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The Magnolia Walker Company Ezine - Current Issue -
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Vol II Issue 5
Publisher: Janet Bullard
webmaster@magnoliawalker.com
© 2004 All Rights Reserved
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This is an opt-in newsletter only! THIS IS NOT SPAM! If you wish
to know how you were subscribed, please email me at:
mailto:webmaster@magnoliawalker.com?subject=How-was-I-subscribed
we keep files for each subscriber and will be glad to send you the
information. If you would like to be removed
from this newsletter the instructions are at the end of this
publication. My subscribers are very important to me and are not
made available to other companies or individuals. Every subscriber's
privacy is valued and respected.
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Hello Internet Marketer,
Our Christmas Holiday's were wonderful. We had family over and of course there was plenty of food to eat, lots of sweets. I hope all of you had a joyful holiday and are looking forward to a happy and prosperous year.
I'd like to welcome all the new subscribers as well as you who have been with me for years. Thanks for taking a few minutes to read this newsletter. Our days are full of things to do and I immencely appreciate the time you take to view this newsletter.
Don't forget my church, Greenland Baptist Church, has begun to publishing a monthly newsletter. If you are interested in learning about Christ and God's love you may sign up at the following address: http://greenland.magnoliawalker.com
Include your Full Name and mailing address.
I have some free downloads for you. They are listed below. Right click to download. When Menu Pops up Click "Save Target As". All are free to download, some do have upgrade areas.
Sincerely,
Janet Bullard
Home School Mom & Internet Marketer
Plus bottle washer, diaper changer, cook, errand runner,
& The Great "Where is my ?" answerer! :)) |
Click here to join the add2it.com Affiliate Program!
A Message from Guest Pastor: Bro. Joe Hennington
Dragnet
Some years ago there was a T.V. show called Dragnet where one of the detectives would say, "Just the facts", when he was interviewing suspects. The idea of gathering the facts would lead the detectives to the truth and then the case would be solved. So many times people forget the facts or just don't know them in order to lead them to the answers they need in life. They may get caught up in their emotions and forget to gather the facts they need in order to deal with some of life's difficult circumstances. As Christians we need to be aware of the facts about our salvation in order to have assurance of it, and we need to remember the facts about how we are to live for God in our daily walk with Him. In this lesson I will ask some questions that many Christians have dealt with in the past. So reader lets ask a few questions and gather the facts, just the facts.
In the past I've dealt with people who knew that Christ died for their sins, but seemed to remember certain depraved acts they did before knowing Christ as their savior that caused them to doubt their salvation. Lets ask a few questions in order to deal with this feeling of dread that some people have when thinking about their past and gather the facts to lead us to the truth.
Question 1: Who did Christ die for?
Answer: Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Fact: When you at your worst Christ knew you and was willing to pay the price for you by dying in your place and paid the debt of your sins in full. Christ died for sinners like us.
Question 2: How can I know my sins are paid for, even the darkest deeds I have committed in the past that trouble me?
Answer: Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Other passages: John 3:15-18. Colossians 1: 20-22.
Fact: Christ is greater than your sin and his sacrifice is absolutely satisfying to God. Your sins are not greater than his act of love and he has reconciled you and made you unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.
We as Christians can be certain that our savior is sufficient for salvation. If you really want to be amazed by the scriptures read Ephesians 1: 1-14 and see that God chose us before the foundation of the world to be redeemed by the Son and has sealed us by the Holy Spirit. Just look at the facts and trust in what Christ has done for you and be assured of your salvation. If you need some helpful tools in gathering information in your search for the facts I suggest the following study aids: A Strong's concordance, an amplified bible and of course a King James version of the Bible. These items can be found at a bible book store. I hope you will be encouraged to always gather the facts and trust in God to reveal His word to you.
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Joe Hennington has been a pastor for many years.
He currently resides over the flock at Greenland
Baptist Church, Union, Mississippi
Prayer Requests welcome:
mailto:greenland@magnoliawalker.com?subject=prayer_request
Greenland Baptist Church
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Take a minute out of your day and pray. Eloquency impresses only Man.
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How To Create A Cool Drop Capital Effect On Your Web Pages
By Jason Lewis
Drop Capitals are frequently used in many newspapers, books and
magazines in the offline world. You will frequently see the large capital
letter sinking down into the first paragraph of articles, stories and
chapters in the majority of publications you come across.
The drop capital gives the page a nice finishing touch, and certainly
adds a more professional looking feel.
Online, the drop capital looks just as good on web pages as it does in
print. The only drawback is that you can easily get the whole effect
wrong, and end up with a less than appealing result.
The wrong way...
When most people attempt to create a drop capital effect on a web page,
they usually just enlarge the first letter by a few font sizes and make
it bold.
If you do this on your own web page, you will notice that instead of a
'drop'capital effect, you end up with an odd looking letter which
sticks up above the rest of the paragraph, and just looks out of place.
The right way...
There are essentially, two parts to creating the drop capital effect.
Step #1 -
You need to create a drop capital image using some graphic software.
You can use any standard piece of graphic software like Paint Shop Pro,
Fireworks, or Photoshop.
The drop capital image should ideally be big enough to drop down
between 2-4 lines of text, depending on your preference.
You should ensure that the top of your drop capital image is level with
the top of the text next to it. The bottom of the image should also be
level with the bottom of the lowest text next to it.
This is really the hardest part of creating a drop capital effect. It
can be very easy to make the image just a bit too big, or a bit too
small. You may find that it will take a bit of trial and error to make it
look just right. However, the extra effort will pay off, as the end
result will be worth waiting for.
One thing to note: As with any image, a drop capital image can slow a
web page if the file size is too big. To help reduce the file size you
should save it as a '.gif' image. For even better results you should
try to optimize the '.gif' image as well, by reducing the amount of
colors being used.
Step #2 -
This step is the easiest bit...
Once you have created the drop capital image, all you have to do now is
to insert it into your web page. You just add the image to the web
page in the same way that you would with any other image on your page.
When you place it at the beginning of the paragraph, make sure you
remember to delete the first letter of the normal text. Otherwise you will
end up starting the paragraph with two of the same letter.
'Align' the image to the left
Initially, you will notice that the drop capital image just sits on top
of the first line, instead of dropping down into it. Not for long!
All you have to do now, is 'align' the image to the left, and you will
see it drop down instantly into the paragraph.
If you are using a web page editor to create your web pages like
Microsoft FrontPage or Macromedia's Dreamweaver, aligning the image to the
left is pretty easy.
In FrontPage:
Select the drop capital image by 'left clicking' it once. Then click on
the 'align to the left' short cut icon in the top menu bar.
Alternatively, you can select 'Format', then 'Position' from the top menu. In the
pop up window, select 'Align Left' under 'Wrapping Style'.
In Dreamweaver:
Select the drop capital image by left clicking it once. Then in the
properties window, click on the arrow in the drop down menu next to
'Align', then select 'Left'
If you are using a different web page editor, you should have a similar
'align' option in the menu area. Alternatively, you can edit the HTML
code directly yourself. Just add the following command in between the
brackets of the image tag:
align="left"
That's literally all there is to it!
If you have multiple pages on your website, you'll probably going to
need to create a number of different drop capital images, for each letter
of the alphabet. The extra effort will be worthwhile as you will end
up with a much more professional looking website.
Copyright © 2004 Jason Lewis
About the Author: Jason Lewis provides ready-made professionally
designed drop capital images, as an instant solution for the busy website
owner. Each design is available for immediate download and can be added
to a website within a few minutes. To find out more:
http://www.dropcapitals.com
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HTML Tips
============================================
Tutorial; ---- "404 Error - What's Up?"
============================================
How many times have you clicked a link to visit a Website, and
all that came up onto your screen was a page saying the requested
page was not available. Or just simply '404 error'?
Many people assume that the page does not exist. Someone's made a
typo. Some fool has messed up!
Well that's not always the case.
I know you're not interested in the techie reasons for this
happening, but sometimes if you click 'Refresh', the page will
load for you.
You'd be surprised at how often you'll be successful.
If that doesn't work, try returning later and see if it loads.
And sometimes you may find that a page is taking aaaaages to
load. The bar in your taskbar is crawling across at a snail's
pace, and you feel your eyes beginning to grow heavy and your
chin slowly drops closer to your chest.
It is NOT recommended that you squirt lubricating oil into the
back of your PC. However, the burning smell *will* keep you awake
whilst you're staring at a black screen.
It's better to try clicking 'Stop' and refresh the page.
Sometimes the page loads almost instantaneously.
Why? Coz it's technology, that's why:-)
404 and lots of other error messages are just some of the 800+
tips and tutorials in PC & Internet Companion' at
http://newbieclub.com/comp/
http://newbieclub.com/tutorials/
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Use Air Filters and Common Sense for Allergy Relief
By Mae Marshall
Do you suffer from allergies or asthma? If you are one of the millions of people that do, air filters and air purifiers provide much needed relief. Do you have smokers in the house? Air filters or air purifiers get rid of smoke and odor in your home. Different filters will accomplish different goals so you wouldn't purchase the same filter for both problems mentioned above. Before you buy, consider what kind of allergens or particles you are trying to remove. There are a variety of technologies used in room air cleaners including ionization, ozonation, electrostatic precipitation, ultraviolet light, mechanical filtration and odor absorption.
An air cleaning system with a paper air filter works somewhat like coffee grounds, collecting in the coffee filter. Your air purifiers will generally have a filter that collects the particulates and gases in the air. As they get more and more clogged they actually can remove more particles and become more efficient, however, less air is passing through them also. If your unit has electrostatic plates, they get clogged with dust and need to be cleaned often or they won't be efficient at all. The Ionic Breeze works somewhat this way giving the particles an electrostatic charge. Both systems work well; it is what you prefer for your home. If the air is too humid, a dehumidifier will lower the chances of mold and mildew growth.
If you are allergic to dust mites, do some research and find exactly what kind of unit you need according to your particular allergy problem. Controlling the air quality and climate of your home may sound daunting, but it is actually not that difficult to achieve and can lead to substantial health benefits. Take the time to consider the quality of air that you are breathing. Is it the best it can be for you and your family, or could it be improved with air filters or air purifiers?
Air filters are great, but you might also want to consider changing your surroundings if you really have allergy problems. Dust mites, molds, animal dander, and insect debris are difficult to thoroughly clear from the environment. However, it really is easier and quicker to clean a hard surface such as wood, tile, vinyl, or leather than it is to clean all those nooks and crannies found in carpet, fabric, or other soft surfaces. Your bedding also needs to be as clean as possible. You might want to only use fabrics that can be repeatedly washed in hot water. Avoid down blankets or pillows and enclose your mattress in plastic.
Have the air ducts of your air conditioning system cleaned every year. Think twice before getting a dog or cat and indoor plants may promote mold growth. You might want to sleep with a brick under the head of the bed allowing sinus drainage. Use a HEPA vacuum frequently if you still have carpets in the house. Definitely stay away from smoke and keep the windows closed at high pollen times of the year. These are only a few tips to keep the quality of your air as clean and clear as possible for you and your family. You are the one in control of your health.
Mae Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying portable air conditioners, ceiling fans air filters and more. Her many articles can be seen at http://www.portable-air-conditioner-4u.com. She gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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"Blueprint" For Super Affiliate Success
http://affbprint.magnoliawalker.com
Here with some outstanding news!
Here's the story...
When people want to start an online business,
they usually have one of two challenges:
1) They don't have a product of their own to sell, but they
really want to start a *real* online business - or -
2) They currently sell as an affiliate for others, but
can't seem to make more than a couple of sales here and
there and feel like all they're doing is building the
*merchant's business* (instead of their own).
They see others doing really well online, but they don't
understand the "pattern" or "blueprint" for making money
without their own product.
If you've ever felt this way about your online business,
then this may be the most important update you ever read!
Here's why...
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=> http://affbprint.magnoliawalker.com
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Two people I have an incredible amount of respect for
have just released what is literally the "BluePrint" for
successful affiliate marketing.
I know you've heard of them...
Rosalind Gardner and Jim Edwards.
Rosalind Gardner is the author of "The Super Affiliate
Handbook - How I made $436,797 Last Year Selling Other
People's Stuff Online"
Jim Edwards is the publisher of the world-famous "I Gotta
Tell You" multi-media newsletter and regularly sell $10's
of thousands of dollars a year in other people's products
as an affiliate.
Not too long ago, they decided to take their unique
perspectives on selling as affiliates while building
their own businesses at the same time (instead of just
building the business of the merchant's they sell for)
and create a no-holds-barred, high-impact training
program for anyone who is serious about building their
own business while selling as an affiliate.
They've created The "Affiliate Business Blueprint"... and
man, is it powerful!
Together they reveal to you:
~ How to AVOID the 6 "curse of death" mistakes 95% of all
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~ The BEST ways to market your affiliate sites online and
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~ How to find and evaluate profitable niche topics with
profits just waiting to be harvested... by YOU!
~ How to quickly and accurately assess market demand... so
you can estimate how profitable a niche might be for you.
~ How to become an "Instant Expert" in virtually any niche
you want to sell as an affiliate - AND - where to find
HOT products & services that are selling - RIGHT NOW!
As you can see, this training is *packed* with valuable
information you'll be able to use immediately!
Go here for the full story
=> http://affbprint.magnoliawalker.com
If you're ready to make this your "breakout" year as far as
finally creating your own unique online business, this is
exactly what you need.
Go here for more information
=> http://affbprint.magnoliawalker.com
To your success,
PS - You might be asking "Do you really need this training?"
Well, if you're not planning to (or don't want to) sell
anything to anyone... or if you don't want to sell a whole
lot of products as an affiliate... or if you don't want to
create your own massive list of rabid, opt-in subscribers
where you collect people's names and email addresses to
sell them stuff -- and you don't plan to -- then NO, you
don't need this tele-seminar information!
BUT - if you do want to build a FAT list... if you want
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=> http://affbprint.magnoliawalker.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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Gardenscape On A Shoestring
By Sara Noel
Many of us flip through garden magazines, all the while thinking that it takes years, a professional, or tons of money to landscape the gardens featured in the glossy pictures. This isn't necessarily true. You can design a breathtaking garden and be the envy of the neighborhood by following some of the following tips.
- Know What You Like and What Works
Drive around your neighborhood and see what's out there that grows well in your zone. You can jot down what you see on index cards, so they are organized and handy. Start gathering page clippings from magazines and collect some pictures of the designs that interest you. This can help you decide what garden style you like. You'll have an easy reference for plants and placement too.
- Select Location and Color
Next, look at your notes and clippings and choose the color scheme you‘d like to have in your garden. Don't forget to keep in mind if you're designing and planting in shade, sun, or partial shade or partial sun. Are you looking for something bright and vibrant or something more calming and soothing? Consider starting with a foundation of shrubs and accenting with some perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, and annuals for more seasonal color. Perhaps, you want all flowers. Decide on a shape that complements your house style. Straight styles give a more formal appearance while curves give a more informal feel. If you don't feel confident selecting colors, you can use a color wheel to help pick contrasting and complimenting colors.
- Budget and Create a Plan
Decide how much you are able to and want to spend on your new garden. Do you want to start with a foundation and add to it gradually? If so, start with purchasing your most expensive plants and shrubs first. Use these as a focal point for your garden. Start watching for sales and discount plants at garden centers and nurseries. Tell everyone you know that you're starting a garden and would love it if they could give you divisions of their perennials or seeds they have saved from their garden. Let family and friends know that you have a wish list of plants that would be the perfect gift idea. If you have access online, do a search for seed swaps. Many gardeners love to help a new gardener. Many are willing to send seeds for the cost of postage or will trade for something else that you may have that they are looking for. A great resource for free items is http://www.freecycle.org. Look for a group in your area, join the group, and post letting the group know that you would be interested in garden plants and seeds. You may get lucky and find that a member of the group has already offered some plants up for grabs. Don't forget to ask your local garden club when they are having their sales too. You can also start some plants from seed yourself. Many seeds are very easy to direct sow and a little can go a long way.
Here's a partial list of easy to grow seeds:
| Candytuft | Sunflowers | Pansies | Violas |
| Asters | Impatiens | Dianthus | Larkspur |
| 4 o'clocks | Zinnias | Calendula | Marigold |
| Salvia | Cupid's Dart | Morning Glories | Moonflowers |
| Cosmos | Sweet Alyssum | Bee Balm | Poppies |
| Nasturtium | | | |
Don't forget if you decide to sow into containers, there are many inexpensive containers such as yogurt containers, milk jugs, egg cartons, and plastic ice cream buckets. You can also call your city and see if they have free mulch available. Don't hesitate to strike up conversations with your neighbors while you're out for a walk. You never know, the topic of gardening may come up and they might be more than happy to offer you some seeds or divisions.
- Design Away
Now you're ready to design. You can sketch out your idea beforehand. Keep the following in mind as you design.
- Scale-
Judge the size of the area and choose plants that aren't going to be too large, too wide, or too small for the area. Keep in mind the plant's size when it’s met it's mature growth.
- Balance-
Don't place your plants where one area is too compacted with plants and another area is too airy. Try and achieve a good balance of small, medium, and large plants. Balance offers visual stability. It can be created with space between plantings or the visual weight of your design. This can be created with lines so that your garden is pleasing to look at from all angles.
- Focal Point-
Your focal point will be the area that your eye is drawn to first. This can be your prized flowers, tree, or shrub.
- Rhythm-
This is visual flow. The eye wanders throughout the entire garden design, but comes back to the focal point. It can be achieved with repetition and contrast.
- Harmony-Unity-
This is when plants have a way of appearing connected and a part of one another. This can be achieved with color, texture, groupings. Unity is lost when your plants look too separate or your color choice makes one plant look lost amongst the rest.
- Color-
Color impacts the entire design process. Use a color wheel if you don't feel confident selecting colors that go well together.
If all of this is too confusing and overwhelming, check out some garden catalogs. Many have suggested designs. It's also best to place your containers out and arrange and rearrange where you want to plant them before you start digging.
- Accessorize (Homemade Garden Art)
To add some interest and whimsy to your garden, consider some homemade items or trash to treasure works of art. Ideas such as making your own stepping stones, garden markers, terra cotta bird baths or toad houses, painted rocks and pavers, and fun wind chimes are simple projects that can add a lot of interest to your garden area. Look around for unique items you could add to your garden such as milk cans, wooden chairs, ladders, tricycles, wagons, trunks, roofing shingles, mailboxes, or even dressers. The sky is the limit on what you can create. Use your imagination.
There you have it and you didn't have to hire a pro, spend thousands of dollars, or take years to achieve a pretty garden. You won't be a new gardener for long. Soon, it will be you sharing starts, cuttings, seeds, divisions, and tips.
Sara Noel is a freelance writer and the Editor/Publisher of http://www.FrugalVillage.com and http://www.HomesteadGarden.co Visit both these sites for information on getting back to basics through frugality, gardening, lost arts, simplicity, homesteading, and natural family living.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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Your Step by Step Guide to Success on the Internet
| None were sent in this week. :`-(
|
The winner will receive a FREE Solo Ad.
Send e-mail to mailto:contest@magnoliawalker?subject=contest_01-04-05
Get your FREE Ad included in next weeks issue!
This weeks AD CODE: January 4, 2005
http://www.magnoliawalker.com/f_a_f_s/free_ad.html
Include your ad, 5 lines and 60 characters including link.
- Science News for Kids is a new Web site devoted to science news for children of ages 9 to 13.
Our goal is to offer timely items of interest to kids, accompanied by suggestions for hands-on activities, books, articles, Web resources, and other useful materials.
Our emphasis is on making the Web site appealing by offering kids opportunities to comment on the subject matter, ask questions of scientists featured in articles, try out mathematical puzzles, and submit their own work for possible Web publication. At the same time, we are interested in offering teachers creative ways of using science news in their classrooms.
- The Earth & Sky
radio series is a 90-second science radio program broadcast daily by 688 radio stations in the United States and many more throughout the world. We are well known for our ability to present a wide variety of science topics, and for our scientific accuracy and journalistic integrity.
The Earth & Sky stories highlight the wonders of science and nature. They feature astronomy, biology, chemistry, Earth science, environmental science, physics, and more. Our shows fall into several different categories, including
Chemistry Everyday --- Explore the role of chemistry in your daily life. Discover the role of chemistry in the energy you consume, the products you use and the environments you inhabit.
EarthCare --- Learn about natural resources, natural environments and Earth stewardship. Of particular value to teachers and students is the connection of many EarthCare topics to Project Learning Tree® curricula, which meet state and national standards.
Edge of Discovery --- Peek into the day-to-day work of scientists -- the puzzles, inspirations and rewards of cutting-edge research. Interviews with today's scientists reveal the people behind the science.
Tonight's Sky --- Find out what you can see in each night's sky, such as meteor showers, eclipses and planets near the moon. The corresponding Tonight's Sky feature on our web site includes printable skycharts to assist you in your skywatching endeavors.
Women in Science --- Hear women talk about why and how they became scientists, their current research, what their everyday lives are like, and what they love about their work.
Your Science Questions --- Do you have science questions? Come here to find answers to many frequently asked questions and to learn how to find answers to many others.
Earth & Sky is generously sponsored by a variety of foundations and government agencies.
- Social Studies for Kids is a site with articles, subjects, and tons of links for all subjects of social studies, with a focus on what kids and their teachers/parents are learning.
- http://www.suite101.com/kidskorner/
Hi, my name is Mary. Welcome to our community at Suite101.com devoted entirely to the most important people on earth - kids! If you're between the ages of six and twelve, then you've come to the right place to drop in for a chat, hang out, make new friends, voice your opinion, learn something new and more importantly - have fun!! So welcome to the Kids Korner at Suite101.com, we're excited to have you here! Feel free to email Mary with any questions or ideas about your Kid's Korner!
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A Simple Technique to Remember Grocery Items
By Allen Beechick
Whoops! I Forgot the ... at the Grocery Store!
Have you ever left the grocery store and said, "Whoops, I forgot one recipe ingredient"? Or, "Whoops, I forgot to use my coupon"? Or even while in the store, "Whoops, I passed that aisle, and now I have to go back"?
Here's a simple technique to help. Use an aisle-by-aisle grocery list. Include coupon reminders on your list.
You could make an aisle-by-aisle template for your store, and then write the items in the proper aisle. Another way is to write down the items in groups, by category. This requires some thought and discipline ahead of time. Most people just jot down the items in the order that they think of them, and they end up with a randomly ordered list.
Alternatively, you could use computer software. Then you can simply select the items and let the computer figure out the aisles. Of course, you'd first have to enter the aisle information into the computer so that it knows what to work with.
One shopper's experience with aisle-by-aisle shopping follows:
Before using the program my shopping took forever. I would have a list created by the "what do I need" method. Things were jotted down as I thought of them so my lists were a mess. I would need to go back and forth through the store checking off items willy-nilly. This would take forever, making me stay in the store for 2-3 hours each time. I would often forget items and have to return to the store hours later.
Now I can shop aisle by aisle and rarely forget to pick items. I can keep track of coupons and make sure that I get the discounts that I am entitled to. I have tried different methods of shopping but the Aisle-by-Aisle program has made my shopping easier. I can use my time more efficiently and I am able to have more free time with my family due to quicker shopping.!!!!
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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Learning my Child's Way
By Christine Nicholls
Home schooling. What is it? What does it mean to you? How do you home school? These were just some of the questions I had when we started thinking about home schooling our children.
While our daughter was a baby, I started reading articles in the paper about the local schools. Our school district was in financial trouble. They were cutting services and staff over and over again. The elementary schools were eliminating librarians, day time janitors, band, and the parents were fund raising for a crossing guard. That's when I realized that the local public school would not be anything like the school I went to.
Our first step was checking out the private school options. There are three Montessori schools within a 20 minute drive, a variety of Christian schools, and a Waldorf school about 45 minutes away. As I went and sat in classrooms, I realized that I didn't want my daughter spending most of her childhood in those classrooms. Nothing seemed to fit what I saw as her needs for education.
It didn't take me long to realize that home learning could be the best choice for Katherine. She is an intelligent child who does things in her own time. She didn't start talking until she was about 2.5 years old. About a year latter, we went through a speech assessment to find out if there were any long term problems. She could say all of the sounds of a 2 year old, less than half of the sounds of three and four year olds and almost all the sounds of five and six year olds! The final assessment was that her speech development did not fit the norm, but was OK. What if they hadn't tested her for the more advanced sounds? The results would have been very different.
This test echoed the developmental patterns we had seen with Katherine from the beginning. Any time I tried to compare her to a chart, she was fine at the levels below, had some of the skills at her current level, but quite a few from the level above. While I think she might like all the kids in the classroom, I am afraid that she will be labelled as 'below average' because she doesn't fit their standard tests. I do not want her in public schools. Home learning was no longer a choice, but a very firm decision.
Fortunately, we live in a popular home learning area with some of the best legislation for home learners in Canada. I had never planned to home school, and wasn't quite sure what it meant. I did know people whose children learned at home, and it seemed to work for their families. I subscribed to one of the two local newsletters and started listening to conversations about learning at home.
I liked what I read, saw and thought about. Most of my remaining doubts were about me as a teacher. I love my children, our 6 year-old daughter Katherine, now has a 3 year-old brother Duncan. I feel priveledged to be spending their childhoods with them. However I do get impatient, need my own space some times, and don't have a teaching background. Could we home learn? We would try and see what happened.
An experienced home learning parent had told me about a great activity they did tracing coins and learning about money. Although Katherine was only 4 years at the time, she loved coins and it sounded perfect for us. I picked a time when she and I wouldn't get interrupted, gathered the materials, and sat down to teach her about money. ( Experienced home learning parents are probably having a great laugh at this point. )
We started to trace the coins on paper to show how five pennies make a nickel, and two nickels make a dime. Much to my surprise, Katherine was not enjoying herself. She refused to count the number of pennies with me, wouldn't help trace circles, and became generally difficult. Finally I was so annoyed I just put everything away. She came up and hugged me and said 'I still love you Mommy'. My heart melted, but the doubts in my abilities remained.
A week latter, Katherine was watching TV and told me which three shows were listed on the screen. She had never even watched one of the shows. I sat in stunned silence. She was right. Was it a good guess? Had she memorized them or could she read? I hadn't planned to 'teach' her how to read until she was 7 or 8. We hadn't even started any language lessons. What was going on? This event was not part of the plans I had been making for her home schooling education.
Truthfully, I don't think she could read that day, but I'm not certain about that statement. She is quite capable of selectively answering our questions when it suits her. We knew she could sing the alphabet song, and recognize some letters. I have been able to discover that she knows what all the letters look like, and can correctly tell us which letter starts most words ('My grandmother's name is Margery, what letter does Margery start with?'), even when she has never seen or heard the word before.
My husband and I have talked about this situation a few times. When she choses to answer our questions, we find out she knows way more than either one of us thought she did. She has correctly found a show she would like to watch listed in the TV Guide, much to my amazement since the look of the words in the TV Guide is very different from the logo with the show's name on TV. It's not just sight recognition. We don't know where or how she has learned these skills.
What has become clear is that Katherine doesn't need me to 'teach' her or have a master plan for her education. I do have to provide a good learning environment, answer her questions, help when she asks, and watch her learn.
I knew she would learn to walk, talk, and all those hundreds of other things babies are suppose to learn in their first few years. There is no reason to create an artificial line between life learning and academic learning. For me, that was one of the reasons I thought home learning was great. Yet I still fell into the trap of trying to artificially set-up a teaching situation. No wonder Katherine wanted nothing to do with my planned lesson.
I have to remember to trust her. She loves learning in her own way, at her own pace. Now if I can just stay out of her way, she will to a great job all by herself. I am looking forward to having a wonderful time watching her grow and learn in the coming years. I just hope I can remember what I learned from our first home lesson.
Christine Nicholls loves being mommy to Katherine who is now 9y and Duncan who is 6y. Her business, Creative Kids at Home (http://www.ckah.com) lets her combine her skills and business background with full-time parenting, and is a lot of fun for her kids.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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Warning to Pet Owners: The Dangers of Antifreeze Poisoning
Pet Column for the week of December 17, 2001
Office of Public Engagement
2001 S. Lincoln Ave.
Urbana, Illinois 61802
Phone: 217/333-2907
Jennifer Stone Information Specialist
http://www.uiuc.edu/University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine
For household pets winter weather brings a deadly threat that comes in a plastic bottle. It is ethylene glycol, a chemical commonly used in antifreeze. Dr. Petra Volmer, a veterinary toxicologist at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, says, "Antifreeze is said to be sweet and animals like to eat it. But ingestion of antifreeze can be fatal if untreated."
Ethylene glycol is metabolized by the liver and travels in the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it forms insoluble calcium oxalate crystals inside the renal tubules. Dr. Volmer says, "Once metabolism of the ethylene glycol has reached a certain point, there is no way to stop it." Because these crystals are insoluble, there is no way to remove them from the body. They cause permanent damage to the kidney tissue, which can ultimately lead to kidney failure.
An animal that has ingested ethylene glycol must receive immediate medical attention. Those caught in the act of drinking the antifreeze have the best chance of survival because medical attention can be administered immediately.
Initial signs of antifreeze poisoning are depression and lethargy. Animals may seem groggy or drunk. The final stages of poisoning are characterized by vomiting, oral and gastric ulcers, and renal failure, followed by death. The initial signs can last from 1 to 6 hours and death may occur between 3 to 4 days
If an animal is showing signs of antifreeze poisoning, but the owner did not see the animal drink it, there is a test kit available to veterinarians detect the presence of the poison in the body. However, cats are especially sensitive to ethylene glycol and can experience toxic effects from a dose lower than that required for a positive result from the test.
Most antifreeze products that contain ethylene glycol have a fluorescent dye added so they glow under a special fluorescent light called a Wood's lamp. If antifreeze poisoning is suspected, a quick and inexpensive way to determine if antifreeze was ingested is to have your veterinarian shine the light on the muzzle, paws, and under the tail of the animal. If antifreeze residue is present, the hair will glow. Avoid shining the light into the eyes of the animal.
Treatment for ethylene glycol poisoning can be expensive and can require extended hospitalization. In addition, treatment is not always successful if the product has been metabolized. For this reason, prevention is essential. Regardless of what kind of antifreeze you use, it is important to keep pets out of it. Watch for leaks in your car and keep pets away from the area where antifreeze is stored. If you drain your antifreeze, do not leave it in an open container because animals will be attracted to it. Dispose of this waste properly and keep empty and full antifreeze containers away from dogs, who may be tempted to chew on them. Even people who do not have pets should follow these rules to avoid accidentally poisoning wild animals and pets belonging to other people.
There are newer brands of antifreeze on the market that use propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. Propylene glycol is commonly found in such products as lotions, creams, and toothpaste and is not as toxic as ethylene glycol. If at all possible, it is best to choose an antifreeze that does not contain ethylene glycol.
By following these simple safety tips you can help ensure that you pet has a healthy winter. If you have any questions regarding antifreeze poisoning, please contact your local veterinarian, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 for 24 hour consultation with a veterinarian trained in toxicology.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of Public Engagement / 3505 VMBSB
2001 S Lincoln Ave / Urbana, IL 61802 / Phone: 217/333-2907
Your comments about the site are welcome,
but we cannot dispense medical advice via the Internet.
|
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Garlic As A Second Language
By Marjorie Dorfman
"Three nickels will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat." ~Old New York saying.
Have you ever been curious about why garlic smells the way it does? Well, wonder no more. Read on about this hearty and versatile member of the lily family and find out how it came to be on everyone’s breath everywhere you would think to look.
If body movements denote their own language and a picture is worth a thousand words, then how many smells make up a sentence? Depends on the sentence, you might say. Well, that's true. "Jack and Jill went up the hill" doesn't fare quite the same with our nostrils as: "The garlic in Grandma's carbonara wafted into the dining room, making all of our mouths water." "Smells by any other name are still smells", as one of my neighbors who was never without her gas mask used to say. Certainly within the animal kingdom, smells comprise their very own form of communication. My contention is that so does garlic; for no matter which country one calls home and no matter which language is one's native tongue, the cuisine of almost every culture recognizes and utilizes garlic in one form or another. In that sense, it is a second language for everyone who crosses its wondrous, smelly path.
A man named Arthur Baer once said that there is no such thing as a little garlic. Whether this is due to its magical culinary power or because there can never be enough protection against vampires hanging in one's home, is a matter of opinion. The superstition of garlic as a deterrent against evil and vampires is deeply rooted in Balkan folklore. The vampire legend is based partly on a real homicidal maniac; Vlad Tepes Dracula, whose name means devil in Romanian. In the fifteenth century, he ruled Walaachia, which is now part of Romania, as Vlad II and was affectionately known as Vlad the Impaler to his closest friends and enemies. (He didn't have many of either by the time his reign was finished due to his bloodthirsty predilections.) Bram Stoker and later Hollywood romanticized the vampire, transforming him into a lonely, erotic, tragic figure, seeking lovely damsels to free him from his curse and to join him in an eternal game of chess within the chambers of his dark and drafty Transylvanian castle.
The word vampire comes from the Slavic word obyri or obiri, which evolved into the Bulgarian word vampir. Some say the Greek word, nosphorosos, meaning plague-carrier, that evolved into the old Slavonic word nosferatu is a synonym for the vampire. In our culture the words are interchanged often. Many of the early myths lumped vampires, witches and werewolves together. It was thought that a vampire could be changed into a wolf. This would occur whenever the bat form wasn't in stock and Bela Lugosi was working on another film. The vampire would enter the house of the unwary and drink the blood of their children. To protect themselves, the common people would scatter salt or seeds around their doors and hang cloves of garlic in their windows. The vampire was thought to be a compulsive counter and would have to know exactly how many grains of salt or seeds there were before he could enter the house. (This can also be viewed as the beginnings of OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which will be the topic for another article, coming soon to your local theatres.)
Warding off vampires along the misty backwoods of Transylvania is not likely to be one of your biggest concerns about garlic today. (But then again, who knows?) Garlic has its own history as well as its own language. Although it is not certain when it was discovered, it was probably first dispersed by nomads on the steppes of central Asia several thousand years ago. As early as the 8th century BC garlic was growing in the garden of Babylon. Chinese scholars spoke of it as far back as 3000 BC and there is also a reference in the Shih Ching (the book of songs), a collection of ballads said to have been written by Confucius himself. Garlic was so prized in ceremony and ritual, that lambs offered for sacrifice in China were seasoned with it to make them more pleasing to the gods.
Garlic was part of the Sumerian diet in the Middle East over 5,000 years ago. By 1000 AD, it was grown all over the known world, and was universally recognized as a valuable plant. It was introduced into France by Godefroy de Bouillon, not the bouillon cube inventor, but the leader of the First Crusade, who when he returned to France in 1099, was declared King of Jerusalem. Many cultures elevated garlic beyond a dietary staple, and suggested that it had medicinal and spiritual purposes. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used it for treating infections, wounds and intestinal disorders. Roman legionnaires attributed their courage and stamina to garlic and took it with them as they conquered the world, thus spreading its use and cultivation like bad rumors everywhere they went.
Ancient Egyptians worshipped garlic as a God, and its name was often invoked at oath takings. (It is not known whether the oath takers first rinsed with mouthwash out of respect for the nostrils of the gods.) During the era of Egypt's great pharaohs, according to ancient papyri, garlic served as food, medicine and offering. It was found in the tomb of Tutankamen and within the funerary complex of Saqqarah as well as in inscriptions in the pyramid of Giza. Garlic was so valuable that 15 pounds of it would purchase a healthy male slave. It is also written that workers building the pyramids were given garlic (as well as onions and radishes) each day to help increase their vitality. It was so important to their diets that it caused work stoppages when the workers were deprived of their allotted ration. According to Charmidas, unfaithful Egyptian husbands relied on garlic's unique "scented" properties to hide evidence of infidelity. They would chew on a clove or two on their way home from visiting their mistresses so that their whole body was impregnated with the odor, insuring that a jealous wife would be unable to detect another woman's perfume.
Garlic, known by its Latin name, Allium sativum, may very well be one of Mother Nature's greatest gifts to man (and woman of course.) It is a powerful natural antibiotic. It reduces blood pressure in hypertension and is useful in lowering "bad cholesterol". One advantage to using garlic for its antibiotic properties is that it does not destroy the body's natural intestinal bacteria. It is excellent for use in colds and infections. Garlic oil is often used to treat earaches and ear infections, especially for infants and children. During World War I, garlic was used as a field wound dressing and antiseptic. It has also been shown to be an effective treatment for fungal infections, such as Athlete's Foot. The active ingredient in garlic, allicin, is destroyed when heated, and is only released from the clove when crushed or bruised. Thus, for most treatments garlic needs to be crushed or raw. (Stay away. This means you!)
Garlic has other uses as well. Peeled cloves placed in a room are said to ward off disease. The whole bulb is hung in new homes to dispel negativity and evil spirits. A clove placed under the pillow of sleeping children is said to protect them. Dreams of eating garlic means that you will uncover secrets. (Maybe now you will find out who the mother of your baby really is!) Garlic is mentioned in the Bible as being used by the Hebrews to increase and maintain virility. Early travelers across the Rocky Mountains inserted garlic into the nostrils of their horses and mules to prevent them from collapsing due to the lack of oxygen. Explorers in the mountains of South America chewed wild garlic to relieve altitude sickness. Native American tribes treated many ailments with wild garlic, although they were helpless against the forces of Manifest Destiny and the eventual demise of their garlicky birthright.
For culinary purposes, one rule of thumb to remember regarding the potency of garlic is: the smaller you cut it, the stronger the flavor. One raw clove finely minced or pressed releases more flavor than a dozen cooked whole cloves. Chopping finely and/or pressing a clove exposes more surfaces to the air, causing a chemical reaction that produces that strong aroma. When cloves are cooked or baked whole, the flavor mellows into a sweet, almost nutty flavor which makes a surprisingly nice addition to desserts, such as ice cream or brownies. Whole, unpierced cloves barely have any aroma at all, while raw garlic is the strongest in flavor. When sautéing, be very careful not to burn it. If you do, the flavor will turn intensely bitter and you’ll have to start all over.
And now the issue we have all been waiting for with bated (or at least somewhat bad) breath. Why does garlic smell the way it does? When cells are ruptured by cutting or pressing, they release an enzyme called allinaise chemically changing the inherent allin into allicin, a sulfur-containing molecule, which results in that pungent mainstay found in kitchens around the world. If you are a garlic lover, it’s wise to surround yourself with others who enjoy it as well, or try munching on parsley to rid yourself of garlic breath. (As far as I know, there is no cure for parsley breath!) It is said that to rid your hands of the smell after peeling or chopping garlic simply wash your hands and then rub them on a chrome faucet. (I don't know. That's what they say.)
There are many different types of garlic (Allium). Although only the cultivated variety is utilized medicinally, all of the other species have similar properties in a greater or lesser degree. The Crow Garlic is widely distributed and fairly common, but the bulbs are very small and the labor of digging them out great. It is frequently found in pastures and affects the taste of milk when eaten by cows. Ranson garlic grows in the woods and has a very acrid taste and smell. It also has small bulbs, which renders it impractical. It is, however, quite a beautiful plant with broad leaves that resemble Lily-of-the-Valley and star-like flowers that are a dazzling white. The Field Garlic is rather a rare plant. Both this and the Crow Garlic are often used as potherbs or for flavoring. There are some species of Allium grown in the garden, whose flowers are even sweet smelling, but they are exceptions and even these have the garlic scent in their leaves and roots.
All in all, I'd say garlic was a pretty good deal. I even like the smell and am considering marketing it as perfume. (I had the same idea about manure for horse lovers. That didn't work but...) In his own way, Bela Lugosi lives within the soul of every dish prepared with garlic; not as a vampire, but rather as a dinner guest who avoids daylight and mirrors and knows a good meal when he sees one. If you run into him among the misty ghosts of Hollywood celluloid, say hello, for I am a fan. But just in case, try some of the Vampire Away Garlic Dip provided by The Snack food Association and included at the end of this article. It's chilling and frighteningly good with ridged or regular potato chips to all who dare to eat it. Put in a few extra cloves for good measure. After all, you just never know whom you might run into within the Hollywood of your mind.
Vampire-Away Garlic Dip
1/2 cup skim milk
1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
2 small garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped chives
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon onion salt
Directions:
Go to the nearest cemetery after midnight on a chilly night in October. Blend all the ingredients in the blender until smooth. Then wait and see what happens. If nothing does, go home and enjoy your dip because it worked!
Starting out writing ghost and horror fiction some twenty years ago, this freelance writer hails from Brooklyn, New York and currently lives in Bucks County with her many animals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
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Top 10 Tips for More Fun and Better Health
By Philip E. Humbert
Professionals and small business/home office workers have tremendous freedom to schedule their days, arrange the furniture, choose the music and take care of themselves at work. Unfortunately, they also have all the responsibilities, make all the decisions, and carry all the burdens. The result is too often we forget to take care of ourselves. Use the advantages you have! The following tips can make the day go easier and help you work smarter, better and healthier.
- In the morning, limit caffeine to one cup. Or better yet, switch to herbal teas! Start out calm and you're more likely to stay that way through the day.
- Use up-beat music and humor (I love my daily Far Side calendar!) to get your morning off to a great start.
- Make sure your first appointment of the day is a great one! Meet a friend for breakfast, greet co-workers with a big smile, schedule a favorite client first thing in the morning. Start the day with some fun!
- At mid-morning, stand up, stretch and move around, at least for a moment. Take several deep breaths, wave your hands above your head, be silly, dance a jig, move your body!
- Eat a light lunch of fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates. The traditional soup and salad is great, or a half-sandwich and an apple. Your body needs sustenance, not a heavy load, so lighten up!
- Take a few minutes during your lunch break to do something totally different: read poetry, call an old friend, take a nap, go for a run. What you do is not as important as getting your mind and body away from your work. Take a real break!
- During the afternoon, stand up and stretch at least once every hour. Gently arch your back, touch your toes, or touch the sky. Turn your head from side to side, and take some deep cleansing breaths. And while you're at it, smile!
- When stress and work pile up, take a mini-vacation. Close the door (or go to the restroom, or a broom closet if you have to!) but get alone, close your eyes, and imagine a tropical island, or your favorite picnic spot. Life is good! Breath slowly, and relax.
- Once a day, do something "extra" -- call an old client to check in, thank a colleague for a referral, send a note to a friend. Have fun with this. Make it a game to combine business with pleasure and broaden your circle of contacts. (Hint: Send a quick "thinking of you" email! People love'em!)
- At the end of the day, clean off your desk, and straighten up the office. The janitor will do the routine stuff, but take pleasure in closing down for the day. Develop a routine that signals the end of the day, it's time to quit, time to go home.
© Copyright 2003 byDr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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