Desktop vs. Laptop

If you are into saving energy, then it would be better to choose a laptop over a desktop. I have personally proved this to be true. Mid of last year, we decided to upgrade our desktop's computer memory but it wasn't until I switched to a laptop that the electricity consumption went significantly down.

But if you happen to play a lot of computer games, you would have to get a desktop instead. Just for the record, someone who experimented with desktop and laptop, plugged the laptop into the car charger. The laptop worked great and the car still started. While as for doing the same with the desktop, he blew two fuses and drained the car battery.

So if you are for energy conservation, laptop is for you. But if you are one serious game player, a desktop is preferable. It is always better to purchase a computer unit with energy star.

Unclogging a Toilet

When you flush a toilet and it fills up and refuses to drain, then your toilet is clogged. It's a dirty job to unclog the toilet, but someone has to get to it one way or another. If the toilet is full to the brim bail out half of it to prevent splashing while you work on unclogging it.

Get a plunger and place the cone securely ove the drain hole and pump vigorously a dozen times. If this does not unclog and dislodge the obstruction, wait for an hour and try again.

If plunging does not work, aim the bent end of the toilet auger into the drain. Crank the auger's handle clockwise to feed its snake into the hole until it meets the obstruction. Crank the handle just a bit more, then pull the auger out as you continue cranking clockwise.

If both don't work, then there is a big probability that the problem is the main drain. You may want to get a plumber and do the job as this may entail having the toilet bowl removed all together.

Starting Right with Proper Study Skills

It will approximately be six months from now until my son is to start with formal school. I am hopeful that we will be able to start right and even incorporate at an early age the proper Study Skills that will be foundational for him as he grows older.

If you would like for your child to develop good study habits, you might want to check out Club Z! and look into the values they have in assessing your child’s study routine that will later determine his success in his academics.

Potty Training Tip

As much as I wanted to do elimination communication with my little guy when he was still infant, I wasn't able to because of some complications with his reflux. His digestive system is now okay. But around that time during which he would throw up in a volatile manner every so often. I was too busy as a new mother so I had no choice but to delay training him to eliminate properly.

Toward my son's second birthday, there were a few signs that he was ready for potty training. One of which is he would keep his nappies dry several nights at a time. This is when I started sitting him down on the toilet first thing in the morning. This takes a lot of discpline. Imagine having to embrace the little guy as he sits on the toilet. The first couple of days were not successful. It was important to make him feel that it isn't a task. I even sat on a bean bag in front of the toilet even as we sang along with his favorite songs in my mobile.

It was less than a week when we were all rejoicing with success. :-)

New Year's Resolution?

Three days short till January, have you now come up with a New Year's resolution? Or have you kind of done one mentally and have ceased announcing it to the world the moment you realized you always fall short? As true as it is, it is still a good practice to let people know what you want changed in yourself, for accountability.

One of the things that I am going to sit down with the hubby about is getting our son a health insurance. It is just sad that he is not covered as a dependent, which I still don't get up to this day. I figured we're going to have to get him one our own. With the incidence of him getting almost hospitalized a couple of times this year, even an insurance online can be considered. I will check some quotations and reviews and check the mode of payment we think we will be able to afford.

Another thing I need to get down on is to list down a weekly recipe, a month in advance, at least. This will give me freedom to do the things I need and do them more efficiently. Lots of plans and hopes for this coming year. From our family to yours, we pray for a blessed 2009.

A Healthier Media Noche

Eating healthy sure was a challenge these past days. With all the gatherings and endless parties and feastings we all had to go to, sticking to a diet can practically be unheard of. Truth to tell, we don't really have to settle on a crappy diet just because we're partying. Keeping it all balanced should be a consideration.

At least for us, this is what we hope to accomplish this coming media noche. We don't want all those hams, yummy steaks, ribs and grilled butterfly chops, getting stuck in our guts. We need some veggie sweepers to get off those toxins out of us. More veggies and fruits for us this coming days. :-)

Always Plan Major Purchases

The pressure to buy during “sale season” should definitely be avoided. People end up getting deeper into debt when they indulge without considering the payments they have to do the following months even years. The result is they don’t make the interest work for them at all, when they actually can.

If there is a certain appliance, for instance a television set that needs to be replaced, one can actually wait for one of those “great sale events” for tv deals before actually purchasing a new set. And while waiting save up for that particular appliance. This way you get more value for your money.

Make that Blender Button Work Again

Are you forced to dispose off your blender just because the buttons won't work anymore? It is possible that you can get your blender's button working again by getting a can of electrical contact cleaner (tuner cleaner) from an appliance store. Spray a little on each side of the button. Press the button on and off several times

Looking Forward to a Brighter 2009

How did you live your life in 2008? This is the perfect question to ask yourself as you say goodbye to this year and say hello to 2009. I have mentioned in my previous entries that it is time to evaluate how we did in our finances. Do you still have bad credit to take care of? Have you finally gotten down to eliminate at least a bulk of your debt loans? If you have not yet, it is wise to have a goal towards debt elimination in 2009.

As important it is to evaluate how you did financially, it is equally important to re-evaluate how you took care of your physical health in general. This is something that our family has to zero in next year. Half of the year, we have had to battle with some respiratory illnesses. Assessing our diet, throwing in more fruits and vegetables than we are used to. Early November our family decided to do “Detox Mondays.” It’s just something that we coined, even as we planned to eat nothing more than fruits and veggies throughout the day. We did not last a couple of weeks, call it withdrawal syndrome. We really were down with headaches. Discipline and maybe learn more on detoxification and eating healthier.

With all these said, spiritual health is the most important. Feeding our soul with God’s word and nurturing our personal relationship with Him. With all aspects of our lives evaluated and taken care of, we are hopeful to look forward to a more blessed 2009!

Repair a Carpet Burn

What do you do when a portion of your carpet got burned? You don't need to throw the carpet away. Save it by trimming away the burnt fibers with scissors. Carefully dab rubber cement into the hole with a toothpick. Cut matching tufts of carpet from the same carpet in an unseen area. This is very much like skin grafting, without the possibility of regeneration. Dab the ends of the cut tufts with rubber cement and insert them in the hole.

Work the tufts upright with a pin. When it is dry, use the pin and carefully blend them with the surrounding pile.

Learning with Brightstorm

Brightstorm is an educational site I would readily suggest to anyone in a heartbeat. I filled out an online for when I saw a Sign up for a free brightstorm acocunt a couple of weeks back and I thoroughly enjoyed the course that I took on writing.

Their “teachers” really know their respective subjects. Authority and knowledge are prime factors for teachers to be able to get their messages across. The way they have programmed their courses takes away the boredom factor of your regular classroom setting. I personally cannot help but conclude that students will be better academically in this kind of module instead of the traditional way of teaching.

How many students have dropped out and have lost their interest in going to school altogether because of monotony and century old way of learning? This site will prove to be a treasure for parents as they discover their high schoolers can benefit from these online courses. They make sure that fun, effectiveness, value go hand in hand with the professionalism and quality of the content.

You should Sign up for a free account that will give you access to a free episode in every course (including link) and test the fun of learning in no time.

Preserve Refrigerated Fruits and Veggies

I have personally used aluminum coated bags like this to store my fruits and veggies in the fridge. I first learned about it in one of those spammy-looking emails. Since it tells of being able to preserve not just my food but also preserve mother earth by not having to throw those used bags, I thought I should give it a try. I have nothing to lose anyway.

Now I am here posting away to vouch that it does work. My tomatoes would normally last for just a few days in the vegetable bin, now it lasts for a couple of weeks. The same goes for other fruit and veggies.

The key is not to seal the bag once its inside the fridge. This tip is very handy especially in this feasting season. Those leftover fruits should go in a bag and not just throw it anywhere in the refrigerator.

Quality Supplier of Valves

I have always thought that maintaining a water pump at home is always the more practical and economical choice. It can be horrifying to have your water supply halted by some emergency mainpipe bursting, like what happened to us last week.

It is a wise choice to switch to pump, because aside from it saving you a lot of money, it is actually low maintenance. You just have to get hold of a dependable and reliable valve supplier like Boig & Hill. This company is in the business for over 100 years. They carry names such as Worcester, Sprague, Farris, et. al and you will be guaranteed to be supplied certified factory replacement parts, no less. Feel free to contact them, you know you should not settle for less when you are out for quality valves with a reliable customer service to boot.

Year-end Budget Evaluation

It's Christmastime! Truth to tell, this is not a very popular time for saving. In fact, if at all, this is the time when people splurge to their hearts' desire. But this does not really need to be so.

We all know that there is this ongoing financial crisis. I know a lot of us would rather dwell on it next month or should I say next year (technically). This is the perfect time of the year to evaluate how you did in your finances this year and actually make a plan to do even better next year. This is what we are doing as the year closes. It is something that you can do as well. :-)

Stonebank Ironcraft

Do you happen to be one of those homeowners who love to take care of their gardens and watch those lovely plants grow? Who doesn’t love the greenery, right? It is one thing to grow plants, it is another to really have passion in it.

After having proved time and again that my thumb ain’t green, I knew I have got to put more effort in caring for the plants that I now have, most of which are herbal ones that I use to concoct juices and tea for our family.

I have stumbled upon Stonebank Ironcraft. This company offers solid steel products for estates, gardens and municipal clients. If it is high quality garden and estate ironworks you are looking for, you have to look into this website that carries with them thirty full years (and still counting) of great reputation in supplying estate fencing, decorative railings and pergolas.

One of their creations that caught my fancy is their Cotswold Cottage Arch. It looks perfect like it came out straight from those fairly tale books. I have personally coordinated a number of weddings with this kind of arch and it does define the place and gives that certain character. Like a feel of paradise on earth.

Protect Your Floors

Do you know that you can keep dirt from being tracked into the house by stopping it at the door? You can do this by putting a pair of rought textured mats -one on the outside, the other inside the entryway -- this will catch a lot of the dirt that could easily get inside if not for the mats.

Evaluate the Family Budget

As a family one of the things we have to do as the year end is to evaluate how we handled our finances this year and discuss the things we have to do to improve on it this coming year. It is just the wisest thing to do, if we hope to live a more fruitful year in 2009.

There is this budget software that I have come across that will help individuals and family figure out their personal budget and jump start your financial planning. I understand that there are not very many people who give budgeting a great deal of time.

If you want to get off your debts once and for all, it will never happen overnight, you have got to make a choice to be able to free yourself from the burden. Put a stop to all those debts taking control over you. Make that choice to finally be in control this time.

There are a handful of principles that one can learn from this budget software. Whether you are newlyweds, single professional, college student, big or small family, you sure can benefit from YouNeedABudget.com. You might want to have a look see, head over to the site and start evaluating your finances.

DIY Organizers

A lot of different organizers are now up for grabs. It's the time of the year. Do you kow that instead of spending a lot of money on fancy organizers with all those expensive inserts, you can actually customize and make your own one?

All you have to do is buy a small loose leaf binder in a stationery store. Choose the one with pockets in the front and back to possibly store in your small calculator and business cards. Loose leaf papers and dividers are also available to fit the binders.

Consider the categories you need to get included in your organizer (addresses, contact numbers, errands, long term projects, appointments, expenses, et. al) Make sure you insert a small calendar in the appointments section. Now you're ready to make your very own customized organizer.

Get Your Own 1-800 Number

If you happen to own a business, chances are you already have one of those 1-800 number that people can call to reach your technical support or customer service department. Did you know that even small businesses can get a hold of these numbers at a very affordable cost? Now your business is able to go side by side by those big companies because you also have that toll free number to boot.

Stair Carpets

How do you prolong the life of your stair carpet? Upon the carpet's istallation, make sure that you fold an extra foot of length under and against one of the two risers at the top of the stairs. Periodically lift the entire carpet and shift it downward an inch or two at a time. As you do this, fold it under or against the lowest riser or trim it off.

Happy carpet cleaning! :-)

Before You Go on A Diet

There are a few basic things to consider if you would like to take on whatever kind of diet or diet supplement. First, check if you are healthy enought to abstain from certain foods from your diet? Second, make sure to check with your family doctor about the diet that you are going into. It is always safe to get a doctor's opinion. Third is make sure you have gotten into non biased reviews of whatever supplement you wish to take and have got a hold of a number of people who particularly vouch for the product and with proof to boot.

Happy dieting! :-)

Things to Consider in Putting Up a Home Office

The ideal is to get a separate room for a home office. But if you do not have the space or the available room for that you can negotiate for a corner in your house wherein you can throw in your non bulky office furniture in and maybe install a divider that will make the corner distinct.

Why is this so? Essentially to separate yourself psychologically from the rest of the house if you would like to be able to do your task in your home office as efficiently as possible. :-)

How to Preserve Carpets

Do you know that to be able to preserve your carpets, you would need to have them turned around periodically? This allows the rugs to wear and soil evenly.

Take note that some chemicals in furniture polishes can destroy red carpet dyes that will eventually cause blue and green discoloration. This is why it is important to cover the carpet areas with newspaper when you are polishing furnitures.

Do brush the edges and seas of carpets with a liquid resin to keep the seams of your carpets from fraying. Liquid resin is readily available in fabric and crafts shops.

Take note that the outermost braid of a rug that is braided usually wears out first. You can save it from happening by sewing a stip of bias binding around the edges of the rug.

#1 Superfood Tip

The change in an individual’s metabolism is said to root back to age, among others. I personally have not faced any major weigh issues in my 32 years of existence. But the one tip that I could guarantee that has worked for me fifteen years ago was the three day diet. I posted it in this website a couple of months back.

Although I don’t have major weight issues, I admit that I could better go without those dimpling effects of cellulites). They are not much I know, not even conspicuous, but I hope to get them arrested now that they have just started surfacing. This is where Acai Berry Diet known for and I am currently considering. It is endorsed by Oprah herself as the #1 Superfood in her show. That really should be something. :-)

Mortgage Tip

Are you looking into getting a mortgage loan? Head over to AdvantageHomeRates.com and learn than even those with bad credit can find decent mortgages that will eventually usher you to rebuild your credit and not put you in deeper debt.

Whatever kind of mortgage you currently need you are sure to find the best institution with the best interest rate that will benefit you. Getting a loan these days is hard and financial institutions are said to be stricter than ever, which is why the best program to suit your needs will be best and AdvantageHomeRates has a program for you.

Seasonal Cleaning of Rugs

Do you know that rugs are easier to carry outdoors for cleaning and airing if you roll them up first? You probably know this, if you habitually do some seasonal cleaning. But I hope this tip will come in handy for those who have not tried it yet.

If you happen to own delicate rugs, make sure you roll them with the right side out to avoice crushing the delicate pile. Sturdy rugs can be rolled right side in.

Always air the rugs on a surface that is flat, such as a wooden deck or a driveway just to do away from having your rugs become distorted. A shady spot will be the best because direct sunlight will cause for the delicate colors of the rugs to fade.

Occasionally vacuum the padding and the floor beneath an area rug.

More Tips on Eliminating Debts

This can be considered a follow up on the previous post on eliminating debts. Apparently, eliminating debts is not all that easy, especially if the debts were accumulated for years. This is one of the reasons to consolidate debt instead of paying each one with different dates to take note of and with different rates of interest.

One wise thing to do if you have a lot of financial obligations to settle is debt consolidation. It takes away the risk of getting penalized because of not being able to pay on time and the ease of management is inevitable. Sometimes getting the services of a debt consolidator agent to do the job is the wisest.

Let’s face it a lot of people in our society suffer from carrying the burden of debt at one point in their lives. Some apply for college loans to be able to finish and get a degree, while others for a mortgage or a new car payment. Needs of people arise in variety of ways and most of them have piled up obligations before they know it.

If you are one of the typical credit card clients who make late payments, you should not be at all surprised why you continue to receive large monthly statements. Make that decision to be free from having to rack up those statements that come every month and choose to lower the debt that you pay in no time by deciding to consolidate your debts. It’s for your peace of mind.

Basics in Managing a Leaky Faucet

Before you begin to attempt repairing your leaky bathroom faucets, make sure you have turned off the stop valve under th sink. Don't forget to cover chrome surfaces with electrician's tape to protect them from being scratched or damaged.

If what you have has a one piece ball, cartridge or valve make sure you have everything in hand and exactly what you need which are readily available in a home center or hardware. If you have a special faucet, then it will be wise to check with your manufacturer.

Tips on Eliminating Debts

Do you think it is important to live within your means? I do. This is why I recently cancelled one of my credit cards after eliminating debts that were incurred during the past years. Admittedly, there are just some unexpected expenses like medical ones or otherwise that sometimes catch us empty handed. So instead of making a loan that has bigger interest rates, we charge them via credit cards.

If truth be told, keeping credit cards and getting into the habit of using them without thinking of the responsibility of paying them off right away can leave a lot of people frustrating. This is also why a lot of people I know find it hard to eliminate debt and just deny their existence altogether.
Just for the record, this is the photo I took a couple of months back when I got one of my cards paid off. It can be one of the most liberating things. The agent of the bank kept on convincing me, even waiving the annual fee for another year but no, I have to stand my ground. I still have a couple of cards in my wallet and this one is not needed anymore. I don’t need the points that have been accumulated. What good will that be if it means I still have to make purchases anyway that I could otherwise pay in cash or via my debit card. Cashless shopping is still possible with the latter.

I still have a few thousands to settle in my other card. The other one just a few hundreds. All of those are in pesos, so all in all, give or take I only have around $150 left to pay off and I am done! This is such a relief for me. For more information on how to eliminate debt you can learn more from EliminateDebt.org

Home Entertainment Furnishings

Do you always unplug your TV, stero, VCR or home computer before cleaning them? If not, then you should start getting into the habit of doing so. Never use spray cleaners directly on electronics. This may cause damage to the wiring or even clog the ventilation on sound projecting holes. tv lifts are low maintenance, occasional wiping will do.

For plastic exteriors, you can use milk soap and warm water. Always well wrung cleaning cloths to prevent drips. Periodically dust woodveneer cabinets with a soft, clean and slightly damp cloths.

If you have metal cabinets or chrome shiny trims of home entertainment equipment, do not hesitate to use a soft cloth which is moistened with a bit of rubbing alcohol, white vinegar or window cleaner.

Save Buckets in Holiday Presents

Getting ready for the Yuletide season should have been done a month ago. Those who have done early preparations know its benefits. It is crazy how the current sale has swept possibly all electronic gadgets in every store.

We all know how electronic gadgets are hit gifts across all genders and age brackets. Head over to savebuckets.co.uk and practically save buckets with every purchase. Browse through the selection of ipod. Whether you are looking into buying iPod nano, iPod Touch or an iPhone, from the basic classics to the latest models, you surely will love the great savings that you will enjoy from savebuckets.

You can compare prices for yourself and you will find the best deal on media players every time. Everyone could make use of these kind of savings during this time of the year. Browse through the site and choose your pick for the fun presents you will give your loved ones this season.

Planning a Child's Room

Always keep storage at your child's level. You can also consider making a storage that is slightly higher than the child, but you have to provide a sturdy and safe step ladder for your child to use to reach out for the shelves.

Install low horizontal shelves instead of vertical ones. You can also consider making a flexible storage so that it can shift as the child grows. Use adjustable shelves, modular units and easily moved chests of drawers.

For this reason, you would need to avoid built-in storage units that cannot adjust.

Accessories in Your Closet

Do you know that golf tees make fine pegs for a belt? Just make sure tat you drill rows of holes in a nice board and glue the pointed ends of the tees into them. For your 5.11 Tactical shoes and every other pair, you can clear drawers and boxes that stack on closet shelves and create for yourself a see through shoe storage. You can also put hats and sweaters but in a different rack.

If your closet happen to lack the extra rack that you need, you can always consider hanging your accessories. There are a bunch of hanging cases available in closet shops for shoes and handbags.

Cleaning the Blinds

If a special venetial blind duster is not available, wear thick absorvent cloth gloves and wipe each slat by hand. If you see soiled areas, touch up the venetial blind tapes with liquid white shoe polish.

Getting Paid to Blog

Here is another handy tip for webmasters and bloggers alike, whether you have a regular office job or you prefer to stay at home to care for your family. A tip that comes straight from my personal experience. Having been web blogging since 2004, I did not know that getting paid to blog existed until around this same time last year.

The first thing I did was get my own domain and transferred all my blog’s content which was hosted in one of those social community networks. I was challenged by a friend that I have been blogging for so long and I don’t get a single dime out of all the efforts that I give. I just had to give it a try. One year later, I could safely conclude that it was the breaking point of what could be considered a major financial breakthrough.

The neatest thing about getting paid to blog is you just do what you have been doing to begin with and you are given tasks by paid to blog platform like Paying Post and you are able to get creative, even learning about great products and services from different sites all over the globe.

The newest platform I joined in is PayingPost. They probably have studied all other platforms and incorporated some favorite features I love from them. Like being able to reserve opportunities. Their Blogger Dashboard is also very user friendly and easy to use. I also love that Paying Post has a blog that gives some bits and pieces for their bloggers to learn from, from the basics to the more technical stuff.

So if you would like to earn decent money while you blog, head over Paying Post and browse through their blog. If you are an advertiser, sign up for an advertiser account and if you are a blogger, a blogger account. There is no better way to get the buzz that you need but by advertising on blogs.

Tub and Tile Care

Remove mildew and stains from the tub and tiles by wetting the surfaces with water and then spraying them with a solution of one cup bleach to one quart water. Make sure that the room is well ventilated while you do the job and that bath towels and fabric shower curtains are out of the spray range.

Stained tub or sink suraces come clean with a cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide paste. Spread the paste over the stain and scrub lightly with a brush. Let the paste dry and then wipe or rinse it all off. Clean grungy looking tile grout with full strength vinegar instead of bathroom or kitchen cleaner.

The best time for bathroom cleaning? Right after taking a shower or bath, when steam has loosened the dirt. Just wipe off the damp surfaces with a paper towel. Fiberglass tub tough to clean? Use a water conditioner such as Calgon or a commercial bathroom cleaner containing EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetate).

After grout has set, seal it with a commercial silicone preparation which is available in hardware stores. When caulking a crack between a tub and a wall, use a silicone caulking compind, which is flexible and should not crack from the water's weight when the tub is in use.

If you are tired of cleaning around nonskid decals in your porcelain tub or shower, scrape them off with a straight-edge razor blade (in a holder) dipped in soapy water. Remove adhesive residue with acetone or nail polish remover.

Bathroom floors covered in dull, old resilient tile may need especially strong cleaning measures. Scrub with a solution of one part ammonia to four parts of water, then dry with a towel. Apply a thin coat of wax following the directions on the container.

Handy Eyeglasses Tip

If you happen to have less than perfect vision, you should check out the holiday glass frames from Zenni Optical and maybe get a set or two as a Christmas gift that you deserve. The popular online eyeglasses shop has once again come up with a collection that are of top quality and durability. With people being more practical nowadays, I’m sure a lot will consider getting one of those $ 8 Complete Rx Eyeglasses from Zenni.

How to Care for the Fireplace

Winter is here again. Are you and your household prepared for this cold season? How do you maintain your fireplace? During this winter season, you would have to clean the fireplace and hearth at least once a week. Vacuum or brush up ashes and wipe off the hearth with a damp cloth or sponge specifically for the fireplace.

Some households prefer to have gas fires or even on of those contemporary electric fires. There are a lot of state of the art hole in the wall fires available in HotPrice.co.uk that you might want to check out. They probably the top store to look into when it comes to quality at unbelievably low prices.

The walls of the firebox should always be cleaned with a dry bristle brush or the dusting attachment of the vacuum cleaner. Be careful not to scrub the firebrick or cement block with water. Doing this may reduce heat retention.

Clean the fireplace chimney flue at least once a year. It will be best if you get the services of a professional chimney sweeper. Dust brass and iron fireplace tools and fire screens regularly. Wash them occasionally with warm sudsy water. Also make sure to sprinkle damp tea leaves over the ashes before removing them to reduce the dust. Wash and coat your slate hearth with lemon oil once every six weeks.

Holiday Frames

It is positive that you have heard about the popular online eyeglasses shop. They currently have a selection of Holiday Glass Frames From Zenni Optical. I just chose my pick and this pair is what I have found the loveliest frames from their collection. Make sure you drop by their site whether you would like to buy a pair for yourself or buy a couple of $ 8 Complete Rx Eyeglasses to give out for the holidays.

Exhaust Fans in Bathrooms

If you could at all do it, DO install exhaust fan in your bath Make sure it is vented to the outside. This and built in heaters installed from the ceiling won't ause burns and they do a good job of removing excess moisture from the bathroom.

When it is dry outside, don't forget to leave the window and curtain open.

Handy Golf Tips

Who does not admire sporty and physical people? I do. In fact, the hubby is so into sports that at his ripe age of 33, he is currently in a soccer team that is set to play a series of tournament games against different soccer teams all over the Philippines- The Third Terry Razon Copa Filipina Tournament (Third Division). He is also into Aikido, Judo and Kyokushin Karate. He is also a good basketball player. The only thing that he probably has not played yet is Golf. Although this game does not appeal as very physical, it does appear to be a very challenging sport.

This is also the one sport that I hope to be able to explore with the hubby. We recently just came across this web page about the sport. It is in German language but nevertheless a very interesting golf website. I had it translated to English and found it to be the biggest golf shop offering a widest array of brand names in golf accessories and equipment. Anyone who play golf knows how important the basics of golf are. These stuffs being: golf bags, gloves, golf clubs, golf trollies, balls, training equipment. Training videos are made available for you as well straight from their website. It is totally a one stop online golf shop for all golf lovers.

Make sure you head over golfakademie-gmbh.de and check out what they have in store for you lovers of the sport. It is indeed a treasure website. You can also have a glimpse of the history of great golf players and their profiles. As you can see they have more than just an online shop at your disposal but more than just bits and pieces about the well loved sport.

As for me, I am hoping to be able to get down to learning this sport and appreciate golf all the more.

Keeping Bathrooms Clean

Keep your bathroom sparkling clean in just 4 and a half minutes a day. Armed with a spray bottle of disinfectant cleaner, a sponge and a paper towel, wipe down all bathroom surfaces. Work from the cleanest (mirror) to the dirtiest (floor), covering the sink, tub and toilet along the way.

If you can't get around to cleaning the bathroom every day, sponge down the tub, shower and sink witha ligquid disinfectant cleaner at least once a week.

Use a moistened cloth with vinegar to rub away hard water spots and soap scum from chrome faucet handles and drains. Dry and polish with a soft cloth.

Prevention is always the best method for eliminating mildew. After showering, keep the shower curatin extended (not bunched) so it can dry thoroughly. clean your bathroom regularly with disinfectant and keep it as dry and well ventilated as possible.

Appetite Suppressants for the Holidays?

That would have been a bummer, right? But then again, if you would rather do without having to fuss over the excess poundage come January, you would surely consider getting one of those appetite suppressants, wouldn't you?

If you would rather have a healthy feast this holidays, then you might not have a need to suppress anything at all. I guess it is just right for us to remind ourselves to eat in moderation and still balanced diet. Don't forget the veggies and fruits here and there.

How About Coffee to Lose Weight?

I have heard about coffee having more antioxidants that green tea, but have you heard that coffee actually makes you lose weight? Maybe you can try this one out. But if you're in a rush, you can always try Fenterdren, which is unlike any other diet pill basically because it will allow you to burn that fat and keep it off permanently.

I am not a big coffee drinker, but for its antioxidant properties and weight loss capabilities, I just might give it a try.

Bathroom Safety

If at all possible you and have elderlies in your home, provide shower shoes for them to use. This prevents accidental slips and even will give them more freedom to move.

If you have children around the house, make sure to install a doorknow with an outside lock release. This will prevent them the kids from getting locked inside accidentally.

Prevent bathroom slips by laying rugs with non skid backings and by providing tubs and showers with suction-backed rubber mats or adhesive decals. I always go for the more pricey brands because it definitely lasts longer.

Make sure there are grab bars installed in the shower and the tub.

Avoid using electrical appliances such as space heaters, hair dryers or radios near water. If you should have an outlet in the bathroom, make sure all outlets are equipped with GFI's (ground faluth interrupters) to prevent the possibility of fatal shock. Even then, you should always be careful.

To prevent getting scalded by hot water, make sure to turn on the cold water first when taking a bath.

Healthy Living and Detoxification

How does one really get started with detoxification? It was a few months ago one of my husband’s website, Total Detox took off. He is really becoming a webmaster extraordinaire, for which I am really thankful. For someone who was not very fond of vegetables, he now values detoxification and even declared Monday as our detox day! This is a major relief for me. It is always best when a motivator is intrinsic than extrinsic.

Even as we value detox, we still indulge in steaks once in a while. There is even this one seemingly simpleton grillery along Libis that we found out about! It was probably one of the yummiest Porterback steak I have ever tasted and at $6.32, it was something else! It was too yummy there was hardly any guilt after the meal. But after a few hours it stuck to me how sinful the meal was and got back to the importance of eating healthy.

This is where http://chitogenics.net/ comes in. This site is dedicated on weight loss with Hoodia or Green tea, appetite suppressant patch, detox and Cleanse Nutritional Digestive Supplement – New Life Products. All of us could really use a wisdom or two from this website. For someone who is not getting younger, I know the difference when I eat bad cholesterol nowadays compared to my younger years. The bad effect is more immediate.

I especially appreciate Chitogenics.net’s claim that llosing weight is not done overnight like a magic potion. On the contrary its revolutionary weight loss formula in ChitoGenics Hoodia allows users to effectively lose weight by preventing fat absorption, suppress appetite and boost metabolism to help faster burning of calories. Now that is something all of us can make use of! I have always believed in the antioxidant components of green tea and this formula that ChitoGenics has affirms this belief.

Knife Care

To take care your good set of knives, be careful not to stir hot food with them. Know that heat damages some blades.

Unless the manufacturer specifically says that the cutlery is dishwasher safe, wash all knives by hand right after every use. Avoid soaking in water. This could loosen wooden handles. Always let dry thoroughly.

Knives with serrated edges depend upon notches for their cutting ability. They should be sharpened only by professionals - or not at all.

The Brand Identity Guru

Getting the services of a reliable Marketing Company is very important especially those who are online merchants. It is going to spell out the success for their online business. I have encountered quite a number of both group and individuals who have gotten into this online business.

The marketing company that is speak of is BrandIdentityGuru – BIG for short. This team help businesses to analyze their market and cook up an approach that will be best taken by their target audience or market. It is imperative in the current ongoings of businesses that one is able to make that brand recognition, otherwise all efforts and investments might just all go down the drain.

Strategies are very important as this is the key that generate leads that can spell out the success of the company’s desired return of investment and even the long term reputation they want for their products and services. It is also important to note that a brand should be unique to the product and a definite stand out. It will be the only way to get through the survival of the fittest. Head over to the BrandIdentityGuru.com and find out how you will have your product make that mark over to the vast market we currently have.

Keep All Medicines in One Place

One thing that I am yet again beginning to learn is keep all medications in one place. It has been a roller coaster two weeks for us in our family because of this very bad virus flu that has been passing from one to the other.

I have totally taken for granted to put all medications in one place which is why I had to go rummage from every nook and cranny to get some pills that I needed. Now I have rearranged everything and I am proud to report that everything is in their particular place. No more second guessing for me now.

It is important to note to have a separate place for human medicines and that of horse supplements and other non-human medications. Especially if you have a pet around the house. More often than not, pet medications are stored somewhere in the garage just to define that it is not for human consumption.

Dealing with Drains

To keep a drain free of odor, run very hot tap water after every use. And about once every week, throw in a handful of baking soda. An alternative to baking soda is vinegar. Pour in one full cup of vinegar and let it stand for 30 minutes. After which you run very hot tap water through the drain.

Remember that it is always easier to prevent a clogged drain that to clear one. Pour grease into an empty can or a a milk carton rather then into the sink. This also applies to coffee grounds and other bits of garbage.

Internet Safety

Children get tech savvier by the day, that’s for sure. This is one reason that we have to be vigilant especially in protecting them from the dangers of the internet. This is not yet big of deal for us currently but it will not be long until we are going to have to get a reliable porn filter. You wouldn’t allow garbage to lie around your home, would you? This is why a reliable one is important.

If truth be told, a lot of internet filters are reported not to work as they should. SurfRecon protects your home from online and even offline access to porn. This is what your household needs.

Clean Kitchen Counters

Rub counter top stains, such as mustard, tea or fruit juice with baking soda and a acammp cloth or sponge. If stains persisi, wipe with a cloth moistened with a little chlorine bleach.

Erase price marks that transfer from containers to countertops with the use of rubbing alcohol. Soap the counter every few days to discourage bacteria.

The Branding Significance

What is the value of brands? Does a brand really speak for itself? For most Branding talks a great deal what a product has to offer. This especially applies to those brands that have been around for ages. This is also the reason why age old brands are able to afford to sell theirs at high prices. Primarily because of the reputation and quality that they have established. Brands talk and it does loud and clear. It rakes money in for those businessmen and for consumers it means durability and quality second to none.

If you are new at a business, it will help you to know these things and consider pumping up your brand by taking in the services of Brand Identity Guru. This company is dedicated to give your product the look that you would like to be known for. There is a science to putting that brand to your product that requires art and creativity to come up with the best look.

Having said all this, the break does not always go to those who are veterans in the business industry. In fact with BIG, even new enterprises and companies are given the same opportunity to get their message across through their product. Which is why new products should have a well thought of brand and look.

Family Medical Records

It is always beneficial for a household to jot down a history of diseases their family of origin has. For example, if one of your family members have tachycardia, then you have to put that in writing, alongside all the other diseases.

First, this could help your family pinpoint some physiological weaknesses and susceptibility. Second, now that you have a list, you wouldn’t have to wonder what to write in your next doctor’s appointment (they usually require this kind of list on the initial visit). You might want to save this file with the rest of your medical records, make sure to make a copy that you can bring along during an appointment with the doctor.

Smoke Detector in Your Kitchen

Make sure to place a smoke detector on the same level as your kitchen, but not too near your appliances - everyday cooking can easily set it off. Also, never turn off the detector because you are cooking and it might cause the alarm to go off. More often than not, turning the detector back on is forgotten altogether.

Sporty Kid

Speaking of sports, I just cannot help but get into this even as my toddler has clearly expressed his passion for baseball. I am just glad that even though there are times that his aunt will lend him her game console, he would readily give it back when mama tells he should. To be honest, it can be tempting to have him get his very own especially that at two years old, he knew just what buttons to press and what to do next! But then again, I am reminded by what the hubby and I have agreed upon regarding this matter.

Even as nfluniformset.com mentioned it in their site that “A child’s imagination is a wonderful thing and it’s a great source of enjoyment for them,” I would like to stick to that. While active playing of sports will allow for them to do that, a game console will just have them sit and be inactive, which promotes lazyness and what have yous. With that said, you have to check out NFL Jerseys for great sports gear for your tots, I just did.


This is why this generation barely do the same things our generation did. Like enjoy themselves and make friends! Kids these days don’t get to meet a whole lot of friends because most of them are stuck on their game consoles.

Sports Over Game Consoles

My little guy is nuts about baseball these days. It is all he ever mentions these days and whenever we go hit the mall, he would never fail to linger on the toy’s store area with baseball sets and gears. I guess he loves to practice his swings and would love to try that sport this time, after having been fascinated with soccer for sometime, a shift of interest can be fun.

I just saw a site that is all about sports and gears - KidSportsInc.com. I am beginning to like the site and am actually contemplating of getting my little guy’s sports stuff from there. What got me interested is the knowledge that this site is a licensed seller of Youth Baseball Equipment. I won’t just get a good pair of Baseball Gloves from this site but also some portable soccer goals that my husband wants to buy for the longest time to train our toddler to play soccer.

It is always good to start children early in sports rather than having them stay indoors and immerse on all those zombifying game consoles. If truth be told, we all know how even a mature adult can get hooked playing these game consoles, how much worse can little children handle them.

Moving Your Art Pieces?

I have yet to see a group of people who does not love the arts. Somehow, somewhere, despite the seemingly passive personality will arise somewhere that a person does appreciate some kind of art.

Aside from music, what my husband and I love is photography. Although I never got down to formally learn, he has self studied of sorts and actually captures great shots with precision and you can very well tell from his compositions that given a good amount of dedication, he can improve even more.

If you happen to love collecting great photography, paintings or whatever type of art pieces, you have to check out this Art Moving if you are to travel and would have those pieces go to another place. Treasures of art oftentimes should be handled with care. There are even antiques and sculptures that requires a certain amount of temperature so as to keep it undamaged. Just let the Art Moving Company do its job to keep your art piece in one piece. This will give you piece of mind like no other moving company will provide you. This art movers have museums and well art collectors for clients. Don’t hesitate to contact them for your art moving needs.

Moving Out?

We are a family that has moved six times in six years. You can just imagine what we have to put up with when it comes to handling or should I say mishandling our furniture by movers that are cheap and would practically just throw your stuff without much thought.

And you guessed it right, every single move, there will always be lots of scratches and major damage to our belongings. Be wise and take in the services of Boston Movers, if you give your belongings that you have accumulated any importance.

Humboldt Storage and Moving is a company dedicated to give you the best service that you need, to unburden you of the hassle of packing, storing and moving. Their team considers it a great responsibility to handle client’s items and they boast of a reputation that you can trust.

Moving is no easy job. It took us a number of moves to finally decide that all the broken stuff from the mishandling our former movers made is never worth it. We really should have availed of the services of a reputable moving service rather than end up having broken items inour home that could have otherwise lasted us many years.

Travel Tip: NY Bus Charter

As a no New Yorker, I would know from personal experience the reality of congestion of every road there is in that very busy place. But if you were to go anywhere in New York City, I know of one reliable New York Bus Charter – NYBusCharters.com. It is going to be the most convenient thing to avail of, especially if you are fairly new in the place and do not know better how to get yourself around. But then again, even regular New Yorkers can benefit from using their service.

NY Bus Charters has outstanding reliability. They offer transportation service for groups anywhere from the size of nine people up to fifty seven. They have the right vehicle for the number of people you wish to be accommodated. Transportation service will be easily taken care of and for you to get off your to do list. You are also assured that you will ride a very clean and well maintained service with the lowest possible rate you will find in the city.

I don’t need to be a New Yorker to actually know that traffic congestion in that city is horrible, so if you would love to enjoy the place and you plan to go visit New York, contact NYC Bus Charters for peace of mind and to spare you, your family or even business associates from the hassle of being in transit in such a crowded city.

All Natural Diet Health Tip

How about an all in one super food supplement? No more extra pill for dieting, another for acne and another for anti-aging. Why keep popping all those pills when you can have everything in one? Lipovox is nature’s riches powerful food that allows you lose weigh while it fights acne and wrinkles.

Check out these Lipovox all natural ingredients:
Super Foods: Brazilian Acai, Cayenne Pepper Fruit, Garlic, Soybeans Isoflavones, Barley, Wheatgrass, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Alfalfa Sprouts, Flaxseed and Buckwheat
Super Antioxidants: Green Tea Extract and Salmon Oil Powder.

Travel Vacation Tip

This topic is close to my heart even as the whole family is planning to get a good package from one of the Disney vacations being offered by the agencies that we have visited. One valuable traveling tip if you want to save is get your tickets for your trip during off peak season. It is almost Christmas time and I know I should not be the least surprised why the package prices are currently higher than expected.

We will soon check back with them as soon as the holiday cheer has subsided. :-)

Pots and Pans

Always store pots and pans in a dry place. If you will ever stack them all together, make sure that you place paper towels in between. Leave the lids off to prevent mustiness, moisture and crusting.

When you cook with the use of non-stick cookware, use wooden utensils and avoid temperature rising up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Be Fit and Stay Healthy

Keep healthy. This is one tip that we can never emphasize enough. I have been down with a flu, for the fourth day now and I am bombarded by the fact that I have taken my health for granted. Leering away from exercise and skipping meals.

If there is anything I should learn from the hubby is his being into sports. It is not surprising that it is always me who get the bug, while our exposure is just about the same. We go to the same place, eat the same food. I have not moved passed playing badminton. But one thing that I am very curious about is the sports of golf. The precision that is required to play the said sport is indeed intriguing.

For those who are lovers of the sport, there is this German web site, GolfAkademie-gmbh.de that specializes in Ping custom fitting. You will find their site very user friendly aside from the fact that they probably have the best golf products there is available online.

I know readers of this blog who play golf will find this site very handy and when the time comes that I get that chance to finally learn the sport, I know it is not unlikely for me to get hooked and be a regular of this web page.

SpaTreatment for Leather Shoes

We all know that leather shoes crack when they are left in storage for a while or used in extreme weather condition. Let those shoes last.

For that spa treatment for your pretty shoes, get the olive oil from the cupboard. Wipe your leather shoes with a clean rag with a little bit of olive oil.

There is nothing like an old time shoes with a fresh look.

More Travel Tips

Last Monday, our family went to an agency to check out some travel packages that are currently available. While we realize that it is not the best time to get the best deal, because it is practically a peak season. With the holidays and all, we just would like to take a peek of sorts.

In line with this, I hope to give you, my dear readers, a tip or two on traveling. If you happen to be traveling to New York City and its surrounding suburbs, you have to look into Laguardia Airport Shuttle. They offer share-ride airport shuttles and modern vans to boot, with a separate luggage compartment and all the works – for your convenience. It is one thing to be able to travel, it is another to get things settled and in order when you get to your destination.

GoAirlinkShuttle.com accepts reservations 24/7 and you are assured of their reputation of reliability. For other travel tips, back track a few entries and you will find some things to take note of when on a holiday. An additional tip is get an itinerary ready and a map handy. This applies if you do not avail of a tour package with tour guides.

The Soda Sprinkle

I have mentioned quite a number of times how baking soda can be so handy in just about everything around the house. Here's another you can use baking soda on.

Get rid of stinky post workout odor from those rubber shoes, or just about any pair of shoes before putting them back on the rack. For a savvier way to do it, place tablespoon full on a fabric, seal it and you just throw it in your shoes, without the messy powder all over your shoe rack.

A Tip for Dieters

Before you pop in any of those best diet pills, back track to one of my previous posts about the three day diet or try out the south beach diet. I have not really tried how effective the latter is, but the former has made wonders to me and a couple of my girl friends.

What makes south beach diet different is it teaches a lifestyle that you rely on the right diet of carbs and fats. To live satisfactorily without taking in the bad carbs and cholesterol. This diet emphasizes that people who eat bad carbs and fats feel hungrier which cause them to eat more. Thus, more and more people are getting obese and can’t control undesirable weigh gain.

You actually become healthier and you can lose from eight to thirteen pounds in two weeks. Now, that’s not bad.

Mattress Care

If your mattress or bed box becomes dirty and stained, use a foaming upholstery shampoo to clean it. Leave it to dry before putting it back in place. It's a whole different story if it were heated mattress pads you are to clean. You would have to check with your manufacturer for that.

Flip over your mattress, every week or two. This will evenly distribute the sagging. Occasional airing it in the sun will also help keep your mattress fresh and clean. Vacuum your mattress using the upholstery attachment to remove the dust that accumulates over time.

PayingPost.com Officially Launched

I recently signed up a couple of my blogs to PayingPost.com and I am really thrilled that they have approved both my blogs in no time. This blog advertising network has been live for a few weeks now but officially launched today. My advertisers will very soon realize from the amount of blog traffic a few of my sites generate, that they are getting the buzz that they want for their products and services.

This is a call out for those advertisers and even bloggers to register for an account with PayingPost. I did a couple of opportunities from them today alone and I am the most thrilled to have gotten both of them approved in no time.

Press Release: PayingPost, another Consumer Generated Advertising Network, released Beta 2.0 of its online blog advertising service. Payingpost was online since a few weeks but officially launched today.

\"This website is focused on improving the quality of content for advertisers and bloggers,\" stated Jason King, founder and CEO of PayingPost. \"We have introduced a variety of features that will allow our service to naturally improve itself and provide the best Web 2.0 advertising experience for both bloggers and advertisers.\"

Whether you provide web design services, business consulting or sell products online getting people to talk about your company is probably the best marketing technique available. Customers get bombarded with advertising in our society, often times reducing the overall efficiency of those campaigns and creating what is called ad-blindness. The result is that direct recommendations or feedback by real people like bloggers will create more value and visibility for your services or products.

The most obvious benefit from buying sponsored reviews is the traffic that they will drive to your website. Popular blogs can generate tens of thousands of page views daily, and if they write an interesting review it is probable that a good percentage of their readership will check your product.

Optimal results can be achieved if you communicate to the reviewing blog what sides of your business you are trying to promote, why the readers could be interested on your product and the like.

Apart from generating traffic sponsored reviews will also improve your search engine rankings. Like it or not Google and other search engines rank your website based, among other things, on the number of incoming links and on the authority of the websites that are placing those links.

Your company might have a website with the most comprehensive and detailed information about a certain topic, but unless people are linking to it you will have very small chances of appearing on the first results for important keywords related to that topic.

Jason King also stated that \"PayingPost only charges a 20% fee while our competitors may charge 30-35%.\"

You can read more and register at PayingPost.com.

Washing Vacuum Bottles

Did you know that all vacuum bottles should always be handwashed? Use a bottle brush when necessary. Rinse thoroughly and invert to dry.

To take away the odors that have been absorbed by the vacuum bottle, freshen it up with backing soda and warm water. Let stand for 20 minute, scrub with the bottle brush, rinse and air dry.

Earn from Home

Having started blogging in 2004, I should say that this is one of the things that liberates me. This explains the handful of web sites that I currently manage. My main site MarriageandBeyond.com alone has 930 posts and generates an average of 300 unique visits per day. It was just timely when my mentor told me to monetize my site. That was approximately a year ago and boy am I glad I heeded to that encouragement.

I was not too oriented with blog advertising back then. In fact, it was something that was unheard of by me. I am happy that I am able to get paid for blogging and work from home. Through my sites advertisers are able to get the buzz they need for their products and services.

One of things that takes up majority of my time is juggling chores and keeping home. This is why I was inspired to put up HandyTipsandHints.com. I can rave about the things I learn on a regular basis to a few people at a time, while this site is able to reach more than just a handful at a time. Sweet!

This is a tip that I hope to share all those who journal online. You will surely reap the benefit of doing by getting paid for blogging while earning on the side.