Archive for November, 2007

Beginner Watercolor Painting Tips - Getting Started With Watercolor

Tuesday, November 27th, 2007

By Ralph Serpe Like any new form of art, watercolor painting can be difficult at first. It is only with time and practice that one becomes a better painter. Never become discouraged by your mistakes or lack of progress. To start watercolor painting you will obviously need to purchase supplies. Purchase the best possible materials that you can afford. We all want to save as much money as possible, but if you work with cheap materials, you are not going to be happy with the end result, especially if you spend days or even months on a particular painting. This does not mean you should go out and spend hundreds of dollars on top of the line supplies right away. Start off buying a small amount of good quality supplies until you become more experienced. PAPER: The quality and texture of the watercolor paper you choose will have a dramatic effect on the final outcome of your painting. Watercolor paper comes in several different categories: cold pressed, hot pressed, and rough. Rough paper has the highest tooth of all watercolor papers, giving you the most texture. Hot pressed paper has the smoothest surface available. Cold pressed paper has a slight texture to it and is more versatile. Cold pressed paper is the most popular paper amongst watercolor artists. Two other things to be aware of when purchasing your watercolor paper are sizing and weight. Sizing is when the fibers of the paper are treated to make them less absorbent. The weight of the paper is the weight measured in pounds of one ream (approximately 500 Sheets). A heavier paper would have a weight of 300lbs or more, while a lighter paper would have a weight of 90 or 140lbs for example. The lighter the paper, the more likely it will wrinkle when wet. Lighter paper should be stretched to avoid this. You will have to experiment with the different papers to find the one you like most. PAINT: Watercolor paints come in both Student and Artist quality. Artist quality paint has a more intense vibrant color. Student grade paints have more fillers in them rather than pigment, which is why they are less expensive. Many artists recommend only using artist quality paints, but it really is a matter of taste. Experiment on your own with both grades to form your own opinion. Watercolor paint is available in tubes and pans. With watercolor pans, you have to add water to the dry cake in order for it to be workable. With pans, make sure your brush is clean before picking up a new color; otherwise you will dirty your colors. With a tube, the paint is more workable, but be careful not to squeeze out more paint then you need. Purchase only a few primary colors and learn how to mix your own colors rather than purchasing premixed colors. When you become more experienced, you can then start incorporating more colors into your palette. BRUSHES: Brushes are probably the most important part of an artist’s supplies. The watercolor brush should be of good quality, with the ability to perform well under most conditions. Brushes come in an assortment of sizes and shapes. There are both natural hair brushes and synthetic brushes. Natural hair brushes are more expensive, while synthetic brushes may not perform as well as natural brushes. It is therefore recommended that you purchase a blended brush that is made with both natural and synthetic hairs. You do not need a ton of brushes to get started in watercolor painting. In the beginning, a few good brushes should do the trick. You should at least purchase a round brush, a flat wash brush, an oval wash or mop brush, and a rigger or liner brush for fine details. PALETTE: You will need a palette for mixing your watercolor paint. The best kind of palette for mixing watercolor paints is a white palette. Since watercolor paint is transparent, a white surface seems to be the best color for clearly seeing your mixtures. GETTING STARTED: Now that you have a basic of idea of the watercolor supplies you need, it’s time to find a place to setup your studio. You will want a location in your home or elsewhere that is quiet and where you will not be interrupted. Next you will need a painting table. If you can, invest in a drafting table. If not, you can use a regular table. Whatever kind of table you use to paint on, it is important that your painting surface is inclined to a 15 or so degree angle. Next you want to make sure you have an organized and clean painting area before you begin. Make certain that you have all the materials you will need within reach for that particular painting session. Here are some things you should consider having in your watercolor studio: - A large see through plastic jug to hold water. - A clean absorbent cotton rag for drying your brushes - A spray bottle filled with water to keep your paint wet and your palette clean - Pencils for sketching - Erasers - A sketchpad for doing preliminary sketches. - Container for your brushes WHAT SHOULD I PAINT? Many painters often struggle with this question. If you find yourself feeling uninspired or confused about what to paint, simply remember what subject in life that you feel an emotional or deep connection with. When you have this type of connection to a subject, your painting will reflect that passion and you will not lose interest. You can develop great ideas for subjects in a variety of different ways. If you are a lover of the outdoors and nature, simply taking a trip with a camera can do wonders. If you love animals, you could take a trip to the zoo and snap off some shots or head to an aquarium and do the same. Take your photos back to your studio and find the most desirable subject for your painting. I wish you the best of luck with your watercolor painting. If you become frustrated or discouraged remember that every artist has been there. The key is to never give up. For more great watercolor tips, visit http://www.creativespotlite.com/watercolor-lessons.htm today! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ralph_Serpe http://EzineArticles.com/?Beginner-Watercolor-Painting-Tips—Getting-Started-With-Watercolor&id=490586 buy referrer html stats xanax xanax with no prescription xanax available without a prescription alprazolam buy or xanax

Garden Composting Tips- The Art of Composting

Monday, November 26th, 2007

By Carlo Morelli Even a composting neophyte can create top-notch compost with the right recipe. Akin to cooking, composting is half art, and half science. Awareness of these basic factors will help you getting started. Just like a chef demands high quality ingredients, successful composting needs the best ingredients too. Good materials for composting include these: grass clippings, leaves, plant stalks, hedge trimmings, old potting soil, twigs, vegetable scraps, coffee filters, and tea bags. Bad composting materials include: diseased plants, weeds with seed heads, invasive weeds, pet feces, dead animals, bread and grains, meat or fish parts, dairy products, grease, cooking oil, or oily foods. To prepare compost, you need organic materials, microorganisms, air, water, and a small quantity of nitrogen. Organic material is what you are trying to decompose (see above for Dos and Donts). Microorganisms are tiny forms of plant and animal life, which break down organic material. A small amount of garden soil or manure supplies adequate microorganisms. The air, nitrogen, and water offer an encouraging environment for the microorganisms to produce your compost. You can add enough nitrogen to the compost with small amount of nitrogen fertilizer., which can be purchased at hardware stores or nurseries. Air is the one ingredient which you cant have too much of. Too much nitrogen can kill microbes; too much water causes insufficient air in the pile. If microorganisms have more surface area to feed off of, the materials will decompose faster. Chopping your organic materials with a machete, or using a shredder or lawnmower to shred materials will help them break down faster. The compost pile is your oven. Compost piles catch heat created by the activity of millions of microorganisms. The minimum size for hot, fast composting is a 3-foot by 3-foot by 3-foot. But piles wider or taller than 5 feet don’t permit enough air to reach the microorganisms at the center. Your compost piles microorganisms work their hardest when the materials have about the moistness of a wrung-out sponge and as many air passages. The air in the pile is usually consumed faster than the moisture, so the pile should be turned or mixed up now and then to add more air; this maintains high temperatures and controls odor. Use a pitchfork, rake, or other garden tool can to turn materials with. Carlo Morelli is a writer at OnlineTips.org, where you can read about the best soil composition for roses and wrought iron balusters. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carlo_Morelli http://EzineArticles.com/?Garden-Composting-Tips–The-Art-of-Composting&id=130674 where to buy cheap ultram buy tramadol now carisoprodol buy now tramadol order cheapest tramadol

Drive More Customers to Your Collision Center

Saturday, November 24th, 2007

By Richard Arnold The growth of your collision center depends on your ability to gain new customers. Unfortunately, the scope of marketing efforts for many collision shops is to place an ad in the local yellow page phone book. Not that this practice is a bad one, but there is much more that shop management can do to drive more customers to the collision shop. Do you have a marketing plan for your collision center? If not, you should. An effective marketing plan can bring more customers to your door. Through the process of developing and writing a marketing plan for your shop, you will conduct a competitive review and market analysis, review advertising and media options, and identify ways to build customer awareness as well as leverage referral business. And in todays world, the task of writing a marketing business plan is much easier than in days past. There are numerous tools and resources available to you through your paint jobber and other collision shop consultants to assist you in getting this important task completed. Another important key to gaining new business is tracking and measuring current business through Customer Satisfaction Indexing (CSI). Most dealerships conduct CSI on new car sales and some do it with their service departments, but research shows very few perform this important business function at the shop level. As in other areas of a dealership, when properly done, a well-ran CSI program for the collision center will help turn customer feedback into useful marketing and management tools that insure long-term profitability. And remember, for greatest effectiveness, CSI should be done on a consistent and ongoing basis, and administered by a third party for the highest level of credibility. Keep this statistic in mind when considering implementing a shop CSI program: The average disgruntled customer tells 17 people about his experience. How many people will those people tell? Speaking of referrals use your satisfied customers to help spread your good name around. Start sending your customers a Thank You card for choosing your shop to bring their pride and joy back to pre-accident condition. And take it a step further by enclosing a small pass along card (printed on one side with your shop info) that your customer fills out with their name, address and contact info on the backside. The idea is to get your customer to pass along this referral card to a friend, family member or associate that we all know will likely be in an accident sometime soon especially if they drive in any metropolitan area. Increase the pass along success rate with an incentive for the person who passes it along once a referral uses your shop. Reward them with a gift certificate to a restaurant, tickets to a movie, or maybe just cash. Get creative. Nothing beats word of mouth advertising. Can the service center help promote the collision center? Of course it can. How many vehicles pass through the service center with dents, dings, crumpled fenders and bruised bumpers? Probably plenty. Educate the service staff to make note of body damage when vehicles are brought in and have informational material on the collision center ready for handout to the customer. Take a minute or two and promote the collision center and vice versa. How long has it been since your dealership conducted a Customer Appreciation Day? These events go a long way in showing your customers that you truly appreciate their business. They also provide an excellent venue to showcase your many services and an opportunity to educate customers about what really goes on behind the scenes of todays professional shop environment. When it comes to gaining customers for the collision center, the seed should be planted before the customer is in an accident. There are off-the-shelf Accident Kits available that can be included with new car sales. These kits include items such as a checklist of what to do in case of an accident, paper and pen, tape measurer, accident report form, and some even include a disposable camera that can be customized with your business name, logo and contact information. Another way to plant the seed is to produce a short informational video CD about the collision center and what the customer should do if they have an accident. The CD would also be included with all car sales and customers would be encouraged to view the video soon after the purchase. These are just several ideas on ways to gain collision center customers before they have an accident. And with some creative thinking, I know you can think of many more. Having an automobile accident is usually a very stressful and sometimes traumatic experience for most people. By educating and preparing your customers for this event, you are doing them a favor and keeping your business in their mind when it comes time to choosing a shop to repair their vehicle. Richard Arnold is the owner of Key Concept Services, Inc., a marketing and business communications firm. For over 15 years, KCS has been helping small and medium sized businesses get their “key” message out - externally to clients and internally to employees. The “key” to business success is good communication. When you communicate properly, you connect. When you connect, you communicate. Richard is also a big believer in the Law of Attraction and has a Blog on this subject at http://sendoutcards.wordpress.com. Contact Richard via email at keycon@mindspring.com. 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Garden Planning

Saturday, November 24th, 2007

By Anne Clarke When you want a perfect garden, have a lovely tree, plant perennial flowers, and / or have other gardening concerns about how to best prepare your garden, you should certainly know how to plan your garden. Find out how to do this, a method that guarantees your garden will best suit your needs as far as design, beauty, and / or harvest is concerned. There are many recommendations and tips that will make your gardening easier in general, your blooms or your landscaping more beautiful, and / or your garden (no matter what kind) the most efficient garden it can be. If you are planning a vegetable garden, winter time is a good time to start planning. Design a garden, depending on how in-depth your project, you may want to start with a pencil and a sheet of graph paper. You will want to be sure to make the proper measurements of how deep to burry your seeds, what kinds of conditions different plants require, and how much space and quality soil you have to work with. Depending on the varieties of vegetables you choose, you can create the perfect conditions for a vegetable garden that will produce more vegetables and / or healthier garden vegetables for you. Your planting space is very important. When it comes to gardening, always remember this phrase the right plant in the right place and you will have the most successful possible for your specific environmental conditions. The phrase above is practically a gardening mantra for the experienced gardener. Consider variables such as leaf cover (in other words: trees or other shade-providing foliage, as well as buildings or structures such as fences or shelters, for the same reason. Light is virtually always the most important factor to consider when you decide what to plant. The atmospheric conditions are also very important variables to consider: conditions such as humidity and temperature. Your particular plant will thrive in certain conditions with certain amounts of sunlight per day. Therefore, if you have a tall storage shelter right next to or nearby your shrubs, and your shrubs need direct sunlight for at least three hours a day, you do not have to worry as long as they receive the minimum amount of sunlight. If your favorite flowers prefer a more humid climate than you have in the environment in which you live, you may want to plant them near a waterfall, garden pond or fountain. As a matter of fact, there is a simpler solution for you if you do not have a garden pond, reflecting pool or waterfall, all you need to do is to mist the plant and / or its flowers to keep it moist. This is true for maintaining a plant in less than perfect conditions, requiring additional moisture, virtually every time. Because of the increase in modern technology, there are even pieces of gardening / landscaping equipment available to help you easily ascertain the conditions of your garden space. You will know almost exactly what you will need to create the perfect garden in the conditions or under which you live or that you can create so your garden can thrive. These aforementioned pieces of gardening equipment are sometimes very important if you need the extra help. Creating the conditions you need is essential for your ultimate success for your gardening and / or landscaping overall. Here is an example of one such plant many people love to have in their yards and gardens: The Bradford flowering pear tree. The new flowering pear tree (Pyrus calleryana) is a great tree, beautiful and fragrant, is a very typical tree to see lining the urban streets creating a little ally of surrounding comfort. If the pyrus calleryana is something you care for in your own yard, know that it is a small space flowering tree. The tree is also, unfortunately, likely to be deformed and perhaps hazardous for you because it is narrow and grows more upright than other trees, and is therefore less likely to survive a storm. In conditions where heavy storms are very common, you are likely not to see any flowering pear trees thriving in delicate stream-like trails. There are, of course, many other examples of both flowering plants as well as others that may be perfect for you gardening and / or landscaping needs. Explore your favorite plants and flowers, and discover the environmental condition they prefer, then design the perfect gardening or landscaping project. You can impress even yourself when your garden is set in the very best conditions for each and every plant to thrive. Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her articles on gardening and outdoor supplies, please visit outbackpatio.com, supplier of high quality Garden Accents and Patio Accessories. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke http://EzineArticles.com/?Garden-Planning&id=537863 phentermine to buy phentermine pills without prescription phentermine online us cheap phentermine without perscription

Graduating With A Plan of Action

Friday, November 23rd, 2007

By Ann Baehr Congratulations, youve just graduated with a degree in your chosen field. So whats your next step going to be to launch your long-anticipated career? Like a young racehorse at the starting gate, you have tons of energy and determination, and are anxious to get out there and seize new career opportunities. But are you ready? Do you know what you need to do? Do you have a plan of action to turn those opportunities into a reality? If you dont, you will need to get one. Im sure youve heard the old adage that the quickest route from point A to point B is a straight line. Well, launching your career is no different in terms of setting your job search goals and carrying them out diligently and methodically You might have a few corners to navigate, but you should do your best to avoid deviating from your goal as much as possible. One of the first things you need to decide is what type of job interests you the most. Depending on what your degree is, there might be many positions in your field to consider. For example, if you are a graduate nurse you can work in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, childcare center, school, private practice, or field setting. Then, within those settings you can work within various units such as medical-surgical, pediatrics, and maternity. Then there are transitional opportunities. Lets say you tried your hand at nursing and realized it was not what you expected. You can always consider pharmaceutical sales as a new career. Some fields, such as business management, are even more flexible. The key is to decide which direction you are headed towards and learn as much about that field as you possible can. Okay, you hate to admit it, but you spent all of that time and money, but youre still not sure what you want to do. You have an idea about what you might want to do, but its just not clear yet. None of the possibilities youve explored get you excited. In fact, youre feeling downright frustrated and depressed. Dont worry. It really isnt that bad. Keep in mind that you dont have to start at the top, and dont have to commit yourself to an employer. So dont put so much pressure on yourself. Maybe you just need to get your foot in the door somewhere to test the waters before you decide to go full steam ahead. You might even want to spend the first year to discover what it is that you really want to do. That way your mind will be open to possibilities and you will have a positive attitude. Just dont waste time. Set weekly goals. Use that year to WORK at finding out what you want to do. Then prepare to do it and do it well. If you want to explore your career without the assistance of a job coach or career counselor, a good way to start is to conduct some independent research. Lets assume your degree in is law enforcement or criminal justice. You will need to decide if you want to work in corporate security or private investigation. But how do you decide? Well, if your colleges career center cannot provide you with specific information, visit Occupational Outlook Handbook online (http://www.bls.gov/oco/) to get an overview of various positions in your field. Join industry specific chat rooms to see what everyone is talking about. Go to the websites of various companies. Get involved in conversations. Ask lots of questions. Get advice from friends, family members, and neighbors. Ask them what they do and how they got started. If you are not sure if a particular area of your industry is right for you, call or write professionals already in positions of interest to request an information interview. An information interview will allow you the opportunity to question a professional about the nature and requirements of a position. Some people will not be available, whereas other people will welcome the opportunity to give you fifteen minutes of their time. If someone avoids you, dont take it personally. Just move on to the next possible contact. Once you make a connection, you will need to be polite, organized, and demonstrate exceptional professionalism and communication skills. During your information interview, remember to take detailed notes. When you are done, thank them wholeheartedly for their time. Be sure to get their full name and contact information so you can send them a follow-up thank you letter. They might even have an opening, so be sure to make a good impression. Once you have narrowed it down, have your rsum developed professionally and post it on major job boards, such as monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and hotjobs.com to see what contacts can be made. While you are there, search job openings to glean what the job descriptions are so you can see what will be expected of you. Your rsum writer will probably want you to do that anyway so they can get a good idea of the jobs you are interested in to ensure your rsum is very targeted. Be proactive and tell your rsum writer that you have done that and would like to share that information with them. Okay, so now you know what you want to do and you have a great rsum and cover letter. Now what? Youve probably heard how important networking is that its not what you know but who you know. Well, thats not always the case; but knowing the right person sure cant hurt. With that in mind, let everyone you come in contact with know you are looking for a job. Be sure to keep your rsum updated and in your car (protected from spills and creasing) so you can hand them out at a moments notice. Join an organization to become acquainted with people in your industry, attend career fairs, become affiliated with recruiters, and research companies online (post your rsum at their websites), at the library, and even in the yellow pages to get leads to mail your rsum and cover letter. This last approach is a great strategy. Lets say you recently graduated with your Masters in Social Work. You can open your yellow pages to Adoption Agencies to acquire the mailing addresses of several social service agencies. Be sure to call the receptionist first to request the proper name, title, and department of the contact to send your rsum and cover letter. Other strategies include creating a web rsum so people can view your formatted, interactive resume online. If you dont know how to do this, research how or hire someone to do it for you. Be sure to have business cards made and add your web rsum address to it! Another great way to get started is to temp for a while. If you do decide to temp, be selective. You should only work for the best companies in your field to get the very best experience possible. It is also a great way to prove yourself as a favorable candidate for a permanent position. Dont temp for too long because it might cause a potential employer to wonder why you havent secured a permanent position for a certain length of time. If during an interview you are asked why you temped, confidently state that you chose to temp to gain well-rounded experience in your field. Dont apologize for anything! No matter what your plan of action is, be sure to keep organized notes and track every move you make. Prepare a list of names, company names, addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, and website addresses. Keep the list near the phone of every company you sent your rsum and cover letter. That way you will know whom you are speaking with when they call to extend an initial or follow up interview. This is especially important if you are going on several interviews. If you are not organized, you will get confused and seem unprofessional. You will want to make a great first impression from the very beginning, starting with a great rsum and cover letter. If you have your baby sisters cute little voice or a musical greeting on your answering machine, replace it with a professional message that says, You have reached John Smith at 555-5555. I am not available at this time. Please leave your name and reason for calling. I will return your call as soon as possible. Have a great day! If your email address is bowlingkingpin@aol.com, be sure to change it to JSmith1234@aol.com. If you are on the road all of the time, or if members of your family do not speak English, get a cell phone so you can be reached anytime, anywhere. List that number as your only number without the word cell listed on your rsum. If you list both your home number and your cell number, then indicate which number is your home number and which number is your cell number. They will probably call your home number first. If you have a lot of friends who call you on your cell, be on guard to answer your cell phone professionally. If you are going on an interview, leave your cell phone in your glove compartment. You dont want your cell phone to ring in the middle of the interview. Be prepared and on time for the interview, if not early. Make sure you have several outfits to wear to go on several interviews in a weeks time so you dont stress. Make sure you dress appropriately for your interview. You cant go wrong if you are conservative. If it is a creative industry, you can dress with more flair or even casual, but dont dress too crazy. Have extra rsums handy (dont bring your cover letter) to give to the hiring manager so he/she can distribute them to other managers without having to make copies. Practice your interviewing technique. Ask a friend to role-play with you. Get a book with commonly asked interview questions. In addition to learning what to say, you need to learn what not to say and what not to do. Send out thank you letters within 24-hours that mention something important discussed in the interview keeping the position in mind at all times and reiterating your strengths. Above all, be professional in behavior and appearance, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, organized, interested in the company and position (have about ten questions to ask them that have nothing to do with you), and try your best to be interesting when you talk about your experiences, regardless how limited they may be. If you are nervous, keep in mind that you are interviewing them, too. You dont want to work for just anyone, do you? Be sure to convey that. You dont have to be arrogant about it, but you should come across as a commodity, not as a desperate, nervous job seeker. If you think like that, your confidence will shine through naturally because you will feel good about yourself and will be ready for anything! Before long, youll be launching your career. Good luck! Ann Baehr is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and President of Best Resumes of New York. Notable credentials include her role as former Second Vice President of the National Resume Writers’ Association and published contributor to over twenty resume and cover letter books by McGraw-Hill, Jist Publishers, and Adams Media. To learn more, visit Best Resumes of New York at http://www.e-bestresumes.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ann_Baehr http://EzineArticles.com/?Graduating-With-A-Plan-of-Action&id=76672 buy tramadol online cheap tax preparation software buy tramadol ultram order prescription cheap prescription tramadol

Marriage Proposal Tips

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007

By Dana Halpert Preparing for major life changes It’s true: If you get engaged, your life will never be the same. Knowing the changes you’ll be making, and knowing you’re ready and willing to handle them, is crucial to knowing the time is right to propose.First comes the stress of planning a wedding — a major, though temporary, change all its own. “Wait a minute,” you say. “Isn’t planning a wedding the girl’s job?” Um, no. We’ll pretend you didn’t say that. Make no mistake, though: Planning a wedding will take a lot out of you, no matter your level of involvement. For instance, you’re going to need to book a band or a DJ. Easy enough, right? How could it be any more difficult than buying a boom box? Well, don’t forget about finding a catering hall, or possibly a caterer, as well as a florist, a photographer, and so on. Oh, and you’ll have to make a guest list. And it won’t be easy. And you’ll get into fights over it. And a few months later, you’ll get into more. All for a four or five hour event! Which isn’t to say that you won’t have fun. You will. And, ultimately, this stress will be worth it. But rest assured, there will be stress. Soon you’ll find your to-do list has the regenerative powers of a worm or a starfish. Just when you think you’re done ha! You wish! So it helps to know this ahead of time. Why? Because what if you literally can’t handle this stuff right now? Like, what if you just can’t figure it into your schedule? Perhaps you’re a student. Or maybe you’re working two jobs. You may be able to plan a wedding around your other obligations, but, then, you may not. Can you handle this sort of commitment? Do you have time for it? And, furthermore, do you think your girlfriend has time for it, too? Or look at it this way: Some weddings are more elaborate than others. Your girlfriend’s probably been dreaming about hers her entire life. Will you guys have the spare time you need to plan a wedding that lives up to her dreams as well as your own expectations? This brings us to our second major change. You and your girlfriend are probably pretty close. You may even live together. But marriage is a whole other ballgame when it comes to thinking for two — because, legally, you’re kinda, sorta one. Maybe the best way to look at it is to think of marriage like double vision. From now on, you’ll be seeing two of everything. Two plates on the table. Two embroidered robes for Christmas. And, of course, two wonderful, loving families to visit when Christmastime comes. (About the only thing that won’t be doubled is enough time to visit both.) Planning a wedding is a major commitment. It goes without saying that marriage, itself, is a major commitment, too — that’s the whole point. So when you choose to propose, you’re choosing to make some major life changes. And they’re nice changes, really. But it’s still good to know what you’re in for. Here’s a litmus test: Can you see yourself calling your girlfriend your “fianc” for the next six, twelve, or however many months it takes to plan your wedding? Or can you at least see yourself admitting you goofed up every time she complains that you called her your “girlfriend” yet again? This is the sort of thing you’ll want to know you can handle. It’s a small change, you know, but you do want to call her your “wife.” Ready to say “I do”? Maybe this all sounds daunting. In the end, though, only one person will know if you know your girlfriend well enough to get married. Only one person will know if you know she’s “The One.” And only one person will know if the time is right for you to make the major life changes that marriage calls for. That one person is someone you know quite well. It’s you. DanaDana@compucall.co.ilCompucall-Web Marketing For more marriage proposal tips visit our site: http://www.best-marriage-proposals.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dana_Halpert http://EzineArticles.com/?Marriage-Proposal-Tips&id=176129 buy xanax valium ambien zolpidem valium with no prescription diazepam online overnight buy valium online without a prescription

How to Grow Summer and Winter Lettuces!

Monday, November 19th, 2007

By Terry Blackburn Growing Lettuces It is perfectly possible by growing several varieties; to harvest lettuces out-of-doors from May until late October. They can then later be grown under cloches. Few salad dishes are complete without some type of crisp lettuce, rich in vitamins and minerals. Most have a mild flavour but Rocket, my own personal favourite has a strong peppery bite to it, even a few leaves added to the mildest variety gives added flavour to a salad. The best results are obtained by sowing the seed in rich, well-manured soil where the plants are to grow. There are two main types of lettuce, cabbage and cos, but many varieties of both. Tall, short, dwarf, “butterhead” “iceberg” and many more, all shades of green and even red make up the varieties. Summer Cabbage Lettuce Soil Preparation The soil should be prepared in the previous autumn. Add plenty of organic matter to the soil at the rate of 2 bucketfuls to the sq. yd. A week before sowing fork in a little peat substitute at a rate of 1 bucketful to the sq. yd. This will help the soil to be light with good texture suitable for growing lettuce. Add fish and bone meal at 4 oz. (120g) to the sq. yd. If the ground is not chalky also add carbonate of lime over the surface at 5 oz. (150g) to the sq. yd. Sowing In the south seed can be sown from the middle of March and a little later in the north in drills 1 ft. apart and at a depth of in. (12mm) make sowings every 14 days until the middle of July; this will ensure a succession of well-hearted lettuce. Seed can be sown in trays in a greenhouse at a temperature of 55 deg F. (13deg. C.) in January if a very early crop is required. They can be transplanted out when they are big enough to be grown on under cloches; by early March they may be set out in rows 9 in. (228mm) apart. General care During dry weather water well, thin out the plants where necessary as early as possible allowing 9 in. (228mm) between each plant. Small or dwarf varieties need to be thinned out to only 6 in. (15cm) apart. Harvesting Cut those lettuces with fully developed hearts early in the morning using a sharp knife making the cut just below the bottom leaves. Remove all those that have started to bolt or they will run to seed. Winter Cabbage Lettuces Lettuces that are grown through winter need well-drained soil; therefore light, sandy loam is best but raised beds are an option. They require shelter and are a suitable crop to grow in the same soil that was well manured for a previous crop, such as potatoes. The only preparation required is to rake the soil over apply fish manure with a 10 per cent potash content at the rate of 3 oz. (90g) to the sq. yd. Bone meal may be used instead with added wood ash at 6 to 7 oz. (210g) to the sq. yd. Sowing Seeds should be sown in rows 1 ft. apart and not more than in. (12mm) deep in early September. Sow thinly, the resultant plants should be allowed 5 in. (127mm) between each plant, ensure that any thinning out is done before the winter sets in. If during the time of sowing, the ground where they are to grow is not yet ready, being occupied by another crop, the seeds can be sown in trays until the time comes to plant them into their true position. Cloches should be placed over the plants to give them protection during the long winter months. General Care Keep the soil free from weeds. Early March of the following year dried blood may be given at 5 oz. (150g) to the sq. yd. This should be applied between each row taking care not to put any onto the plants. Harvesting The lettuces can be cut as soon as they are ready and when they are required, the first should normally be ready about May or June. Terry Blackburn. Internet Marketing Consultant, living in South Shields in the North-East of England. Author and Producer of blog http://www.lawnsurgeon.blogspot.com Author of “Your Perfect Lawn,” a 90 Page eBook devoted to Lawn Preparation, Lawn Care and Maintenance. Find it at http://www.lawnsurgeon.com I would be very interested to have your comments on this Article. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Blackburn http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Grow-Summer-and-Winter-Lettuces!&id=366380 buy tramadol cheap cod buy discount tramadol doctor online prescription tramadol no prescription 180 ultram

North Carolina Marriage License Requirements

Saturday, November 17th, 2007

By Yolanda Nash You have lived in North Carolina your whole life and you would like to marry in your home town. The thing is you do not know what it takes to apply and obtain a marriage license. Well Below I have outlined the latest laws and regulations for applying and obtaining a marriage license in the state of North Carolina. Both the bride and the groom must have government issued picture identification. It is also wise to have your social security card and birth certificate handy. You do not have to reside in the state of North Carolina to apply and obtain a marriage license. Both parties should apply in person. Although, if one member of the couple is not able to apply in person the other party can have a notarized, sworn affidavit prior to obtaining the marriage license. If you are divorced with in the last 60 days you must provide your divorce decree. If have been divorced longer than 60 days you should know the exact date the divorce was finalized. You will need to pay a $50.00 cash only fee. Their are no waiting periods for obtaining your marriage license. Their are no blood tests required. If you are between the ages of 14-15 you must provide a court order to apply and obtain your marriage license. A religious ceremony may be performed by any ordained minister. If you are having a civil ceremony then it can only be performed by a magistrate. North Carolina does not recognize common law marriages. First cousins may marry in the state of North Carolina. The marriage license is valid for 60 days and must be used in the state of North Carolina only. These are the latest laws and regulations for applying and obtaining a marriage license in the state of North Carolina. I suggest that you call your local county clerk to confirm the information above. Yolanda is the owner of Yolandas Wedding Favors. Her store sells many different groomsmen gifts and bridesmaid gifts such as tote bags, flasks, slippers, pocket watches and many many more. So whether if you are looking for favors, wedding guest books, gifts, accessories and more we got you covered. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yolanda_Nash http://EzineArticles.com/?North-Carolina-Marriage-License-Requirements&id=506811 where can i purchase phentermine buy phentermine on line without prescription cheap phentermine no prescription required kenwood pharmacy phentermine

How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Gown?

Friday, November 16th, 2007

By Javier Fuller There is a dizzying array of choices before a would-be bride, while she is out for shopping. Choosing the right type of wedding dress is as difficult as giving an exam. On that special day you need to stand out with a perfect attire, just the right mix of everything, beauty and elegance. Here are some factors that will help you choose the perfect wedding gown as per the theme of your wedding party. 1. To sort out the best gown for your special day, you need to have the basic understanding of the formality of your wedding. This factor greatly determines the basic style of wedding gown. Besides, there are some other factors to it too. The wedding season and time of the day essentially influences this decision. 2. Broadly, weddings are classified into the flexible categories of formal daytime or evening, semi-formal and lastly as informal. So this classification should be kept in mind before making a choice about the wedding dress. Of all the above classification, the most elaborate one is the formal evening weddings. So your wedding gown should be formal as well. To make a mark in such formal gatherings, heavy satins, shantung and peau de soie, with trims and beautiful laces should be used. The trail and the veil for an evening wedding gown can be longer as usual. 3. You should choose a formal gown which is light weighted, if you have a daytime formal wedding. And in winters it should be warm. A short sleeved gown with gloves looks perfect for such a kind of wedding. The most preferred fabrics for a daytime wedding are taffeta or the light-weighted shantung. The trail of the gown will be shorter, which can be of chapel length, that is three to five feet. The veil can be of floor length. 4. In the semi formal weddings, which may be of daytime or evening, the bridal gown should be less elaborate than the other formal gowns. Fabric such as chiffon is an ideal one. Such gowns do not feature much beadings or lace. The trail attached to them are sweeping. The veil of the gown should be shoulder to fingertip. 5. If you are having an informal wedding, your gown can be a short dress. Such gowns are hemmed from your knee to the length of your mid-calf. Due to this makeover, you get a look of a cocktail party. To make them more elegant, they have a lace trim or a beading. 6. The kinds of fabrics that are generally used include satin, beaded chiffon or shantung. Veils are not usually worn with informal wedding gowns. Instead flowers in the brides hands or a hat on the head is proffered. 7. Besides them, the wedding gowns feature ball gown skirts. This dress is held with the help of crinolines or sheaths. Fashion is never static. With time and season it keeps on changing. So is true with the attire of a bride. A bride’s dress largely depends on the type and time of her wedding. So before making a final choice of your wedding gown, go out and look for the options and may you find a wedding gown of your dreams. To get more information on wedding, wedding checklist for bride and wedding checklist for groom visit http://www.weddingleague.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Javier_Fuller http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Choose-The-Perfect-Wedding-Gown?&id=361115 buy phentermine cash on delivery buy phentermine with discover card phentermine with out a prescription phentermine 37.5 without prescription

Tips For Online Dating Photos

Thursday, November 15th, 2007

By Jeffrey Betman Would you buy a car, sight unseen? How about a diamond ring? I don’t know about you, but I want to see what I am buying. Unbelievably, many people are dating online and not posting photos of themselves. What a waste of time. I just read a statistic that said 95% of people on dating sites only search for other members who have posted a picture of themselves. What’s the point of spending money to join, spending time to write a profile, spending time answering a questionairre, only to eliminate yourself from 95% of those searching for you? I wonder if people lack confidence in themselves or feel unattractive. Look, you are who you are. Period. Put your best out there and you will find somebody. Many people that do upload photos are making mistakes. Here are common mistakes I’ve seen in photos. I’m sure you can add to this list. 1. Blurry. 2. Old picture. 3. Group shots. 4. Out of focus. 5. Kids in the shot. 6. People drinking or toasting. 7. Sexually suggestive photos. 8. People cut off. 9. Photos with a mysterious arm around the subject (but they aren’t in view). 10. Too far away. 11. Way too close, like the camera is hitting them in the head. 12. Not smiling. 13. Washed out, so person looks white as a ghost. 14. Photos that include guys (if you are female) or vice versa. 15. Photos showing a “bad attitude.” 16. The ‘deer in the headlights’ photo. 17. Wearing unattractive or non-flattering clothing. 18. Ultra formal pictures. OK, I could go on, but you get the point. Wait, bad haircuts. Couldn’t resist throwing in one more for you. Now, here are some tips for great photos. First, get your picture done by a professional. This is your life and love life we are talking about. Take it seriously and do it right. Second, smile. Simple. You look better and will attract more people to you. Third, use a current photo, or nothing more than one year old. Can’t tell you how often I was expecting a date for coffee and they were ten years older in real life than their picture showed. Fourth, post multiple photos if the site allows. One shot is good, two shots better, three shots great. Fifth, no group photos. Look, if I’m browsing, I’m not looking to date you and your friends or family (that’s a different issue). I’m just looking at you. Sixth, make yourself look like a fun, inviting person. I can’t say what to do here specifically, but I know it when I see it. People are browsing, and probably browsing fast. Your picture registers in their brain for a split second. It must register a message that says something like: “wait…slow down…this person looks interesting.” If your picture doesn’t communicate that, you are done for. So, avoid the mistakes and follow the tips. Easy as “1-2-3 cheese.” (Boy, that was totally cheesy, but I couldn’t resist). To Your Dating Success, Jeffrey Betman Copyright 2006 Jeffrey Betman Jeffrey Betman is in his forties, single, and Jewish. He has over 30 years of dating experience. See http://www.JewishDatingHelp.com for more info. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Betman http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-For-Online-Dating-Photos&id=242727 buy phentermine for cheap phentermine online no rx pharmacy order phentermine buy phentermine on line without prescription