episode 43 (I'll Be Seeing You: Part 1) Air Date: 05-03-1984

Episode 44 (I'll Be Seeing You: Part 2) Air Date: 05-10-1984

What is narcissistic personality disorder and how to deal with it now

Narcissistic personality disorder is a personality disorder that is shown by having a grandiose state of mind in young adults. The number of people with this disorder is highly disputed with some theories stating that it can be as high as one percent of the population. However, most experts agree that this is not the case and the actual statistics are much lower. Narcissistic personality disorder is also disputed as the cause. There are two basic theories. One being that the disorder is caused by early trauma causing developmental disorders. Another theory is that it is learned behavior that has no basis in a clinical cause.

If the origin of the disease is clinical in nature and caused by early developmental issues, the hope for treatment is not good. Because it is not a psychological issue and there are no known medical treatments for the disease, if it is a physical issue, there may not be anything or much that can be done to treat it. However, if the disease is psychological in nature, there is hope for treatment. The behavior can be relearned to something that is more socially acceptable. However, those who are in treatment for this disease show slow progress if any at all.

The reason for this is narcissists by their nature have an inflated view of themselves. Therefore they rarely think there is a problem. Even if they are in treatment, studies show it takes years to make any significant progress. Health insurance companies have varying policies on coverage for this disorder but for the length of time treatment is needed in order to be successful, there will likely need to be a significant out of pocket expense. Narcissistic personality disorder will cause problems at home and in a career. A narcissist will not be able to sustain a healthy relationship for very long and will also have significant problems in productive activities like work or school. They will believe they have a grand life with lots of friends and an unending opportunity for wealth or fame. They will react offensively when the reality of a situation intrudes and have a tendency to blame others for anything negative that may happen in their lives.

Getting your credit report is easy and will soon be free

Obtaining a copy of your credit report is easy and, thanks to Uncle Sam, it soon will be free.

That's welcome news since it's a good idea, especially before applying for a loan or other credit, to know where you stand by checking your credit report (which details how well you pay your loans, bills and credit card purchases).

Under legislation passed by Congress in December 2003 and new Federal Trade Commission rules, consumers can request a free copy of their credit report every 12 months.

Once you obtain your credit report, visit yourcreditcounts. com for tips on how to read and understand it - and on how to improve your credit standing, if necessary.

This Web site, sponsored by leading financial services company HSBC - North America, provides new tools and other valuable information about borrowing, saving and credit management.

The three major national credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - are establishing a centralized source for accepting consumer requests for the free reports. That source will include a dedicated Web site, a toll-free telephone number and a postal address.

The free credit report program rolls out across the country beginning Dec. 1, 2004, when consumers in 13 Western states can start requesting their reports. Residents of 12 Midwestern states will become eligible on March 1, 2005; 11 Southern states on June 1, 2005; and the remaining 14 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and all U. S. territories on Sept. 1, 2005.

It's a good idea to time a request for your credit report well before you apply for a major loan, advises HSBC. Check your credit at least three to six months before applying for a home mortgage; for an auto loan, check your credit and line up financing with your bank or credit union before you start shopping. This will allow you sufficient time to review the report and correct any errors you find.