Evaluating credit card processing companies

There are numerous credit card processing companies to choose from, each offering different features and fees. Choosing a company to process your customer's credit card payments can be a daunting task, and sometimes you'll experience difficulties both looking for a merchant account provider and then afterwards - if you make the wrong selection! Many banks will deny small business applications for merchant accounts because they don't want to take the risk. Most small businesses end up going through third party providers who actually get the merchant account on your behalf; then apply their own rate structure to your transactions. If you operate an online business, you'll need a shopping cart program of some kind - which must work with the system you use to process credit cards online. Unfortunately, if you go with a third party shopping cart rather than a custom written one it may not work with all credit card processing gateways. You really need to be sure that whatever shopping cart program you use on your web site works with the merchant account you ultimately end up using to process customer payments. Accepting credit cards is not free! You pay the third party merchant account provider (or the bank if you are able to secure your own account directly with a bank that provides it) will charge you fees in exchange for the ability to accept credit card payments. The fees and rates you pay will vary depending on many factors, including how long you've been in business, the type of business you operate, your credit score, how much of your sales are processed by phone versus online, and the amount of credit card sales you process each month. Some providers charge an annual fee in addition to a fee per transaction, while other providers only charge a percentage of each transaction processed. Typical rates for small businesses accepting phone and mail order payments are $0.10 to $0.30 plus 2 to 3% of the transaction amount. If the merchant account providers you are looking at want to charge over this percentage, be sure to check out a few others to see if you can get a lower rate before signing up. Sometimes, your credit rating will result in your having to pay higher fees - but it's worth shopping around a little to see if you can get a lower percentage rate per transaction. When you're shopping companies looking for the best merchant account provider, make sure to compare all of the fees to see how much you're going to end up spending per each sale. You should also take into consideration what the application fee is (if any), how much you pay annually, how much you must spend on equipment needed to set up your account, and whether or not you must maintain a monthly minimum of sales volume. Also compare how each merchant account provider allows you to withdraw your money - can you do it whenever you want or do you have to do it at specific times of the month or year? How long will it take to receive your funds once you've requested a withdrawal or transfer of the money? How does the provider handle charge backs? Always read all of the forms and contracts associated with merchant accounts before you sign anything. Understand the terms for cancellation and what conditions the provider can cancel your account, as well. The process for applying for a merchant account varies depending on the company, but you may be asked to provide a photo of your office (even if it's in your home) to verify you are in the location you say that you are. Some companies will want to send a representative to photograph your place of business. Occasionally, you'll be asked to provide a DBA or business license, your tax returns and profit and loss statements.

Credit secrets bible review good or bad

I decided to write this Credit Secrets Bible review after having a chance to see what the ebook is all about. If you've ever wondered how you can raise your credit score and get on your way to owning the home or car of your dreams, you'll find this brief review of particular interest and quite possibly the answer to your problems. In it, I will go over whether or not I feel the Credit Secrets Bible is a viable way of raising your credit score to a respectable level in just a few short months. Terry Price has developed a system to increase your credit rating up to 249 points, or so he claims in his Credit Secrets Bible. Once I looked into the system, I discovered that not only is it possible, but it's ridiculously easy to do. If you can read and write at the 7th grade level, you can do it. The Credit Secrets Bible gives you the special phone number to call to get the truth about those no-credit-check credit cards. You can even learn about the 3-step system that other credit specialists charge almost $800 to implement, that will repair your shattered credit. Interested in paying off debt for 27 cents on the dollar? Wondering if it's legal and ethical to create an Alternate Credit File? Not only is it possible, but you can do it yourself with this invaluable ebook! Even if you're currently getting tons of collection calls, The Credit Secrets Bible can give you a letter that will stop them all forever. From protecting yourself from predatory lending practices to stopping foreclosure, this guide has everything you need. I really can't recommend The Credit Secrets Bible highly enough. It's something that can benefit people with any credit score, from perfect to pathetic.

History of ipod podcast

Everywhere you look, people young and old are walking, jogging, biking and even driving while sporting headphones. Mp3 players are the new must-have accessories, and Apple is leading the way in obtaining, playing, storing and sharing digital music files through iPod hardware and podcasting. The origins of podcasting can be traced to the initial creation and distribution of mp3 files. These music files could be downloaded and played on the iPod, Apple's music player. When the iPod was first released, users quickly discovered what a wonderful way it was to store music, and some came out, and users discovered what a wonderful thing it was for holding music. Then, people began to think that other files, beside music, could be loaded onto their iPods. Some people used reverse engineering on iPod, loading different firmware, or operating systems. Others believed that it was possible to share small sound files that could be played on the iPod. RSS feeds already supplied the technology needed to distribute the files. RSS provide a means of generating machine-readable files that could share information between a server and a user. Many blogs already used RSS feeds to keep readers up to date with the latest posts, and some hopeful podcasters aspired to enclose links to sound files within the RSS feed, making it possible to download the music files to the computer. These changes in RSS feeds allowed iPod podcasting to take off, and it has become a popular way to share files. Some podcasters have become radio DJs while sharing their favorite tunes. All sorts of different Podcasts began to pop up. Software was written to automatically check RSS feeds, extract the links to the podcast episodes, and download the files. These software programs became known as podcast clients. By this time, podcasting had moved beyond the ipod. Users were not only making iPod podcasts anymore. Some PSP users discovered how to utilize their PlayStation Portable consoles as podcast players. It was more difficult than downloading podcasts to the ipod, since the PSP uses a different file format, but more PSP podcasts began to appear. In addition, podcasting became known to an immense audience of people without iPods, who simply saw this as an extremely convenient way to receive news, entertainment and music over the Internet. While iPod podcasts still exist, fewer people subscribe to them as a means of gaining portable media files they can listen to anywhere. It has been eclipsed by the ease with which podcasting has become a content delivery system. Podcasting has become tied up with the rising number of audio and video blogs, where blogging is done through media files uploaded to the blog, rather than by post. These blogs take advantage of the shrinking cost of broadband Internet connections, and the rising number of people with high-speed access. An activity that began as file sharing between a few clever Apple iPod users has become an entertainment and information revolution. Blogs and podcasters across the globe are open to a world of possibilities.

Winterize prepare your skin for winter

Dry, itchy and cracked skin goes hand in hand with winter season. Change in temperatures and humidity, indoor heating, hot showers and bath remove important oils and moisture from the skin causing dryness, flakiness and cracking of the skin. If you think, winter equals to dry cracked skin with no or very less preventative measures, think again. Read on for some TLC for your winter weary skin - - Bathing - Hot water bath breaks body oil that is easily washable. If you cannot avoid hot bath, add oils like almond, sesame or other bath oils to your water. Alternatively you can add milk to your bath water. It restores the oils leaving it soft and supple. - Cleanse & Exfoliate - Before you begin your bath, exfoliate your skin with loofah. Avoid strong base ingredients and anti bacterial products; opt for gentle moisturizing revitalizing products. - Drink at least 8 - 10 glasses of water every day. By keeping your skin well hydrated, your skin will not suffer from dryness, rashes and itchiness. Avoid excessive usage of caffeine beverages that strips moisture from the skin. - Moisturize properly and your skin will remain soft and supple all through winter. Use moisturizer that has the necessary vitamins and hydration properties for your skin. One should apply moisturizer within a minute or so of having a shower or bath. Damp skin traps the water in the upper layers and decreases dryness and itching. - Keep petroleum jelly nearby. Dab some of it on problem areas to seal the moisture and heal the dry skin. You can rub it on all the dry areas of the body. It is very soothing backup substitute. - If possible, try taking a multi vitamin pill that has good dose of vitamins B, C & E. It will help your skin as well as ward off common cold. Avoid overdose multivitamin pills for adverse effects. - Use sunscreen in winter as you would in summer. Ideal sunscreen is one which is light, oil free and has SPF 15. - If you can afford to going to spas for luxurious and rejuvenating treatments for winter weary skin, there is nothing like it. Spa and other hydration treatments super hydrate your skin.

When you want disney medical scrubs you can expect more disney scrubs have the answer

Whether you work in a pediatric, veterinarian, or clinical office, Disney medical scrubs offer you choices galore. Disney scrubs are an extremely popular logo when it comes to designer medical scrubs. There is a method to the madness! Disney medical scrubs are highly ranked on the cuteness factor, and that goes a long way in a medical environment. There are a multitude of reasons why a cuteness factor is important, and the most important is placing the patient and the patient’s family in a state of comfort, relaxation, and ease regardless of the atmosphere. Yes, Disney scrubs can do that for you and your workplace. With Disney medical scrubs you can have the well-groomed, professional staff that is a necessity in today’s medical field while retaining a personal value that help you achieve your goals. How can a simple set of Disney scrubs accomplish this extraordinary mission? Simple! Disney medical scrubs offer those popular Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and many more trademarked characters. With these exquisite medical scrubs, you will find that the high quality, the brand, and the cost are exceptional. Disney scrubs offer an emphasis on you while maintaining the professional atmosphere in the workplace. Yes, Disney medical scrubs are popular for people of any age from the young to the young-at-heart. Even those Disney characters range in age! There are adult and children Disney characters perfect for putting your patient at ease. Another benefit of those popular Disney medical scrubs is that you can identify employees or staff while still appealing to the patient. Did you know that Disney scrubs offer you something else? 1. Medical uniforms and medical scrubs encourage teamwork! 2. Medical uniforms and medical scrubs can represent the superiority of your services! 3. Medical uniforms and medical scrubs can help differentiate specific duties of your team! 4. Medical uniforms and medical scrubs can increase productivity while boosting moral! 5. Finally, medical uniforms and medical scrubs can increase your safety record lowering your insurance premiums! The benefit of having Disney medical scrubs on your team is immeasurable. Why would you not purchase Disney scrubs for your workplace? The price is minimal when it comes to the unique and professional benefits. Yes, Disney can make your workplace even more. Disney medical scrubs can also be easily customized allowing you to place a name and/or title on the outside. You get to have the ease of use at an affordable cost. Of course, Disney scrubs appeal to everyone not just the medical staff. People can relate to Disney characters, and wearing Disney medical scrubs can do so much for your whole office atmosphere. When it comes to Disney medical scrubs you have to ask yourself why you have waited so long to add Disney scrubs to your ensemble. Nothing could be easier, more affordable, or more beneficial. In addition, each purchase offers those discounted prices without negotiating on quality.

Prospect of china s future economy growth

China will become the world’s safest and largest investment economy in times to come given the following factors: huge market potential, rich labour resources, comparative advantage in labour cost, sound corporate governance and stable government and society. All these factors will further attract the inflow of foreign capital into China. In short, China’s economy will grow even faster in the future. In the next ten years, China’s economy will still increase at a rate 7% - 8%. In 2020 years, should price index remains the same as today, GDP will amount to 38 trillion, per capita GDP will reach 26,000 yuan. However, the level of per capita GDP is still very low in China at the moment, GDP per capita’s growth is still at a slow rate. GDP per capita will have to be further increased in order to raise China’s standard of living so as to bridge the present income gap between the rich and poor. Satisfaction of consumers’ needs can be the main driver in raising China’s living standards. Domestic demand will increase as the economy grows. Therefore extensive production of goods and services can further push and sustain the economy’s growth. Moreover, there are abundant human resources in China, and labour cost in China is much lower than the other industrialized countries. China’s education system is also being fast developed, thus more people will achieve higher level of education than in the past. With comparative advantage in cheap labour cost and increase of human capital brought about by education, future for China’s economy can be only even brighter. China’s labour force will get even bigger as the China is urbanizing at a fast pace, changing from a rural and agricultural society to an urban and industrialized society. Through this transition, more manpower can be utilized. Urban infrastructure will be further enhanced and an increase in urban population will bring about higher consumption level, thus driving the economy further. The presence of such a big market, coupled by the increase in consumption power of the population brought about by urbanization, will create greater prospects for almost every industry. Market will become more efficient and industries will grow even faster than before. Domestic demand for goods and services will grow, creating better opportunities for production and investment.

Why choose an adjustable rate mortgage

Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) are appealing to many homebuyers, but what are the risks? An adjustable rate mortgage is one in which the rate changes based on the market interest rates. The rate will adjust on a specific schedule, say once a year, after an initial fixed period. Fixed periods range from six months to five years. Some may have even longer fixed periods. The risk in an ARM comes from having a payment that can change significantly. When you have a fixed rate mortgage, you know that your payment will be the same now, ten years and twenty years later. The payment doesn't change because the interest rate is fixed. When you choose an adjustable rate mortgage, you accept the risk of a rising payment in return for a lower initial interest rate. This rate is usually much lower than the market rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. The more risk you accept, the lower your initial interest rate. The more adjustments the loan will go through, the more risk. The traditional thinking is that even after a loan adjustment, the rates will be lower than those offered to new borrowers for 30-year fixed mortgages. However, it does happen where this gap closes, especially in periods of rising interest rates. The best time to get an ARM is when interest rates are on the decline. Despite the risk, an ARM can be beneficial to certain borrowers. While most advisors will tell you that a fixed-mortgage is the way to go in every situation, there are times when you should consider an adjustable rate. 1. The borrower needs extra cash for a while. A lower initial fixed rate gives you more money in your pocket early in your loan term. For example, a one-year ARM with a 30-year term and a rate which adjusts once a year on the anniversary of the loan date comes with zero points and an initial rate of 5.625%. Let's compare that to a 30-year fixed rate mortgage with no points and a fixed rate of 7.625%. If you take out a $240,000 mortgage, the 30-year fixed rate payment would be $1,698.70 each month. The one-year ARM would have a monthly payment of $1,381.58. That's a difference of $317 a month. You could use that extra $317 to pay off your credit cards, make improvements to the home or save for retirement. But you want to make sure that you will maintain a lifestyle that can afford for your payment to increase. You don't want to find that you cannot afford a higher mortgage payment when the rate adjusts upwards. 2. Buy more home. Because of the lower initial interest rate, you can qualify for a larger mortgage amount and a more expensive home. Many homebuyers secure a one-year ARM with the purpose of refinancing them later. The low rate allows a more costly home, but a low mortgage payment. But remember that refinancing comes with closing costs. Do the math to see if you are really saving any money. 3. It all depends on the future. If you plan to move or upgrade in the next few years, an ARM is a wise decision. You can benefit from a lower rate mortgage and simply sell the home and buy another before the rate adjusts. For example, if you plan to move in three years, why not go in for a five-year adjustable mortgage. You get a lower rate that won't adjust while you own the home, as long as you sell during the initial rate period. Make sure that the loan comes with no prepayment penalties. Make sure that you do some math. If interest rates go up drastically in those three years, when you buy a new home, you will be facing the higher interest rates. This could mean that you are unable to really upgrade to a larger or more expensive home. Adjustable-rate mortgages are basically all about weighing the risk. You are getting a lower interest rate and payment for taking the risk of having to pay a lot more in the future. Some homeowners are experiencing this right now as foreclosures are on the rise. Many homeowners failed to calculate how much their mortgages could adjust to. Some have seen large increases that they are unable to afford. Do all of the math and always prepare for the worst case scenario when considering an adjustable rate mortgage.

5 Ways to keep your scrapbook safe

One of the most devastating things that can happen to a scrapbook-er is for their creation to be ruined. So many hours, time, energy and money have been exhausted in putting together a work of art that brings back those memorable moments in time. There are plenty of ways that your book can get destroyed. With just a few simple precautions, you can make sure that your book will be around for years to come for your grand childrens and family members to enjoy. (1) Liquids obviously will destroy memorabilia, photographs and negatives. To avoid disasters, store your scrapbooks supplies, albums, photographs and negatives in a dry, cool place where water from broken pipes or overflowing toilets cannot reach them. Also, keep food and drinks out of your work area. Over time, sunlight can diminish photos, negatives, layouts, and album quality. Keep all supplies out of direct sunlight. (2) Extreme temperatures damage photos, negatives, layouts, page protectors and albums. Always store all items in a regular-temperature area and in an area where there is low humidity. (3) Although it may not be an immediately apparent problem but fingerprints on photos, negatives and layouts become visible over time. Oil from skin is the cause of this problem. To prevent this deterioration, handle all photos carefully, touching only the outer edges. Wash hands frequently or use acid neutralizing wipes but make sure your hands are dry before handling any materials. Use lightweight cotton gloves if available to ensure those pictures stay perfect. (4) Handle and store your photos, negatives, and layouts carefully. Improper storage increases the risk of scratches, tears, and bends. Store and seal your photos and negatives in a sturdy container, in plastic sleeves that fit into a 3-ring binder, or in acid-free envelopes. Keep in mind that not all plastics are alike. In fact, some sheet protectors, binders, photo enclosures, and photo corners will eventually damage your memorabilia more than if you had not used plastic protection or enhancement at all. To avoid this, do not buy materials containing PVC or PVA, buy your materials from reputable scrapbook stores. Yes, it may cost you a bit more but your scrapbook will last so much longer. Look for acrylic or polyester materials as an alternative. (5) Finally, paper and cardstock you find in your local hobby store are not necessarily acid-free unless stated on the packaging. Also realize that just because a manufacturer’s lighter colored paper is acid-free does not guarantee the darker colors will also be. Your best bet is to test any paper that is not specifically marked 'acid-free.' Now that wasn't hard at all, was it? And you've earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to learn from another scrapper enthusiast.

Things you need to know about creating a website

A few weeks back, my brother’s wife had asked me to come to her house as she was creating a website and she wanted me to guide her through the process. She seemed quite annoyed by the whole process and was pretty confused and frustrated at the same time. I agreed to help her, but frankly speaking I didn’t know much about creating a website myself. Though I was flattered that she thought that I did know how to create a webpage, however I wasn’t too sure why she had the notion that I had any experience with it. Suddenly, I realized that my sister in law had a feeling that I am efficient at creating a website was perhaps because she had visited my blog. I think that she is confusing blogs with websites. Though I may know how to start up a blog nevertheless this does not make me eligible to tutor someone on creating a webpage. I feel personally that a number of people do not understand the differentiation between a blog and a webpage. Even though I may not be too sure if I understand fully the difference between creating a blog and creating a website, but I’m willing to give it a shot. In fact I have trouble describing the difference between a blog and a website. In my opinion, a blog is a kind of an online journal. In order to give the blog some depth, a person who sets up the blog posts short articles and a range of other entries. To create a blog is simple and involves little work. I am quite comfortable with the set up and its format as blogs are free and user friendly. For sure, creating a website requires significantly more work. There are always a number of professionals who work full time in the field of web design. I had suggested to my sister-in-law that she should utilize the service like Bravenet in her attempt at creating a website. To a lay person, Bravenet offers everything that is needed to get started as well as has a lot of information and technical support. In order to assist her through the process, I am going to walk her through the steps as laid down by Bravenet and see if we can work together in creating a website. Well if all turns out well, perhaps I may even create a website of my own. As of now, I am going to stick to blogging. As I mentioned before, blogs are user-friendly and they are free. Frankly speaking I really do not need anything else right now. Maybe in the future, if I need any assistance in creating a website on my own I might call my sistre0-in-law to see if she can help me out. Who knows, she may well get me moving in the right direction.

How to market your home business

Everyone knows that marketing a home business is one of the most tricky things about having one. You have to be sure that you are doing it correctly, because no matter what your business is, chances are good that there are a lot of people who have home businesses that are going to be able to compete with yours. Because the internet is open to everyone all over the world, you are going to find that it often comes down to people choosing the business that markets themselves the best. Make Your Mark So, how can you make your mark on the world and be sure that you are noticed? First of all, you have to have something that no one else does. Chances are good that other people have your same idea, unless you have come up with something that no one has ever heard of before. So, this means that there has to be something about your business that is unique, whether it is in your web site, the way that you do business, or the product that you are offering. You have to be sure that you can easily say that you have something no one else can offer, and that when you say this, you can actually mean it. If you can do this, you are going to be on the right track. Market Market Market Another thing that you have to be sure to do is to market yourself. No matter what you are doing, there is a place somewhere that is going to be able to market you. You have to rely on yourself and do your own research, and figure out where you can best market yourself. If you are just starting out, a good thing to do would be to search online for your product or service, and see what comes up. See what your competition is, and then figure out what they are doing to market themselves. Then, see where you can get your name out there and how you can make yourself known in the world where you want to be. Another thing that you have to do is to get creative about how you market yourself. This could even be the thing that sets you apart from all the rest. If you can be sure that you really know what you are doing, you might be able to find your way to the top of something, and you might be able to be more of a success than you ever thought it would be possible for you to be. Get out there and market yourself, in the best way possible, and see if you can bring yourself to the forefront.

Check for leaks conserve water and save money

In your own household, the key to maintenance of electronic and water supply is in your hands. Water leaks and damages could cause you major financial and supply losses. In order to check water leaks on your house, you must know basic water repairs. Be aware of the causes of leaks. There are several reasons why water leaks occur: 1. Your Pipelines Incorrectly made pipelines or insufficient support could lead to water leaks. Excess numbers of pipelines could also be a reason because the base may not be able to handle the pipe’s weight. Second, be concerned about the materials of your pipelines. When buying these materials, make sure to purchase the appropriate supplies without defects because failing to do so could lead your pipe to rust. Lastly, make sure not to use equipment that may harm your pipelines. Too much pressure caused by hammers could bring about water leaks. Depending on your geographic location, you may want to make special precautions for your pipes to ensure they can withstand very cold temperatures such that, during the winter months, water does not freeze within the pipes and expands, causing pipes to burst. 2. Learn How To Read Your Water Meter Being able to use this could very well be the absoloute easiest way to detect leaks on your own. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a water leak! This could be something as simple as a leaky bathtub, or as horrendous as a leak inside a pipe deep within one of your walls, causing untold damage to your home. 3. Leak Detection Tips In detecting water leaks, make sure that all of your appliances inside your house that make use of water are turned off. Then inspect the status of the meter dial and wait for 20 minutes. If the dials didn’t shift, you have a home with water pipes that are stable. But if the dials shift, check all of your appliances that makes of use water. If all are turned off, there might be a leak in your underground pipes. The reading on your meter should be greater than your bill from the time when you have used your water since the meter was read. 4. The Lawn Method Another method to check water leaks is by opening lawn water. If you have a hose, or a water sprinkler, open it and start to watch the water meter’s movement for a minute. The whole rotation of the meter hand stands for 7.5 gallons of water. Add up the number of rotation the hand meter completes for each minute and multiple it by 7.5 to know how much gallons of water you consume every minute, every hour, every day and every week. If you know how much water you use up, you will know whether you are paying the correct bills or not. If your bills exceed the computation, you may be having water leakages. 5. Statistics The average water used in each household is 60 to 200 gallons per person for a day. You will be surprised on how much water you consume every day. By being aware of these causes of water leaks and how to detect them, you will conserve water everyday. - Remember that every drop of water counts - Bathrooms take up almost 70% of water used - Ensure all pipes and faucets are leak-free 6. Food Coloring Technique Make it a routine to check toilet tanks. By adding a small amount of food color, you will be able to know if the toilet is leaking. Add food color to the tank. After 20 minutes or so, if the color appeared on the tank, it may be leaking. Try to replace the parts as soon as possible to prevent rust. Conserve water by being aware of water leaks. Learn to save water by checking your own pipes. It will benefit your financial needs. It will benefit your family’s safety. And it will benefit the people of the future who would be able to make use of the wonders of water.

The garden gnomes

The Garden Gnome is not just another yard figurine. It has it’s own distinguished history, culture and controversy attached to it. Before you buy a Garden Gnome for your home be sure to know all of the factors that go along with it. For starters the history of the Garden Gnome dates back to Germany in the 1800’s. The original statues were made out of clay and were hand crafted. They then made their way to England in the mid 1800s. Around the late 1800’s to the 1900’s they made their way into America. During WWII production of these figurines came to an abrupt halt. The German factories were commandeered and converted to support the war efforts. In 1960’s the gnomes picked up popularity again however, they were mass-produced using plastic. Because so many of them were produced they gained the stigma for being a tacky lawn ornament. The clay hand carved Garden Gnomes have been family heirlooms for many families. The Clay figurines are making a come back of sorts, more companies are reviving the old tradition. Any Garden Gnome enthusiast will tell you that Garden Gnomes are wonderful creatures that are very good luck to have in your garden. They are primarily vegetarians, joyful little people who enjoy having fun and helping out with things. It is believed that having one in your garden will be helpful in the day-to-day activities that are necessary to proper garden management. It is believed that they have an excellent ability to be able to reflect on history and an even better perspective on the future. Not all people have such a jovial perception of the Garden Gnome. There are some that disagree with the use of the Garden Gnome. They believe that to have a Garden Gnome in the home is slavery and that the Garden Gnome should be freed. There are groups that will take a Garden Gnome from a yard if they see it. Relocating it to the forest where they believe they find their freedom. A few of the groups choose to operate under the raidar, sneaking into people’s yards and stealing these figurines. There is a political group that actively lobbies for the ban of Garden Gnome slavery. Whether you are a follower of the Garden Gnome culture or just someone who thinks they are cut enough to go in your yard these figurines have a lot of history behind them and can be a wonderful addition to your yard. Just be sure to keep them away from the gnome liberators if you would like to keep them for a long period of time.

Zodiac signs and horoscopes who am i compatible with

: Love and compatibility with another is something that we all strive for. It is something that is talked about in every social circle and in every walk of life. This notion of love and compatibility is always a hot topic when discussing your “sign” with someone. One of the main reasons for a person to read their horoscope is to find out about their past, present and future love life. So it’s only natural for us to wonder which zodiac signs are compatible with one another. So who are you compatible with? Aries – is most compatible with Leo & Sagittarius, compatible with Aquarius & Gemini and opposite from Libra. Taurus – is most compatible with Capricorn & Virgo, compatible with Cancer & Pisces and opposite from Scorpio. Gemini – is most compatible with Aquarius & Libra, compatible with Aries & Leo and opposite from Sagittarius Cancer – is most compatible with Pisces & Scorpio, compatible with Taurus & Virgo and opposite from Capricorn Leo – is most compatible with Aries & Sagittarius, compatible with Gemini & Libra and opposite from Aquarius Virgo – is most compatible with Capricorn & Taurus, compatible with Cancer & Scorpio and opposite from Pisces Libra – is most compatible with Aquarius and Gemini, compatible with Leo & Sagittarius and opposite from Aries Scorpio – is most compatible with Cancer & Pisces, compatible with Capricorn & Virgo and opposite from Taurus Sagittarius – is most compatible with Aries & Leo, compatible with Aquarius & Libra and opposite from Gemini Capricorn – is most compatible with Taurus & Virgo, compatible with Pisces & Scorpio and opposite from Cancer Aquarius – is most compatible with Gemini & Libra, compatible with Aries & Sagittarius and opposite from Leo Pisces – is most compatible with Cancer & Scorpio, compatible with Capricorn & Taurus and opposite from Virgo (please note that this is only a suggestion as to the traditional compatibility traits of certain ‘signs’. This should not be followed as a make or break rule to follow in your love life as there are many factors that come into play when in a true relationship. These suggestions should be taken as such, as mere suggestions.) All of your horoscope and zodiac information in one place at Horoscope

Improve body health with convenient weight loss products

If you're seeking diet solutions to lose weight, help maintain your weight, or to improve body health, there are many weight loss products available to help you achieve these goals. You can use these products to help get through those tough food cravings while also ensuring that your body receives proper nutrition for good health. Benefits of Weight Loss Products Weight loss products offer several benefits. One, they help you lose weight or improve body health without interfering with your regular schedule or routine. You can use these products at home, at work, or while traveling. Two, they are often more affordable than attending regular weight loss classes or buying certain health foods at your local grocery store or health food store. Three, many weight loss products are designed to help your body get the nutrition it needs while dieting without your having to eat a variety of foods throughout the day. Besides these three major benefits, nutritional supplements can greatly enhance other bodily functions to help you look and feel healthy overall. Daily Multivitamins Daily multivitamins can help you have more energy throughout the day and fight off stress and illnesses that can hinder your weight loss. With a multivitamin, your body receives a range of vitamins and minerals, and even herbs with some multivitamins, to help improve body health. Multivitamins promote healthy skin, hair, bones, and immune system. They can also support healthy weight management. Nutritional Shakes Nutritional shakes are popular "lose weight" products that can be used to supplement or replace a meal or two each day. Nutritional shakes can replace a meal, enable you to eat less at meals, or provide a tasty, nutritional snack in between meals. This weight loss product should never be used to deprive your body of food, but to supplement your meals for a healthier you. Most nutritional shakes come in a variety of flavors including chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, cookies 'n' cream, and others. The shakes also contain essential vitamins and minerals and a substantial amount of protein and fiber to promote weight loss. There are also protein powder shakes that have a concentrated amount of protein to help you burn more fat and fight hunger. Fruit and Vegetable Supplements If you find it difficult to get in your daily recommended fruits and vegetables due to schedule or appetite, there are fruit and vegetable supplements to ensure your body receives the nutrition needed from these healthy foods. These supplements support good health for vital organs, provide antioxidants to rid your body of harmful toxins, and promote overall improved body health. Other popular weight loss products include energy drink tablets, herbal dietary supplements, muscle building shakes, fat burners, and products specifically made for men or women. To find dependable, safe weight loss products, use online resources to research what each product has to offer. You'll have a variety of choices to meet your needs. Find a trustworthy Web mall with an online catalog of weight loss products so you can do all your shopping in one place.

What should we do after bariatric surgery

After your bariatric surgery you will be on a very limited diet. Your diet may only include broth, water, jello and other clear liquids for what can seem like a long time. Sometimes it can take up to two weeks before you are able to handle liquids such as shakes, or instant breakfast drinks. This probably due to the major changes that have been made to your digestive tract. As your stomach and intestinal systems are healing from the surgery you won’t be very hungry and you will even find that the things you used to like are not longer appetizing to your taste buds. Many patients have reported that they have trouble finding a liquid that is palatable to drink. As its extremely important to make sure you have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration this can be a problem. Often you can experiment with a variety of drinks and flavorings to find something that you like or can tolerate until you are fully healed. Some find that they can only drink water that’s cold or at room temperature for about two months at which point they are able to try flavored fruit drinks. You may also find that many of the foods you once like are no longer appetizing, which may be considered a good thing or a bad thing depending on your point of view. Some find that fats and carbs are intolerable, especially as in some patients even the slightest amount can cause ‘dumping syndrome.’ Others complain that they can’t handle salads and veggies as well. This is partly because of the fiber in the veggies but also the raw veggies may be hard on your esophagus and new delicate stomach. Sometimes you can start with a salad of plain lettuce coated in an oil and gradually adding one veggie at a time. Be sure to chew very thouroughly.

Fun when skateboarding ramps and rails

When a child starts learning how to skateboard, they will likely want to do some tricks at some point or another. Using skateboard ramps is a great way to do this. Purchasing your own ramps or building your own ramps is an investment and should only be done if the child is an advanced skateboarder and is serious about the sport. There are various types of ramps available and all have their unique properties and are all designed for different things. The more serious rider should be sure to get a well crafted ramp because it is safer. Building your own and finding the cheaper ramps are certainly an option but there are also risks involved with doing that and parents should be aware of the dangers. When in doubt, most metropolitan areas have skate parks that can be used. A launch ramp is a ramp that is designed to make the skateboarder go airborne. While in the air various tricks can be done before landing. This is something advanced skateboarders use and it is one of the more dangerous types of ramps. A wave is a type of ramp that can be skated up one side and down the other. They are usually purchased in sets with one half able to join the other. You can typically put a flat box between them and make a large curve, sharp slope or four ramp area. The configurations can be moved and altered depending on your needs. Rails are long tubes that are ridden on and tricks are done on. These are also dangerous and used with the advanced skater. Rails, however, are safer when purchased because they are generally lower to the ground. Some people try to use already installed rails that are on steps. This is very dangerous as the steps will compound a fall and possibly increase chances of injury. Learning how to ride rails that are low to the ground is the safest alternative. Ramps and rails can be found in sporting goods stores and specialty skateboard shops. Generally they can be purchased on the Internet or brick and mortar stores starting at approximately one hundred dollars and can increase to several hundred dollars depending on the quality. Skateboard ramps are a serious investment, take up a lot of room and can only be used under safe conditions. Therefore, most people who purchase them buy them for the serious enthusiast.

Houston schools new teacher merit pay program will it help or hinder

Measurement of student achievement through rigorous statewide testing has been a standard in Texas for many years. Houston schools implemented its first merit pay program for teachers in the year 2000. Houston Schools believe the old program had too low incentives and unanimously passed the new model in January, making it the largest merit pay program in the nation. Officials believe the new program ties teacher rewards more closely to student improvement and to individual teacher efforts. Though no research has been done on the impact of such programs on improved student achievement, other programs have been tried in New York, Denver and Kentucky with varying success. Houston business leaders, who have a stake in graduating future employees who are high achievers, support the new Houston schools’ $14.5 million program. Houston schools teacher incentives are based on three components: • The first component is based upon the amount of improvement of a school’s overall test scores, as compared with scores of 40 other schools across the state with similar demographics; • The second compares student progress on the Stanford 10 Achievement Test and its Spanish equivalent to students in similar Houston schools classrooms; and • The third component compares student progress on the statewide Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test to similar Houston schools classrooms. About half of the 12,300 teachers in the Houston schools are eligible to receive rewards in all three categories, possibly earning a total of $3,000 each. The 305 Houston schools principals are eligible to earn as much as $6,000 each, if they have the best achieving teachers. Each of the Houston schools’ 19 executive principals and five regional superintendents are eligible for as much as $25,000. With 210,000 children, Houston schools is the largest district in the state, and its new program isn’t without opposition. Teachers unions are typically against teacher merit pay programs, and the Houston Federation of Teachers is no exception. The union represents 40 percent of the Houston schools teachers and believes across-the-board raises and a higher starting wage for new teachers would be more successful in raising student achievement scores. Houston schools start new teachers at $36,050 (lowest in the ten major districts in Texas), and the current Houston schools teachers’ wages are at the lowest end of the nation’s schools. Many teachers have complained that the program bypasses arts teachers and others with subjects not covered by the testing process. The program excludes special education, preschool and kindergarten teachers, who are the backbone in improving academic achievement in children from low-income families. Additionally, many teachers believe that it forces them to teach to the testing requirements rather than focus on real academic achievement. The new program also has opened old wounds and raised tensions over the previous merit pay program and its effect upon testing results, which laid the groundwork for a recently exposed cheating scandal. The Texas Education Agency investigated the Houston schools and other districts in 1999 due to suspicious testing results. Houston schools admitted last year that evidence of cheating had been found at four schools and testing irregularities were found at seven others. Eventually, six teachers were fired and several principals were demoted or reprimanded, leaving the city frustrated and bruised by the merit pay program and its ensuing results. Though the Houston schools’ new teacher merit pay program sounds good in theory, it seems that in practice it is expanding the same old problems encountered with the previous program. This information on Houston schools is brought to you by schoolsk-12.

Switzerland vs. italy

After failing to qualify for the last two editions Switzerland claimed a place in Germany. In their last appearance in USA 1994 they made it to the round of 16 but fell 3-0 against runner-up Italy. In the qualifying stage before the play-off second-leg defeat by Turkey, the Swiss had gone a full year and 14 straight games without defeats; evidence of the growing strength of a team that includes players who attracted rave reviews at various under-age levels. Their line-up in the play-offs featured Tranquillo Barnetta and Philippe Senderos, both of whom claimed UEFA European U-17 Championship honors in 2002. This is a very young athletic Swiss team that can be a pleasant surprise for soccer fans this summer in Germany as they face France, Korea Republic and Togo in their group stage. But meanwhile, they have a few friendly matches among them they will face Italy one of the clear contenders for the title in Germany. In other news coach Kobi Kuhn left out Swiss star Hakan Yakin of his 23 man squad for the tournament. Allegedly Yaking suffered a groin injury that left him out of playing for a few weeks. He has recovered now but unfortunately won’t be traveling to Germany. "Yakin is a talented player, but we have a lot of other talented players to choose from," Kuhn told reporters after naming his squad on Monday. Now on to Italy that also has one of the best teams in a while. They’ll be traveling to Switzerland to prepare last minute details before the World Cup. Germany 2006 will mark Italy's 16th appearance at FIFA World Cup finals, making Sweden 1958 the only final they did not grace with their presence. Following their successes in 1934 and 1938, Italy lifted the FIFA World Cup for the third time in Spain 1982 thanks largely to an outstanding performance by striker Paolo Rossi. Lead by Totti, Cassano and Pirlo that are currently big names in Europe’s soccer scene. Italy will face Switzerland May 31st in Geneva; it will be a good match between these two teams that might resemble the round of 16 back in USA 94’ which the Italian team got the victory. Germany 2006 will be the opportunity for Italy to get back in soccer scene as one of the best, since USA 94’. They haven’t been to the final in competition in a while and they now they have the opportunity for a come back, though it won’t be an easy road but they have the talent and the willingness to do it. If you like sports betting this will be a great opportunity to follow the performance of both teams towards the World Cup and make your picks once the competition starts.

Adwords keyword research for beginners

Adwords Keyword research for beginners When you embark on your first PPC journey, you need to keep a small number of keywords at first. Keyword lists that are thousands of words long should be left to the more experienced PPC marketer. Ideally, a beginner should use around 100 targeted keywords, anything more will probably prove too cumbersome for you to manipulate. If you can't harness the power of large keyword campaigns, they will suck your bank accounts dry. There are some very simple free techniques that you can use to find targeted keys words with low competition. One process of finding low competition niche keywords utilizes Google and excel. More specifically you want to use Google's keyword tool, just type this into Google, and it will appear in the search results. Upon landing on the main Google keyword tool page, you will find a white box(field) where you want to enter your particular keyword(s). Enter one keyword for now to get an idea of how this works, and press enter. After pressing enter, you will be directed to a page of keywords that will be closely related to the keyword that you entered. For the purposes of what we want to do, you will need to scroll to the middle of the page where the text Add all 150 is highlighted in blue bold text. Below these words you will see the words download all keywords with text,.csv(for excel) and. csv. You want to click on. csv(for excel). By doing this, you will export this data into an excel spreadsheet. The data, which only appears as green bars on the main Google page, will be transformed into numeric data that has much more value for you. Once the data is in the excel spread sheet, you can begin some simple analysis on it that will benefit your PPC campaign a great deal. In the excel spreadsheet, there are going to be columns of data, A-D. The columns are going to be, from A-D, Keywords, Advertiser competition, the previous month's search volume, and the average search volume. The two columns we are interested in are the advertiser competition and the Average search volume. What we want to do is merge the data from these two columns to give us a number that we can work with. So what we need to do is take a generalized average of these two to get a number which we will compare to a predetermined benchmark. Sounds a little odd, let me explain a bit more completely, and hopefully you will understand. All of these numbers are in decimals on a scale ranging from .00 to 1. The higher the number, the more competition there is(as expressed by the advertiser competition numbers) and the higher the search volume(as expressed by the average search volume). Ideally, we want low competition with a decent search volume to target lower cost high converting keywords. So, to find these keywords we use a general benchmark number that will determine their competition and volume level. If the keywords exceed the benchmark, we leave them be, if they hit right around the benchmark, or fall below it, we want to capture them and include them in our PPC campaign. To get our figures, which we are going to compare to a predetermined benchmark, we are going to take an average of the advertiser competition column and the average search volume column. We want to do this for all the keywords that have been exported to the excel file. And the way we do this is by typing in a simple command in excel and copying the command down throughout the related boxes. So to start, we find box E2 which should be blank, this is the first box to the right of the first value in the avg. search volume box. So, within this blank box you want to type=average(D2,B2). This will automatically give you an average of those two numbers in this E column row when you close that last ).Now, to get all the averages for every keyword you simply want to click on that box(E2) and pull down on the box while you hold in right click. The boxes should fill in with color when you drag down to the last box(nothing will be in them yet). Then, when you have filled in the boxes with color up to the last box you want to lift your finger off the right click. When you do this all the averages will appear in the boxes. You basically just copied the function down through the boxes. So now we have all these averages. What do we do with them, what do they tell us? Well, a good benchmark average is around .50. This will give us a reasonable competition level with good search volume. So we compare these averages to anything that falls around .50 and below. Anything that goes above .60 we want to avoid to start out with, because it will probably be too expensive to bid on. So now compare all the averages in column E to the predetermined benchmark of .50. Whatever falls below .50 or, .55(to possibly get some more data) we want to keep. Take all the keywords that meet this criteria and copy them into a notepad. txt file. (There are faster ways to do this but they take some learning of excel functions that you may not know yet.) So now we want to take these keywords that fell below or right around the benchmark and plug these back into the Google keyword tool and hit enter. Now go back through the entire process that we just did to get the keywords we just plugged into the Google keyword tool. You are going to want to take the average again of the two columns mentioned above, then get all the averages of all the keywords by draggin the first box down, and then compare again to a benchmark of .50 or .55. But now, because we found some more targeted keywords to work with(as a result of the first exporting of data to excel, and taking the averages to compare against the benchmark) we should have more keywords that hit right around the benchmark and below it. This is because we are working with more targeted and hopefully lower competition keywords. We are finding yet more targeted keywords related to the first set we found. This should produce a larger list of keywords that meet our benchmark. So now we can take the words that meet the benchmark here, and we can use these in our targeted PPC campaign. You will want to sort through this list of course, and make sure the keywords are well suited for the particular items that you are selling. This method will get you headed in the right direction for your PPC campaign.

Accessible appalachia exploring virginia s crooked road

Located in Southwest Virginia, the Crooked Road is more than just a driving route. This 200-mile heritage music trail winds through Appalachia and connects music venues and heritage sites that highlight the traditional music of the region; the gospel, bluegrass and mountain music that's been passed down for generations by local families. Along the way you'll find stage shows, outdoor concerts, festivals, Appalachian crafts, galleries and some great scenery; however it's the locals who bring the Crooked Road to life. Be it the banjo maker in Galax or the quilter in Floyd, they all have a story to tell. And part of the whole Crooked Road experience is simply taking the time to listen. Technically the Crooked Road isn't just one road, but a route composed of many state routes and local roads. The best starting point is the eastern terminus, Rocky Point; which is located 25 miles south of Roanoke. Just take VA 40 west towards Ferrum and follow the Crooked Road signs. Not only is this the easiest access point, but Ferrum makes a great first stop; as the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum offers a good overview on the regional heritage. Located on the campus of Ferrum College, the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum features indoor gallery space plus an outdoor heritage farm museum. The gallery space hosts exhibitions which highlight the people and heritage of the region. There is level access to the museum, barrier-free access throughout the galleries and plenty of accessible parking outside. Across the street, take some time to look through the Farm Museum which has gravel and dirt pathways, ramps up to the barns and a few steps up into the farmhouse. The pathways are doable for most people in dry weather and even though you can't access every display, you can still get a good feel for what Virginia farm life was like back in 1800. Traveling west on the Crooked Road, you'll cross the Blue Ridge Parkway and enter Floyd County. Here's where a little diversion is in order. Although it's not on the official route, I highly recommend at least a short drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as it's very scenic. Either way, a stop is Floyd is a must; and if you are looking for overnight accommodations, look no further than the Oak Haven Lodge. Opened in 2003, this 10-room rustic lodge features ramp access to the front porch and office, with accessible parking available in a gravel parking area next to the office. Room 1 is located downstairs and has wide doorways, two double beds, good pathway access and a 5-foot turnaround in the bathroom. Access features in the bathroom include a low-step shower, a roll-under sink, grab bars in the shower and around the toilet and a portable shower chair. A commode chair is also available upon request. All this for a very affordable $65 per night. Continuing west, you'll pass through Galax and Abingdon before coming to Bristol. Here you'll find the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance Museum, which features exhibits on the roots of country music and the musicians that helped shape the genre. Access is excellent throughout the museum, with a level entrance and barrier-free access to all the exhibits. Best of all, admission is free. There's plenty of live music to be had in Bristol too, with weekly concerts at the Birthplace of Country Music Mural on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights and a Thursday morning jam session at the Star Barbershop on State Street. All of these musical events are free and open to the public. And as far as access goes, there is good wheelchair-access to the seating area at the mural and level access to the Star Barbershop. Finally, no matter what you do on your Crooked Road adventure, save time for a visit to the Carter Family Fold for a Saturday night concert. Granted some advance planning is required to plan a Saturday night stay near the Hiltons, but fortunately it's only about 20 minutes from Bristol. Located on the AP and Sara Carter homestead, the Carter Family Fold is actually a large theater; and in keeping with tradition, only acoustic instruments are allowed and no alcohol is served. That said, each week there's a different headliner, so no two shows are exactly alike. The energy however, is ever present. Accessible parking is located near the theater with level access to the entrance. Accessible seating (with companion seating) is available up font and it's the only reserved seating in the house. Indeed the front seats are the ones with an up-close look at all the action, because once the music starts, the area in front of the stage turns into a massive dance floor. But again, that's all part of the show. All in all it's great place to mix with the locals and an excellent opportunity to enjoy a real slice of Crooked Road culture.

Sonic youth tickets see true alternative rock pioneers

Sonic Youth tickets, amazingly, have been available for more than 25 years already. It seems like just yesterday that this innovative band was doing its part in redefining the genre of rock and roll as we know it. The legion of loyal Sonic Youth fans just got some great news, however, in that the band is getting back together and hitting the stage once again to relive their old classics and most likely add some of their new signature innovations to the shows they play. A look at their history will help clarify how they became musical icons. Early Beginnings The original members of the band all spent their early lives performing in any of several post-punk bands that were prevalent on the local music scene at the time. Given that many of these bands performed together and in the same venues, they got to know each other, and two of the members, Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon, dated for a time before the band was formed, and they would eventually marry and have a child. Moore and Gordon also discovered that they had common musical tastes, and they began to perform together. They eventually recruited the other members and “officially” formed Sonic Youth in 1981. Their first gig was at a 10-day “Noise Festival” in the New York neighborhood of SoHo, and their performance was a resounding success. It wasn’t long before Sonic Youth tickets were difficult to find, as they built a loyal local following that would soon get them noticed by the music industry. Unique Sound The band is credited with a new sound that became the foundation for “alternative” rock and roll, and the biggest variable that contributed to this sound was the band’s alternate guitar tunings. A little-known fact is that these guitars were tuned in a non-traditional way because they were extremely cheap, as the band could not afford top-notch equipment. These tunings led to additional innovations, as their approach to music was never what many would consider “scientific.” The band was independent in their approach, and would often formulate melodies and beats based solely on how they felt at the time they were playing. Results This purely artistic approach to music led to a wide following for their live shows, but it also led to a career with success that would be considered more “underground” in nature, as they never had a huge commercial success with their albums. None of their albums ever got any higher than #34 on the US album charts, but their following did continue to grow. If you want to see a band that’s all about artistic expression and freedom with their sound, Sonic Youth tickets are just what you need.

Getting started in advertising

Getting started in Advertising Most of the professionals in the advertising industry agree to the fact that obtaining a degree isn’t a must to get started in the industry, but on the contrary all the classifieds ask for a bachelor’s degree at least. Another advantage of taking a degree is that if internship is taken during the course, it will provide the adequate experience that ad agencies and companies usually ask for. The internship director of the university can help in this regard. He may have links that could make it possible to get a break in radio, television or even in an ad agency, the choice totally depends on interest. In case the internship director is of no help, become a part of a network and get to know people around you. This will surely land you somewhere. It wont hurt to search for an internship on your own. Check out the local newspapers for classifieds; call up local radio and television stations and even ad agencies inquiring about any vacancies. Usually there are lots of ads in the Sunday edition of newspaper, drop in a resume at their office. Best idea is to get in contact with the production manager or the news director of the company. Send them a mail; give a good reference, which can be of big help. Usually there are lots of chances for internships in the production department. If there is any success in finding an internship, bring it to the notice of the internship director; most probably her reference can be of some advantage. If these attempts don’t work, volunteer to work for free at any local fair, functions and events. Display your creativity to the fullest. This can catch the attention of someone important sometime who can give you that jump-start. For people who don’t opt for regular college, they can always find lots of material related to advertising on the Internet. Other than studying the theory work, try to observe the work of famous personalities in the industry. Get some ideas, mix it with some creativity and create some original work and approach the local radio station or television channel. Since there are number of shows running there will be some kind of a vacancy. Get a chance at cross-training too. If initially a job was provided with other shows at the station, try to switch to advertising after winning impression. After getting a break into advertising, it will automatically increase the exposure to the advertising industry and even to other ad agencies. This will be a good point on the resume, as most of the employers get impressed with television experience. And when working on your first job, there will be a great chance of learning the basics, so don’t hesitate to explore the ground. But since it is easier to get a job here and there is lots of competition for that post, the returns aren’t that good and there is no job security. After getting good experience whether it is internship or local radio or television station, resume is the next important step. Fill it up with creativity as that is the main essence of this field. Don’t forget to include past experience, even if it is small or not related exactly to the job description, recommendation, if any. The more the information added, the more strong the resume and the easier it is to maneuver to the top. Word Count 572

All you need to know about chinese zodiac symbols

It is so wonderful to have a balance of Chinese zodiac symbols to use with the western astrological signs. It is interesting to study the different horoscopes with respect to birthdates (and times) and find that each of the Chinese zodiac symbols is as close to being correct personality indicators as the western symbols/signs are. It is also interesting to consider how the symbols extend to being used in something other than telling one’s future/luck/personality. My favorite delight with Chinese zodiac symbols, for instance, is playing a game called Mahjong Garden, at Pogo. Each set won (or completed) yields a reward of one of the Chinese zodiac symbols anthropomorphized and spiritualized. Alright, let me make one thing clear: There are twelve individual tile arrangements that you play. Each arrangement is in the design of one of the Chinese zodiac symbols. At the successful matching of all tiles on the board, an animated scroll appears, opens, and reveals one of the animals, holding an object that represents a phenomenon or human spiritual characteristic. Here are the Chinese zodiac symbols and their gift, as they appear on Pogo: 1st game—rat is the design and the rat brings the gift of charm or jade, representing perfection 2nd game—ox is the design and the ox brings the gift of optimism or apples, representing education 3rd game—tiger is the design and the tiger brings the gift of understanding 4th game—rabbit is the design and the rabbit brings the gift of humility or oranges, representing good fortune 5th game—dragon is the design and the dragon brings the gift of energy or a green box, symbolizing harmony 6th game—snake is the design and the snake brings the gift of intellect 7th game—horse is the design and the horse brings the gift of popularity or cheer. 8th game—ram is the design and the ram brings the gift of love or the arts 9th game—monkey is the design and the monkey brings the gift of energy 10th game—poultry is the design and the rooster brings the gift of pride or a gold box, representing strength 11th game—dog is the design, and the dog brings the gift of noodles, representing long life 12th game—boar is the design and the boar brings the gift of sincerity. And with that completed set, you get a whole scroll opening across the screen, that has all of the Chinese zodiac symbols—all the animals. Now if we could only embody all of the characteristics of the Chinese zodiac

When the job search is over be sure to say thanks

Using a job acceptance letter when offered a position shows true professionalism. It is a way of saying “thank you” to the person who hired you, and giving them assurance that they made the right decision. You have presented yourself to them as a professional with your resume, cover letter, reference sheet, salary history, letters of recommendation, follow up note, and any other personal marketing materials you’ve used while job hunting. You went out of your way to make sure that the interview went well, and probably did your homework on the company before going in for that first interview. Now using a job acceptance letter will be a capstone on all your work, and perfect the positive professional image you’ve tried to convey throughout the job search and hiring process. Of course, if you’ve never written one before you may have questions as to what it should contain and how it should look. Here are the basics: it should be on the same paper your resume and cover letter were on, preferably a light gray or ivory linen, laid, or parchment paper or one of the new sandstone papers. It should have a letterhead that matches the other personal marketing materials you’ve used. It should be personally addressed to the decision maker who hired you. The job acceptance letter should also be placed in either a matching business sized envelope, or a large white envelope to avoid folding, and should be personally addressed. If your own handwriting isn’t very legible, print the address, or have a friend with great handwriting address it for you. It should also be short. Show that you respect the hiring manager’s time by being direct, while still polite. You can say everything you need to say in two or three paragraphs which are quick to read. When writing the job acceptance letter be straightforward and professional. Let the hiring manager know that you are looking forward to being a part of the team at your new company. Let him or her know that you appreciate the opportunity and will do your best. Let the decision maker know that you are aware of any special conditions of the job offer, and will adhere to them. That will avoid any misunderstandings down the road. Also make sure that the job acceptance letter states that you understand the starting date of your employment with this new organization, and assure the hiring manager that you will be there on the specified date, and time, ready to get busy. Sign it using blue ink in your pen so that they know it is not a photo copy, and hand deliver it to the decision maker’s administrative assistance. In this manner you will show yourself to be a true professional, and someone they will want to work with in the future.

Have i got a deal for you

Shopping the Online Deals! Shopping online offers many positives: convenience – you shop in the comfort of your own home at any time of the day or night you choose; selection - thousands of stores at your fingertips; security - contrary to what many believe, online transactions with secure sites can be the more secure than handing your credit card to a sales associate, or walking through a mall and subjecting yourself to possible theft; and perhaps most inviting, the opportunity for substantial savings! I have to admit to being a devoted online shopper. But, I am even more devoted to finding the best deal possible. There are dozens of ways to save online. First, of course, the stores themselves often offer online discounts not available in brick and mortar (B&M) stores. Plus, the online stores that do not operate B&M stores, like Amazon not only discount most items on their sites, but regularly offer additional savings in the form of discounts, free shipping, or both. For the novice, try the Amazon Friday only sale! Next are the “deals” sites. Most of these sites provide two or three services. First, they alert you to special savings on virtually any product daily. Next, they catalogue all of the discount codes that can be used in ordering to reap greater savings. And, third, some will even hunt down a bargain on a specific item for you. There’s even a site that posts the “Black Friday” sales at major B&M stores like Best Buy and Kmart weeks in advance, and one that posts on Saturday the grocery coupons that will appear in your Sunday newspaper supplements. It doesn’t take long to do your homework, investigate the best sites for your needs and bookmark them for use when you are ready to shop. There are also member sites (free membership) that provide monetary rebates, or the opportunity to accumulate points for discount redemption. All these sites ask is that you click through them to reach the store site you plan to shop with. The actual rebates are usually small – 1% to 6% of your purchase. But they add up, and how exciting when that forgotten about $15 or $20 check comes in the mail every few months! Here’s an example. I needed a new pair of black pants. I found what I wanted – style and size - at an online store. They were onsale - marked down from $29.00 to $24.00. I went to one of my bookmarked deals sites and found a discount code for 40% off any item. Then, I opened my member rebate site, clicked to open the store site, located my pants and put them in my “shopping cart. I went to checkout, entered my discount code, bringing the cost of the pants to $14.40. Shipping was $4.99 – bringing the total to $19.39. I paid no tax; I didn’t drive my car, so spent nothing on gas or parking; and the entire effort lasted about 15 minutes and I did it in my robe and slippers. Then I received a credit from my rebate site for an additional $1.54. Sometimes you can find “stackable” codes that allow both a percentage discount and free shipping. Many of the major retailers offer consistent free shipping – some with a purchase minimum, some with no minimum. If you haven’t shopped online, but are looking at the shrinking power of your dollars, I strongly suggest hopping on the online shopping train! Feel free to contact the author for specific site recommendations.

Gentian violet an effective treatment for thrush

What is gentian violet? Gentian violet sounds like something that is very sophisticated but actually it is not. It certainly is not a color but rather gentian violet is just a quite popular treatment for thrush. Thrush occurs because of infections on the skin or mucous membranes inside the mouth and may infect both infants and adults. People at special risk for developing thrush are the following: newborn babies, denture users, adults with diabetes or other metabolic disturbance, people undergoing antibiotic or chemotherapy treatment, drug users, people with poor nutrition and people with an immune deficiency. These people or the people around them, whichever is applicable, should be extra observant so that any signs or symptoms of thrush can be detected and then treated right away otherwise the condition has a chance of worsening. It is a belief of many that gentian violet is the most effective treatment of nipple soreness for breastfeeding mothers. The mothers who have used gentian violet can attest that relief is rapid so meaning it usually works right when you need it meaning as soon as possible but make sure that the dosage is right. To be discussed in the paragraphs to follow are some of the suggestions to people who use and about to use gentian violet for thrush. These next items will indeed be very useful to gentian violet users. Gentian violet can be messy so timing, though not everything in this case, of the application of this treatment is essential. Most mothers prefer to doing the treatment just before they get a good night’s sleep because during those house they can keep their nipples exposed thus no need to worry about staining their clothes while the application is in progress. The effect of the gentian violet for thrush is sort of immediate and in most cases thrush is one hundred percent gone by the third day if not then consider applying affected areas for a few more days. If problem persists then it is time to consult your doctor. If baby is irritable while being nurse by a mother who uses gentian violet for thrush then the mother should stop using the gentian violet immediately and then go see a doctor instead for other possible suggestions for the treatment of the thrush. There are other ways to cure thrush but gentian violet is still the one thing that people readily look for when thrush occurs. In this case there is a need to make sure that it is the genuine gentian violet for thrush and not some rip off medicine that you have in hand. This is so because some people are questioning the credibility of gentian violet and some attribute the failed times of gentian violet to fake products that do not have same ingredients as the real gentian violet. These are just some of the things that users of gentian violet for thrush should be aware of. The notes are just easy to remember. It is now possible for you to recall how and why gentian violet should be used for thrush. If unfortunately one day you wake up and discover that you have thrush then you can use the information in this article for your own good. Otherwise you can always provide the information you have read to a very worried mother whose kid has thrush but who knows nothing about gentian violet. Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.

Florence beauty redux a video and a simple novel in 5 steps for a once in a lifetime experience

Most people just live where they were born, as if their native cities were timeless…that was my case, until 2 years ago (I'm just 27, better late than never...), when I began discovering even Florence once was a child, and rose under precise social and cultural conditions. As a rich son of a beautiful dynasty, the Medici shaped this city so that her every perspective was delightful, no corner untouched by classical beauty. A video of Florence historical centre Probably I'm living in one of the rare cities planned with no other wish except to be just beautiful, and this is deeply rooted in Florence history. If you need some touch of colour before letting your mind free to imagine, you can take a look at this video lorenzoilmagnifico. net broad-casted by - showing Florence historical centre. The video was made by a local television for an ancient villa of the high Renaissance, converted in hotel. All the buildings in Florence are pretty old! Let's start from the cradle - Ponte Vecchio survived from the Nazi war Let's start from the cradle. The first human settlement in Florence was on the bank of the Arno river, in the narrow passage where now rise PONTE VECCHIO. Worldwide famous for the artisan workshops, the bridge is the only survived from World War II, allegedly because of an express order by Hitler, while the German were retreating in 1944. Civil Wars that shaped the city – Piazza della Signoria and the political side of Florence Carrying on towards the spiritual heart of Florence, where lies Santa Maria del Fiore Dome, you'll find yourself in PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA, the ancient city political centre. This square his dipped in the history of the war between Guelphs, supporting the Papal party, and Ghibellines, supporting the Holy Roman emperor: its characteristic L shape is due to the demolition of 36 Ghibelline houses. Florence has been often shaped by civil wars, nowadays staged by calcio in costume, a cruel sport battle (similar to rugby) between ancient quarters of Florence. In Piazza della Signoria you rest in front of an en-plain air museum: Loggia dei Lanzi houses under it's tardo-Gothic arches 15 statues. In front of Palazzo Vecchio, the most important historic government building in Florence, you can find a copy of Michelangelo's David and the Ammanniti's Fountain representing Neptune. Florentine call it affectionately “Biancone” (big white) for its pale colour... The Uffizi Gallery – the walk of the Princes The true symbol of l’art pour l'art in Florence is the UFFIZI GALLERY, on the east side of Piazza della Signoria. This is the Francesco I de Medici private spot, where he could take a walk surrounded by paintings, sculptures and tapestries: this galley is made of the boundless treasures of the Medici family, giving shelter to masterpieces by Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo...a never-ending artistic charm, suspended in front of the Arno river. A touch of Grace - Piazza del Duomo and the Spiritual side of Florence Crossing via de' Calzaiouli, you get in PIAZZA DEL DUOMO. Florence Dome has been realized by Brunelleschi in the space of 14 years, and finally consecrated in 1436 by pope Eugenio IV. On the side of the Cathedral, Giotto's bell Tower, 84 meters high, is dressed in white, red and green marbles to lighten the square. Here you are...the centre of the universe :) The sign of the David – human and divine in an art city Before coming back to the waters of Ponte Vecchio for a romantic night out, in Via Ricasoli, a side street of Piazza del Duomo, you can visit the ACADEMY GALLERY, housing the Prigioni collection, incomplete artworks by Michelangelo, and the David, symbol of a city that lives in the present a worldwide unique artistic heritage. It's not a long road. Florence historical centre is small, because every inch was built in history and beauty....I just hope to see you walking soon in these ancient Dantesque streets!

The best way to market your website

You buy a domain name, get your website up and running. So what now? Well you could just sit back and do nothing. Or you could start to market your website and get the word around about your new website and what you offer. So were to start and what to do and not to do when you start to market your site. Link DirectorysWe will start by submitting your website to link directorys. Find as many free link directorys and you can not one or two but hundreds, Submit your website to all of them remember to add your keywords in the title and description of the submission info. Directorys are a great sorce of backlinks and traffic you can start by submitting your website to our very-own Directory this will get you started in your directory submissions. ArticlesArticles are allso a great way to get your site noticed, Write a detailed article about your site and what you offer place your keywords in the article and a link to your site, Now you can submit your site to some free blogs or paid blogs, Choose blogs with high Pagerank even if you have to pay as the high Pagerank means that the blog owners have a large number of backlink to there site and thus will have good traffic, Make your articke long and dont insert to many links as most Blog owners limit the ammount of links in each submited article. ForumsForums can bring visitors to your website, Join a few good forums place your link in your profile signiture and post in the forums, do not spam the forums as that will only get you banned. Search Eingines visit forums more than the average website and more frequently so your site will get indexed and gain link with your signiture if you use the forum correctly and follow there rules. Link ExchangeExchange links with other websites. Relivant Links are the best links this means try to exchange links with websites simaler to yours, Use keywords in you exchange This is called anchor text(Example) if your selling A certain product on your website lets say (remote control cars) In your link exchange use that keyword but remember to change your keyword frequently when you exchange links if you keep using the same anchor text in links google will look at this as spam so change your anchor text after around ten links, then use a different keyword, You can allways go back to the same keyword in your anchor text at a later time as google will not class this as spam. Irelivent linksSome so called seo experts will tell you not to link to irelivent websites, This is not true A link is a link at the end of the day but relivent links will have more waight in seo than irelivent links and put your site up the ranks faster, However irelivent link will not hurt your site in the slightest, We all know that they will not get you up the ranks faster but they may bring traffic to your website and traffic means sales we wont get anywere without traffic, So dont be put of if the link is not relivent to your website. Search Engine SubmissionIf you have done all the above then there is no need to submit your new website to the top search engines like google, aol, msn. However there are thousands of other search engines that dont visit these sites on a regular basis. So how do we find these other search engines. this is were we call in some help find a good Search engine submission service website as these sites will have all the other little search engines in there database so they will submit your website for you, When i say little that dosent mean that this will not be in your best intrest as it will, All the smaller search engines will bring you a great number of traffic. To date we have over one million search engines in our datsbase and will submit your website to them all. Dontdont, Spam your keywords in one go change frequently dont, Spam forums dont, Submit your website to search engines to constantly let them find you and use a good service once every six months to submit to all the ones you cant find Dont Be scared to exchange links with irelivent websites Follow my tips And enjoy wour website

The nba s magicman

Earvin Johnson Jr., known simply as “Magic” to millions of basketball fans all over the world, has been one of the NBA’s best players and biggest winners. Standing 6-9, Johnson revolutionized the point guard position with his pure passing and all-around versatility. Johnson was a winner at every level of his career, starting in high school and including college, professional and international. At Michigan State University, he injected a much-needed dose of enthusiasm and passion into the college hoops scene, eventually leading his school to the 1979 National Championship over Indiana State which was led by another legendary basketball player, Larry Bird. Bird would become Johnson’s closest rival throughout their respective careers. Their college championship showdown became the most watched college basketball game in history. Johnson later joined the Los Angeles Lakers and was their heart and soul for 13 seasons, leading them to five NBA championships. He was named to the NBA All-Star team 12 times, league MVP three times and NBA Finals MVP three times. In 2002, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was voted to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. In 1991, Johnson announced that he was HIV-positive and retired from the NBA. He was among the first sports celebrities and one of the most popular public figures to ever do so. Johnson earned his nickname back in high school when he was an All-American at Everett High School in Lansing, Michigan. He was 15 at the time and he had an amazing game where he finished with 36 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists. That inspired a local sports writer named Fred Stabley to christen Johnson as Magic. In his senior year, Johnson led Everett to the state championship (27-1 win-loss record). When he entered the NBA in 1979, the league suffered from a poor image and was ranked third in popularity behind the NFL and MLB. But Johnson’s rivalry with Bird, who had joined the Boston Celtics, revitalized the NBA. In their first three years in the league, the duo produced two championships – two for Magic and one for Bird. Before they were done, the dynamic duo would have eight NBA championships between them – five for Magic and three for Bird.

Beginning golfer shoots lower score

Golf is a great way to enjoy time with your family and friends. Whether you play a leisure round of nine holes or are able to enjoy a full round of eighteen holes, the game of golf is rewarding on many levels. The best news is every beginning golfer can shoot a resonable score. A beginner only needs a handful of items to get started. A few lofted golf clubs, say a nine and seven iron, and a putter. If you want, grab a metal wood, but no more than a five wood. Gather some golf balls, tees, a towel, and throw your stuff in a golf bag. You are ready to play some golf! You are probably wondering about all the other clubs and why they were left out. They are for the golfer who is ready to mix playing golf with practicing golf. If it makes you feel less awkward, take the full set of clubs with you, just use the ones mentioned until you are comfortable with your golfing abilities. Let me explain myself. Golf is a sport. Like all other sports a score determines the winner. In golf the lowest score or fewest strokes win. Most people who play sports enjoy competition. Why not learn how to play golf to win from the very beginning. After all an early success will bring you back to the golf course sooner. And I don’t know of a better place to be than on a golf course. If you are playing with others of your same ability you need to learn how to score the lowest. This is why you are only using a few clubs for now. If you can keep the ball moving forward towards the target (the flag) instead of sideways (the direction most beginners hit towards) you will always score lower than you opponent. The clubs that are easiest to hit are the ones with the most loft, your seven and nine iron. These will never travel as far as your opponent’s big dog, (their driver or 1 metal) but they have a greater chance of moving the ball in the direction of your target. So it may take you six or seven shots down the fairway to reach the green, chances are your score will be less than your playing opponent when totaled. Making solid contact with the golf ball will always win the game. Using the higher lofted clubs will have you hitting the ball with precise contact faster than any other club in the bag, except your putter. When you can stand at address over a golf ball with a seven or nine iron and hit a good shot seven out of nine times you can expand your club selection to any other club. I use this technique when teaching beginners to play and they are my proof that it works. The confidence you gain from hitting good shots by making solid contact will show up with every other club once you master the higher lofted irons.

Cheap holidays to andorra for a ski vacation

There are two areas in Andorra to take the family for a ski vacation. Grandvalira and Vallnord are excellent areas to enjoy a day on the slopes. There are some great skiing resorts in Andorra and they make your stay very comfortable and enjoyable. Whether you stay at a hotel or a resort, you are going to have fun. The skiing season starts in December and goes until April. Where else could you spend a cheap holiday and ski every day, any day. The two skiing resort areas are equipped with chair lifts, gondolas and cable cars. As you can imagine, the time is always right to ski the slopes of Andorra. Between the two resorts, you will find over twelve hundred slopes to ski downhill. They have slopes for beginners, intermediates, advanced and expert skiers. Located in the Pyrenees, the resorts have colder temperatures with many sunny days to enjoy. Your cheap holidays to Andorra might include transportation, accommodations, airfare and sometimes tickets or passes to many other events in the area. With over two hundred inches of snow a year, you will find plenty to do on the slopes and the nights can be for enjoying a fire or some local entertainment. Cheap holidays to Andorra are not only for skiing, there are the spas and the shopping malls for some excitement. The nights are nice for relaxing. The restaurants and the dance clubs are always a nice way to relax and unwind from the thrill of the slopes and rush it provided. You will find that most of the people that go to the ski resorts are out for the night to enjoy new friends and share stories about the day on the slopes. You will find dancing, live entertainment and nice quite little pubs for a beer and a shot. The shopping in Andorra is especially nice, since the area is duty free. You can plan a shopping trip instead of a day skiing and fine some great buys. The stores are easy to access and are nestled in the low plains of the mountains. Even if the rest of the family wants to ski, you might enjoy some snowboarding or taking a short hike around the area. You can do so much more than just ski on your cheap holidays to Andorra. A fascinating way to relax for a day is to sit and glaze at the snow covered mountaintops. One can only appreciate the Pyrenees Mountains by being surrounded by them. The hotels and resorts offer many exciting ways to entertain yourself if you need a break from the slopes. The swimming pools, spa, Jacuzzis and fitness centers are just as nice and relaxing. You are going to find the restaurants are unique and the nightlife is amazing. You will have an enjoyable time in Andorra for a ski vacation. You will have the time of your life while relaxing and meeting new people who share the same interests as you do such as dining, skiing or just relaxing around the hotel.

Are your beauty supplies banned

Are you a female who is about to catch a flight? Whether you are just going to visit family, are planning to take a vacation, or you have a business meeting to attend, there is a good chance that you will be brining along beauty supplies. In fact, some of these supplies you may even want to carry with you at all times, but can you? If you weren’t already aware, there are a number of different beauty supplies that are prohibited from being stored in your carryon luggage. Before you head to the airport, you are encouraged to famialrize yourself with these items at review4.info With the recent ban on liquids, you will find that a number of your beauty supply products are automatically eliminated from being allowed in your carryon luggage. These items most commonly include liquid deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioners, hand sanitizers, and all liquid hair products. Although it may be inconvenient for you, you will also find that the majority of your makeup supplies are banned from carryon luggage bags. All of these banned items include liquid based formulas, such as liquid foundation, liquid skincare creams, liquid mascara, and liquid lip products. Although a large number of liquid beauty supplies are prohibited from being stored in carryon luggage bags, there are a few exceptions. These liquid exceptions include prescriptions that are prescribed to you and certain eye care products. If you are wearing your contacts or have eye problems, you are allowed to carry small amounts of eye drops or saline solution with you. These items must be no larger than four ounces each. Although a large number of beauty supplies are liquid based, there are others that are not. For instance, most nail care products, expect for nail polish or nail polish remover, are liquid free. By the way, it is important to note that both nail polish and nail polish remover are included in the, above mentioned, liquid ban. Nail care items that you can bring aboard an airplane with you, in your carryon luggage, including nail clippers, nail cuticle cutters, and nail files. If you need to carry any other beauty products with you, it is likely that you they will focus on eye care. As previously mentioned, small amounts of saline solution and eye drops are permitted onboard an airplane, in your carryon luggage. Although you may think it is banned, you are permitted to carry eye glass repair kits with you. These kits are allowed, despite the fact they do have a small number of sharp objects in them. Now that you know which common beauty supplies or products are allowed or are not allowed to be stored in your carryon luggage, you can pack accordingly. It is important that you keep this list in mind. If you are planning on wearing makeup, you will want to apply it before you leave and store the rest in your bags that will be checked. In the event that you try to sneak, the above mentioned, prohibited items into your bag, you may be at risk for being detained by airport security. Although there is a chance that you may be detained by airport security or miss your flight, due to being tied up at a security checkpoint, you will find that those are the most serious consequences. In the event that you are cooperative with airport security and other airport staff, you will likely just have your banned beauty items confiscated. As a woman, you should know that many of these items do not come cheap. Therefore, instead of wasting your hard earned money, you are advised to think wisely and plan ahead.