Choosing Gifts For Your Mother

Choosing gifts for your mother is not an easy task to do. When we decide to buy a present, we cannot be 100 percent sure that she will really appreciate it or not. How will you know what she’ll appreciate? You are either a single mother yourself, you asked one what she could really use, or you read this article. A little bit of knowledge in this area goes a long way.

What you SHOULD NOT do:
Do not buy expensive things for her because you think she may like them. You may think it will be greatly appreciated because she likely wouldn’t or couldn’t afford to buy it for herself. This idea is wrong That’s usually not that case. She’ll be very gracious to your face and probably genuinely appreciate the thought. But she may be thinking “couldn’t she have just given me the money so I could get my brakes fixed” or “yeesch, I could pay my electric bill with the money she spent on this!” What many single mothers need is relief. They need a small slice of life taken off their shoulders. They need someone to take their children for three hours so they can have an uninterrupted bath or a nap.

What you SHOULD do:
What would bring a single mother great joy is to have you contact any of the utility companies and pay a month’s bill. She’d love car wash coupons because that may be something frivolous to her, but who doesn’t appreciate a nice clean car. “Let’s see, do I get eggs and milk, or do I drive my car through the car wash?” Or just show up someday with a hose and a bucket and wash it for her – inside and out. Make up babysitting coupons or better yet, just insist on picking up the kids Friday night to take them to a dinner and a movie. Give Mom some space.

What you have to do is finding a common theme in your mother. They don’t necessarily need help and wouldn’t ask for it, but if they received help, it would mean the WORLD to her. Instead of thinking of things that are special and pretty for her, consider what would make her life easier. This isn’t like the old adage you don’t buy your wife a frying pan for her birthday. With single parents, moms in particular, you need to keep in mind relief. How can you give this woman a small nugget of relief to make her life easier?

Choosing Birthday And Christmas Gifts For Horse Lovers

One of the best ways to choose a gift that will please a recipient, is to consider their greatest interests and loves. Whether it is for Christmas or a birthday, a hobby or interest related gift is likely to be particularly well received, especially if you choose with care, and do your homework. Often, though, the person you are buying for will have an interest you know absolutely nothing about. For example, they may adore horses and go riding every weekend, while you only know about cars. So, what sort of thing can you buy as a horse lover gift and how do you go about it?

The first thing to do is to think about the person you are buying the gift for. Are they just a person who loves horses and anything to do with them? Are they a keen, or even serious, horse rider? Do they love animals in general, including horses? Once you are clear, then you can think more about the actual Christmas or birthday gift you can buy them.

Gifts for horse lovers can be broken down into three main groups, as discussed below

Gifts For Horse Riders

Horse riding is an activity that requires a fair bit of equipment. That means, a wide variety of gift possibilities for the horse rider. There are riding gloves, saddles, saddle bags, bridles and stirrups, all of which are needed by the keen horseman or horsewoman. The you can find books and videos on many aspects of riding horses.

Much of the equipment, though, can be expensive, so you may have to concentrate on the books and videos, plus the other horse lover gift options below. However, if it is a special friend or relative you are buying for, and you want to add to their horse riding gear, then you should first find out what they already have and need, or what may need replacing.You can then check out some prices in the local riding store or online.

Gifts For Non-Riding Horse Lovers

Not everyone who likes horses goes riding; some may never even go near a horse, but just like pictures of horses. There is no doubting the popularity of horses even amongst non-riders. Horse racing helps to feed that interest in horses, though many animal lovers do not like horse racing.

There is a wide range of possible gifts for people who love horses. Apart from the books and videos, there is much in the way of home and garden décor which has a horse theme. Indoor and outdoor horse statues are quite easily found, in all sizes. Then there are place mats, coasters and candlesticks for the dining table which feature a horse picture or carving. In fact, many of the items you see around the house probably have a version featuring horses: towels, plates, napkins, candles, tapestries, and pictures, all are quite easily found with a horse theme.

Horse Toy Gifts

When it comes to younger horse lovers, then horse related toys are a popular gift. In fact, some of the miniature horses and accessories are popular with older horse enthusiasts too, especially collectors items such as hand carved, high quality stables, with model horses and miniature tack. Of course, younger children love cuddly soft toys and soft horse toys are readily available online or maybe in your local store.

Overall, you should be able to find a good choice of horse gifts from which to choose something special as a birthday or Christmas gift.

Choosing Between Cloth and Disposable Diapers

Over the years many new parents have had to make the choice of whether to use cloth diapers or disposable diapers on their child. Disposables have been around since the early 1960s and cloth has been used for thousands of years. The choice of what to use will affect your child's health and comfort along with your finances and the environment. There are pros and cons to each type of diaper.

Disposable diapers seem to be the most popular choice of new parents. There are many reasons why this is. Disposables are convenient and easy to use. They can be thrown away instead of washed after one use. They are ideal for those who tend to travel a lot and cannot use cloth. They also leak less and have a tighter fit than cloth diapers.

However, disposable diapers have cons as well as the pros. They are extremely more expensive than their cloth counterparts, in fact you will spend approximately $1,500 on throw away diapers before your child is potty trained. You will have a harder time potty training your child compared to if your child wore cloth diapers. They are bad for the environment because they do not disintegrate. Also there is a chemical in them that has been known to cause TSS or Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Cloth diapers are a less popular choice for new parents because of the inconveniences they bring. Cloth is much less expensive than disposables because they can be washed and reused. This also helps them be more environmentally friendly. It is also a proven fact that children who wear cloth have less diaper rash that those who wear disposables. Children in fabric diapers tend to potty train easier and faster than those who wore throw away diapers.

You should remember that with the good comes the bad. Cloth diapers are usually fastened with pins, however, you can find Velcro and snap closures. If you decide to send your child to day care you will have to find one that is okay with changing them. Many day care centers will not accept a child it he or she wears cloth. They are not very good for traveling with and they tend to leak much worse than disposable diapers.

All in all the decision whether to use cloth or disposable diapers is completely a personal choice. It is up to you whether you want something more convenient or something that helps out the environment. You have to make the decision on what is best for you, your family and your schedule. Choose wisely, because what ever you decide have more affect on your child than you think. Many parents have to use cloth because their child is allergic to disposable and vice versa. Although the chance of your child being allergic to material used in them is slim to none there is still that chance.

Choosing an Electric or Battery Powered Stair Lift

Choosing an Electric or Battery Powered Stair Lift

The advent of technologies has made great impacts on human lives. It has improved ways of doing things in various health related concerns and disability issues. The Stair lift is one invention that has provided tremendous effects in easing the need to go up or downstairs for people suffering from painful joint or back injuries. Many lives have improved and become more comfortable after installing an electric or battery powered stair lift in their homes. It is important to take note which type of stair lift to choose if you decide to have one. There are advantages and disadvantages when opting for a battery powered lift over an electric one.

Electric or AC powered stair lifts used to be the more popular option. It is directly connected to a main power supply through trailing cable. It generally runs on a 110 to 115 grounded VAC outlet. At the top of the stair is a spring-loaded drum that stores the cable. Obviously, its main advantage is being free from the hassle of changing and charging batteries. This is very important when you expect to use the stair lifts regularly or when more people is likely to use it. Also, AC models are usually cheaper than battery powered stair lifts. The major drawback is the dependency to power connection. If your area frequently experience power outages, then electric stair lifts may not be the best choice. AC models are also more prone to irregular stop and start motions. This of course can bring discomfort and even pain to users. The cables that it uses can be also a risk for anyone can trip from it accidentally.

Also known as DC powered stair lifts, battery stair lifts are apparently operated by a battery that should be recharged after a certain period of usage. There are DC models that provide charging stations anywhere on the trail or at both ends of the rail. The best thing about battery powered lifts is that you can use it anytime you want without worrying if a power outage or blackout suddenly occurs. It offers a smoother maneuver compare to AC models and are also quieter – a big difference for people with delicate health conditions. The main disadvantage is the time and effort you have to exert in charging the batteries. This is a real trouble when a lot of people are using the stair lifts too. Also, even though most batteries in the market now are inexpensive and last for many years, you still have to replace it over a period of time and you have to take note that this kind of battery does not come cheap.

The most important thing to consider when choosing which type of stair lifts to get is the need and requirements of the people expected to use it. The health condition of the user should be also taken into account. The frequency of use should be considered as well. After that, it will be easier for you to decide if an electric or battery powered stair lift is for you.

Choosing

It is no secret these days that breastfeeding is best. This information comes at new mothers from every direction. Obstetricians, pediatricians, and parenting magazines all agree that breastfeeding is the way to go. So why are there so many different bottles on the shelves these days? Because not all mother’s are able to breastfeed and those that do, need an occasional evening away from baby. With all the choices out there, it can be difficult to decide which bottle is best. When making your decision you should take into consideration the cost of the bottle, your baby’s preference, and any health problems your child may have. Here is a brief description of the bottles on the market right now. This information should make your decision a little easier...(read the full article at the link below)

Choose Your Own Photo Editing Software

Today a lot of people are using digital camera as a means to achieve better and quality photos. Yet sometimes we have to admit the fact that we really don

Choose The Right Burglar Alarm System

Security has now become a primary concern among people, especially for those who belong to the middle class and higher earning brackets. Everything needs to be protected since nobody can really be sure about his or her safety much less that of his or her own most prized possessions and properties. This need for safety does not only pertain to individuals alone. Corporations and business market players have also began to look into security as among its top concerns.

And to attend to such concerns and problems, Burglar alarm systems are now here to combat safety problems. These alarm systems serve as ever watchful eyes making sure that our houses and most important possessions are safely monitored even in our absence. It also serves as businesses’ watchmen on call 24/7.

Burglar alarm systems can be used for differing purposes. However, its main uses are as residential alarm systems or as commercial alarm systems. Each type differs from functionality and varies in accordance to the situations they are presumed to be valuable and useful.

The main intention of residential alarm systems is to provide home-owners with the much need security whether they are or they are not within the comfort of their homes. Burglar alarm systems for residential purposes are usually set up on the house entrance and the gates for unwanted visitors. Initially, it helps prevent people from getting into somebody else’s property without permission. At times, access codes may be required and failure in attempt would definitely spell trouble for the guest.

On the other hand, commercial burglar alarm systems are also being used to mainly prevent access of potential thieves. However, this particular system is a bit more complicated than residential types. Commercial types of burglar alarm systems do not only prevent thieves from entering into confidential premises but it also disenables that person to get out of a certain trap. Some types would enclose potential thieves until authorities arrive and verify the presence of the person within the place. This kind of burglar alarm system also triggers different authorities to immediately respond when the alarm fires off. You can perceive of it as a shield and a trap all in one system.

As you can see, burglar alarm systems are not just mediums for safety assurance. They also come in certain specializations to be able to suit differing needs of different people and different professions. As diverse these systems prove to be nowadays, take advantage of this opportunity and choose the right one which would fit your safety needs rather perfectly. After all, safety should never be compromised. Only the best should be considered when safety concerns are placed on the line.

Chinese Games: Games with Chinese Origins

The Chinese culture has a significant influence on the American gambling industry. Many of todays popular casino games were introduced to American casinos by Chinese immigrants. In this review, you can read about some of the most popular Chinese gambling games that had a successful immigration to the West.

Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker is a hybrid of American poker and traditional Chinese tiles game called Pai Gow. The original tile game Pai Gow, which means Make 9, is one of the most ancient gambling games that are still available in cotemporary casinos. Pai Gow Poker is played with playing cards instead of tiles and it uses the traditional poker hand ranking. It is one of the most popular casino games worldwide and it can be found in almost every major casino in the US. Its online version can be played at most casinos on the internet.

The object of the Pai Gow Poker is to form the highest possible two poker hands, one five card hand and a two card hand, out of the seven cards dealt to each player. Each player competes against the banker that can be either the casino dealer or one of the players who can afford paying the players winnings.

Sic Bo

Sic Bo is yet another popular casino game with roots that go back to ancient China. The chance game came to the States around the beginning of the 20th century by Chinese immigrants. It can be played in most land based casinos in Macau, the US and the UK. Sic Bo has an online version as well.

The meaning of Sic Bo is Dice Pair. It is played with three standard dice on a special table. Each player places any number of bets on the table and then tosses the dice. The outcome is determined by the combinations of the three dice. Each combination has a different payoff according to a payoff schedule, which vary from one casino to the other.

Fan Tan

Fan Tan used to be the most popular gambling game among Chinese gamblers but the glory days of Fan Tan have already passed. During the 1890s, Chinese immigrants brought the game to the United States. At that time, every Chinatown in American City had several Fan Tan houses that were always full of enthusiastic gamblers. Nowadays, you can find Fan Tan in some casinos in Macau as well as in some online gaming sites.

Traditional Fan Tan, not to be confused with the card game of the same name, used to be played with any objects such as coins, dried beans or small buttons on a table with a square marked on it. Fan Tan. The object of the game is pretty simple and odds are 1: 4.

The play begins with the banker puts on the table a pile of objects then covers them with a bowl. Each player has to bet on one of the numbers that mark the four sides of the square, or on one of the corners of the square. After the bowl is removed, the croupier removes four of the objects each time until the last group remains. If 1 object is left, then the player who placed a bet on 1 wins the pot, and so on.

Mahjong

Mahjong is probably the biggest inherit of Chinese culture to the gaming world. The ancient Chinese tile game has many variants worldwide including variety of online games. According to the myth, Mahjong was developed by Confucius around the 500 BC. The game was brought to the United States during the 1920s and soon was very popular especially among women. The game was played in Chinese style decorated rooms with waiters wearing traditional customs.

The American version of Mahjong was developed during the 1930s and it is played in America until today. At the same time, the National Mahjong league was founded. In addition to American Mahjong, there are Japanese, Vietnamese, Cantonese and other variations of the game, which vary from one to the other by their scoring structure, number of tiles and rules variants. In 1998, the China State Sports Commission had set a standard set of rules that will differentiate the illegal gambling game from the skill game.

Mahjong Solitaire, the online version of Mahjong, gains wide popularity recently. The online version of the classic Chinese game is a matching game that uses the Mahjong tiles. Online Mahjong games can be found in many online gaming sites in variety of layouts and versions.

Children Can Learn With Classic Toys

Have we lost our children in a hypnotic video game trance? Have they become “drones” to the “video age”?

Sometimes it may seem that way as many children spend hour upon hour in front of a video screen, pressing buttons or jockeying around a joystick. But it is up to the parents of children to say enough, let’s find some educational alternatives. However, it wasn’t that long ago when we were kids….we had real toys….classic toys.

Let’s step into a time tunnel of sorts and recall some of the fascinating toys that we had the pleasure of playing with:

Tinker Toys

Ahh..Tinker Toys..rods, sticks, spools, spokes..simple, but a true classic toy invented in 1914 by Charles Pajeau, who was a stonemason by trade from Evanston, Illinois. He was inspired by children playing with pencils, sticks and empty spools of thread to create his new toy. He saw them improvising and using their imaginations and wondered if improve upon what they were doing. He designed his first set of Tinker Toys in his garage and displayed them in 1914 at the American Toy Fair.

Alas, his Tinker Toys drew no interest. So he tried again, this time at Christmas time, but with a new marketing plan. Pajeau hired several midgets and had them dress in elf costumes. He then had them “play” with the Tinker Toys” in a store display window in a Chicago department store and with this publicity a new toy was born. After a year or so, over one million sets of Tinker Toys had been sold!

Lincoln Logs

Notched redwood logs that could be used to construct log cabins, Lincoln Logs were the invention of John Lloyd Wright, son of famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. The inter locking logs, invented in 1916, were fashioned after the foundation of Tokyo’s earthquake-proof Imperial Hotel, which the younger Wright witnessed being constructed.

During the World War I era, it was in vogue to encourage American patriotism and for American’s to buy American made products, thus the new toy was named after one of our most revered presidents, Abraham Lincoln.

The original sets sold very well and became even more popular with the introduction of television to the United States. In fact, Lincoln Logs were among the first toys to be advertised and promoted on television. Capitalizing on the popularity of westerns in early television, Lincoln Logs were successful promoted on 1953’s Pioneer Playhouse.

Today, Lincoln Logs are still available and have stood the test of time. As a matter of fact, as late as 1975, Lincoln Logs were still selling at a rate of one million sets per year. A sophisticated toy, it challenges youngsters to use their imagination and improve hand-eye coordination skills.

Children and Head Lice

Children are especially susceptible to head lice for a few different reasons. Children tend to have closer physical contact with other children, more so than adults have with each other; in addition, they also have a habit of sharing personal items with each other, such as brushes and hats.
Aside from these reasons, children also congregate in large groups, such as in childcare centers, schools and playgrounds. As a result of these factors, head lice tends to spread more readily among children.
Head lice cannot fly or jump, but they do cling to the hair and other items, attaching themselves to humans as soon as they come in contact. Some of the most common means in which head lice spread, is through personal clothing items, such as hats, shirts, coats, scarves, etc. They may also spread when someone shares items such as brushes and hair accessories.

Another means in which a child can catch head lice is by using pillows, blankets and bed linen that an infested person has used. Couches and chairs are addition culprits in spreading lice. Head lice can live off of the human host for at least three days.
To determine if your child has head lice, you have to use a comb to part the hair and examine the hair shafts and scalp with a magnifying glass while under a bright light.
Head lice move very quickly, sometimes making detection very difficult, because of this you should always look for the little brown or tan lice eggs that will be attached to the shaft of the hair; usually near the scalp.
Examine the scalp closely, as well as the area behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. These areas may contain more lice, than the top of the head.
Though frequently scratching the scalp may be a sign that your child has head lice, itching does not always begin right away. It may take a few weeks before the infestation is bad enough to cause your child’s head to begin itching, depending on how sensitive they are to the lice.
If your child has head lice they may develop small, red bumps on the scalp due to scratching. If the scalp lacerations become infect they may be crusted over or oozing a clear or yellowish liquid. It is a good idea to contact your child’s doctor if it appears that your child has red bumps or sores on the scalp.
Because some of these symptoms of head lice may not be obvious right away, it is important that you examine your child for head lice on a frequent basis, especially during the school year, or if they go to a daycare.

Children And Divorce

A recent statistic shows that almost half of all marriages end in divorce. Divorce is difficult for everyone involved, but maybe the hardest on children. Most often they experience many feelings that they do not understand. They go through a range of emotions and need their parents to understand. If you are going through a divorce getting to understand how your children are dealing with it is important.

When parents divorce they often put their children in the center of arguments and a game of emotional tug of war. To avoid this sort of thing parents need to work together. Even though their marriage is over they are still parents together. The child needs to understand many things about the divorce. Parents need to keep in touch with their children and understand the many feelings they may be having. Older children, especially, can go through periods where they act out as a way to cope with the divorce. Many times children feel the divorce is their fault. They may worry about the future and how to deal with other events, like parent’s day at school. Both parents need to show the children that they can work together and not fight. At the same time it is important to let the children know that you are not getting back together. Establishing some sort of family structure is a necessity to help children get back to “normal”.

Children will react different depending on their age. The following list explains a little about each age group and how they react to divorce.

Age 3-5: Regression to a more infantile state, problems sleeping, fear of separation

Age 6-8: Fantasies of parents getting back together, open emotions

Age 8-11: Anger, treat one parent as good the other as bad, take a caregiver role

Age 12-18: Depression, violent actions, judgmental of parents, develop anxiety about own relationships

Learning to help your children cope through divorce is possible the most important step in the divorce process. Children have no choice in the matter and may feel completely left out if their feelings are not recognized.

Childproofing Your Home

One of the most important steps you can take to prepare for a baby is childproofing your home. Little hands will get into things you never even thought of, so being prepared is critical to your child’s safety. Here are some areas of your home that need attention to get you started on your childproofing project.

· Electrical Outlets – You can buy inexpensive covers to keep little fingers out of your outlets, or simply put a piece of furniture in front of them.

· Cords – Be they electrical cords or cords for blinds or draperies, they are a risk. Cords from blinds or draperies are a choking hazard, and electrical cords can cause a shock, or can cause baby to pull something heavy (such as the lamp at the other end of that cord) down on top of them

· Rickety furniture – Be certain that you don’t have unstable furniture around. When your baby begins pulling up, he could pull the furniture right down on top of him. Sometimes it’s necessary to attach furniture, such as top heavy bookcases to the wall.

· Plants – Some houseplants are poisonous, so be certain to keep plants out of baby’s reach.

· Radiators – If you live in an older home with radiators, you will need to put barriers in front of them or radiator covers over them during winter months.

· Fireplace – Be certain your fireplace is equipped with a grill or glass doors to protect your child’s little fingers.

· Stairs – Install baby gates to keep your little one from tumbling down the stairs.

· Cabinet doors and drawers – Install childproof latches so that your baby is unable to open drawers and doors, particularly those where you store sharp objects or cleaning supplies.

· Railings – Be certain that any railings in your home, such as those on your stairs, have no more than a five inch gap between any vertical posts. You’d be amazed at how easily a baby’s head can get stuck.

All of these are important steps to readying your home for those days when baby starts crawling around. But, probably the most important thing you can do is to learn to keep your everyday things put away. Items that adults use regularly, like scissors, pins, coins, buttons and letter openers can all be very hazardous to a baby. It’s going to take some getting used to, but with some preparation, you can organize your life so that your everyday activities don’t put your baby at risk.

Child Safety Tip for Playing Outdoors

What makes the “great outdoors” so great? The fresh air is great. The plants and animals are great. The sense of freedom is great. Even children at play can enjoy the great outdoors, but several measures, such as children at play signs can help to guarantee their safety.

Dangers to children at play outdoors can exist right outside a home’s front or back door. On porches, balconies and decks, railings should be close enough to prevent children from getting their head caught, or from them sliding through. Exits and stairs should be blocked off, to prevent falls. Next, when children play in the front or back yards, limit their play regions outdoors, and fence it in, if possible. Additionally, children should only ride toys in safe areas such as sidewalks, and under no circumstances in the street. Children at play signs can further protect kid drivers from adult drivers.

In addition to areas directly around the house, child safety should also be maintained in other locations. Inspect your child’s playground equipment, to ensure that repairs are not required. Furthermore, place woodchips, mulch, or sand underneath swing sets. Next, when at the pool, never leave a child unattended nearby water. Keep toys, chairs and tables far from the pool. Also, permanent pools can be fenced in, and gates with automatic locks and high latches, can be installed to protect children at play. Mastering CPR could also be useful, to prepare for any emergencies at the pool. Lastly, outside the pool near the street, children at play signs could be posted as well.
While we might expect manmade objects and places to present dangers to children at play, ironically plants and plant-related materials can also create safety hazards for kids. Read literature to learn about which plants are poisonous. In the case that your child eats a poisonous plant, remove the bits from his mouth and then contact a poison control center, to get additional guidance. Next, keep pesticides and fertilizers stored in safe locations, and keep children away when these products are being used. Furthermore, keep lawnmowers and other garden and lawn equipment locked away in a shed. Finally, keep children at play at a distance when using these tools.
Children at play, like adults, enjoy all the benefits that the great outdoors has to offer. However, taking particular safety precautions, such as installing children at play signs, will ensure that the area remains great for them.

Child Recliners - Answers to Common Questions About These Kid Pleasers

Child recliners are a product that’s becoming increasing popular as a gift. These recliners mimic the styles and functionality on adult reclining chairs in most ways.

I’m writing this to answer some of the most common questions we get about this wonderful gift.

By far the most frequently asked question is “what is the right size recliner for my child,” “will my child fit in this chair,” or some other variation. The good news is that it’s a pretty simple question to answer. Child recliners vary in size only slightly. Almost without exception they will work for kids between the ages of 2 and 8 years old and under 100 pounds.

It’s not a good idea to purchase these recliners for children under 2. Children under 2 often want to stand on the seat of the recliners while holding onto the chair back. This can cause the recliner to tip over backwards. Children over 2 are more able to understand this tipping concept and the problem is negated.

Over 8 years old and/or 100 pounds the chairs tend to be too small for the child. You might ask why someone doesn’t make a larger or in-between size chair to bridge the 9 year old to adult range. This is most likely due to shipping costs. Child recliners for small children can be shipped via ground service. Chairs made larger would have to be shipped via freight carriers that would make the chairs expensive.

Another frequently asked question is “does this chair recliner.” Yes, they do. Although, they generally do not have lifting mechanisms like adult recliners have. That is why there is no lever on the right hand side of the chair. To put the chair in the reclining position the footrest has to be pulled up manually. Most children can accomplish this themselves, but very young children may need an adult’s help.

Finally, parents and grandparents often want to know “how well made is this recliner?” The answer to this is more complex. Most of the recliners you find for under $100 are made of a pine frame, inexpensive batting and thinner upholstery. You can expect these chairs to last 2 or 3 years if used by a single child, depending on the child. I’m sure you wouldn’t be surprised to find that girl’s chairs tend to last longer than boy’s chairs. More expensive models are made with hardwood frames, springs and leather or faux leather upholstery. This upholstery may be tacked in like adult furniture instead of sewn on. Some of these chairs can be considered heirlooms and will last generations if treated well.

I hope this helps you with your search.

If you have more questions about children’s furniture, please email me at craig@wcteam.com.

Checklist For Moving

Using a checklist for moving can keep you from forgetting things. Important things, like turning on the electricity in your new home, or filling the heating oil tank. Of course you have to make your own moving checklist, but you can start with the suggestions here.

Checklist For Moving - A Month Before The Move

- Submit your change of address forms to post office.

- Obtain documents for school transfers, if you have children.

- Find a moving company, and make reservations.

- Give your new address to friends and family.

- Hold a garage sale or otherwise lighten the load.

Checklist For Moving - One Or Two Weeks Before

- Move your banking accounts to the new location.

- Return rented movies, books to library, etc.

- get your prescriptions transferred to the new location.

- Clean your house.

- Call for utility shut-offs and new connections.

- Dispose of things that won't be moved.

- Begin packing and labling boxes.

- Organize and pack an "essentials" box for arrival (toiletries, paper plates, etc.).

- Final moving plans (make hotel reservations, get maps, etc.).

Checklist For Moving Day

- Remember to eat.

- Start early.

- Check every room and storage area.

- Turn off all lights, lock the doors.

- Give the keys to the new owner or real estate agent.

There will be many more items to add to your personal list. Begin writing down anything you think of as soon as you know when you'll be moving. Can you have your new phone ready to use when you arrive at your new home? Will you need to return across the country because you forgot about a safe-deposit box? To avoid problems like these is to start early on your checklist for moving.

Checklist Before Starting a Home Based Business

When you are looking for a home business opportunity, it is important to make sure that you are aware of all that you will be required to bring to the equation. This can help save you a lot of confusion and money by avoiding opportunities that require too much from you to get started. Here is a checklist of thing that you should consider before selecting a home business opportunity.

1. Do you need to get a license to run the business? Many states require that businesses get a license before they are allowed to open. This includes home businesses in many locations. Check with your local government agencies to see what you will need to have in place to start your own home business.

2. Do you need a zoning permit? If you have a home business opportunity that requires doing actual business with the public, you are going to need to make sure that you will not be in violation of any zoning laws. Most cities have very strict residential zoning requirements and it is not hard to violate them. Make sure that the type of business you want to start will be acceptable to run at your current location.

3. How much equipment will you need to buy? You’ll need to know exactly how much money you’re going to have to spend to get your business operational. While some home business opportunities require just a computer, others may need a special printer, extra software, additional gadgets or even heavy equipment. This can add up in a short period of time. Make sure that you are aware of all the expenses that you will incur before you start up.

4. Do you have enough space in your home to devote to your business? Running an informational company is one thing, but if you are going to be stocking products in your home, you’re going to need enough space. For tax purposes, you’re also going to have to have a room that is completely devoted to your home business. This means no kid’s toys, or anything from your normal family life can intrude on this room. If you don’t have this kind of space you may need to add on to your home to accommodate your business.

5. Will you need to purchase any insurance? If you are doing business with the public at your home, you will need to get liability insurance. This will help protect you if anyone falls on your property or injures themselves in anyway. If you will be storing products, you will need to have them insured in case there is a flood or they get damaged in any way.

Lastly, you may want to consider business protection insurance that will help you in the event of any copyright infringement claims or other common complaints. Don’t forget your own health insurance, or any insurance that you may need to provide for employees. This can add up quickly and increase your overall start up costs.

Check Out The Selection Of Arnette Sunglasses Available Online

If you liked the sunglasses that Johnny Storm wore in “Fantastic 4”, then you like Arnette sunglasses. You don’t have to be a famous movie star to be able to afford to wear them because when you shop for Arnette sunglasses online, you get the guaranteed lowest price.

Arnette sunglasses are made using only the highest quality materials. The lenses in these mens sunglasses are made from polarized polycarbonate making them extremely lightweight. They have exceptional UV protection making them very easy to wear, whether you are surfing or snowboarding. Arnette sun glasses are also perfect for fishing, golfing or for playing baseball.

When buying Arnette sunglasses men can choose from two different types of frames – grilamid and metal. The grilamid mens sunglasses are nylon frames. This type of frame for sunglasses helps them retain their original shape in extreme temperatures. With the rubber nosepads your sun glasses won’t fall off in the water when they get wet because this material gets sticky when wet and keeps your sunglasses safely in place. This innovative feature makes Arnette sun glasses very popular with surfers.

Even within the Arnette line of sunglasses, there are many different styles to choose from and many different colored frames and lenses. Arnette sunglasses all feature APX technology for high performance sunglasses. This means they are perfect not only for water sports, but for snow sports and sports where there is a possibility of getting hit, such as in baseball.

In essence, these mens sunglasses are safety glasses, especially if you have your prescription for vision included in the lens. The interchangeable feature of the Arnette sunglasses lets you have your prescription included. You just have to send it along as an email attachment when you order the Arnette sun glasses online.

Some of the customers who really love the Arnette sunglasses are involved in motocross and motorcycle riding. They say that this is the favorite type of all the mens sunglasses on the market. The sunglasses all carry the Arnette warranty against defects in the workmanship and materials, so you know you are looking through quality when you are wearing these sun glasses.

Arnette sunglasses, fashionable but also high quality.

Cheap Summer Fun For Kids

Entertaining your children when school is out for the summer can become quite expensive, especially if you enroll them in pricey summer camps for a large portion of the time. However, many parents feel that the alternative is to have their children sulking on the couch while moaning about how bored they are, especially if friends are all attending camps. Actually, there are plenty of ways to have cheap summer fun with your kids. Why not try a few of these budget friendly ideas?

Your local YMCA is a family oriented place with plenty of great activities. Your children can go swimming, take a variety of classes and even attend day camps for a very reasonable price. Most YMCA’s have family memberships, which makes the classes more affordable for families with several children. If you don’t have a YMCA close by, check with your local parks and recreation department to see if they are offering events for children and families during the summer months. Many times, they offer low cost art, sports and even cooking classes for kids.

Another great way for your kids to have fun this summer is to set up events in your own backyard. Have them put together a circus. After they’ve practiced the event and have the ring set up, friends and family can make up an audience to view the final result. Don’t forget to add some games and serve some refreshments that match the theme, such as popcorn and corndogs. If your children don’t like the circus, suggest that they put on a play, hold a pet show or set up a fair.

If your children like collecting things, they can make a natural history museum in a spare corner of the house. Then, you can take field trips to local places so that they can create their museum exhibits. Take them on nature hikes so that they can make rubbings of tree bark and leaves. Let them take photos of local wildlife and flowers, but be sure that you don‘t actually take home any wildflowers, since these plants may be endangered. Go to the beach and collect interesting shells and bits of sea glass or visit the areas where your local rock hounds hang out. If you have prolific gardens or you can get permission for them to pick some flowers in someone else’s garden, your children can also press flowers and mount them as part of the display.

If your children are budding entrepreneurs, they may have more fun making money. Why not try a good old-fashioned lemonade stand? Just be sure your town or city doesn’t have any ordinances that would prohibit it before the kids set up. If they need to clean out their closets and toy chests, suggest that they combine the lemonade stand with a yard sale.

Finally, don’t forget about gardening. Growing their own produce can be fun for kids, especially when they discover a two foot long zucchini hiding in the garden bed.

Charities Donations Solve Problems

"I believe that if you show people the problems and you show them the solutions they will be moved to act."

Bill Gates

Think about it and I know you’ll agree that Bill’s statement is true. Charities have used tv and film to make sure that we know the problems. They also show us how we can make the lives of the people who need help better. It may not be just money either. For example, charities donations can be tinned foods or warm clothes for bitterly cold nights, or spectacles to help people see. You can even make a charity car donation to be used or sold by the charity. Things we don’t have a use for any more but are still too good to throw away. This way we can make a difference easily and feel that we are helping in a way that doesn’t mean we have to give money.

If you like to give money, do you give charity donations regularly or just when you see a disaster has happened on the news? If you donate money to charity regularly, I expect you have already decided on the area that is most important to you, such as homelessness or Aids. I also expect you have discovered the tax benefits too. The tax that you have already paid on charities donations can be reclaimed by the charity. With minimum tax in the UK at 22%, that can make a big difference to how much they raise. If you have not filled in the forms, ask the charity for more information on how to do it.

If, like me, you don’t have a ‘favourite’ charity, it is a good idea to plan your budget for the year and then decide who to help. Charities like the Red Cross, Oxfam, Cafod, etc. are known worldwide and are often first at disaster scenes. Then there is the charities set up as ‘one offs’ to help rebuild communities after disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the Tsunami. Searching the Internet will help find details of those. The support in charities donations for these last two areas means that the people who have lost everything can receive help to start again.

Perhaps you think that it is better to help with charity donations closer to home. Sometimes the best and most satisfying things to do is be involved with fund raising at a local level. When I had a young family we used to help raise money for the local school. This meant giving time as well as money or goods and through it we made new friends. We lived in a country village and the children enjoyed celebrating harvest festival by giving fresh vegetables and fruit. When the festival was over the food would go to a local charity for the homeless.

Now the children have grown up and we have moved away from the village. That doesn’t mean I have stopped helping. It just means that I do it differently. I work full time now so I can’t help out with my time easily. In recent years I have chosen two areas to support. One is cancer research as it affects my family. The other is children’s charity, local, national and international. In this way I get the satisfaction of believing my financial help to the charities donations makes a better future.

Changing A Nappy

Congratulations! It's a boy... or a girl... You've imagined those words throughout your nine magical months. But, what you probably have not thought about is the part where you need to put a fresh nappy on the little person!

Even after having two little girls I worried about changing my little boy's nappy for the first time. For some reason I thought it was going to be really difficult. But actually it was easier!

So how do you change a baby's nappy? Assuming you are using disposable nappies, as most mums do, at least in the beginning, here are some tips:

Lie your baby on a flat surface, preferably on a soft changing mat; this allows little accidents to be wiped up quickly. If you are placing your baby on a raised surface or a changing station, never leave him unattended for even the slightest moment. Babies can and do fall off raised surfaces, often with disastrous consequences.

Advances in technology allow us to keep the wet surface of the nappy away from the baby. Although this is great for your baby,it can make it difficult to tell if the nappy is wet. So how will you know if the nappy needs to be changed? A wet nappy will feel soft and squishy on the outside. It may also have increased in size. The moisture absorbing material within the nappy swells when it comes into contact with urine making it easy to tell if the nappy is wet.

Obviously, a soiled nappy is easier to detect as you can just peep inside; or, more often than not, you can smell it!

As your baby gets older he will become more wriggly at every nappy change. A good tip is to hang a mobile above his changing station or give him a different toy to keep his interest at changing time - making nappy changes much less tiring for mum!

Remove the old nappy. Wipe the baby's bottom with some cotton wool pads soaked in warm water. You do not need to use soap or scented wipes on a newborn baby. Newborns have extremely soft, sensitive skin which is easily irritated. A so-called top and tail, or a warm bath once a day, is enough. When the baby is a few weeks old you can wash him with a warm soapy cloth or some sensitive baby wipes at each nappy change.

Wipe baby girls from front to back to avoid the risk of cross infection. With baby boys you will need to ensure you wipe around and under their little bits! However, never pull back the foreskin. You may cause damage and infection if you attempt to.

Creams and talc are unnecessary. Nappies today are so effective at keeping moisture away from the skin that creams are not required. In fact, creams can actually hinder the nappy's performance, making irritation more likely.

If your baby has nappy rash, and you really feel that cream is required, apply it very thinly before putting on the fresh nappy. Also, let the air at your baby's bottom. Let him lie on the changing mat on the floor for a while without a nappy. You may want to put an old towel or absorbant bed cloth under him so that he will not be lying in a puddle getting cold, if he does wet it.

Put the fresh nappy under the baby's bottom, with the sticky seals at the back!

Lift the front of the nappy up over the baby's bottom and fasten it closed. Do not fasten it too tightly as this will be uncomfortable. Allow the baby some room to breath!

Voila! All Done... until the next one!

Chair Lifts – Help Sick And Disabled People To Move Freely

A chair lift is a mobility device that carries sick, disabled and weak people to move from one place to another. Lift chairs offer an opportunity for more freedom and a certain amount of normalcy in the lives of the handicapped people as they can freely move from one place to another.

Often when people become old, they are plagued by diseases like arthritis, Lou Gehrig’s, Parkinson’s and other mobility conditions that trouble your loved ones. It makes people unnecessarily helpless and dependent on other people. Chair lifts help people to move from one place to another in a sitting position. Moving in a chair lift means giving opportunity to people to enjoy a normal lifestyle.

Types of chair lifts

Chair lifts can either be manual or electrically operated. While an automatic or electric chair lift can carry you automatically from place to place, a manual chair lift will need help of people to carry you from place to place. An automatic chair lift is, however, always preferred as they carry people easily and effectively from one place to another. While manual chair lifts can always cause sores and inflammations, automatic chair lifts make people feel completely comfortable and relaxed. Electric chair lifts are also useful as they are truly easy to carry because they are powered by batteries and can be controlled by a joystick.

Things to consider while purchasing chair lifts

Chair lifts come in different styles, colors, sizes, functions and features. These often bear resemblance with normal upholstered chairs and look like a recliner, a couch, a sofa or an ordinary chair. If you are in need of a chair and wondering how to choose the right kind of chair, then here are some solutions for you:

§ You should get the proper material of the chair specially if the patient has a sensitive skin and fabric/fur can cause him skin irritations.
§ Think whether the user is competent enough to operate the powerful equipments of automatic wheel chairs or whether manual chairs can carry the person or not.
§ Look for the convenience and purchase automatic, 2 or 3 positions, plugged or battery-operated lift chairs.
§ Go for a chair lift that will be available in affordable prices.
§ The measurement of the chair is very important, as the size and height of the chair must match that of the users.

So when you want to purchase a chair lift, you should go for the best one.

Importance of electric chair lifts

The electric chair lifts are truly helpful as they are designed to suit the user’s requirements. The chairs are equipped with modern amenities like front-wheel drive, pneumatic wheels, spring suspensions, hydraulic systems, rear-wheel drives and also mid-wheel drives. Other types of electric wheelchairs are based on weight, ranging from ultra lightweight to transport wheelchairs, rough-terrain wheelchairs, tilt-in-space wheelchairs, pediatric wheelchairs and wheelchairs with elevating seats.

Get a chair lift that will best suit your needs, purposes and budgets.

Chair Lifts – For When You Just Need A Little Help

Chair lifts can really enhance mobility for people with handicaps. If you have trouble getting around, there are likely chair lifts on the market that could help you. There are several types of chair lifts, ranging from those that raise a chair to another level for stairs or vehicles to lifts that raise a person to a level that will allow them to stand.

Chair lifts that many people have found to be a tremendous help are those that help people in wheelchairs get up the stairs. There are many different brands and models of chair lifts that can help perform this function. When you are deciding which one to purchase, there are several things that you should look at as buying criteria.

You should always examine the weight capacity of chair lifts before picking them. Don’t cut it close to the limit, either. Also, you should look at any extra equipment, if any, that you would need to purchase to make it functional in your home. Also, you should look at any extra installation costs to make the chair lift functional. Some of these chair lifts require the person to be able to move from seat to seat on their own. Others do not. This should also be a factor. If you are having trouble deciding, talk to a professional. These people know all the possible problems and they can help you to see down the road. These chair lifts can sometimes seem pretty expensive. However, it much less expensive than adding ramps in your house would be. The cost of that kind of construction can run pretty high.

Many people, while not confined to a wheelchair, often have trouble sitting down and then standing up from their chairs. There are now chair lifts to assist in this. These lifts attach to your favorite living room type chairs. When you are getting out of them, you elevate them so that they do part of the work of standing you up for you. Then, when you go to sit, there is much less of a distance to sit. This can enable you to relax wherever you want much more easily.

You can also find chair lifts to help you get into and out of your vehicle. And chair lifts have even been used to allow handicapped people to go hunting in their tree stands. Whatever you have trouble doing, there is some avenue to help you. Chair lifts just might be the right avenue. And even if they don’t always agree with your pocket book, who can put a price on mobility and living your life to the fullest?

Chainsaw Manufacturers Have Excellent Safety Records

Chainsaw manufacturers have excellent safety videos available. Always make sure you check safety features such as chain brakes, safety chains, and deadman switches. Chainsaws provide all the convenience of a Chainsaw, even in enclosed areas and near residential buildings. Make sure to service your systems chainsaw will help ensure that your equipment will not let you down.

Correct chain tension proper lubrication and a properly tuned engine. Your new chain if possible, soak the chain in oil to allow oil to penetrate all chain components, the chain tension should be checked and adjusted if needed before every use.

Before using your chainsaw each time you need to inspect the fuel system.After every 10 hours of use you need to clean or replace the air filter. Chainsaw two stroke engines a great power-to-weight ratio compared to many four-stroke engine designs.

The air intake filter tends to clog up with sawdust. The fuel filter should be replaced after every 20 hours of use. You'll acquire better chainsaw performance through basic maintenance, carburetor setting, and filing techniques. A vibration dampening system, which makes simple work of the most difficult tasks. These are merely tips to assist you while searching for a Chainsaw.

Chainsaws are easier to use than ever. Your chainsaw converts logs into lumber or timber. Before you use a chainsaw you should undergo extensive training, and only trained people should use a chainsaw, always think safety.

Suitable protective clothing suitable protective clothing should be worn - no matter how small the job.

Chainsaws produce a level of noise that will affect unprotected ears after only 15 minutes of exposure, wear ear muffs or ear plugs to keep as much noise as possible out.

Celebrating Your Golden Years With Family

Once you reach your late forties and early fifties, you are bound to think of retirement. You want retire at an age when you are not too old to enjoy your golden years.

This is the point in life when you look back at your achievements. If you feel satisfied with what you have accomplished so far, you will get to focus more on what it is that you exactly want to do with the rest of your life - which you did not have time for when you were young and busy raising kids and money.

You are probably thinking of taking up a forgotten hobby, or go traveling in a motor home, or get a tan at a lovely beach where the sun shines year-round.

Studies show that more and more retirees are thinking about going abroad. They may have an old vacation spot in mind where they are considering settling in once they retire.

However, there are still some who choose to stay in the country and spend their retirement with their families in the States.

Whether you choose to stay in the country or out of it, here are a couple of tips on how you can enjoy retirement and your leisure years with your family:

>> Settle your finances first.

This is the biggest concern that retirees have. It is unfortunate that not everyone thinks about this aspect of "growing up" while they are young and healthy.

Thus, when nearing retirement, they tend to be a bit apprehensive about finances because they did not have ample time to prepare.

It is better if you start planning for retirement thoroughly, and do it the earliest time possible. The more preparations you have, the more likely you will get to enjoy yourself when retirement comes.

Take the following scenario as an example: If you save $100 per month, in 5 years, you will earn approximately $6,800. In 20 years, this could increase to about $41,000.

There are some other factors and rate of return percentages to consider, but this is basically how it goes.

The above example just shows that if you prepare early, the more you will earn by investing in a sound retirement plan.

>> Prepare early.

Do not let the anxiety of retiring sneak up on you by preparing early. Once you have gotten your financial worries out of the way, you can proceed to the next step - which is enjoying your retirement years with your family.

Memories of Grandfather’s Billiard Room

I always loved that my Grandfather had a billiard room in his home. I used to spend a lot of time with him when I was young. He taught me to “shoot stick”, as he called it, when I was maybe 8 years old. My Grandparents would entertain quite frequently, and they would regularly invite some of their closest friends over for a banquet and cocktails. Their gatherings would often run into the wee hours, by which time I was expected to be sleeping. I would usually spend an hour or so reading each night, but nights like those were too exciting to miss out on. Honestly, how could they expect me to sleep with all that activity going on downstairs? After dinner, Grandmother would be in the parlor room having tea and chatting with the other ladies. Grandfather and his guests would retire to the billiard room or the “lounge” as he liked to call it. The odd time I would sneak out of bed, and sit on the staircase just listening to all the activity and laughter. The gents smoked cigars, sipped brandy, and talked about whatever older men talked about back then. Snooker was the game of choice. The “lounge” was a gorgeous and stately room. It had sixteen foot ceilings with stunning plaster moldings. The walls were covered with some of the finest oak I have ever seen, and there were vast bookcases built into them. Along one wall was a beautifully carved bar, and behind that a seemingly endless supply of spirits. Grandfather kept his phonograph in there, along with his prized collection of jazz records. One night it was rather late and, again, I was unable to sleep. So I got out of bed and got dressed in my Sunday best. I ventured downstairs and made my way into the “lounge” as though I were one of the guests. When he finally noticed me, Grandfather seemed so completely bemused by the sight before him. He welcomed me into the lounge as though I were his long lost friend, and asked if I would be interested in “shooting some stick”. “Aye! Rack ‘em up, Pops!” I exclaimed. We played a quick game, which I am sure he let me win, and when I finished my tea I went back up to bed. That is truly one of the fondest memories of my youth. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of that dear, sweet man. Not a day goes by that I don’t “shoot some stick”.

Ceiling Fan Lights And Blades

Ceiling fan lights

The lighting scheme provides the finishing touch to the decoration of your rooms. Accordingly the modern electrical appliances are designed to enhance the beauty of your rooms. In quest for design innovations, ceiling fan lights emerged as a great idea from both functional and aesthetic points of view. As such most of the leading brands nowadays provide for the arrangements of ornamental "fitters" tucked beneath the blades to support lamps and their decorative shades.


With a ceiling fan light kit, you can make the most gorgeous decoration statement. An elaborate ceiling fan light kit is ideal for a big hall type room with a high ceiling. A small and simple ceiling fan light on the other hand can lend a stylish look to an otherwise plain interior. So it is always recommended to select the ceiling fan light according to your room size, height of the ceiling, colors of the walls and the type of illumination desired.


The ceiling fan lights are available in the wide assortments of neon, glass globes or simple bulbs. Shades are mostly available in glass and crystal materials. If you plan to install a ceiling fan light in the outdoors, go for the weather proof UL rated light kit only, both for the purpose of safety and durability.


Most of the contemporary fans are adaptable to the attachment of ceiling fan light kit having a link to the fan’s switch housing and requires only a simple electrical connection.

In order to fix a ceiling fan light, first access the wiring by loosening the screws of the fan's switch housing bracket on the bottom. Among the bundle of wires you have to look for two wires meant for ceiling fan light. One will be white (neutral), the other, black, and red or blue (hot). Then attach the adapter ring. In order to make the wiring connections with the two labeled wires, join the two neutral wires with a wire connector and the fixture's hot wire to the labeled wire bracket. Now fix the light kit to the fan with the screws and connect to power.

Ceiling Fan Blades

A ceiling fan consists of three basic parts, namely the motor; blades and the mounting device. The standard ceiling fans comprises of three to five blades. The numbers and sizes of the blades determine the prices of the fan. The more the number of the blades, the costlier is the fan. Price also depends on the length of the ceiling fan blades which is measured by the full blade sweep they produce. There is no universally fixed size for the ceiling fan blades; length varies with the brands. In the high quality ceiling fans, the spin lengths vary between 30, 42, 44, 46, 50, 52 and 60 inches diameter.


The quality of the fans is rated by their performance in moving the air effectively and quietly. This is conditioned by such factors as the pitch, length, and number of ceiling fan blades, and their revolutions per minute (rpms).The angular edges of the ceiling fan blades are termed as the pitches which are particularly important for the effective replacement of the air. This shape enables the blade to apply pressure to the air in front of it and consequently the air is forced downwards.


Higher pitches allow more replacement of air. High quality ceiling fan blades have a pitch of 12-14 degrees. A blade pitch as low as 8 or 10 degrees leads to poorer performance. While the short ceiling fan blades with minimum pitches can swirl at a high speed, they do not make for much air circulation and they are noisier than the types of fans with longer blades and higher pitches though they rotate more slowly.


These days ceiling fan blades are available in a range of color and designs. Different materials like solid wood, cross-laminated veneer and less-expensive veneered constant-density boards are used to render the ceiling fan blades a smart and contemporary looks. The trendy get ups include a metal finish, or a wooden looks. The use of woven bamboo and fabrics has also become popular. Contrast or reversible ceiling fan blades are yet another innovative addition to the whole gamut of ceiling fan blade designing. With two different finishes on both sides of the blade, they add to the glamour quotient of your interior.


Then there are those stylist outdoor ceiling fan blades made up of washable sail cloth stretched over a frame. Some of the leading brands also offer a replacement ceiling fan blade which allows you to bring a touch of change and alteration to your interiors all round the year.

Many Reasons Pregnancy and Alcohol Never Mix

Noah is nine years old and in the second class. He was considered to be in the third grade this year, but he has had regular enigmas learning in school. His attention duration is not what other kids' are, and in fact, he suffers from little mental retardation. In addition, inferior hearing also hinders his performance at school. And it could all have been prevented if his mother had not drunk -- and drunk heavily -- while pregnant with her child. There's a reason that doctors tell pregnant women not to drink alcohol during their pregnancy. There are several known neurological, physical and mental issues that can cause if you drink alcohol during this period. These disorders all lie in the category known as FASD: "Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders." The best known of these issues are Fetal Alcohol Effects (or "FAE") and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (or "FAS"). Within the category of Fetal Alcohol Effects are two sub-categories: Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (or "ARND") and Alcohol Related Birth disorders (or "ARBD"). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a tragic condition, since it is totally cureable. FAS causes mental retardation in the child, deformities in the skeleton and some parts, growthdeficiencies,poor motor skills, problems with the nervous system, understanding problems, insufficiency in the attention span and with talk, hearing and problem-solving. It can also cause death. FAS also known to cause certain facial features in the baby. Some of these include an upturned or short nose, smaller than normal eyes, thin lips, and flat cheeks. While these features will go away over time, most of the other difficulties will last throughout the child's lifetime. As mentioned, Fetal Alcohol Effects come in two major categories. These are Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder and Alcohol Related Birth Defects. The first category (ARND) refers to conduct and mental problems such as poor output at school, learning disabilities, insufficient impulse control, memory problems, and problems with judgment and giving heed span. The second category (or ARBD) refers to skeletal malformations, and also deformities in major organs (the kidneys, heart, auditory system, or even the bones). While related, Fetal Alcohol Effects are not similar from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. FAE results from a moderate amount of drinking during the pregnancy. FAS results from an extreme amount of drinking alcohol throughout the pregnancy, including drinking on a daily basis or binge drinking. Regardless of whether it's FAS or FAE, the results are still lifelong, irreversible, and tragic. The reason is that it is not safe to drink any alcohol while pregnant--period. However, the more you drink, the more you put your baby at danger. So how do the mom-to-be prevent Fetal Alcohol Effects and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? It's quite obvious: She must abstain from all alcohol while pregnant. If she does this, there is no chance -- zero -- of having a child with either FAE or FAS. To find out more about this particular subject, call (800) 666-6327. That's the number for the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and they would be delighted to remind you information.

Lune de Miel en Mer

Il est loin du temps du Titanic, avec sa carapace majestueuse, sa luxure, son confort, ses services à bord! Détrompez vous, les paquebots de croisières existants de nos jours ne font que reprendre l'idée du Titanic, avec des matières plus simples mais d'avantage confortables et fiables. De plus, l'idée des jeux déjà présente à bord du Titanic a été reprise à bord de la majorité des bateaux avec la mise en place de salles de casinos et leur fameuses tables de craps pour des parties pleines d'émotions et s'amuser lorsque le bateau reste en mer. Nul bateau ne peut vous être recommandé plus qu'un autre du fait que cela dépend entièrement de vos goûts, de vos attentes et de votre objectif, culturel ou romantique. La destination dépendant énormément de vous, le bateau amarré pour cette croisière l'est donc également. Pour cela, les listes ne seraient être complètes. Les navires les plus connus sont les suivants: 1) Voyager of the seas: Destination les Antilles. Ce paquebot est le plus grand au monde, et nous faisons grand usage de l'espace disponible. Vous y trouverez plus d'activités et d'expériences que vous ne pouvez imaginer. Un mur d'escalade vous attend pour pouvoir pratiquer votre souplesse et votre réflexion et découvrir l'océan sus un angle nouveau. Au départ de Miami, des escales sont prévues à Nassau, Saint Thomas, San Juan, Labadie, et deux journées en mer avant un retour au lieu de départ. Découvrez également la fameuse patinoire où vous pourrez boire un bon chocolat. La vie nocturne y est également de mise: les boutiques, les cafés et autres animations du s'ouvrent à vous. Danser jusqu'au bout de la nuit au Jesters, une boîte de nuit entraînante répartie sur deux étages. 2) Jewel of the Seas: Mis en service en mai 2004, le Jewel of the Seas est caractérisés par l'allure innovante des super yachts. Il possède un design avancé avec ses grandes surfaces vitrées dans les espaces publics et des ascenseurs de verre donnant sur l'océan. Au choix, voyagez sur ce paquebot autour des Caraïbes ou découvrez l'Europe Transatlantique. Le "must" des Caraïbes vous attend aux escales de Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Georgetown, et en mer. Pour les amoureux de l'Europe, des escales inattendues vous permettront de découvrir Oslo Copenhague et Hambourg sous un jour nouveau, ou encore, toute la Scandinavie, ses fjords et la Russie grâce à des visites à Harwich, Oslo, Copenhague, Stockholm, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, et Tallinn. 3) Explorer of the Seas: En route vers les Antilles. Ce paquebot, regroupant les caractéristiques du Voyager of The Seas, vous plongera dans un profond dépaysement au choix, de la Floride au Bahamas, aux Caraïbes, au Mexique, ou encore au bermudes. Vous pourrez, le temps d'une escale, découvrir aussi bien Fort Lauderdale, Labadie,Ocho Rios au Mexique, que Miami,Belize City, Costa Maya, Cozumel, et Georgetown pour découvrir le charme des Caraïbes. 4) Monarch of the Seas: De taille équivalente à la Statue de la Liberté, ce paquebot vous offre la liberté de vous lever avec le soleil, la liberté de laisser les enfants en sécurité grâce au programme pour les enfants à bord. Ce paquebot vous laissera rêver au travers de ses croisières sensationnelles au Mexique. Découvrez les villes de Los Angeles, San Diego, Ile Catalina, et Ensenada en cinq jours. Cinq jours de dépaysement garantis.

Cedar Garden Furniture-An Owner’s Pride

All men are not created alike; some are gifted with artistic talents while others with beauty etc. The same thing holds good for woods too. Cedar is a type of wood which has all exceptional qualities imbibed in it. You can add a sense of beauty to your garden using the aromatic bouquet presented by Cedar Garden furniture. The natural oil present in Cedar provides you with a comforting atmosphere. The composition of Cedar oil is such that it repels insects and acts as a natural preservative and prevents your furniture from wear and tear. This contributes a lot to the life span of your garden furniture set. The arrival of Cedar furniture to your garden will certainly augment your outdoor activities and you would undoubtedly feel proud to own one.


The main variety of Cedar wood is the Thuja plicata and it found extensively in the forests of Washington and Idaho. Always ensure that the wood has a certificate of sustainable forestry practices before opting to buy one. If the letters “Reforestation Program” are inscribed on your furniture set it implies that the wood was developed after clear cutting and replanting and these woods do not last long.

Cedar is an ideal wood for the Mediterranean climate since it neither expands nor contracts on absorption of moisture. It has a low thermal coefficient of expansion and the air enclosed between its pores mainly contribute to this property. This also makes Cedar an ideal insulator and it doesn’t radiate heat under a scorching environment. So irrespective of the climatic changes you can enjoy yourselves in your cool and favorite seat. All these excellent properties give Cedar an edge over the other types of wood. An authentication to the liability of cedar is indicated by the very fact that it was used in the 15th century for the erection of King Solomon’s shrine. This temple exists till now and this indicates the durability of Cedar made furniture. The main reason behind the popularity of Cedar wood is its extreme lightness. This makes it portable and the transport of Cedar made goods is a child’s play.


Though Red Cedar is the most popular of all, these woods are also available in tan, gold, white and silver. Apart from the color you would also get different types of coating inclusive of but not limited to the weathered coat, unvarnished coat, varnished cum semi silvered coat etc...With proper care and maintenance your cedar would do you great good. Annual greasing with Special oils would ensure a longer life and a new gloss gets imparted to the wood. Each time you take a look you would undeniably find something different and interesting in your garden set. You could even cover your furniture with tarp to avoid weathering and this will pass on a natural sheen to your furniture


Just try sitting in a Cedar Garden Adirondack chair and you would discover something extraordinary within you. Spending a few moments in your garden with your Garden furniture would certainly take you to your dream world. You would be able to catch up with your dreams and this would imbibe in you a sense of great accomplishment.

Live Poker: How to Win Tournament Games

Now, if you are interested in being the best player, getting really good money and knowing some tricks and advices of what to do in a live tournament games, here is the best place to learn them. 1) Try not to get drunk Some of the people that are playing, and that have few rounds to play in the tournament don't count the drinks they have during their games and at the very end of the day they don't have power to continue till the last game, which is a pity to loose such a big opportunity, so, don't drink a lot and be prepare for the last round, also come up with all your senses in order. If you drink, do it measurable and just to loose the nerves before the games but also have some other drinks like soda, water, coffee and others to hydrate your self. 2) Is it important where I sit? Yes it is, in a tournament try not to sit next to the dealer, take a place in where you will feel that you are in front of the dealer to have the feeling that he is giving you a game. Also in a place where you will feel comfortable with your self and you will have a perspective of the other players. 3) Make your self comfortable while playing Don't show the other players with your position what you cards are telling you. Make sure to seat back and relax, don't adopt positions that will make you move too much or feel uncomfortable during the time of the game. Some players in the tournaments show their game with the position they adopt while playing either putting the elbows on the table or resting in the bumper. 4) Do the most important thing in the brake. Don't get distracted from what you really need to do in the brake. Take your time to go to the bathroom and rest, sometimes the discussions about the previous game or lines for getting drinks will waste your time for what is really important. 5) Also your words and mimic are important during the game. When ever you are playing don't show your cards to the other player in the way you talk or look, is important that they will have other impression, for example in your hand Is good you can try on making faces or saying words that show that your hand is not good, then people will think you have a bad game and you will surprise them at the end. This doesn't work all the time so try to find different ways to hide your game.Also you can read the other player's movements and words to see either they are lying or telling the truth in the hand. Conclusion: Ok, right now you are equipped with the best advices from the experienced card players at Live Tournament Games, then just bring all your energies and talent to the tournaments. If you are looking for fun and you don't have friends around to play with, remember that there is always a way to play by your self, you will be always welcome at online casinos so go there is you like to gain some practice for your gaming skills.

Lead Poisoning In Environment And Children's Exposure

Pollution is generallyy defined as the release of harmful environmental contaminants. Pollution can take two major forms: local pollution and global pollution. In the past, only local pollution was thought to be a problem. For example, coal burning produces smoke and in sufficient concentrations can be a health hazard. One slogan, taught in schools was "The solution to pollution is dilution". In recent decades, awareness has been rising that some forms of pollution pose a global problem. Traditionally, serious pollution sources include chemical plants, oil refineries, nuclear waste dumps, regular garbage dumps (many toxic substances are illegally dumped there), incinerators, PVC factories, car factories, plastics factories and corporate animal farms creating huge amounts of animal waste. Lead is still the single most important chemical toxin for children and is probably the best known example of a neurotoxin to which children are particularly vulnerable. Their special vulnerability to lead is related to their exposure (hand–mouth activity, ingestion of paint chips),the fact that upon exposure children absorb four times more lead than adults, and their susceptibility at a critical period of brain development. Children may be exposed to lead in leaded petrol from car emissions, water contaminated by lead pipes, old paint, emissions from factories, contaminated soil and food contaminated by environmental sources (including improperly glazed ceramic ware for cooking and food storage). Lead particles can move with water, soil, dust and wind. The neurotoxic effects of lead depend on the exposure level and the stage of nervous system development at the time of exposure. Studies have documented that developmental exposure to lead can adversely affects several specific brain functions, resulting in particular in learning disabilities, attention deficit, poor motor coordination, and inadequate language development. Do a thorough check of your home and always watch what your children are putting in their mouths.

Causes of Back Pain and how to Prevent it

Back pain is so common in America that 75% of the population will experience it in their lifetimes. Since back pain affects middle age people it has a huge affect on the economy. Studies have shown that low pack pain is a leading cause of work absentees.

Back pain being the substantial problem that it is, it is important to know the causes of back pain as well as how to prevent it.

Causes of Back Pain

Muscle Strain
The leading cause of back pain is due to a simple muscle strain. At some point an individual may have an event that causes their muscle to spasm. These strains will relax in a matter of weeks.

Ruptured Disc
A ruptured disc, or herniated disc, is another cause of back pain. Treatment may vary depending on many factors. Consult your physician for proper treatment.

Discogenic Back Pain
This type of back pain may be a leading cause of low back pain. This type of pain is the result of damage to the intervertabral disc.

Arthritis
Arthritis is a disease that affects joints in the fingers, wrists, and knees. Lumbar spine arthritis can affect the joints within the spine itself. Arthritis would cause you to have pain when you were moving.

There are many other factors that determine a person’s probability of having back pain. Age, weight, and past injuries are all factors that can cause lower back pain. Let’s take a look into ways to prevent future back pain.

Ways to Prevent Back Pain

Live a Healthy Lifestyle
One of the best things you can do to prevent lower back pain is to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts enormous pressure on your lower back. Maintaining a healthy core, or abdominal muscles, will help you support your back by providing proper posture.

Exercise
You hear exercise as being the answer to preventing just about every medical condition on record. So much so, we tend to ignore it. Living an active lifestyle will increase muscle tone, decrease fat, and reduce levels of stress. Each of the factors plays a role in back pain. Muscle tone keeps your body strong and able function at optimal levels. Fat has a tendency to gather around the waist and hips. This puts undo strain on your lower back. Overall stress decreases the ability for the body to heal itself when it is injured.

Lift Properly
When you lift, lift with your knees. Try to keep your back straight and force the weight through your legs and knees. Generally, your legs are the most muscular part of your body. These muscles are much more capable of handling stress and weight than your back muscles.

Know how to create your own Gift Basket

Gift baskets are an easy way to win the heart of your dear and loved ones. It’s not necessary that each time you need to purchase a gift basket because it’s simple and easy to create a custom gift basket of your own. You can make theme basked gift baskets just by keeping in mind that who is going to be the recipient and on what occasion it is being gifted. Point’s considerable for the recipient are what do they like, what are their hobbies, what they need and what do they like to eat. Things you require are a container to put all the things together. It is not necessary that the container is expensive but you should choose it as per the theme. It should also be reusable and something practical. Containers you can use as gift basket could be basket of any size, pots, bowls, fishing creel, tin, platter, plastic container, colander, bucket, canvas bag, day pack or storage box. You can pick up from themes such as kids gift baskets, photographer gift baskets, gardener gift baskets, guitar player gift baskets, grandparents gift baskets, holiday gift baskets, romantic gift baskets and much more. It could be presented on occasions such as birthday, anniversary, festivals, holidays, promotions or anything else. 1. To create a kid gift basket you can use games, puzzle CD’s, coloring books, crayons, markers, stickers, cartoon pictures and gather it all together in a rubber or plastic storage box. 2. For making a gift basket for your special someone you can collect things such as cosmetic creams, lotions, relaxation CD’s and any other thing you know she will cherish to have. If it is someone male, you can gather some sports items to create a golf gift basket or you can also use dark chocolates, popcorn’s, tasty wheat wafers and snacks that he would love to have. 3. Making a bath gift basket is also simple where you need to use a nice basket with collectibles such as a gel eye pack, soothing after bath lotions, Epsom salts, scented candles, scrubber or loofah sponge, aromatherapy oils, back cleaning brush, relaxing musical CD. 4. To gift a college student you can take a basket or usable container with things such as pencils, mouse pads, phone cards, gifts certificate for CD, nail clippers and book light. Other things that you can use are yummy snacks and hand towel. 5. If you wish to gift someone who loves yummy snacks, you can decorate a colander or bowl with package of gourmet pasta, pasta olives, tongs or pasta grabber, spices such as garlic powder, basil, recipe cookbook. 6. To gift your grandparents, you need to use a basket or reusable container with a scrapbook, children’s artwork, framed family pictures, family videos, long distance calling cards, handmade ornaments, polar fleece lap blanket and some tea, coffee or candy. 7. If it is your colleague or friend who is a wine lover, you can use a wine cooling bucket with some wine glasses, cork screw, cheese and crackers and wine or champagne bottles. After you have all your collectibles with you, you can put some filler around them such as piece of fabric, straw, Easter basket grass, shredded paper, newspaper, colored paper, colored towels or napkins, tissue papers or cedar shavings. You can easily add potpourri, special tea bags, roasted or unshelled nuts, small toys, sample hand creams for any kind of occasions. There are innumerable types of gift baskets that you can make according to the preferences of the recipient. To know more, visit our recommended website customgiftbasket.info

Catering For Your Party

Dealing with catering service providers is part of planning a successful party. A caterer normally provides food and beverages and they have an important role in your party. If you have experience with caterers, you are in luck. But if you have never hired a caterer before, don’t worry.

If the party venue offers this service, it is also possible that you don’t need to worry about hiring a third party caterer. Even if catering is not provided by the party location, they may be able to recommend some to you. If your party site manager, recommends a caterer you should still do your homework. Just like any other vendor, a caterer should be able to provide you with several references. You should always contact the references.

You should ask about reliability, trustworthiness, quality, and related issues. Never assume that a caterer recommended by someone if surely the best possible solution for your event. One caterer may work great for one event, but be insufficient for others. A caterer may be experienced in smaller parties, but not experienced with parties with two hundred invited guests.

There are two different styles of catering:
Seated Dinner - Seated dinner setting will normally require more staff than a buffet. Serving the food requires more severs. With a seated dinner, you will need more tables and chairs because most of the guests will eat at the same time. A seated dinner offers less flexibility for your guests, because they usually have a couple of options to choose from. To simplify the process, menu options should be included with the party invitations so your guests can choose which selection they prefer. The pre-selection process enables you to work with your caterer on the final count.

Buffet – You may be able to get away with less chairs and tables with a buffet dinner. Buffet gives your party guests more flexibility, and they don’t all have to eat at the same time. A buffet dinner also gives your party guests more options to customize their food selection. The buffet requires fewer servers and less staff. Guests can pick and choose what they like. In addition to the obvious advantage of a more flexible dinner, your guest can go back for seconds. Because buffet dinners require minimal service staff, you may even be able to save money with this option.

Is Technology Isolating Us From Friends and Family

Psychologists have done studies on the effects of internet chats on people. The number of cases going to doctors are increasing day by day. People who are shy and reticent in the real world, log on chats to vent out their frustration. They assume pseudo identities and assume a new life, sitting hours at a stretch. These cases have been causes of many marital problems and divorces. Rejection by cyber friends has also been a big reason of depression cases. It only serves to increase loneliness which has been proved. Even internet surfing, to some has become an addiction. Hours and hours are spent online with no care of the real world. Similarly with online games. People suddenly become recluse. They ignore their home and family. Hanging out is no longer for them. This phenomenon is real in many places. Loneliness creates frustration with the outside world. A gregarious attitude is lost. Everything is a product of new and latest innovations of technology companies. And they are only researching and testing for more of these gadgets. Gone is the time of 70's and 80's when saturday nights were nights with friends, hanging out. Nowadays you also hear about online meetings with friends using instant messengers. SMS has reduced the need of speaking on the phone. People are no longer as outgoing and socialable as they were before. Even movies and concerts can be downloaded home on demand preventing the need to go out. In fact, you can even work from home and not even go to office. Everything you need to shop, can be ordered online or on the telephone. Talking of education, even graduate degrees can be obtained sitting at home. There is no need to attend lectures and classes in universities. There's no need to stay in a college dormitory with new friends. Our old favourite TV started the couch potato idea. Studies showed people all over US were becoming obese and lethargic. Children instead of playing football outdoors were watching inane programs for long hours. All this only promotes loneliness. Some years back, there was this man who named himself dotcomguy. He stayed inside a room for an entire month with just a computer and a net connection. Everything he needed or wanted to do could be done or bought with the help of the net. Publicity and encouragement were given to him as if he were doing a great job. Maybe he demonstrated the power of the computer- nothing more. Man is a social animal-a cliche and a truth. He always needed company of others for happiness. Marriage is a symbol of the same- the need for a companion. Current technological progress is only undermining the same. Its creating hermits everywhere. There may be a day, when no one needs to come out of home. Now, even marriages are webcast, so that relatives can bless the couple online without needing to come over. What more can they think of?

Catalogue Shopping For The Perfect Cookware For Your Kitchen

Are you in the market for cookware? Are you also a person who maintains a very full schedule -- do you find yourself trying to juggle the demands of work and family? Have you essentially concluded that you simply do not have time to take up an extra activities, even something which might seem simple on the surface like looking for and finding the perfect cookware for your home kitchen.

If that is the case, all is not lost. There are options available to you that will permit you to purchase the type of cookware items that will best meet your needs -- and you will not need to unnecessarily overload your own schedule in the process. One option that you will want to consider in your hunt for cookware when you are living life on a tight schedule is catalogue shopping for cookware for your kitchen.

When it comes to catalogue shopping for cookware, you do have a number of options available to you. For example, if you are interested in high end cookware products for your kitchen and for your home, there are now some wonderful merchants that market their wares through catalogues.

At the other end of the spectrum, if you are a person who wants to save money, if you are living on a more restrictive budget, there are now some excellent companies that sell a wide array of different cookware and kitchenware products via catalogues.

In addition to companies that market their wares exclusively through catalogues, many major retailers in the brick and mortar world now also market their own inventory of products through catalogues.

When shopping through catalogues, most companies now charge only a minimal fee for shipping and handling. Indeed, in some instances, if you purchase over a minimum amount of products, products that cost over a minimum amount of money, the catalogue vendor will charge you nothing additional for shipping and handling. In addition, most catalogue companies also provide you with a toll free number through which you can phone a catalogue merchant and order those cookware products that you desire at no additional charge to you.

Finally, catalogue shopping allows for you to purchase products with a guarantee. In other words, if you receive the product and are not satisfied with what you obtain when you receive the product, you can return the cookware purchased -- the merchant paying the return shipping.

Care For Your Leather: Great tips to keep your leather clean and moist!

Leather is a very durable material and needs to be cared for. To care and protect your leather handbags, backpacks, wallets, fanny packs, etc., you should use good quality water and stain repellant to help prevent stains and dirt build up. For best results:

• Apply protecting products just after purchasing and three to four times a year thereafter as needed.
• Keep your leather moist with a high quality leather lotion.
• Do not use any cleaning products on any leather that is not made specifically for leather.
• If your handbag or other leather product is suede, use a cleaner that is made for suede.

Some cleaners that are made for leather may not be for use on suede. A good rule to go by is to always follow the manufacture’s directions and always test any protection and cleaning product on an inconspicuous area first.

When wearing or carrying leather, do not spray perfumes, hair spray, body sprays, or any other harmful products near your leather product, it will damage it and stain it from the harsh ingredients. Your leather product may be cleaned by simply wiping with a clean, damp cloth. Do not use soap or any chemical products. If there are stains that are too tough to get out, consult a professional leather cleaner.

How you store your leather is very important. Leather must be stored in a breathable container such as a cotton bag or wrapped in a cotton fabric. Do not store your leather in plastic. This may cause your leather to dry out. Store in a well-ventilated, cool, dry place and keep away for excessive heat or dampness such as attics and basements. This may cause your leather to crack from the heat or to mold from the dampness. By using some of the methods mentioned above may keep your leather looking great for many years to come.

How To Take Care Of A Grandfather Clock

Title: How To Take Care Of A Grandfather Clock Word Count: 525 Summary: A grandfather clock is undoubtedly an amazing piece to have in your home. It hearkens back to a time when life was simpler, yet more elegant. If you invest in a grandfather clock, chances are it will quickly become a showpiece within your entryway, living room, or dining room. Yet, it is highly important that you take good care of your grandfather clock. To some people, there is nothing more annoying than a clock that fails to provide the correct time. Also, while it can c... Keywords: grandfather clocks, clocks, time, cleaning clocks Article Body: A grandfather clock is undoubtedly an amazing piece to have in your home. It hearkens back to a time when life was simpler, yet more elegant. If you invest in a grandfather clock, chances are it will quickly become a showpiece within your entryway, living room, or dining room. Yet, it is highly important that you take good care of your grandfather clock. To some people, there is nothing more annoying than a clock that fails to provide the correct time. Also, while it can certainly be gratifying to purchase an antique clock, you don’t want your clock to “show its age” after just a few months in your home. The best way to ensure that you will be able to take care of a grandfather clock properly is to exercise caution when selecting a clock to buy. Whether you are interested in a new or used model, you probably have hundreds of choices to consider. You should examine each individual cabinet as you would any other piece of furniture. Be sure to carefully consider the finish and the overall quality. For instance, if you’re looking for a stunning piece that is particularly easy to care for, you might consider a 100 percent cherry, oak, or mahogany cabinet. In such a case, you’ll need to buy an older clock to get what you want. You’ll be much better off purchasing a grandfather clock from a clock dealer rather than from a general furniture store. This is because a dealer can offer better service after the sale. This means that, working with a dealer, you should have an easier time caring for your clock. Also, be sure that you examine the actual clock you’re purchasing, rather than just buying a clock delivered from a warehouse. Otherwise, you could end up with a clock that is damaged and will therefore be difficult to take care of. If you notice dents or scratches on the surfaces of the weights or pendulum, be sure to alert a customer service representative, so that those problems can be dealt with before you get the clock home. If you want a truly durable grandfather clock, you’ll probably have to purchase one that is about 40 to 50 percent more expensive than the cheapest model. If you purchase an older clock, you may have more difficulty taking care of it over the long run. This is because many older clocks have not been fully serviced before the sale because of the cost involved. Essentially, the dealer will probably do only that amount of maintenance necessary to get the clock running. As a result, you could find yourself facing significant maintenance costs later on. Also, be aware of the fact that a spring-driven clock does not usually last as long as a weight-driven clock. In order to care for your clock properly, it’s important that you have your grandfather clock cleaned at least once every five years. The cleaner your clock, the better it is likely to function. Since a grandfather clock represents a treasured piece of history, you need to care for it as you would any prized possession.